I passed by several more of the snow free circles. Which I now know actually have worms beneath them, breathing out hot air and melting the snow above their circular mouths. I tried to avoid as many as I could but the ones that looked small enough became free game for someone like me so I killed as many of those as I could.

The snow went further than I thought it could possibly be, taking over my entire line of sight as they sat on top of the earth like a white sheet. I didn't know what exactly caused my simple release of Qi into an apocalypse but if I had to guess, then the worms and the one who created them are as responsible if not more influential as me for this thing happening.

'This is exactly why I need to prioritize them first.' Even when the invasion is still ongoing, the ones who designed the parasites feel more important.

I trekked through the snow until the patches of snow-free ground became common. There weren't any worms in them, which made it a good thing in both leading me to the right way as well as reassuring me that even when the parasites and their circles seem common, they aren't everywhere. 'But that begs the question doesn't it? Are there gonna be worms hiding in places that don't have snow?'

I haven't really thought of that but that's a worrying thought.

Frowning, I looked back to the snowy apocalypse behind me, even now I can see some of the circles that the worms are hiding in. Just how they grow is beyond me but if it's based on actual food, then some of the circles have grown to over 15 feet and that's very worrying. If some worm that can't eat because they're way too obvious grew that big then what about the actual successful ambushers?

The fact that they grew bigger as I continued to the warmer areas didn't pass me either. 'Them getting bigger because they've managed to ambush more people before the snow reached them makes sense but then what does that mean for me?' Did the snow just slowly creep up until it reached this place? Then just when did it slow down? When I was starting to stir?

Did it even stop when I woke up?

This is way too confusing.

I finally walked into a dry area and thankfully, everything beyond it didn't have snow. "So it stops here huh? So what now?" I looked back and stared at the worm circles visible to me. "Find the reason for the parasites. No shit." My tone was as if the answer should've been obvious, even to myself.

But first, Xie Wen.

With the familiarity of dry dirt, I made my way to where I thought our house is and realized that the general area where it is actually got covered in snow and if I wanted to go find it, I'd have to walk back into the wasteland and... I didn't want to do it but the little girl is still there isn't she? Shit. It's either- 'No, I just have to find them, confirm that they're safe, and then leave for the investigation. They'd be fine on their own right?'

Is leaving them behind the right choice? I mean probably, but that's only if I confirm that they're alive. Hopefully, they are.

With a heavy breath, I made my way back into the wasteland to hopefully find Xie Wen and the little girl.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The only thing that I have to do to find the hut is to walk in a straight line and because of that, it didn't take long for me to find it; it was... exactly what I remembered it as. Seriously, the place didn't have snow on it around a large circle. 'Huh, guess the barrier held?' Just how strong was that thing for it to hold out this long?

I walked closer to the hut, "Xie Wen?" I called out but there wasn't an answer. I took another step forward, my heart beating in my chest. I only met her for a day or two, yes, but that didn't mean I couldn't care about her during that small time frame. 'I've gotten attached to people in less time.' I pushed the memory of a small family and walked closer, "Xie Wen? You there?"

I heard shuffling from inside and it took everything to not rush in and instead be cautious, "Xie Wen?" I called out for the third time, "If it's you show yourself,"

The door opened and Xie Wen's face peeked out. She looked malnourished and it tugged on my heart to see her that way, "Yu Song?" she asked. "I-is that you?" She looked at me warily and something tells me that it isn't because I'm potentially a stranger wearing Yu Song's- my version, - skin. An ironic thought since that's exactly what's happening. "If- if it's you then say something that only you can say."

That? That's easy, "Well, how's the little girl?" I asked and guilt flashed in her eyes, "Xie Wen?"

"S-she died." Xie Wen replied in a soft tone. "Sorry."

"N-no it's fine," I didn't know why I said it, it's not like I'm closely related to the kid and me saying it like that made it seem like I just accepted her apology of killing my family member. "It wasn't your fault okay?" She flinched when I walked closer. She stared at me with pleading eyes and I really just wanted to go over to her and hug her but from experience, these sorts of things take time, "whatever happened, it isn't because of you."

She flashed a smile, "Yu Song... I- If only-" She shook her head in dismissal and focused back on me. "Thank you, really."

I started making my way into the circle and she watched me as I passed the barrier without any harm. I figured she'd trust me if I did something like that and I guess I was right because the door flung open and Xie Wen suddenly got close and hugged me tightly, "It really is you,"

I hugged back, "I wouldn't come here if it wasn't me would I?" I ran my hand through her hair, which reached the upper half of her waist, "how long was I out?" I asked bluntly.

I didn't want to dance around the topic because it's probably a sore spot for both me and Xie Wen. Talking about it seemed healthy and if Xie Wen doesn't want to talk about it then I'd respect it.

Thankfully, the girl was willing and she explained to me that she didn't know, all she knew is that she'd been cultivating all this time and had reached Body Refinement at some point, and that let her live through the hunger long enough to meet me. The more I listened about how she slipped in and out of a catatonic, hungry state during all this time the more I felt guilty for doing what I did. Both for creating a snowstorm and for abandoning her.

"I'm sorry." I said and she smiled in response, "No, really. I didn't know this would happen."

She sighed and held my hand, "Yu Song. Did you know that we were about to get attacked back then?" her question made me look at the invisible barrier surrounding the house, "That... is one of the reasons why we survived but you know what's the other one?" I shook my head, "The bandits got scared off by a blizzard that sucked in... all their Qi." She said the last word as if it was the most horrific thing in the world and I guess I can understand why.

I looked at the barrier, "This one held on?"

"No- it probably couldn't- that is if it wasn't because the Qi fueling it belonged to you in the first place. Instead, I think it became stronger."

I... "That means you're safe right?" I asked hesitantly. Because if she was then the parasites... I looked at her malnourished form and regretted my own thoughts. I hugged her, "thank god."

That was all I could say. I felt conflicted. Do I want to pursue Xie Wen or do I want to deal with the parasites? I didn't know.

A ding came then and I opened my status screen to know that I'd failed to help the Sect but the Parasite and Ninja quests stayed there for some reason. 'Right, guess I have time. Then.'