Bai Xue Yao lay flat on the ground, one hand clutching her stomach while the other pinched her nose shut. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
'Most people get cool weapons when they get a system, why is mine always different? Why?! Xue Yao, Xue Yao, who did you offend?… This is an attempted murder.' Her shoulders trembled.
Not far away from her, Honghong rolled across the forest floor.
"Water! I need water! My nose is dying!" She screeched dramatically, flapping her wings violently.
"If you drink water, you are going to ruin your entire digestive system." Xue Yao sobbed without a sound. "Even the smell can stings the eyes."
Tian Lan floated calmly above them with her hands behind her back, pretending she had nothing to do with the disaster.
[Host should appreciate the bronze prize more. Those socks are a very rare treasure.]
"A treasure? My foot," Xue Yao shot to her feet. "Those socks can wipe out an entire village."
[That only proves how powerful they are.]
'Wait a minute… she is right.' Xue Yao paused for a moment. 'It would be better if it had no effect on me…' She lowered her nose to sniff her body but she instantly pulled away with her face squeezed in disgust.
'Even if I shower for the next 30 days, it won't be enough to get rid of this smell.'
Honghong lay sprawled weakly on the ground, waving her feather-like hand in the air. "Sister Xue Yao…" she said weakly, as if this was her last moment on earth. "I think my soul left my body for a second."
Xue Yao nodded solemnly. "Mine too."
Tian Lan folded her arms across her chest. [weak.]
"Weak? Did you just call us weak?" Xue Yao's veins almost popped out of her neck.
[Yes, you couldn't even handle a little smell. Look at me…] She swirled around with a mocking expression. [I'm not affected.]
Xue Yao rolled her eyes. "That is because your level must be more than mid-level." She angrily kicked the pebble on the ground.
[That's not true.]
"Yes, it is."
[No, it's not.]
"Yes, it is."
Honghong turned left and right, watching them go back and forth. Her already dizzy mind turned blurry instantly before she collapsed on the ground.
[Host should focus on survival instead of attacking the system emotionally.] Tian Lan stuck her tongue out.
"You gave me emotional damage socks! One that could affect me, the host!"
Honghong raised her head weakly. "Can we ban that weapon forever?" Her voice trembled like a leaf before the wind.
[No]
"No."
Tian Lan and Xue Yao answered simultaneously.
"Oooo." Honghong lamented.
Just then, Xue Yao's stomach grumbled. "Time to eat I guess."
A few minutes later, after the smell finally faded, Honghong gathered dry branches while Xue Yao retrieved one of the rock rabbits from her system's space.
Xue Yao's mouth watered immediately, already imagining the rabbit grilling over the fire.
"Master, will one be enough?" Honghong asked cautiously.
Xue Yao paused for a moment, before looking at the rabbit in her hand. She was so hungry that she could finish the whole rabbit herself.
Without replying to Honghong she retrieved two more. "One for me, one for you, and one for the white wolf."
Her eyes lingered on the small frame of the wolf, and the piece of cloth wrapped around his wound.
"Master, you are the best… Hehehe." Honghong laughed mischievously.
Xue Yao pumped her chest out. "I know, I know… no need for the flattering."
Not long after, the crackling of wood echoed across the quiet forest, accompanied by the savory smell of the rabbits.
Xue Yao and Honghong sat with eyes dilated, saliva dripping from the corners of their mouth.
Crackle.
The juicy fat from the meat dropped into the burning coal, releasing a smoky aroma.
Xue Yao broke out of her trance-like state and wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. She slowly rotated the meat to ensure all parts were well-cooked.
The rabbits inside were gutted out, with small sticks holding the carcasses open over the fire.
She stared proudly at the spices she had used. 'This is the best part of having this system.' She sniffed the air, inhaling the meaty smell.
The moment the meat was ready. Honghong remained in place obediently.
Xue Yao took the biggest piece of meat. When she noticed Honghong was still in her spot, she was a little taken aback by her good behaviour. Pleased by it she handed the next biggest meat to her.
Honghong grabbed it out of her hand hastily, devouring the meat as if it had been 100 years since she last ate.
"So much for being well-behaved." Xue Yao clicked her tongue and took a big chunk out of the meat.
The moment the juicy flavor burst in her mouth, she saw herself floating on cloud nine.
Her toes curled in satisfaction. "Hmmmmm." She moaned as she took another bite.
"So delicious…SO DELICIOUS!" Honghong continued devouring the meat, muttering between moans and hurried breaths.
However, another noise echoed in the air. [This is so delicious. Host is the best cook ever!]
Honghong and Xue Yao raised their heads only to find Tian Lan devouring the last meat.
"No!" Xue Yao and Honghong shouted in unison, their eyes widening in horror.
'I was keeping the meat to myself knowing full well the wolf was still unconscious… why!' Xue Yao cried inwardly, as she ripped off a big chunk of the meat in her hand, her mouth full and stuffed like a squirrel.
'I was going to beg master for that meat. The wolf was asleep, and Master cannot eat any more, else she would burst. That was supposed to be mine!" Honghong cried as she gulped the whole meat, afraid it would be taken from her.
"Tian Lan, that meat is not yours!" Xue Yao said with her mouth full, but no one could hear what she was saying.
[Swallow your food before speaking.] Tian Lan sat on the ground with her legs spread apart like a child, burying her face in the meat, which was bigger than her.
Xue Yao cried invisible tears inwardly, before narrowing her eyes at her.
"I thought systems don't eat?"
Tian Lan lifted her head from the meat. [I was merely inspecting the quality.]
"Mhmm."
For a brief moment, the atmosphere became peaceful.
The fire crackled softly. Honghong licked her feather-fingers, regretting swallowing her meat so quickly.
Tian Lan yawned midair, gnawing on the bones remaining.
Xue Yao leaned back against the tree trunk with a satisfied sigh.
Then… Crunch.
The soft sound echoed through the air and they froze.
Honghong slowly lifted her head.
Tian Lan's sleepy eyes sharpened slightly.
Xue Yao blinked lazily before turning toward the source of the sound.
Not far from the fire… The white wolf was standing there.
Its silver-white fur reflected faintly beneath the firelight, though parts of it were stained with dried blue blood.
Its golden eyes stared directly at them. Cold. Sharp. Intelligent.