Leo trudged along the cracked pavent, his body aching with every step.
The night air was cool against his sweat-slicked skin, a stark contrast to the overwhelming heat he had endured fighting the mutant fire ants.
The breeze carried with it the faint scent of damp earth and distant burning sll, remnants of fires that still smoldered sowhere in the ruined city.
Above him, the moon hung high, casting a pale glow over the landscape, illuminating the broken buildings and abandoned streets in an eerie silver light. Though beautiful.
His mind, though heavy with exhaustion, was far too occupied to grant him the relief of simply embracing the quiet of the night.
The evolution requirents weighed on him. Leo would be honest and say that be didn't expect what he saw. He has no idea what to call the requirents. Impossible?
Out of the four mission impossible level requirents, the first is the easy one. If not too easy, considering that he just finished taking down a mutant fire ants nest of more than 100 mutant fire ants.
"Of only the requirents had ca before I fought them or during the fight, I would had gotten so numbers in," he muttered to himself.
Beside the first requirent and the third, the rest are things that he doesn't want to think about.
Imagine killing an Evolved Rank mutant creature. That's just suicidal. The reason why Leo is said this is because he feels like the giant black lizard that appeared a couple of days ago is an Evolved Rank creature.
Why does he think this? Because Tatiana said that she can beat it to a near death state. Yes, it's also possible that the monster is also on the sa level as Tatiana, but Leo felt that this was highly unlikely. Next to impossible even.
As if that wasn't enough, he also has to win against an off-worlder. Leo was happy that he doesn't have to kill the off-worlders to et the requirent. How did he co to this conclusion? It's just a hunch he has.
Thinking of how insanely strong the off-worlders are, Leo felt that his evolution requirents is more of a death sentence for him.
He decided to stop thinking about everything as he let out a long breath, rolling his shoulders in an attempt to shake off so of the stiffness.
His entire body protested the movent. His muscles burned, his legs felt like they were filled with lead, and the dull throbbing in his arms reminded him of every ant he had cut down, every strike he had delivered. But despite the overwhelming fatigue, he felt an odd sense of triumph.
As he neared the entrance of the residential building, a familiar figure ca into view, standing in the dim light cast by the flickering lamps of the lobby. Ves.
She stood anxiously at the doorway, her posture rigid, fingers fidgeting slightly at her sides.
Even from a distance, Leo could see the tension in her expression, the way her eyes constantly scanned the darkness, searching for sothing—no, for him.
The mont she spotted him, relief washed over her face, only to be quickly replaced with concern when she saw the way he was dragging his feet, his exhaustion evident in every movent.
Without hesitation, she sprinted toward him, her boots barely making a sound against the concrete.
"Leo!" she called, closing the distance between them in seconds.
He barely had ti to react before she was beside him, her hands gripping his arms, her sharp gaze running over his body, searching for any sign of injury.
"You look like you've been through hell," she muttered, her voice filled with worry.
"Are you hurt? What happened?"
"I'm fine," he reassured her, though his voice ca out hoarse.
He offered her a tired smile, but it did little to ease the tension in her expression.
Ves frowned, clearly not convinced. She moved to his side, slipping an arm around his waist to help support him.
He wanted to protest, to tell her he could walk on his own, but the warmth of her presence, the quiet steadiness of her touch, made him swallow his pride.
"Co on," she said softly. "Let's get you inside."
He leaned into her just enough to ease the strain on his legs as they made their way into the building.
The warmth of the lobby was a stark contrast to the coolness of the night outside, the familiar scent of aged wood and faint dust greeting him as they walked out of the elevator and through the access hallway.
By the ti they reached their apartnt, Leo felt his limbs grow heavier, his exhaustion settling deep into his bones.
"I'll run you a bath," Ves said as she helped him inside. "You stink."
Leo chuckled, too tired to argue. "Thanks."
She rolled her eyes but there was no real annoyance behind it.
"Go on, I'll get dinner ready."
Leo didn't waste any ti. He made his way to the bathroom, shedding his filthy clothes and stepping into the warm water Ves had prepared for him.
The heat seeped into his muscles, dulling the ache, and for a few blissful monts, he allowed himself to simply relax.
By the ti he erged, his body felt marginally better, though the exhaustion remained.
He changed into fresh clothes and made his way to the small dining area where Ves had already set the table.
She looked up as he approached, nodding toward his plate. "Eat. You need it."
Leo didn't need to be told twice. He sank into his chair, picking up the piece of at on his plate and taking a bite.
The mont he did, a system notification flashed before his eyes.
[You have consud Mutant Boar at. Strength 2.]
Leo blinked, montarily caught off guard. His eyes widened slightly, realization dawning on him. He imdiately brought up his status screen to confirm.
[Na: Leo ****]
[Level: 20]
[Specie(s): Human, ****, ****]
[Class: –]
[Title: None]
______
[Strength: 31]
[Agility: 21 ( 30)]
[Stamina: 28]
[Intelligence: 23]
[Mana: 125]
______
[Stat Point(s): 12]
______
[Skill(s): [Regeneration (Innate)], [Beastmaster's Bond (Innate)], [Sesimic Stomp], [Berserker's Roar], [Ravenous Regeneration], [Predator's Instincts].
...
"It really did increase," b
Leo said slowly, with a bright smile on his face.
He took another bite and he saw the notification again.
[You have consud Mutant Boar at. Strength 2.]
He ate again and ihe saw it again.
[You have consud Mutant Boar at. Strength 1.]
Leo's movents beca quicker, his hunger completely taking over as he started shoveling the food into his mouth.
Ves watched him with a bemused expression.
"Slow down, you're going to choke."
But Leo barely registered her words. He was too hungry to do anything but consu what was on the table.
By the ti he had finished his al, he didn't feel just satisfied, he also felt stronger.
It wasn't a massive leap, but the seven Strength points he got from eating the mutant boar at was extrely valuable.
Leo was aware this ant that if they could find more mutant creatures with beneficial effects from their at, they could maximize their growth.
Ves arched a brow at his expression.
"You look like you just had an epiphany."
Leo leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.
"You could say that."
"Glad to see the food helped." Ves smirked
They sat in comfortable silence for a while before Ves spoke again. "So… tell about your day."
Leo hesitated for a mont before nodding. He recounted everything—his battle with the fire ants, the sheer endurance it took, the brutal fight that left him nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
Ves listened intently, her gaze never leaving his. When he ntioned reaching level 20, her eyes widened slightly, impressed.
"You're evolving soon, then?"
"Yeah," he said, his voice quieter now. "But the requirents… they're tough."
He gave her a brief summary, watching as her expression shifted. Concern, understanding, and sothing else—sothing softer.
Ves leaned forward, resting her arms on the table.
"Leo… you don't have to do this alone, you know."
He looked at her, eting her eyes.
"We're all in this together," she continued. "You're not the only one fighting to survive. And you're not the only one who cares."
There was sothing in her voice that made his chest tighten, an unspoken warmth that lingered between them.
Leo chuckled, shaking his head.
"You always know what to say, don't you?"
Ves smirked. "One of us has to."
The conversation carried on for a while longer, the two of them talking about everything and nothing all at once.
The atmosphere between the two of them was easy, comfortable, natural. The two of them could feel this there was sothing undeniably strong between them.
It was sothing neither of them had fully acknowledged yet, but it was there—growing, steady, unspoken.
Eventually, exhaustion won out. Ves stifled a yawn, stretching her arms.
"We should get so sleep."
Leo nodded. "Yeah… another big day tomorrow."
They both got up from the table, making their way to their respective rooms. As Leo lay in bed, he let out a slow breath, staring at the ceiling fur w couple of monts, before drifting to sleep.
.....
Leo was jerked awake by the sudden, sharp jolt of fear coursing through his body.
His instincts scread at him, his mind snapping to full awareness.
He bolted upright, his breath ragged. His heart pounded as his senses scanned the room.
The next mont, a hearty laughter broke out in the room.
"Pfff."
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