Camp

After an hour.

"How could something like this even happen!" There was astonishment in the researcher's voice. What he was seeing didn't make sense. He was a biologist who had studied plants for many years. But this was the first time that he was seeing something so absurd.

The researcher held onto the test tube tightly while showing astonishment.

"All the plants showed signs of death, some even has broken branches and splintered trunk. But the tests show nothing wrong at the cellular level. How can this be possible, there is no change in the cellular composition nor the structure. There is not even a virus or toxic substance in these plants. Then how could it possibly show signs of death? The only conclusion I can reach is the fact that there is much less mana than expected in these trees." Said another one in a grave tone.

The mysterious beauty and the old man showed surprise for a moment before going back to their solemn expression.

"You, Didn't you mean to say more mana." Asked the beauty suddenly.

"No, I meant it when I said less mana. At first, I thought it was mana poisoning by the sudden increase in mana too. But, looking at it now. It was the opposite of mana poisoning. There is no damage to the cells of the trees, so how did it lose the mana inside it? We need to find that."

After another three hours of investigation, they couldn't even pinpoint the animal that attacked nor the cause of the sudden death of trees. This was becoming harder than they expected.

By chance, Alan was nearby. He could also hear their conversation. At first, they did their job before looking at Alan and glaring at him.

'Why are you being grumpy?' Thought Alan before moving away from the crowd.

Alan was quite happy to know more about the power of the system. Just a few words from the researchers shone the light into his absorbing ability.

The energy he seems to have absorbed from the plants and animals until now was mana. The energy that mutants use for activating their superpowers. Now, this makes sense. Alan was only able to absorb mana from animals after their death but he could absorb mana from plants just by touching them. Although he didn't know why it was. He was feeling happy understanding the principles of the system.

But when he thought mysterious man hunting animals, he became disturbed. It is a mystery till now, what animal it is and where it came from.

But Alan had this nagging feeling that animal was something he should stay far away from. Besides, something unknown is far more dangerous than any known animal.

'Maybe I should have brought some weapons. I really didn't want to be cannon fodder.' Mulling over his predicament, Alan packed smaller tools to go trekking.

Today, the researchers are finally ready for exploring the wild.

He was asked to lead them to the nearest water source.

'Maybe the researchers did find something about the animal after all.'

Nudging the sharp knife, he secured it to his waist.

****

With every step, Alan felt his unease increasing. The more he travelled towards the water source, a small creek near their location. The more uneasy he became.

It made him cautious and alert. Alan felt like he was walking on a tight rope. It was just nerve-racking.

Following behind him was the group of scientists and the guards. Uncle Ben and he acted as the scouts.

Travelling through the thick undergrowth of the forest was very time-consuming. So, Alan had to slow down for others to keep up with him.

But never did anyone complain about their work.

"Professional!" Murmured Alan under his breath. His opinion of the group increased further.

Without him noticing a pair of cold but beautiful eyes was slowly scanning Alan. Even his murmur did not go unnoticed. Although she didn't actually hear what he said. Her opinion about Alan went down a notch. She misinterpreted what Alan had said.

How could she not?

Alan was checking her out the moment she got of the vehicle. He even dared to sneak a peek at her a couple of times along the way. She was proud of her beauty, but that didn't mean anyone could look at her like that.

She is the daughter of one of the largest shareholders of the Life Corps.

She is Isabella, one of the most prominent talents in genetic engineering.

How could she be just eye candy for an unknown youth?

She detested that feeling.

But how could poor Alan know that he unknowingly became an evil villain in the eyes of the young lady?

Even if he knew it, he wouldn't have given a damn about it. In the bleakness of the forest, the only sight for sore eyes was the lady. How could he not look at that? Even then, he only sneaked a peak couple of times. It wasn't as though he stared at her from the beginning.

He knew that he had no chance of getting a girl as beautiful as her. Even then, he couldn't stop himself from taking a few glances. That was how beautiful she was.

Alan knew that he had nothing to be proud of in front of Isabella.

Did he have a wealthy family, a high educational qualification?

No, He had neither… So, he too knew his chances were less than the least. Unless…

Unless he awakens the ENERGY SYSTEM! Of course.

Finally, from nowhere the little bit of self-respect, he had kicked in and destroyed his fantasies.

Even if Alan was excited to gain a system, he couldn't let it cloud his judgement. System or no system, he would live his life like how he envisioned it to be. Hyperbolically speaking, he has dreams as vast as the sky itself.

What can he say? Having something happy to think about when you close your eyes at night is a good feeling.

He will never give up on his dreams.

Alan is still the very same person before he got the system. He had the conviction to not be a slave to his desires or the system.

After walking for another hour or so, they reached the Roaring creek. A small tributary of a river that originates from the mountains of the western forest.

Everyone was mesmerised by the beautiful scene before them. The creek slowly flowing over the ledge of the hill into the ravine below was a beautiful sight. They never expected to see a beautiful waterfall before them.

Even the cold and mysterious beauty, Isabella showed a slight smile looking down the waterfall.

The creek was just three-meter in breadth and half a meter in depth. Even then, the amount of water it spewed of into the cliff was limitless.

Their goal of reaching a water source was complete. Now, that they had this beautiful scenery. They chose to make camp there.

Camping near the top of the waterfall, they were given the clear advantage of having a higher vantage point. They could observe the animal life that came near the creek and possibly find the dangerous animal that attacked the guard.

But Alan was the only one who felt unease. Looking at the bottom of the ravine, his unease intensified. He even felt hungry.

'There is surely something below….' His brows contracted into a frown.