Chapter 8 Finally in the past 3/5
1059 Words
"We contacted other refugees but unlike us, they don't have botanists. and they, of course, will pay us a lot for food. So today nobody leaves until we are at full capacity" The guy who said that was holding a shotgun. His face didn't show any expression while saying that.
"He's an enhancer," Cuervo said to Donovan. "he doesn't have a ruler power or has accepted any. His strength is obtained through hard work and killing monsters. Anyway, what are we doing now?".
"The plan is the same" Donovan wasn't concerned about the changes. He would infuse some of his power in other's plants so everybody's production would increase.
After hearing this Cuervo frowned, "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry, I have it covered"
They both went to their respective zones and started their work, but Donovan did something different while walking. He touched the leaves of every plant that was on his way. He partially used [Rapid crop rising] on each of them.
He was out of breath and panting heavily when he reached the zone he was in charge of. Exhaustion filled his body, but he started to consciously regulate his breathing.
After doing that for a while, the results manifested in a way he had not to experience before. A sensation of heaviness permeated his body, and contrary to what one might expect, it was a nice feeling.
Donovan knew what it was and what step he had to take next. It was just weird because he was progressing too fast. Before becoming a ruler, it took him weeks just to make his arm feel numb and after two months, he could make his two arms and a leg go to the same state.
He being able to master the first phase meant one thing— what made the world changed, also made him changed.
[Autogenic] (pasive/active) Lv1
Reduce the consumption of stamina in physical activities and skills by 20%.
When active regenerates stamina 40% faster.
Due to the limitations of your corporeality and the mind attribute not being unlocked, further progress might be impossible.
Donovan was quite surprised by the system's announcement. It is usually quiet, so quiet that he sometimes forgot its existence. But what especially surprised him were the effects of the skill.
He had been dozing off for some time already that the guy with the gunshot had taken notice of him. He approached Donovan and stood behind him "Wasn't I clear?"
Donovan flinched and began rising crops. The guy looked at this and smirked. After that, he simply went on supervising the rest.
***
The sun was setting down on the horizon, and Charikleia was walking towards the crops. Titos had convinced her to go the crops and steal some food using Ghost's ability.
On the way there, people barely looked at her. The only ones who would recognize her would be the orphans and maybe some of the managers.
She approached the crops by one of the sides and hid behind a wall, "Ghost, make me invisible". At her command the cape shaped Ghost became invisible, but her body didn't.
She noticed this and tried covering her body. After doing that, only one eye was exposed through a gap she left open.
"Let's go now"
She didn't waste any more time. Turning the corner she headed straight to where all the baskets with food where stored. That place was nothing special, it was just a structure with four pillars supporting tiles so the rain wouldn't spoil the food.
Charikleia swiftly run towards a basket with tomatoes and tried reaching one. Regrettably, it was too high for her. She had to stand on her toes to touch the closest fruit with her middle finger.
She struggled but managed to make one of the tomatoes fall. It rolled a bit far from where she was, for this reason— and her hunger, she went after it without thinking much. It was at that moment that an explosive sound reverberated on her back.
A heavy and strong impact pushed her and made fall to the front. A red liquid was stained her clothes and Donovan's distress voice echoed in the distance.
***
The day was progressing dully, but the goal still seemed achievable. Donovan was continuously using his power back and forth on the way to the storehouse.
On one of his trips, he coincidentally saw a strange movement by the baskets. However, he didn't pay it any attention, turned back, and walked away. He just wanted to finish as soon as possible. Ten more baskets and it would be over.
On his way back Donovan noticed the man holding the shotgun walking hastily on his direction— Or more exactly towards the storehouse.
Donovan felt curious and looked at the direction the guy was heading to. To his surprise, he could see a small pair of feet on tiptoes, and a slight distortion over them.
The guy was almost there when suddenly a tomato felt from the basket. The distortion quickly runs after it, and the movement revealed the figure of a small girl. The man not caring who or what it was, moved his weapon to take aim and shot.
Donovan reacted instinctively, took the protector from his caped, and threw it with all his might. He was aiming at a point between the two. but, at the same time the guy shot, the Protector somehow managed to reach where the muzzle of the gun was pointing.
The gunshot reverberated in Donovan's ears. The protector was sent flying in pieces towards Charikleia and hit her on the back.
The impact made her fall over the tomato and immediately a red liquid spread. Donovan wasn't sure if it was blood or just the dramatic effect of the tomato exploding because of the impact of her body.
He didn't really care what it was, he could only shout while running at his maximum speed towards her. While doing that he activated the [Sad doll] skill and a small ragdoll with a big head appeared on his hand.
He subconsciously threw it to the man, and while airborne the doll screamed. It was piercing and thunderous— as if a mother was watching her daughter die on her own arms.
The man stopped moving at that moment, and his legs were shaking. All of a sudden he fell kneeling on the floor and dropped his weapon.
- Writer
