I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"This child is..."

However, just as Alina was about to explain and introduce the situation, Gretsch's almost monotone voice suddenly interrupted her.

"Mother……"

"?"

"???"

P.S.: This is Chapter 1. I'll try to write Chapter 2, as I'm quite busy today. To be honest, I feel the plot has become a bit bland so far. I've thought of a lot of funny parts, but I can't seem to write them down right now.

If you have any thoughts or ideas, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Chapter 4 Can I use it to draw a picture?

"Mother……"

"?"

"???"

Clearly, Gretchen's way of addressing Alina stunned both of them, especially Talulah, whose face was filled with shock and confusion... Even the infected guards on duty turned towards her upon hearing this.

They cast inquiring glances at him.

“Gresh…you really are something.”

Seeing her best friend's shocked gaze, Alina felt somewhat helpless about the little girl she was holding hands with. She then bent down and gently pinched Gretsch's soft and cute little face as punishment.

"Alina... oh... really."

Ignoring the pinch on her face, Gretchen's face suddenly showed a hint of helplessness, and her temperament began to transform from innocent to gentle. Then she spoke in a slightly unclear voice.

However, Alina didn't take Gretsch's slight change to heart. After gently pinching the little girl's soft cheek again, she released her hand and explained to Talulah:

"Alright, Talulah, don't listen to little Gretsch's nonsense. Things are more complicated. We'll talk about it later."

"Alright, Tarua, don't listen to Alina's nonsense. Things are complicated, we'll talk about it later..."

Just as Alina finished explaining, Gretchen also looked up, staring at Talulah with her large violet eyes, and said with a helpless expression.

The expressions of the two people, one big and one small, were as if they were carved from the same mold.

Clearly, Gretchen has now completely adopted Alina's colors and is now in Alina's exact shape (just kidding).

"...Why are you suddenly starting to mimic my speech?" Alina was both amused and exasperated looking at Gretsch's adorable appearance.

It was only at this moment that she finally realized Gretchen's difference, but she didn't think much of it, assuming it was just children playing around.

;?;

"...Hey, why are you suddenly mimicking my speech?"

Upon hearing this, a look of confusion flashed in Gretchen's eyes, clearly indicating that she did not quite understand.

However, Alina didn't care about any of that. After stuffing the supplies into Talulah's arms, she picked up Gretsch and headed towards the encampment.

She hadn't forgotten that the little one in her arms was hungry. Besides, it was so cold outside; they should go inside and talk about it.

"..."

After glancing at the supplies in her arms, Talulah ultimately said nothing more and simply hurried after the two.

Although she still doesn't know exactly what Alina went through this time, it's good that she's alright... She looks like she has some minor injuries, but it's much better than she had guessed before.

This time, Alina spent much longer than usual exchanging supplies, and Talulah thought...

------------------

It wasn't until Gretsch was carried into the warm tent that the system's mechanical voice sounded in her mind again.

【mission completed】

The reward has been sent to your system storage and can be withdrawn at any time.

"Stay here and be a good girl, little Gretchen. I'll go get you something to eat." After putting the little girl down, Alina squatted down and earnestly instructed her.

Although no detailed testing was conducted, observation of Alina almost confirmed that Gretchen was not infected.

It's not that we don't trust everyone here, but the infected in the camp are a mixed bag, and ultimately, some people, no matter what their identity is... aren't exactly kind-hearted.

Although the little girl's identity was somewhat suspicious, and Alina hadn't known her for very long, she didn't want the cute little girl who had saved her to get hurt.

"Hmm... your colors... are very beautiful. May I use them to paint a picture?"

Having barely managed to extricate herself from Alina's reverie, Gretchen did not respond to her instructions, but instead earnestly inquired about another unrelated question.

Previously, there were no painting tools, but now there are. Now, Gretchen only wants to leave Alina's colors on the paper.

"draw?"

"Um……"

After nodding slightly, Gretchen took out a series of painting tools from her spatial storage, then looked at Alina again, waiting for her answer.

"?"

"?"

Both Alina and Talulah, who had just opened the tent and walked in, were slightly taken aback by the sudden appearance of painting tools in front of Gretchen, and a question mark slowly appeared above their heads.

"Where did you get these things from, little Gretchen?"

"It's just... it was taken out in a flash."

Faced with Alina's question, Gretchen thought for a moment and then explained.

"Just like that?... Never mind, you keep drawing. I'll go out and bring you some food, but be good and don't run around."

After ruffling Gretchen's head again, Alina gave up asking. In her view, the little girl's origins were already mysterious and very special, so it was understandable that she had some secrets.

Furthermore, she is not the type of person who likes to pry into things.

"Talulah, you stay here and watch over little Gretchen. I'll be right back," Alina said softly to her best friend by the door after standing up.

"Wait, Alina, your wound hasn't been bandaged yet!"

"Let's talk about it when I get back. It won't make a difference if we wait a little longer."

"..."

During the brief moment the two were talking, Gretchen, having been given permission, had already picked up her paintbrush, mixed the paint, and started applying it to the canvas.

Once she starts painting, she becomes oblivious to her surroundings and completely immersed in the art.

Talulah, who had watched Alina leave, turned back and carefully stood behind Gretsch, observing her and her painting process.

……

"Alina, how did you get hurt?"

What's with all this talk about those rumors...? Everyone's saying you suddenly have a child.

Sitting by the campfire, watching Alina walk towards them, one of the Yeti team members asked with a hint of gossip in his eyes.

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask." Before Alina could answer, the white-haired girl with rabbit ears sitting next to her spoke first.

She first glared helplessly at her team members, then said to Alina, "Go and treat your wound first, so it doesn't get infected."

"Ugh, big sister's so mean! I was just curious." After hearing his big sister's words, the member of the Yeti Squad rubbed his nose helplessly and muttered under his breath.

"Pfft, I got it, Yelena, I'll go take care of it right away." Alina couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the interaction unfold before her, and then agreed.

But thinking of the little one in the tent, she spoke again, "I'm going to get my wound bandaged now. Could you please bring some food to the tent, Yelena?"

Chapter 5 Painting Outsiders

"I'm going to get my wound bandaged now. Could you please bring some food to the tent, Yelena?"

Upon hearing this, Yelena, the white-haired, rabbit-eared girl, was slightly taken aback, and then nodded gently.

"Thank you for your help, Yelena." After giving Yelena a gentle smile, Alina turned and left to bandage her wounds.

Because Gretchen arrived in time, Alina's injuries were not actually very serious. The most serious injury was only a long cut on her forehead, but because she had lost a lot of blood, it looked terrifying.

I had originally planned to delay until Gretchen had dinner before getting her bandaged.

However, after Yelena's persuasion, and to avoid infecting the wound and wasting more supplies, Alina asked her colleague, codenamed "Froststar," to help deliver food. It would also allow the two of them to get to know each other better...

"It seems that the food Alina asked you to deliver was for the child she brought back."

"Yes, yes, big sister, remember to take a few more peeks inside and then come out and share your thoughts with us!"

"If you're so curious, go see for yourselves." Yelena said coldly, looking at the few lively kids who had gathered around her.

"No, come back and tell us about it, big sister."

"Yeah, it's too embarrassing to sneak a peek!"

After being rejected, the Yeti team let out another wail.

Yelena watched the group of people playing around in front of her without saying anything, but a smile appeared in her eyes.

----------------

Inside the tent, Gretchen, who had been completely absorbed in painting since she first started, had now shut out all external senses and was even unaware of her own rumbling stomach.

Now, all that remains in her purple eyes is color...

Unlike Gretchen's immersion in the drawing, Talulah, who had been standing behind the little girl watching her paint, slowly frowned, her expression becoming even more puzzled.

Although he wasn't deeply involved in painting and art, he had been groomed by Black Serpent as his successor, so he had at least some level of appreciation.

In Talulah's opinion, the little girl who appeared out of nowhere had very skillful drawing skills... As for this work, although it was not finished yet, she felt that it should not be too bad, and might even be comparable to those top painters.

Furthermore, after observing for a while, she still couldn't confirm the little guy's race, which made her even more curious and puzzled.

However, it was obvious that Alina wasn't around, and the blue-haired little girl in front of her, engrossed in her painting, wouldn't be able to answer Talulah's questions, so she could only keep quiet for now.

Besides her questions and curiosity about the little girl, Talulah had another matter that concerned her greatly: the reason for her injury, something she hadn't yet answered from Alina...

With these two things piling up, Talulah felt like a kitten was constantly scratching at her heart, making her feel itchy and uncomfortable.

"call--"

;?!

Just then, the tent flap was lifted by a slender, snow-white hand, and a gust of cold wind blew in, adding a slight sound to the quiet environment inside.