C4 CHAPTER4

In the desolate wilderness, a young couple was gathering the remnants of a four-star zombie they had just vanquished when their laughter was abruptly cut short by the menacing growl of a new adversary.

"Damn, a seven-star zombie," muttered Ivan, still bundled up in his hefty fur coat.

Their initial plan had been simple: take out a few zombies and harvest their crystal cores. But now, they faced an unexpected challenge. Ivan, a six-star Awakened, was already outmatched by the zombie before them.

And Chloe, a mere five-star Water-type Awakened, was at an even greater disadvantage. To make matters worse, their prolonged hunt had left them both utterly spent.

"Chloe, I swear, even if I have to die and march straight to hell to keep you safe, it will have been worth it. I won't let anything happen to you," Ivan declared through gritted teeth, contemplating the real possibility of his demise.

"Ivan, cut the drama, will you? Wasn't it your tales of heroism that swept me off my feet?" Chloe chided him. "Remember, we've got those potent pills we just bought."

With a mix of bravery and nonchalance, Chloe popped an energizing pill into her mouth and, without a second thought, tossed the other to Ivan.

Catching the pill, Ivan couldn't help but inwardly criticize Chloe's naivety. How could she believe that a pill, likely a sham, would save them now?

"What are you waiting for, Ivan? Take the damn pill," she urged.

With no other options, Ivan swallowed the pill, hoping against hope for a miracle. But before he could express his final sentiments and bid farewell to his love, a surge of power coursed through him.

"My strength... it's skyrocketed... and my fists feel like they're on fire!" he exclaimed in disbelief.

Amidst his own astonishment, Chloe's voice rang out, "This pill is incredible! I feel my mental energy surging back. I can unleash my Water-type skills once more!"

"Heavenly Water Curtain, Water Bullet Strike!" she called out, launching a ferocious attack on the zombie that left Ivan gaping.

"Could it be... a real miracle?" he wondered aloud.

"Stop doubting and start fighting, you coward! You're not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so wake up and hit that zombie with everything you've got... Survive this, and I promise you a night you won't forget," Chloe taunted with a mix of scolding and seduction.

With renewed vigor, Ivan inhaled deeply and charged at the seven-star zombie, landing a thunderous punch squarely on its face.

The strike was straightforward, lacking any special abilities, yet it sent an adversary—a full level higher—reeling.

"Hahaha, Chloe, your man's quite the force of nature, huh?" He gloated, only to be blindsided by a swiftly rising zombie.

Chloe, grinning, replied, "The 'powerful' part I might question, but a 'beast'? Certainly." Her ease was palpable, a testament to the newfound strength from the pills.

From a distance, as the young duo skillfully dispatched a zombie above their rank, an onlooker remarked, "Isn't that Ivan and Chloe? When did they become so formidable?"

"Indeed, he's merely a six-star Awakened, and she's ranked even lower. They ought to be fleeing..."

Witnessing the couple's triumph over the seven-star zombie and their claim on the crystal core from its shattered remains, someone inquired, "Ivan, how did you become so powerful? You're taking down seven-star zombies; we might be witnessing your rise to a level 3 mercenary soon."

"And what exactly did you two consume before the battle?"

Confronted with this, Ivan's mind flashed to the avaricious boss, prompting a wry smile. "A thousand spiritual coins for my life, not such a bad deal after all," he mused.

"What he took was a strength-enhancing pill; it seems the name is quite fitting."

"As for me, I had an Energizing pill. It's incredible—it replenished my spiritual energy so quickly, I could use my abilities again in no time."

"What sort of high-level genetic concoction is that?"

Chloe, still buzzing from their narrow escape, chimed in, "They're medicinal pills. Ever heard of them?" Her joy was infectious, answering every query with a burst of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Ivan was irked by his wife's indiscretion; he had hoped to keep the information close to the vest, perhaps to strike a deal with the loan shark.

"Chloe, what's this medicinal pill you're talking about? Hurry, tell me where I can get them."

"Chloe, please, share the secret with us. We've been friends for years, remember?"

The women's excited chatter sparked a wave of curiosity, drawing more attention to the miraculous pills.

"Er... well, the truth is, this info cost me a thousand spiritual coins. I really shouldn't be so cavalier about it..."

"Just 1000 spiritual coins? We can easily pool that amount together and purchase the information," someone suggested. And sure enough, within moments, they had collected the coins.

"Come on, Chloe, spill the beans—where can we get our hands on this new spiritual pill?"

"Alright, alright, take it easy," Chloe responded, her smile reassuring. "At the far end of the commoner district, right on the cusp of the wasteland, you'll find a quaint, somewhat rundown shop..."

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