As the space shattered, Hiro returned to reality. The sensation was disorienting, as if he had been pulled through a vortex. He blinked rapidly, trying to reconcile the dreamlike fragments with his current surroundings.
The campfire still burned softly, and the nearby tent stood just as before. Hiro's mind raced. Had it all been a hallucination, a trick of his injured mind?
"I guess it wasn't a dream at all, those fucking bitches," he muttered, his eyes adjusting to the light. A shadowy figure approached the tent he was in.
"Oho, you woke up, boy," the old man said, his voice rough but kind.
"Are you the one who helped me? If so, thank you," Hiro asked, his voice trembling slightly with a mixture of confusion and gratitude.
"No worries, boy," the old man replied with a grin. "Anyway, I found this beside you—a red egg."
Hiro's eyes widened as the old man handed him the egg. Its surface was smooth and warm to the touch, pulsating faintly as if alive. "Thank you," Hiro said, mesmerized by the egg's faint glow.
"You're welcome. Anyway, what's your name, and what happened to you?" the old man asked, his gaze piercing but not unkind.
Hiro hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words to blend truth with a plausible story. "My name is Hiro," he began, his voice steady yet edged with uncertainty. "I'm from Carowa. I was traveling through the mountains when an avalanche hit.
It came out of nowhere, a roaring wall of snow and ice. I tried to run, to find shelter, but it overwhelmed me, burying me under its crushing weight. I fought to free myself, the cold biting into my skin, but the avalanche was too powerful."
His eyes flickered with a mixture of sincerity and carefully constructed details as he continued. "When I finally managed to dig myself out, I realized I was injured, my leg throbbing with pain. I knew I had to keep moving or I'd freeze, so I dragged myself through the snow, each step a struggle.
The forest provided some shelter, but the fear of another avalanche kept me on edge. Eventually, I passed out." He paused, hoping his story would be convincing enough to explain his presence and injuries. "Anyway, sir, how did you find me?"
"As you told me, I found you full of injuries and unconscious in the forest," the old man said, his tone turning serious. "When you're recovered, you can follow me to the city. There's safety in numbers out here."
"Thank you again, sir," Hiro said, feeling an inexplicable connection to the egg. Something within him responded to its presence, a strange sense of destiny intertwined with its fate.
As the old man left Hiro to rest, the campfire's flickering light cast eerie shadows on the tent walls, and the faint rustling of leaves outside hinted at unseen watchers. Hiro clutched the egg closer, its warmth providing fragile comfort.
Suddenly, a faint glow emanated from the air—a soft, pulsating light that gradually materialized into a floating, translucent window.
"System Notification: Congratulations! You have received the Blessing of the System," the message read in glowing letters.
Hiro blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected appearance of the system notification. His heart raced as he tried to comprehend what was happening. Before he could fully process it, five more windows materialized before him, each displaying different skills and abilities with their descriptions and effects.
"Is this also one of those damn, shitty goddesses gimmicks?" Hiro muttered, his eyes scanning the options before him. "This is incredible. Let's see what we've got here."
The first skill,
Next was
Lastly,
As Hiro pondered his selections, another window appeared, offering a small, shimmering pill labeled "Body Transformation Pill."
"System Notification: This pill enhances your physical attributes and potential. Consume with caution," the message advised.
Curious yet cautious, Hiro weighed the risks and benefits before swallowing the pill.
An immediate tingling sensation spread through his body, escalating to a searing heat that ignited every nerve. His breath caught in his throat as his muscles convulsed, each fiber stretching and tearing, then mending stronger.
"Fucking Goddesses, are trying to kill." he said as his body undergoes a painfull transformation.
Pain surged through him like wildfire, his bones creaking and popping as they reshaped and thickened. He fell to his knees, gasping for air, every breath a struggle. He screamed in agony, attracting his benefactor's attention.
"Boy, what's happening to you?" the old man asked as waves of unimaginable cold followed Hiro's agonizing scream, freezing his sweat into icy rivulets that stung his skin.
"Oh boy, what happened to you? You were fine a while ago, now you're in a high fever. For goodness' sake," the old man said, preparing warm water for Hiro's freezing body.
Hours blurred into a relentless storm of agony and transformation. Each second felt like an eternity as Hiro's body was torn apart and rebuilt.
The old man, despite his gruff demeanor, stayed by Hiro's side, tending to his needs with surprising tenderness. He wiped the sweat from Hiro's brow, his weathered hands moving with practiced gentleness. He whispered soothing words, trying to anchor Hiro's consciousness amidst the storm of pain.
"Hang in there, boy," the old man murmured, his voice a steady presence in the chaos. "You're strong. You'll get through this."
Hiro's body convulsed, muscles spasming uncontrollably. The old man didn't flinch, his grip firm as he held Hiro down to prevent injury. The firelight cast long shadows across the tent, and the crackling flames seemed to echo the turmoil inside Hiro's body.
The old man worked tirelessly, fetching fresh water and applying cool compresses to Hiro's fevered skin. His years of experience showed in every action, his movements efficient and calm. He brewed herbal teas, coaxing Hiro to drink in between the waves of pain. The bitter concoctions brought brief moments of relief, their soothing properties fighting against the fever that raged within Hiro.
Through the haze of agony, Hiro could hear the old man's steady breathing, a constant reminder that he wasn't alone. The old man's presence was a lifeline, a beacon of stability in the midst of Hiro's suffering.
"You're doing fine, boy," the old man said, his voice a rough but comforting murmur. "Just a little longer."
As the hours passed, the transformation continued. Hiro's muscles bulged and shifted, bones stretching and strengthening. The old man never wavered, his hands a steady reassurance on Hiro's trembling form. He spoke of old stories and adventures, his deep voice a soothing balm against the pain.
At times, the old man would step outside to gather more supplies or to stoke the fire. The cold night air would rush in, providing a brief respite from the fever's heat. Each time he returned, he brought with him a renewed sense of determination, his presence a grounding force.
Finally, as dawn began to break, the intensity of the transformation started to wane. The pain receded, leaving behind a profound sense of exhaustion and relief. Hiro's body, now stronger and more resilient, began to heal. His breathing steadied, and the fever broke, leaving him drenched in sweat but mercifully free of the searing agony.
The old man sat back, wiping his brow with a weary sigh. "You made it, boy," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Rest now. You'll need your strength for the journey ahead."
Hiro, barely able to keep his eyes open, managed a grateful nod. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
"You're welcome," the old man replied, his tone gentle. "Sleep now. I'll watch over you, and tomorrow we'll head to the city."
As Hiro drifted into a deep, healing sleep, yet another system notification appeared, glowing brightly as it hovered in the air.