Sampo: What Are You Doing, Family

Where did this sense of déjà vu that she was about to take advantage of old Sampo come from?!

Stelle frowned and pressed a hand to her forehead, then strode over. She grabbed the blanket and, under the man's pitiful, tear-filled gaze (fake), carefully pulled it up over him.

"What could I possibly do to you?"

As an internet-savvy expert who was online twenty-five hours a day, Stelle dared to say that if she claimed to be the person who understood "romance guides" best in the entire universe, no one would dare call themselves number one.

Romance guides were just like playing a game—slowly raising someone's favorability, weren't they?

Thinking that, Stelle flashed Sampo a triumphant smile and reached out to touch his forehead. It wasn't hot. That was good.

She turned to leave, but before she went, she reminded Sampo, "It's pretty warm in here. Get some proper rest. I'm heading out for a bit."

"Family, what are you going to do?"

"Want some Mulled Wine? How about a little alcohol to ward off the cold?"

With Sampo smiling and nodding at her, Stelle turned and left the room.

Thoughtfully, she drew the curtains for Sampo, who was still lying in bed and hadn't recovered his body heat yet. Then, with a creak as the door closed, the last sliver of corridor light was completely blocked out.

In the darkness, Sampo closed his eyes wearily. But it lasted only a moment. When he opened them again, his eyes were bright and alert, with none of that half-dead look from before.

His mind was filled with the image of Stelle standing at the foot of the bed just now, looking like she was about to pounce on him.

He had clearly steeled himself for it, yet that Haki Stelle hadn't actually pounced on him. All that excitement for nothing!

Sampo buried his head in the blankets and turned over dejectedly. The air seemed to carry a faint trace of the Trailblazer's laundry detergent.

As that scent filled his nose, it made him feel incredibly at ease, as though the Trailblazer were still by his side.

Sampo gently closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When Stelle arrived at the Administrative District, she looked around in every direction.

The breeze brushed against her skin, making the slit hem of her skirt flutter and exposing her pale, soft legs. Only then did Stelle realize that she felt a little cold.

It was no wonder. Back when she had been a game character, she could run around bare-legged through ice and snow without issue—the underlying logic of her code simply had no concept of "cold." Now that she was a living, breathing person, she could naturally sense how important changes in temperature were.

She kind of wanted to go back to the Express. The climate-controlled cars were so comfortable...

Stelle breathed warm air into her palms. White mist dissipated hazily before her eyes as she rubbed her reddened nose and gazed into the distance.

There were usually plenty of street vendors around. When she had come to Belobog with Dan Heng and March 7th before, there had been stalls selling simmering Mulled Wine everywhere. The scent of fruit and spices, mingled with the steaming aroma of wine, rushed into her nose and made her want to buy a cup the moment she smelled it.

Who knew what was going on today? She had nearly wandered all over the Administrative District without seeing a single vendor.

Stelle rubbed her hands together. Belobog was cold—really cold. Warding off Sampo's chill was only secondary. The truth was, she wanted a drink too.

Back on the Express, even March 7th had called her a child and refused to let her drink alcohol.

Now that she wasn't on the Express, she could drink as much as she wanted.

With that thought, Stelle seemed to gain even more motivation, her steps becoming brisk.

Unfortunately, it seemed that no vendors selling Mulled Wine had set up shop today. Stelle made several rounds until she was sweating all over, but she still didn't find a single stall. Left with no choice, she turned reluctantly toward the hotel.

Just then, she spotted a familiar blue-and-white figure around a corner.

The man had a head of dazzling short blond hair, and his blue eyes were as clear as water, as pure as the sky when snowflakes drifted down in winter.

If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

It was none other than Silvermane Guard Gepard. He had just come out of Clippertown, seemingly having finished discussing important matters with Supreme Guardian Bronya.

Before Stelle could greet him, Gepard seemed to sense her somehow. As if possessed, he lifted his head and looked in her direction.

Their gazes met, and Stelle's figure fell into the man's pupils.

Gepard hurried over in just a few long strides, stirring up a gust of biting snow. By the time he stopped in front of Stelle, all the chill seemed to have melted away.

"Gepard, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you in the Upper District."

Stelle smiled. Because of their height difference, she could only look up at him.

Gepard steadied his slightly uneven breathing, surprise and delight reflected in his eyes.

"Stelle, it's been a long time since I last saw you in Belobog. Have you been well lately?"

Hearing that, Stelle scratched her head and let her thoughts drift, looking slightly troubled.

Had she been doing well lately?

Well... if she had to put it into words—

Ever since she had embarked on the Trailblazing journey, every day had been painful yet joyful.

The Trailblazing journeys on Jarilo and the Xianzhou Luofu could still be called beginner villages, little scuffles that could be glossed over. She had lived through the drunken, dreamlike days on Penacony, the Planet of Festivities. No matter how grueling it had been, no matter how long the story had dragged on, she had endured it all—

But Amphoreus, the place she was about to Trailblaze next, was a true nine-deaths-and-one-life ordeal!

With that thought, Stelle forced a smile. She hid it well, doing her best not to let anyone see through her fragile yet stubborn facade.

"Mm, I'm doing well. Thank you, Gepard."

"Are you here to visit Belobog? I just started my vacation. Want me to show you around?"

"Mm... I think I'd better..." Forget it. Thank you for the offer.

Star had just wanted to refuse when Aha's voice suddenly rang out in her mind.

Aha: "Didn't you used to really want to cuddle up with Gepard? Seize this chance—go for it."

Star: ...Why should I listen to you? I haven't finished winning over Sampo yet...

Aha: "If Gepard's affection for you increases, maybe you'll be able to get my script too?"

Star: Fine, I get it. Stop talking in that punchable tone.

Changing her tune, Star broke into a dazzling smile:

"I suppose you're right, Gepard. Then I'll have to trouble you to be my guide."

Gepard waved it off and walked shoulder to shoulder with Star along the streets of the Upper District. As Star kept her head lowered, silently watching the road, she failed to notice the gaze that had lingered on her face for a long time.

"What's troublesome about that? Saying it like that makes us sound like strangers."

The man laughed heartily and pointed toward what seemed to be a newly opened alley. "Let's have lunch together. It's on me. These days, all the stalls in Belobog aren't allowed to operate as mobile vendors anymore—they all do business at this alley entrance. A few of them taste especially good. I'm not sure whether you'll like them."

Oh, so that was why.

Star nodded and agreed to Gepard's suggestion without a second thought.

How nice. Not only did she have lunch taken care of while revisiting Belobog, but later she could also bring two cups of Mulled Wine back to the hotel and drink with Sampo. It was practically a vacation.

How wonderful it would be if she could keep living like this. She really didn't want to go risk her life on Amphoreus...

If it really came down to it, how about suggesting to Himeko, Old Yang, and Pom-Pom that their next warp destination be changed to Car Wash Planet?