Survival Queen of the Frozen Wastes novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Mirror Image

Chapter 37 Mirror Image

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Then she began gesturing again, looking a little worn out. First, she pointed to her head, then mimed something like her energy draining away before crumpling to the ground.

Riley pieced it together and mostly got the idea.

“You can’t hold the form forever–it drains your energy, right?”

“Riley” nodded again, then flashed with light and shifted back into that cute girl with pink–blue hair. A light sweat had broken out on her forehead. That last transformation really seemed to take it out of her.

Turns out, turning human cost more energy than turning into an animal.

Watching her breathe a little heavily, Riley was seriously impressed.

This ability was absolutely wild.

Even with the time and energy limits, in a tight spot–whether for scouting around or tricking someone- it was basically a cheat skill.

And it wasn’t just about looks, either.

Night fell slowly.

As the last of the sunset was swallowed by the horizon, that same eerie howling started up again outside the camp walls.

The ghouls had respawned.

But this time, listening to the faint, muffled scraping against the thick stone walls, Riley felt nothing.

“Go ahead and scratch. Scratch till your hands fall off–you’re still not getting in.

Once that was settled, Riley headed to the campfire first and stuffed in enough wood to last three days, making sure she wouldn’t have to worry about fuel anytime soon.

Then she called Neeko inside to clean up.

Teaching Neeko how to use modern bathroom stuff was pretty funny.

Luckily, Neeko was sharp. After Riley showed her a few times, she picked up brushing her teeth and washing her face on her own pretty quick.

After washing up, both of them changed into clean pajamas and went back to the warm master bedroom.

Given the system’s not–so–friendly “surprise” announcement, Riley was extra careful tonight.

She switched her title back to “Unlucky Fool” ahead of time and kept the “Pioneer’s Wristguard” on her wrists. The “Storm Splitter Dual Axes“, gleaming coldly, went right on the nightstand within easy reach.

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20:20 Mon, May 4

Chapter 37 Mirror Image

Who knew–what if she woke up with a monster right next to the bed?

Better safe than sorry.

Neeko seemed to sense Riley’s low–key nerves, too.

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She didn’t run around the room checking everything out like she usually did. Instead, she flashed with light, turned back into that palm–sized white cat, hopped lightly onto the bed, curled into a fluffy little ball beside Riley’s pillow, and quietly closed her eyes.

Outside the window, the wind howled and ghouls screeched.

Inside the room, breaths were steady and the air was warm as spring.

*****

The next day.

Maybe because she’d had the 8 o’clock event in the back of her mind, Riley woke up a little after

seven.

streaming

The sky was still early, but since she’d gone to bed early too–in a world with no social media or to burn the night away–rising with the sun and resting at dusk had somehow turned into the healthiest routine. She felt fully rested, even more so than after eight hours of sleep back in her old life.

She opened the Server Channel.

Sure enough, plenty of early risers were already chatting.

“Less than an hour to go. I’m so nervous, my heart’s racing.”

“Didn’t sleep at all last night. Set traps all around my place. Hope it does something.”

“Whatever this event is, remember we’re all human here. Help each other out if you can.”

“Oh, look who’s talking about helping now! Who was laughing at me when I asked for help yesterday?”

Riley skimmed a few messages, then closed the screen.

She got up, stepped outside, and stretched–the crisp morning air woke her up right away.

She did her usual walk around the yard.

The stone wall stood solid. The campfire burned steady.

Over in the freshly dug plot, the falling snow melted into tiny droplets from the camp’s constant temperature and soaked into the soil. Didn’t look like it needed watering anytime soon.

She heard the soft sound of a door opening behind her. Neeko had turned back into human form too, rubbing her eyes as she walked out.

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