Aric's eyes fluttered open, the weight of his exhaustion still heavy on his eyelids. This time, he found himself lying on a makeshift bed using soft furs for cushioning. Even though it was not the most comfortable bed, it was still better than sleeping on the cold floor
Sunlight streamed in through a cracked window, casting a warm glow across the room. His gaze wandered to a nearby side table, where a small bounty of fruits and a flask of water awaited him.
"Awake at last?" Su Jing's voice cut through the quiet like a knife, her entrance almost silent as she stepped into the room. "What happened back there? How did the smoke suddenly come into the house? And why did you faint suddenly?"
Aric struggled to sit up, fighting his muscles which were protesting the movement.
"I... overused my mana," he confessed, wincing at the memory of the smoke spell. "As I said, I am a mage. I created a distraction by controlling my mana to create smoke, but I ended up spending too much of my mana, which caused me to faint "
"Will you be alright?" Su Jing asked with concern
Aric nodded, slowly getting to his feet. "I'll be fine," he said, his voice still a little hoarse. "But we need to get out of here. They might come for us soon."
"Ah, don't worry about them. They will probably be down for at least a week." Su Jing replied with a crafty smile.
"How are you so sure?"
"I have a coating of poison on my dagger."Su Jing said as she pulled out the dagger from her waist. "Even though it is not fatal, it can definitely cause numbing which would render one immobile for a few days"
Aric shook his head. In his previous world, something like using poison was completely unheard of. Why would anyone use such a useless thing when it could be removed using mana?
But he decided not to say anything about it. After all, this was not his world. Here, you had to do anything within your means to survive.
"By the way, are there any other spells you know?" Su Jing asked
"I don't really know any powerful spell," Aric admitted, feeling the sting of his own limitations. "Just some basic mana manipulation. These spells have zero offensive capabilities"
Su Jing became silent as if contemplating something. Then after a brief pause, she spoke up
"So, Mr Mage, where did you come from? What are your origins? I have never heard of a person being able to create smoke, or clean radiation by chanting spells. Just who are you?"
3Aric hesitated for a moment, his emerald eyes reflecting an inner turmoil. Sharing his story would require revealing parts of himself he'd kept hidden. However, Su Jing had saved his life, and he owed her at least some semblance of truth.
"My name is Aric. I... I come from another world," Aric began, his voice barely above a whisper. "A place where magic is woven into the very fabric of reality. I was a mage, trained in the arcane arts, but I never truly excelled. My abilities were... limited."
"Another world?" Su Jing's was still in disbelief, even though she had heard about this from Aric before but she remained silent, allowing Aric to continue.
"Through a series of events, I found myself stranded here," he continued, his hands unconsciously clenching as if grasping at the memories that haunted him. "It has not even been 1 day since I have been stranded here, I still have no idea how this world functions"
As Aric spoke, Su Jing observed him carefully, her piercing blue eyes searching for any hint of deception. Despite the fantastical nature of his tale, there was something in his demeanor that reminded her of being too straightforward—a vulnerability she recognized from her own earlier struggles in this unforgiving world.
"What is your purpose?" Su Jing asked.
Aric hesitated once again, unsure of how much to reveal. But he knew that he needed her help, and that meant being honest, at least to a certain extent.
"I am searching for something called the Heart of Darkness," he finally answered, the words heavy on his tongue. "It's a powerful artifact that has the ability to harness an incredible amount of mana. I need it to return to my world." He lied, as he himself had no idea what the Heart of the Darkness really was
Su Jing's eyebrows furrowed. "That sounds... ominous," she remarked. "Do you even know where to find it?"
Aric shook his head. "No, I don't," he admitted, feeling a pang of frustration. "But I'm hoping to find some clues, some leads that will help me in my search."
He knew that he couldn't share everything with her—not yet—but perhaps in time, he could find the courage to reveal the about the Old Man and the mysteries that weighed heavily upon him. For now, though, they had more pressing concerns.
Su Jing nodded thoughtfully, her eyes trying to discern the inner thoughts of the lean man in front of him. Finally, she spoke up.
"I may know someone who can help you," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "Li Fei, A historian in a survivor settlement far north from here"
At Su Jing's words, Aric's eyes shone for the first time since he reached this world.
Finally, some clues!!
"Your magic abilities may be limited," Su Jing continued, after a thoughtful pause, "but they are still extraordinary compared to what we have here."
"How about we travel to this settlement together? Perhaps together, we can use your magic skills and my survival skills to improve our chances of survival."
Aric nodded, but he still had some doubts.
"What's in it for you?" he asked, eyeing her warily.
Su Jing shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't get me wrong. I just need to get my annual shot of anti-radiation injection. I am not going out of my way for you" she replied.
"But also, I have a feeling that this artifact you're searching for could have some interesting significance. And I do love a good mystery."
Aric wasn't entirely convinced, but he didn't have many other options. Plus, he could use all the help he could get.
"Alright," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Let's travel together. But before we go, I still don't know what your name is..."
"Su Jing. A wasteland survivor, at your service"
With a smile, Aric extended his hand towards Su Jing. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Su Jing."
Su Jing took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Likewise, Aric."
The two of them spent the next few minutes packing up their belongings and preparing for the journey northward. Su Jing was efficient, packing away her poison-coated dagger and other survival gear, while Aric just observed Su Jing as he did not have any things to pack
---------------------------------------------
The night was dark and chilly, but they both kept a steady pace as they trekked across the wasteland.
Aric followed Su Jing's lead whose eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.
"Su Jing," he spoke up after a while, breaking the silence. "How long have you been surviving out here?"
"Long story. I will tell you later sometime when we are somewhere safe" Su Jing replied.
"Sure"
Aric didn't push the matter, sensing that Su Jing didn't want to talk about it. They continued on in silence, the only sound coming from the crunch of their footsteps on the rocky ground.
"Let us look for a place to set up a tent and rest for the night." Su Jing suggested. "We have a long journey ahead"
Aric nodded in agreement, already feeling the exhaustion seeping into his bones. They scouted around for a bit until Su Jing found a small clearing, surrounded by boulders that could act as natural barriers. It wasn't the most comfortable spot, but it was better than nothing.
They started setting up the tent, working together in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Aric couldn't help but wonder what kind of things Su Jing had experienced in the wasteland to make her so guarded. He made a mental note to ask her about it when the time was right.
As they finished setting up the tent, Su Jing lit a small fire, the flames casting eerie shadows on the rocks. She grabbed a bag from her backpack and pulled out a few cans of food, handing one to Aric.
"Thanks," he said, cracking open the can and digging in.
They ate in silence, the only sound coming from the occasional rustle of the wind.
Aric found himself stealing glances at Su Jing every now and then, unable to resist the pull of her beauty. Su Jing's thin, red top clung to her curves, outlining her breasts and holding on to her hips. Her vest showed off her toned stomach and thin waist. The fire cast an orange glow on her, making her even more breathtaking.
Finishing up their meal, Su Jing grabbed a small blanket and laid it on the ground, gesturing for Aric to join her. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But eventually, he gave in to his exhaustion and sat down beside her.
The ground was hard and uncomfortable, but the warmth of the fire and Su Jing's presence made it bearable. He closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep
"Aric, can I ask you a question?" Su Jing suddenly asked.
Aric raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Of course, Su Jing. What's on your mind?"
"I couldn't help but notice earlier that you were staring at me," she said, her voice low and even. "Is there something about me that has caught your attention?"
Aric felt himself flush with embarrassment, caught off-guard by her directness. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," he replied quickly. "It's just that... well, I never really looked at you properly before. And now that I have, I can't help but notice how... beautiful you are."
Su Jing raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Is that so?" she said, her lips curving into a small smile. "I suppose I'll have to take your word for it."
Aric felt a surge of courage, emboldened by her playful response. "May I... may I kiss you, Su Jing?" he asked, his heart pounding in his chest.
Even he himself was surprised by his courage. After all, it was his first time speaking so closely with the opposite gender
Su Jing's smile didn't fade, and she looked at him mischievously. "Careful what you wish for. I bite, you know," she said, her voice laden with seduction.
Aric got extremely flustered hearing Su Jing's response. But just as he was about to come closer to Su Jing, she lightly tapped his forehead.
"I am not so easy, you know. You have to work hard to get to my body."
"And what about your heart?" Aric asked, carried in the moment
"Hahahaha, you are funny, Mr. Mage" Su Jing laughed as she got up.
"Where are you going?" Aric asked, confused.
"To keep a watch. We both can't sleep at the same time, you know. Someone has to keep watch."
"So you won't sleep?"
"Of course I will. I will wake you up after 4 hours so that you can take over. Now go to sleep, you idiot"
Saying this, Su Jing walked out of the tent, leaving Aric alone.
"Damn, that was.. something else. At least, it was not a no. So I guess I still have a chance." Aric thought as he visualized Su Jing's seductive face and figure. Being a virgin, all of this was extremely stimulating for him
But soon, Aric shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not in this world. He lay down on the blanket and soon drifted off, his brain fatigued with all the things that had happened