Chapter 44: Preparations Part 2

After a hearty meal, Joshua leaned back and stretched.

"Jesus Christ, do you usually eat that much?" Vaughn stared at the empty plates in horror.

Joshua chuckled. "That was a light meal."

Vaughn pinched the bridge of his nose. "If that's light, I don't wanna see heavy. My cook's gonna think I adopted a sumo wrestler."

Joshua laughed. "Anyway, let me shower real quick, then you can hook up all your doodads. I wanna try something."

Vaughn nodded. "Alright, I'll prep my instruments."

Joshua took a quick shower and returned to the room wearing nothing but his boxers. His physique, honed by both the game and his inhuman metabolism, was on full display—lean muscle, sharp lines, and the kind of body sculpted by divine hands.

Vaughn, caught off guard, nearly dropped his tablet. "If I were a girl, I'd definitely tap that."

Joshua smirked. "Who the hell would want a fat fuck like you?"

"Fuck you!" Vaughn shot back. "Now get on the bed and stop making me question my sexuality."

Joshua lay down as Vaughn attached various monitoring devices to his body. The cold touch of electrodes and sensors sent slight tingles across his skin.

"Alright, I'm gonna meditate like I do in the game. You record whatever you need. Setting a timer for four hours. If I don't wake up, slap me silly."

Vaughn grinned. "Oh, I am so ready for this."

Joshua closed his eyes and focused. Meditation in the real world felt different—foreign, sluggish. Unlike in the game, where energy flowed through him like a raging river, here, it was like trying to pull water from a desert. At first, his body ached. The resistance was overwhelming. But he took baby steps, feeling for even the faintest traces of energy in the atmosphere. Slowly, he adapted, refining his control, inching his way forward.

Time passed quickly. Just as Vaughn was raising his hand, prepared to smack Joshua awake, Joshua's eyes snapped open. He smirked.

Vaughn flinched. "Fuck you!"

Joshua sat up. "Enough. Hook me up to the pod."

Vaughn grumbled but got to work, removing the monitors and preparing another set of instruments to attach to Joshua's body. Ten minutes later, everything was ready.

Joshua took a deep breath. "See you in a week."

Vaughn gave him a thumbs-up. "I'll be here when you get back. Can't wait to analyze this data."

The pod hissed as it sealed shut. Joshua exhaled, closed his eyes, and focused.

"Connect."

Joshua opened his eyes and immediately assessed his surroundings. The faint glow of dawn had yet to break through the night, indicating it was still a few hours before sunrise. Feeling unusually full of energy, he instinctively sat cross-legged on the simple cot, closing his eyes to meditate. However, as soon as he tried drawing in more energy, his core resisted. It was already saturated.

He attempted to push past this limit, trying to force his core to expand, but a sharp pain flared up in his chest. His body felt bloated, as though he were about to burst. He gritted his teeth and exhaled slowly, controlling his breathing. Not yet… I need to find a way to increase my capacity.

Before he could attempt another approach, the door creaked open.

"You're back," Maydee said, stepping inside.

Joshua opened his eyes and nodded. "Yes, Master."

"I felt energy surging from this room, so I came to check on you." She tossed a small knapsack at him. "Let us prepare for the hunt."

Joshua caught it and immediately got to his feet. "Alright, Master."

Without another word, she turned and left. Joshua quickly slung the knapsack over his shoulder and followed her. They walked through the dimly lit corridors of the village hall, their footsteps muffled against the wooden flooring. Upon entering the kitchen, Joshua took a moment to observe the rustic interior. The room was filled with various clay pots, wooden bowls, and drying herbs hanging from the ceiling.

Maydee moved with practiced efficiency, grabbing supplies with precision. Joshua noted the way she selected each item—there was no hesitation, no wasted movement. He followed her lead, gathering what seemed necessary: dried meats, some bread wrapped in leaves, a small flask of water, and what appeared to be a bundle of medicinal herbs.

He packed his portion into the knapsack, ensuring everything was secured. Maydee, on the other hand, finished much faster. She strapped a short curved blade to her waist and slung a quiver of arrows over her back, her bow already in hand.

Joshua felt slightly underprepared in comparison. He had no weapons, only his round shield and his magic. Though he had been training to refine it, he had yet to test it in true combat. A part of him was eager, another slightly apprehensive.

Maydee glanced at him, as if reading his thoughts. "Everything is prepared," she stated. "Just before dawn. We have a long way to go, so let's start."

Joshua tightened the strap of his knapsack. "Understood, Master."

With that, they stepped out of the village hall and into the crisp, pre-dawn air. The village was silent, the only sounds coming from the distant rustling of trees swaying in the wind. The two of them made their way past the scattered houses, their path illuminated only by the faint glow of the stars above.

As they neared the village's outskirts, Joshua noticed a few villagers standing guard. Their sharp eyes tracked the pair as they passed, but none spoke. He felt the shift in their gazes—before, they had looked at him with wariness and contempt. Now, there was something else. Cautious curiosity, perhaps. A glimmer of respect.

The moment they stepped beyond the village's perimeter, they were greeted by the dense foliage of the dark forest. Towering trees loomed over them, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that swallowed what little moonlight remained. The ground was damp beneath Joshua's feet, covered in thick moss and fallen leaves.

After walking for about 20 minutes, Maydee stopped. She silently grabbed an arrow from the quiver and nocked it on her bow.

Joshua felt excited. "What's happening Master?" He asked.

"Be still and don't speak." Maydee whispered. "We're being surrounded."