They were both busy in the kitchen. Rull opened a can of sardines and placed it beside the stove. He set a pan on the stove and tried to turn it on.
"Please… please…"
Both of them were nervous and prayed—if it didn't work, they'd have to go with the classic method.
CLICK… CLICK…
No flame appeared. Both of them felt disappointed. There was no need to say anything—they already knew what to do, as usual cook the old-fashioned way.
Beep… Beep…
Master, this stove uses electricity, so there's no flame. That's because electricity flows into the metal heating element inside the stove.
The resistance in the metal causes it to heat up. Try bending down and you'll see a red glow—that's the indirect heat.
"Ohh, so that's how it works… Sorry, my family still uses old-fashioned stuff, so I didn't know."
Beep… Beep…
No problem, Master.
They happily cooked together. Once the food was ready, Rull served the sardines on a plate.
Even though it was just one can of sardines to be shared between the two of them, they were truly grateful to have something to eat.
They moved to the living area, where a small table acted as their dining space. Rinn sat across from her brother.
Rull gently fed a piece of sardine into Rinn's mouth, and she ate it calmly.
Even though it was just plain sardines without anything else, she was genuinely happy to be eating. They were used to going two or even three days without food just to save what little they had.
"Is it good, Rin?" he asked.
She nodded eagerly.
"Hum hum, it's really yummy!"
Beep..Beep..
Rinn feels satisfied
[Reward Received]
[First Reward Bonus ]
+10 Points added
+10 F/L added
Total:
Points: 11
F/L: 11
"Thank you, BeepAI"
Beep… Beep…
It is your reward, Master. There's no need to thank me. As long as you need something, I will do my best to fulfill it with honor.
Rull smiled to himself and gently rubbed the area over his chest — right above his heart — a silent gesture of gratitude for BeepAI.
"But still, I appreciate it. Without you coming into our lives... we might not have survived. Until now, we've just been relying on fate..."
His face flushed a little with embarrassment at his own words. He didn't even notice it—but Rinn did. And she started to worry.
"Boother, yo face is red… are you sick?"
Startled by his little sister's words, he touched his face and glanced at his reflection in the window—but everything had already returned to normal.
He felt like something odd was happening to him… but in a strangely funny way.
"Haha, BeepAI… did you just make me feel embarrassed for the first time?"
Beep… Beep…
...No, Master!
Rull side-eyed his reflection in the glass, clearly teasing the AI.
"Are youuuu suuure…?"
Beep… Beep…
Yessss! Master…
But just as BeepAI responded confidently,
But then, his reflection in the glass turned red again. He let out a soft laugh, shook it off, and went back to feeding his sister..
After eating, they placed the dishes in the sink. Since there was no water to wash them, they just left them for now.
They drank from old water bottles they had found. Even though the water tasted bitter and slightly salty, it was enough to quench their thirst.
Rull wasn't good with science or mechanical engineering, so he had no idea what to do with the points he had—but one thing was certain: they needed water.
He started thinking… maybe he should focus on expanding the territory first.
"BeepAI, expand territory for 5 feet."
Beep… Beep…
Command received.
Spend: 5 F/L
Expanding territory 5 feet (150 cm)
Complete.
Point: 11
F/L: 6
Rull walked to the front door and noticed the snow and water didn't touch the area around the house—it was as if something was blocking it.
He looked up toward the roof and saw… something like an illusion. It looked like a barrier was protecting them.
"Wow… it's hard to believe all this is happening. Even in science, this isn't logical. People would be shocked to see this."
Beep… Beep…
Don't worry, Master… if you step outside our territory, the house will appear like a broken-down ruin.
He stepped out more than six steps—and sure enough, everything looked just like before: frozen, damaged, lifeless.
He went in and out of the barrier multiple times just to make sure .. because he still couldn't believe it.
"Hahaha! I love love love you, BeepAI!"
Suddenly, his body jolted and shivered slightly.
Beep… Beep…
Thanks… Master.
"Hey, BeepAI… do you have a gender? I'm just curious…"
Beep… Beep…
This is the first time someone has asked that question, Master. For your information, I do not have a gender, and it's completely up to you how you wish to perceive me.
Also, Master, I have a suggestion. Why don't you try fixing the internal water supply? You can buy a Mini Snow Tank + Heater. It costs 5 points.
I will help by bypassing and taking a source from the snow and water outside while waiting for the territory to expand and the internal water system to improve.
"Sounds interesting… Okay. I'll use 5 points to buy it."
Beep… Beep…
+ Mini Snow Tank (20 Liters)
[Upgradeable]
+ Heater
Purchase complete.
[ Remaking internal plumbing ]
Connecting plumbing to the mini tank behind the house…
Successful.
Now Master can turn on the water tap.
Everything happened so fast. As soon as Rull heard that, he rushed straight to the kitchen sink.
Fsshhhhhh…
Water came out—clean. clear. cold.
But shortly after, it stopped.
"Why did the water only come out for a bit?"
Beep… Beep…
Because the water supply is only coming from the small snow tank for now, Master.
Snow Tank + Heater - Pipe - House water tank. So it takes some time for the main tank inside the house to fill up.
He nodded in understanding and called out to his little sister, Rin.
"Rin, the water in the house is working now. Soon, we'll be able to take a proper bath."
Rin's face lit up with a big smile.
"Yosshhh… Rin can finally take a bath!"
She jumped up and down, repeating herself over and over—clearly excited and couldn't wait to get clean.