I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 377 - 373 – Cloudy Morning

Morning arrived slowly inside the tightly sealed cave. Faint light slipped through the small ventilation gap above the wooden planks, carrying a soft gray hue that was neither too bright nor completely dark. The rain had stopped, no more roaring downpour, no more wild howling wind. All that remained was a wet silence: occasional drips of water falling from roots outside, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and wet leaves, and thin mist still drifting low between the trees.

Sylvia woke first, as always. Her red eyes opened slowly, staring at the moss-covered cave ceiling. The Chain of Abyss on her wrist no longer trembled restlessly; its vibrations were calmer now, as if listening to the world outside beginning to breathe again. Noir was still curled in her lap, his small body rising and falling gently with each sleeping breath. Sofia in the sleeping bag beside her stirred softly, golden hair tousled and covering part of her face, lips slightly parted.

Sylvia rose without a sound and walked to the cave mouth. She pulled one of the wooden planks that had been driven in with steel rods. A small motion was enough to loosen it. She pushed the plank aside, opening a wide gap. The cloudy morning air rushed in: cold, fresh, carrying the smell of the forest after rain. The sky outside was still thick gray, heavy clouds rolling slowly, but no raindrops fell. Only overcast weather perfect for flying without glaring sunlight or disruptive storms.

"It’s safe now," Sylvia murmured quietly.

Sofia woke at the sound of the shifting plank. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning widely. "The rain stopped?"

"Yes. But it’s still cloudy. Good for continuing."

Sofia smiled faintly and immediately crawled out of the sleeping bag. "Finally! I was starting to get bored in this cave. Though it was nice too... but I miss flying again."

Sylvia gave a small nod. They had a simple breakfast. Sylvia took out the remaining hard bread from her inventory system, still soft because time didn’t affect anything stored there and a small can of soup that she heated over the purple campfire. Noir had already woken and hopped onto Sylvia’s shoulder, sniffing the food. Sylvia gave him a small piece of bread dipped in soup; the little dragon chewed slowly, red eyes glowing with satisfaction.

They ate quickly but calmly. Not much conversation, only the sound of wooden spoons touching bowls, the crackle of wood in the fire, and the morning breeze entering through the open gap. When they finished, Sofia cleaned the utensils with water from a bottle while Sylvia dismantled the tent. The thick black fabric shrank back into a small roll and vanished into the inventory system. Sleeping bags were rolled neatly, the floor mat folded, and the small purple lantern extinguished with a touch of her finger, the purple light fading slowly like a final breath.

Sylvia pulled out the wooden planks that had sealed the cave mouth one by one. The steel rods were easily removed and returned to the inventory system as if never used. She stacked the planks neatly in the corner of the cave. Perhaps they would be useful to other travelers someday. The cave was now wide open again, its mouth facing the wet, glistening green forest after a night of heavy rain.

Noir hopped to the ground; his small body trembled briefly before he grew large again. The familiar sound of cracking bone and shifting scales echoed softly but clearly. In seconds, the zombie dragon returned to his gigantic form: torn wings spread wide, pitch-black scales gleaming with morning dew, blood-red eyes blazing with unwavering loyalty. He shook his head once, as if shaking off the last traces of sleep, then lowered his neck so Sylvia and Sofia could mount.

Sylvia climbed up first, settling in the front position as usual. Sofia leaped up behind her, hugging Sylvia’s waist tightly and resting her chin on her queen’s shoulder. "Ready to fly again, my Queen?"

Sylvia patted Noir’s neck gently. "Take off. Medium speed. We continue west."

Noir rumbled lightly a deep, spirited growl then spread his massive wings. The cloudy morning wind roared softly, wet leaves scattered, and they lifted off. The small cave shrank beneath them, becoming a dark dot among the lush green trees. The endless forest stretched wide below: the canopy of wet green leaves sparkling like liquid gems, thin mist still drifting low, and the scent of damp earth rising with every beat of Noir’s wings.

They flew neither too fast nor too slow at the perfect pace to enjoy the scenery after two days confined. The overcast sky gave soft light, not blinding, and the morning wind felt refreshing on their faces. Sofia looked down with shining golden eyes.

"Look at that, Sylvia! A small river below. The water is so clear after the rain."

Sylvia nodded slightly. Below, a small river wound between giant tree roots. Its water was crystal clear, reflecting the gray sky like a long, gently swaying mirror. Small fish occasionally leaped, their silver scales flashing in the dim light.

They continued westward. The green forest still seemed endless, but it slowly began to change. Trees grew sparser, the ground rising into low hills covered in dark green wild grass. In the distance, a dark line became faintly visible, perhaps a large river, perhaps a valley, or perhaps the end of this forest. Thin mist still lingered, but the morning wind gradually parted it, allowing farther views.

Sofia hugged Sylvia’s waist tighter, her voice full of excitement. "We’re finally leaving that forest. I was starting to miss seeing the open sky."

Sylvia didn’t speak much, but the corner of her mouth lifted faintly. She patted Noir’s neck once more. "Keep heading west. Find a place to rest if needed."

Noir rumbled lightly in reply, his wings beating more steadily. They flew over the low hills, passing small sparkling rivers, and slowly left the endless green forest behind. The overcast sky remained, but it no longer felt oppressive. Only gray clouds rolling gently, like a soft blanket covering the world below.

The journey continued. No towns were visible, no signs of settlement, but that didn’t matter. They had Noir, they had each other, and they had enough time to enjoy these small steps: one breath of wind, one new view, one cloudy morning that felt like a fresh beginning.

They flew slowly over low hills that were gradually replacing the endless green forest. Morning mist still blanketed the small valleys, making the scenery below feel like an unfinished painting of faint lines of trees, small rivers sparkling silver in the dim light, and wet wild grass gleaming with dew. The cloudy wind felt fresh on their faces, carrying the scent of rain-soaked earth and the faint aroma of newly bloomed wildflowers.

Sofia leaned closer, chin still on Sylvia’s shoulder, golden eyes looking down with a smile that hadn’t faded since morning. "Look at that, Sylvia... There are little birds over there. They’re flying with us!"

Sylvia followed Sofia’s gaze. A flock of small grayish-blue birds glided beside Noir, wings flapping quickly like a curious little escort. They weren’t afraid of the giant zombie dragon perhaps because Noir’s aura was calmer now, or perhaps because these birds had grown used to strange creatures after the fusion. One bird briefly landed on the tip of Noir’s wing, blinking its small black eyes before flying off again.

Noir rumbled softly not a threat, but almost a tickled purr. He beat his wings a little slower so the birds wouldn’t be disturbed.

Sofia laughed softly. "They like Noir! Look, that one is singing."

Sylvia didn’t speak much, but the corner of her mouth lifted faintly. She patted Noir’s neck once more, signaling him to keep flying steadily. The overcast sky continued to cover them, but it no longer felt heavy. Only gray clouds rolling gently, like a soft blanket protecting them from sunlight that was too harsh.

Several hours passed without major events. The green forest behind them had completely disappeared, replaced by open plains covered in tall grass swaying in the wind. In the distance, the dark line became clearer not a river, but low mountains with peaks lightly dusted in pale purple snow, a distinctive mark of the fused world. The air grew colder, carrying the scent of snow and wet stone.

Sofia shivered slightly but didn’t complain. She only hugged Sylvia’s waist tighter. "It’s starting to feel cold... but it’s nice. After yesterday’s rain, everything feels so fresh."

Sylvia took out a spare cloak from her inventory system, a thick black cloak lined with raven feathers she kept for cold weather. She draped it over Sofia’s shoulders without a word. Sofia smiled widely and pulled the cloak tightly around herself.

"Thank you, my Queen. You always know what I need before I even say it."

Sylvia didn’t reply, but her hand briefly touched Sofia’s arm, a cold yet warm touch, as always.

Noir kept flying, wings beating steadily. They crossed the open plains without landing, only occasionally descending to avoid strong winds at higher altitudes. Below, occasional traces of large animals appeared, wide footprints in the wet soil, flattened grass but no living creatures approached. Noir’s faint aura was enough to keep them away.

The cloudy afternoon passed without the sun fully appearing. Thin mist still lingered, but the wind slowly parted it, allowing farther views. On the western horizon, the mountain line grew clearer black stone peaks rising, deep valleys covered in pale purple snow, and faint smoke rising from somewhere on a slope, perhaps a small village, perhaps a travelers’ camp.

Sofia pointed excitedly. "Look! Smoke! There must be people there. Shall we stop?"

Sylvia gazed in that direction for a long time, eyes narrowed in assessment. No signs of threat, no dark aura, no warning vibration from the Chain of Abyss. Only thin smoke rising slowly, a sign of ordinary life.

"Yes," she answered at last. "We’ll stop. Rest for a while."

Noir rumbled lightly in agreement and began descending. They flew lower now, passing a small valley surrounded by black stone. Below, a worn stone path appeared, several low wooden houses with wet thatched roofs, and a simple fence of wood and branches. A small village perhaps only twenty houses but alive: smoke rose from chimneys, children ran in the yards, and the faint sound of wooden hammers could be heard from afar.

Sylvia completely dispelled the camouflage spell. Noir landed gently at the edge of the village, on an open field covered in short grass. The ground trembled as the dragon’s feet touched earth, but there was no panic. A few villagers turned their heads, eyes widening at the giant zombie dragon, but no one ran or raised weapons. An old man with a walking stick approached slowly, his expression more curious than afraid.

"Travelers from the east?" he asked, his voice hoarse but friendly. "That dragon... belongs to you?"

Sylvia dismounted from Noir’s back, Sofia following. "Yes. We’re passing through. We need a short rest."

The old man nodded, looking at Noir with admiration. "Not many have a dragon like that. Come in. There’s a small inn at the end of the village. Warm food and a fireplace. Yesterday’s rain kept everyone indoors."

Sofia smiled brightly. "Thank you, sir!"

They followed the old man. Noir shrank himself again to the size of an adult horse still large, but not overly intimidating and walked slowly behind them. The villagers watched with curiosity, but there was no hostility. Children even approached, staring at Noir with sparkling eyes.

The small village was called Grayroot, a simple name for a simple place. The inn was a two-story wooden house with a chimney puffing the aroma of toasted bread and vegetable soup. The owner, a middle-aged woman with gray hair in a braid, welcomed them with a warm smile.

"Two rooms?" she asked.

"One," Sylvia answered. "We won’t stay long."

The woman nodded without further questions. They were given a small room upstairs: a wooden bed with thick straw mattress, a small table, and a window overlooking the valley. Noir chose to sleep in the backyard, curling up near an empty wooden pen.

That afternoon they rested. Sofia immediately took a nap on the straw mattress, her body tired after the long flight. Sylvia sat by the window, gazing at the darkening cloudy valley. The Chain of Abyss remained silent on her wrist. The green forest behind them now felt far away.

Night fell with a starless cloudy sky. They went down to the inn’s small dining room, long wooden tables, a fireplace with a crackling fire, and warm vegetable soup with hard bread dipped in. The innkeeper joined them, telling stories about how their village had survived the fusion because of its hidden location in the valley. There had been no great wars here, only rain, small harvests, and simple life.

Sofia listened with shining eyes, occasionally asking questions. Sylvia spoke little, but she listened. The crackle of wood in the fireplace, the aroma of warm soup, and the simple stories from ordinary people felt... calming.

The night passed slowly. They returned to their room and slept soundly on the straw mattress. Noir kept watch in the yard, his red eyes glowing in the darkness.