Chapter 3 – A Night Under the Pale Glow
They didn't notice how much time had passed. By the time they finished separating the meat from the bones, the forest around them had already grown dim. Twilight spread across the mountains, painting the treetops in hues of violet and gold. Shadows stretched long, like dark fingers brushing against the forest floor. The faint cries of distant night birds and rustling leaves in the cold wind reminded them that the forest was alive and awake. A sudden chill swept down from the mountains, hinting at the icy night to come.
Sebastian frowned. A sharp thought cut through his mind—they hadn't prepared shelter. How could he have forgotten such a basic necessity? And now, with darkness settling in, it would be nearly impossible to find a proper place to sleep. Panic nudged him, but he tried to stay calm.
"I… we didn't think about shelter," he muttered, more to himself than Ruby.
Ruby tilted her head calmly, her expression unreadable. "Didn't you get a blueprint for a sleeping bag?" she asked. "We can find a tall tree on the mountain, use branches to make a platform, and sleep there. It's safer than sleeping on the ground."
It was a good idea. And fortunately, he didn't need to worry about light—his personal glowing hero floated beside him, casting a warm, steady glow across the darkening landscape. They scouted carefully, eventually spotting a tree with a wide trunk and branches spaced perfectly for support. Together, they built a crude wooden platform, carefully tying branches to form a makeshift fence. It wasn't luxurious, but it was enough to keep them off the ground and provide some safety against wandering predators.
As they finished, Sebastian noticed something unusual. The glow around Ruby began to fade. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, her luminous aura dimmed until she looked like an ordinary girl. Pale, delicate, and utterly human under the moonlight. For the first time, she seemed less like a warrior imbued with otherworldly power and more like… just a girl.
Curious, Sebastian tapped on his inventory.
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[Inventory Panel]
Wolf Meat ×20
Sleeping Bag Blueprint ×1 (Blue)
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He tapped the sleeping bag blueprint. A surge of blue light enveloped him, wrapping around his body like liquid crystal. Once he fulfilled the requirement of five furs, a sleeping bag materialized before him. Its surface shimmered faintly with blue runes, giving off a soft glow in the dark.
But there was only one.
Ruby waved her hand lightly. "I don't need it. I can sleep without—"
"No," Sebastian interrupted firmly. "It's too cold. The temperature's already dropping. Look." He tapped the temperature icon in his HUD: 3°C. Frost hovered in the air around them, and the digital readout hinted it would continue falling, possibly to zero or even below.
No way. He couldn't risk it. What if he woke to find her frozen to death? The thought alone made him shiver harder than the cold ever could.
"Fine… we can share it," Ruby said, finally agreeing after a pause. She hesitated for a moment, but practicality won over pride. The sleeping bag was large—larger than any on Earth—and could fit two people.
Before settling in, Ruby prepared dinner. She set up a small bonfire under the tree, the flames dancing and flickering against the wind. A pot of water boiled gently beside it, steam curling into the night. The smell of roasting wolf meat filled the air. Sebastian shivered, pulling his cloak tighter, and sat close enough to feel the warmth of the fire but still giving Ruby space to work.
Watching her move, he thought, Damn… she looks like a housewife making dinner for her husband. The thought embarrassed him immediately, and he shook his head, telling himself it was nonsense.
Ruby caught him staring. "Is there something wrong with my face?" she asked bluntly.
Sebastian panicked. "N-no! Nothing at all!"
Once the meal was ready, they shared it: simple meat porridge and warm water. Not fancy, but every bite felt like heaven. Warmth spread through his belly and bones. For the first time in what felt like ages, he was full and content.
This life… it's better than Earth's life. Here, with Ruby, maybe he could actually be happy. And someday… she'll definitely be my wife, he thought, his lips curling without realizing. Despite her cold and rigid personality, the thought of her becoming a part of his life made his heart tighten.
But the bonfire couldn't hold back the night chill forever. Soon, it became unbearable. They climbed up to their wooden platform. Sebastian slipped into the sleeping bag first, testing its size. There was enough room—comfortably so—for another person. Ruby joined him, pressing close enough that he could feel her faint warmth.
At first, he had no crooked thoughts. But with her hair brushing his cheek and her body so close, he felt his heart thudding and unspeakable ideas stirring. He quickly pushed them away. Both of them were exhausted, and sleep soon claimed them.
Morning came, and Sebastian awoke first. His arm was wrapped around Ruby's slim waist. She slept peacefully, lips slightly parted, hair scattered over the sleeping bag. He wished he had a camera… then noticed a small camera icon appearing in his HUD.
A soft click sounded. A photo appeared. He grinned foolishly, saving it immediately.
By the time Ruby stirred, Sebastian had already gotten out of the bag. He prepared breakfast awkwardly—roasting leftover meat and slicing fruits into a rough salad. Cooking wasn't his specialty, but it was enough. Ruby ate quietly, offering no complaints, though she watched him with slight amusement.
After breakfast, Sebastian said, "We should level up today."
Ruby tilted her head. "Check your panel. You should already have enough experience."
He quickly opened it.
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[Name: Sebastian]
Status: Player (Alive)
Level: 1
Strength: 10
Mana: 10
Agility: 10
Mental Acuity: 13
Health: 8
Talent: A Thief of Ten Times
Grade: EX
Experience: 200/100 (Can level up)
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A new panel appeared:
[Do you want to level up? Yes / No]
He tapped Yes.
A black glow enveloped him, seeping into his skin like liquid shadow. Seconds later, it faded.
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[Name: Sebastian]
Status: Player (Alive)
Level: 2
Strength: 20
Mana: 20
Agility: 20
Mental Acuity: 25
Health: 16
Talent: A Thief of Ten Times
Grade: EX
Experience: 100/500
Free Attribute Points: 5
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Sebastian almost jumped with joy. He shared the panel with Ruby. For the first time, her calm, collected face betrayed genuine shock.
"That talent…" she whispered, narrowing her eyes. "If used correctly… you could become a god."
But she quickly composed herself. In her civilization, gods weren't myths. Still, even for her, this ability was broken.
"Have you used it before?" she asked.
"No," Sebastian replied. "I'm saving the chances for when I really need them."
Ruby nodded, thoughtful. For a brief moment, he saw a flicker of curiosity in her gaze—perhaps wondering what he would become in the future.
With breakfast done and the cold morning air slowly warming under the rising sun, they set out once again—toward new hunts, higher levels, and the unknown dangers waiting in the forest.
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