Pause System: Harem In The Apocalypse

The sun had set and finally a bit of light began to seep into the jungle.

From the top of the large tree branches, they could hear the sound of rustling coming from the distance.

With their figures hidden, they made sure to keep their eyes locked onto what could come out.

Delta tugged at Gray's shoulder as she pointed down towards one the vines of the trees opposite to them.

Three humanoid figures with spears on their hands emerged. The spear seemed to have some sort of runic pattern carved on them.

A chunk of an animal's skinned fur was wrapped around their waist covering only a part of their exposed body. Countless scars were visible through their muscular chests and backs.

They wore masks which covered their faces, and a pair of black horns without any colouring on top protruded out of the top of their heads.

Two of them were carrying a boar and python riddled with holes,

They move co-ordinately, paying attention to their surroundings. One of them seemed to be using a sensory ability of sorts, as Gray could feel the air ripple around him.

He was also directing them.

He pointed towards a direction and spoke in a language or tone which Gray couldn't decipher and they went in said direction.

"Tribe people... Probably looking for food here in the jungle, just ignore them." Said Gray before leaning back onto the tree.

He was tired and not in the mood to deal with anything at the moment

They had been travelling all night, so naturally this would be the case.

'System, open the interface and shop on two separate tabs.' Gray thought to himself.

[Possessor: Gray Caliber

Race: Chronos

State: Normal.

Level 5

XP Required to Level up: 890/1000

HP: 30/30

Strength: 38

Agility: 39

Stamina: 35

Sense: 27

Points available to distribute: 10]

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[Skills]

[Pause: Level 1]

[Pause Level 2: Pause Step]

[Pause Level 3: Chronos Field]

[Fast Forward: Level 1]

[Chronos Awakening Level 2] (Mark Of The King)

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[Shop]

[Coins: 300]

[Shop has been updated.]

[New items on sale.]

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'Only three hundred coins, huh? There's probably more items on sale, but I doubt I have enough money to buy any of it.'

Gray rubbed the back of his head and swiped left on the screen.

'Show me the ongoing quests and the effects of the new fast-forward skill.'

[Quests ongoing: Take over the continent claimed by the invaders.]

[Reward:]

[???]

[+1000 Coins]

[+1000 XP]

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Effect [Level1]: A process can be fast-forwarded up to three seconds ahead. Process is limited by size and complexity.

Requirements: Physical Contact with the process.

Users' stamina is depleted per second fast-forwarded.

Maximum Time: 3 Seconds.

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Gray narrowed his eyes.

'That's a bit vague... What exactly am I supposed to run on with that?' He questioned.

Gray gestured at Delta to come closer.

Curious about his intentions, Delta carefully approached him. There was limit space on the top of the branch, so she could slip with the slightest mistouch.

They were so close to one another that their foreheads were almost touching and they could basically feel each other's breaths.

Whilst holding onto her so that she wouldn't fall, Gray grabbed the hilt of the katana on her back before pulling it out.

Whilst holding onto the sword, he positioned it beside them before thrusting it forward.

*Swoosh!*

Delta's hair swayed to the side as a result from the air pressure caused by Gray's sudden thrust.

'That was fast...' She thought to herself with surprise.

She was able to see the movement, but... From the speed it took to his contracted muscles to expanded forward with the sword was something else.

"So that's how fast I am... Maybe a quarter of a second?" He questioned.

Delta watched as he contracted the same arm once more, pulling the sword back.

"Fast forward."

Her eyebrows raised and curved in surprise as her eyes glanced to the side.

*Swoosh!*

His arm was fully extended with the sword thrust out.

She hadn't seen it. The movement. When did his arm move?

Did he simply move faster than before? If that was the case... Why wasn't there any air pressure?

'...? When did he...?'

"So that's how it works..." Gray muttered to himself.

'How what works?' She wondered, visibly more curious.

She wanted to ask, but he made it clear that he didn't want to speak to her.

Gray wrapped his arm around Delta to properly sheath in the blade before glancing over at the tribesmen who had disappeared into the jungle.

"I said let's leave them be... But I'm curious. They probably know of a water source and probably have a settlement too... We're heading in that direction anyways so what do you think?" Gray asked

Delta was surprised that Gray was finally asking her for her opinion on something.

So far, they had barely exchanged words other than the times when he was telling her to not do something or just asking to borrow one of her swords.

She looked over at the direction where the tribesmen walked, it was certainly the direction they were going.

"I don't see why not." She said.

Gray nodded.

-

-

-

They followed from above the trees, Gray made sure to pause step them together from the touch of one branch to another to avoid making too much sound so that they wouldn't be detected.

Since Pause had levelled up, pause step took much less stamina to execute and Gray could officially pause step with someone other than himself with less difficulties.

Delta suggested her own method, however Gray put it off by how bait it sounded.

She could apparently manifest a flaming bird big enough to carry them, through the skies, but even he knew it'd be better for her to save up on her stamina than just use it like that.

Still, it sounded cool and useful so Gray felt a bit disappointed that he couldn't see it.

It didn't take long for them to reach their tribe and throughout the entire time they hadn't caught onto the fact that they were being chased.

When they reached the area, Gray's eyes sparkled in interest.

Before he could so much as comment, on the breath-taking sight, the edge of a spear was placed ahead of both of their necks.

"First druid wolves and now this? This world really doesn't hold back, does it...?" Gray asked as he turned back.

Crouched onto the branch behind him, a tribesperson holding onto two spears could be seen.