Legacy: You love food so much, right? Try this. (Said Legacy with a mysterious voice)
Suddenly, a new panel appeared on the inventory panel. It was an image of a small box.
Dan: How should I get that thing? (Asked Dan in confusion)
Legacy: just imagine that thing on your hand.
Dan glanced at the box again and started picturing it on his hand. Out of nowhere, a box appeared in his hand. It was very cold to touch. Dan put that box on the table and started gulping down the remaining stew. After finishing everything, he stared at the box.
Legacy: Start opening the box; there is no need to hold back. (Urged Legacy)
Dan, listening to Legacy, opened the box. Inside it was a light green-colored, very cold substance.
Dan: It has a very sweet smell. You want me to eat this thing. (asked Dan, he was a little confused)
Dan scooped up a little of that green substance with a spoon and put it in his mouth. His mind went completely blank.
What is this taste? No, it's not just about the taste. These strong feelings are spreading in me. The sweet and sour flavour in his mouth, the coldness that spread throughout his body, and finally this feeling of refreshment; this is an indescribable feeling.
Dan: What is this thing called? (asked Dan, he was still enjoying the aftertaste in his mouth)
Legacy: It is called ice cream. (Legacy said in a prideful tone)
Dan: Your people are really amazing. to make something like this. It would be a shame if a place like that disappeared. I now really want to save it.
Dan enjoyed the ice cream and then opened the last panel. As expected, it was empty. No message is present on the message panel. Dan closed it.
Legacy: The earliest message will come two months from now on. (Legacy explained)
Dan: Ok. But do not send a reply without asking me first.
Dan cleaned the table, put all the trash in a single bag, and went outside.
Dan: Let's get those crystals in the 7th settlement. (Dan said in a excitement)
After walking few minutes Legacy warned Dan about something unexpected.
Legacy: Dan I have been meaning to say it. It seems someone is tailing us. And he is stronger than Hesta.
Dan: Can you pinpoint his location? (asked Dan without showing any kind of change in his expression)
Legacy: on the roof of the building to your left. He has been tailing us for the past few minutes, and he was also keeping an eye on you in the inn.
Dan: Someone is spying on me. Is it Hesta? That greedy bastard. (Dan cursed in his mind as if he is a innocent person)
Legacy: Doesn't matter. Whoever it is, don't you think this is the perfect time to test your new abilities?
Dan: You are right. Now let's see. Legacy, eject NANOBOTS and latch them on him. We will just act naturally the whole time. You just signal me those crystal's position if we came across them.
Dan kept walking as if he know nothing. But, Nobody saw that a silvery thing came out of his body and entered the ground.
Peter is really confused. He doesn't understand why Captain Jack told him to spy on this weakling. He didn't find anything suspicious about him.
"Whatever the darkest hour will start in an hour, I can return home soon and write a report. The captain will take care of the rest." thought Peter and started following Dan again.
What Peter didn't know was that a silvery thing had just latched itself to his shoes and completely camouflaged itself.
Dan: It's time to spy on a spy. Keep tracking where he is going and make a 3D map. (Dan said this with a smirk on his face)
Legacy: hahahaha,already on it. That guy is still following you. (Said Legacy after laughing)
As they were approaching the dumpster pit, Legacy spoke in Dan's mind.
Legacy: I completed the 3D map of 7th settlement. I can sense two crystals in that building to your right.
Dan looked in that direction and grimaced. Of all the places, this has to be the one. The place Legacy was talking about is none other than "Peacekeepers Headquarters" of the 7th settlement.
He sighed in his mind but never stopped walking and passed the headquarters soon.
Dan: What bad luck! What about the other crystals? (Asked Dan)
Legacy: I am sensing all 7 remaining crystals in the central most building. And that building is..
Dan: Central Hall. (Dan said cutting off Legacy mid sentence)
Both Legacy and Dan were disappointed in this situation. Dan spoke after thinking things through a little.
Crystals being in those two places means that humans on this planet know how to use Navaratna. But Dan never heard something like that in his whole life.
Legacy: The most likely explanation is that they are keeping it secret from normal people. What should we do now?
Dan: I don't know. Starting tomorrow, we will gather as much information as possible. A spy is watching; we shouldn't make any unnecessary movements for now. (Dan said as he approached the dumpster)
A dumpster pit is just a large hole where everyone throws away their trash. After reaching it, Dan threw his bag in there as well and started returning home.
Today was the most exhausting day of his life. He deserves a good rest after all this. As he was returning, he saw someone unexpected. That person also waved at him after she saw him.
Dan: You look so happy today; did you catch something good, Nina?
The girl named Nina laughed lightly and said,
Nina: It was good, I guess. What about you?
Dan: Well, I had a rough day but a fruitful one. Well it was a exhausting day so I am going straight to bed. (Said Dan dismissively)
Nina: It sure was exhausting.
Things got a little awkward, but the girl asked hesitatingly,
Nina: Want to come to my place today?
Dan: Sure.
Few hours later..
The darkness has veiled the whole settlement. Inside one of the cottages, two naked figures lay on a bed.
Life is a fragile thing in this place. People don't live here; they survive. Life is especially hard if you are alone. So it is alright to let go of all the stress once in a while.
Laying on Dan's chest, Nina said,
Nina: You are so good today. Did you complete the second transformation?
Dan: No, I am just the same old me. (Said Dan in a uncaring tone)
Legacy: It was thanks to my enhanced physical control passive ability. (Interjected Legacy in a mischievous tone)
Dan didn't bother with Legacy and said, "Don't mind that. Want to eat something?"
Without waiting for an answer, he got out of bed and went to the kitchen. He started making some food for both of them. It's a good thing Nina had some spice in her home.
Using the spice in Nina's home was not enough. So he sneakily used some spice from the inventory. With Legacy's help, food is done in no time.
Dan gave one of the food plates to Nina. Nina smelled the delicious fragrance. He unknowingly gulped down her saliva. She ate a spoonful and kept filling her mouth. Even though the food was hot she didn't stop.
After finishing everything she asked,
Nina: are you for real? When did you get so good at everything?
Dan: I am the same old me. Just created a new spice combination. Amazing isn't it? (Dan lied blatantly)
Nina: Now I can really say, you are the best chef in the whole settlement. (Nina said with a smile)
Dan: The whole settlement? I am the best chef of the Marus Forest. (Dan said while laughing)
They both laughed and talked. The Night was long and cheerful.