For humanity, amid all the chaos and disasters, there was at least one piece of good news.
The sudden appearance of "Power Fruits."
That's right—these strange fruits had begun appearing across the country, sprouting out of nowhere in people's backyards, parks, and even abandoned parking lots.
People who ate them awakened supernatural abilities.
Some gained the power to summon lightning.Some could manipulate fire.Some developed magnetic control over metal.And others found that their physical strength had multiplied tenfold overnight.
"Physical enhancement, huh…"
Elric leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he scrolled through the news feeds.
According to the System's data, any supernatural item he consumed was automatically converted into 'Energy Points,' which helped level up his internal power core—essentially functioning like a Devil Fruit progression system.
But he wondered… if he ate this "Power Fruit" that boosted physical strength, would it give him raw power or just more experience points?
He hoped for the former.If it directly strengthened his body, he wouldn't have to rely on his beast-type evolution paths to increase physical stats anymore.
Just as he was pondering, his tablet screen flashed—another trending live stream had popped up.
"Hey, everyone! I found two more Power Fruits in my garden today!"
On StreamLive, the biggest streaming platform in the U.S., a famous influencer named Katy Sweet (screen name Custard Queen) was broadcasting to her ten million followers.
Unlike her usual beauty or lifestyle streams, today's theme was different—She was showing off her Power Fruits.
Katy had gone viral two days ago after claiming that three strange fruits had grown in her backyard garden.
Out of curiosity, she'd eaten one live on stream… and gained the ability to shoot electric bolts from her palms.
Now, she was back to try the remaining two.
The comment section was exploding:
"Do it! Eat it live!""Lightning Queen returns!""Imagine she gets flight next!"
"Alright, my lovely viewers," Katy said cheerfully, twirling the first fruit in her hand—a shiny golden orb pulsing faintly with light.
"No prize quiz—guess what power this one gives me!"
She winked at the camera, then without hesitation, bit into the fruit.
The chat went wild.
Moments later, faint golden ripples shimmered around her body. She extended her hand—and to everyone's shock, a thin metallic rod emerged from her palm.
"Metallic ability!" she gasped, eyes wide in disbelief.
Her viewers erupted in excitement.
"Holy crap she's Magneto now!""No way this is real—someone call the military!"
Smiling brightly, Katy waved her new metal staff at the camera. "Okay, that one was awesome. But now for the last one—the pure white fruit."
She lifted it up—a snow-white fruit that glowed faintly like frosted glass.
Without hesitation, she took a huge bite.
At first, nothing happened.
Then her face twisted slightly, confusion setting in—until a sudden burst of white steam began rising from her body.
Her arms tensed.Her skin flushed.With a few sharp cracks, the tone of her muscles visibly shifted—slender arms becoming firm and defined, her posture straightening with inhuman balance.
Dark impurities oozed from her pores and evaporated in the light.
Her viewers fell silent.
Then—
"What the hell just happened?""Is she… stronger?!"
Elric's eyes gleamed as he watched.
"That's it… that white one must be the physical enhancement fruit."
He studied the transformation closely—the reinforced muscle fibers, even the spiritual glow around her skin.
"This isn't just raw strength. It's like the fruit rewrites the body's foundation… a full refinement process."
His lips curved slightly.
If he could get his hands on that fruit, the system's conversion efficiency might skyrocket—or better yet, it might finally strengthen his physical vessel to match his inner power.
Either way, the world outside was changing fast… and Elric had no intention of being left behind.
White skin, green leaves, about the size of an apple — and a faint, pulsing light beneath its surface.
Elric memorized every detail of that mysterious Power Fruit from the livestream.That glow, that shape — if he ever stumbled upon one that boosted physical strength, he wasn't going to let it slip away.
Back on the screen, the influencer Katy Sweet was in chaos.
"Huh? What's this on my skin? Why does it look like—ugh, dirt?"
Panicked, she screamed and ended the stream right there.
Elric couldn't help smirking faintly as he turned off his tablet.The world was changing fast — but people still freaked out over a bit of grime.
He leaned back on the worn couch inside the cabin, feeling his muscles ache.The last few hours had been… draining.
Jenna leaned toward him again, her expression soft and flirtatious.On the other side of the room, Natasha rolled her eyes in disgust — she didn't even try to hide it.
Elric sighed and gently pushed Jenna away. "Enough. Seriously."
Even though their "connections" helped him strengthen his system resonance, the process was exhausting.He wasn't a machine — and the so-called "in-depth exchanges" were starting to feel like labor.
"Also," Elric said quietly, rubbing his forehead, "stop calling me 'Master.' That name feels… wrong."
Jenna blinked, then giggled with mock innocence."Then what should I call you, hmm? Old man? Boss? Teacher?"
Natasha couldn't help but laugh at that, covering her mouth. "Pfft—old man suits you better than 'Master,' I guess."
Jenna puffed her cheeks. "Fine! Old man it is."
"Good," Elric said dryly, stretching his shoulders. "That one I can tolerate."
But Jenna wasn't done. Her teasing tone shifted, sharp beneath the sugar."Speaking of names, Miss Natasha, I heard you used to date that professor at your university, right? Dr. Harris, wasn't it?"
Natasha froze.Her expression darkened instantly.
Elric glanced between them — he could sense the tension thickening like smoke.
Jenna leaned forward, smiling sweetly."Maybe when you see him again, you'll run straight back into his arms."
"You—!" Natasha snapped, her eyes flashing. "Dr. Harris and I broke up a long time ago."
Her voice carried a hint of pain — and pride.
Jenna just smirked, victory glimmering in her eyes.
The truth was, her words weren't just petty. They were strategic.She'd noticed how scarce the food had become — the last packs of instant noodles and canned soup would barely last ten days for three people.
And Jenna had no intention of starving again.Not after finally tasting real food.
If she could convince Elric to kick Natasha out, that meant one less mouth to feed — and one more chance for her to stay close to him.
What she didn't know was that Elric's system space still held mountains of mineral water and racks of roasted lamb shanks.Resources weren't his problem — but human nature was.
He could see it in both women's eyes.Natasha's pride.Jenna's jealousy.
In the new world, where survival meant everything, even a small spark of envy could ignite a wildfire.
There is 25 chapter Advance with 2 chapters every day, in my patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439