CHAPTER 74: LOT OF WORKS TO DO

Evening arrived in the pocket world, casting a warm glow over the ancient forest. The fading sunlight shimmered brilliantly as it illuminated the twin peaks of the mountain range, their jagged silhouettes standing proudly against the twilight sky. The peaks, dusted with a soft layer of snow, glimmered like jewels, reflecting hues of orange and pink that danced across their surfaces.

The trees below, ancient and towering, swayed gently in the evening breeze, their leaves rustling softly as if whispering secrets of the forest. Shafts of golden light filtered through the branches, creating a patchwork of light and shadow on the forest floor, where wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors, their petals catching the last rays of sunlight.

As the sky deepened into shades of indigo and violet, the mountains took on a mystical quality, shrouded in an ethereal veil that seemed to promise adventure and mystery. The birds settled into their nests, and the sounds of the forest began to shift, welcoming the night with a symphony of crickets and distant owls. The scene was breathtaking, a perfect blend of tranquility and untamed beauty, offering a sense of peace and wonder as day turned into night.

At the foot of the mountain, two tents were erected, providing a cozy shelter against the elements. Not far from them, a small self-created source of water bubbled gently, a result of their teamwork. Nero had dug a shallow depression in the earth, carefully shaping it to hold the water that would soon flow in. Khione had then used her magic to summon a small rain cloud, directing it to fill the depression with fresh water.

Once the makeshift pool was ready, they took turns to clean their bodies, splashing the cool water over their skin to wash away the grime of their earlier battles. The refreshing sensation was invigorating, the water glistening in the fading light as they took a moment to rejuvenate. Each of them felt the weight of their journey lift slightly as they prepared to continue their adventure in the pocket world.

Now sitting around the bonfire, the two of them shared a comfortable silence before Nero broke it, asking what they should eat for dinner. Having accomplished their goal for the night, it felt like a moment worth celebrating, especially since they still held first place with 200 points.

"I saw some rabbits earlier. I’ll go catch one, and you can use it to make tonight’s dinner," Khione explained, rising to her feet. With a determined nod, she disappeared into the forest, leaving Nero to contemplate what kind of meal he could create with the rabbit she would bring back.

Khione moved swiftly and quietly through the underbrush, her senses heightened. She spotted a small clearing where a rabbit was nibbling on some grass. With practiced precision, she knelt low, her movements fluid as she conjured a small, shimmering net of ice. With a swift flick of her wrist, she launched the net toward the unsuspecting creature, trapping it in an instant. The rabbit struggled momentarily before Khione gently lifted it, ensuring it was unharmed but secured.

With her prize in hand, she made her way back to the camp, where Nero was already preparing for dinner. "Got one!" she announced, holding up the rabbit triumphantly.

"Perfect!" Nero grinned, taking the rabbit from her. He quickly set to work, gutting and skinning the rabbit with skillful hands. Once prepared, he decided to make a hearty stew. He gathered some wild herbs and vegetables they had collected during their travels, setting them aside as he chopped the rabbit into bite-sized pieces.

Nero placed a pot over the fire, adding some water and tossing in the rabbit meat along with the chopped herbs and vegetables. As the stew began to simmer, the rich aroma filled the air, blending with the scent of the wood smoke from the bonfire.

Khione silently observed from the side, occasionally handing him ingredients or stirring the pot when he asked. She appreciated the way he moved, confident and focused, and couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.

"Almost done," he said, glancing over at her with a grin. "Just a few more minutes to let the flavors meld."

As they waited, they watched the night sky in silence, the warmth of the fire surrounding them like a comforting embrace. Finally, when the stew was ready, Nero ladled it into two bowls, the steam rising in delicate tendrils.

"Dinner is served!" he declared proudly, handing a bowl to Khione. They sat back down around the fire, savoring the delicious meal. Each bite was a mix of tender meat and savory herbs, a perfect reward after a long day of challenges.

As they ate in silence, the warmth of the fire and the satisfaction of their meal created a moment of peace amidst the wild beauty of the pocket world.

To accompany their delicious meal and truly celebrate, they opened the remaining bottle of wine, savoring each glass as they toasted to their success.

"Let’s set our final target to 500 points," Nero suggested, swirling the red wine inside his glass.

"Let’s do that," Khione replied, emptying her glass with a determined look in her eyes.

"I’ll excuse myself. See you tomorrow," she said, rising to her feet.

"Okay, have a nice night!" Nero called after her.

Khione nodded and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, likely off to train before sleep. Nero couldn’t help but think to himself, ’Her company wasn’t bad,’ but he quickly shook off the thought, focusing instead on his own plans.

"It’s time to check my gains," he mumbled, standing and making his way toward the mountain range. He skillfully climbed the rocky terrain, reaching the top with the agility of a monkey.

From this vantage point, he gazed down at the breathtaking scenery below, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The forest stretched out like a vast sea of shadows and silver, the treetops shimmering under the gentle light. Fireflies flitted about, their tiny bodies glowing like scattered stars, dancing gracefully among the leaves and adding an enchanting sparkle to the night.

Nero felt a sense of serenity wash over him as he absorbed the beauty of the landscape. The stillness of the night was palpable, punctuated only by the distant rustle of leaves and the soft whisper of the wind. It was a moment of pure tranquility, a stark contrast to the challenges they faced during the day. He allowed himself to lose track of time, enveloped in the peacefulness of the scene, feeling grateful for the journey they had undertaken together.

"Well! It’s good, but I have something to do." He immediately sat down in meditation on the mat he had brought beforehand, removing his upper clothing. The chilly wind caressed his perfectly sculpted torso, causing him to shiver for a moment before shaking his head and closing his eyes. Much to his surprise, he found he didn’t need a mirror to enter his inner world.

He appeared in his usual realm, an ominous vortex with something sealed within at its center, surrounded by nine stars. One star shone brightly, reminiscent of a child playing in a park, while the remaining eight stars flickered dimly, their lights fading like dying candles, yet never extinguished. In his soul form, Nero moved toward the eight sealed stars, specifically the one closest to the red star—the golden star. Nine black chains were wrapped around it, one of which bore gnawing marks but remained unbroken.

Upon seeing this, Nero’s earlier high spirits deflated like a balloon.

"I thought with so many monsters killed—almost a hundred—I’d at least break one or two seals, but I guess it won’t be that easy."

"Well, it wouldn’t be fun if it were that easy," he mused, feeling his liveliness return. "I just have to slay a powerful monster and use their essence to rapidly break the seals. It won’t be easy, but it will be fun." He decided there was no reason to dwell on disappointment; before leaving the pocket world, he would ensure at least one or two seals were broken. Each of the remaining eight stars was sealed with nine black chains, and as he progressed, it would become increasingly difficult to remove them.

There was no ranking among the stars; just because he had awakened the red star first didn’t mean it was the weakest. On the contrary, it was one of the strongest. Nero speculated that the unsealing process was related to his affinity for certain laws. He likely had a closer affinity to the Law of Fire, probably due to his mother, while the second law he would unseal would be connected to his paternal side—the Law of Lightning.

Nero sighed, realizing there was still much work to be done. He glanced one last time at his inner world before deciding to leave. As for the freeloader sealed within his vortex, now wasn’t the time to stir it.

He must continue with his training outside, time to refine and store some Prana into his second core nestled inside his heart.