I Need Wives For My Gacha System
Chapter 81: Leaving The Encampment And A Parting Gift ( - -81)

Chapter 81: Leaving The Encampment And A Parting Gift (Chapter-81)

"These trees..." Zoe’s voice was full of awe as she looked at them.

"They look so unreal"

It was the fruits that truly stole Rex’s attention.

"Are those... fruits?" she asked, eyes wide.

"They’re huge! How does a tree even hold something like that?"

Hanging from the thick branches of these enormous trees were colossal fruits, each as large as a small room. Their smooth outer shells were as white as silver, occasionally flickering with light.

As if on cue, the herd stopped.

Then, in perfect unison, the antlers of every Verdant Stag began to glow. The air shimmered with a soft, greenish light as they performed a silent ritual, their combined energy resonating with the towering trees.

Slowly, the massive fruits detached from their branches yet they did not fall.

Instead, they drifted downward with an almost graceful slowness, each one still connected to its tree by a thick, flexible vine. The motion was mesmerizing, as if the fruits were descending purposefully rather than merely succumbing to gravity.

Rex’s brows furrowed as he observed this phenomenon.

"These fruits... they’re hollow?"

Indeed, now that they were closer, he could see that each fruit had an opening, a smooth, rounded entrance leading into a spacious, naturally formed chamber inside. It was as if the fruit had been designed to serve as shelter.

The Verdant Stags wasted no time.

One by one, they stepped into the hollow fruits, each of them grabbing onto the vine that ran through its centre. With a strong pull, they yanked the stem like structure, and the moment they released it, the fruit ascended back up into the tree branches just like an elevator returning to its floor.

Zoe gawked.

"Oh my god, they’re living in those! That’s, brother Rex, do you see this? It’s like some kind of... floating tree hotel!"

Rex smirked.

"And here I thought you were too tired to care about anything."

Throughout the hike here, she kept quiet as if she was still a bit angry about how she got tricked.

"This is different!"

Zoe huffed, her eyes still sparkling with excitement.

"I mean, it’s so cool! They literally have their own floating rooms!"

Rex was silent for a moment, watching the process repeat with another tree.

This time, only a few fruits remained, but the ritual was still successfully completed.

Soon, every single Verdant Stag had disappeared into their respective fruit chambers, leaving only one last fruit, the final "room".

Rex’s eyes narrowed.

He glanced at Zoe, then back at the lone remaining fruit.

The night sky stretched endlessly above them, a vast ocean of twinkling stars scattered across its deep indigo expanse. From the floating fruit chamber, the view was breathtaking, unobstructed by trees or mountains. The moonlight bathed the world below in a silver glow, casting long shadows through the leaves of the towering, unnatural trees.

Inside the chamber, Rex and Zoe worked to set up their space for the night. The hollow fruit was spacious enough, its walls sturdy and smooth, almost as if naturally designed to be lived in.

With a flick of her wrist, Zoe pulled out several items from her storage ring—thick blankets, a small glowing orb that radiated warmth, and even a pillow that looked far too luxurious for a survival situation.

"Put that there," she directed, pointing at the orb.

Rex raised a brow but complied, placing it where she indicated.

"And the blankets, spread them out neatly," she added, crossing her arms as she sat with her injured leg stretched out.

"Are you serious?" Rex sighed but did as he was told.

"You don’t expect me to do it, do you?" Zoe shot back, tapping her bandaged leg as a reminder.

Rex gave her an unimpressed look but didn’t argue. He arranged everything as she instructed while she continued pulling out more items which included snacks, a small water container, even a comb.

"Why do you have so much random stuff?" he asked, shaking his head.

"A girl has to be prepared," Zoe replied smugly. "Besides, it’s not random. Unlike some people, I think ahead."

Rex snorted but didn’t comment further. Once the space was set up to her liking, they both settled down. The night air was cool but not freezing, and the gentle swaying of the fruit chamber added an odd sense of peace.

Outside, the world looked magical. The glowing trees illuminated the surroundings in a mix of silver, gold, and deep crimson, their soft pulses resembling a heartbeat in sync with the night. Fireflies or at least creatures that resembled them drifted lazily through the air, their tiny lights flickering in patterns.

Rex, used to rough nights, leaned back and closed his eyes, quickly slipping into deep sleep.

Zoe, however, lay awake.

She shifted on her blanket, staring at the curved ceiling of the chamber. No matter how much she tried, sleep refused to come.

Her mind kept replaying moments from the day,

Rex tending to her wounds.

His hands steady as he applied the bandages.

The way he had distracted her, so she wouldn’t focus on the pain.

How he carried her all the way here, without a single complaint.

Zoe felt her face grow hot.

"What is wrong with me?" she muttered, turning onto her side and facing the wall in frustration.

She stole a glance at Rex, who was further away, positioned deliberately at a distance to give them both space. He was completely at ease, his breathing even, his expression relaxed.

She scowled. "How does he just sleep like that?"

Turning back to the wall, she buried her face in the blanket, determined to push all these stupid thoughts away.

The next morning, Rex awoke feeling refreshed. He stretched, rolling his shoulders before glancing over at Zoe.

She was sitting up, arms crossed, looking miserable.

Her usually bright violet eyes were ringed with dark circles, panda eyes from a terrible night of sleep.

Rex blinked. "...Did you even sleep?"

Zoe yawned and shot him a glare.

"Shut up."

Rex smirked. "You look awful"

"Thanks or the compliment" she deadpanned, rubbing her eyes.

He chuckled.

"What, were you scared of the dark?"

Zoe scoffed. "I wish that was the reason"

Rex didn’t pry. Whatever kept her up at night, she wasn’t about to admit it.

"Come on," he said, standing up. "We should get moving."

Zoe groaned, flopping back onto the blanket. "Give me five minutes..."

"Fine. Five minutes," Rex said.

As Zoe lay there, she covered her face with her arm.

’Stupid thoughts, Stupid night, Stupid Rex’

As the morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, Rex and Zoe prepared to leave the pack of Verdant Stags. The magnificent creatures stood in formation, their deep green fur shimmering under the light. The smallest among them, the young Verdant Stag that had taken a liking to Zoe, approached first. It nuzzled against her hand, earning a soft chuckle as she stroked its head.

"I guess this is goodbye," Zoe said, her voice carrying a trace of reluctance.

The mother of the young Verdant Stag took a step forward. With a slow, deliberate motion, it lowered its head, and a small green gemstone detached from its antlers, floating gently toward Rex.

Rex caught it in his palm, feeling the faint pulsing energy within. It was warm yet cool, a strange sensation that felt warm. The stone was semi-transparent, swirling with an inner light that resembled flowing leaves in the wind.

Zoe peered at it curiously. "What is that?"

Rex turned the stone in his fingers. "No idea... but it feels important."

The mother Verdant Stag, raised its head, its emerald eyes eyes meeting Rex’s for a long moment before it let out a deep glunking sound, one that resonated through the air. The rest of the pack responded in unison, their voices harmonizing into something almost ceremonial.

"It’s a gift," Zoe murmured.

"A parting gift."

Rex placed the mysterious gemstone into his storage ring, giving the mother of the young Verdant Stags his thanks.

"Thanks."

With that, the Verdant Stags turned away focusing on their works once more. The small Verdant Stag lingered for a moment, glunking softly at Zoe before following after its kin.

As the last of them disappeared into the foliage, Zoe let out a small sigh.

"They were really... something"

"They were" Rex agreed before glancing at her. "How’s your leg?"

Zoe blinked and looked down at her once injured leg. Without thinking, she pulled at the bandages wrapped around it, carefully unwrapping them. As the last strip fell away, she moved her foot, then took a step forward then another.

Her eyes widened.

"I... it’s completely healed."

"The pills will work, haven’t you ever taken it before"

She bent down, pressing her fingers against where the wound had been. Not even a scar remained. Her expression was a mix of awe and disbelief.

"I thought it would take longer"

"You’re welcome" Rex said dryly.

Zoe straightened and huffed.

"I didn’t even say thank you yet."

"You were thinking it, though"

Rolling her eyes, she stretched her leg once more, then turned her gaze forward. Beyond the dense forest, the path toward the centre of the gate awaited.

"Let’s go" she said.