Arriving at the shop, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the sight. The building was run-down, and the wooden sign that said ‘Tom’s Alchemy shop’ was barely hanging atop the door.
Opening the door, I feel a pungent smell hit my nose and I recoil in disgust, but I hold the puke within. Entering the shop, I am met with a similar sight to the outside. Everything is run-down. The shelves containing potions are barely holding themselves up.
The potions themselves seem fine, and when I picked one up and inspected it closer, I couldn’t help but be amazed, the potion was of extremely high quality. Carefully putting the potion back to its original location, I walked up towards the reception, only to find it empty.
Ringing the small bell that was atop the desk, I hear a voice coming from the door behind the reception. “Hold on a sec’” I heed the voice and stand there.
After a good five minutes, an old man finally emerges. His hair is disheveled, and his beard is unkempt. But as I meet his gaze, unlike what I had originally thought, his eyes are not filled with madness, no, they are filled with intelligence and wisdom.
“Hello there young man, are you a customer or from the bounty guild?” He asks with an inquisitive tone. “The latter. I’m here to be tested upon.” I respond in a neutral tone.
The man smiles and tells me to follow him into the backroom. “You’re quite young, are you sure you want to do this? You’ll most likely die.” The man showed no hint of trying to be deceptive. It even seemed as though he tried to make me change my mind. “I won’t change my mind. I’ll believe in your skills.”
The man simply laughed at my response. After walking through a couple hallways, we finally arrived at a door that wasn’t rundown unlike the other things within the building. “Go inside and wait, I’ll be back in a jiffy!” After saying that, he walked away.
Opening the door, I entered.
Within was a fully sanitized room, the walls, the floor, even the furniture within were all white and squeaky clean. Feeling a little unnerved I, I carefully sat down on one of the chairs within and waited.
The old man had been quite suspicious, and this room did not help fixing that, rather, my suspicions rose even more. As I was contemplating on whether I should leave or not, I heard a click from the door. Feeling suspicious, I quickly stood up from the chair and walked towards the door. However, as soon as I stood up, I was hit by a sudden headache.
With the pain came a sudden loss of balance, falling to my knees, I clutched my head, trying to endure the pain. But it was to no avail, darkness quickly consumed me…
…
As I regained my consciousness, I tried to move, but I quickly found that I was stuck in restraints. Opening my eyes, I was met by a terrifying realization.
I was bound on a table of sorts, my legs, arms and even my head were all restrained, no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get out. As I was struggling, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“Your struggling is pointless. Even a Five-Star warrior would find it difficult to escape those restraints.” Looking towards the source of the voice, I saw the alchemist. I quickly opened my mouth to voice my opinion, yet, to my horror, I found that I couldn’t speak.
“Hoho, my apologies young man, but due to previous test subjects always yelling insults, I came up with a simple solution. That being, well, removing the tongue.” Upon hearing his words, I quickly realized that my tongue was missing.
I hadn’t realized it until now due to being distracted. Knowing that I couldn’t use my voice, I simply stared daggers at the man, knowing that my death was inevitable.
“Don’t be like that, you signed up for this. Now, shall we begin?” Walking up to me, he pulled out a vial containing a mixture that was pure black. “Now, will you force me to pry your mouth open or will you open it yourself?”
In response to his question, I opened my mouth and let him pour the liquid down my throat. There was no use in resisting, as it would only irritate the mad man.
As the liquid went through my mouth and down my throat, the alchemist started talking.
“This is an experimental potion that I have been working on for a while now. There are hundreds of materials, but if my calculations are correct, this will permanently increase your regenerative abilities.” As the man finished his sentence, I could feel the mixture affecting my body.
At first, a lukewarm feeling filled my body, as though I was in a bath. Yet, the warmth gradually increased and after a minute or so, it was no longer a gentle one, no, it was a painful one. It felt as though my whole body was burning. As though my whole body was submerged in flames.
The terrifying pain filled my mind and I found myself losing consciousness.
The next hour was filled with pain, every time I lost consciousness, I would wake up just a couple seconds after. This repeated too many times to count, but finally, the pain subsided, and was replaced by a burning cold.
It was painful, yet bearable. Finally opening my eyes after what felt like an eternity, I was met by the smiling alchemist. “I see you’ve survived. I’d call that a success!”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh? It seems that your tongue has regenerated. No matter.” As he said that, he pried my mouth open, and I was suddenly met by pain. After he removed my tongue, I suddenly felt a burning sensation within my mouth. I could feel my tongue regenerating extremely quickly.
I was stunned. Looking towards the old man who had his back turned to me at this point. To my amazement, my tongue had regenerated in just two seconds! No longer feeling pissed off, I once again opened my mouth.
“Could you let me go now?” The alchemist who had been lost in his own world suddenly froze stiff. He turned around and met my gaze. “Now, that’s quite the regenerative ability, hmm, yeah, no. Not yet, we have a couple more experiments to run before I let you go.”
After finishing his sentence, he once again went back to his work, lost in his own world.
I was pretty sure that he’d either kill me after doing a couple more experiments or He’ll turn my into a lab rat. So, I once again did my best to escape, I struggled against the metal restraints.
Yet, no matter how I tried, I couldn’t break them. The only result I got from struggling was my left wrist breaking. The sound I was making had apparently snapped the alchemist back to reality, because he was now standing above me, holding a vial containing a red mixture.
“Now, stop struggling and swallow this.” I didn’t even get the time to struggle before he pried my mouth open and forced the liquid down my throat. As the mixture entered my stomach, I could feel my channels fill with power.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Closing my eyes, I inspected my meridians. To my horror, they were expanding and contracting at a terrifying speed, I had never seen this before. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” I screamed at the alchemist who was writing down notes.
“Hmm? Oh, this mixture is supposed to enhance your meridians, making them stronger and wider, allowing you to cultivate much easier. Normally, this mixture will result in the subject dying a gruesome death, however, with the earlier mixture that is boosting your regenerative abilities, the result might be different.”
“YOU MADMAN!!” I couldn’t help but scream at the alchemist.
“There is no need for insults young man.” The man somehow sounded offended.
As my meridians were expanding and contracting, I kept observing. My inner qi was going berserk, attacking my meridians, resulting in extreme damage to my body. I could feel my bones cracking and my flesh burn. But it seemed as though the regenerative potion from earlier was saving me.
As quickly as my body was damaged, it would heal. The same went for my meridians. As they were cracking and getting destroyed, they would heal and become more durable.
The process went on for what felt like ages, but everything slowly calmed down and went back to normal. To my elation however, when I channeled my energy through my meridians, I found it much easier.
It felt as thought floodgates had opened. Before, when I channeled my qi, it would feel as though I was moving through mud. Now, however, it felt as thought I was swimming through water.
My strength also jumped a tier and a half, resulting in me reaching Peak Two-Star. I was on the cusp of becoming a Three-Star warrior! My happiness was short lived however, as the alchemist once again pried my mouth open and made me swallow a green-brown mixture.
My world was once again filled with pain. This time however, I didn’t wake up.
“oii! Stop spacing out while I’m talking to you!” I suddenly hear Elise’s voice and I open my eyes.
Looking around, I realize that I am once again back to square one. But just I am filled with fury, I see a holographic display appear.
___
Name: Jack Krileton.
Age: 24
Rank: Peak Two-Star.
Body: [F] – Mind: [F+] – Soul: [F+] – Energy: [F]
Title(s): Time-Looper, He Who Experienced Death.
Skills: [Heightened Regeneration Lv6 (T1 - Epic)] – [Pain Tolerance Lv24 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Poison Tolerance Lv6 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Writing Lv16 (T1 - Common)] – [Reading Lv14 (T1 - Common)] – [Dagger Mastery Lv5 (T1 - Common)] – [Sneak Lv9 (T1 - Common)]
___
Had I finally gained a status? I had been in this world for a whole twenty-four years, yet the system only acknowledges me now? After all these years?
Normally one would get their status at the age of 7, yet I only got mine now. But it was a good thing. I was now able to see my own status.
Closing the status, I look at the fuming Elise and, ignoring her rage, I speak.
“I’ve changed my mind. Give me the Bounty book.” Shock flashes on Elise’s face, but she quickly gives me the book. Quickly look through the book, I finally find the bounty I’m looking for.
Mission Rank: E – D
Bounty: 5 Silver Coins.
Target: Goblins x50
Location: Lofest – Forest Of Green.
Estimated Strength: One-Star.
Description: Goblins up in the Forest of green have been harassing nearby villages. At the time of the last report, there was an estimate of 50 goblins within. But due to the goblins enhanced breeding capabilities and growth, the number might be much higher.
Requester: The Bounty-Hunter Guild.
With my increase in strength, the bounty was no longer an impossible task, so it was worth taking it. “I’ll take this one.” Elise looks at where I’m pointing my finger and nods. “Okay but be careful. With the goblins ability to procreate this won’t be easy.” I nod in response and leave the tavern.
On my way towards Lofest, the Forest Of Green I inspect my status once more.
___
Name: Jack Krileton.
Age: 24
Rank: Peak Two-Star.
Body: [F] – Mind: [F+] – Soul: [F+] – Energy: [F]
Title(s): Time-Looper, He Who Experienced Death.
Skills: [Heightened Regeneration Lv6 (T1 - Pseudo-Epic)] – [Pain Tolerance Lv24 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Poison Tolerance Lv6 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Writing Lv16 (T1 - Common)] – [Reading Lv14 (T1 - Common)] – [Dagger Mastery Lv5 (T1 - Common)] – [Sneak Lv9 (T1 - Common)]
___
The [Heightened Regeneration Lv6 (Pseudo-Epic)] and [Poison Tolerance Lv6 (Uncommon)] Confirmed for me that I carry skills through death, and the realization of this made me extremely giddy.
I couldn’t help but imagine the power I would have in the future.
“Ah, I could’ve just taken a carriage..” It was only after leaving town that I realized that I could’ve paid for a carriage rather than walk all the way. “oh well” Quickly overcoming my own stupidity, I followed the road towards Lofest.
…
It took two hours of walking, but here I was, standing in front of the Lofest, the forest of green. Unlike what one might think, the forest was not named green due to the trees, no, the forest was named “The forest of green” Due to it being the breeding ground to many different goblinoids.
The forest had four regions, The outer region, which was the home to goblins, green slime, wolves, deer, and the occasional hobgoblin. Next was the middle region, this part of the forest was mostly filled with hobgoblins, ogres, and the occasional troll. There were also mammals such as the Deeri (Evolved version of a deer.) Red bears, and dire wolves.
Within the inner region of the forest is where the most dangerous creatures lived. Not many have been there, but according to reports, there were Trolls, Ogres, and Minotaurs. Most of these creatures were beyond strong.
The only keeping them from leaving Lofest, the forest of green. Was the creature within the last region, the core region. It’s unknown what kind of lifeform is keeping all these strong creatures from wreaking havoc, but many speculate that it could be an Earth dragon.
Earth Dragons, aka Green dragons were known to be peaceful beings. They never sought fights and were known to be extremely loving of nature. According to a book I read many years ago, the only reported case of a Green dragon being violent was four hundred years ago.
According to the book, dwarves who had been expanding their territory, had cut down thousands of trees and even burned down forests in order to make more place for homes. This had resulted in the Green dragon becoming furious.
It was said that the dragon went on a killing spree, mercilessly burning down their whole civilization. Only after a month of ruthlessly slaughtering the dwarves had it calmed down and went back to its territory.
Due to this incident, dwarves were close to extinction, so in order to prevent this from ever happening again, the royals that had survived the onslaught made a law against encroaching into the territory of the dragon. Any that was found to be violating this law was ordered to be executed on the spot.
..
Doing some small stretches, I opened my status once more.
Name: Jack Krileton.
Age: 24
Rank: Peak Two-Star.
Body: [F] – Mind: [F+] – Soul: [F+] – Energy: [F]
Title(s): Time-Looper, He Who Experienced Death.
Skills: [Heightened Regeneration Lv6 (T1 - Pseudo-Epic)] – [Pain Tolerance Lv24 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Poison Tolerance Lv6 (T1 - Uncommon)] – [Writing Lv16 (T1 - Common)] – [Reading Lv14 (T1 - Common)] – [Dagger Mastery Lv5 (T1 - Common)] – [Sneak Lv9 (T1 - Common)]
I couldn’t help but smile, the fact that I now had a status was exhilarating. The only part that bothered me was that I had not gained it until I died due to the alchemist. I wasn’t sure how they were related, but that was for future me to worry about. Because it was time to enter the forest.
As I entered the forest, I couldn’t help but appreciate the scenery. The birds were chirping, butterflies were everywhere. Walking up to one of the trees, I couldn’t help but be shocked. The tree was extremely thick, it would require five people stretching their arms to surround it.
Drawing my dagger, I tried and failed to cut off a piece of the wood, the Dark green bark was extremely tough. If I had to guess, it would take a Five-Star warrior to even damage it! Having filled my curiosity, I continued my trek through the forest.