Testing

Silence surrounds me as I contemplate my decision.

I have two obvious selections to accompany me on my journey, but if I bring them both back, I'll lose all of the perks that have helped me up until this point.

'If for some reason they are killed after I spend all of my perks…' There would be no second chances. If I resurrect them both with me we'll have to be even more careful. Who knows how long it will take to get new abilities as a safety net.

Eventually, it all boils down to a single factor—their memory.

If I were to select Ali, and she remembered the last cycle… How pissed would she be that I didn't come to her? On the other hand, this would be the perfect time to bring Jackie to my side.

"I want to exchange Increased Volume, Swiftness, and Tenacity to bind Jackie's soul to mine," I confidently speak into the void, not knowing what to expect.

It is a shame to have to exchange the perks, but I'm not concerned. I'm unsure of how I can use increased volume to benefit me. Swiftness, on the other hand, is such a mild increase that it is nearly unnoticeable.

My only regret is losing Tenacity.

I did not have a chance to test the ability, and it seems too vague to be valuable, but is it really worth it?

Uneasiness begins to wash through me after making my choice.

"Imagine the individual clearly in your mind," softly spoken instructions, completely different than the mysterious voice, reached me.

A cold sensation washes through my soul before an intense burning replaces it. My senses flicker for a moment, causing even the void to disappear before everything swiftly returns to its normal state.

'A second voice?' I refocus my eyes and concentrate on my surroundings, "How do I know if it worked?"

At first, I don't notice any change in myself or my surroundings. It isn't until I glance back at the floating screen that I notice it had lightened in color, shifting back toward a blueish-gray rather than the deep black it took.

The words on the screen seem to vibrate and blur as I attempt to focus on them.

[Please Select Your Perks For Resurrection]

[Decreased Volume] - Snap fingers 10x reduction

Congratulations, you've unlocked new perks!

[Addictive Touch] - You have successfully performed intercourse! This perk will guarantee a positive feeling toward you from anyone you've slept with in previous cycles. Be warned, it is not a miracle and won't change a personality!

[Vital Strike: Blades] - You have a habit of targeting your opponent's weak spot rather than winning a battle of attrition. With this perk active, your bladed weapons will have increased durability and destructiveness whenever targeting a vital area.

——

Companions: Jacquelyn Woodard

The change is sudden as Tenacity, Swiftness, and Increased Volume shatter as if they were made of glass, disappearing only to be replaced with a single new line.

'Jacquelyn Woodard? No wonder she goes by Jackie…' A chuckle escapes my lips as the board brightens before me.

I contemplate taking Addictive Touch but ultimately realize it would be pointless. It was definitely a powerful perk and would benefit me in the future, but right now, it was unnecessary. I'll have to meet more women before it can truly shine.

Confirming my decision, I concentrate deeply on Decreased Volume and Vital Strike.

Blinking a few times to adjust to my surroundings, I quickly jump up, activate my decreased volume, and begin to gather my supplies. I've grown accustomed to my bat and knife combination, and knowing that Jackie has a safe place, I don't bother with the annoyance at my door.

In a short while, I already find myself silently descending the ladder into the alley.

Memories of the disgusting slug creature I faced fill my mind as I am very deliberate in my hand placements. I may have gotten stronger, but I'd prefer to test out my ability before I commit to anything.

Standing before the dormant being, I grip my ivory-handled knife tight. It isn't as comfortable or as sharp as the corded knife that I would receive soon, but it has done the job before.

With a quick strike, I slam the tip of my blade into the temple of my prey. Confident the strike will kill it, my hand doesn't hesitate at all, driving forward with all of my strength. The only thing I'm unsure of is how much my new perk will benefit my attacks.

As the knife begins to pierce the flesh of the monster, surprise overtakes me.

There is no resistance to the blade as it is quickly driven into the head to the hilt. Surprised by the ease of my attack, my aim shifts, causing the me to push the blade through the creature's forehead.

The putrid blood of the monster pours from the wound, covering its owner in its own stench.

"What the hell was that?" I can't help but exclaim as I observe the wound. I had sliced the creature's scalp halfway off!

I wipe the blade off on an old newspaper and inspect it closely. No matter how I look, it seems to be in perfect condition. The tip didn't even receive any damage like it did in the past.

'Is the perk so strong?' Curious, I grip the smooth handle once again as I prepare to experiment.

My strike meets instant resistance as I stab the stomach of the corpse in front of me. Eventually, it pierces the flesh, and blood oozes from the wound as I attempt to slice the opening larger, to no avail.

"Maybe because it's dead? Does a corpse even have a vital spot?" I mutter to myself as I withdraw the blade.

A swift slash at the head is all it takes to lop off the remaining portion of the scalp, which falls to the ground accompanied by a fountain of blood and half a slug. The perk definitely activates, even if it is a corpse.

To be sure, I spend a few more minutes attacking the lifeless body. The heart, the lungs, nothing seems to matter. I even slice at the chin, only for my attack to rebound off of it in my hands.

'Well, I think I understand how it works…' confirming the limits of my power raises my confidence to face future threats.

I inspect my surroundings, ensuring everything is as it was during previous iterations. Happy with my outcome, I clean my blade off once more. The disgusting pool of blood continues to spread as pieces of the monster's skull litter the alley.

"Now, let's go speak with Garret."