One Wakes Up in Arknights as Griseo

Throughout lunchtime today, Griseo hadn't seen Talulah or Alina.

Only after asking Yelena did she learn that the two of them had been discussing something in the tent since this morning.

After lunch, the Yeti Squad unusually didn't continue chatting and fooling around. Instead, they dispersed to prepare their own things.

"I'm sorry, I can't stay with you today. Griseo, go find Alina and the others. Big Sister will be back as soon as possible."

Watching the squad members scatter, Yelena bent down and gently rubbed Griseo's little head, speaking with a trace of apology.

!;

"Mm, it's okay... Stay safe."

Hearing that, Griseo nodded lightly to show that she understood. At a time like this, how could the little girl not realize that the Yeti Squad was heading out on a mission this afternoon?

After patting Griseo's head once more, Yelena also left to prepare her things.

As Griseo sat where she was and watched FrostNova's departing back, a glimmer suddenly flashed through her large eyes.

"A mission...?"

Following Along

Griseo suddenly had an idea about this mission of the Yeti Squad's.

She wanted to go on the mission with Yelena...

However, knowing that she would absolutely not be allowed to tag along, Griseo didn't plan to charge in recklessly. Instead, she planned to follow them in secret.

Once she had made up her mind, she began preparing...

The first step was returning to Talulah's tent, taking out a sheet of drawing paper, and writing a few words on it with her brush. Then she placed the "note" atop the neatly folded blanket.

After that, Griseo took her little steps out of the tent... and headed toward the area near the Yeti Squad's tent.

Although Griseo currently had no way to directly cure Yelena's Originium infection, she could at least try to prevent her from using too much of her Originium Arts.

The little girl had already worked out her plan. She would secretly follow them... If nothing major happened, she wouldn't make a move or reveal herself.

But—

If the Yeti Squad encountered danger, or if Yelena needed to use her abilities heavily and repeatedly, Griseo planned to step in and resolve the situation.

Of course, it would be even better if she could do it under another identity. Even if her trail was exposed and she was discovered, it wouldn't matter. After all, the Yeti Squad didn't know her other identities.

But unfortunately, Griseo still hadn't unlocked any other characters. Even Sakura, who was closest to being unlocked, was still a little short. Her progress was only at 91%.

So she had no choice. Braving the risk of being lectured, the little girl could only secretly follow them in her current identity.

After Griseo hid in a corner and waited for a while, Yelena and the Yeti Squad finally set out with all their equipment and supplies.

Just as she was about to follow them, the little girl realized that she really shouldn't have worn her Little Red Riding Hood-themed outfit today.

There was no other reason: Griseo found that her red outfit was simply far too conspicuous against the bitterly cold, snow-covered plains. It was so obvious that anyone could spot her from a great distance away.

?;

As a result, to avoid being discovered, she could only trail far behind them and didn't dare get too close.

Fortunately, the snowstorm wasn't too fierce today, and the snow didn't cover their tracks too quickly. Griseo could barely keep up by following the marks they left behind.

But there was another thing she really wanted to complain about...

This time, they weren't taking some woodland path. The snow on the ground was extremely deep, and Griseo was so small that half her body sank into it...

?;

Mr. Wolf had originally wanted to carry her, but she refused.

She was conspicuous enough by herself. If she let the tall Mr. Wolf carry her too, Griseo felt that the attentive Yelena would discover her in no time and send her back.

So she had no choice. To avoid being sent home, the little girl could only "swim" through the snow.

Inside a tent somewhere in the camp—

"We actually talked for so long. Little Griseo doesn't seem to have even eaten breakfast, does she?"

As if remembering something, Alina lightly frowned and stopped their previous conversation.

"It seems so. That little one isn't still sleeping, is she? We really should wake her up."

Hearing that, Talulah nodded lightly and spoke softly.

"Let's leave it at that for today. We've talked about quite a lot already, so let's sort out our thoughts next."

As she spoke, Alina rose from her stool and stretched her body.

After loosening up her stiff body, she continued softly, "I'll go call Little Griseo to eat. If she sleeps too long during the day, she won't be able to sleep at night."

"Go ahead. I'll study the next phase of the plan some more. I wonder how things are going with Yelena. Once this operation is over, whether it succeeds or fails, we'll have to relocate our camp again."

After nodding lightly at Alina, Talulah withdrew her gaze and returned it to the map on the table.

"Mm, don't worry. You have to trust Yelena..."

Looking at Talulah's serious expression, Alina showed a mix of helplessness and relief before turning and leaving the tent.

Although she had experienced it firsthand and knew how miraculous it was, seeing Talulah as she was now still made her deeply marvel at how powerful Little Griseo's ability was.

?;

Alina gently lifted the flap of Talulah's tent and peeked inside... but with one glance, she failed to see the person who should have been there.

"..."

Frowning, Alina stopped moving quietly and strode inside.

But no matter how she looked, she really couldn't find that familiar little figure inside the tent.

Only when her gaze swept across the neatly made bed again did Alina notice the drawing paper placed on the blanket.

If Big Sister Talulah can't find Griseo... there's no need to worry. I'm fine and very safe. And I'm very strong too...

?

After seeing what was written on the paper, Alina's brow furrowed even deeper, and an ominous feeling rose in her heart.

In the end, she clenched the drawing paper in her hand, quickly turned around, and left to find Talulah.

As time passed, the sky over the snowfield grew darker and darker, while the wind and snow gradually intensified... beginning to obscure her vision.

"Phew, after all this time, Sister Alina and the others should have seen the message I left, right...?"

After breathing out a puff of warm air, Griseo paused and murmured softly to herself.

Actually, Griseo could have left nothing behind for Alina and the others, sneaking out and sneaking back without anyone knowing...

But she didn't want the two of them to worry too much and waste manpower searching for her, which was why she had left a "note."

And now, Griseo was actually rather glad that she had left that note.

Because before coming here, she had never expected the Yeti Squad's target to be so far away... She had followed them for several hours already, yet they still hadn't reached their destination.

At this point, Griseo couldn't possibly give up halfway and turn back. She could only keep following them.

But...

"Mr. Wolf..."

At Griseo's call, the enormous and handsome Mr. Wolf appeared. After elegantly bowing, he scooped the little girl into his arms and continued onward, shielding her from the wind and snow.

PS: For certain reasons, I won't have time to post three updates tonight. But don't worry, I remember.

Also, I saw someone mention rewards. I'll open one for a week before the premium release, probably around the beginning of next month.

I'm going to sleep. Good night.

Worry

After traveling for several more hours, the Yeti Squad finally entered a forest just as it was getting dark and stopped moving forward.

They began regrouping and resting in the woods, preparing for the next operation.

"..."

When Griseo, trailing far behind them, saw the vast forest and towering mountains in the distance, she changed direction and circled around the Yeti Squad, entering the forest from another side.

The little girl felt that if her guess was correct, they should already be close to the Yeti Squad's target. Or rather, the target was very likely within the forest before her.

Based on past experience, Griseo felt that there might be a mine nearby... a mine that enslaved the Infected to gather Originium.

But there was no concrete evidence yet, which was why she had gone around the Yeti Squad to scout ahead first.

Night fell completely, and the already dim forest became utterly dark... cold, lightless, and quiet.

Yet what hindered other people instead made it easier for Griseo and her Mr. Wolf to hide.

On top of that, Mr. Wolf floated as he moved, while the little girl was held in his arms. The two of them were practically silent ghosts moving through the forest.

After advancing an unknown distance, Griseo spotted faint lights in the distance through the dark woods...

"Mr. Wolf, put me down..."

After lightly rubbing her eyes, which had adapted to the darkness, Griseo softly spoke to Mr. Wolf, who was carrying her.

"..."

Upon hearing his little princess's request, Mr. Wolf didn't hesitate. He gently set the girl in his arms down, then helped straighten her clothes, which had become slightly disheveled in the wind.

"Thank you, Mr. Wolf. Go back for now. I'll walk the rest of the way myself."

Only after letting Mr. Wolf tidy her clothes did Griseo thank him softly.

This time, after hearing Griseo's words, Mr. Wolf didn't immediately disappear. Instead, he paused slightly... seeming somewhat hesitant.

As if she had seen through Mr. Wolf's concerns, Griseo blinked her large eyes and said seriously, "If there's danger, Mr. Wolf can come out and protect me."

"..."

This time, Mr. Wolf lightly nodded his massive wolf head before vanishing into thin air, leaving Griseo standing alone.

After watching Mr. Wolf disappear, Griseo turned around and looked once more at the faint lights filtering through the dark forest in the distance.

To be honest, the forest's current environment and atmosphere would seem somewhat creepy to an ordinary person. A gust of cold wind would be enough to make them shiver.

But Griseo wasn't ordinary. Not only was she unafraid, but the forest's darkness and cold didn't affect her at all.

After lightly shaking the snow off her body, she started walking forward again.

Griseo carefully made her way to the edge of the forest, stopped, and hid behind a large tree... looking outside.

The first things that entered the little girl's violet eyes were several houses lit by lamps, other buildings, and a few patrolling guards. Then she saw... the entrance to a massive mine shaft under guard.

"..."

Griseo barely needed to look any further to know that her earlier guess had been confirmed. This was a mine...

And for a mine on the snowfields, there was hardly any need to guess that the laborers inside were Infected... Even if they hadn't been Infected at first, after working in an Originium mine for a few days, they would be.

Once her suspicions were confirmed, Griseo slowly clenched her small fists behind the tree, her mood souring.

However, even after clenching and unclenching her fists... she ultimately didn't make a move.

Because Griseo hadn't forgotten the purpose and reason for this operation. She first needed to learn exactly what the Yeti Squad's target was before offering her help.

After all, she knew nothing about the current situation in the mine, how many people were stationed there, or whether there were reinforcements.

If one impulsive act from her disrupted the Yeti Squad's plans or accidentally affected the Yeti Squad hidden nearby, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

"Phew..."

Thinking that, Griseo withdrew her gaze and sat down against the tree.

The snow was already as deep as half the little girl's body. Once she sat down, she was almost completely hidden. From a distance, only the pair of red wolf ears on her hood remained standing upright.

The other side of the forest—