Chapter 93: A Drop in Temperature
Outside, the wind howled. Inside…it was frigid.
Asker stared at the dirt ceiling above, bored. Though conscious, his body was still incredibly weak.
His extensive burns would have been infected and fatal for an ordinary person. But with his level 5 Transcendental physique, the burns were the least of his worries. He simply needed to remain still and wait for the slow process of self-healing.
The sensation wasn’t pleasant, a tingling feeling across his burned skin, like thousands of tiny insects crawling beneath.
But Asker was not one to complain.
Medea pressed close to him.
“I’m a little cold,” she said with a smile, noticing his gaze.
“You can start a fire,” Asker said.
“But then it would be too hot,” Medea countered smoothly.
Too hot, seriously… Asker was speechless, but he understood her intentions and didn’t comment further.
As Medea’s face drew closer, he finally said, “What are you doing?”
“Admiring your face.” Unconcerned with the dirt and grime, Medea propped herself up on her hands, her gaze fixed on his face.
“Is there something on my face?” Asker asked, irritated.
“No, just admiring its handsomeness.” Medea smiled and poked his cheek with a finger. “I heard the Achilles family has blood from the Far East Dragon Kingdom. So, you’re mixed-race?”
“Mixed-race isn’t exactly a compliment,” Asker said.
“It’s fine, I’m mixed-race too,” Medea said. “Succubus and human, an even greater divide. By the way, do you know about succubi?”
“Are you referring to the native succubi of Purgatory? Or humans with succubus genes?”
“The latter, of course,” Medea said. “Did you know? Succubi have…exceptional abilities in certain areas. Even after suppressing their bloodline, they can control their fertility. Every encounter can result in conception, if they wish. Or, they can remain barren after thousands.”
I really don’t want to discuss reproductive biology with you… Asker remained silent.
“I’d like to try,” Medea said, her face drawing closer, her breath warm against his ear.
“Try what, exactly?” Asker narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t be obtuse,” Medea said coquettishly. “Surely you understand?”
“I understand,” Asker said. “And if you have too much energy, I’ll add three laps to your next training run.”
Medea: …
See? Rejected again, Medusa’s mocking voice echoed in her mind.
“Shut up!” Medea snapped, annoyed. “If it weren’t for his injuries, I would have already taken him!”
Are you sure you shouldn’t? Medusa sneered. Once he recovers, you’ll never have this opportunity again.
Medea hesitated. His body, or his heart? A difficult choice.
Finally, she made up her mind. “It’s fine. I’m patient. I have faith in my charms. There’s no need to rush.”
Don’t come crying to me later, Medusa said.
“I won’t,” Medea said haughtily.
“Finished your little chat?” Asker asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Medea feigned ignorance.
“How are the others?” Asker asked, changing the subject.
“I don’t know,” Medea said. “We seem to be at the bottom of the valley. I found this cave nearby to shelter from the cold.”
“Cold?”
“It’s started snowing outside,” Medea explained. “The temperature has dropped significantly.”
Asker pondered this for a moment. “The Axe of the North Wind has been activated.”
“You’re saying…” Medea’s mind raced. “The snow and the drop in temperature are caused by that axe?”
“In fact, the entire abnormal climate of Mount Taygetus is caused by the Axe of the North Wind,” Asker explained. “We don’t know who activated it, triggering this sudden drop in temperature… Most likely a Snow Monster, but it’s hard to say for sure.”
“I have some medicinal herbs for external injuries in my bullet pouch. Could you get them for me?”
Medea retrieved the pre-chewed herbs from his pouch. Carefully removing his chainmail, she revealed his well-defined physique.
Thanks to his level 5 physical abilities, Asker, though seemingly lean, possessed incredibly strong and resilient muscles, his body sculpted to perfection.
Medea swallowed hard, then mixed the herbs with a bit of melted snow and gently applied the paste to his burns.
“Done,” Asker said. “Help me put my chainmail back on.”
“Are you leaving already?” Medea asked incredulously. “Don’t push yourself! You’re still weak. Why not rest a bit longer?”
If I stay here any longer, you’ll devour me. Asker gave her a discreet look. “If we don’t deal with that axe, the temperature will continue to drop, and we’ll freeze to death in these mountains in a few days.”
“Seriously?” Medea’s expression was a mix of surprise and belief.
After all, these words came from the Captain.
“We need to find the others quickly.” Asker pushed aside the snow blocking the cave entrance.
…
It was bitterly cold outside.
That was Asker’s first thought.
His cotton armor, and the fur cloak over it, had been burned away by Medea’s flames.
Worse, during the rescue, he had lost his sword.
“Aren’t you cold?” Medea asked, following him out of the cave.
“I am,” Asker admitted.
Medea, without a word, removed her fur cloak. “Here. Take this.”
“Thanks.” Asker took the cloak and draped it over his chainmail.
“You’re not very polite, are you?” Medea said, surprised.
“You have fire abilities,” Asker stated simply.
Medea: …
True, she could summon flames at will, so she didn’t have to worry about the cold.
“Slow down!” Seeing Asker pick up the pace, Medea hurried to catch up.
“We’re running out of time,” Asker said.
“If it’s too difficult, let’s just give up on the axe,” Medea suggested. “We don’t have to resolve this anomaly.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Asker replied.
Medea was a little annoyed that he hadn’t considered her opinion.
However, recalling the images she had seen in Asker’s memories, she felt a sense of understanding and calm settle over her.
In the original “Steel and Fire,” war had been the dominant theme for over a decade. Whether civilian, noble, or professional soldier, all faced the constant threat of violence and death in the all-consuming conflict.
That was why this man carried the weight of the entire team on his shoulders, sprinting forward with all his might.
Only she understood his purpose and his determination, and only she…
…would walk this path with him.
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