Chapter 149 Laughter Beneath the Snow

“Ugh… Mother… why…? Ugh…” Serana muttered in her sleep, her brows tightly furrowed as if trapped in a painful dream. Her fingers twitched slightly against the bedroll, her breathing uneven, as though she were struggling against something unseen within her nightmare.

Not far away, Astrid and Alex who had been awake for quite some time could only watch in silence. A faint tension lingered in the air as they exchanged a brief glance. Concern flickered across Astrid’s face, and after a moment of hesitation, she finally stepped forward.

Slowly, she knelt beside Serana’s bedroll, reaching out gently.

“Hey… Serana… Serana, wake up!” Astrid called, her voice firm yet laced with worry as she lightly shook her shoulder.

“ Haah!”

Serana’s eyes snapped open. She jolted upright almost instantly, her body tense as she gasped for air, clutching at her chest. Her breath came in short, shaky bursts, as if she had just escaped something terrifying.

Astrid quickly placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring.

“Hey… are you alright?” she asked softly, her eyes searching Serana’s face.

Serana remained breathless, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to steady herself. For a brief moment, uncertainty flickered in her gaze she still didn’t fully trust them. Her eyes shifted toward Astrid, guarded yet weary.

“I I’m fine… huff… huff… it’s just… just a nightmare,” she replied, her voice slightly shaky despite her attempt to sound composed.

Alex, who had already prepared breakfast, called out casually, “Hey, come over here if you’re awake time for breakfast.”

Serana caught the scent of the food almost immediately. Her nose twitched slightly as she inhaled, her expression softening. “Hmm… that smells really good,” she murmured, curiosity replacing the lingering tension from her nightmare. She then made her way toward Alex, with Astrid following close behind.

“Well, this is something I made myself,” Alex said with a small, confident smile. “My own recipe. Even my wife doesn’t know about it.”

Inside his mind, he chuckled. (Heh… they probably have no idea what mayonnaise is. I made the oil from palm oil, mixed it with lime and lemon… then added eggs. Honestly, extracting the oil was a bit of a hassle, but in the end I managed to make it.)

Astrid crossed her arms slightly, raising a brow with interest. “Oh? Really? Now I’m curious whether it actually tastes good or not.”

Alex’s lips curled into a confident smirk, a faint glint of pride shining in his eyes as he folded his arms loosely across his chest. “I guarantee this is a flavor you won’t find anywhere in Skyrim.”

Astrid leaned in slightly, her head tilting to the side as she examined the plate more closely. Her brows knit together in mild confusion, lips pursed as if trying to figure out what exactly made it so special. “Isn’t this just eggs and bacon? Even I can make something like this.”

Alex let out a soft, knowing chuckle, shaking his head as he reached beside him with deliberate calm. “That’s true…” he said, dragging the words slightly, building anticipation. Then his eyes flickered with a playful spark. “But what makes it different is this.”

He lifted a small container and opened it with care. Inside was a smooth, pale sauce. Slowly almost theatrically he drizzled the mayonnaise over the eggs and bacon. The thick, creamy texture flowed gently, coating the surface and catching the light with a subtle sheen, making the simple dish look unexpectedly rich and refined.

Serana leaned forward, curiosity drawing her in despite herself. She inhaled lightly, her nose twitching as she caught the unfamiliar scent. Her expression shifted almost immediately one brow raised, lips pressing into a faint, uncertain line. “Hmm… it smells a bit strange…” she muttered, tilting her head slightly. “Are you sure this is actually good?”

Alex let out a small laugh, clearly entertained by her reaction. He rested a hand on his hip, the other gesturing casually toward the plate. “I guarantee it’s better than blood.”

That comment earned him a soft, almost amused smile from Serana. A flicker of playful skepticism danced in her crimson eyes. “Well…” she said slowly, folding one arm under her chest while the other reached forward, “if you insist it’s as good as you say… then let’s try it.”

She picked up a piece of bacon coated with the pale sauce, holding it delicately between her fingers. For a moment, she just stared at it. Her nose wrinkled slightly, and her lips curled with faint distaste.

(Why does it have to be white…? Hah… but I’ve eaten things far more disgusting than this, so…)

Letting out a quiet breath, she closed her eyes as if bracing herself, her shoulders tensing just a little. Then, slowly, she brought the food to her lips and took a bite.

The moment the taste touched her tongue

Her entire body stilled.

Her eyes snapped open.

A wave of flavor exploded across her senses rich, creamy, smooth, with a subtle tang that blended perfectly with the savory bacon. It wasn’t just food… it was something entirely new. Her fingers tightened slightly around the remaining piece as her breath caught in her throat.

“What is this…?!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with genuine shock, her eyes wide and shining. “This is… incredibly delicious!!”

The hesitation from earlier vanished completely.

Without a second thought, she quickly finished the rest, her movements faster now, almost eager. Any trace of doubt or disgust had been utterly replaced by pure enjoyment.

Astrid stood there for a moment, watching Serana devour the food with unexpected enthusiasm. Her eyes widened slightly, surprise clearly written across her face as she blinked once, then twice.

(That reaction… it can’t be that good, can it?)

Curiosity quickly took hold of her.

Without another word, she reached forward, her fingers delicately picking up a piece of bacon and eggs generously coated with the pale, glossy mayonnaise. She hesitated for just a fraction of a second, studying it closely then brought it to her lips and took a bite.

The moment the taste touched her tongue

Her entire body froze.

Her eyes widened.

A faint sound escaped her lips, almost like a breath caught mid-inhale.

“…Mm ”

Then, slowly, her expression softened. The initial shock melted away, replaced by pure, unfiltered delight. Her shoulders relaxed, her brows easing as her eyes lit up with unmistakable enjoyment. The rich creaminess wrapped around the savory bacon and eggs, blending into something far more luxurious than she had ever imagined.

“My love why have you been hiding food this delicious?!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief as she immediately took another bite, this time without hesitation. Her movements were quicker now, almost impatient, as if afraid the flavor might disappear if she didn’t savor it fast enough.

Alex lifted his chin slightly, clearly pleased, a proud smile spreading across his face as he crossed his arms. “Is it really that good? Hehe… well, I only discovered the ingredients not too long ago.” He spoke casually, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his satisfaction. “After that, I experimented a bit and created this special sauce.” He paused briefly, letting the moment linger before adding with quiet pride, “I call it… mayonnaise.”

“Mayonnaise…” Serana repeated softly, her voice almost thoughtful as she tasted the word as carefully as she had tasted the sauce. Her fingers brushed lightly against her lips, as if still savoring the lingering flavor. She gave a small, approving nod. “Hmm… it’s quite a unique name. But it fits this sauce perfectly.”

Astrid glanced toward Serana, meeting her gaze for a brief moment before nodding in agreement, a smile still lingering on her lips. “Yeah… I agree with you.”

Then she turned back to Alex, her eyes sparkling this time not just with amusement, but with genuine admiration. She stepped a little closer, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.

“My love… if you ever decide to retire from adventuring,” she said warmly, her tone sincere, “you should open a restaurant. It would definitely be a huge success.”

Alex scratched his cheek, his gaze shifting slightly to the side as a faint blush crept onto his face. He let out a soft, awkward chuckle, clearly embarrassed but undeniably pleased.

(Hehe… if I didn’t have the system, maybe opening a restaurant would’ve been my last option…)

His eyes drifted briefly toward the food, a small smile forming.

(Turns out my cooking skills from my previous life are actually useful here. Besides gaming, cooking was always my way of relieving stress… good food and games that was the key. And now… that skill finally has its place here too.)

After they finished breakfast, the three of them decided to continue their way out of Dimhollow Cave. The path ahead was far from simple twisting corridors filled with ancient puzzles and restless draugr that rose to block their path. Steel clashed, spells flared, and step by step, they pushed forward.

Partway through their journey, they came across a towering stone wall etched with ancient runes a Word Wall.

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Alex’s eyes lit up slightly as he turned to Astrid. “Astrid, look a Word Wall. You should check it out. You might gain a new power.”

Astrid nodded and approached the wall. As she stepped closer, the runes began to glow faintly, their ancient power resonating with her very soul. A sudden surge of energy flowed into her, and within moments, she absorbed the knowledge of a new Thu’um Drain Vitality.

Serana, who had been standing a few steps behind them, watched everything unfold with growing confusion. Her brows slowly drew together, and her lips parted slightly as if trying to make sense of what she had just witnessed.

“Wait… what are you doing?” she asked, her tone cautious, almost uncertain.

Astrid stepped back from the Word Wall, the faint glow around her body gradually fading like embers dying out. She exhaled softly, flexing her fingers as if adjusting to the lingering surge of power within her. Meanwhile, Alex turned his head toward Serana, one brow lifting in mild surprise.

“Don’t tell me…” he began, tilting his head slightly, studying her reaction, “…you’ve never heard of the Thu’um?”

Serana shifted her weight and crossed her arms loosely, though the gesture carried more curiosity than defensiveness. “I’ve heard of it, of course…” she replied, her gaze flicking briefly toward the wall before returning to them. “But I’ve never seen it used like that. Not directly.”

A small, knowing smile formed on Astrid’s lips. She placed one hand on her hip, her posture relaxed but confident. “Well… then you’re lucky,” she said lightly. “Not everyone gets to witness it up close.”

Serana’s frown deepened, her head tilting slightly as she tried to process it. “But as far as I know…” she continued slowly, “…mastering the Thu’um takes years… decades, even.”

Alex let out a quiet breath through his nose, shoulders lifting in a casual shrug as a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “She’s a Dragonborn, Serana,” he said simply. “That’s what makes her different.”

For a brief moment, Serana just stared at him.

Then her confusion only intensified.

Her brows knitted tighter, and she leaned forward just a little, as if trying to confirm she had heard correctly. “Wait… Dragonborn?” she repeated. “You mean she’s half a dragon?”

Alex blinked once, caught slightly off guard then paused, tapping his chin lightly as if genuinely considering the idea.

“…Hmm,” he hummed thoughtfully. “You know what? That’s actually a fair question.”

Both he and Serana slowly turned their heads in perfect sync to look at Astrid.

A brief silence hung in the air.

“My love…” Alex said, his voice suddenly playful, a teasing grin spreading across his face, “Serana might have a point… are you actually a dragon?”

Serana tilted her head to the side, her expression turning mock-serious as she added, “Yeah… can you breathe fire? Or eat raw meat?”

Astrid’s eye twitched.

Smack!

“Ouch !” Alex winced sharply as her hand connected with the side of his head, his body recoiling slightly from the impact.

Serana, however, reacted much faster. She leaned back smoothly, narrowly avoiding the incoming strike meant for her, and let out a soft, amused laugh. “Hehe…”

Alex rubbed the spot where he’d been hit, his face scrunching slightly before breaking into a mischievous grin. “Alright, alright I’m joking…” he said, raising his hands slightly in mock surrender. Then he leaned in just a bit, lowering his voice with a playful glint in his eyes. “…but honestly, you might be a dragon.”

Astrid narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious now.

Alex’s grin only widened.

“I mean…” he added, his tone dropping into a teasing whisper, “…you can be pretty wild at certain times… especially at night.”

Astrid’s face instantly flushed a deep shade of red.

Smack!

This time, she hit him even harder.

Alex staggered slightly, letting out another pained groan.

Meanwhile, Serana simply watched the entire exchange, her expression flattening as she slowly rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed though there was the faintest hint of amusement lingering beneath it.

They continued moving forward through the winding passages, their footsteps echoing faintly against the cold stone walls. After some time past the last of the ancient doors and narrow corridors they finally reached the cave’s exit.

A pale light spilled in from ahead.

Step by step, they crossed the threshold.

The moment they emerged from Dimhollow Cave, the open world greeted them in full.

A vast expanse stretched before their eyes snow blanketing the ground in soft, untouched layers, frost clinging to the branches of tall, silent trees, and distant mountains rising like ancient guardians beneath the sky. The air felt sharper here, cleaner… alive.

Serana stepped out last.

The instant the sunlight touched her skin

She flinched.

Her shoulders tensed, and her eyes narrowed instinctively as if struck by something unpleasant. With a quiet hiss under her breath, she quickly raised her hood, pulling it low over her head to cast her face in shadow. One hand lingered near her temple, fingers pressing lightly as she adjusted to the discomfort.

“Ugh…” she muttered, her voice strained, brows furrowing. “I’m not too fond of the sun.”

Alex glanced back at her, noticing the subtle tension in her posture. For a moment, his expression softened but then he turned slightly and lifted his hand, gesturing toward the landscape stretching endlessly ahead.

“Hey… but you can’t deny the scenery,” he said, a small smile forming on his lips.

Serana hesitated.

Then, slowly, she lowered her gaze from the ground and followed the direction of his hand.

Her eyes took in the view.

Snow-covered trees stood like silent sentinels across the land, their branches heavy with frost. The wind brushed gently through them, sending faint flurries drifting through the air. Beyond that, the mountains rose high and proud, their peaks cutting sharply into the pale sky, as if untouched by time itself.

For a brief moment

She said nothing.

The tension in her shoulders eased just slightly. Her expression softened, the earlier discomfort fading into something quieter… more reflective. Her crimson eyes lingered on the distant horizon, as if trying to piece together a world she no longer fully recognized.

“…Yeah,” she finally said, her voice softer now, almost distant. “You’re right.”

She drew a slow breath, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her cloak.

“I’ve been sealed away for so long…” she continued, her gaze drifting across the landscape with a faint, thoughtful look. “…I’m curious about what’s changed… after thousands of years.”

There was a subtle shift in her tone not just curiosity, but something deeper.

A quiet longing.

And for the first time since stepping outside… Serana didn’t look uncomfortable.

She looked… intrigued.

Suddenly

Thump!

A snowball struck Serana from the side, bursting into powder against her shoulder and cloak.

“Hehehe~”

The soft, mischievous laughter echoed behind her.

Serana’s head slowly turned, her movements deliberate, almost ominously calm. Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly as they locked onto Astrid. A faint twitch appeared at the corner of her brow.

“…Can you stop?” she asked flatly, her tone edged with irritation.

Astrid, however, simply clasped her hands behind her back and smiled innocently, her expression far too pure to be believable. She then turned her gaze forward again, whistling softly as if she had absolutely nothing to do with it.

A brief silence passed.

Then

Thump!

Another snowball flew straight at Serana, hitting her squarely on the arm.

“Hehehe!”

Serana’s eye twitched.

She spun around sharply this time, her cloak swaying with the motion, annoyance now clearly written across her face. “Ugh can you seriously stop?!” she snapped, her voice rising as her patience wore thin.

Astrid only giggled in response, barely containing her amusement.

Serana turned forward again, muttering under her breath

Thwack!

A perfectly aimed snowball slammed right into her face.

Everything froze.

For a brief, heavy moment, the world went completely silent.

A small clump of snow slid down from her cheek.

Her expression darkened.

Then

“Pfft HAHAHAHA!!”

Alex completely lost control, doubling over as laughter burst out of him. He clutched his stomach, shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he tried and failed to hold it in.

Serana stood there, motionless, snow still clinging to her face. Slowly… very slowly… she wiped it away.

Her eyes sharpened.

“Ugh…” she began, her voice low, simmering with frustration. “I can’t believe I’m being escorted by two grown adults acting like children ”

Before she could even finish

Thump!

Another snowball hit her.

This time from Alex.

He straightened slightly just long enough to throw it then immediately burst back into laughter, clearly proud of himself.

That was it.

Serana’s eye twitched again.

A dangerous silence followed.

Then

“That’s it!!”

Her voice snapped like a breaking branch.

In one swift motion, she bent down, scooping up a handful of snow with surprising speed. Her movements were sharp, precise far less playful than the others. Without hesitation, she packed it tightly and hurled it straight at both Alex and Astrid.

Thump! Thump!

Snow exploded on impact.

Flurries scattered through the air as the tension broke into chaos.

Alex’s grin widened instantly, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he threw his arms slightly outward.

“SNOWBALL WAR!!!” he shouted, his voice full of childish enthusiasm.

Alex’s grin widened, mischief practically radiating from him. With a casual flick of his wrist, his fingers curling slightly as if grasping invisible threads, the snow around him suddenly stirred.

Dozens of small piles lifted from the ground at once.

They hovered.

Compressed.

Shaped.

In an instant, multiple snowballs formed mid-air, perfectly rounded, suspended like a miniature arsenal waiting for release.

“Let’s see how you handle this ” he said, his voice brimming with excitement.

Then

With a sharp motion of his hand, he sent them flying.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

A rapid barrage shot forward, cutting through the cold air toward Astrid and Serana.

The two women reacted immediately.

Serana’s eyes sharpened, her body shifting fluidly as she sidestepped the incoming attacks, her cloak fluttering behind her. Astrid ducked low, rolling slightly to the side before popping back up, snow crunching under her boots.

In that brief moment between attacks

They exchanged a glance.

Just a single look.

But it was enough.

No words were needed.

An unspoken agreement formed instantly.

Team up.

Astrid’s lips curled into a competitive grin as she scooped up snow, while Serana’s expression grew focused, her earlier annoyance now replaced with a faint, excited spark.

They moved.

Astrid dashed forward first, weaving unpredictably, throwing quick, scattered snowballs not to hit, but to distract. Her laughter rang out as she drew Alex’s attention, forcing him to split his focus.

Meanwhile-

Serana stayed just behind, her movements calmer, more precise. She crouched slightly, gathering snow with careful intent, shaping each throw with accuracy. Her crimson eyes tracked Alex’s movements, calculating.

Thump!

One hit his shoulder.

He barely reacted

Thump!

Another clipped his side.

“Hey !” Alex laughed, trying to keep up, his hands moving faster as more snow lifted into the air around him. But now he was on the defensive, forced to divide his attention between Astrid’s relentless pressure and Serana’s pinpoint strikes.

Step by step

They closed the distance.

Alex stepped back, then another, his footing slipping slightly on the packed snow as he tried to maintain control of his telekinetic barrage.

But it was too late.

They were already in range.

Astrid lunged forward, throwing one

At the same time Serana released hers.

Thud! Thud!

A perfect double hit landed squarely against Alex’s chest and shoulder.

His body jolted from the impact, and he stumbled backward, completely overwhelmed as the remaining snowballs he had been holding in the air collapsed uselessly to the ground.

For a brief second

Silence.

Then-

“Hahaha! We did it!” Astrid cheered, throwing her fist lightly into the air, her face glowing with triumph.

Serana stood there, slightly breathless but then, unexpectedly, she laughed.

Not just a small chuckle

But a genuine, unrestrained laugh.

“Hahaha…!” she breathed, one hand coming up to her chest as if steadying herself. Her eyes shone with a mix of disbelief and joy. “I’ve never… experienced something like this in my entire life…”

The irritation from earlier was completely gone replaced by something warm… something alive.

Astrid’s laughter gradually softened as she turned to look at her. The playful energy in her expression eased, giving way to something gentler. A small, sincere smile formed on her lips.

“Hey…” she said quietly, rubbing the back of her neck a little. “…I’m sorry about how I acted earlier.”

Serana met her gaze.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she gave a small nod, her expression softening in return. “Me too… I’m sorry as well.”

A quiet understanding passed between them.

Not forced.

Not awkward.

Just… natural.

From a short distance away, Alex, who had just regained his balance, watched the scene unfold. He crossed his arms, a teasing grin slowly spreading across his face as his eyes flickered between the two of them.

“Aaaw…” he cooed playfully. “Looks like someone just made a new friend, hehe~”

Thump!

A snowball flew straight into his face.

His words were instantly cut off.

Snow slid down his cheek.

Serana lowered her hand, her posture relaxed now, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she looked at him.

There was something different about her.

Serana who had spent her life surrounded by caution, distrust, and endless solitude

Was now laughing.

Playing.

Living, even if just for a moment.

And to her quiet surprise…

These new experiences felt genuinely… enjoyable.

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