Chapter 6: Changes and Trials

Sera observed Nathan intently, the passage of time seemingly stretching into hours as the system meticulously orchestrated his transformation. She was well-acquainted with the lore that the initial phase of such metamorphoses was the most grueling. Having been a firsthand witness to these ordeals on numerous occasions, a profound sense of compassion washed over her for the individual under her care.

These changes always started with the mind. Why it started there she did not know but always assumed that it was the system's way of weeding out the weak. She laid witness to many of her charges passing away during this first stage, some who survived were forever broken and never awoke, their bodies slowly withering away before her eye. Many times, she wished she could have ended their suffering, but she couldn't, and the system wouldn't let her leave until either they died or passed the trials.

Her gaze was unwavering, fixed on Nathan as he lay contorted, his form curled into a tight coil amidst his screams. The sound tore through the silence until, at last, his voice succumbed to exhaustion. Her belief in his ability to endure the first stage never wavered; she had sensed the formidable strength of his mind during her earlier probe. A fleeting vision of his determination had revealed itself to her—a burning desire to reunite with the one named Katie. Yet, a shadow loomed over her optimism: the darker recesses of his psyche. A chill ran down her spine as she recalled the presence of the caged beast within him, its raw power sending tremors through her memory. As the transformation progressed, she couldn’t help but ponder if this change would unleash the monster. In the quiet of her mind, she offered a silent entreaty to the Primordials.

As dusk embraced the sky, Nathan’s convulsions ceased, and he became enveloped in a radiant golden aura. His perspiration-drenched form began to unwind, undergoing a visible metamorphosis right before Sera’s eyes. His flesh and sinews undulated autonomously, morphing slowly as if molded by an unseen artisan’s hands. Sera understood this spectacle to be the work of Cosmic Energy suffusing his being, transfiguring him for the better. At his chest’s core, a nascent golden sphere materialized, pulsating vigorously as it expanded—his nascent core. Luminous lines, akin to the sun’s own rays, branched out beneath his skin, pulsing in harmony with the core’s rhythm. Gradually, the pulsations waned, and the vibrant pathways stabilized.

Nathan’s body underwent one final shudder as a dark substance began to seep through his pores, surfacing on his skin. Sera would later learn that this was the expulsion of unprocessed waste and accumulated fats. Unbeknownst to her, as she observed the transformation, twilight had surrendered to nightfall, and the world around them had succumbed to darkness. There, in the tranquil shadows, Nathan lay in repose, blissfully ignorant of the profound alterations bestowed upon him.

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As the hours unfolded, Nathan emerged from his deep rest. Shielding his eyes with a hand, he blocked the piercing light. A deep inhalation filled his lungs as he transitioned to his knees. His eyes fluttered open, surveying his surroundings. The world appeared sharper, more defined, as though the focus of a camera lens had been perfected. Unaccustomed to such vivid detail, his stomach churned in protest, prompting him to cover his face once more.

“Gah, I feel like I’m about to be sick,” he muttered. A chuckle reached his ears, and he turned his head slowly toward the sound. Sera was perched on a log bench, one leg elegantly crossed over the other, a soft smile playing on her lips, yet she remained silent. Nathan, conceding to the moment, ventured, “I suppose this evens the score?”

“Indeed, we are now on equal footing,” she responded. “The sensations you’re grappling with stem from an alteration in your perception. Your mind is adjusting to this newfound clarity. It will normalize in due course, so fret not.” Her gaze swept over him with discerning attention before she suggested, “A bath would seem most appropriate at this juncture.”

In the waning light, Nathan became acutely aware of the black grime, sand, and dirt that clung to his skin. The foul stench was overwhelming, inducing a gag reflex that he barely controlled.

“Thank goodness I’m merely a projection,” Sera remarked with a hint of humor, gesturing towards the sea. “Cleanse yourself, and then we can address any curiosities you might have.”

With an unsteady gait, Nathan made his way to the shoreline, collapsing into the welcoming embrace of the shallow waves. Stripping off his soiled garments, he began to scour his skin with the gritty mixture of sand and water. The natural abrasiveness of the sand acted like a pumice stone, efficiently stripping away the blackened residue. As he focused on the task of cleansing, the nausea that had gripped him began to fade.

Mid-scrub, Nathan’s gaze fell upon his reflection in the clear water, prompting him to halt. The transformation was undeniable. His face appeared more chiseled, his shoulders broader. The definition in his chest, abs, and arms was pronounced, a stark contrast to his previous physique. Although he had always maintained a fitness regimen—frequent gym visits, runs, and a healthy diet encouraged by Katie—he had never achieved this level of definition. His muscles were not the bulky protrusions of a bodybuilder but rather the dense, powerful build of a seasoned fighter. Flexing his hands, he could feel an unfamiliar strength coursing through them. If asked to describe his new appearance, he would liken it to that of a professional combatant. Curiosity piqued, he began to inspect further changes, but a laugh from behind interrupted his examination.

Sera’s laughter echoed through the air, “I’m certain the system spares certain… aspects from alteration.”

Nathan retorted with haste, his cheeks flushed with a tinge of embarrassment, “I was merely inspecting my legs!”

“Once you’re finished with your inspection, return to shore. We have matters to discuss,” Sera replied, her tone laced with amusement.

Nathan emerged from the water, reaching for his attire which, true to its description, was pristine and ready for wear. He donned his clothes and approached Sera.

“How long until the trials commence?” she inquired.

The mention of the timer jolted Nathan’s memory. He glanced aside, and his expression registered shock. “I was unconscious for that duration?” Disbelief colored his voice. He had been out for 26 hours. “Only 4 hours remain,” he realized aloud.

Sera’s response to Nathan’s realization was a simple nod, her silence leaving the weight of the unusual situation unaddressed. “The trials,” she explained, “are not only a means for you to adapt to the changes you’ve undergone but also a reinforcement of the Nexus way of life. Do you recall what that entails?”

Nathan’s reply came in a low mutter, “Essentially, the strong prevail.”

“An oversimplification, but accurate,” Sera conceded. “It’s imperative that you continuously seek to excel and seize every chance to augment your strength. Those who falter are often met with death or subjugation.” There was a trace of bitterness in her tone that Nathan couldn’t place. Before he could inquire further, she pressed on, “As far as I know, the initial trials will primarily test your combat prowess.”

As Nathan retrieved a ration and waterskin from his storage, beginning his meal, he cast another glance at the faint countdown. Another half-hour had slipped by. He consumed his meal in silence, listening intently as Sera detailed the fundamental principles of the upcoming trials.

“Finally,” Sera declared, “upon completion of the trial, a smaller rift will materialize, containing your rewards. These are contingent upon the trial’s difficulty and the proficiency of your performance.” She raised a hand, preempting any impending inquiries. “And before you pose the question, the metrics used by the system to evaluate your efforts are beyond my knowledge.” A grimace of anticipation etched her features as she braced for what was to come. “Ensure you scrutinize every fragment of the rift,” she urged, her expression contorted with discomfort, “for hidden treasures often lurk in the overlooked corners.” Her words hastened to a close just as her projection buckled to its knees.

Nathan leapt to his feet, reaching out to steady her, but his hand met only air. “What transpired?” he queried, concern lacing his tone as she regained her stance.

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“A reprimand for skirting the regulations,” she responded, her voice tinged with resignation. “Guides are bound by certain strictures of silence, and straying too near the forbidden precipitates the system’s chastisement.”

A heavy quietude settled between them, laden with unspoken thoughts.

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Nathan stood resolute, performing one last meticulous inspection of his equipment. Despite numerous checks, he felt compelled to verify each item again. His hand brushed against the hunting knife secured at his back, its familiar contour reassuring him. The homemade wooden spear and a cluster of sharpened sticks, each a foot long, were snugly positioned in his waistband. He acknowledged a quiet readiness within himself; there was nothing more to prepare.

As the countdown dwindled to a mere thirty seconds, a rhythmic thumping punctuated the tense silence. With each tick of the clock, the sound grew more pronounced, resonating with the beating of his own heart. Whether this auditory manifestation was a figment of his imagination or a tangible phenomenon, Nathan couldn’t ascertain. Yet, the crescendo of thumps seemed to synchronize with the impending commencement of the trials, heralding a challenge that would test the very limits of his being.

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The moment the countdown reached zero, the air before Nathan shimmered and tore, reminiscent of fabric yielding to an unseen force. He cast a glance at the rift, then at Sera, who offered a subtle nod of encouragement. With no room for hesitation, Nathan stepped forward. The rift claimed him instantly, his entire form drawn into the void with a single stride. The transition was disorienting, leaving him feeling queasy, but he steeled himself, pushing the discomfort aside as a new notification materialized in his field of view, signaling the beginning of an unfamiliar and daunting chapter.

Trial 1 of 50

Requirements: Eliminate all enemies found within by using any means available.

Time Limit: N/A

Status: 0 of 6

Nathan dismissed the box with a single thought and took some time to look at his surroundings. As Nathan’s gaze swept across the cavernous space, the primitive torches cast a flickering glow on the rough-hewn walls. The chill in the air sent a shiver down his spine, and the distinct metallic scent mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil filled his nostrils. It was unmistakably the interior of a vast cave, and he found himself at its heart. A solitary wooden door stood in the distance, an enigma in the dim light.

Drawing a deep breath to steady his nerves, Nathan advanced towards the door, his wooden spear gripped firmly in hand. He paused, recalling Sera’s counsel to be thorough in his search. Methodically, he scoured the area, but it yielded no secrets. With cautious steps, he retraced his path to the door. His hand met the handle, and with a deliberate motion, he turned it, easing the door open to step through the threshold. The sight that met him on the other side was enough to draw a sharp intake of breath.

Before him, with its back turned, stood a diminutive green creature, its posture stooped. The only sign of life was the steady cadence of its breathing. For a moment, Nathan was rooted to the spot, a mix of shock and wariness anchoring him in place. Shaking off the initial surprise, he recalled Sera’s advice for such encounters—to observe and assess. With that in mind, Nathan prepared to scrutinize the creature, ready to gather any information that might aid him in the trials ahead.

Goblin: Level 1

These creatures are considered to be the weakest life forms found within the Nexus. While individually they do not pose a threat, collectively they can overrun the strongest of fighters.

Nathan absorbed the information before him and, sensing an opportune moment, chose to seize the offensive. Clutching his spear with a firm resolve, he launched into a determined dash, driving the makeshift weapon toward the goblin’s back. A premature cry of victory caught in his throat as the spear made contact, only to be met with disbelief when it halted abruptly, embedding only inches deep into the creature’s surprisingly resilient hide.

With a swift pirouette, the goblin deftly disarmed Nathan, its elongated arm sending the spear flying from his grasp. The creature faced Nathan with a sneer of contempt, utterly indifferent to the weapon protruding from its back. For a fleeting moment, their gazes met, a silent standoff before the goblin lunged forward. It aimed a vicious swipe at Nathan’s face, which he instinctively attempted to block. Despite his efforts, the force of the blow sent him sprawling across the cavern floor.

Nathan’s body tumbled to a halt, but he swiftly regained his composure just as the goblin charged toward him. In a different circumstance, the sight of the spear wobbling from the creature’s back might have been comical. With no time to spare, Nathan crouched low, his hand instinctively reaching for the hunting knife sheathed behind him. He bided his time, waiting for the goblin to close in before deftly sidestepping and rising behind it. In one fluid motion, he unsheathed his knife and drove it precisely between the goblin’s second and third ribs, twisting and withdrawing the blade swiftly. The goblin’s howl of agony filled the cavern as it flailed backward, its hand connecting with Nathan’s face in a powerful backhand. Nathan braced himself, absorbing the blow, the taste of blood a stark reminder of the battle’s reality. As the goblin completed its turn, it regarded Nathan with what seemed like a newfound respect, recognizing him as a worthy adversary..

Nathan seized the momentary pause in the fray to swiftly evaluate his position. Realizing the goblin’s proximity to the cave wall, he acted on instinct. With a swift motion, he slashed at the goblin’s visage, prompting it to shield itself reflexively. Capitalizing on the creature’s momentary blindness, Nathan delivered a forceful kick to its chest, propelling it towards the wall. He executed this maneuver repeatedly—strike and kick, strike and kick—each time driving the goblin back until the spear embedded in its back was further impaled by the wall’s unyielding surface. Sensing its predicament, the goblin attempted to advance, only to be repelled once more by Nathan’s relentless assault.

Aware that his stamina was waning, Nathan mustered his remaining strength for a final, decisive move. He propelled himself into the air, legs extended, and landed a double-footed kick squarely on the goblin’s chest. The impact sent the creature crashing to the ground, its body yielding to the finality of defeat.

Nathan dropped to his knees trying to catch his breath. Words flashed in the corner of his eyes.

Update: enemies defeated: 1/6

New skill acquired:

[Brawling Level 1]

Nathan’s emotions were a whirlwind of relief and sorrow as he processed the update. The relief of survival was tinged with the dread of repetition. He quenched his thirst with a swig from his waterskin, then his attention was captured by a glint in the periphery. Approaching the shimmer, his hand encountered a solid form within. Grasping it, he retrieved a box, its purpose and contents a mystery that piqued his curiosity. After a cursory examination, he stowed it away in his storage for later scrutiny. Another door beckoned, promising new challenges or perhaps rewards, and with a steadying breath, he stepped through, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Nathan’s journey through the goblin-infested chambers was a crucible, forging his resolve and sharpening his wits. With each successive battle, he grew more adept, his strategies more refined. The goblins, with their brute strength, were no match for his cunning and resourcefulness. As he progressed, each skirmish became a quicker victory, bolstering his confidence.

Despite his growing prowess, Nathan remained diligent, scouring each room with the thoroughness of a seasoned warrior, though none yielded treasures like the first. After a brief respite to gather his strength, he approached the threshold of the final chamber. What lay beyond was unknown, but Nathan was ready, his determination as steadfast as ever.

Hobgoblin: Level 1

Hobgoblins are the next evolution of goblins. They are tougher and slightly stronger than regular goblins.

The hobgoblin stared into Nathans eyes and Nathan stared back. Neither moved as they took each other in, analyzing one another looking for weaknesses. Nathan Raised his hand in front of him to show they were empty and waited. In the dimly lit chamber, a silent agreement was forged between predator and prey. The hobgoblin, with its piercing gaze, acknowledged Nathan’s gesture of unarmed approach, a rare moment of mutual respect in the savage trials. As they converged at the heart of the room, the tension was palpable, each step measured, each breath calculated.

The standoff was brief. With a swift motion, Nathan armed himself with his trusty knife and the last of his wooden spears, adopting a stance that spoke of readiness and defiance. The hobgoblin, mirroring his actions, unsheathed a short sword, its blade gleaming with a menacing promise.

They stood there, barely ten feet apart, two warriors caught in a dance as old as time itself. The air was thick with anticipation, the only sounds the subtle shuffling of feet on stone and the distant drip of water echoing through the cavern. This was it—the culmination of all the trials, a final test of skill, wit, and will. Nathan knew the next moments would define his fate within the Nexus.

Nathan and the hobgoblin faced off, their stances firm, their gazes interlocked in a silent challenge. In a sudden blur of motion, they lunged towards each other, the gap between them swiftly closing. With a deft one-handed thrust, Nathan drove his spear forward, only to be deflected by the swift arc of the hobgoblin’s blade. The creature’s counter left its defenses momentarily exposed—a fatal mistake. Seizing the opportunity, Nathan discarded his spear and retrieved a 12-inch sharpened stick from his arsenal. In one fluid motion, he plunged his knife deep into the hobgoblin’s throat and drove the pointed stick into its eye with unrelenting force. As Nathan withdrew the blade, the stick remained—a grim token of his victory. The hobgoblin reeled, its body rigid with shock, then toppled as Nathan gave a final push. With the battle ended, Nathan stood over his fallen foe, his breaths deep and measured, savoring the quiet after the storm.

After a brief respite, Nathan’s eyes flickered open to reveal a new message hovering in the air and a shimmering rift that split the very fabric of the room. With a swift motion, he scooped up the short sword lying at his feet, its blade catching the light as he executed a series of precise test swings. A nonchalant shrug followed as he relieved a fallen hobgoblin of its sheath, securing the weapon at his side.

His gaze then fell upon a smaller rift, a twin to the one he had encountered earlier. With a mixture of curiosity and boldness, Nathan plunged his hand into the void, retrieving a box that was marginally larger than the last. A flick of his wrist, and the box vanished into his mystical storage.

With the path forward clear and no reason to tarry, Nathan stepped confidently through the exit rift, ready to face whatever lay beyond.