Someone in Arknights, Starts as Griseo

"……"

Noticing the movement beside her, Griseo stirred slightly and instinctively snuggled closer into the person's embrace.

After a short while, the little loli's steady breathing resumed its rhythmic pattern.

Seeing that Griseo, whom she was holding, hadn't woken up, Alyona breathed a sigh of relief. She continued to maintain her current position, afraid of waking the child.

Only after calming down did she finally notice the impropriety of her current posture, her face beginning to flush slightly.

Although Alyona didn't know how she had ended up sleeping here last night, it was clear from any angle that she was shamelessly hugging Griseo…

It was obvious that it was too late to adjust her position now. To avoid waking Griseo, Alyona could only continue to maintain the embarrassing pose of holding the little loli.

As time passed, the person's originally pale little face grew redder and redder… to the point where it seemed like smoke might rise from it.

So, when Griseo slowly opened her eyes after waking up, the first thing she saw was Alyona's face, red as a tomato…

"???)?"

The little loli was completely stunned. After blinking her big eyes a few times, she only became slightly more lucid.

Upon regaining some awareness, Griseo extended her arms, gently wrapped them around Alyona, and pressed her delicate little face against her.

Feeling the intense heat against her cheek, Griseo asked in a voice still thick with sleepiness, "It's so hot… Is Alyona sick?"

"Ah? N-No! I'm fine!"

When Alyona felt Griseo's cool little face pressed against hers, she jolted. She then tilted her head back, trying to pull away. If she hadn't been held, she would have sprung up immediately.

"Really? Then why is your face so hot?"

Seeing Alyona's agitated reaction, a flicker of confusion crossed Griseo's violet eyes, still misty with sleep. She then leaned in to confirm.

"Ah, I'm really fine! It's just… it's just a little hot!" As she spoke, Alyona quickly raised her hand, blocking Griseo's soft little face as it came closer again.

Hearing Alyona's full-voiced response, Griseo, after being blocked, didn't press further and stopped her movement.

Then, she lifted her little face, looked into the girl's light green eyes, and said earnestly, "Hmm, okay. If you're not feeling well, remember to tell Griseo. I promised I would take good care of you."

"I know…"

Upon seeing the earnestness in those violet eyes, Alyona's breath hitched, and a sense of panic arose within her.

She then gently turned her face away, no longer daring to meet those eyes, which she found dazzling.

Having received the answer she wanted, Griseo nodded her head gently, then slowly released the arms that had been around Alyona's slender waist, carefully sitting up.

It was about time. Although the little loli had slept late last night, it was now time to get up.

"Aww~ Alyona, just lie down a bit longer. I'll go find something for you to eat," Griseo said softly, covering her small mouth as she let out a gentle yawn and blinked her big eyes.

"No need, Griseo, you lie down a bit longer. I'll go out. After all, it's not very safe outside."

Hearing this, Alyona pushed herself up and sat up slowly. A look of disapproval appeared on her face, still flushed crimson.

"It's not as serious as Sister Lois made it out to be. Those people outside can't hurt me, especially with Mr. Wolf and the others protecting me." After saying this, Griseo lifted a corner of the blanket and nimbly jumped off the bed.

Feeling the cold air outside, the little loli narrowed her eyes slightly, adjusting.

After Griseo got out of bed, Alyona stopped dawdling and began to put on her clothes while sitting on the bed.

After all, she wasn't a robust Fusion Warrior. In the extremely cold Ursus snowfields, she couldn't wear thin clothing and roam around like the little loli.

Even while sitting on the bed and slowly dressing, Alyona still felt a chill. This chill successfully caused the crimson flush on her small face to fade quickly.

"……"

While Alyona was getting dressed, Griseo lifted her bare feet, navigated around the supplies blocking her path, and walked outside.

As she expected, she saw two Yetis guarding the warehouse.

"Good morning, Sister Lois, Brother Leos."

"Yo, little Griseo, up so early? Are you hungry? Sister will make you some breakfast."

Lois, who had been incredibly bored, instantly perked up upon seeing Griseo and asked with a smile.

Leos, standing beside her, was similarly revitalized and also greeted her, "Good morning, Griseo."

"No need, I want to go out by myself."

After hearing Lois's offer, Griseo gently shook her little head and stated her intention truthfully.

Griseo had stayed obediently in the warehouse before because she didn't want to trouble the Yetis, and she was a well-behaved child.

However, she had been here for quite some time now and wanted to go out for a walk, and perhaps find Yelena to discuss how to arrange the task of sending information back.

Since she hadn't woken up too early, Griseo had initially thought Yelena might have already sent someone back to find Talulah.

But after sensing carefully, she found… none of her companions were missing; they were either in her painted world or still in the mine. Therefore, she really wanted to go and ask.

"But…"

Upon hearing Griseo's words, a hint of doubt appeared on both Lois's and Leos's faces.

ps: Honestly, I didn't realize how many people saved their monthly votes until the end of the month.

I don't think I'll have to stay up late today. I'll finish chapter 2 early, so keep pushing.

Chapter 42: Going Out and Gazes

"But..."

"I have a partner who can protect me, so you don't need to worry... I'll be back soon."

After speaking, Griseo stared intently at the two somewhat hesitant individuals with her earnest big eyes.

"Uh, do you really have to go out?"

Lois was always the most susceptible to Griseo's serious gaze. Being stared at like that made her waver a bit.

Furthermore, after Griseo had fallen asleep last night, Yelena had said some things to her.

"Yes, don't worry, I'll take care of myself."

In response to Lois's question, Griseo quickly nodded her little head and answered.

Seeing the atmosphere between the two, Leos, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow and hastily asked, "Wait... Lois, you're going to agree?"

"What else can I do? Little Griseo has the ability to protect herself, and we can't keep her locked up in a safe place forever."

Hearing her friend's question, Lois gently curved her lips and asked back with a smile.

"...Alright, alright. Little Griseo's partner is indeed very strong." Leos turned to look at Lois, then helplessly spread his hands.

"Then remember to come back early, Little Griseo, and be careful." With that, Lois cheerfully patted the little loli's head.

"Mhm, have you guys had breakfast?"

After Lois agreed, a hint of joy flashed in Griseo's eyes. But then, as if remembering something, she softly asked.

"Don't worry, Lois and I already ate. Little Griseo just needs to take care of herself and your little friend."

This time, before Lois could answer, Leos spoke up first.

"Okay then."

Griseo lightly nodded her little head, then lifted her small foot, preparing to leave and head outside.

However, just then, a hoarse voice filled with urgency suddenly rang out.

"Wait... I'll go with you."

Hearing this, Griseo paused her steps, then turned her head and saw Alyona, who had just put on her clothes and rushed out in a hurry.

"Okay, don't rush."

Saying that, Griseo extended her small hand towards the girl running towards her.

Griseo didn't mind having an extra companion on the trip; in fact, she was a little happy.

Besides, she had the strength to protect her friends...

Normally, Alyona would never take Griseo's hand first, but this time... by chance, she firmly grasped the smooth, tender hand that was extended to her.

"..."

When Griseo saw her hand being held, she in turn grasped that hand and slowly walked outside, holding Alyona's hand.

As they walked, the little loli continuously used her warm hand to cover the girl's hand, which had become cold from hastily dressing and getting out of bed.

"Thank you..."

Clearly, Alyona noticed this too and whispered into Griseo's ear with her hoarse voice.

"..."

Alyona's sudden thanks made Griseo's walking steps falter slightly. Then, a hint of helplessness flashed in her violet eyes.

Honestly, Griseo didn't like it when her friends were so polite to her over trivial matters.

It made her feel a sense of distance. She wished her companion wouldn't be so formal.

However, the little loli knew that such things couldn't be changed in a short time; it required long-term companionship.

But as luck would have it, Griseo had plenty of time... If she wanted to, she could stay by her companion's side forever.

Not long after leaving the warehouse, Griseo was once again the subject of stares... The numerous infected outside looked at the two of them in unison.

Suddenly being stared at by so many people, Alyona instinctively took a step back.

"Don't be afraid, I'll protect you."

Unlike Alyona, Griseo didn't care about these gazes at all and wasn't scared. She slightly adjusted her position, shielding her companion behind her from most of the stares.

"It's okay, I'm not scared, I was just startled." Looking at the petite figure shielding her, Alyona's eyes flickered, and she then softly explained in her hoarse voice.

"Mhm."

Hearing Alyona's explanation, Griseo nodded, then continued to lead the girl forward, holding her hand.

After leading Alyona to the campfire, Griseo temporarily entrusted her to Mr. Wolf, who was busy while wearing a small apron.

She, on the other hand, moved swiftly to find Yelena.

However, after Griseo was alone, the surrounding Infected looked at her even more strangely, with scattered malice mixed in, along with whispers.

If some Infected had reported to the Yeti Squad before, they now understood that Griseo, a non-Infected, was with the Yetis.

But precisely because of this, these Infected miners were even more surprised and bewildered.

It had been far too long since they had seen someone on the land of Ursus who didn't discriminate against the Infected. Even if that person was just a child...

Facing these chaotic gazes, Griseo showed no change in her expression, not even in her eyes or emotions. She simply focused on heading to Yelena's current location.

While in a sense, all these people could be considered saved by Griseo, she had no desire to interact with them...

It wasn't impossible that these Infected miners were kind, pure, and had very beautiful colors, but there were too few of them...

Wherever the little loli's gaze fell, it was almost entirely filled with murky colors.

Finally, when Griseo found Yelena, she was just about to send someone back to report to Talulah.

So, the little loli naturally asked her own driver sister to escort her.

After that, the two chatted for a while longer until Yelena heard the grumbling of Griseo's little stomach, at which point she stopped the conversation and led the cute child to have breakfast.

On the way, Yelena also subtly intimidated the Infected who had only recently been rescued.

ps: I'm so sleepy, it's not that fast, it's almost 12 o'clock again. To be honest, you gave me a little shock with the monthly votes tonight.

Also, I might start a bounty next Monday and keep it going until my book goes on sale. I'll post a separate announcement when it starts. Next, I'll recommend a great author's book.

Chapter 43: New Mission

After having breakfast with Yelena, Griseo, to avoid troubling the Yetis, led Alyona back to the warehouse.