In September, she made quick work of visiting and collecting the rest of the 34 locations in the WSD nation. There was not much wildlife to collect from these countries since they were an older part of the world so she moved on to poorer countries.

These were the countries that didn't win the world. She learned through history class of the Great War and how great and how much Country C accomplished during and after the war. Strategies and great battles were retold and heroes were exalted and greatly admired throughout the world.

Knowing that these countries might have a harder time fighting the war, Aria's heart went out to them. Country C itself had a hard time, millions of its citizens dying in the first month of the ZA. By the time Aria died, the population of 2.5 billion people was reduced to less than 20 million people.

Walking along the dirt road to the next location while deep in thought, Aria found a huge medicinal field growing wild behind the large mountain pass. This was the 3rd field she found, the other 2 were only a patch of 12x12.

This one was at least 5 acres. Eros happily took in the energy stones from underneath the field and the land the medicines grew on as well. They found out that if things were taken away this way, transplanting the whole piece of earth intact like this provides better growth and less adjustment time.

Collecting energy sources are very easy in these small countries since she only had a few locations to visit before going to the airport and taking the next flight to the next country. Aria got on the moped and rode out of the deserted countryside and raced to the airport. Yesterday was the last day of the system cleanse.

—-

This system cleanse has been going on for so many months that Aria has gotten used to the pain by now. The difference between Sara's body from the beginning to her body now is drastic. Sara's eyes were cute almond shaped before, showing a very kind look. Her facial structure was also very normal, with an oval shaped face.

Her body was thin and weak like those of a typical teenager who doesn't exercise often, and a previous knee injury sometimes hardens the joints and pain would shoot up the leg. The injured muscles/tendon scarred and healed inappropriately so sometimes on days when Sara overexerted herself, then the surrounding muscles would tense up trying to overcompensate the pain resulting in more pain.

Now there was no more pain. Her body was healed and her muscles and bones were n times more powerful than before. Her skin was clear and supple, moist and healthy without any blemishes.

Her features tightened up into a delicate but defined shape, giving her a perfect classic beauty look if she closed her eyes.

But if her eyes were opened then it's what captures the viewers attention. Her eyes changed from large almond shaped to a more upward slant at the ends, giving her a very exotic and captivating look. Her face looked like a mix of Sara's and her original appearance, creating a different but familiar feel.

She looked like herself but totally different. She liked it.

But although her features looked feminine, the aura she purposely leaked out turned her whole appearance to be more of an androgenous looking young man who happened to look more beautiful than some female movie stars.

Which is why she has taken up wearing a face mask and a pair of eyeglasses with thin frames to cover her eyes and face.

—-

While waiting for her flight, she jumped into the G Space directly in front of the Xing Plants. The original bush that was 2 feet high grew another foot in this rich environment. The leaves were greener full of flower heads with large shimmering stones.

After confirming which one was the gold ability gem and the air ability gem, Aria detached two large cubes carefully from the flower. Suddenly remembering seeing a jewelry machine inside the E Space a long time ago, Aria placed the gold cube inside an opening. Abilities can be awakened easily with just half a carat of the Xing stone so consuming the whole cube is too wasteful.

The machine accurately cut the two cubes into small perfect pieces. Looking at the other cubes she won't be using, she made a quick decision to have them made into rings and pendants.

Not bothering to process the small cubes further, Aria fed it into another hole that will automatically create a ring setting for the stone. The shape is unorthodox since it doesn't have the specific cut to make it reflect light and shimmer like the gems, the fact that it glowed slightly means that it's not necessary.

Aria made quick work in creating rings for the remaining cubes. Gold ability is useful no matter what so it's not bad to give away to those she sees fit.

Picking up the last two glowing cubes of the white and gold colors, she waited until she boarded the plane before placing the gold stone inside her mouth to absorb the ability. Immediately she can feel the cube slowly melting on her tongue before swallowing it.

Absorbing 1st level zombie nuclei the size of a small bean is instantaneous since the quality is so poor. Higher level nuclei require more time since the essence are more pure. These half carat sized Xing cubes will take over 3 hours to absorb after activation.

S3 suddenly alerted her.

S3: Aria, according to the history archive, there will be an earthquake tomorrow afternoon in Country M in City HH with a magnitude of 6.3.

Aria hurriedly pulled out her mobile phone and bought a few millions worth of Country M's stocks before posting a Pin on her quiet prophet account.

The Prophet 3033 @theprophet3033

September 15, 3031

Earthquake alert

Date: September 16, 3031

Time: 2:47:18pm

Country: Country M, City HH

Magnitude: 6.3

@countrym.... @cityhh.. @@..

After posting the warning, Aria logged out and closed her eyes as the plane lifted off.

By the time the plane landed 7 hours later in City CC, Aria had fully absorbed the gold cube and the white one. She can sense both a heavy weight in her chest area where she suspects the gold ability is, and the familiar white weightlessness of the air and wind ability.

After Aria got off the plane, she went into the bathroom and jumped into the G Space to test the two abilities.

Flicking her index finger back and forth in front of a tree, the wind suddenly rustled through the leaves... pleasantly.

Aria: ...

Looking down at the offending hand in puzzlement, Aria tried again but this time using both the index and middle finger to make the movement.

The leaves rustled a little more than before but still no leaves fell. It was still like a spring breeze.

Okay, this was not how she remembered it happening last time when she first activated her ability. What's wrong? Why was it weaker than before?

Puzzled, Aria decided to figure that out later as she switched over to the gold ability. Once the thought came to mind, she immediately felt a warm feeling in her chest spreading throughout her whole body.

Remembering some ability users who manipulated gold from her memories, she thought of making her whole body metallic.

She knocked her hand against the tree.

*Thump*Thump*Thump*

Nothing happened.

Okay, let's make just the hand metallic. Not seeing any changes, she felt a bit disappointed as she absentmindedly knocked against the tree again.

*Clang*Clang*

Wait, 'clang'? Does that mean that it worked on her hand? Looking at the front and back of the hand in question, she still saw no changes.

*Clang*Clang*

Great! It worked somewhat. But why can't she see the metallic barrier? Thinking about making her body metallic again, she went and used one feet to kick the tree very gently.

*Clang*Clang*

Interesting! The gold ability can make her whole body metallic but without covering her whole body making it eye catching. Picking a leaf from the tree, she thought of making it as hard as metal. Seeing no visible change, she shook it against the tree and heard a softer *clang*clang* sound.

Oh. Very interesting! The gold ability worked better than she thought! Huh, then why is the wind attack not working?

Deciding to mull over this matter after she heads to her 2nd red location in Country C, she took a quick shower and changed to a pair of tight jeans, a casual white shirt with a small black line drawing of a heart on her chest, a pair of sneakers, and a warm dark jacket with a hoodie.

She'd figured since the ZA has not occurred yet, it's best to act as a female instead of her male aliases. Once the ZA, then it would no longer be safe to be a female.

Covering her face with the ever present face mask, she walked cooly out of the restroom.

S3: Aria! Not good! There are people running into the airport with weapons!

Aria: How many? Where are they headed?

S3: Around 50 hostiles and I see them all headed to your area before surveillance was cut off. They've just bombed the server so I no longer have eyes on the situation.

Aria looked towards the direction of the screams as the lights flickered off and sounds of gunfires were heard in that direction. Aria stepped back deciding to run into the bathroom to jump into the G Space but was suddenly jostled by the panicking crowd.

Her body tilted backward as she lost her balance. Even though Aria's body is now significantly stronger and more athletic, the combination of being knocked down suddenly and still a little bit absentminded about the air ability issue, her reaction was a little slower.

Mentally ready for the impact of the floor or onto other people, Aria's body fell into a warm hard wall instead of the cold floor, her small waist caught by a large warm palm.

-- Small Theater --

Aria: Oooh... what's this? *touches chest*

Male1: ...

Aria: Very nice. This auntie hasn't touched a male's body this yummy in years. *Touch some more*

Male1: Let go!

Aria: Hey! You're the one still holding onto my waist. You let go! Hmph. I'll just go find someone else to touch.

Male1: You saved my life, you're responsible for me now. Remember to bring this ring back to me as a sign of your commitment to me.

Male2 watching the interactions between the two from off screen.

Male2: Cut! Remove all parts in the script that contains any touching of the female protagonist. And recast Male2 to someone shorter and less handsome. Aria, you like to touch so hurry up and come over here.