"Are you ready? I'm prepared to take you to the hospital if the worst happens."
"That's fine. I've anticipated everything."
Without hesitation, Liam grabbed the flask of boiling water and poured it into his mouth. After all, the only way to escape this illusion was to confront his greatest fear—the very thing he had been trying to avoid.
Gulp... gulp... The sound of the scalding water colliding with his throat echoed as it descended into his stomach, followed by a horrifying burning sensation spreading throughout his body—a pain he had never experienced before.
His eyes widened in agony as every muscle and vein bulged across his body. His skin began to wither away under a slow, smoldering flame, revealing charred, blackened muscle beneath.
Bam, the observer of it all, watched with horror in his eyes. But gradually, as he witnessed Liam's transformation, that look became quieter. A fleeting sadness appeared on his face.
"Hmm... How should I put this..." He stepped closer to Liam, trying to support him into a more comfortable position to endure the pain. Watching his friend fight through the unbearable suffering, he shook his head lightly, gazing at the space around them as it slowly crumbled, like paper burning away.
"You know, even though this is just an illusion you created to escape reality, I'm still me... You know that, don't you? So before I disappear, there's one last thing I want to say. This might be the last time we meet. Liam, you're strong—never doubt yourself. And... good luck, my friend."
He quietly whispered each word before his body began to dissolve, merging with the flames and the space around them.
"Aaaaaaah..." A familiar scream rang out as the mental barrier of the illusion was broken. Liam's consciousness returned to his body, but now, he had to face the pain alone.
Yet, thanks to that illusion, his mind had stabilized even while his body was being tortured. Though the critical moment had passed, another issue now arose. His body had suffered severe damage—70-80% of it was burned. Without restorative medicine or Force energy, his life was like a small candle about to be snuffed out.
Though his body was almost dead, as long as the vital organs remained functional, there was still hope. His mind was intact, and that was paramount. But how could he survive in such a state?
The answer was right before him. Ever since arriving in this world, Liam had faced one dangerous moment after another—he was far too familiar with it. The only thing he could do now was try to push his Force energy to the limit.
Lying motionless on the scorching ground, though the flames had passed, he struggled to focus and channel his Force energy.
"Damn it! If my body doesn't heal in time, death is certain." Liam thought as his vision blurred due to the overwhelming heat.
"I'll just do my best. Whatever happens, happens."
Though on the brink of losing consciousness, his body instinctively continued trying to activate his energy.
Finally, it happened.
His exposed chest, with blackened muscles, suddenly twitched, becoming clearer with each moment. Large red energy particles in the air began to concentrate around him, enveloping his body in a dense red aura. His charred wounds started to split open, revealing fresh, red muscles, and then new skin. This process unfolded all over his body.
Crackling sounds echoed in the air, and finally, Liam's bright eyes were revealed. Glancing down at the scorched ground, he struggled to rise, though the earth beneath him was still burning hot. But now, the pain was gone.
"So, everything that happened earlier was really just an illusion."
A brief sadness crossed his mind as he reflected on what had transpired, but he also felt thankful for that illusion, for it allowed him to see Bam one last time.
Standing up, Liam glanced at his body with satisfaction, feeling the energy coursing through him.
"It seems I've leveled up to [F+]... Surviving life-or-death situations is truly the most effective way to level up."
But he immediately shuddered as he thought about what had just happened.
"I think... no one would dare use this method. Only a madman would choose this path to level up."
Indeed, no one would willingly venture into the jaws of death just to level up, unless they were forced, like Liam.
"I have to move quickly. Vecna will be here soon."
With swift movements, Liam retrieved a black leather outfit from his ring and put it on—a heat-resistant suit. Approaching the still-smoking black stone wall, he pushed lightly with his hand, not exerting much effort. Before, this would have been a difficult task, as he was only at level F.
"Incredible..." Liam scanned his surroundings. Everywhere bore the marks of the fire; the scorched earth had turned pitch black, and the large stone pillars had changed color due to the intense heat.
Barely having time to reflect on the destruction caused by Matthew, Liam felt a strange energy approaching him.
"Tsk. So fast!"
Liam quickly ran toward a cluster of jagged stone pillars—an ideal spot from a strategic standpoint.
"Is it still alive?"
Matthew squinted as he sensed Liam's energy still persisting as he neared.
"It must just be hanging by a thread!"
Though he said this, he was still furious that he hadn't managed to kill Liam. Fuming, he moved swiftly, though the cluster of stone pillars caused a few collisions as he picked up speed. But now, none of that mattered. All he wanted was to witness Liam's death as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, things did not go as he wished. Beads of sweat began to form as he drew closer. Clearly, the energy he sensed earlier belonged to someone at level F, but now, what he faced was something much stronger.
"Damn it! How did he level up to F+?"
Matthew hoped it was a mistake, but the reality was as clear as day. When he rounded the last pillar before he stood Liam—completely calm, without a single wound.
The same black flame tattoo on his temple and his cold, commanding gaze made Matthew pause for a moment. Before he could recover, Liam's sharp voice suddenly rang out, causing him to step back a few paces instinctively.
"To be honest... That hurt a lot!"