Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 194: Book 3: Chapter 46: No T-Rex?

Read chapter 194 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 46: No T-Rex? Chapter 46: No T-Rex? The fountain’s glow lingered, painting the courtyard in pale blues and silvers. With the biome object complete the air no longer carried the cloying stink of flowers or spores, only cool stone, clean water, and the faint hum of what Alex assumed was the sound of the System’s begrudging approval. For the first time since the maze had swallowed them into its dizzying confines, the squad could breathe, literally. Once everyone’s poison was cleared Allie crouched by the fountain, already repositioning her alchemy kit with well-practiced hands. Glass clinked as she siphoned off a vial of water. The liquid shimmered faintly in the container, as though it wanted to spill its light instead of the liquid itself. Her brow furrowed as she looked at it, her eyes alight with calculation. “Feels… alive,” she said. She dipped a glass rod into the vial and stirred it a bit. “It has healing properties, yes. But its not that straightforward. It’s layered together with various healing intent. Some physical, mental... hell, maybe even spiritual.” She set the rod down and already began sketching hasty lines into her notebook. “Give me time. I’ll figure it out.” “I don’t care what it’s made of, I’m just glad my pancreas isn’t revolting inside me anymore.” Garret said. Henry leaned against a stone column with a grunt. His deep voice carried across the group easily as he spoke. “No need to rush. We finally have a moment without fangs at our throats.” Lance laughed under his breath and shook his head. “Speak for yourself. I thought we were dead three times over. Holly, you should’ve seen Garret panic when a hedge tried to eat us. He didn’t scream, but I swear his pants suddenly got very damp.” Garret shot him an incredulous look, but said nothing. Tom-Tom perked up from Henry’s shoulder, his small reptilian eyes gleaming with renewed color. He pointed at Garret, then himself. He puffed up his tiny chest, then threw himself dramatically onto the stone floor and began flopping about with exaggerated fear. His little paws tried to cover his crotch as he rolled onto his back, tail flicking wildly. The courtyard broke into laughter. Even Henry cracked a smile, while Garret doubled over, cackling so hard he dropped his shield, the slab of metal clattered to the ground. “Gods above,” Garret wheezed, “Tom-Tom does a better impression of me than I do!” Alex simply leaned against the fountain’s edge, a tired grin tugging at his mouth as he watched them all. “You didn’t try bathing in the fountain after did you? It’ll probably mess up Allie’s alchemy work.” “I plead the 5th?” Garret smiled. He then caught Holly’s gaze across the courtyard. Her face was streaked with dirt and sweat, but her eyes were focused and bright. She tilted her head toward the quieter edge of the courtyard. Alex stepped away from the others and joined her, meeting up next to a large trellis in the far corner. For a moment they just sat shoulder to shoulder together, listening to the fountain’s soft trickle and the fading laughter of their companions. “You had me worried,” Holly said finally. “Too many close calls with those snakes. I kept thinking… what if you didn’t come back from your run?” Alex exhaled, brushing a hand over his face. “I had you worried? Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you. We all were waiting for you to make it back for awhile.” He glanced at her, his lips quirking into a sly smile. “But... Guess we’re both stubborn enough to prove the Heavenly System can’t stop us.” “Stubborn doesn’t begin to cover it.” She smiled. They sat in silence for a few breaths. The air between them was warm despite the chill breeze of the garden. Holly shifted, allowing her hand to brush against his. The contact was small, almost accidental but neither of them pulled away. He entwined his fingers with hers and squeezed lightly. “I don’t want to lose anyone. Least of all you,” He admitted. “You won’t. Not if I have anything to say a