65 Growing Stronger via Fish

Emile ran as fast as he could. He continued running until he saw the trees in the distance. The Guild Leader said that with walking speed it would take an hour.

Emile used 15 minutes to reach this destination. His head had a small amount of sweat on it. He stopped to examine the area and saw the trees in the distance. He walked to the closest to trees.

These trees seemed much closer than the other trees. it was as if someone had planted it there. Emile assumed that the Alchemist Headquarters planted these trees to find out their location. It was an indicator.

Emile stood between the trees and faced opposite of the path. He faced the complete opposite. He couldn't see the path anymore.

Emile walked forward. He walked forward without straying to the left or right since he could lose his sense of direction if he did that.

He walked past the trees. These trees were shorter than the trees of Song Forest. The leaves were dark green and gave off a verdant feeling. The air smelled of flowers.

These trees never blocked his path.

The person who set up the Alchemist Headquarters made it so that trees didn't block the way if the person followed the directions carefully. It mirrored nature which showed the skill level of the person.

This person set the trees to look natural.

Emile couldn't tell the difference between a natural forest and this path. He would have never chosen to follow this path if someone hadn't told him about it.

Emile thought about any locations that he could have missed an item. The locations Emile had found, had items hidden from sight.

The bunnies hideout had coins under the food. The Boar's cave had a treasure chest which Emile could never get. It was now in rubble so finding the chest would take a long time. The wizard tower had the secret room. All these locations had a hidden secret to it. Discovering them gave him coins or items.

Emile continued walking in the direction. He saw a few animals in the distance. He didn't follow them since he would lose his way if he did. These animals were a deer and a squirrel. They were both higher than level 10.

After 20 minutes of walking, Emile discovered the pond that the Guild Leader mentioned. This pond had pink lilies growing on it. Frogs were croaking as they rested on the lilies. It was a serene scene.

Emile moved his eyes around. He could see a small wooden home. Someone created this home from logs. There was an old man sitting next to the pond. He had a rod cast on the water.

The old man had a gray beard and wore a brown cloak around his face. His feet in the water. He watched the rod with intense eyes.

Emile walked next to the old man and sat next to him. Emile watched the rod with him. He didn't want to disturb him. He chose to sit next to the man and watch quietly.

The old man didn't say anything about his actions. His rod started to be pulled down. The man began reeling the fish. He moved the fishing line with his hands repeatedly. The line reeled in.

A fish appeared at the end of the line. The man grabbed the fish after bringing it closer to him. He put it in a basket which was lying next to him. Emile hadn't noticed the basket since it was obscured by the old man.

The man had caught five fish. He grabbed the basket and walked away. He held his fishing rod over his shoulder.

Emile identified the fishing rod.

Fishing Rod

A fishing rod made from rare materials

Rank: Purple Diamond

???

Emile couldn't identify the stats since he wasn't the owner. But the things he could see left him reeling in shock. Who would waste rare materials for a fishing rod? Emile felt shocked since the fishing rod was a rank that he had never seen before.

It must be a rank above Red Silver since he had heard of all the rarities below it. Emile learned the next ranking without even trying.

This old man must have a high status to be carrying around Purple Diamond equipment.

"Um... sir I was told to give you a password," Emile said with respect.

The man continued walking as if he didn't hear Emile.

"The password is QASWQAJ. I hope you can lead me to the Alchemist Headquarters." Emile said.

"Sure," The man replied without stopping. He responded to Emile after hearing the password.

"Wait," The man said after entering his home.

Emile listened to his instructions. He waited for the old man to appear. He looked out at the pond and noticed the beauty of the pond.

Emile admired the pond and its intricacies while waiting. 30 minutes passed.

The man walked out of his home.

"Oh... you're still here," The man's words indicated surprise but he showed no surprise.

"For waiting this long, I'll give you something to eat." The man said as he took out a stick with a roasted fish on it. He had one himself. The man sat next to Emile and spoke,

"I love eating all sorts of fish. My pond has many different types of fish which I bought from other places. This pond holds hundreds of species of fish. Every day I taste a new flavor of fish." The old man said.

"Is fishing your hobby?" Emile asked.

"No, it's my life." The old man said.

Emile didn't understand what that meant. If his life was filled with fishing then doesn't that make that a hobby?

"Isn't that still a hobby?" Emile asked.

"You don't understand. A hobby is something you pick up and drop anytime you want. But can you pick up your life or drop your life?" The old man questioned.

Emile could have talked about suicide which is the act of dropping your life but he didn't want to get technical with his words.

"No. You can't do that." Emile responded.

"That's good." The man began eating his roasted fish.

Emile also ate the fish. This was the first time he had eaten anything in the game. The game had created the taste of the fish.

"This is really good," Emile said while chewing his food.

"Don't talk while eating," The old man said. He was chewing his food.

"You're doing the same thing," Emile said while laughing.

The man realized what he had done. He wasn't used to seeing many people. The people who visit the Alchemist Headquarters would wear suits and ties. He never had the opportunity to serve them fish since they had stone looking faces.

The man laughed with Emile. After this, they finished eating their fish.

Your Vitality has increased by 3.

Your Strength has increased by 2.

Your Spirit has increased by 1.

These fish gave stat buffs. Emile realized that he became stronger by eating these types of fish.

"Can I have a few more," Emile asked. He became shameless.

"I only have three more. You can have one." The man said. He took out three more fish. They were roasted on a stick like the previous fish.

"Thanks," Emile replied as he grabbed one of the sticks.

Emile ate another fish. This was a different fish. He could taste the difference.

Your Intelligence has increased by 3.

Your Spirit has increased by 2.

Your Luck has increased by 1.

This was the first time Emile had seen his luck increase. He couldn't tell the difference.

Emile knew these fish were superb. They must be from a rare species or have special properties to them.