Chapter 63: Cold-Warmth
The cave gradually became warmer, not because the snow had stopped falling outside, or that the cold aura surrounding Chloe had disappeared, but because Gromda had somehow turned the place into a proper campsite. A large fire crackled at the center while several pieces of roasted meat rested over improvised racks above it. A collection of drinks sat nearby.
Silas hadn’t even asked where half of it came from. The answer was obvious: the system, and it wasn’t shutting up about it.
[Three hundred and fifty points.]
’Worth it.’
[You bought beverages.]
’Worth it.’
[You bought spices.]
’Worth it.’
[You bought premium spices.]
’Absolutely worth it.’
[You’re wasting resources.]
’I’m feeding my girlfriends.’
[...]
[Acceptable.]
Silas smirked.
He sat cross-legged beside the fire while chewing on a piece of perfectly roasted meat. For once, everything felt peaceful. Across from him sat Chloe and Gromda. Gromda was practically vibrating with excitement. Meanwhile, Chloe sat calmly beside the fire, wrapped in a thick blanket Silas had purchased.
The difference between them was almost comical: one looked like a huge, excited puppy, while the other looked like an ice queen, which she was.
"You really fell into cold water?" Gromda asked.
"Yes."
"And then almost died?"
"Yes."
"And then died?"
"Apparently."
"You can do that?" Gromda’s eyes widened.
"I don’t recommend it," Chloe blinked.
Silas nearly choked on his food. Gromda stared and nodded seriously.
"Understandable."
Silas laughed, and even Chloe’s lips twitched slightly. It was the closest thing to a smile she had shown since waking up. The transformation was shocking. Her appearance had changed completely. The old Chloe had always looked cute, pretty, and approachable. But now?
She looked beautiful, dangerously so, with long white hair cascading down her back. Her pale skin almost glowed under the firelight, and her icy-blue eyes seemed capable of freezing people with a glance. Even her posture had changed. Everything about her felt colder, sharper, and more distant. Silas wasn’t the only one who noticed.
"You’re different." Gromda leaned closer.
"I know."
"You talk differently."
"I know."
"You look different."
"I know."
"..."
"..."
"You say ’I know’ a lot."
"I know."
Gromda burst out laughing. Silas almost spat out his drink, and even Chloe looked mildly annoyed, which somehow made her look even prettier.
"You used to be shy," Silas commented from the side. "Where did my cute Chloe go?!" He exclaimed dramatically, making her blush lightly.
"I still am."
"No," Gromda shook her head in disapproval. "That’s not what mate said about you."
Chloe stared at her, and Gromda stared back. Silas just continued eating. Eventually, Chloe sighed.
"Maybe a little."
"A lot."
"A little."
"A lot."
"A little."
"A lot."
Chloe looked toward Silas.
"Help."
"I learned a long time ago not to interfere in arguments between women."
"Smart mate," Gromda gave a thumbs up, something she learned from Silas. "Very smart, mate."
Silas winked at her. He immediately felt proud of himself, but the system disagreed.
[You’re a coward.]
’Survival instinct.’
[Fair.]
The conversation gradually shifted. This time, Chloe began talking about everything that had happened since arriving in the snowy region. The wolves, the frozen wilderness, the cave stream, the strange vision, the awakening, the fruits, the poison, and the cocoon. She explained everything calmly.
At several points, Silas found himself frowning, especially when she mentioned nearly freezing to death, then poisoning herself, then dying once again.
"You really ate random fruits?" Silas asked.
"I was hungry."
"You didn’t think they might be poisonous?"
"I knew they might be."
"..."
"..."
"You ate them anyway?"
"I was hungry."
Silas rubbed his forehead.
"Good decision," Gromda nodded approvingly.
"It was not a good decision."
"I think good decision."
"It literally killed her."
"But she’s stronger now."
"..."
Silas hated how difficult it was to argue with that logic. They had spent close to a week or more in the rift. Of course, she would be hungry, and with how she recounted her experiences, food was the last and scarcest thing she could get. The fire crackled. Outside, snow continued falling.
Inside the cave, however, things felt peaceful. For the first time since entering the rift, Silas and Chloe were together, along with Gromda. All three of them were together. There were no monsters, no running, no fighting, and no life-threatening disasters, just warmth, food, and company.
Silas leaned back against a rock and watched the two women talking. One spoke with endless enthusiasm while the other replied with all the emotional expression of a glacier, yet somehow, they were getting along surprisingly well. A small smile appeared on his face. For now, at least, everything was alright.
***
Silas lay between Chloe and Gromda, one radiating warmth and the other radiating a cold kind of warmth. Chloe, despite the changes, was still Chloe, at least to Silas. That shy girl was still there, and he had discovered it when he excused himself to go out and urinate. The way she blushed while looking down at his trousers told him everything he needed to know. Even the cold couldn’t change her that much.
They used his arms as pillows, and in no time, both were sleeping peacefully and snoring lightly. Well, Gromda was drooling, but it was cute. Silas was even surprised that Chloe didn’t attack Gromda when she woke up. Gromda was essentially a monster despite her more human appearance. Not like he was complaining. He was just surprised.
’System.’
[Yep.]
’Is there a way to check what’s going on with Chloe?’
[Thought you would never ask. You can use the System Identification, but it would only give basic information. To gain more detailed information, you would have to mark her. COMPLETELY.]
’Thanks. The basic info would be enough for now. I don’t want to rush her.’
[Good.]
[System Identification...]
[Name: Chloe Montreal]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: SS-Rank]
[Ability: Absolute Zero]
[Condition: Barely Stable. Needs Warmth. Has at most three days before she goes completely cold.]
Silas almost shot up. Chloe was an SS-Rank! She was a freaking SS-Rank, just below his rank. The rift was now looking more like a blessing than a curse and torture because... what the hell?! To think...
’I understand that warmth, but I don’t want to force myself on her. I don’t want to lose her either. She’s too cold...’
’System, any suggestions?’
[I have a lot, but they are all things you would use against your enemies. I wouldn’t recommend them.]
’Sigh...’
[Don’t worry. You will figure it out.]
’I hope so...’
