It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

"Bai Lin, you can go deeper into the forest. Beyond this forest lies the snow-capped mountains. There might be some lone monsters in the forest. If you find them, you'll have more edible meat."

"So the meat I ate today was actually minotaur meat?"

Although he said this, Bai Lin himself was not opposed to eating the flesh of monsters. Since Katie said so, Bai Lin also walked lightly into the depths of the forest.

If Katie can choose such a place to practice, it seems that there is no danger around. If you can get free experience, why not go and have some?

Bai Lin's reasoning was reasonable, but she missed two points.

One is Katie's strength, and the other is her own sense of direction.

Katie watched Bai Lin's receding figure, smiled, and closed her eyes. She believed in Bai Lin's strength, but she also forgot that unlike herself who was familiar with this place, Bai Lin would have no chance of getting out of this frozen forest.

Especially, after being surrounded and beaten by various monsters.

After entering the so-called "communication" state, Katie's entire temperament changed. A sense of holiness was added to her cuteness, and she seemed to be surrounded by holy light, no, she was actually surrounded by holy light.

Katie stood on the water, motionless, yet the pale golden reflection of the water began to surge. The frost itself took on a golden hue, gradually melting and merging with the golden waves.

She seems to blend into nature, yet she is distinctly different, a sense of layered difference. She is like a small sun rooted in the ground, spreading warmth to the surroundings.

This warmth wasn't just a change in temperature; it was a resonance of the soul. Suddenly, the cold wind from Bai Lin's direction transformed into a gentle spring breeze, sweeping across the frozen forest, bringing a touch of life to the lifeless forest.

Time passed. Before she knew it, the sky turned yellow and the sun set. Katie opened her eyes, and they were filled with the same golden light as the surroundings, with an indecipherable rune surrounding the edge of her pupils.

The golden light gradually dissipated, or rather, merged into Katie's body. After about five seconds, her eyes returned to their original color, though they were slightly dull. Katie blinked and took a step out of the water.

"It's indeed a bit difficult to extend the time... But it's already this time, why hasn't Bai Lin come back yet?" Katie looked at the sky and said to herself.

"Is it over? That's great, let's go back together."

Bai Lin's voice came from the direction of the village. She was leaning against a tree, looking at Katie with a haggard face, and shouted in a weak voice. Her face gave people the feeling that she might fall to the ground in the next second.

Katie quickly went over to take care of it, "What's wrong?"

"For a moment, I thought I was going to die. No, I've already died once." Bai Lin's eyes were very empty, as if he didn't see Katie at all.

After leaving Katie, she soon encountered monsters. The first monster was a black-skinned wild boar that was taller than her. For the sake of practice, Bai Lin didn't use any "energy-consuming" attacks and engaged in a fierce battle with the wild boar.

Although the process was arduous, Bai Lin did gain something. She learned that if she parried and then struck with her shield at the same time as the enemy's attack, she could counter with a shield, though it was less effective than aiming for a weak spot. After all, the first time she encountered a wild boar, she couldn't find its weak spot immediately, so figuring out this technique made things much easier.

But after consuming a certain amount of physical strength, unexpected things began to happen.

Shortly after defeating the wild boar, Bai Lin was about to sit down and rest when three black-skinned wild boars, almost identical to the previous ones, appeared. Now she could only squander her energy.

Regardless of the Souls-like game, group fights are always the most difficult to deal with. Sometimes, a group of small monsters is much more intimidating than a boss. Bai Lin knew this well, so he chose to deal with them right where they were.

If she continued to run around, she would be more likely to encounter more monsters, so Bai Lin's decision was relatively safe. However, even if she stayed still, monsters would continue to appear.

At first there were only wild boars whose numbers were increasing, then there were five-meter-tall, three-eyed, blue-skinned humanoid monsters holding spears, and some small, fast blue-skinned, red-eyed lizards.

Her biggest headache was the large vultures flying in the sky. Not only could they fly, they could also attack from a distance. Bai Lin struggled mightily to shoot down a vulture with the javelin she'd snatched from the blue-skinned giant.

Bai Lin was covered in wounds by this point, but aside from a wild boar shove to the abdomen, most of the injuries were minor ones like lizard bites and small ice spikes. Although his strength wasn't as high as it should be, he was still in good health.

Do you think this is the end? No, this is just the beginning.

Bai Lin didn't have many anti-aircraft attack methods, so he originally only moved because he encountered a fight, but now he started running in one direction with a purpose.

She wanted to go back to find Katie. After all, things like anti-air still require the help of a mage, right?

Unfortunately, she ran in the wrong direction and alerted more powerful monsters along the way, such as a larger wild boar, a seven-meter-tall red-skinned giant, and a feathered birdman with a human body and a bird's face. This birdman also made her very difficult to deal with because, unlike other monsters, it seemed to know martial arts, aiming at vital points and hitting continuously after swinging its punches, leaving almost no room for attack.

Fortunately, it was on the ground. After several setbacks, Bai Lin finally counterattacked and killed two birdmen. In the end, Bai Lin's physical and mental state were extremely poor, and her energy bar was running low. Just as she was still running, her feet suddenly gave way and she fell onto what looked like a cliff.

Was this a good or bad thing? Bai Lin landed headfirst on the ground, and she only felt a burst of pain and dizziness before she died.

Although she died very quickly this time, being besieged by monsters still left a lot of shadows in her heart.

Bai Lin became more sober and looked at Katie with complicated eyes.

Chapter 25 Upgraded

Although her level had risen, her mood hadn't improved at all. The despair of being forced into a desperate situation was something that those who hadn't experienced death probably couldn't understand.

"Isn't it very dangerous to train in this place?" Bai Lin asked weakly.

"Eh? Why do you say that? Could it be that Bai Lin got lost and ended up in a dangerous area?" Katie glanced at Bai Lin with a caring look. "Well... he's not seriously injured."

That's because the wounds on his body have been cleared after resurrection. Bai Lin said this silently in her heart. She didn't really want to explain this matter now.

"Anyway, there's no more meat. Let's go back quickly."

Although getting lost could be a reason, Bai Lin encountered many monsters just after taking two steps out. It is not difficult to imagine that there would be monsters approaching the pool.

——It seems that Katie might be much stronger than I thought.

"It's okay. The last thing we have is meat. I've refrigerated most of the monster meat I've defeated during training," Katie said nonchalantly. "If there's nothing else, let's go back now."

Ah, yes, she knows magic. I want to be one too, a great wizard who can burn monsters to charcoal from a safe distance. Embracing this unrealistic fantasy, Bai Lin pulled himself up and walked towards the village with Katie.

-

Back in the village, Bai Lin learned something. The other wooden house on the street was actually Katie's, used for storage. Originally intended for medicine and offerings, it was quite large, but Katie also used her magic to store some of the monsters she'd "accidentally" killed.

It seems she can use more than just fire magic, or perhaps the magic in this world doesn't have any attribute affinity. Bai Lin, feeling a little better, calmed down and thought so.

"This room was actually originally prepared for Bai Lin. No matter where the village moves, the priestess will always have the right to use the two rooms. But it's been too long since the ancestral precepts, and my sister and I no longer believe that any Holy Child will come, so we just use it as a place to store miscellaneous items."

Katie looked at Bai Lin innocently, as if she felt that she had done something wrong to her, as if to say "Forgive me". Bai Lin simply waved his hand,

"There's nothing wrong with living with you. It feels lonely living alone in such a big house."

She didn't think of herself as anyone special, and there was nothing wrong with the little house.

"That would be great." A blade of light appeared in Katie's hand, she cut off a piece of Minotaur meat, and then roasted it directly over the fire.

"Won't there be any problems if we bake it directly?" Bai Lin asked.

"Don't worry, I'm very confident in using magic to cook. This is not an ordinary flame, it has a cooking adjustment effect." Katie said seriously, and Bai Lin was indeed very skeptical.

——Does there even exist such magic?

After a short cooking, the two returned to the tent. Dinner was a simple roasted minotaur meat with sweet potatoes. Bai Lin was becoming increasingly confused about what kind of food was being used here.

Perhaps, this is a different world, with food from all over the world.

After dinner, it was completely dark outside. Life in the Middle Ages was truly one of sunrise-sunset rest. After all, after dark, you didn't even know what to do. Bai Lin, who had wanted to help with the dishes, was stopped by Katie. She now stared up at the sky from outside the tent.

"Are you looking at the stars?" Katie came to her side at some point. Bai Lin felt that her posture was a bit stupid and lowered her head.

"Ah."

In the original world, it was very rare to see such a beautiful starry sky. Bai Lin, who lived in the city, had almost never seen it.

Maybe this is the benefit of the other world.

"Does Bai Lin also like to look at the stars?"

"I just think it's a little rare." Bai Lin shrugged, "But the starry sky is really beautiful."

"Really..." Her sister said the same thing, she thought.

Someone once said that no matter what troubles you encounter, just looking at the stars will make you feel much better.

Now that I see it, it is indeed true.

Bai Lin saw Katie also raised her head to look at the starry sky, feeling a little at a loss, so she raised her head again.

It is indeed beautiful.

Although my parents were living well over there, they would surely be very sad if they learned of my death, since I was their only child. Bai Lin felt guilty towards his parents, a guilt he had never felt before when he wasted his time at home. This guilt was the guilt of destroying their happy life.

As for my girlfriend, I really let her down for her companionship over the years.

And the few friends he had left must have been very nervous about his sudden departure. But without him, they would just have to endure a little more hardship during the Guild Wars, which was probably not a big deal.

Even though it's a bit tough, I still want to save the world and go back as soon as possible. Even though my parents have forgotten me and my girlfriend ran away with someone else, I still want to go back and see them one last time.

Just as she was reminiscing about the past, Katie hugged Bai Lin.

"Promise me you won't leave me." She looked at Bai Lin with pleading eyes, tears inexplicably flashing in her eyes.

"Eh——?" This sudden turn caught Bai Lin off guard. Her brain, which had been used to exploit loopholes in words when various girls confessed their love to her over the years, quickly started to work.

"I will never leave you before I leave this world, Katie." Bai Lin said.

"Well, don't die, please don't die. I will take good care of you."

"Although it's a bit difficult, I'll still agree to it."

Bai Lin smiled and said, "For now, at least, the main goal is to take steady steps and leave this world first." But before leaving, he must ensure that Katie can live well.

The first goal is to get her out of this village where she is treated with ambiguity. Her talents need to be appreciated. She deserves a better life and more friends.

"Puchi." Katie buried her head in Bai Lin's chest and instantly burst into laughter, "Remember what you just said." For a moment, Bai Lin couldn't tell whether the girl in front of him had really thought of something or was just tricking him.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind."

No matter what, there's no harm in agreeing to it. It's still a way out for me.

-

After that, after a simple wash, Bai Lin entered the tent. Not knowing where to sleep, Bai Lin stood at the door in military posture, waiting for Katie.

Chapter 26 Sleep

Author's tips: (This is the only borderline section in the book so far. If you feel uncomfortable, please skip this section.)

After washing up, Katie walked in and saw Bai Lin the first thing she saw. She looked at her with a puzzled look and said, "Why are you standing there like that?"

Bai Lin did not answer Katie's question. He took two steps forward with great force and looked at Katie with a serious look.

Katie looked at Bai Lin with some confusion, but Bai Lin, who had taken off his coat, seemed particularly conspicuous in some places, which made Katie blush again.

"What are you looking at? Get on the bed!" she said somewhat shyly.

"Ah? Then where do you sleep?" Bai Lin obviously didn't take the other party's words at noon seriously. She immediately put away her serious expression and asked.

I had originally wanted to ask if there were any extra bedding I could take to the cabin next door to make a bed on the floor, or maybe even use the recliner in the medical room. I'd intended to ask in a serious, robotic voice, but I hadn't expected Katie to react like this.

Katie turned her head naturally and began to take off her clothes. "Of course I'm going to sleep too," she said.

Bai Lin coughed twice, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate to do this..."

The other party ignored Bai Lin's words, completely took off her one-piece plain long dress, and replied, "Is it inappropriate? I don't think so. Do you mind sleeping with me, Bai Lin?" When she said the second half of the sentence, Katie turned around. Although Bai Lin had already recited the "Purity Mantra" in his heart, his eyes still couldn't help but stray to something he shouldn't look at.

She swallowed hard. She couldn't possibly say she was actually a man. Since he had already said so, it was okay for her to just go along with it, right?

Anyway, this bed is quite big... Or rather, Katie and I are both relatively thin, so we can sleep in the same bed without touching each other. Thinking this way, the guilt of deceiving a young girl is much less. Bai Lin thought of this and nodded stiffly.

"I understand. I'll get on the bed then!" She quickly shrank to the inside of the bed at lightning speed, lying on her side to minimize the space she occupied.

Katie was very confused by the contrast between Bai Lin's straightforward response and his previous hesitation, as well as her strange sleeping position. She sighed, looked at her chest, and pouted.

Bai Lin felt the candlestick behind her being extinguished. Although she didn't know what she was nervous about, she was a hundred times more nervous than when she played horror games.

Is my body shaking? Of course I am, I must be! What if I get caught? There's no way it's going to be caught! Can't Katie read minds? This could be a rip-off! Ahhhh, what should I do? If I get caught, I'll definitely be killed...

Her heart was in turmoil, and at this tense moment, Katie got on the bed. The sound of the bed pressing brought infinite terror.

Even though Bai Lin had intentionally kept a distance from her, she could still feel a warm breath coming from behind her neck. The reason was simple: Katie had intentionally moved closer to her.

After a brief thought, Katie came to the conclusion that she was shy.

Really, it's obviously you who's attracted my interest, so why not be shy? She thought. Though it was hard to see in the darkness, Katie's face flushed red as she plotted her "night raid" plan.

Her fingers first played with Bai Lin's white hair with gold in it, wrapping them around her fingertips, then loosened them and stroked them gently.

What on earth does she want to do!

Bai Lin felt that she rarely encountered actions that she couldn't understand the motives behind. Whether before or after coming here, she was always a perceptive person, except...

Due to some special reasons, her heart rate accelerated and her brain was deprived of oxygen.

It was common knowledge that men thought with their lower body parts. This inferiority complex seemed to have vanished with the disappearance of certain parts of her body after she had traveled through time, but it seemed as if a little of it remained in her brain, eroding her rationality.

While Bai Lin was thinking, Katie had already unconsciously pressed herself against Bai Lin. She gently stretched out her hand, wrapped it around Bai Lin's slender waist, and stroked her lower abdomen.

At the moment when flesh touched flesh, Bai Lin couldn't help but cry out, and trembled as if he had been electrocuted, and then there was no movement, as if he was at the mercy of others.

Although she was quite unfamiliar with the subject, Katie, as if given permission, became increasingly bolder. Her hand began to gently stroke upwards.

"Fortunately, she was quite sensible and didn't go down...

What am I thinking about?

Bai Lin felt that she had never felt this special sense of tension when she was with her girlfriend. She bit her lower lip tightly, suppressing her body's reaction.