In the heart of the unknown forest, fate was taking shape...
Ron and Dovos moved swiftly through the forest, avoiding dangerous beasts and crowded areas while cutting down any creature that blocked their path.
They advanced steadily until they neared the forest's center.
"This is far enough," Ron said firmly.
He wasn't strong enough to go any deeper, and Dovos was still injured.
Ron searched for a suitable spot before declaring, "We'll stop here."
Dovos glanced around in confusion. "Are you sure?"
The location Ron chose was relatively exposed, making Dovos feel uneasy.
Ron simply smiled. "Why do you think we're here?"
Dovos didn't press further. For some reason, he had an odd trust in Ron.
Moments later, Ron found a good spot and said, "Alright, we'll start here."
It was on slightly elevated ground, next to a large rock.
"You'll set up the tent here, and I'll check the surroundings," Ron instructed.
Dovos frowned. "Wouldn't it be better if I checked the area? I'm still stronger than you."
Ron looked at the camping gear, then at himself, then at Dovos with half-lidded eyes.
Dovos immediately understood Ron's unspoken message and sighed. "Alright, I get it."
Ron was too small for the task of setting up the massive tent.
And so, Ron scouted the area while Dovos handled the camp.
During his search, Ron noticed a faint bloody aura lingering in the air. He decided to follow it cautiously.
When he reached the source, he was completely taken aback.
A small plant with a blood-red color fruit was radiating an incredibly powerful aura.
Ron glanced back toward the camp, then muttered, "Is this just a coincidence?"
This was a Veraxa plant—the very same type that had helped him in his past life during his first world transition, extending his lifespan.
Though it looked slightly different from what he remembered, Ron would never forget its scent.
"This plant holds an immense amount of energy despite its small size..."
He could already feel its effects, even though he couldn't cultivate yet.
"I wonder… what would it do to me now?" he pondered, eyeing the fruit.
But what intrigued him more was its potential effect on Dovos…
Dovos's body was already at the limits of human strength, and he had a natural affinity for the Laws of Strength.
If he consumed this plant, the results could be… entirely unpredictable.
After finishing his scouting, Ron returned to camp.
As he approached, Dovos sensed him and said, "Looks like you're done."
"Yeah," Ron replied, emerging from the trees.
Dovos gave him a strange look. "Something wrong?"
Ron smirked. "You noticed, huh?"
"This aura... isn't it the same one that flared up at the end of my battle?" Dovos asked seriously.
"That was the aura of the Laws," Ron explained, tossing the blood-red fruit toward Dovos.
Dovos caught it and examined it closely. "Laws? I don't need something like that. We agreed on just cultivation way."
Yet, despite his words, he felt a strange pull toward the fruit, as if his body was begging to devour it.
Ron chuckled. "Consider it a bonus. The stronger you are, the better for me."
Dovos looked at Ron deeply before saying, "This could make you stronger too. You can't expect me to protect you forever."
"I have my own way of getting stronger," Ron replied casually, glancing at his system screen, which only he could see.
[Soul Points: 11]
Once he reached ten points, the shop had automatically unlocked.
"I thought it would be harder to open…" Ron mused.
"Alright, how much to repair my technique?" he wondered as he browsed.
[Repair Cost: 100 Points]
"What? Only 100 points?" Ron was surprised, expecting a much higher price.
But upgrading the technique… that was a different story.
[Upgrade Cost: 500 Points]
"500? Why is upgrading so much more expensive than repairing?" he muttered to himself.
He could sense that once he broke through to the first stage, his strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.
Turning to Dovos, he said, "First, you need to grasp the basics of cultivation. Then, you can use that fruit to break through."
"And how do I use it?" Dovos asked, resisting the urge to swallow it whole.
Ron shrugged. "I think you can just eat it."
In his past life, his parents had hired an alchemist to refine the plant for maximum effect.
But now… where could he find an alchemist in the middle of a forest?
Dovos sighed. "Just eat it, huh? Alright, I'll give it a try."
And so, time passed quickly…
Two months had gone by since that night, and everything was starting to change.