11. Gathering Resources(1)

-The next day.

In the morning.

In the courtyard of the Mansion that had now been emptied of the Zombies who had previously roamed around, Zen pushed his fist forward slowly.

Hot steam came out from the pores of his body.

No fire broke out, but his body temperature was clearly heating up.

A short while later, Zen exhaled and relaxed his body.

Closing his eyes, he re-felt what had changed inside his body since he reached Burn up.

Zen looked inside his Dantian. His Dantian now had a growth tree formed purely from fire energy.

'Growth tree... So this is the full potential of the [Flaming Punch Technique], huh...'

Zen could clearly sense that with the growth tree, the burden on his body every time he used the [Flaming Punch Technique] became greatly reduced.

'I see. In this way, I shouldn't end up like the creator of this technique...!'

Zen was satisfied with the improvement he had managed to achieve.

However, at that moment, he recalled with his zero hope of reaching the second Realm in this world.

'I must quickly learn Magic and secrets behind what Magic energy is, then design my own path to immortality!'

When Zen managed to regain his resolve, a group of people came out of the Mansion and began walking towards him.

It was Martha and the others.

Zen saw a serious expression on her face.

***

In the courtyard of the Mansion, an old gazebo was built in the middle of what initially seemed to be a beautiful garden.

Zen sat there facing Martha.

The rest of the Red Trickerss' crew stood around and watched over them.

Taking a deep breath, Martha said: "We've decided."

"We'll take you with us."

Zen nodded.

As long as the Red Trickerss didn't want to die in this place, then this option would obviously be the safest option for them.

However, Martha hadn't finished speaking and continued with a regretful expression.

"However, our ship has suffered severe damage to the most crucial engine parts. Unless we take this ship to the workshop in the nearest Port city, it will be difficult for our ship to fly again. However..."

Martha stopped talking and only smiled bitterly.

Zen guessed what he was thinking.

'But, the Ship is obviously too big and heavy for anyone to carry, so it's impossible to do, huh...'

Zen frowned.

'It's troublesome.'

While Zen fell into contemplation, Martha spoke again.

"Oh yes. By the way, why do you intend to follow us?"

Zen was awake to hear Martha's question.

He turned his head towards the blinding sunrise – a sign of the start of the day – before replying: "I guess... I just want to see the world. Also... Hmm..."

Zen smiled and looked directly into Martha's eyes.

"I want to learn Magic."

"Magic?" Martha asked.

Zen nodded.

"Yes, magic."

Looking at their confused expressions, Zen explained.

"It's not just about getting fire and water out of the palm of your hand. What I want to learn is something deeper and more fundamental."

"The theory of magic, the history of magic, as well as the truth behind the magic energy itself... These kinds of things are what I am mainly looking for."

"Why?" Martha subconsciously asked.

Zen smiled, but chose to remain silent.

Martha crossed her arms under her large chest.

Her pondering for a moment before opening her lips again.

"You said you wouldn't attack us. Does that also apply to other humans?"

Zen nodded, of course.

"I don't feel like a cannibal, anyway."

Martha stared at Zen's green eyes as if trying to dig deep into him.

"Are you really a Zombie?"

Zen chuckled in response, then he switched the subject.

"Regarding your ship, why don't we just walk to... Port city or something like that. Let's just bring some of the most valuable things on your ship, then buy a new one there afterwards."

Martha sighed.

"We can't."

Zen raised his eyebrows.

He wondered what was wrong with his proposal.

Martha began to explain.

"There are two reasons why we can't move like that."

"First, the Port city was built floating in the air. Don't think that because we are not hostile, they will let us in. In fact, most likely, when we get closer, hundreds of magic cannons will rain down on you and make your body full of holes like a beehive."

Zen swallowed at the merciless methods of Humans in this world.

It seems that the existence of Zombies has made them very paranoid.

"And secondly, I need a lot of money."

Zen was speechless at Martha's second reason.

'What the hell? You like money, so you'd rather drag a shipwreck?'

A faint red hue appeared on Martha's face as if she could feel Zen's inner voice.

"I have a younger sister."

"For some reason, she is currently in the hands of a man named B."

"And if I don't want her to be killed at the hands of this man, I will have to pay a huge sum of money within 1 year."

"Now, more than 3 months have passed."

Martha gritted her teeth.

"I don't know what she's been through for these 3 months. She might just be tortured every day!"

"Therefore... I have no intention of giving up and throwing away my precious possessions on the ship."

Faint tears began to flow on the beautiful face of this pirate captain.

"Actually, I came to this town as well to collect some treasures that can later be exchanged for money."

"But... I failed to pay attention to the danger. Foolishly, I brought my subordinates here, bringing two of them killed!"

The rest of the Red Trickerss' crew standing around all stared at their red-haired Captain with concerned looks.

They were reluctant to see their Captain's weak condition, but they couldn't think of the right words to comfort her.

In the end, they could only stare at each other's feet and fell silent in bitterness.

At that moment, Zen patted his palm; make a loud noise to get everyone's attention.

"So, we need a lot of valuables, then?"

Slightly stunned, Martha weakly replied.

"Y-yes..."

Zen smiled.

"In that case, let's start gathering resources!"

From today until 30 days later, Z-Emperor pouch had promised that Zombies would not attack the Red Trickerss Pirates' members, so Zen was not worried about the safety of these people.

Red Trickerss are forbidden to attack the Zombies as well, of course.

Frincaal town is obviously quite large.

There should be several tons of valuables in this town.

Aging or a little rust is not a problem!

What matters is whether the object is valuable or not.

So, with that, they began the process of gathering the resources of Frincaal town!