Caleb stood at the edge of the forest, following Jin's back, the gentle sound of flowing water reaching his ears. Intrigued, he followed the sound through the lush greenery until he came upon a magnificent waterfall. The sight that met his eyes was nothing short of breathtaking.
The waterfall stood tall, its waters tumbling from a great height down a series of rocky tiers. The cascade sparkled in the dappled sunlight, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow on the mossy rocks. The water, crystal-clear and pure, flowed gracefully over the rocky formations, leaving behind a fine mist that hung in the air like a delicate veil.
As Caleb approached, he could feel the cool mist on his skin, refreshing and invigorating. It carried with it a subtle scent of damp earth and the surrounding vegetation, a testament to the vitality of the place. The pool at the base of the waterfall was deep and inviting, its still surface reflecting the vibrant green of the ferns and leaves that adorned its banks.
'Damn... This is beautiful as fuck.'
Birds flitted about, drawn by the serene oasis. Their cheerful chirping added to the natural symphony of the scene, harmonizing with the gentle rush of the falling water. Caleb watched as a fish leaped from the pool, catching the glint of sunlight on its scales before disappearing beneath the surface once more.
Caleb couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty and serenity of the waterfall. The sensory experience of sight, sound, touch, and scent came together in perfect harmony, creating a tranquil and unforgettable moment in the heart of nature.
'Didn't expect that I would have the time to appreciate nature after experiencing hundreds of deaths. Life is really full of wonder.' Feeling a little emotional, Caleb proceeded to the depths, only to feel the cold sensation through his skin. It was a relaxing type of cold. As he walked deeper and deeper, he felt that all the fatigue and exhaustion from fighting and walking disappeared magically. Along with the worries he has in the future and the anxiety brought by the unfamiliar world.
Caleb closed his eyes in bliss.
"He was surely enjoying this, isn't he?" Dunn tugged Jin's sides with his elbows and jested. Still, he can't blame the kid since he also felt relaxed. He looked at the clear water, which reflected his not-so-handsome face. Feeling the mist on his skin, a carefree smile found itself on his face.
Jin smiled. Now, all of them were buck-naked from up to down. However, it was of no consequence, as they were all men. "Let him be... It's the only time we can enjoy. Because what awaits ahead of us is a path to chaos and danger. The journey to the City of Phenos might even be our last." He said in a low voice with a hint of a bitter tone.
"Don't jinx it, dude. You're setting a flag on us, you know?" Dunn splashed the water in his hand and let every water drop fall to his face.
Jin smiled. "Those are some terms used in novels, aren't they?"
"Nonsense..." Fatty couldn't help but roll his eyes. He knew if given a choice, the bastard would choose to become dashing. After all, who wants to stay below average? It might be superficial, but the society is superficial itself.
As he thought of this, he looked at Fushigiro, Caleb, and Jin enviously. He knew that Fushigiro and Jin had been always good-looking. But Johan...
His buddy, Johan... Johan's short dark wet hair partially covered his forehead, framing his face. He had an average-sized nose, unremarkable thin eyebrows, and delicate eyelids. His black pupils peered out from beneath his hair, and he sported some decent jaw development.
However, Fatty couldn't help but notice that Johan's skin was really unusually pale, reminiscent of Vampire's complexion from fictional stories. His frame added to the overall impression. Fatty wondered if Johan had an aversion to the sun.
Johan's body overshadows his unassuming look, though. Unlike in the past, he wasn't frail and sickly-looking anymore. He has a slender physique, well-defined muscles, and a good proportion. He could even see his abdominal muscle protruding. To Fatty, his friend's appearance rated a modest 7 out of 10 in terms of visual appeal.
'How did this bastard become like this?' Fatty wondered, then shifted his attention to Jin.
Jin was a man with a sharp and angular face. His eyes were narrow and held a mischievous glint, almost as if he knew something you didn't. A long, slender scar ran diagonally across one of his cheeks, adding an enigmatic element to his appearance. His lips were thin and often curled into a subtle, sly smile. His hair was sleek and silvery, draping down in a slick and well-groomed fashion.
Fatty's eyes twitched as he looked at Jin's figure which seemed like it was carved from granite. This person's body was a testament to raw strength and athleticism. His chest was broad and well-defined, his arms corded with bulging muscles. His abdomen was a washboard of muscle, and his legs were like tree trunks, showcasing immense power. Scars and battle marks told stories of countless fights. Tattoos adorned his skin, adding to his intimidating aura. 'God surely took his time with this man. What about me? Did he just randomly arrange my facial and body structure while sleeping?'
In his opinion, Jin had an air of confidence that came from knowledge. His eyes held a depth of knowledge and a calculating gaze that made Fatty feel like he was being measured and assessed. Then Fatty recalled every word he spoke in the past. Jin had his ways, of conversing with others, every word was carefully chosen, and his calm and composed demeanor masked a mind constantly at work, always several steps ahead of the game.
Then at Fushigiro...
'If I could be like them. Muscular and dashing.' Then he looked at his belly fat somberly. 'Fuck! I knew the world isn't equal!'
Of course, he was just envious, not jealous. He knew that it was his fault why he was like this. It was his lifestyle. After all, if he had self-control, he wouldn't have become this fat. If he just exercised, he would have a good muscle-fat ratio. However, he wasn't really sedentary since he trains daily and actually moves a lot. For example, helping to fill the water buckets, training with the other three, etc... With a sigh, he knew that the fault was on his eating habits 'One can't really out train a bad diet.'