59
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When Annie woke up, the campfire in the cave had already gone completely out.
In the damp, freezing underground cave environment, even the last warmth of the charcoal embers had dissipated, leaving only cold gray-white ash where the fire had been.
However, the Magma Pool outside was still lively.
Those Fire Element Murlocs, those not-too-bright Abyssal Fire Oathsworn Murlocs, continued hopping and worshipping around the Boiling Abyss Totem in the middle of the Magma Pool, occasionally making sounds like "wuaa kakaka."
9(0^)
Annie ignored them. She merely rubbed her eyes, sat up, and gave a huge stretch.
Then, she habitually rubbed her eyes again before glancing toward the spot where Lania had cried herself to sleep last night."
",""
Unsurprisingly, it was empty.
The cloak Lania had used as bedding atop that rotten wood and stone was gone too. Her pack, water flask, and everything else were missing, along with Lania herself.
``~`")
Seeing that, Annie tilted her head and glanced outside the cave. Sure enough, there were footprints at the entrance. Judging by their size and shape, she did not even need to guess who they belonged to.
"Hey—!"
(((*, 0,)=3
She let out a drawn-out sigh, then picked up the now-smaller Little Bear beside her, turning Tibbers's crooked button eyes toward herself before complaining, "Tibbers, did you see that?"
(-)
"You scared her away! I told you to be gentler, but you wouldn't listen!"
(11)
(△)
(----)
Tibbers did not react. He wore an innocent expression, as if the demonic bear that had tortured Lania half to death last night had not been him.
"Forget it!"
Fortunately, Annie did not argue with Tibbers. She simply used him like a feather duster to casually brush leaves and mud off herself before carrying him in one hand.
"Let's