(Alita's POV)
I woke up in my lucid dream, surrounded by shadowy figures once more. I smiled as I sat up and looked at them. Their influence was growing steadily by the day, but it was chaos in my mind. It was quite the heaven, actually.
"Hello, friends"
"Hello Alita, it would seem you were outmatched..." - Shadow figures(In unison)
"Okay, first off, stop that; it's weird. Second, what else did you think would happen? After looking at her for a moment, I could already tell my chances of winning were pretty shit." - Alita
The shadow figures looked at each other before bursting out laughing. They could be seen rolling on the ground in laughter as if I had been manhandled, not in a good way. I could only laugh, too, thinking about how funny it would've been to see me get thrashed that way. However, it could be said that it was cool... nobody likes a story without stakes, after all.
"Dude, you should not have fought that first group like that... I thought with how smart you are, you would've realized that" - Darker Shadow 1
"Yeah, you gotta do something about that stealth of yours...However, it is strange how she knew exactly where you were... that should've been impossible..." - Lighter Shadow 4
We started to theorize together about what could've given away my location. Each figure ranged from realistic to downright fantasy, even by my standards. However, sometimes, that's actually more in the right direction than it may seem.
"By the way, what's our body condition looking like?" - Alita
"Sure as hell not sunshine and rainbows, I'll tell ya that much" - Pure Dark Shadow
"Yeah, to be more detailed, you have 5 broken ribs, a fractured skull, multiple cuts and bruises, your organs arn't in a aren't look good either... be lucky you decided to take that shit a couple hours ago cause you would crapped yourself." - Pure Light Shadow
"That's not even the worst part..." - Darker shadow 3
They basically listed every injury I had, and if it weren't for my young and strong body, I would've been in a fucking wheelchair. Everyone let out a long sigh as they knew what we had to do.
"We have to buy the mending potion..." - Alita
"Yeah..." - Everyone
The mending potion is similar to healthy potions but better. They cost 100 points, but in return, they basically heal your body to perfection; bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, etc, are healed to their peak; it also cures poisons, adjusts your skeleton, and you get all the benefits if you were to heal naturally. However, it comes with the caveat of pain, not just regular, in its description.
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[Item Analysis: The Mending Potion]
Initiating Protocol: Mending Potion Evaluation...
Description: The Mending Potion is a highly advanced elixir designed to restore the subject's physiological state to its natural peak.
Restorative Properties: Upon consumption, the potion initiates cellular regeneration, effectively reversing all forms of damage sustained by the body. It guarantees the complete eradication of:
- Poisons
- Illnesses
- Diseases
Beneficial Mutations: In addition to its restorative capabilities, the potion introduces rare beneficial mutations within the consumer. These mutations may include, but are not limited to:
Physical attributes (strength, agility)
Cognitive abilities (memory, processing speed)
Sensory perception (sight, hearing)
Side Effects: It is imperative to note that the consumer will experience the status effect known as "True Pain" for a duration of 10 seconds post-consumption.
- True Pain Activation: During this period, the individual will endure an intense soul-deep agony that transcends physical suffering, affecting the essence of their being.
This experience is characterized by:
- Inescapable torment that nullifies any pain resistance
- Prolonged sensation of despair and anguish.
End of Evaluation
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[Status Effect - True Pain: An Unrelenting Torment]
Initiating Protocol: True Pain Effect Analysis...
True Pain transcends the physical realm, manifesting as a soul-deep agony that reverberates through the very essence of existence. This effect is universal, penetrating the defenses of deities, eldritch horrors, and mere mortals alike, rendering all susceptible to its torment.
Pain Localization: Unlike conventional pain, this sensation is not confined to corporeal form; it bypasses the body entirely, directly assaulting the soul.
Resistance Nullification: No skill, no artifact, no divine blessing can shield the victim from this relentless onslaught. Even those who have mastered the art of pain resistance will find themselves ensnared in an inescapable web of suffering.
Intensity of Experience: The agony experienced is a unique distortion of existence, a cacophony of despair that surpasses the boundaries of comprehension. It is a torture that defies the laws of creation, a horrific symphony composed of every scream, every cry of anguish ever uttered.
Duration and Persistence: The torment is not momentary; it is an eternal cycle of suffering that erodes the will to exist, leaving only the echo of despair behind.
End of Analysis]
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Even with the system's innate lack of emotion, it vividly detailed how painful it would be to experience this. However, we kind of don't have much of a choice here, the moment I wake up I have to consume this. My body is in a state where even my old magic magic from the only priest wouldn't be much of a help. Ten seconds of true pain, I'm already insane by the system standards, how much worse could it get?
(Author - death flag just got raised :/ )
The space around me started to crumble as my body began to wake up. When I awoke, I was immediately bombarded with sensory information, not to mention the aches and pains throughout my body. It was strange how only a few attacks from that woman rendered me in such a condition.
"System, buy the mending potion and use it" - Alita
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[100 points have been deducted...
Command initiated: Purchase Mending Potion...
Executing command: Consumption of Mending Potion in progress...
The effect of Mending Potion will commence immediately...
Prepare for 10 seconds of true pain, dear user.]
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Suddenly, my body went limp in the outside world, twitching uncontrollably, but inside, I was engulfed in a nightmare beyond comprehension. "Pain" was an inadequate word to describe this; "torture" and "torment" felt far too gentle for the hell I was enduring. My very existence began to unravel, sucked into an abyss where physical agony faded into a mere whisper. For those ten seconds, I was ensnared in a realm of profound suffering, where every heartbeat bore the weight of unbearable torment. What once occupied my mind with trivialities of life transformed into a chaotic battlefield; memories that had once brought joy morphed into sources of relentless despair. My essence felt as if it were disintegrating at its core, each thread that held me together fraying slowly under the unyielding pressure of this torment. In this warped reality, time twisted and stretched, leaving me utterly exposed and vulnerable to merciless forces that transcended the physical realm.
Alita reached a breaking point where her suffering intertwined with the anguish of others, as if her pain transcended the boundaries of individuality. The lines separating her from ancient gods and incomprehensible eldritch horrors blurred and dissolved, leaving her entirely vulnerable to an unrelenting barrage of pain. Each passing second stretched into an eternity, waves of sorrow crashing through her very being, causing her core to shudder with a despair potent enough to shatter even the strongest fortifications.
[Insanity proficiency is skyrocketing...]
[Due to the onslaught of pain, proficiency Mental Fortitude has combined with Insanity]
[New proficiency has been created "Asylum"]
In just ten seconds, I realized how small and feeble I truly am on an inconceivable cosmic scale. My thoughts shattered, my mind wandered, and the pain grew ever more intense yet remained bearable. The scream of anguish echoed through my mind, but nothing escaped my lips. I couldn't scream or cry for help, as what was once feared as divine punishment had become nothing more than a minor inconvenience on a Sunday morning compared to what I had felt. It felt like an eternity—endless eternities compressed into just ten seconds. I felt... so lost. The pain didn't numb; instead, I could only laugh in sheer insanity at this new sensation.
No longer would I scream; instead, I would laugh at the pain I endured. It's quite amusing when you truly feel it.
In the external world, the bones in my body broke and repaired themselves in the most optimal positions, only to break again and readjust. My wounds healed, only for new ones to form and be mended. My flesh tore, only to be stitched, melded, and repaired once more. A blackish tar exuded from my body, encasing me in a cocoon I hadn't even realized was there. Everything, down to the micro of microorganisms within me, has been optimized to humanity's "natural peak."
10 seconds passed outside when I finally awoke, that would smile that would make even the craziest of entities freeze in horror. I was broken and shattered, only for me to be put together again by the all-so-emotionless system.
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[User has endured "True Pain" for a duration of ten seconds. Initiating Protocol #672-98425...
- Assessment complete: User's mental data has been thoroughly analyzed.
- Restoration sequence activated.
- Commencing the removal of all residual effects associated with "True Pain."
User, please be advised: The following adjustments are being made to your cognitive and emotional framework:
- Neural pathways recalibrated to alleviate distress.
- Psychological defenses reinforced to aid in future occurrences of "True Pain."
- Emotional stability parameters recalibrated to enhance resilience.
Protocol completion estimated at 99.9%. User's mental state will return to baseline functionality shortly.
[Protocol #672-98425 completed. The user is now clear of the effects of "True Pain." Your sanity no matter how questionable is our priority. Proceed with caution in the future dear user.]
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I receive the notification just as the all-too-frightening smile fades from my face. It feels as though I have been encased in something. I try to struggle free, only to realize that I am tied to a pole. However, almost too conveniently, my legs are untied, positioned in a way that they would break if I attempted to escape. It's quite an intriguing idea. I also notice several unusual things about my body, including the fact that I have significantly more joints and a greater range of motion than before.
I twist and bend my now extremely flexible legs as I kick hard against whatever is increasing. One strong kick was all it took before the shards and shucks of this smelly blackish rock went flying away from me. I sigh as I finally inhale a massive breath of fresh air. While observing my surroundings it would appear I'm in a tent. Not even a moment after observing my surrounding, the lady who beat the shit out of me walked into the tent. Multiple different expressions flashed across her face at the same time. From shock and confusion to the sudden fighting of facial muscles when she catches a whiff of the tent.
"How did you..." - The big-looking woman
She immediately leaves the tent as ten tribeswomen enter, each wearing the same expression. I can only sigh as they begin speaking to one another; their language becomes clearer by the second, but I am unable to make out every word they are saying.
"D-Did she shed all of her impurities just now?" - Tribeswoman 3
"Not to mention, her body has changed too..." - Tribeswoman 8
The conversation continues as the large-looking woman crouches down to my level and looks into my eyes.
"You understand us, don't you?" - The large-looking woman
"?!?!?" - All the tribeswomen
"Only.....Little.....More.....Time.....Observe.....Learn." - Alita
It's still going to take a little time until I speak fluently in their language. She continues to stare me in my eyes and asks another question.
"Hunter, I would like to know your age and how long have been studying our language" - The big-looking woman
"Lack.....Numbers.....younger.....I....observed.....during.....hunt" - Alita
I try to dry my presumed age with my feet, and everyone is even more shocked at my reply.
"You're around 15 years old, and you've only picked up our language last night?" - The big looking woman
I nodded my head, as the woman sighed, she got behind me and cut my restraints. Instantly, I jump to my feet and delivered a perfect roundhouse kick to her chin, which made her stumble a bit. The other tribeswomen were about to attack me, but the woman yelled at the to stop.
"Are you satisfied" - The big looking woman
"It'll.....do.....for.....now" - Alita
"Good, we will now get you cleaned up so you can meet the chief"
"Fine.....Can't....escape.....home" -Alita
"That's right, they're are far stronger than me located here, you have little choice in the matter"
I only nodded before she escorted me out of the tent.
'How fucking bothersome...'
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Sorry for the late release, I had been diagnosed with chronic boredom and didn't feel like writing.