Chapter 218: Return

Chapter 218: Return

He had to protect Amanda, hoping she could be as strong as he was.

Mary nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with determination. "You bet we will!"

After eating the Deer Fruit, George's body was infused with incredible vitality, and the changes were astonishing.

In the past, he had always been a bit clumsy and struggled when climbing or jumping. But now, every movement was smooth and effortless, full of agility and strength.

When he faced a high rock, he could leap lightly and land steadily on it, his posture nimble and swift.

As he darted through narrow passages, he moved like a golden flash, too quick for the eye to follow.

Moreover, his reaction speed had significantly improved.

When confronted with sudden obstacles or dangers, he seemed to rely on his sharp instincts to anticipate and swiftly avoid them.

Mary watched George's transformation with joy and relief. She smiled at him and said, "Good thing we brought you along this time, or we'd be in a real mess."

George blinked his bright, intelligent eyes, a hint of pride and playfulness in his gaze.

His lips curled into a slight, human-like smile, responding to Mary's praise.

Thomas observed quietly from the side. "I think George is grateful to you."

After a moment of thought, he made a decision. Although they had gained great power from the Deer Fruit, they needed time to adapt and control it.

Otherwise, if they encountered danger on their way back, it could backfire.

So, they decided to rest for a few days, allowing their bodies to become familiar with and stabilize the new power before heading home.

Thomas knew that his punch now had the power to shatter mountains and rocks, like a bomb exploding. It was a feeling he needed to get used to.

Mary's speed was now lightning-fast. With such abilities, they felt confident enough to face any unknown dangers on their journey.

During the five days of rest, Thomas and Mary focused entirely on training to harmonize with their newfound strength.

At first, when Thomas tried to exert his power, it was like an uncontrollable wild beast rampaging through his body.

Even a light punch would shatter the surrounding rocks, and the recoil almost knocked him off his feet.

But Thomas had a tenacious spirit. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and took deep breaths, calming his mind.

He concentrated, carefully feeling the flow and rhythm of the power within his body.

With each attempt, he cautiously guided the power, paying attention to its changes and reactions.

Gradually, he found the key to controlling it, able to precisely manage the output, size, and direction of his strength, no longer letting it run wild.

At least now he could control it freely, without the risk of accidentally hurting someone.

Mary faced significant challenges in controlling her running speed.

When she ran at full speed, she couldn't stop in time and often crashed into obstacles.

Once, she nearly hit a rock while running at high speed, but she managed to sidestep just in time to avoid injury.

She didn't give up, though. She kept practicing at different speeds, feeling her body's reactions and balance.

From jogging to sprinting, she repeatedly practiced how to stop suddenly or change direction.

After countless falls and getting back up, she finally mastered her speed, achieving flexible transitions between rapid movement and sudden stops.

Five days passed quickly. When they felt they could control their powerful bodies well, they knew it was time to return.

This journey had been both thrilling and rewarding.

They exited through the hole Thomas had punched in the rock wall earlier, as it was the quickest way.

Thomas was filled with eagerness and anticipation. He couldn't wait to see Amanda again. It had been several days, and he wondered how everyone was doing.

Once back, he wanted to share their thrilling adventures and surprising gains with her.

As they walked, Amanda's smile and image kept appearing in his mind, making his steps lighter. Mary was also thinking about everyone.

However, when they returned to the familiar cave, the sight before them made their hearts sink.

The cave was empty. Their tools were neatly arranged, but Amanda and the others were nowhere to be seen.

Thomas and Mary were instantly anxious. Where was everyone? They began a thorough search around the cave.

Thomas called out loudly, "Amanda, where are you? We're back, come out!"

His voice echoed through the valley, but there was no response, only the hollow echoes lingering in the silent forest.

Mary's face was full of worry and anxiety. She clasped her hands tightly, her voice trembling. "What's going on? Did Amanda go looking for us because we didn't come back?"

Thomas frowned, scratching his head, equally filled with anxiety and confusion. He hoped Amanda hadn't done that.

He tried to calm himself, analyzing the situation. "It's only been six days, not even a week. She shouldn't have done that."

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and his eyes lit up.

He turned to Mary, urgently saying, "Mary, can't you hear sounds from far away? Try to listen for Amanda's location."

Mary took a deep breath and nodded.

She closed her eyes, focused, and concentrated all her attention on her ears, trying to block out all other noises and started listening.

With her enhanced hearing, she could pick up sounds from up to five miles away, making it possible to find someone.

After a while, Mary slowly opened her eyes, knowing the exact location.

Her face showed a mix of relief and urgency. "They're in Karen's cave, but Amanda seems to be crying."

Thomas's heart tightened, a bad feeling rising within him.

Without a word, he dashed towards Karen's cave, with Mary and George close behind.

As they ran through the forest, Thomas's mind was filled with questions and worries. Why was Amanda crying in Karen's cave? Had something bad happened?

Mary was equally worried, following closely behind Thomas, her mind racing with all sorts of bad thoughts.

George quietly stayed by Mary's side, occasionally nudging her leg for comfort.

Mary gently patted George's head, whispering, "George, we must find Amanda. We can't let anything happen to her."

George understood her words and let out a soft bark.

They sped through the forest, the dry leaves crunching under their feet.

The trees on either side blurred past like lightning, and Thomas's eyes were filled with urgency as he ran forward without hesitation.