The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Chapter 392: A Cat’s Curiosity

Alice hugged herself, shivering slightly despite her feline heritage. Her voice carried a sharp, impatient edge as she glared at Adam.

"Can we hurry up? I’m freezing out here."

Adam shot her a flat, disbelieving look, his crimson eyes narrowing with dry amusement.

"Aren’t you a cat? You’re supposed to have fur. Are those ears and tail just for decoration?"

Alice’s ears flattened, her tail lashing with irritation. Her voice rose, indignant.

"I’m still cold! You could at least be more considerate and give me something warm to wear!"

Adam’s voice carried a dry, pointed edge as he gestured at her outfit.

"Blame yourself for wearing such a short skirt."

Alice’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping into a low, defensive tone.

"I like this outfit. Don’t you like seeing me in a skirt like this?"

Azrynn stepped between them, her voice calm but carrying a note of quiet urgency.

"We don’t have time for this. Let’s focus on finding the stash."

Alice’s gaze shifted to Azrynn, her voice carrying a note of wounded indignation.

"Azrynn, you understand, don’t you? I was just trying to get Adam to pay more attention to me, and he responded like that! Is that really something you can just forgive?"

Adam’s voice cut through, flat and unyielding.

"Look at the time and place. We’re in enemy territory. Can’t you be patient for just a little while?"

Alice’s voice carried a note of stubborn insistence as she crossed her arms, her cat ears twitching with irritation.

"The atmosphere was perfect for you to spoil me. You should have been more attentive."

Azrynn’s voice came out in a strained, urgent whisper, her yellow eyes darting nervously toward the treeline.

"Please, both of you—lower your voices..."

Before anyone could respond, a sound cut through the silence—footsteps, heavy and deliberate, crunching through the underbrush. The three of them froze. Adam’s hand shot up, signaling silence. They melted into the shadows, pressing themselves against the rough bark of a large oak as the footsteps grew closer.

Adam’s voice came out in a sharp, barely audible whisper, his crimson eyes fixed on the approaching figure.

"This is your fault. Now we’re going to get caught."

Alice’s voice was equally low, carrying a note of defiant indignation.

"It wasn’t my fault! You’re the one whose voice is too loud!"

Azrynn’s voice came out in a tight, desperate whisper, her yellow eyes wide with alarm.

"Both of you—please! Be quiet!"

The footsteps stopped. The three of them held their breath. Through the leaves, they could see a soldier—young, wearing Solarian colors, his posture relaxed but alert. He stopped a few paces from their hiding spot, glanced around casually, then turned and began to relieve himself against a tree.

Adam, Alice, and Azrynn let out a collective, silent breath of relief. The soldier finished, adjusted his belt, and walked away without ever noticing them.

Adam’s shoulders sagged slightly, his voice carrying a note of dry, exhausted relief.

"That was too close."

Alice’s voice carried a note of flat, unimpressed observation as she watched the soldier disappear back toward the outpost.

"That was small. Are all human men that... small?"

Azrynn let out a soft, contemptuous sniff. "Pathetic. And they call themselves soldiers?"

Adam’s voice cut through, low and exasperated, carrying a note of warning.

"Don’t make fun of a man’s size like that. You’ll hurt his feelings."

Alice’s ear twitched, her voice carrying a note of dismissive indifference.

"He’s a Solarian soldier. I don’t care about his feelings."

Adam let out a long, weary sigh, shaking his head as he turned back toward the path ahead. "Let’s just find the stash and get out of here."

Alice’s voice carried a note of sudden, mischievous curiosity as she tilted her head, her dark violet eyes glinting with playful intent.

"Hmm~ Adam, is yours also that small?"

Azrynn’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the question. A faint flush crept up her pale cheeks as she quickly looked away.

Adam’s voice came out flat, his jaw tightening with exasperation.

"Quiet. Keep moving."

Alice’s tail swayed with amusement as she fell into step behind him, her voice carrying a light, teasing note.

"So secretive~"

The ruby in Alice’s hand pulsed brighter, casting a warm, steady glow that cut through the dim forest light. Adam slowed, his crimson eyes fixed on the ground ahead.

"Here. The stash should be underground."

Azrynn stepped forward, her voice calm but focused.

"Let me handle this."

She knelt, her fingers tracing a series of intricate runes across the earth. The runes glowed with a soft, silver light, pulsing in rhythm with her breath. When she finished, she pressed her palm against the center of the pattern and channeled her mana.

The ground trembled. A low, grinding sound echoed through the clearing as the earth split apart, the soil and stone shifting like water, revealing a hidden chamber beneath. Crates, chests, and bundled sacks lay stacked in neat rows—Selena’s stash.

Alice let out a low, appreciative whistle as she surveyed the collection.

"Not bad, Azrynn."

She didn’t waste any time. Her hand swept over the stash, and the items began to disappear, one by one, into the Void Locker. Within moments, the chamber was empty.

Azrynn let out a slow, shaky breath, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion as she deactivated the runes. The ground rumbled softly as the earth shifted back into place, sealing the hidden chamber once more. She swayed slightly, her face pale from the effort.

Adam was already moving. He reached into Alice’s Void Locker and pulled out a mana potion, pressing it into Azrynn’s hands before she could protest.

"Here."

Azrynn uncorked the vial and drank deeply, the color slowly returning to her cheeks as the mana flowed through her. She let out a slow, steadying breath.

"...Thank you."

Adam’s voice carried a note of genuine respect as he studied the now-sealed ground.

"Your runes are incredibly useful. But they take a lot out of you."

Azrynn’s lips curved into a faint, tired smile.

"Everything has a cost."