John queried Max, "How much should I eat? I don''t want to overdo it, and it seems you''re not up for much." Max nodded, "You have a point, John." With about half the fish remaining, John wondered why he was dining solo when catching more wasn''t a problem. His gaze drifted to a crow perched on a distinctive tree. "Care for some?" he offered. The crow responded with a caw and swiftly descended onto John''s shoulder. "I don''t mind you perching here," John remarked, "but it''s more appropriate to sit beside me during a meal, not on me." The crow cocked its head, seemingly grasping John''s preference, and obligingly hopped next to him. John''s smile widened. "Alright, let''s see how you like my cooking," he said, slicing off a piece of fish and placing it on a flat rock as a makeshift plate. The crow wasted no time, gobbling down the fish in one go. John observed eagerly, curious about the crow''s verdict.


    At that moment, Max interrupted John''s musings. "John, I''ve developed a theory. The fish you consumed contains energy, but it also harbors impurities," Max explained. "Impurities?" John echoed, prompting Max to elaborate, "Yes, some. I can decompose them using the energy present in the meat, which will create additional nanobots that are now circulating in your bloodstream." Puzzled, John inquired, "Where did these nanobots originate?" Max speculated, "I''m uncertain, John. My best guess is that they appeared when we arrived here. Since you created, programmed me, and were utilizing my functions during the lightning strike, I was brought along. That incident is likely why we''re soul-bound, akin to your fly-rod." Max continued, "These nanobots constitute your body. Previously, when you entered augmented virtual reality, now I can employ them to process sensory data, effectively decelerating your perception of time. The more food you consume, the more nanobots I can generate. Initially, the effect will last only a second, and you''ll need to eat to replenish the expended energy. The nanobots function like battery cells; the more you accumulate, the greater your energy storage capacity. This will also extend the duration of slowed time perception. Therefore, I recommend you train here for a few days to acclimate to your rejuvenated body." John concurred with Max''s suggestion to train for several days before exploring where the river might lead.


    The following days for John were notably tranquil, save for the sporadic cawing of a crow. He engaged in various exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, and anything else within his repertoire. With his youthful vigor, John found great satisfaction in feeling stronger with each passing day. Eventually, he yearned to learn more about this world, realizing that finding a city was imperative. John surmised that by tracing the river''s path, a city would eventually emerge. Before departing from his temporary abode, he left behind a freshly cooked fish as a token of gratitude to the tree that had provided him shelter.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    As John followed the river, he adhered to his new routine of martial arts practice and fishing. Along the way, he had Max scan the various plants they encountered. John discovered some intriguing plants radiating substantial spiritual energy. Unsure of their effects, he hesitated to consume them, feeling it would be unbecoming of the fisherman he was, akin to a cow grazing. His martial arts intuition was sharpening. One evening, while cooking, he reminisced about the cultivation novels from his previous life. Lacking a system, he relied on Max. A swordsman character wearing a straw hat from one of those novels came to mind. Pondering over it, John decided such a hat might suit him. "Hey Max, can you teach me to weave a hat?" he asked. "Sure," Max responded, "I can adapt a basket weave pattern and show you some styles." John chose a design reminiscent of Raiden from a childhood video game. He hadn''t yet met the locals and hoped the hat wouldn''t draw undue attention to his unusual eyes.


    Roughly a week later, John''s journey led him to an immense walled city, its grandeur surpassing anything he''d imagined. A river snaked into the city, vanishing beneath towering walls that seemed to touch the sky. His eyes widened in awe at the sight of an elf, with long straight blond hair and pointed ears, just like in the stories. Around him milled beast kin, dwarves, elves, and humans—a tapestry of races that John had only encountered in the pages of a cultivation novel, not a fantasy realm. As he merged with the crowd entering the city, snippets of conversation reached his ears. One man boasted of his son''s imminent success in an annual talent test, confident of his acceptance into the prestigious academy, or at the very least, recruitment by the fighter''s guild. These words sparked a curiosity within John, a burning question about his own latent talents. "The only way to know is to try," he thought, determined to uncover the secrets of this world and his place within it.