Chapter 12

Gab nodded in satisfaction and scrunitized the baby bear in front of him.  That's right , the bear was still a cub . It's not as big as the bears he saw from the zoo.  The cub was still vigilant against him and occasionally growled in warning .

Gab didn't move and just stared back at the little bear . Yet somehow , he felt that this little bear is slightly smarter than any other bear .

Gab crouched down and extended his hand . The little bear backed down and vigilantly stared at his hands . Gab didn't continue extending his hand and just opened his palm , a few seconds later , dozens of canned sardines appeared on the ground .

A can opener appeared on his hand and Gab started opening every can . He prepared a big basin and poured the sardines on the basin . The little bear was attracted by his movements and cautiously peered at the basin . The brown bear sniffed for a while before lifting its head to look at the human who dared to enter its territory and did everything he wants to do without even fearing that it might kill him. 

After filling the basin with sardines . He beckoned to the bear.  " I know you're smart , you saw me opening these cans without putting any poison . It is safe , so feel free to eat some.  "

The bear hearing his words was at first still , but after a few seconds , it can no longer endure the alluring scent of the fishes on the basin . The little bear immediately snatched the basin and run into the the cave .

Gab was left behind , but that was what he originally wants to happen.  Gab took a big sigh and took out a sealed box from the space to start cultivating again.  Gab just barely increased his level to the mid rank of level 0 .

So basically , he is still an F+ rank ability user.  Recalling how powerful he was once , Gab couldn't help grimacing from regret . If only had he not become so hasty to absorb the zombie king's core , he would have not failed to ascend. 

Among his three elemental abilities , the most powerful element was Ice , followed by metal , and last but not the least , wood. 

In the base , they only knew that he was a powerful Ice ability warrior , but they never knew that he has two more ability in his arsenal .

From what he learned from the research institute that studied how people awakened their abilities ,  the abilities awakened wasn't actually innate .

Most people awakened abilities similar to their personalities or from what they had experience . Just like how most of the agents has a high percentage on awaking job related abilities such as , Stealth , Shadow Element , Illusion , Charm , Shapeshifter etc.

While people with a farmer origin mostly awakened a wood elemental ability .

People such as a monarch or a president awakened Authoritative powers such as Domain , Aura Suppression , Gravity , Language Charm(Like spells ) , brain control and etc. 

But the most powerful warrior Gab had met before was a former 5 star General . He was so difficult to fight that he just made him his ally . They once fought before , but he cannot fight shadow warriors!

He possessed Shadow Ability that was similar from the main character's ability in the manhwa entitled ' Solo Leveling ' . He f**ckinly can collect souls to be his soulders .

That was really a nightmare for him , but that man was also wary of him .

That was because unlike Jung Jinwoo who leveled up with his golden finger 'system' . That general doesn't have one and has a rather weak control over his manipulation ability . That general only awakened later than others and he would've not discover his ability if he didn't manage to immediately collect his subordinate's soul after his subordinate died.

Moreover , he did not have a physique similar to Sung Jinwoo .

Gab looked down at his glowing hand and sighed . When he learned about that information , he couldn't believe why he got an ice element .

But when he thought about it , it wasn't actually unjustifiable . He is a man who loves ice cream or anything that has to do with ice.  He was so addicted to ice that he often caught cold because of it .

Even at cold season , he would still run to the orange sari sari store to buy chocolate ice candy or pineapple flavored popsicle .

( Sari sari - Variety . Search it on google if you want . )

As for his wood elemental ability , its already obvious with his farmer family. 

The only questionable ability was his metal element . Where did he get such element when he did not even contact metal things often before. 

Oh right ... He once had a trauma towards knives before when he was a child , but that trauma disappeared after he overcame his fear in the apocalypse era. 

Fear , like , love , interest , experience. 

Those are just some of the criterias to awaken powers base from them. 

One would wonder why he had multiple abilities . He was also confused since he never heard of people with more than two abilities .

If people awaken abilities just like him , then people who were like jack-of-all-trades would have awakened multiple abilities too , but no ... Gab was the only one who had three abilities. 

Two was already the limit of humans .

" I might have been blessed by the heavens but the heavens seems to not want me to ascend.  Was that the price for having three powers? To have difficulties in ascending ? "

Gab subconsciously clenched the crystal nuclei in his hands . A sound of glass breaking suddenly rang out , waking up Gab from his reminiscence. 

Gab did not notice that he has finally broken through from his level . The broken pieces of crystal nuclei turned dull as if it was sapped of energy . He carefully buried the pieces underground and clapped his hands to remove remaining shards .

Level 1 Warrior .

He's still far from being able to defend himself from dangers.  Moreover , he has to thrive thrice the effort to bring all of his elemental ability to level one. 

Gab slowly stood up and patted his pants before exiting the cave . Before he could completely step out , a low growl suddenly resonated from the cave . Gab turned to look back and saw a bear cub looking at him with complicated eyes.

' i guess this cub was left by its mother during the rainy season , and now it was really starving . If not because of the fat it accumulated it would have long since died . '

" Try coming out to hunt , you're a wild animal . If you want to feel safe , get yourself to become stronger and don't wait for your mother who was probably already dead by now . "

A sad growl quietly responded mixed with melancholy . Gab closed his eyes before sighing . He knows what it feels to have your mom leave you at such a very young age , moreover , this cub doesn't even have a male parent to guard him .

" I'll visit next time , but don't expect me to come here every night . "

Gab then turned to head back home . The room suddenly creeked as Gab quietly entered . Gab looked at the sleeping man on the bed before quietly laying down and tucked himself in the quilt.  Gab felt a bit tired and immediately fell asleep .

Ryan opened his eyes and looked calmly at Gab who had just returned from sneeking out late at night . He frowned and thought to himself , was he cheating? Did he met someone else outside?

Ryan turned to his side and stared quietly at his face .

He doesn't have a smell of someone else on him . Ryan hugged Gab and sniffed his neck before sighing in relief.  " Don't run away from me . "

" Hmmm " Gab groaned and turned to the warm body wrapped around him , he sighed comfortably and snuggled .

Ryan stiffened and bit his lower lip before smiling foolishly . He awkwardly extended his hand around his waist and tightened his hug , his nose on the other hand sniffed his hair and inwardly moan from the scent. 

He smells so good .

In the morning , Ryan woke up early and saw that Gab was still asleep.  He sat up and rubbed his drowsy eyes before leaning over to kiss on his wife's forehead . He then climbed down and opened the closet and stepped out of the room to take a bath .

Right after Ryan left , the sleeping Gab slowly moved his hands and touched his forehead who had just been kissed .

" That fool ... He dared to steal a kiss while I'm asleep . "

---

When Gab came out of the bathhouse , Ryan had already cooked breakfast while Rose could be seen preparing the plates and utensils on the table .

" A pleasant morning for everyone.  " He greeted while wiping his wet head. 

Rose waved her hand to him . " Morning!! ."

Ryan turned to him , he blushed a little before greeting him . " Morning , wife.  "

Gab paused and looked at Ryan with a surprised face . They usually don't call each other like that though . Gab pursed his lips and smiled. 

' this fool dared to call him intimately now , where did he get such courage . '

" Good morning . "

' still , I'm still shy and indenial . '

It was obvious on Ryan's face that he was disappointed not hearing Gab calling him husband .

As they ate their breakfast , Gab was busy tending to Rose and wiped Rose's lips after eating . Gab picked up his boots on the shoe rack and tied the lace before standing up .

When Rose finished washing up , Gab picked up his comb and started combing her hair before wrapping a coif around her head .

Rose ran back to her room and pose herself in front of the mirror . She smiled brightly and giggled . " I really look pretty . " Rows of small white teeth got exposed looking so cute and adorable.

Gab gently looked while peeking at her from the door . Then Gab suddenly noticed the crooked belt around Ryan's waist when he was about to pass by him to exit .

" Wait! "

Ryan paused and curiously looked at Gab.  " What is it , wife? "

Gab had his mouth agaped again by the uncomfortable endearment and couldn't help staying still .

He immediately woke himself from his trance and walked forward . He tugged Ryan's belt and started unbuckling his belt .

Ryan suddenly blushed and wriggled uncomfortably . " W-wife , n-not now . "

Gab looked at him oddly and wrapped the belt on his waist again . " What are you thinking , your belt was just crooked . So i fixed it myself.  "

Ryan froze in awkwardness and blushed .

Seeing his silly expression , Gab's calm countenance suddenly cracked as he started bursting out of laughter . " You misunderstood me? Bwahahaha . "

Ryan immediately covered his face in shame.  " N-no "

Gab smiled and rubbed his abs before suddenly removing his palm from his face . Ryan's flushed cheeks got exposed . He looked really flustered .

Gab smirked and suddenly pulled down Ryan's hair .

---

Rose who had just decided to exit the room suddenly saw this scene .

"!!!!!"

Rose immediately closed the door with a bang.