In Arknights, Starting as Griseo Chapter 45

After migrating for several days, the entire Reunion finally arrived at the area Talulah and the others had previously chosen.

After selecting a relatively suitable and secluded spot, Reunion officially set up camp and established their base.

While setting up camp, Griseo didn't physically help, but she did summon some of her companions to lend a hand.

@

She also took the opportunity to properly introduce her companions to the Yetis, who had been curious about them for a while.

Since several of Griseo's companions had helped out before, many Infected in Reunion, while still fearful, were no longer as wary or terrified of them.

For the little girl, this could be considered a good thing, something worth being happy about.

After all, to Griseo, all her summoned creatures were true companions. And isn't it a joyous occasion when companions are accepted?

With sufficient supplies for their stay this time, Talulah and Alina discussed and decided to set up a separate tent just for the two little ones, Griseo and Alyona.

Almost no one objected to this decision; Yelena and Patriot were also supportive.

They all knew Griseo's special nature, and on top of that, the little girl had helped Reunion and them so many times. Spending a bit of resources to set up a separate tent was perfectly reasonable in their eyes.

"..."

Griseo woke up from her first nap in the new camp. After glancing at Alyona, who was still sleeping beside her, she carefully got out of the tent without waking her companion.

Honestly, in the entire Reunion camp, only the little girl and the little white bear had the habit of taking naps...

The other Infected either couldn't sleep or had lost the habit. After all, life for most Infected after infection wasn't exactly pleasant. In fact, just surviving was a feat.

Even Alyona's napping habit was something she'd picked up again just to keep Griseo company.

"Mmm..."

As Griseo tiptoed out of the dimly lit tent, the brightness outside made her squint her large eyes slightly.

After adjusting, the little girl began to look around.

Then, after observing for a while and confirming that no one was watching her, her violet eyes brightened, a hint of joy flashing within them.

It had been days, and she had finally found her opportunity. The little girl felt that not going to see the Sarkaz Big Girl now would be a waste of this chance.

Through the "settling" of the past few days, Griseo no longer wanted to dwell on anything. She had decided to just go for it!

Of course, if she happened not to see Mudrock, Griseo wouldn't be too disappointed.

Because if she didn't see her, she could do something else, something she'd been holding back for days...

Either way, both tasks involved a trip to the mercenary group's area, so Griseo felt it wouldn't matter which one she accomplished.

With her mind made up, the little girl didn't hesitate any longer. She lifted her smooth, tender, bare feet and began to walk, heading straight for the area where the mercenaries were stationed.

However, it was clear that the impression Griseo had left on people before was still too strong. As she strolled through the camp alone, she still attracted quite a few curious glances.

So many people were curious about this child who possessed great power, was mysterious, and was being watched by several of Reunion's leaders. When they saw her, their gazes instinctively followed, wanting to probe further.

This situation became even more pronounced when Griseo entered the mercenary group's encampment...

After all, the Sarkaz mercenaries present were all battle-hardened veterans who had lived on the edge. They instinctively became wary of the little girl, this mysterious and strangely capable being.

However, from the moment she started moving, Griseo had chosen to lower her gaze to minimize the impact others had on her. So now, she paid no attention to these stares or their intensity.

After walking for a while longer, the little girl seemed to sense something. She slowly raised her head and met w's golden eyes, which were filled with curiosity and amusement.

Then, noticing Griseo and w making eye contact, many of the surrounding mercenaries peeked out.

No one intervened, and no one warned them; they simply watched the unfolding drama.

However...

Griseo merely glanced at w before immediately looking away and turning to leave without hesitation.

"...? "

w, who had thought the child was coming to find her, froze for a moment when she saw Griseo's decisive and unhesitating action.

ps: It's early, but not entirely early. I don't have to wake up too early tomorrow. Going to sleep now, everyone. A little nudge.

Chapter 77 Griseo: "No way? No way? There can't be anyone else..."

"...? "

w, who had thought the child was coming to find her, froze for a moment when she saw Griseo's decisive and unhesitating action.

However, it was only for a moment. She quickly recovered and, as if thinking of something, gently curved her lips into a strange smile.

Then she stood up and chased after Griseo...

This scene might have gone unnoticed by others, but Ines, sitting nearby, saw it all, and a smile couldn't help but flash in her eyes.

Honestly, ever since that incident, Ines hadn't seen w like this in a long time.

Although w often played jokes and pulled pranks on them, that feeling was different...

"……"

Griseo walked with her head down, only glancing at the people around her from time to time. Suddenly, her vision darkened as a figure blocked her path.

Then, the little loli instinctively looked up and saw the face of America's Big… W.

;

"???)?"

Looking at W's "sweet" smile, Griseo froze. A big question mark appeared in her little head.

It was obvious that the little loli hadn't expected W to stop her directly, let alone wear such a strange smile.

Anyone who knew W from the game knew that when she smiled, it meant trouble. Especially when she was smiling so strangely.

However, Griseo couldn't rack her brain enough to figure out what she had done to offend W today… she had been actively avoiding her.

Moreover, although there had been constant "minor scuffles" between them before, those were all in secret, and could be considered W's one-sided and extremely covert pranks.

In fact, if it were any other child instead of Griseo, they wouldn't even realize that those "strange occurrences" were pranks orchestrated by someone.

So, in a sense, this was their first formal meeting in the open.

"Little one, where are you in such a hurry to go? Come play with big sis for a while~" W said in a "soft" voice, looking at the confused Griseo in front of her.

With her soft voice and the "sweet" smile on her face, anyone who didn't know W would think she was a kind older sister.

"?-?)!"

However, seeing W like this, Griseo was so scared that she took two steps back. Terror flashed in her beautiful violet eyes, as if she had seen a ghost.

For the little loli, it was indeed like seeing a ghost, because W was genuinely terrifying.

After all, could you imagine a woman with a vicious personality, efficient and brutal in her actions, suddenly acting gentle towards you?

And it wasn't just Griseo; the mercenaries around who saw W like this also looked terrified, as if they had seen a ghost.

Even Ines, not far away, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth, looking a little speechless.

"…What are you dodging for? Am I that scary?!"

At this moment, W couldn't be bothered with anyone else. When Griseo took two steps back with a look of terror on her face, a string in W's mind snapped.

However, the smile on her face didn't fade; it became even "gentler." Of course… this gentleness was predicated on ignoring the veins throbbing on her forehead.

"…???)"

Griseo looked at W, who had a "gentle" expression but was quietly clenching her fists beneath the surface, and was slightly stunned.

Then, after realizing what was happening…

Swish—

With a light sound, the little loli quickly retreated a few steps, maintaining a safe distance from W, who clearly seemed emotionally "unstable."

Then, she nodded her little head and whispered earnestly, "Mhm… very scary. And I wasn't looking for you…"

After saying that, Griseo lifted her foot, intending to leave quickly… because she was already getting a feeling. If she stayed with W any longer, she would likely get "colored" soon.

After all, the little loli didn't have Alyona with her right now. If she got colored, it would take time to fade. It might even cause some trouble.

For example, throwing paint bombs at people?

Moreover, if she got someone else's color prematurely, it would be inconvenient for Griseo to find Mudrock.

"……"

After hearing Griseo's words, W was stunned for a moment, then her face darkened. She couldn't help but quickly stride forward a few steps, closing in on the little loli.

At the same time, W decided to drop the act. The awkward smile that made Griseo uncomfortable was replaced by a familiar, arrogant, and provocative smirk.

W leaned down slightly, bringing her face close to Griseo's. Her golden eyes locked onto Griseo's, and she spoke to the little loli in front of her with a smile, "Hahaha… Little one, since you're here, how could I let you leave so easily~"

"……"

At such close range, as Griseo's gaze suddenly met W's, her aura began to change wildly.

The calm in the little loli's eyes was now replaced by an emotion identical to W's.

"Hahaha, and why would you think I would leave so easily?!"

After being "colored" by W, Griseo suddenly burst into laughter, her face showing an excited and mischievous expression.

Then, with lightning speed, she pulled out her paint-stained brush and swiped it across W's face, who was very close to her.

After pulling off the prank, Griseo didn't give W time to react and immediately retreated backward.

Her demeanor was exactly like W's when escaping after a prank.

And as she ran, the little loli didn't forget to look back and add, "No way? No way? Are there still people who haven't reacted yet! Hahaha…"

"……"

This time, W, who had been smeared with paint, completely lost her composure. Coupled with Griseo's taunting words, she slowly pulled out an explosive… what she intended to do was self-evident.

Just then, Ines, who had been watching the spectacle from not far away, sprang forward with nimble grace, incredibly fast, knocking the bomb from W's hand.

"Playing around is one thing... but don't go using your bombs so casually."

ps: I wish I could update sooner too, but suddenly I just couldn't quite grasp W's personality. I've rewritten this chapter several times and deleted parts multiple times.

Honestly, I'm starting to agonize over whether to just power through and write the next two thousand words, or go to sleep and force myself up at 4:00 AM tomorrow to write. This is torture.

Chapter 78: Calm and Escape

"Playing around is one thing... but don't go using your bombs so casually."

After speaking, Ines looked at W's face, smudged with paint. Though her expression didn't change, the smile in her eyes deepened.

"I told you to be careful, and yet you let yourself get bested by a child. But she's already run off, so don't bother looking."

As she said this, Ines raised an eyebrow slightly. After a pause, she continued, "I've made some interesting new discoveries. If you want to hear about them, wash your face and come over."

Once her words fell, Ines didn't rush to act. Instead, her gaze drifted casually over the mercenaries still watching them...

.

While Ines's gaze didn't contain the intense emotions of W, nor the sharpness of others, none of the surrounding mercenaries dared to meet her eyes at that moment.

Most of them slowly averted their gazes, no longer peering into the situation.

After completing this series of actions, Ines didn't choose to stand there any longer. Instead, she turned and walked back to her original seat.

"..."

With Ines's interruption, W's expression softened considerably. After a brief glance at her retreating back, she weighed her options and then followed without another word.

After all, in just this short while, the little loli had already disappeared from sight. Chasing after her now might not guarantee capture, and the commotion would likely be considerable...

Rather than dealing with such trouble now, W figured she could cause some minor trouble later. The monk might run, but the temple wouldn't. She had certainly noted this grievance.

If she didn't get revenge for this, she wouldn't be W