The morning sun shone brightly as Alexander stepped out of the inn, feeling invigorated and ready for the day ahead. The village was quiet, as he was the only participant in his instance of the tutorial. His destination was the Mission Hall, a place where he could choose his next task and continue progressing through the tutorial.
The Mission Hall was an imposing building at the center of the village, with large wooden doors and a sign that read "Mission Hall" in bold letters. As Alexander entered, he was greeted by the sight of numerous bulletin boards filled with various missions and challenges. It was strange seeing the hall empty, knowing that each participant was in their own isolated version of the tutorial.
An attendant, a middle-aged man with a friendly demeanor, approached Alexander. "Welcome to the Mission Hall. How can I assist you today?"
"I'm looking to take on a mission," Alexander replied. "Something that can help me improve and progress further in the tutorial."
The attendant nodded. "We have a wide range of missions available, each designed to test different aspects of your abilities. Let me show you the categories."
He led Alexander to a large board divided into sections, each labeled with a different type of challenge: combat, endurance, skill development, and more. Alexander's eyes were drawn to the section labeled "Endurance."
"This category focuses on testing your physical and mental resilience," the attendant explained. "One of the common challenges in this category is the Pain Tolerance test. It's a good starting point to build your endurance and mental fortitude."
Alexander considered the options. The Pain Tolerance test intrigued him. It aligned with his grandfather's teachings about mastering one's body and mind, and it seemed like a fundamental skill to develop for future, more difficult challenges.
"I'll take the Pain Tolerance test," Alexander decided.
The attendant nodded and handed him a scroll. "Very well. Here's the mission details. Once you're ready, activate the scroll, and it will transport you to the challenge zone. Good luck."
Before leaving, Alexander had a question. "Could you explain how skill development works? Specifically, how the levels are structured?"
"Of course," the attendant replied. "Skills are divided into levels based on proficiency. Here's a quick breakdown:
* Novice: Levels 1 to 10
* Initiate: Levels 11 to 25
* Apprentice: Levels 26 to 50
* Adept: Levels 51 to 75
* Expert: Levels 76 to 90
* Master: Levels 91 to 100
As you progress through the levels, your skills become more refined and effective. Completing challenges and practicing your skills will help you level up."
"Thank you. That helps a lot," Alexander said, feeling more informed and ready to take on the challenge.
He found a quiet corner to read the scroll. The mission details were clear: he would be transported to a zone covered by a pain-inducing fog, and his task was to endure the pain for as long as possible. The maximum allotted time was eight hours, and the reward would depend on how long he managed to stay.
With a deep breath, Alexander activated the scroll. In an instant, he was transported to a different place. The environment around him was surreal, with thick, swirling fog that seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy. The air was heavy, and a sense of foreboding filled him.
The moment he stepped into the fog, a searing pain coursed through his body. It was as if his nerves were being set on fire. Alexander gritted his teeth, the intensity of the pain nearly overwhelming. He forced himself to take deep, steady breaths, focusing on controlling his reaction.
"This is what I chose," he reminded himself. "This is part of the journey. I can handle this."
Minutes felt like hours as he stood there, enduring the unrelenting agony. He tried to distract himself by thinking about his grandfather's teachings, recalling the countless hours spent training and the lessons about resilience and mental strength.
"Pain is temporary," his grandfather used to say. "It's a test of your willpower. Master your mind, and you master the pain."
Alexander repeated these words like a mantra, using them to anchor his thoughts and push through the suffering. He visualized his mana flowing through his body, imagining it as a soothing balm that could counteract the pain. It was a mental exercise, but it helped him focus.
"Will you let some pain stop you?!" he mentally shouted at himself. The pain felt unlike anything he had experienced during physical exercises like planking. It was a burning and freezing sensation simultaneously, with the added torment of feeling as though acid was eating away at his skin. It was an all-encompassing agony, demanding every ounce of his mental fortitude to withstand.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Alexander's lips trembled as he bit down on them, trying to divert his mind from the agony. Tears streamed down his face, but he refused to give in. "I can't stop. I won't be powerless again," he told himself, reaching deep within to find the strength to continue. Each second felt like a victory, each minute an eternity.
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 1."
The system prompt brought a small sense of relief. He was making progress, and that motivated him to continue. The pain was still intense, but he felt a subtle shift in how his body and mind processed it. It was as if he was building a shield against the agony, layer by layer.
Time dragged on, each minute a battle against the urge to give up. Alexander's thoughts drifted to his purpose, to survive and more importantly thrive in this new environment. The weight of that desire fueled his determination. He couldn't afford to fail. This was a step towards mastering his body, which is essential to a martial artist.
Hours passed in a haze of pain and focused breathing. Alexander's body trembled, sweat and tears pouring down his face. The fog seemed to press in on him, amplifying every sensation. Yet, he held on, his willpower unyielding.
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 2."
The notifications were small victories, each one a testament to his endurance. He found a rhythm, a way to manage the pain by cycling through deep breaths, mental mantras, and visualizations of his mana flowing through him. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to keep him going.
As the hours ticked by, Alexander felt a strange clarity amidst the suffering. The pain was no longer a consuming force but a background noise, something he could acknowledge without letting it control him. It was a profound realization, one that gave him strength.
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 3."
By the seventh hour, Alexander was exhausted. His body was on the verge of collapse, but his mind remained sharp, driven by the desire to succeed. He thought about his grandfather, about the legacy he wanted to honor. He thought about the multiverse and the battle against the Outer Beings. Every thought reinforced his resolve. I can’t afford to fail! I NEED to succeed!
In the final hour, the pain seemed to reach a peak. It was as if the fog was determined to break him. Alexander's vision blurred, and he felt himself wavering. But he refused to give in. He summoned every ounce of willpower, focusing on the thought that he could endure just a little longer.
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 4."
Memories of his grandfather's dojo flooded his mind. The intense training sessions, the grueling exercises, and the wisdom imparted during moments of rest. He remembered his grandfather's stern but kind eyes, always pushing him to go beyond his limits, to find strength in adversity.
"Pain is your teacher, Alex. Embrace it, learn from it, and you will emerge stronger," his grandfather had said during one particularly tough session.
Alexander clung to these memories, using them to fuel his determination. The dojo had been a sanctuary, a place where he learned to channel his energy and hone his skills. It was where he discovered the power of discipline and the strength of willpower. The pain he endured now was another lesson, another step on his path to mastery.
As the final minutes ticked away, Alexander felt a sense of triumph. He had endured the maximum allotted time, proving to himself that he had the strength and determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Ha, stay hard!
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 5."
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 6."
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 7."
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 8."
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 9."
"Congratulations! You have increased your Pain Tolerance skill to Level 10."
When the eighth hour finally ended, the fog lifted, and Alexander collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The pain receded, leaving him drained but triumphant. A system prompt appeared before him:
Achievement earned: Perfect Endurance
You are among the first few in the tutorial to achieve a perfect rating in a common challenge.
Reward: 10 Tutorial Points and a Bronze Medal of Endurance.
Alexander smiled weakly, the sense of accomplishment washing over him. He had done it. He had endured the maximum allotted time, proving to himself that he had the strength and determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The Bronze Medal of Endurance appeared in his hand, a tangible symbol of his achievement. He examined it, feeling a deep sense of pride.
Bronze Medal of Endurance: When worn, Endurance +2
This was only the beginning, but it was a significant step forward.
As he was transported back to the village, Alexander's thoughts turned to the future. He had unlocked a new skill and achieved an important milestone. More importantly, he had proven to himself that he could endure and overcome. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he felt more prepared than ever.
Back in the village, he made his way to the inn, his body still aching but his spirit renewed. Marta greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome back, dear. You look like you've been through quite the ordeal."
"You could say that," Alexander replied with a tired smile. "But it was worth it."
"That's the spirit, hun. Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve great things," Marta said, patting him on the shoulder.
As he headed up to his room to rest, each step felt heavier than the last. His eyes were blurry and his mind felt foggy. Lying in bed, he laughed quietly to himself. "I hope I never become a masochist," he murmured, a smile lingering on his lips as he drifted into a well-deserved sleep.