"Hm?"

Aerin blinked, her eyes widening with delight as she recognized the newcomer.

"Chloe!?"

"Hm? Aerin, you’re here too?"

Chloe had stormed in with a frosty expression, but upon spotting Aerin, her lips instinctively curled into a faint smile.

Just that simple gesture told Rayelle—who’d been observing quietly—that Aerin and Chloe shared a deep bond.

In the game, it hadn’t been so clear. Chloe barely appeared in this storyline before being sacrificed, transformed into a Demonic Offspring, and meeting her end.

But now, in reality, every detail felt vividly real.

Yet even facing her closest friend, Chloe’s gaze lingered on Aerin for only a moment before darting to Chriss nestled in Rayelle’s arms.

Even Rayelle understood: Chloe had come for Chriss.

After a brief, intense stare, Chloe darted forward. She sat on the bed beside them, gently lifting Chriss from Rayelle’s hold and cradling her. Her fingers brushed Chriss’s forehead.

A slight frown creased Chloe’s brow. She puffed her cheeks just a little, worry flickering in her eyes—but no blame.

"Chriss, why did you run out alone…?"

That single line made Rayelle and Aerin realize: Chriss and Chloe’s relationship was no ordinary one.

But neither knew what it truly was.

To Rayelle, the game’s Chloe had no family or friends beyond Aerin.

And in her past life, Aerin had never heard of Chloe having any close ties—especially not to such an adorable brown-haired girl.

Still, both sensed a hint of resemblance between them.

At Chloe’s soft call, Chriss weakly opened her eyes. A tender, relieved smile spread across her face.

"Sorry… Sister… but the ‘medicine’ at home ran out. I went to buy ingredients alone… I meant to return quickly, but got lost… I’m sorry…"

Her voice grew softer as she lowered her head, eyes brimming with guilt—too heart-wrenching to scold.

After a pause, Chloe’s expression softened with apology.

"Chriss… I should apologize too. I forgot we were low on ‘medicine.’ And I came home late…"

Beside them, Rayelle and Aerin’s eyes widened slightly, frozen in shock.

*Chriss is Chloe’s sister?*

Neither had ever known Chloe had a sister.

The game’s storyline never mentioned Chriss!

*What’s going on?*

Aerin’s heart trembled inwardly. Even with two lifetimes of memories, she knew nothing of this.

*Could there be a hidden reason? Something so secret Chloe didn’t even tell me?*

Rayelle tamped down her shock, studying the sisters.

Both had brown hair—Chriss’s a lighter shade, Chloe’s deeper.

Chriss looked soft and plump, her gentle smile like the first light of spring, radiating warmth.

Chloe, though, often wore a stern, emotionless mask—colder than Chriss, like winter’s first snow.

Their contrasting auras and features explained why neither Aerin nor Rayelle had spotted the sibling resemblance at first glance.

Noticing their confusion, Chloe turned to them.

"This is my sister. She suffers from a rare, severe illness. She rarely sees visitors and needs special ‘medicine’ to stabilize her symptoms."

She pulled a red pill from her pocket and placed it gently at Chriss’s lips.

Chriss obediently opened her mouth and swallowed it.

Color returned faintly to her cheeks, but her breathing remained frail.

"Aerin, I’m sorry. Her condition is… complicated. I couldn’t explain before."

Chloe bowed her head slightly, apology in her voice.

Aerin waved it off. "It’s fine. Really."

Her true goal remained unchanged: save Chloe from the coming sacrifice, and wipe out every Chaos Cultist—including the traitors hidden in the Adventurers Guild.

Chloe then lifted Chriss to leave.

But as she stood, a soft voice piped up behind her.

"Chloe… Sister, wait…"

"Hm?"

Chloe turned. Rayelle had slid to the edge of the bed, arm raised as if to speak. Her oversized hospital gown slipped slightly, revealing slender shoulders and smooth, pink-tinged skin.

"I… wanted to say goodbye to Chriss. May I?"

Rayelle’s gaze lingered on Chriss’s weary face. *She’s ill herself, yet healed my wounds…* Warmth bloomed in her chest.

Plus, Chriss—a petite, gentle girl—hit every one of Rayelle’s preferences. Her fondness surged.

"…Alright," Chloe conceded. Though icy, she wasn’t unkind.

She’d also noticed Chriss’s unusually bright eyes when looking at Rayelle. *These two must have shared something precious.*

"Thank you, Chloe Sister."

Rayelle offered a timid smile, then scampered over on short legs. She pressed her face close to Chriss’s.

Chriss lay cradled in Chloe’s arms, eyes half-open, head tilted curiously.

Seeing Chriss’s pale lips force a reassuring smile—trying so hard not to worry anyone—Rayelle’s heart ached.

*So obedient. So gentle. Like a tiny kitten.*

Rayelle silently vowed to help her. Not just because she was Chloe’s sister. But because she was her friend.

"Chriss… accept my blessing…"

Rayelle stood on tiptoe, pressing her forehead to Chriss’s. Her gaze held pure sincerity.

"Your illness *will* heal…"

A faint amber light glimmered in Rayelle’s eyes—almost imperceptible.

"Mm… thank you…"

"Thank you for your blessing, little one," Chriss whispered, closing her eyes weakly.

Chloe gave a small, solemn nod of gratitude.

*That blessing won’t work,* Chloe thought inwardly. *No one’s ever succeeded in curing her.*

She sighed silently, turned, and carried Chriss out of the Adventurers Guild.

Rayelle nearly spat blood again.

She’d tried activating her ability—but her mana gauge emptied *instantly*. She’d barely halted the spell in time.

This drained her far faster than neutralizing poison earlier.

*Damn. What illness does Chriss even have?*

Rayelle sensed this was far more complicated than she’d imagined.