"Fwoosh—"
Icy wind and snow hit her face. After the dizziness faded, Yu Yachen opened her eyes.
A familiar tundra. A familiar sky.
She raised a hand to block the snow. It was just as cold. The snow cut visibility, but she could make out the blurry outline of a large building in the distance.
Is that the mine?
Tire tracks marred the white snow, turning it to mud. A skinny Infected man pushed the last cart of ore, went to the mess hall, and received today's lunch from a disgusted worker: a long, black loaf of bread.
It was as hard as a brick. It had no nutritional value, tasted like coal, and was barely enough to survive. But this was lunch.
In this mine, everyone was treated "equally," man, woman, or child.
After lunch, the managers gathered everyone in the square. The man didn't dare disobey, shuffling along with the crowd.
It was probably time for the monthly "lottery."
It was a simple "game," they said.
You take a wooden stick from the bucket. If it's white, you go back to work. If it's black, you're executed.
In reality, it was just a disgusting activity to satisfy their twisted desires.
When it was his turn, the man walked up and took a stick.
It was white, with a smiley face carved on it as a sick joke.
He felt nothing. He tucked the stick into his clothes and rejoined the crowd.
The crowd grew restless. As a guard impatiently cracked his whip, a white-haired Cautus girl, clutching a black stick, was shoved to the front.
"Heh, looks like we've got a show today!" The guard grinned, revealing yellow teeth. "Bring her up!"
Two soldiers roughly dragged Yelena by the arms onto a makeshift wooden stage. A well-dressed, smarmy-sounding man walked up, cleared his throat, and put on a fake smile.
"My dear... uh... co-workers," he drew out the words. "On this... uh... momentous day, we have another lucky winner! Let's have a round of applause for this brave little girl!"
The crowd was deathly silent.
The man ignored it. "You see, in the glorious construction of Ursus, someone must... uh... make a sacrifice. This cute little girl will contribute her meager strength to the Empire's prosperity..."
The Cautus girl's eyes filled with tears. Just as the man was about to continue—
"Cling—"
A coin, from out of nowhere, struck him in the forehead. The hard object hit his flesh, and the coin instantly exploded.
"BOOM—!"
A flash of fire engulfed the man. The smoke cleared to reveal the man, moments ago so arrogant, flying backward, his body a mangled, unconscious wreck.
"Too much bullshit. Just die."
Killer Queen floated in the air, expressionless, juggling a few more coins.
...Killer Queen, stop cussing.
Yu Yachen was speechless. Since Killer Queen had her voice, it sounded... weird.
The crowd panicked. Yu Yachen, standing at the entrance, paid them no mind. She walked calmly to the stage. Several arrows flew at her.
Killer Queen's range was now greatly enhanced. The pink Stand easily caught the bolts, then, as the guards shouted, gave each one a single punch, blowing holes through their chests.
In seconds, all the enemies were dead. Yu Yachen arrived at the stage.
As the Cautus girl trembled, the white-haired woman crouched down.
"What's your name?"
"Y-Yelena."
Her eyes were still wet with tears. Seeing her fear, Yu Yachen reached out—with her gloved hand—and gently patted her head, helping her up.
This little brat is so dirty.
Good thing this is a simulation. It probably won't stain my real clothes.
"I'm Yu Yachen. From today on, you're with me. I'll take care of you."
Yu Yachen said, simply and clearly.
[Ooh, Host, so cool~ (´▽*)]
Shut up.
Yu Yachen's face was blank.
"Did you hear her? Shut up," Killer Queen said to the empty air, its face as blank as Yu Yachen's.
[(╬) Wait! The Stand can hear me too?!]
"Sigh."
Yu Yachen sighed, sizing up Yelena.
The Cautus girl's rabbit ears twitched. Her cute face was red with cold. She was as thin as a skeleton, staring at the woman like a frightened baby animal.
She's cute. But too dirty. I don't like it.
Killer Queen appeared, grabbed Yelena by the scruff of her neck like a baby chicken, and lifted her into the air.
"System, is there a mobile city nearby? Take me there."
The alarm was ringing at the mine. The noise was annoying.
For now... she had to raise this little rabbit for a while.
...I hate kids.
Meanwhile, in the Ursus Tundra, Reunion Camp (Reality)...
A bonfire crackled. Talulah opened her tent flap and saw a white-haired Cautus woman lying on a log bench.
The snow had stopped, and the warm afternoon sun fell on her pale face. Talulah stared at the sleeping FrostNova, noticing the wet tear tracks on her cheeks.
The Draco woman scratched her head.
"A nightmare?"
Should I wake her up? She has Yeti Squadron training soon.
Talulah leaned over. Just as she was about to shake her, FrostNova's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"Sister... don't go..."
"?!"
Talulah's eyes went wide.
S-Sister?
"I'll... I'll learn to wash my own clothes... don't... don't dislike me..."
"????"
Talulah was completely baffled.
What kind of dream is this? Is she dreaming about Mr. Patriot?
No, he's a man. Who is 'Sister'?
And... this is not something the cold 'Snow Princess' would ever say! Who are you!
Talulah began to doubt the identity of the person in front of her. FrostNova was always so cold, always looking like she was about to murder someone.
"Sister Yu... I really... like you..."
"???"
"S-Sister... Yu?"
Talulah's mind went blank.
PS: I was only going to do six chapters, but you guys pushed it to nine on the last day...
Capitalism, you win.
I'll get to the other three later. I'm burned out.
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