Novels2Search

Chapter 9 - Rest, Relaxation, and Light Reading.

The click of the lock settling into place on the bunker door brought much-needed relief to Bob. He had been locked in battle with the Squirrel Army for what seemed like weeks but had only been a couple of days. The fatigue was starting to get to Bob, he was exhausted after the grueling battles he had just been through.

But now, as he sat down in the comfiest chair in the world, inside his dimly lit room, he finally allowed himself to relax. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from his body. He knew that he still had a lot of things on his to-do list, but for now, he was just grateful for the safety and respite that the bunker provided.

Bob had been lounging in his chair for a few moments when he suddenly realized he was famished. He knew he needed something hearty and satisfying to eat. He headed straight to the pantry and began searching for ingredients to make a pot of chili. He found a can of kidney beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce, and a packet of chili seasoning. He also spotted an onion and green pepper, which he diced up and added to the mix.

He found a couple of cans of some sort of meat product and added them into the pot as well. He then heated up the large pot full of ingredients on the stove, and let it simmer for a while. As the delicious aroma of chili filled the air, Snowball came into the kitchen, wagging his tail excitedly. Bob chuckled and scooped out a small bowl of chili for his furry friend. They both enjoyed the warm and flavorful meal together, feeling satisfied and content.

Bob and Snowball let out a satisfied sigh as they finished off the last spoonfuls of the delicious chili, having polished off the entire pot between the two of them. Their hunger had finally been satiated, and they felt a sense of contentment wash over them. As they stumbled sleepily back to the bedroom, Bob climbed into bed and motioned for Snowball to hop in beside him. They snuggled up together, feeling warm and full, and quickly drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep, dreaming of a less intense and strenuous tomorrow.

Bob awoke in the morning, well rested, feeling quite refreshed. He went to the workshop to check out those crazy vials again. Bob had witnessed firsthand the devastation that these tiny little vials could wreak, and wanted to take them with him. He knew he couldn't carry them in his pockets, he didn't have a death wish. He also realized that lugging around a bunch of cases full of vials wasn't feasible, he was stumped. He was wracking his brain trying to come up with a solution when he heard the ding sound of a notification coming through the system. Sure enough, he had a new alert sitting in the corner of his vision.

*System Message*

*Inventory System Unlocked*

*Inventory is now selectable from the System Interface*

*Inventory is a system function that allows you to store and retrieve items without having the burden of carrying them on your person. It has a limited storage capacity that will be upgraded upon level-up.*

Well, that sure is conveniently timed. I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Bob nervously grabbed a vial and thought about it being added to his inventory, Bob gasped as the vial disappeared from his hand. He then thought about it being back in his hand, and like magic, it materialized right in his hand, as if it had never left.

Bob eagerly and greedily began grabbing every vial he could and willing them into his inventory. After emptying the vials from the entirety of the workshop, he decided to check his inventory. A little blue window popped into his vision. It started to display a bunch of mysterious vials before a system warning flashed across his vision.

**SYSTEM WARNING**

*Error Displaying description of inventory contents.*

*Correcting...Issue Corrected.*

The then corrected inventory window popped up into his vision.

INVENTORY

Poison Cloud Vial x32 Bottled Fire x61 Lightning in a Bottle x36 Acid Rain Vial x45 Slow Vial x31 Hallucinogen Vial x16 Partial Paralaysis Vial x28 Accelerant Vial x29 Frostbomb Vial x27

That's insane. This is such a neat system. Also, it appears that it's an even better system than it sounds, items that are the same appear to stack instead of taking up individual space. That's going to be pretty darn useful. Bob was beyond satisfied with the new addition to his repertoire of system functions.

Bob spent the next few hours robbing the bunker blind. *Ahem* Stocking up his supplies. Bob ran to the pantry and started emptying its contents into his inventory. After stuffing all the food into his inventory, he checked the inventory limit without checking its contents.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Inventory 135/200. 65 Slots remain.

Ok, so this inventory thing is one of the best things I've ever encountered. I'm a walking vault. Bob was giddy with excitement, he had the equivalent of a medium-sized town's food supply that only he could access. Not to mention enough of those vials of mass destruction to wage a war against small kingdoms. Bob, happy with his haul, decided it was past the time he needed to bathe. He was covered in the sweat and dirt of several days' worth of running and fighting. Bob walked to the bathroom.

Bob was feeling a little stressed out, and dirty, so he decided to take a nice, relaxing bath. He filled the tub with warm water and added some scented powder he found near the bath, which smelled a lot like lavender, to help him unwind. As he sank into the water, he felt his muscles start to relax and his worries start to fade away. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the calming scent of the bath salts fill his senses. Bob enjoyed the tranquility of the moment, feeling grateful for this small indulgence that helped him recharge and rejuvenate.

After nearly an hour in the tub, Bob finally decided to get out, drying off and dressing, he then filled the tub again for Snowball. After giving the somewhat reluctant Frost Hound Pup, a bath they decided to have some much-needed fun. Bob and his Frost Hound pup, Snowball, were having a great time playing together inside the bunker. Snowball was scurrying around, darting between Bob's feet and then running off, tail wagging excitedly.

Bob chased after him, laughing as he tried to catch up. Snowball would occasionally stop to chew on his favorite toy, and Bob would toss it across the room, causing Snowball to leap into action and fetch it back. As they played, the walls of the bunker surrounded them, protecting them from the outside world. Despite the confined space, Bob and Snowball were having a blast, enjoying each other's company in the cozy, indoor setting.

*Bonded Companion: Bond Level Increased*

*Bond Level is part of the determining factor on your companion's growth level, its stat growth, and its skill acquirement rate.*

That's quite interesting. Obviously, I will have to pay extra special attention to that and shower Snowball with love and affection every chance I have.

That system alert had startled Bob, so much so that he had stopped playing with Snowball briefly. Snowball just stopped and stared at him, tongue hanging out the side of his snout, joy in his adorable eyes. Snowball, now exhausted from all the play, walked into the bedroom and found a cozy spot to rest. Bob smiled and walked into the workshop. He started examining what materials were left in the workshop and started putting as much as he could fit into his inventory. He only stopped when he got an alert pop-up in his vision.

Inventory 200/200. Inventory Full.

After that Bob walked into the library and pulled a random book off the shelf. He settled himself into one of the chairs inside the Library and began to read the book he had grabbed which was oddly enough titled, Magic for Beginners: The Intent of Magic. This was the brief introduction at the front of the book.

As you delve deeper into the world of spells and magic arcana, you will discover that the power of incantations lies not in the words themselves, but in the intent and energy behind them. To cast a spell successfully, you must channel your inner strength and focus your mind on the desired outcome. Whether you seek to create a protective ward, summon a familiar, or unleash a burst of elemental energy, the key is to approach your craft with respect and reverence. Remember, magic is not a toy or a parlor trick; it is a potent force that can shape the very fabric of reality. So take care to use your powers wisely, and always be mindful of the consequences of your actions.

Bob was entranced by the book and read it from front to back without stopping. After he closed the cover, he blinked his dry eyes for the first time since opening the book. He felt tired as if his mind had been working overdrive for hours. It was quite an odd sensation, and Bob wasn't sure what had just happened. He remembered reading the book, and then after that, he remembered closing the book. He didn't know how much time had actually passed. He was jolted out of his reverie by the ding of another notification at the bottom of his vision.

*System Message*

*You have unlocked the secrets of magic for beginners. You now have the ability to learn Novice Magic.*

*Spell Acquired - Gentle Touch*

*Spell System Unlocked*

Spell Name: Gentle Touch

Gentle Touch is a Novice Level Heal spell that allows a healer to mend minor injuries and restore a small amount of health to a target. The spell requires a small amount of magic energy to cast, and the healer must focus their intention on the injured area.

Upon casting the spell, the target will feel a warm, soothing sensation where the injury is located. The magic energy will gently coax the body's natural healing process, speeding up the recovery time. The healing effect is not instantaneous, and it may take several minutes for the full effect of the spell to take hold.

Gentle Touch is most effective for minor cuts, bruises, and sprains. It can also help alleviate the pain caused by these injuries. However, the spell is not potent enough to heal more severe injuries or illnesses, and its effectiveness is limited by the skill of the caster.

Overall, Gentle Touch is an essential spell for novice healers, as it provides a gentle and effective way to help those in need. With practice and experience, a healer can learn to channel more significant amounts of magic energy and improve the effectiveness of the spell.

Oh wow! Did I learn a spell? I can cast magic now. Heck yeah! Bob was absolutely thrilled at the realization that he had just unlocked the power of magic and learned his very first spell. A feeling of pure exhilaration washed over him as he savored the moment, reveling in the knowledge that he was now capable of wielding magic. He was excited that he finally had something to use with his MP, and it wasn't just a wasted stat.

With a newfound sense of purpose and determination, Bob was eager to explore the vast potential of his newly acquired abilities. He felt an uncontainable sense of joy and wonder, as he contemplated the infinite possibilities that lay before him. Bob knew that he had just taken the first step on a path of endless discovery and was eager to embark on this incredible journey of magic and self-discovery.

Bob was hungry for more knowledge and decided to get up and search for any more books that might reveal more of the secrets of magic to him. As he was standing up, he became startled as a sound disturbed the peaceful silence of the bunker.

*KNOCK KNOCK*