Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

Chapter 272 - CHAPTER 273 - To Seclusion.

The corridor was silent, save for the soft echoes of Alex's footsteps as he made his way toward the secluded cultivation room.

The system space was vast, yet it always carried a certain stillness—a place of absolute control, where time itself seemed to bend to his will.

But even with that control, his mind lingered on the conversations he had just finished, each moment replaying as if burned into his thoughts.

................

The first conversation had been with Zahara.

Sitting beside him, her crimson eyes studied him with quiet concern. Zahara rarely raised her voice or pressed him too hard, yet the way she looked at him spoke volumes.

"You pushed yourself too far again, didn't you?" She finally asked, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear.

Alex exhaled, leaning back against the couch. "I had to. The beast I faced was beyond anything I expected."

Her hand found his, fingers lacing together as she squeezed gently. "I know," she said softly. "And I know you'll keep doing it, no matter how much I worry."

He turned to her, smirking. "You're not going to tell me to stop?"

Zahara smiled faintly. "I wouldn't waste my breath. But… I'll remind you to take care of yourself. Because if you fall, I'll be picking you up."

Alex squeezed her hand in return, warmth spreading through his chest. "I'll keep that in mind."

After that, she asked him all about his time inside the dungeon, wanting to know what he did and what he faced.

Alex told her everything with a smile, starting with the easy battle on the first floor that ended with a surprise, the fast clearing of the second floor, the boss monster of the third floor, the combined floor's waves, and finally the Manticore.

Zahara listened to everything with utmost concentration, her expression changing continuously.

One moment, she would be smiling with pride, and the next moment, she would grimace.

Alex, however, enjoyed his time.

He found it funny how she seemed to be imagining herself in his place, listening to his experience as if it were a tale of a hero.

When Alex asked why she was so immersed, she blamed his storytelling ability.

................

The next memory was of Mira.

Unlike Zahara, she never used words to express her emotions—she barely spoke. But actions had always been her language.

When he had walked into the room, Mira had immediately wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. Her grip was tight, as if afraid he would disappear if she let go.

"…I'm back," Alex murmured, stroking her cream-blonde hair.

Mira pulled back just enough to look up at him, her light blue eyes