Yan Qing had heard this sound before—back when she visited the zoo.
The memory was vivid, and her face turned pale as she realized what was approaching. She could only run, but unfortunately, the direction she chose brought her closer to danger rather than away.
Suddenly, she stopped. Not far ahead, the trees shook violently, and the noise grew louder.
“Damn it… my luck can’t be this bad,” Yan Qing thought.
Then, she spotted a massive rock not far to her right. She quickly changed direction and saw that it was actually two huge boulders stacked together. Between them was a narrow gap—just enough for a person to squeeze through.
The sounds of the approaching beasts grew nearer. With no other option, Yan Qing climbed atop the boulders.
No sooner had she lain flat than two trembling wild animals came into view: a tiger and a black bear.
Yan Qing held her breath, not daring to move even an inch.
Then, an idea struck her. While the two beasts were still some distance away, she quietly drew her crossbow and aimed.
If they crossed her position, one arrow could strike.
The two animals were locked in a deadly standoff—both severely wounded, neither able to overpower the other.
Yan Qing didn’t know which would win, but either outcome worked in her favor.
If either survived near her eventual dwelling, she would never feel safe again.
The black bear, slightly larger than the tiger, roared fiercely. The battle ended— the tiger was defeated.
Yan Qing witnessed the fall of a hero.
Interestingly, the black bear didn’t devour the tiger. After resting briefly, it stood up, though it seemed badly injured. Yan Qing thought to herself that this bear wasn’t unharmed.
Just as she exhaled in relief, her breath caught again.
The black bear was moving in her direction.
Yan Qing felt her hands and feet go icy cold, completely frozen, forgetting the arrow in her right hand.
The bear drew closer and closer. She didn’t dare even breathe. It was right beneath her.
Just a lift of its head would reveal her.
But then, the bear veered to the right.
Relieved, Yan Qing let out a shallow breath.
Suddenly, a thud—the black bear fell. Heavy, labored breathing echoed.
Yan Qing thought it was done, but moments later, it struggled to stand, trembling violently.
Only then did she notice the extent of its injury: a dark red trail marked the ground, and judging by the blood’s location, it had been wounded in its belly—the softest, most vulnerable part.
The black bear continued forward, and soon disappeared from sight.
Yan Qing realized it had retreated into a nearby cave—likely its den.
She waited 15 minutes. No movement.
To be safe, she fired an arrow into the tiger’s corpse, ensuring no surprises later.
After another five minutes, silence enveloped the forest. Yan Qing decided it was time to act.
She planned to take advantage of the bear’s injuries and fire a lethal shot. If she intended to live in this forest long-term, leaving such a large threat nearby was too dangerous.
Still, she couldn’t understand why the bear had abandoned the tiger’s corpse and returned to its den.
She crept silently along nearby trees, careful not to make a sound.
Next to the cave was a large boulder. The gap between it and the cave wall could conceal a person.
Yan Qing was gambling.
She bet that the bear, injured and slow, would not be faster than her—or faster than her crossbow.
She was determined: she would strike before it could strike her.
The forest held its breath. The next move could decide life or death.