Morning came slowly. The world outside the warehouse was quiet, but Hero and Jade were already awake. They packed food, flashlights, rope, and the compass. Hero tied the necklace tighter around his neck, as if he needed strength from his father.
They rode a bus to a small province where the cave was located, then walked for hours through mountains and trees. The path was steep and rocky, but they didn't stop. Hero didn't say much, but his eyes were full of fire. Jade watched him carefully. He knew Hero was ready, but he was afraid of how painful this journey could be.
When they finally reached the cave entrance, both of them stood still.
The place was huge, dark, and silent. The wind that came from inside felt cold, like the cave was breathing. It was the place where Jack took his last steps.
Hero stepped forward first. "I'm here, Dad," he whispered to himself.
They turned on their flashlights and walked inside. The floor was uneven and the walls were covered in strange marks. Drops of water echoed, making the cave feel alive.
They didn't notice that someone else was watching from behind the rocks , one of the gang members who followed them quietly all the way from the city. He stared for a moment, eyes wide, then ran back silently to inform the others.
Deep inside the cave, Hero suddenly stopped. His light pointed at something on the ground.
Bones.
Jade walked closer, his feet shaking a little. "These… these are human bones."
Hero stared hard. His hands trembled. Beside the bones was a piece of torn cloth — old, dirty, and familiar. The same kind of jacket Jack always wore.
Hero knelt down slowly. He didn't cry, but his breathing was unsteady. "Dad… you died here, alone."
Jade lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Hero."
Hero checked every space around the skeleton. He searched the ground, the cracks in the rocks, even inside broken bags. "The map… maybe he hid it here."
But there was nothing.
Nothing except the bones and memories of pain.
Suddenly, they heard a voice from the mouth of the cave.
"There they are! Don't let them escape!"
The gang had arrived.
Jade shouted, "Run! Go deeper!"
They sprinted deeper into the cave, passing narrow pathways and sharp rocks. Gunshots echoed behind them, hitting walls and sending dust into the air. The cave opened into an exit on the other side, where daylight shined softly.
But outside the exit stood more armed men waiting.
The moment Hero and Jade stepped out, bullets rained across the open space. They dove behind large rocks for safety.
"Split up!" Jade shouted. "We'll meet outside the forest!"
Hero nodded. They looked at each other once, then ran in different directions.
Jade moved first, running behind a fallen tree. Two of the gang members blocked his way. One swung a rifle at him, but Jade dodged and punched him in the nose. When the second man aimed his gun, Jade grabbed the barrel and twisted it hard. They wrestled, and the gun fell to the ground. Jade kicked the man in the stomach and knocked him into the dirt. Then he ran toward the forest, lungs burning.
Hero meanwhile rushed to another direction, but three men blocked the path. One tried to hit him with the pointed end of a gun, but Hero ducked and punched him in the throat. The second swung at him with a metal pipe, but Hero caught the arm and slammed the man into the ground. The third tried to shoot, but Hero jumped forward and kicked the gun from his hands. It slid across the rocks.
Hero grabbed the last man by the collar and pushed him against the wall. His voice was sharp and shaking.
"Where is the map? Who killed my father?!"
The man coughed, eyes full of fear. "We don't have the map! We never found it! We chased your father, but someone else was already here before us!"
Hero's eyes widened. "Someone else? Who?"
The man answered with a weak voice, "We saw your father lying on the ground… and we saw someone running away with something in his hands. That person ran before we even reached him. We didn't kill your father. We only found his body."
Hero stared at him in shock. The truth hit him harder than any bullet.
Someone else got the map first.
Someone else killed his father.
The gang wasn't the real enemy.
Before Hero could ask more, Jade appeared behind him, breathing hard. "Hero! We need to go. They're regrouping. More are coming."
Hero looked at the man he held. He didn't speak, but his eyes promised something. A warning. A vow.
Then he let go and ran with Jade toward the forest.
Branches scratched their arms, and rocks bruised their knees, but they didn't stop until the sound of gunfire faded. Only then did they slow down. Both were exhausted, covered in dirt and sweat.
Hero leaned against a tree, still catching his breath. His voice was low, but full of rage.
"The gang didn't kill my father. Someone else did. Someone took the map before they arrived."
Jade looked at him with worry. "Do you have any idea who it could be?"
Hero shook his head. "Not yet… but whoever that person is, they're ahead of us. And they're still out there."
He closed his hand around the necklace tightly.
"I promise, Jade… I will find that person. And I will make him pay."
The forest wind blew gently, but the fire in Hero's heart only grew stronger.
The hunt was no longer just for the treasure.
It had become a hunt for the killer.