NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5.3: This Three Girls are Nuts
Leaning against a console with his bandaged chest stinging in pain beneath the torn jumpsuit, Jin huffed. "You're all safe now"
His voice was still a bit hoarse, and those words seemed to fill the vast, cold cryo-bay with a fragile warmth.
Sera just stands there with her amber eyes softened as she glanced toward Jin and crossed her arms.
Sera muttered, her voice almost low to herself. "Safe .... For now. This Vault is a crumbling deathtrap, Jin. We need to find a way out sooner or later."
Her gaze flicked to a nearby wall panel its diagnostics still showing the Vault running on auxiliary power at a mere 35%.
Clara, her orange hair tucked behind her ears, wiped fresh tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her brown eyes are wide and we're fixed on Jin with an expression of profound worry and dawning admiration.
"J-Jin… you… you really went through all that.. F-For us?.. When you didn't even know w-who we were?" Clara's shy glance met his then darted away, a blush coloring her cheeks.
Rosa's vibrant pink hair bouncing as she shifted restlessly on the edge of her pod lost her earlier playful smirk, her brow furrowed.
"Man, you died?" Rosa breathed the words heavy. She paused with a worried look on her face. "That's… that's seriously messed up."
Jin rubbed the back of his neck and a faint blush crept up his own cheeks under their gazes.
"Yeah, well... Asha said you all needed me, that the pods were failing. I couldn't just… let that happen."
He met Sera's intense gaze for a moment, then turned to offer Clara a reassuring smile, and then to Rosa, trying to convey that it was okay, even though his heart still hammered when he thought about how close it had been.
Asha's voice in Jin's mind " Jin, your display of selfless determination and subsequent reassurance has positively impacted your social standing."
Affinity changes:
• Seraphina Valerius: +2% (Total: 12 / 100)
• Clara: +3% (Total: 10 / 100)
• Rosalie: +2% (Total: 8 / 100)
The Phoenix Core tracks these interpersonal bonds meticulously, as group cohesion is a primary factor in survival probability. Higher affinities may unlock unique dialogue options, cooperative combat arts, and strategic benefits. Current HUD interactive options:
[HUD – SOCIAL INTERFACE UPDATE]
Affinity Changes Registered:
→ Seraphina Valerius: +2%
→ Clara: +3%
→ Rosalie: +2%
New Interactive Options Available:
☐ [Reassure Clara Further]
☐ [Compliment Sera's Perceptiveness]
☐ [Encourage Rosa's Spirit]
Before Jin could even process Asha's social calculus or select an option, a sharp, ugly CRACK echoed across the bay, making them all jump. Further down the row, all of a sudden the cryo-pod for Unit 737 sparked violently, its control panel flashing an angry red.
[ERROR: POD 737 - COOLANT LINE BREACH - CATASTROPHIC LEAK]
A fine, icy mist began to spray from a joint pod, hissing as it hit the grated floor and instantly created a treacherous patch.
Sera's eyes snapped to the malfunctioning unit. She yelled "Move! Now!"
Her voice cut through the sudden tension. "If that coolant ignites or the pod destabilizes it could cause a chain reaction through this entire bay!"
Sera's boot slipped on the rapidly spreading ice on the floor as she moved towards the danger.
Jin despite his injuries reacted faster with his arm shooting out, catching her gracefully by the waist before she could fall. Their hands tangled for a moment and his grip firm around her much smaller hand.
"Sera, you okay?" Jin'a voice soft with genuine concern
She blushed deeply and suddenly pulled away from him, though not before he felt the faintest tremor in her hand.
Sera snapped. "I-I'm fine!"
Though her tone lacked its usual biting edge, her hand lingering for a split second on his arm as if to steady herself, or perhaps him. "Focus, Jin! We need to shut that pod down before it takes us all out!"
She whirled, addressing the others despite her own flustered state. "Clara! Get to that panel! Find an override, a manual shutdown or anything to stop the coolant flow from the system side! Rosa! There should be a main valve for each pod block, look for a large, red lever or wheel near the base of this row and try to close it! And you, Jin,"
She rounded on him, her eyes blazing. "Go help where you're needed most. And try not to bleed on anything vital!"
Clara nodded, her earlier shyness overshadowed by a new, determined focus.
"R-right! Jin, the… the system tool kit, can you help me find it?"
Jin, quickly spotting the battered kit through his HUD, he grabbed it and hurried to her side.
She knelt by the sparking panel of Pod 737, her fingers brushing as he handed her a multi-driver. The accidental contact was brief, but her brown eyes met his for a moment, a small, grateful smile touching her lips.
"Thanks, Jin"
The blush returned to her cheeks as she quickly turned to the task. Clara's nimble fingers are already flying over the damaged interface.
[HUD – SOCIAL LINK UPDATE]
Affinity with Subject Clara: +2% (Total: 12 / 100)
"Her trust in your immediate support enhances her problem-solving efficiency and overall group morale." Asha' says with a dry tone as always.
Meanwhile, Rosa had darted towards a series of heavy-duty valves near the wall, Her suit that was already stressed out, tore slightly further at her shoulder as she strained against a large, corroded valve wheel, revealing an appealing glimpse of smooth skin beneath. Jin moved towards her.
"I'll help, Rosa!" Jin offered, seeing her struggles with the valve looking rusted tight. Rosa grunted with her full effort then she caught Jin's accidental glance towards her shoulder as he approached. A playful smirk flickered across her face despite the emergency going on.
"Eyes on the valve, hero," she teased Though Rosa's breath was hard as she was exhausted turning all the valves. "Or are you too busy admiring the… view?"
Rosa gave another mighty heave. "God, this thing's stuck! You're not half bad at this saving-the-day stuff, though. Got any of that crazy strength left?"
"Thanks, Rosa," Jin smiles at Rosa's compliments.
He had a genuine warm expression, he admired Rosa's playful personality and it was infectious.
"I just want to be helpful for everyone." He placed his hands beside hers on the wheel, his muscles bulge. "Together now?"
[HUD – SOCIAL LINK UPDATE]
Affinity with Subject Rosalie: +2% (Total: 10 / 100)
"Her open admiration and playful attitude enhance your [Agility] responsiveness during joint tasks." Asha updates his HUD.
"Note: Consider this a case of "motivational synergy."
With a shared grunt, they put their weight into it, and the valve began to turn with a reluctant screech.
Jin then joined Sera at the damaged pod. She was wrestling with a panel, trying to access the internal coolant lines. The coolant mist had soaked them both, their jumpsuits clinging transparently in places, revealing edges of Sera's cleavage.
"Hold this steady Jin!"