BXBX NOVEL Chapter 79: Disturbed
"Welcome back, Shane…" Axis said, her voice was like a melodic tinkle.
"And who is this fiery companion you\'ve brought?"
"This is Emberwing," Shane replied, watching the Kea take in its surroundings with wide, curious eyes. "I remember you mentioned that I can bring those items or beings that are soul-bound to me."
"That\'s correct!"
Axis smiled, her eyes reflecting the myriad colors of the realm.
"Are you planning to let her stay here until she grows up? She will be quite safe here, and perhaps even find a few secrets of her own."
"Mhmm? She can stay here?" Shane asked as he considered it for a moment. After all, Emberwing had two decent skills. He had barely gotten the chance to use them, and he wasn\'t ready to send her away so quickly!
He wanted to at least get used to those skills first!
"Yes… I can tell that Emberwing is still too young… With the essence of the Fairy Realm, she will grow here a lot faster! Perhaps ten times faster! I can smell that the realm you\'ve come from had a strong aura of death… I believe that you should give her a chance to grow in a better environment.
Once that happened, even the deathly aura in your realm would no longer affect your beautiful bird…" Axis suggested as she looked at Shane with a pleading gaze.
This somehow confused Shane and he added. "Wait, aren\'t you just lonely and wanted a companion here?"
Axis\' eyes widened as she looked at Shane.
"A-ahem~ Of course, not! It\'s not like I\'m bored here living alone for centuries… This is our faith as Land Fairy! Well, I\'ll be happy if you can let her stay here…" Axis replied with the latter part being really soft and almost a whisper.
After hearing this, Shane could only sigh as he made his decision.
He looked at the tiny fairy before he agreed to her offer. Anyway, he also felt a sense of peace in this magical place, so it would be fine if he let the bird stay here and get stronger. It would also be great if his pet could join him in the Auction, and he was hoping that Embering was already in a completely different state at that time.
***
There was nothing much to do in the Fairy Realm since Shane still didn\'t have access to any seed he could plant to make this piece of land his farm…
Nonetheless, there was a lake, and the water there tasted a lot better for some reason, although the water shouldn\'t taste anything.
Shane\'s gaze lingered on the serene lake, its waters a crystal-clear blue that seemed to sparkle with an inner light. After sipping a few times, he felt the fairy\'s presence behind him.
Axis\'s words then echoed. There was a hint of joy in her voice.
"Hihi! Taste good, right? That lake isn\'t normal, you know? If you drink that daily, you\'ll get better and not get sick!" Axis said.
She didn\'t mention this before when he came here!
"That sounds great…" A smile tugged at Shane\'s lips.
The Fairy Realm continued to surprise him with its hidden boons.
With a newfound purpose, he retrieved 10 Spirit Enhancement Bottles from his inventory. These bottles, once used to augment his spirit points, now found a new use—carriers of the enchanted waters.
He still drank the Spirit Enhancement Potions, but his Spirit Points were still stuck at one thousand points!
In the end, he could only throw away the liquid to a small plant nearby. Perhaps it might even have a better life.
After doing this, he then filled each bottle carefully, the liquid glinting like liquid diamonds under the ethereal sky.
"Looks good…" Shane muttered.
After securing the caps, Shane lifted one to his lips, the water cool and refreshing as it flowed down his throat. It tasted of purity and life, a stark contrast to the harsh, filtered water of the shelter.
Shane nodded repeatedly as he certainly liked this water than the ones he was getting from the Zombies. Then, he filled the bottle right away and drank a few more times.
With his thirst quenched and his bottles filled, Shane turned his attention to his body…
During the night, he would always open his Regional Chat to read the latest topics made by other Survivors.
Last night, the regional chat had been abuzz with tales of stat increases through rigorous exercise, and Shane was keen to test the theory.
He found a clearing near the lake, the soft grass underfoot a perfect cushion for his workout.
"This theory certainly feels real since it shouldn\'t be possible for us to only get stronger by leveling up. If that were the case, we would be like a true Player inside a game, and we would lack a bright future in that setting... I believe that this theory might actually work." Shane mused. He had also been thinking about this since his growth in power was heavily relying on his level-up and Items.
It was all system-related growth!
Unfortunately, memories of whether he could increase strength without the Leveling System or Equipment Bonus weren\'t something he had recalled yet.
Perhaps it would be included in the fifth memory sphere, or at the very least, that was what he was hoping would happen.
Huu~
Anyway, he began with a series of stretches, feeling the pull of muscles long accustomed to the strain of battle but not the disciplined movements of exercise.
Then, he transitioned into a set of push-ups, his arms pushing against the resistance of the ground, each movement deliberate and controlled.
As the sun began its descent, casting the realm in hues of gold and amber, Shane continued his regimen. Sit-ups, squats, lunges—each exercise was a step towards increasing his strength and agility.
Sweat beaded on his brow, a testament to his effort and determination.
Hours passed, and Shane felt a subtle shift within him. His movements became swifter, his muscles more responsive. It was a gradual change, but undeniable. The combination of the enchanted water and his dedicated training was yielding results.
According to the regional chat, the increase in their Stat Points only happened on the fifth day of their routine exercise. Because of that, he wasn\'t really hopeful that he would get a sudden stat increase so easily.
Furthermore, his stats were already quite high. So, increasing his stats now with this level of exercise shouldn\'t be easy!
He expected to get a result that would reflect on his system within eight or even ten days! He didn\'t mind that happening at all!
As the stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, Shane concluded his session.
He felt invigorated, powerful, and ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. Right, it felt as if he was being nourished here in the Fairy Realm just by staying here!
\'Weird…\' Shane muttered, but he didn\'t check his stats yet as he saw Emberwing flying at him while chirping!
It seemed that the bird knew that he would be staying here with Axis!
With the bottles of fairy water secured and his body honed by the exercises of the realm, Shane knew he would really become better! Once he returns to get Emberwing, he should also become a lot stronger to become a better owner of the Fire Kea!
Emberwing, who had been watching Shane exercising, fluttered down to Shane, chirping in joy…
Soon, the Fire Kea seemed to sense that Shane was about to leave and started showing more affection.
"Alright… I have to leave now…" Shane muttered.
As the night approached, Shane knew it was time to return to the shelter.
Once more, he bid farewell to Axis, Emberwing, and the Fairy Realm itself before his figure vanished and returned to the human realm!
***
"Hmm?" Shane frowned as he sensed the surroundings with his Perception. It was then followed by Cloud\'s warning!
The tranquility of the Fairy Realm was replaced by the chaos of the shelter under siege.
As Shane came out of his tent within the church, Anna\'s face lit up!
Finally!
Anna\'s voice was urgent as she informed Shane of the situation!
"Shane! Three people brought the zombies they gathered here! Those three are already dead because of the traps we have, but the Zombies chasing after them are now targeting our shelter!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide with concern but she was still hoping since she believed that Shane could manage this problem!
Then, as she spoke, several gunshots were heard as Leo and the others desperately fought against the numerous Zombies that had suddenly attacked their Shelter!
Shane\'s mind raced, processing the situation with the clarity of a territory lord and a leader; he gave a series of commands!