Chapter 11: The Hot-Tempered Junior Brother

Even by the standards of this mountain forest, which is still in a primitive ecological state, today’s weather is quite unusual.

About two hours ago, shortly after the sun had just set, a thin layer of fog began to creep in and envelop the entire forest.

And yet, it’s already June!

Although fog forms due to a combination of cold air and humidity, is it really possible for the temperature in June to drop this low? That’s a question.

Outside, the air is growing colder and colder, and the temperature you feel on your skin is bitterly chilly.

“Is it starting to rain?”
Wuliangta Himeko looked out from the window of the small cabin.

Indeed, after the fog descended two hours ago, now it has started to drizzle.

Raindrops pattered onto the roof of the cabin built in the woods. The roof was made from dry leaves and branches, and it looked like it couldn’t possibly hold back much rain. But in fact, it had been raining for over an hour, and the floor inside, which seemed like it shouldn’t be waterproof, was still dry. Their clothes showed no signs of water droplets either.

In every way, this little cabin was impeccable; by wilderness standards, it was downright luxurious.

“Do you think Kiana is going to be okay?”

Mei sat curled up on the bed near the small fireplace inside the cabin. Her delicate face was full of worry. She hugged her knees tightly, looking like a fragile doll locked in a small box — beautiful but vulnerable.

Seeing Mei in such a state, Himeko sighed deeply and scratched her head, a worried expression appearing on her face as she said:

“This is the fifteenth time you’ve repeated yourself since dark. I know you’re worried about Kiana. But Mei, you should try to relax a little. Staying tense all the time isn’t good for you.”

“Major Himeko, aren’t you worried about Kiana?”

“Of course I am. But when I think of that fool who gets lost just going to get water, it just makes me mad.”

“It’s all my fault. If only I had been watching her…”

Mei sank deeper into self-blame. That girl who loved to cling to her, and as the older one, it was her responsibility to care for and protect her.

Yet, due to a momentary lapse, she had let Kiana slip out of her protection. And now it was really cold outside.

“Do you think Kiana might catch a cold?”

Mei whispered this, burying her head deeply in the space between her arms and knees. Feelings of guilt, self-blame, and worry quickly consumed her, almost swallowing her whole.

Like a lonely child refusing to face the world.

“Clang!”

“Ouch!”

Mei’s hands hugging her legs changed to clutching her head. The fiery pain coming from her head made her lose control of her emotions, and tears glistened faintly in the corners of her eyes.

Mei looked up in confusion. Standing before her was Himeko, lips pressed tightly, eyes sharp and fierce. Her clenched fist hovered as if ready to strike, then paused — waiting for an answer or some action to trigger the next attack.

“Major Himeko, what are you doing? That hurts.”

“Good. You should feel pain. Do you want to act like a baby who’s still nursing, playing with blocks, scared to even walk when their beloved little brother or sister steps away for a moment?”

“N-no, I’m just worried about Kiana.”

“Worry and self-blame are two different things, Valkyrie Mei. What was the first thing you learned in training?”

Himeko’s words hit like a sharp sword piercing Mei’s chest.

“As Valkyries fighting the Honkai, you’re always going into battle — into hell. If you want to survive and win in hell, you must never lose your composure, no matter what you see.”

They must have hearts of steel, unbreakable!

“That’s right. Calm, rational, think, then come up with an answer. Kiana may be a fool, but she is a Valkyrie. She even got you and Bronya out of Changkong City once. When it comes to survival skills and adaptability, she’s a little monster.”

Himeko turned toward the window, looking at the rain which was starting to fall harder. A worried look appeared on her face — but she wasn’t worried about some foolish “Na”.

“Look on the bright side. That little monster might already have found one of the camps the instructors built here, or even caught some food and is happily eating it. And even if we think the worst… Mei, tell me honestly — do you think she’s in trouble?”

“…I think she might get confused and fall into a trap.”

“Damn, straight to the point!”

“By the way, Major Himeko, are you worried about Brother Yuyun?”

“Who would worry about that rude little brat?”

Himeko suddenly turned around and shouted like a cat who’d just had its tail stepped on. Mei wasn’t scared at all by her intense reaction; instead, she felt strangely amused and warm.

“Alright, alright, I won’t be gloomy anymore. I’m just a bit bored right now.” Mei stretched out her limbs a bit, but the contrast between the warmth of the stove and the damp cold outside made her look sleepy and bored.

“By the way, Major Himeko, do you want to hear a story?”

“Oh? Mei, you tell stories too?”

Himeko looked genuinely interested.

Of course — Mei herself had a strong maternal instinct, and judging by how clingy Kiana and Bronya were, she probably really did tell them stories to get them to sleep at night.

“Yes, Kiana and the others need to hear my stories every night before they’ll fall asleep.”

“…Really? Then what kind of stories do you tell?”

“Umm… how about ‘The Black Hair in the Dry Well’?”

“…What?” Himeko’s face suddenly froze.

“Or the walking humanoid in the old abandoned mansion?”

“Wait…”

Himeko’s complexion started to pale.

“The embroidered shoes that always run around the attic?”

“Stop it.”

“Oh! Since we’re in the mountains, then I’ll tell you a story about a man-eating mountain ghost in the woods.”

“Stop right now! Why are all your stories horror stories?”

Himeko suddenly roared.

“Eh? Kiana and Bronya always fall asleep after hearing these stories, so I think they must be very soothing.”

“They’re fainting from fright!”

Himeko suddenly worried about the mental state of Kiana and Bronya. If Mei was truly scaring them into unconsciousness every night, yet they showed no signs of discomfort the next day…

That was basically them losing their memory from fright!

“???”

Suddenly, Himeko sensed something was wrong. Mei’s complexion turned very strange. Even in the firelight, her face became pale and her body trembled slightly, as if frozen and unable to move. Yet her eyes were focused intently, fixating on a single point — the door.

What was there?

A sudden, icy cold gust blew in from the doorway. Even the fire inside couldn’t chase away the chill. Himeko shivered instantly. And in that moment, she felt something behind her.

She didn’t turn around, but she sensed the nature of whatever it was.

Wet, cold, with pale breath and hungry eyes. Perhaps it was holding something.

Drip, drip, drip… The sound was clear even amidst the rainy night, coming from behind with a rusty and metallic scent mixed with the smell of blood — constantly assaulting Himeko’s senses.

“Mei… I-I-is there something behind me?”

Her frozen body slowly nodded.

“Is it… still dripping blood?”

Mei’s eyes shifted to the floor. The bright red stain was glaring! She nodded firmly.

“Then what’s the thing that fell down?”

Himeko’s voice cracked with fear.

Mei shook her head strongly. The figure at the door had apparently been standing there long enough and wanted to come inside.

Himeko immediately turned around like she’d accepted her fate or was ready to fight for her life. Joke’s on anyone who thinks she’d be scared — she was a heroine who could fight even the Herrscher head-on!

And then she saw it.

Like a ghost, it suddenly appeared at the doorway, head lowered, drenched in water. It was covered in what looked like fur or ragged clothes, hanging off like waterbags, making it look thin but strong.

It held some kind of animal in its hand, but its head was violently smashed, blood dripping steadily onto the floor. The sight was extremely eerie.

Its whole presence looked like a ghost crawling out of a dry well, standing at the door and casting deep shadows inside.

“A man-eating mountain… ghost… in the woods!!!”

Himeko and Mei screamed simultaneously!

“A mountain ghost my ass!!!”

Liu Yuyun, who had gone out hunting in the fog and rain because his senior didn’t want two women to starve, was now soaked and bedraggled like a drowned rat. Angry, he threw the rabbit in his hands right into Himeko’s face.