I am a mountain guide.
During the day, I patrol the mountains, gather herbs, and serve as a guide for travelers. At night, I dispel dark energy and lead wandering spirits to their rest.
That evening, I set out as usual, carrying my eternal lantern and a burlap sack full of spirit money.
Along the trail, I saw two men and two women heading deeper into the wilderness with livestreaming equipment strapped to their backs.
When they noticed the guide badge on my chest, they insisted I lead them.
Seeing the daylight fading fast, I urged them to head back down.
The man in front looked arrogant, and without warning, spat right in my face.
“We’re a famous livestream adventure team,” he sneered. “One night’s broadcast earns us over a hundred thousand dollars. You going to pay us back for that if we lose it?”
The other three folded their arms and watched the scene with amusement.
I tightened my grip on the sack. Sure, I had that kind of money — but it was meant to be burned for the dead.
The mountain wind grew colder, the darkness creeping in.
When I still refused to guide them deeper, the man in front became more agitated.
“Do you know who I am? My family owns the largest influencer incubator in New York City!”
The blond-haired man beside him jabbed a finger at me. “His family’s the richest in the city. People line up just to work with them. You’d better cooperate and lead the way.”
Ryan Brooks snorted through his nose, pulled out his wallet, and flung a few hundred-dollar bills at my face.
“Hurry up. Don’t delay our stream.”
“Being needed by us is your privilege.”
My heart sank. I had really run into trouble this time.
They were dead set on going into the deep forest — far too dangerous. My only option was to guide them in a roundabout way, back down the mountain.
The moon had not yet risen; there was still time before the spirit guiding ritual.
The trail here was rocky and treacherous, harder to walk with each passing minute.
I walked ahead, leading the way, while they followed behind with their phones, broadcasting live.
This mountain was called Shadow Pass Mountain, said in legends to be a crucial crossing for spirits on the River Styx Path. Online stories made it sound even more mystical.
They chatted excitedly about the scenery and how they planned to camp deep in the Redwood National Forest overnight, urging their viewers to send them virtual gifts.
My scalp prickled. I should have checked the timing before leaving home today — fate had cursed me with running into them.
We kept walking until they suddenly stopped.
The sound of the livestream cut off.
Puzzled, I turned back.
Without warning, Ryan slapped me across the face.
“I’ve never hit a woman before, but you’ve gone too far! I asked you to take us up the mountain, and you’re leading us down instead!”
I hadn’t seen it coming. My vision flashed with stars, my cheek burned, and my sack flew from my hands.
The spirit money scattered across the ground.
My head was spinning. I braced myself against a tree, taking a moment to steady my breath.
“This place… is dangerous at night. I’m doing this for your safety!”
Ryan mocked me. “Dangerous? And yet you, a lone woman, think it’s safe to wander here at night?”
Jake Miller picked up some of the spirit money, clicking his tongue.
“This woman’s weird — carrying spirit money up the mountain.”
Before I could reply, the two women stepped forward and searched me.
They found my guide badge — No. 001.
The four of them examined it, eventually finding a listing for a company called Mountain Supply Co.
When I tried to snatch it back, they shoved me hard to the ground.
Ryan, furious, ground his heel into my palm.
“In all my life, I’ve never met anyone who dared disrespect me like this!”
He pressed harder until blood seeped out before stepping back.
Emily Carter, the red-haired girl, clung to Ryan’s arm, chewing gum.
“A hillbilly like you doesn’t know your place. Serves you right.”
My palm was numb from the pressure, small stones embedded in the skin, blood still oozing.
