A notification rang in James Lone's mind:

[Ding! 1 day ago, Teresa Taylor consumed a pack of cookies. Reward: 800 packs! Stored in personal space.]

[Ding! 2 days ago, Teresa Taylor consumed a sausage. Reward: 800 sausages! Stored in personal space.]

[Ding! 3 days ago, Teresa Taylor consumed instant noodles. Reward: 800 packs! Stored in personal space.]

...

[Ding! 9 days ago, Teresa Taylor consumed an Enlightenment Fruit - Blood Burst. Reward: 800 fruits! Stored in personal space.]

"Blood Burst!" James's eyes lit up.

That must be Teresa Taylor's explosive ability he had witnessed.

Finally, he had a powerful combat skill!

Excited, he pulled on his clothes and immediately consumed a Blood Burst Fruit.

[Blood Burst: Level 3. Expends significant stamina for a brief explosive boost, increasing overall constitution by 100%-500%. Greater boosts lead to faster stamina depletion.]

Five times increased constitution!

James's eyes sparkled at the prospect.

This fruit was perfect for someone like him, with extremely high overall constitution!

He concentrated.

Blood Burst!

100% activation!

In an instant, his body surged with raw power, even as his stamina began rapidly depleting.

"Even standing still drains stamina... I'll last about an hour in this state."

Curious, he examined his status:

[Host: James Lone]

[Overall Constitution: 90 + 90] (Average adult male: 10)

[Willpower: 25] (Average adult male: 10)

180 points of constitution!

James punched the wall sharply.

Boom!

The wall's façade shattered; some bricks crumbled beneath his knuckles.

His hand remained unscathed!

"Combat speeds up stamina drain."

James assessed how much stamina a punch cost, estimating he could throw about a hundred punches before exhaustion set in.

"Let's try 500%!"

He raised the stakes.

Boom!

Overall Constitution: 90 + 450!

With 510 points, James's body transformed.

He grew by twenty centimeters, body enlarging, warping the air around him!

His breathing became vigorous and powerful, altering the air currents nearby.

Heart pounding like a drum.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Blood coursed through his veins.

Every cell brimming with unbeatable strength!

Clenching his fists, James felt god-like, ready to obliterate any foe in his path.

The intoxicating power engulfed him as he unleashed a mighty punch.

Crash!

The entire wall collapsed!

But a few breaths later, exhaustion nearly overwhelmed James, forcing him out of the 500% state.

Phew!

Restoring to normal height, the room's atmosphere calmed as he struggled for breath.

Even at normal strength, his chest heaved, aching like he'd endured a savage beating.

Despite the harsh side effects, James reveled in his new ace. "At 500% strength, I could punt that mutated frog like a soccer ball!"

Curiosity piqued, he consumed another handful of Blood Burst Fruits.

No upgrade.

He tried again—still no change.

His stomach churned after the fifty fruits he'd already eaten, leading him to give up for now.

He contemplated, "It only took three Will Link Fruits to upgrade, but fifty Blood Burst Fruits have no effect. It must be related to [Constitution] suitability."

"My [Constitution] seems better aligned with will-based fruits, less so with physical enhancements."

James realized he had much to learn about using Blood Burst efficiently.

Teresa Taylor's strategy of short bursts and immediate withdrawal was an efficient way to conserve stamina.

Additionally, she manipulated energy to explode in localized zones rather than across her entire body, further reducing stamina drain.

He glanced at the unconscious woman nearby.

Should he kill her?

James hesitated.

Though Teresa lay subdued, her aura—judged through its glow—placed her constitution between 20 and 30.

Even during their fight, her brilliance had been less than half of his.

Yet she overpowered him, proving herself a martial prodigy.

"Too risky..."

Recalling her battle with the mutated frog sent shivers down his spine.

Holding her own with only 20-something points of constitution was ludicrously skilled. He couldn't risk keeping her close.

If she unleashed her full strength, his survival was doubtful.

Faced with this dangerous choice, he mulled over either killing her or keeping his distance.

Cold steel in hand, decision made, he loaded the gun and disengaged the safety.

Just as Teresa regained consciousness.

James observed quietly as she stirred.

Her long eyelashes fluttered before the piercing blue eyes opened, confusion slipping away once her gaze landed on him.

Surprised, she attempted to rise. Struggling against the binding wires, realization smacked her, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Comprehension dawned slowly.

Anger, shame, and shock flashed across her face, heartbeat racing as she met James's gaze defiantly, her eyes shimmering. "Shameless! Absolutely shameless!!!"

James found her reaction strange.

Her aura glowed not with red, but with yellow intertwined with a hint of green.

Huh? James couldn't comprehend, much less expect this reaction.

Was she unwell?

Why didn't she want to kill him?

After a contemplative silence, he prodded, "Stop pretending. You're not nearly as mad as you're acting."

Teresa faltered briefly, setting her face in steely resolve. "Hmph! Don't give me a chance, or I'll kill you."

Bewildered by the lack of red hostility in her aura, James mused aloud:

"Why did you come after me?"

Her mission resurfaced in her mind—worry filling her for Adam's condition. "I need medicine," she admitted, urgency sharpening her words.

James considered her quietly. "I have medicine. But why should I give it to you?"

Teresa taunted with a smirk, "I'll beat it out of you, gun-thief!"

James rolled his eyes. "Seriously? You couldn't defeat me—ended up captured. Cocky much?"

Her cheeks flushed, annoyance flickered to anger. "You didn't engage me directly, coward!"

"Does it matter? You were incapable against me," James retorted, disinterested in petty arguments, reaffirming, "Face it—you were caught."

Teresa retorted in fury, "Release me and let's settle this!"

James replied evenly, "You lost. Captured."

"Can you say something else!" she exploded.

"Okay." Smiling, he held up her list of needed medicine. "Are these what you want?"

Seeing her personal list exposed caught her by surprise, leaving her silent.

"Hmm!"

James set a collection of medicine on the floor. "These are yours, once you answer some questions."

Presented with the life-saving medicine, Teresa had no choice but to comply. "Fine. What do you want to know?" she asked, unwilling but resolute.

Watching her aura shift to green, James considered her potential. Maybe she could be developed? Still, remaining cautious, he began questioning:

"Your name?"

"Teresa Taylor."

"Trained in martial arts or combat sports?"

Her pride flared briefly. "Third in national women's Sanda, trained in martial arts since childhood under my grandfather."

No wonder she was so formidable, James mused.

Decades of training, plus the Blood Burst Fruit, elevated her prowess to unprecedented heights.

Inquiring his last query, he asked, "Why take so many people out when it's perilous?"

Expecting evasion, Teresa surprised him with forthrightness: "To reach the TV station aid point. Your abilities could facilitate the journey."

"Hmm?" James's suspicion rose. "Are there official aid stations at the TV station?"

Teresa appeared confused. "Of course—weren't you aware?"

He shook his head. "I had no idea. No one I've met mentioned it."

This was unprecedented; clusters of survivors certainly would have headed toward such a sanctuary.

Yet, James hadn't seen any organized efforts.

Could it be they only admitted official entities like police? That couldn't be right.

Why would they exclude normal citizens?

Unable to reconcile these inconsistencies, he pondered officials perhaps accepting only powered officers.

For reasons beyond understanding?

Amusement colored his thoughts—curiosity spurring him on. Eyes narrowing, James resolved to discover what game the TV station rescue played.

The aid point wasn't far from Sunny Garden Tower.

He intended to uncover their secrets firsthand! Dear reader VickyVic0,

Thanks a lot !!!!!