CHAPTER 148: BROTHERS...

He was strong, surely. He also had knowledge that the others did not, but that wasn’t what the people wanted right now.

"People want a hero in this ruined world, Ziggy. They don’t want someone who can solve complex problems or knows a hundred unique languages native to the tower.

They want a Hero, a great student of someone strong enough to take down a demon, someone who leads the others forward, someone kind and expressive at the same time.

They need you, and just like that, they need someone who can coldly keep the ’shadows’ in check. What Izzy and you can do for the people is something I cannot. If anything, I’d mess things up and become the center of various controversies."

He may be a good boy around his family, the same was not the case when he was around the others. And the elder brother who knew this troublemaker the best, his words made perfect sense to him.

"I can be the center of everything, I’m not saying no. I know I will have to do that soon... with my skill out in the open and a talk of the town, it might not be long before they find out it was me.

Still, to lead them with my personality and ways, I will have to be strong or special like the President."

It wasn’t about what he could do but the image he might have. People weren’t going to like a high climber that doesn’t share his knowledge or warn others of what was to come.

’I don’t know what might happen from here on out anyway. How am I supposed to predict anything that’ll happen on any of the floors.’

The 3rd floor is not like the other floors. Since it’s mostly a time-loop where they all are stuck, it was similar to the other floors.

Even if the rest of the floors are identical to the rest of the floors he had climbed, there was no guarantee his predictions would prove out to be any useful.

"So, put that aside. And let’s talk about something else." Finally finishing his answer, he took the first sip from his own drink.

The red fluid in his glass was thicker than wine but not too thick.

It wasn’t sticky and flowed as well as actual wine.

The unique thing about this drink was its strong fragrance that even Ziggy could feel on the tip of his nose.

"Hmmm. Simply lovely." He seemed delighted from that first sip alone.

And that reaction of delight brought a look of curiosity on Ziggy’s face.

"Just what is that thing?" He couldn’t help it and asked with a look of curiosity. But the question was not so easy to answer.

"Do you wanna try it? It’s a little stronger than it looks but give it a try." Instead of explaining, he directly offered a sip of his precious drink to him.

He wouldn’t usually do that considering he loved this thing, but this was his brother we are talking about.

"...are you sure? I mean, will that be alright?"

He was not worried but this drink seemed pretty precious and it most certainly seemed like something KiRA loved.

He knew his little brother didn’t share things easily, especially things that he loved.

The Red drink looked pretty, the materials he used were also somewhat precious. He didn’t want to take away the fun drink KiRA made for himself.

"It’s fine. You won’t need more than one sip from this anyway." But from how KiRA gave him a hidden smirk, it seemed like there was something more to this drink.

Ziggy did not see the smirk though so he took the drink and pressed the glass against his lips.

The red salt-like substance sticking outside the glass did not have a particular flavour at first, but when it slid down his throat with his saliva, he felt a unique, burning sensation in his chest.

Right after that, when a little drop of the red fluid passed down his throat, the burning sensation intensified.

Heat rose and ran rampant throughout his body, interacting with his Aura and almost stimulating every single muscle throughout his body.

As if he had trained for a few hours, the drink activated various muscle groups with the explosive Aura... but soon the burning sensation calmed down as the fluid in his throat reached its destination.

[Ding!]

[You have consumed a potion with High-stimulating properties.]

[Your Aura will be stimulated for the next 1hr.]

[Your muscle recovery will be enhanced for the next 1hr.]

[Your physical stat growth rate will be enhanced for the next 1hr.]

[A burning sensation has stimulated your Aura Core. Utilizing the properties might enhance the Flame properties of your Aura.]

The sudden notifications were unexpected as well so when Ziggy opened his eyes, he looked at this damned brother of his with a stunned look.

He did not move from his place but in a matter of moments, he was already drenched in sweat. It was like he had worked out for an extended period or pushed himself a little too far.

All of this, even his Aura Core stimulation, were all an effect of a simple drink. A drink that his damned brother was drinking a little too leisurely.

"What the hell is this?" He was impressed by the effects of the drink. It was stronger and better than any alcohol he had ever tried.

He liked testing different things out so he did not mind this ’potion’ but these effects were just too unfathomable.

"Surprised? Well, It’s my personal creation. I call this one Flame Dragon’s tears. Ah, there’s nothing related to dragons in this drink. I just thought the name would be cool."

KiRA took his drink back and took another leisurely sip. It did not seem to have any effects on him, or perhaps there was something more to this than what met the eye.

Perhaps, he was training with this unconventional method even now.

Or, if not that, knowing this dumb guy, Ziggy could guess how he might just like the taste of this thing.

"Well..." As the sun set on the horizon, Ziggy thought about a good answer to this calm answer from his brother, but then just shook his head. "This is good."

The taste, the texture, the feel after having it, they were amazing.

He loved it, and now that he had obtained these good effects from the drink, he couldn’t just leave them be.

He needed to go and use them.

"Thanks"

But for now, he decided to first finish the drink with his brother. And, have a little fun chat with him instead.