There was also the split-toothed mutant wolf hidden in Secret Base No. 2.

Before leaving the north, Hannah had already placed that split-toothed mutant wolf and several other pieces of prey at "the usual place."

"The usual place" was the location Hannah had agreed upon with the boss.

The boss would come later with someone to collect them.

From those mutant beasts, Hannah had bartered for other food: sweet potatoes, corn, and a small cup of rice.

Although the meat of the mutant beasts was edible, too much of it could make you feel unwell, so Hannah kept only a small portion.

She packed everything into the backpack that Archer was carrying, instructing him to take good care of it, "This is our food for the winter."

"Is the winter in Bury really that cold?"

Archer zipped up the bag.

The two of them had already left the shop and were walking toward the refugee district.

There was no light on the road, only moonlight and starlight.

A faint layer of light, sliced into patchwork shapes by the shadows of the trees, like frost.

Hannah was hopping on one foot playing shadow tag, "Yeah, the winter in Bury is very cold; you’ll turn into ice if you step outside."

Especially in the refugee district.

Almost every winter, the population would be reduced by half.

Many died because they couldn’t endure the cold while searching for food and then froze to death on the streets.

Like ice sculptures, one after another.

Some lay on the ground, while others stood erect.

With agonized faces and twisted limbs.

Only those with mental strength could barely make it through.

Some people waited on the streets, timing it just to catch those who couldn’t endure and then immediately took them home.

Because these "ice sculptures" were also a kind of food.

In Bury, humanity was the most scarce commodity.

Just a touch of hunger was enough to topple it with ease.

Those once-mythical tales of "parental cannibalism" seemed all too commonplace here.

"So you have to stay by my side and not run away, okay?" Hannah, stepping on the light and shadows, hopped in front of the boy. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Archer planted his feet firmly and looked into her eyes.

Those pure and clear eyes seemed as if they could contain the moon and the stars themselves.

She was just a somewhat peculiar and proud girl, without malicious intent.

For some reason, that was the only thought that came to Archer’s mind upon seeing those eyes.

The girl was indeed a bit peculiar, especially sometimes when she looked at him.

Fervent and straightforward.

Archer interpreted it as innocence.

So he said, "I won’t run."

He had nowhere else to go; even his memories were incomplete.

Hannah’s eyes curved into a smile; she turned around, hands behind her back, and resumed hopping like a kangaroo.

Her voice was cheerful, "Archer, if you run away, I will lock you in a cage."

"A witch’s cage." She turned her head, her laugh bright and radiant.

It lifted Archer’s spirits.

He didn’t notice anything amiss in Hannah’s words, or perhaps he did and didn’t care.

He might even like this feeling.

Dependent on each other for survival.

"I won’t run," he emphasized again.

Hannah was happy because the doll she had picked up was well-behaved and also because it had a pair of beautiful eyes.

So she started to sing again.

That nursery rhyme.

"A pretty little girl comes out of the forest, she wears a lovely cloak, her hair so long. She always carries a brush; people call her the little witch."

"She draws on the ground, rabbits come to life, she paints on the tree, birds take flight, she draws on paper, little men stand upright, turn around, with no eyes or hair..."