"Stay out of the city? Especially the western suburbs? Has something dangerous awakened over there?" Ethan wondered, his mind racing. Then, a warm smile crept across his face.
"She took the time to warn me. Looks like she actually cares."
Yes, Ethan and Lynn were worlds apart, but their history was more than just distant. Back in college, Lynn had never been one to attract attention, at least not initially. She was the type to keep to herself, almost untouchable.
But Ethan? He wasn't the shy type. During a class trip, they got separated from the group. A guy and a girl, stranded together overnight. That alone formed a bond between them—one that wasn't easily forgotten.
Though it wasn't exactly love, it felt like something between friendship and something more. Ethan had always been bolder than he should've been, but now, with his possible A-level talent, maybe he could actually bridge the gap.
"Hey, Lynn, were you worried about me?" he texted, a playful smile on his face.
"Not really," came her quick reply.
"Ah, so you're acting all tsundere now?" Ethan chuckled and quickly typed another message, "Guess I'll just head to the western suburbs tomorrow."
Lynn: "Stop joking around. I'm serious."
Ethan: "I'm always serious."
Lynn: "Like I said in the group chat, some non-human creatures are mutating. The danger over there is beyond your imagination."
Ethan: "So, will you be going?"
Lynn: "You don't have to worry about me. I have protection, and I've already awakened my talent, so I'll be fine."
Ethan: "Whoa… What kind of talent do you have? What level?"
Lynn: "I'm still figuring it out. Haven't been rated yet."
Ethan: "Actually, I've awakened my talent too."
Lynn: "?" She clearly wasn't buying it, not used to Ethan's antics.
Ethan: "My talent is that whenever I think of you, my heart races... I can't help it, just thinking of you makes me go 'oh-oh-oh...'"
Lynn didn't respond, and after a brief pause, she sent a final message: "Remember what I said. I'm turning off my phone now."
Ethan: "Don't go! Let's talk more... Is my joke really that bad?"
But Lynn didn't reply. After a while, Ethan sent another message, "You ignore me today, but tomorrow, you won't be able to get enough of me."
Lynn: "Take care of yourself. I don't want to meet you again and find out you're gone."
Ethan smirked as he read the message. "Still acting tough. Next time we meet, I'll have a surprise for you."
Ethan smiled, knowing that Lynn still cared, even if she wouldn't admit it.
With his new talent, things were looking up. The future was looking exciting!
The thought lingered in his mind, "What if there are mutated creatures in the western suburbs? If I can take one down, what kind of loot will I get?"
If mosquitoes and ants could drop items, mutated creatures should have some serious rewards, right?
Of course, he also realized that Lynn's warning was serious. If she was specifically telling him to stay away, the danger must be real.
Currently, the only thing that could help him was the Thunderstrike Bow, but he couldn't use it to its full potential yet. Cars, cash—they wouldn't be much help in a world on the brink of chaos.
"I need to find a way to improve my strength if I'm going to the western suburbs," Ethan thought, as he put his phone down.
Just then, he spotted something slithering under his door—a cockroach the size of his thumb. It was a big one, and it could fly.
"Perfect timing!" Ethan said, his eyes lighting up.
Quick as a flash, he grabbed his slipper and slammed it down on the cockroach.
Smack!
The cockroach was instantly flattened, its insides splattering out, twitching before it finally stopped moving.
"Crushed 1 cockroach. Earned the skill: Thunder Breathing Technique. Stored in inventory."
"Breathing technique?"
Ethan was almost speechless. He'd just been thinking about how to level up, and now this cockroach had delivered something useful right to his doorstep!
He quickly accessed his inventory and pulled out the Thunder Breathing Technique. It was an ancient jade slip. As soon as his mind touched it, the complex information started flooding in, and he began to absorb it.
"The Breathing Technique is a method of cultivating strength by controlling your breath. By mastering specific rhythms, you can increase your physical power…"
"The Thunder Breathing Technique uses a unique breath pattern to activate the hidden lightning meridians within your body. The energy of lightning courses through you, refining your body. You'll move as fast as lightning."
Ethan closed his eyes and began practicing the technique, trying to align his breath with the rhythm described in the text.
At first, it was uncomfortable, but soon, he found a rhythm that felt right. He moved from confusion to fascination as his breath slowed and sped in harmony with the technique.
Time passed.
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous sound erupted inside Ethan's body. His ears rang as if struck by lightning.
Crackle! Crackle!
His muscles tensed, and he felt a surge of energy explode within him, like fireworks going off in his body. Every cell seemed to be electrified, pulsing with raw power.
His hair stood on end as he opened his eyes. He could feel a sharpness in his vision. The world seemed clearer, sharper. He could even see a girl outside, near a tree, just as she was about to pee.
Not only that, but his entire body felt full of power. He couldn't wait to find a place to test it out.
"Let's give it a shot." With barely contained excitement, he pulled out his Thunderstrike Bow again and stepped outside.