An unimaginable fear enveloped my entire body, but I didn’t stop my steps to survive.

And finally, the cold and clear air entered my lungs.

I’m alive.

With that thought, strength drained from my legs. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground. Cold soil mashed against my face.

“Oh, seems like I drank too much smoke. Dizzy. I should run away, but…”

Angela probably left already, following my advice. If I get caught by the Chingana now, will I die immediately? I don’t want to die. I promised to stay close to Idrish…

My eyelids felt heavy.

That moment, my body floated into the air.

This… levitation? Did I die again?

As if to wake me up to reality, a cold hand touched my hot cheek due to the aftermath of the fire.

I opened my eyes hesitantly.

Silver hair fluttered in the fire’s glow, and yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. I sighed with relief. I’m alive. I returned to Idrish’s embrace.

“Idrish…”

“You always torture me like this.”

Idrish’s voice was weary and exhausted. It even seemed somewhat sad.

Idrish went somewhere. In the blurry vision, I saw our group remaining, cutting down the remaining Chinganas, and the men following Idrish with the rescued children.

Finally, it’s over.

The view suddenly turned black.

When I opened my eyes again, everything was silent.

I raised my sore neck to survey the surroundings. In the dark forest, the moon illuminated the surroundings. Ahead, there was a stream with clear water flowing like transparent liquid.

Idrish was breaking the ice in the middle of the stream. Satisfied with the amount of broken ice, he returned to me.

He didn’t say anything when he saw that I woke up.

Is he angry?

Idrish silently undressed me. I wanted to ask what he was doing, but I couldn’t even flicker a finger. A cold finger grazed my body, making it ache.

The thin clothing, like a spider’s web, was thrown far away in an instant. My reddened naked body was clearly exposed. The moonlight passed over my body, and the cold winter wind licked my body. It wasn’t cold. My whole body was still warm.

Idrish also discarded his clothes. With every move of his well-shaped body, a thick shadow was cast.

Idrish cautiously lifted me and embraced me with his naked body.

“Ugh.”

The places where our skin touched still felt like they were burning.

Idrish broke the ice and walked into the stream, carrying me. The moon shadows and tree shadows that had been captured like a masterpiece on the calm stream water scattered and disappeared in an instant.

Cold water surrounded me from toe to head. The water was dizzyingly cold, but the feeling of my overheated skin cooling down was pleasant.

The stream water rose up from my calves to my chest.

Idrish also let cold water flow over my neck and face.

“Are you coming to your senses?”

“Yeah.”

My voice was deeply suppressed.

“Honestly, you…”

(Idrish’s line seems incomplete; could you provide the complete text?)
Idrish couldn’t find the words. Numerous emotions surged behind his silence.

“I’m sorry.”

Idrish gently cupped my cheek with his cold, wet hand. Water shadows swayed in his eyes.

Idrish attempted to speak several times but ultimately couldn’t utter a single word. Instead, he silently cradled my cheek with his damp hand.

I leaned against Idrish’s shoulder in silence. Idrish carefully stroked my head. Enjoying that, I inadvertently looked at the sky again. There were far more stars in the sky than last time. It seemed as if someone had accidentally spilled silver sparkles.

“Idrish, look at that. There are so many stars. Actually, I thought it would be nice to watch the stars with you and got kidnapped.”

As I laughed, Idrish glanced at me. Feeling awkward, I pointed to the sky again.

After Idrish sighed, he spoke.

“Yeah, I wanted to watch the stars with you too.”

“Really?”

“And I was afraid I might never be able to watch the stars with you again.”

Idrish’s grip on me tightened.

“Yeah. I’m really sorry. I won’t make you worry from now on. But I got kidnapped while going to the bathroom, so it’s unfair… No, from now on, I’ll make sure to go to the bathroom with Idrish. Don’t look at me like that.”

The chilling cold that had risen on my skin hit me. When my teeth started to clatter, Idrish took me out of the water again. Idrish brought a blanket and started to dry my body.

“I’ll do it.”

“Just stay still.”

I stood still. Since Idrish worried so much, I should behave quietly.

Idrish meticulously dried from my calves to my neck. Despite his stiff expression during the battle, his touch was delicate and gentle.

He was still dripping water, but Idrish took care of me and even put on new clothes. After wrapping a scarf and putting on a hat, Idrish dried himself, put on clothes, and finally handed me a towel.

“Give me your hands.”

“My hands?”

Instead of speaking again, Idrish took my hands himself.

“Oops, it’s cold.”