Chapter 21: Ch 21: Elemental Fruits

Bella wasn’t the one to be outdone. To prove herself, she also charged alone and effectively slew a Steward Rank Giga Ape.

​After finishing the Giga Ape, she cast a haughty look at where Aegis had been, as if proving she could also do it alone.

​But Aegis wasn’t there at all.

​He was already moving along his own path, toward the opposite branch.

​”Hmph, arrogant fool!”

​Saying that, she went in the opposite direction.

​Aegis was running across a single branch, but he felt like walking on a massive runway.

​Several small villages could easily fit here.

​His eyes locked onto a brilliant, glowing blue fruit.

​He felt a resonance with his Water Element. So whatever it was, it was obviously useful to him.

However, reaching the fruit, he faced another Giga Ape guarding it.

​GRRR!

​It bounced onto one of the leaves, its brown eyes holding terrifying ferocity.

​Its fist hardened like rock and charged like a primate.

​This brutish creature would not show any mercy to this puny human who intruded to take its much-awaited food.

​”Tidal Barrier!”

​With a single motion, Aegis crafted a strong water wall that completely halted the Ape’s charge.

Bam! Bam!

​It smashed onto the barrier with both fists, but their impact only sent a ripples across the surface.

​Its innate ability: Stone Fist, wasn’t able to do much against the barrier.

“Swish, swish, swish..”

​Just then, its massive eyes shrunk. Several ice blades surrounded it then pierced its back like a shower of daggers.

​Thud!

​The Giga Ape collapsed as one of the bigger ice blades delved straight into its heart.

Aegis bypassed the corpse, then went to acquire the fruit.

​[ Water Elemental Fruit (Unmatured) ]

​[ Grade: D ]

​[ Effects: Upon consumption, it increases one’s affinity toward Water Element. Plus, a slight boost in Mana Reserves. ]

​[ Note: Time until maturity: 45 seconds. Poisonous for individuals who don’t have the specific affinity. ]

​All in all, it was perfect for Aegis’s needs. Besides his control over the Water Element, his energy reserves would also increase.

​But to let it fully mature, he had to wait for 45 seconds as instructed.

These 45 seconds passed like forever.

​However, before he could lay his hand on his reward, an arrogant voice echoed from behind:

​”Well, well. Look what we have here. A Grade D Water Fruit, perfectly ripe. You have done the heavy lifting for me, little one.”

​Aegis looked back to see a middle-aged Skylord landed gracefully on the massive branch about ten meters away.

The man had a rough beard and a deep crimson halo pulsing above his head which was a clear marker of a Fire or Earth affinity.

He swaggered toward Aegis with an air of complete superiority.

​He seemed unaware of who Aegis was.

​”Hand it over,” he commanded condescendingly. “I saw you sitting here like a pathetic beggar, waiting for this to finish ripening. It’s time to pay the toll for resting on my path.”

​He didn’t acknowledge the massive, cooling corpse of the Giga Ape nearby, seemingly dismissing Aegis’s ability entirely. To Yolei, anyone climbing with water-based propulsion was likely a weak support type.

​Aegis’ expression, however, was utterly indifferent. The fruit was seconds away from full maturity.

​”It’s mine,” Aegis stated simply.

​Seeing his indifferent attitude, the man’s rough face twisted in annoyance.

“Did you just talk back to me, boy? Do you know who I am? I am Yolei, an E-Rank Skylord! This tree of Life is for true warriors, not children playing with puddles. Get out of my way before I burn the water right out of your body.”

​He raised a hand, and a faint smell of fire and smoke began to permeate the air.

​

​”Can’t you see the Ape lying there?” Aegis said, indicating the corpse.

​Yolei shrugged it off with a sneer. “Are you saying you killed it, pretty boy? Don’t make me laugh!”

​Aegis watched him like a fool. “Since you are courting death, I won’t show mercy.”

​”Haha… You will show me mercy? How ridi—”

​Yolei’s mouth suddenly opened wide with sheer disbelief.

​A giant water hammer raised high in mid-air, heading straight for his head.

​”F*ck!”

​He immediately struck the hammer with his puny fire arrows, but they might be nothing but child’s play before Aegis.

​The flame puffed into smoke.

​The water hammer struck squarely on his chest, sending him tumbling down the branch.

​His body fell straight downward, until something hard struck his back, forcing blood and air out of his lungs.

​Bang!

​The guy landed onto another branch, making the nearby adventurers jump in shock.

​They saw Aegis’ silhouette above and instantly swallowed their words.

​”Is that Aegis? He looks so handsome, and strong!” one girl said, infatuated.

​The guys there internally flared with jealousy.

​”He is just a showoff.”

​”Once I attain a powerful fruit, I will be stronger than him.”

​Regardless of opinion, Aegis finally claimed the Water Elemental Fruit.

​After consuming the papaya-sized fruit, his divine energy surged, and his control over the Water Element increased further.

​Without delay, he headed for the next fruit.

​Meanwhile, on a different location:

​Bella had just consumed an Ice Elemental Fruit, and her whole physique radiated an unbearable chill.

​Just then, several handsome boys and girls approached her with a genial smile.

​”Bella, is that you?”

​”You look so strong!”

​”Are you a Skylord?”

​Bella recognized them as her friends and classmates, but as usual, she showed no excess emotion.

​She just gave a small nod.

​Then a particularly handsome boy with golden hair, a sharp face, and a domineering air stepped forward.

​Without asking for her permission, he went forward and hugged her.

​She immediately pushed him back, her face showing annoyance.

​”Stay back, Sylus!” she shouted aloud.

​Sylus, the handsome young man with the air of a playboy, looked as if he were hurt.

​”Stay back? How can you say that, My Fiancée? Do you know how much I missed you? How much I was worried for you?”

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