Chapter 75: Evelise Loves My Body When I’m Hitting... Wood — Part 2.

Sid breath caught. His balance faltered. The world tilted. The ground looked impossibly far away, too far. The height wasn’t normal. It wasn’t the cabin anymore; it was a tower. The same tower. The one from before.

Sid’s chest tightened. His pulse pounded in his ears, and his right knee began to shake uncontrollably. He grabbed it, trying to steady himself, but the memory hit like a wave— the wind, the rush of air, the dizzying fall. His breathing quickened, his hands trembling.

"No... not again."

He whispered, voice cracking. His vision blurred. The roof seemed to stretch higher with every breath. The world spun. Evelise’s voice cut through the fog.

"Hey, human! What are you doing up there? Planning to nap on the roof or something?"

Her tone snapped him back. The sound grounded him, pulling him out of that dizzying memory. Sid blinked rapidly, trying to focus. His heart was still hammering, but the world slowly came back into view— the cabin, the trees, the sound of her voice below.

He let out a shaky laugh and forced himself to crouch, gripping the roof for balance. He called back weakly.

"Y-yeah, yeah... just, uh... checking if it’s sturdy enough to nap on."

"Idiot. Get down before you fall and break something. Preferably not the roof."

Sid managed a grin, even if his voice still trembled.

"Yeah, I’m coming down. I think I’ve had enough fresh air for one day."

As he began to climb down, his mind still echoed with the sound of that wind, and the faint trembling in his knee wouldn’t stop. But he forced a smile anyway. Whatever that memory was, it could wait. Right now, he just needed to breathe. When he stepped back inside, Evelise was already there, eyeing his work like she couldn’t believe it.

"It’s... perf— good. For a first try."

She said quietly, running her hand along the smooth wood.

"You actually fixed everything. Looks like it was never broken. Beginner’s luck, maybe."

Sid rested the hammer on his shoulder, still catching his breath but grinning wide.

"Sus! Just admit it— my hands are magic. Told you I’ve got hidden talents. Who needs carpentry school when you’ve got survival instincts and a dead man’s diary?"

She glared, though her expression lacked real anger.

"You’re still an idiot. But... I suppose you’re a useful idiot."

"Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment."

Before he could say more, a soft chime rang through the air. The HUD flickered to life, displaying a glowing notification.

[Task Completed: Repair the Walls and Roof]

Just like before, a faint pulse glowed across Evelise’s chest. Her black heart shimmered, absorbing the light as small text appeared before Sid’s eyes.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE!]

[+8 Bond Points Gained]

[Current BP: 13 / 100]

[Heart Status: Black]

Sid let out a long breath and dropped. Sweat clung to his forehead, his shirt sticking to his back from the hours of work. He looked toward Evelise, who was quietly inspecting the fixed walls, her expression unreadable.

"All that hammering... just to make her heart beat like that."

He leaned back, stretching his arms with a satisfied groan.

"Still... at least the place finally looks like a home now."

Evelise stood near the window, still looking at the repaired cabin with quiet wonder. Her expression softened, just a little.

"Yeah... it does."

They both took a moment to take in the cabin. The dust had settled, the holes were patched, and afternoon light spilled gently through the clean windowpanes. It finally felt like shelter... though still bare, still missing something. Evelise turned toward Sid, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

"Oh wow, human. This place is actually starting to look like a home now."

A small, teasing smirk tugged at her lips.

"And since you’re so proud of that so-called craftsmanship of yours... why not fix everything while you’re at it, hmm?"

"Fix everything? You really don’t waste time ordering people around, do you?"

Evelise tapped her claw against her chin, pretending to think.

"Well, let’s see... the walls aren’t falling apart anymore, but how can we call this a home if there’s no furniture? Look around, human. Everything’s broken, rotten, or so old it might collapse if I breathe on it."

"Oh, so now we’re redecorating? You’ve got expensive taste, maybe you really were born rich, your majesty."

"Don’t test me. Either you fix this junk, or we’ll be sitting on the floor forever."

Before he could reply, the system blinked in front of him.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE!]

[New Task Acquired!]

[Task 3: Restore Furniture]

[Objective: Use your craftsmanship and blueprint vision skills to dismantle broken furniture and repair salvageable pieces.]

Sid exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes and muttered to himself.

"Everything she says turns into a damn quest... guess the system’s officially on her side now."

He looked at her with a half-smirk.

"What happens if I command her to stop talking?"

Evelise crossed her arms and glared.

"What?!"

Sid raised his hands in mock surrender. "

Alright, alright. Message received."

He stood up, grabbing the hammer again.

"Let’s make this dump a little less depressing. The rich and privileged bunny gives the orders, and the handyman obeys. Got it, your majesty."

He rolled up his sleeves and got to work. The faint blueprint glow guided his every motion, showing where to cut, which joints to reinforce, and what scraps could still be saved. He dismantled old tables, reshaped chair legs, and sanded down cracked boards until they fit together perfectly again. Each strike of his hammer echoed through the cabin—

Thunk , clack , snap!

A steady rhythm of rebuilding.

Evelise leaned against the doorway, silently watching. Her gaze followed every movement. The flex of his arm as he gripped the hammer, the sweat trailing down his neck, the subtle stretch of muscle whenever he lifted something heavy. Her jaw slowly dropped as the old furniture transformed piece by piece into something usable again.

"Unbelievable..."

Sid caught her look and smiled.

"What? Impressed?"

Her cheeks tinted faintly pink.

"Unbelievably stupid."