Odyssey Of Survival

By the time Nate arrived back at camp, the others were gathered in a meeting. He wasn't sure what it was about, nor did he particularly care at the moment. His entire body felt like lead after three days of continuous fighting, and all he wanted was to collapse onto his bed and sleep for as long as possible.

Some of the people turned to look at him, their eyes shifting between him and the heavy bag slung over his shoulder. Curiosity flickered across their faces, but no one approached him directly. He ignored their stares and walked past the group, making his way toward his room.

But first, he needed a shower.

The smell of sweat, dirt, and dried blood clung to him, and after everything they had been through, he wanted to feel at least somewhat refreshed before finally resting. Without wasting any time, he went to wash up, changing into fresh clothes afterward.

By the time he stepped into his room, his mind was already shutting down from exhaustion. He barely even registered the weight of the bag as he dropped it onto the floor with a dull thud. His muscles ached as he moved, and the moment he slammed his body onto his bed, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

But just as he was about to close his eyes, something caught his attention.

Beside his bed, resting on the small wooden table, was a fruit.

It was unlike anything he had seen before.

It was roughly the size of an apple, but its skin was smooth and slightly translucent, pulsing faintly with a soft blue glow. The color reminded him of the ocean, deep and endless, with tiny swirling patterns that shimmered under the dim light of his room.

Curious, he picked it up, bringing it close to his nose.

The scent hit him instantly.

It was sweet, but not overpowering—like a blend of fresh berries and honey, with a hint of something tropical. There was a crisp, cool undertone to it, like the scent of morning dew on fresh grass. It wasn't just pleasant—it was intoxicating.

Without thinking, he took a bite.

The moment his teeth sank into the fruit, the taste exploded across his tongue.

It was unlike anything he had ever eaten before. The juice was cool and refreshing, spreading through his mouth like a wave of pure bliss. It had the sweetness of ripe mangoes, the slight tang of citrus, and an underlying richness that melted smoothly on his tongue.

Nate's eyes widened slightly.

For the first time since arriving on this island, he tasted something that wasn't rough, bland, or barely edible. Everything he had eaten so far—raw meat, tough plants, dry rations—felt like nothing compared to this.

He glanced at the fruit in his hand, marveling at it.

The Koryathans had created this world. Everything in it was a product of their design.

Just how much effort had they put into crafting something like this?

And then, his thoughts wandered.

The old man had told him something before—something that still lingered in his mind. This place is on Earth. It has always been here, just hidden.

If that were true, then… where did Zoro come from?

Was he also from Earth? Or was he something else entirely?

Nate frowned slightly, staring at the half-eaten fruit in his hand, but before he could dwell on the thought any further—

Knock. Knock.

A soft rap on his door snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Come in," he called lazily.

The door swung open, and Alice stepped inside, still carrying her bag over her shoulder.

The moment she entered, she didn't even hesitate—she walked straight to the center of his room and dumped the entire bag of crystals onto the floor.

The sharp, jagged pieces tumbled out, clinking against one another as they scattered across the wooden surface.

Nate stared at the mess.

Then he sighed. "Who's gonna clean that up?"

Alice smirked. "Not me."

Meanwhile, outside the room, Claire was approaching, But just as she reached his door, she saw Alice step inside.

Her footsteps halted.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and for a brief moment, a dangerous glint flickered in them.

Then, without a word, she turned and walked away, abandoning her original plan.

Back Inside Nate's Room

Alice turned back toward Nate, reaching up to brush her wet hair away from her face. Droplets of water slid down the strands, clinging to her skin before disappearing into the fabric of her fresh clothes.

She had also just finished bathing.

But as she took a step forward, something else caught her attention.

A scent.

Something sweet.

She stopped mid-step, nostrils flaring slightly as the aroma drifted toward her. It was warm, rich, and deeply seductive—a fragrance that made her stomach tighten with anticipation before she even saw the source.

Her eyes flickered toward Nate's hand.

There, he held a strange fruit—half-eaten, its juices glistening in the dim light.

Alice stared at it, then back at Nate. "What is that?"

Nate glanced at the fruit, then back at her. "Not sure. It was beside my bed when I got here." He lifted it slightly. "Probably Madison left it."

Alice nodded absentmindedly, but her gaze lingered on the fruit.

Nate smirked. He could tell exactly what she was thinking.

With an amused chuckle, he tossed the remaining half toward her.

Alice caught it effortlessly, her fingers curling around its smooth surface.

For a second, she just stared at it.

Then, slowly, she closed her eyes—

—and took a bite.@@novelbin@@

The moment Alice bit into the fruit, an overwhelming sensation washed over her. The taste was unlike anything she had ever experienced—intensely rich, bursting with a sweetness so vibrant that it felt as if her senses had been completely overtaken. The flavor was deep, layered, almost intoxicating, and for a brief moment, all she could focus on was the incredible sensation on her tongue.

But then—

Something changed.

A strange warmth spread through her body, subtle at first, like the gentle heat of a sunlit afternoon. But within seconds, that warmth intensified, growing hotter and hotter, rushing through her veins with an almost electric energy. It wasn't a normal reaction—it wasn't just the fruit itself. No, this was something else, something powerful, something foreign, something that made every muscle in her body tense as if she were standing too close to a roaring fire.

Alice blinked rapidly as dizziness crashed into her, making her vision blur slightly. Her balance wavered, and instinctively, she lowered herself onto the bed, pressing her hands against it for support as she tried to steady her breathing. But no matter how hard she focused, she couldn't shake the heat building inside her, spreading like wildfire, burning from the inside out.

Her fingers curled tightly against the fabric of the bed, gripping it as if holding on for dear life. Her heart was pounding—too fast, too loud. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps.

A faint whisper left her lips, almost involuntary, barely audible— "What… What was in that fruit?"

Nate, who had been watching her the entire time, sat up abruptly, his sharp eyes scanning her face with growing concern.

"Alice?" His voice was firm yet laced with worry. "What's wrong?"

She barely heard him.

The sensation was only getting stronger.

It was as if something inside her had been unlocked, something primal, something powerful—something dangerous.

Her grip on the bed tightened even more, her nails digging into the fabric as she tried to suppress whatever was rising within her. She could feel it, feel herself losing control, and no matter how much she fought against it, the sensation was too overwhelming, too consuming.

Then—

She whispered, her voice trembling, "I'm sorry."

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Nate frowned, confusion flashing across his face. "What are you talking about?"

And before he could react—

Alice moved.

Her hands, which had been gripping the bed just moments ago, suddenly released their hold. Her body acted before her mind could catch up, instincts taking over, driving her forward.

And then—

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

Their lips met.

The warmth inside her exploded into something unstoppable.

****

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