Although Rachel's catastrophically severed leg had been miraculously reattached through Elric's Surgical Fruit ability, he knew from experience that complete recovery would require time.
The nerve connections needed to fully stabilize. The blood vessels required proper circulation restoration. The muscle tissue had to regain full strength and flexibility.
At minimum, it would take one complete night—approximately eight to twelve hours—before she recovered to functional combat capability.
Which meant... tonight, he wouldn't be able to unlock any system communication rewards with her. She was temporarily ineligible for "adoption" until fully healed.
A minor delay, but acceptable.
He turned his attention toward Rachel, studying her current condition.
Her physical state had stabilized significantly after the reattachment. The agonizing pain had reduced to a dull, manageable ache. Her consciousness was clear and focused now rather than fading toward death.
For the first time since their dramatic meeting, Rachel took the opportunity to carefully study Elric in return.
Growing up in her strict household, she had occasionally imagined what kind of man she might eventually end up with someday—if she ever allowed herself that luxury.
But she had never imagined he would appear in such a bizarre, life-or-death situation. Teleporting into an abandoned office building to save her from bleeding out. Performing impossible medical miracles with supernatural powers.
And technically... he wasn't even her boyfriend in any conventional sense. He had simply made a deal with her. A transaction. Her loyalty in exchange for her life.
Yet...
He was undeniably powerful. Young, calm under pressure, devastatingly handsome with his transformed physique—and clearly someone who had adapted with frightening effectiveness to the apocalyptic reality.
If this man wanted to take things further with her beyond just the abstract concept of loyalty...
She found she wasn't opposed to that outcome.
Her old self—fiercely independent, stubbornly self-reliant, needing no one—might have refused such implications outright. Might have drawn clear professional boundaries.
But after nearly dying alone and helpless, after being betrayed by the very people she'd sacrificed to save...
She understood a fundamental truth now: In this new world, she simply could not handle everything alone anymore.
Even with her ice manipulation ability, even with her extensive firearm training and combat experience—
She could not survive facing endless mutated monsters and treacherous humans in isolation.
But this man... this young man who had saved her... radiated capability and strength on a completely different level.
If she followed him, stayed under his protection, she would never face something like today's near-death experience again.
As these thoughts crystallized in her mind, the emotional aura floating above her head—visible only to Elric's Emotion Perception ability—shifted gradually from neutral cool blue toward a faint hint of warm red indicating growing affection and acceptance.
"My name is Rachel," she said quietly, her voice still slightly weak but steady. "What's yours?"
"Elric. Elric Carter."
He nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"With your current recovery rate, by tomorrow morning your leg should be completely healed and functional. You'll be able to walk, run, fight normally."
Then he turned deliberately toward Lily, who had been standing quietly nearby.
"So before Rachel recovers fully, tonight... you can come with me."
His tone shifted to unmistakable intent.
"You should shower first and clean up properly."
Seeing the glowing aura of genuine goodwill developing above Rachel's head, Elric had answered her introduction question matter-of-factly—
Then immediately addressed Lily with crystal-clear implications that left no room for misunderstanding.
The next Devil Fruit Tree growth was waiting to be triggered.
Rachel couldn't be "taken in" tonight due to her incomplete healing. But Lily absolutely could.
Elric had already used his Clairvoyance to scan the surrounding area. There was a functional bathroom in the adjacent office space—water damage but structurally intact.
Once Lily cleaned herself up properly, he could proceed with the adoption process and allow the Devil Fruit Tree to grow another fruit.
Simple. Efficient. Practical.
"Tonight...?"
At first, Lily didn't immediately understand the implication—then she heard the specific words "take a shower" and the full meaning crashed into her awareness.
Her entire face flushed bright crimson, the blush spreading down her neck.
She had known this moment would eventually come when she agreed to become his woman. She had consciously accepted that reality.
But still... wasn't this happening incredibly fast?
Less than one hour after first meeting Elric? From rescue to... this?
Her sheltered upbringing and romantic ideals hadn't prepared her for such immediate pragmatism.
Rachel heard the exchange clearly as well. A flicker of unmistakable disappointment crossed her ice-blue eyes before she could suppress it.
So—they already have that kind of relationship. I'm not special. He saves women and adds them to his collection.
The realization stung more than she wanted to admit.
Old Rachel—the fiercely independent detective who took shit from no one—would have immediately scoffed at a man trying to "two-time" directly in front of her. Would have verbally eviscerated him for the disrespect.
But this wasn't the old world anymore.
And Elric had never actually promised her anything beyond saving her life. He hadn't claimed to want a girlfriend or exclusive relationship. Hadn't made romantic overtures.
He had simply saved her from certain death through a negotiated transaction.
With his overwhelming strength and supernatural abilities, he could end her life just as easily as he'd preserved it.
So Rachel swallowed her complicated feelings silently, forcing her expression back to neutral professionalism.
Survival first. Emotions second. That's the new rule.
Elric didn't concern himself with either woman's internal emotional turmoil or conflicted feelings.
In any relationship with his women, he would always be the one leading and making decisions. That dynamic was non-negotiable.
If he had decided to take Lily in tonight—then that's exactly what would happen. No debate, no delay, no room for hesitation.
He raised his hand casually.
Hundreds of bottled water containers appeared instantly from his dimensional storage, materializing out of thin air and arranging themselves neatly in organized stacks in front of Lily.
Both Lily and Rachel stared in renewed shock—yet again witnessing another impossible ability.
Another power. Another impossibility made casual.
The sheer versatility of his ability set was genuinely terrifying. Teleportation. Supernatural surgery. Matter creation or storage. What else could he do?
After a few seconds of stunned hesitation, Lily picked up several bottles with trembling hands and headed toward the adjacent bathroom that Elric had indicated.
She understood instinctively: Continued shyness and hesitation would only irritate him. Better to simply accept reality and cooperate.
She had made her choice when she agreed to become his woman.
Now she would follow through with that decision.
Rachel watched Lily disappear into the other room, then looked back at Elric—studying him with new understanding.
He's building a harem. Multiple women. That's his survival strategy.
The realization should have offended her professional pride and feminist principles.
Instead... she found herself accepting it with surprising ease.
If it means survival, if it means protection, if it means never being helpless again... I can share him with others.
[One hour later]
[DING! Congratulations, host. Successfully took in qualified adopter (Lily Monroe).]
[Devil Fruit Tree Growth +1]
[DING! New fruit detected: Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus (Ancient Zoan Type)]
[Current status: Developing]
[When fully ripened, host may harvest and consume or distribute.]
[DING! Unlocked adopter (Lily) exchange reward capability.]
[First reward obtained: 2 servings of premium roast chicken (5kg each)]
[Remaining monthly exchange count for adopter Lily: 7/8]
"An Ancient Zoan...!"
Elric's eyes gleamed with genuine satisfaction and excitement as he reviewed the system notifications.
Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruits were significantly rarer and more powerful than standard Zoan varieties. They granted transformation into prehistoric creatures with enhanced physical capabilities—greater durability, superior strength, heightened recovery.
The Allosaurus was a apex predator from the Jurassic period—a large theropod carnivore known for pack hunting tactics and devastating bite force.
In combat terms, whoever consumed this fruit would gain:
Massive physical strength increase (potentially 10-15x normal human) Enhanced durability and damage resistance Accelerated healing factor Predatory instincts and combat awareness Full, hybrid, and beast transformation modes
This was an extremely valuable fruit—far superior to common Paramecia types or standard Zoans.
There is 50 chapter Advance, in my patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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