Jennifer brushed her hands off and looked toward the horizon. The strange red sand stretched endlessly, the faint breeze giving it a rippling, almost liquid-like appearance. The gauntlets on her hands felt heavier now, though it was an oddly satisfying weight—a reminder of her recent fight. She flexed her fingers, small streaks of sticky goo still clinging to the tips, gleaming faintly under the alien sky.

She glanced up, taking in the expanse above. The sky was a muted purple, with streaks of gold threading through clouds that seemed to drift in slow motion. Two suns hung low on the horizon, their combined glow casting long, sharp shadows across the jagged landscape. A flock of translucent, jellyfish-like creatures floated high above, their tentacles trailing iridescent light. Jennifer couldn’t help but marvel at the surreal beauty of it all.

"Alright, lizard brain," she muttered to herself, pulling her gaze back to the ground. "Time to see what else is out there."

She moved deeper into the weird terrain, her boots crunching softly against the sand. The floating water bubbles she had seen earlier grew sparse, replaced by jagged rocks that jutted from the ground like the teeth of some enormous beast. She paused occasionally to examine the strange flora—a wiry plant with spindly, glowing leaves; a cluster of bulbous fungi that released a faint, metallic chime when the wind passed through them.

The air grew cooler the further she walked, and the faint hum she had noticed earlier became more pronounced. It wasn’t just a sound—it was a vibration, resonating through her bones and the gauntlets on her hands. She paused, kneeling to press her palm against the sand. The vibrations were stronger here, pulsing like a heartbeat.

She straightened and continued, her senses on high alert. Each step revealed new wonders: a shallow crater filled with liquid silver that reflected the sky like a mirror, and a cluster of crystalline structures that emitted soft, rhythmic flashes of light. She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of one crystal, feeling the warmth it radiated.

"This place is insane," she whispered, a mixture of awe and unease bubbling in her chest.

Despite the mesmerizing sights, there was an underlying tension in the air, as though the landscape itself was alive and watching her. She shook the thought away and pressed on, her boots now crunching against a mixture of sand and fine gravel. The faint breeze carried with it a metallic tang, sharp and unfamiliar.

She stopped again, this time at the top of a small dune. From here, she could see the terrain stretching out in all directions, each area marked by subtle but distinct changes in color and texture. To the east, a cluster of jagged spires loomed, their black surfaces glinting ominously. To the west, the red sand gave way to a shimmering blue expanse that seemed to ripple like water.

Jennifer stood there for a long moment, taking it all in. Her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Whatever this world was, it was nothing like she had ever imagined—and she had a feeling she was only scratching the surface of its mysteries.

After a while, Jennifer spotted movement ahead. She crouched instinctively, watching as a lizard-like creature crept out from behind a rock. Its skin shimmered faintly, like molten copper, and its sharp claws clicked against the stone as it moved. It wasn’t particularly large—about the size of a dog—but its sleek body and the glint of its claws made her wary.

Jennifer clenched her fists, focusing on the goo. She aimed her palm at the lizard, concentrating until the sticky substance began to ooze from her fingers. With a sharp hiss, it fired out, splattering against the creature’s side.

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The lizard let out a sharp hiss of its own, startled, before whipping its head toward her. Its slitted eyes locked on Jennifer as it let out a low growl.

"Uh-oh," she muttered, stepping back.

The lizard charged, its claws kicking up sand as it closed the distance. Jennifer fired more goo in a panic, trying to slow it down, but she felt a tug deep in her chest, like something was being drained.

The creature lunged, and Jennifer barely managed to sidestep. Its sharp claws raked across her neck, the impact glancing off the edge of her armor. She felt the sting of a shallow cut but didn’t have time to focus on it.

"That’s enough out of you!" she growled, grabbing hold of the lizard’s scaly body as it leaped again. They tumbled to the ground, Jennifer wrestling to keep its snapping jaws away from her face. She twisted her body, forcing the creature onto its back.

The sticky goo from her gauntlets seeped out again, pinning the lizard to the ground. It thrashed wildly, its claws slashing at the air. Jennifer planted her knees on either side of it and began pummeling.

Her fists struck hard against its tough hide, each punch rippling through her gauntlets. The lizard’s struggles grew weaker until it lay still, its chest heaving. Jennifer leaned in, pressing her hand against its side, feeling for the pulse she had sensed earlier.

It was there, faint but steady. She focused, pulling at the core until she felt it give. The lizard let out a final shudder, then went limp beneath her.

Jennifer collapsed onto her back, panting. Her energy felt drained, her limbs heavy, but that familiar warmth had begun building in her back again. She sat up slowly, feeling the heat spread through her body like a second heartbeat.

"Okay," she said, laughing breathlessly. "This... this is way better than being a cashier."

She jumped to her feet, testing her body. Despite the fatigue, she felt stronger, more alive. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she shadowboxed for a moment, laughing at the rush.

More coppery lizards scuttled into view, their scales glinting in the dim light. Jennifer’s eyes narrowed.

Jennifer’s fingers twitched, a strange, unfamiliar pull running through her arms. Without thinking, she flexed her hands, and a sharp pain shot through her fingertips. She gritted her teeth as jagged claws sprouted.

Mother fucker! That hurts.

She flexed her hand, testing them. At least the pain went away immediately.

A lizard darted toward her, snapping its jaws. She quickly swiped, her claws raking across its side, leaving deep cuts. The creature recoiled, but before she could fully prepare for the next strike, another came from her blind spot.

Without thinking, she retracted her claws, feeling them click back into her hands. She balled her fists and delivered a quick punch, the solid metal of the gauntlet crushing into the lizard’s skull. It was stunned.

She waved her other hand, cutting into the lizards throat with her claws.

Another lizard lunged, its teeth sinking into her side. Jennifer gasped, the pain flaring up as the creature bit down. In response, she swung her clawed arm around, gouging deep into its flesh before it released her.

She staggered back, clutching her side, blood seeping from the wound. With a quick breath, she forced herself to retract the claws once more and pull her gauntlet back on, though the damage to it was now unmistakable. Each switch—claws to gauntlets and back again—was growing harder as exhaustion set in, but she fought through it.

I can do this!

By the time she faced the last lizard, her body was already screaming in protest. The strain of constant movement, the pressure of the fight—it was all coming to a head.

She rested on the ground for a while. Taking in deep breaths.

Then her back burned fiercely, the energy building to an unbearable intensity. Her entire body glowed red for a moment, her muscles locking in place as the power surged through her.

When it passed, she fell forward, gasping for air. Her body felt different—lighter, stronger.

She stood, testing her movements. She felt faster, like her reflexes had doubled.

Jennifer reached back, touching the 'key of everything' beneath her shirt. It was larger now.

"Okay..."

So I feel pain when I get stronger? I never heard of that before.

She turned to the lizards she had defeated, pulling out a knife to take their heads. The process was gruesome and time-consuming, but she finished eventually, stuffing the heads into a bag.