Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 252

Chapter 252: Failed Attempts
Then quiet hum of energy filled the space as Grace sat cross-legged on the ground, her hands hovering over two Level One Red Spirit Stones.

The air around her crackled with the remnants of her previous failures, the shattered remains of past attempts scattered around her. Yet, despite the repeated failures, she was far from discouraged. She was determined to make this work, no matter how many times it took.

“Attempt number twenty-six,” 2025 announced, floating beside her as it both guided and supervised the task.

She took a slow breath, steadying herself before once again channeling her power into the two Spirit Stones. The red gems vibrated slightly under her influence, their energies resisting the merge. She adjusted her control, tapping into her thought-creation power to weave a fine thread of spiritual energy between the two stones, trying to create a bridge where they could come together as one.

For a brief moment, she felt a shift, a flicker of possibility. The stones responded, their resistance lessening ever so slightly. Her heart pounded with anticipation, but before she could solidify the connection, a sharp crack sounded in the air. The stones flared violently and repelled each other with a sudden burst of force. The impact sent her stumbling back. A gust of energy ruffled her hair as the stones shattered into fine dust.

[Failure. Instability in the merging sequence]

System’s mechanical voice confirmed what Grace already knew.

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe through the frustration. She wiped the sweat from her brow and exhaled sharply. Another failure. But failure was nothing more than a step toward success. If anything, she had learned more with every attempt.

“Again,” she muttered, determination burning in her emerald eyes.

The only real problem with these failed attempts were the loss of Spirit Stones.

She reached for two more level one stones, her mind already running through different approaches. If forcing them together wasn’t working, then perhaps she needed to take a different approach, one that was less aggressive, more patient.

She settled the stones in the center of the intricate formation she had drawn on the ground, allowing the symbols around them to shimmer faintly in response to her energy.

“Attempt number twenty-seven,” 2025 announced.

Grace steadied herself, placing her hands on her knees as she once again activated her power. This time, she moved slower, carefully guiding her energy and thoughts into the stones, trying to ease them into accepting each other rather than forcing them into fusion. The stones pulsed in response, their resistance seemingly weaker than before.

A flicker of light appeared between them, and for a moment, hope surged within her. But just as quickly as it appeared, the connection wavered. The stones trembled, vibrating erratically, and then-

A small explosion rocked the space.

Grace barely had time to react before she was thrown back again, her ears ringing from the force of the blast. She coughed, waving away the dust, her vision blurring slightly from the impact.

“Failure,” 2025 stated. “However, synchronization lasted three seconds longer than the previous attempt.”

She groaned, rubbing her temples. It wasn’t a victory, but it was progress. Three seconds longer.

She would take what she could get.

– – –

Outside her space, life in Greenstone was also shifting, evolving into something more structured. The population had finally reached 420 residents, and with the limited space available in the Residential Area, they had decided to stop bringing in new survivors – at least for now.

With the settlement at its limit, the focus had shifted toward training and strengthening those who were already part of Greenstone. For this, Grace and Davian came up with a plan – three distinct groups had been formed to ensure survival:

The first group, the Warriors, consisted of all individuals with strong powers, combat abilities, or the potential to fight. They trained daily, honing their skills in both close combat and ranged weaponry. With the threat of the infected and the possibility of other dangers lurking in the future, having a strong fighting force was non-negotiable.

The second group, the Agricultural Unit, was equally important. While the warriors protected Greenstone, this group ensured sustainable food production. The post-apocalyptic world was harsh, and food was a commodity that couldn’t be taken for granted. These individuals worked tirelessly to develop farming methods that could thrive in unpredictable conditions, experimenting with Spirit-infused plants to enhance growth.

The third group, the Support Team, consisted of those who couldn’t fight or farm – children, the elderly, and individuals without combat abilities. Their responsibilities lay in maintaining the Residential Area, handling inventory, crafting tools, and contributing in ways that didn’t require brute strength but were just as crucial for survival.

To improve food management, a new dining system had been established. Instead of allowing each family or individual to cook separately in their homes, ten dining halls were set up across Greenstone. Meals were prepared and distributed collectively, ensuring better portion control and minimizing food waste. With this system in place, tracking and managing supplies became much more efficient.

Despite being involved in the development of Greenstone, Grace continued to pour the majority of her energy into fusing Spirit Stones.

She had lost count of how many times she had failed now.

“Attempt number thirty-nine,” 2025 announced.

Grace exhaled, shaking off the exhaustion creeping into her limbs. She was getting close – she could feel it. Every attempt lasted longer than the last, proving she was one step away from a breakthrough.

She gently placed her hands over the stones, her eyes narrowing in focus. This time, she visualized the entire fusion in her mind, guiding the energy with delicate precision, coaxing the stones to accept each other rather than fight against one another.

The stones vibrated, their glow intensifying. A thin thread of energy connected them. It was working.

The moment stretched, and a fragile balance started forming between them.

Then, a spark of resistance appeared along with a sudden shift in energy. Before she could adjust, the stones trembled violently and… shattered once more.

Grace groaned, her patience fraying. She was so close.

“Failure,” 2025 confirmed. “However, energy synchronization lasted five seconds longer than the previous attempt.”

Five seconds. A step forward.

She would take it.

Yet, her failures with the Spirit Stones weren’t her only focus. There was another presence in her life that demanded attention…