Under the heiress facade

Chapter 257

Hera reacted swiftly and clutched the vine. However, the branch tore through her sleeve and sent a sharp pain shooting up her arm.

Just as her other hand scrambled for a foothold, the vine snapped unexpectedly, causing her to plummet. With a resounding crash, Hera landed on bent knees to brace herself against the impact.

Despite the fall she managed to grab enough vines to avoid a worse tate, though both of her palms were now scraped raw and stinging

Ignoring the pain, Hera surveyed her surroundings. Above her, a narrow strip of sky marked the crevice she had fallen from, now hundreds of feet above and out of sight

Sunlight filtered through, casting an eerie glow downward, revealing what appeared to be a gaping mawin the mountain.

Hera wouldn’t have noticed that there was such a large opening on the upper ground if she hadn’t accidentally stepped into thin air.

The split in the mountain seemed almost naturally formed, opening into a vast, semi–oval space that looked partly excavated. It seemed bottomless and shadowy within.

A small stream flowed with crystal–clear mountain water among the scattered rocks on the ground. Alongside the stream, a few plump, giant rats cautiously watched her.

ensuring it was safe, Hera went to the stream to wash her hands and face. She took a few refreshing sips of the

arm was still bleeding, so she ripped a strip

now torn at the

the knowledge that it would only get colder after nightfall, Hera needed to leave the place as soon

steps back up seemed impractical, so Hera followed the mountain water flow downstream.

darkness.

she reached a small pond where the stream converged. She observed that its flow was directed

but it appeared deep and foreboding. As it was shrouded in darkness, Hera

of the question. Her only options were to press on Into the unknown or face an

not much of a choice, Hera steeled herself and cautiously

cave: Hera had kicked something an old military flashlight. Dusty and seemingly disused, it surprisingly flickered to life

touch.

newfound light, Hera spotted a worn–out backpack not far ahead, she kicked a stone toward it when she noticed something inside still