Chapter 21
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Chapter 21
A small boy, no older than ten, sat perched on the upper bunk of a metallic bed. His slight frame looked frail, with bruises and scratches marring his pale skin. Yet there was something defiant in his posture—a spark of determination that refused to die despite the weight of his circumstances.
The boy's focus was unwavering as he scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper. His small hands trembled slightly, whether from exhaustion or frustration, he wasn't sure. The room was cold, silent except for the faint hum of machinery outside the dorm walls, but he paid it no mind.
Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
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[DING! Criteria Met.]
[Host has unlocked Intelligence.]
The glowing system screen popped up in front of me, its soft light illuminating the dim room. I froze, my mind taking a second to process the words. Then it hit me.
"Finally!" I whispered, a grin spreading across my face. The excitement bubbling inside me was almost foreign, a rare flicker of hope amidst the bleak monotony of my life.
I couldn't help but bounce lightly on the bed, my fingers itching to explore this newfound upgrade. Intelligence! It wasn't just another statistic—it was a lifeline, a tool that could help me survive this place.
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A month had passed since Dr. Four Eyes had ramped up the experiments. The man had always been meticulous, but now his approach bordered on obsessive. Each trial pushed me further, testing the limits of my endurance, my strength, and even my sanity.
My body bore the brunt of it all—bruises, cuts, aching muscles that never seemed to heal completely. The healing potion they used had grown less effective over time, now working at only 30% of its original potency.
But I wasn't the only one subjected to this torment. Whispers among the test subjects spoke of a new goal: immortality. The experiments were no longer about simple enhancements. They sought perfection—a way to cheat death itself.
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Today was supposed to be a rest day, a rare reprieve from the daily trials. My body was battered, my muscles screaming for relief, but rest wasn't as sweet as it sounded.
Dr. Four Eyes had introduced something new into my regimen—a thick, translucent liquid dispensed in an eyedropper. Which i have to consume every day.At first, it was just one drop a day. Then two. Now three.
The effects were immediate and brutal. My stomach churned constantly, a storm of nausea and cramps that left me doubled over more often than not. And the diarrhea... let's just say I had practically moved into the dormitory toilet...
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Sitting there now, clutching my stomach, I glared at the tiled wall in frustration.
"What the hell is he giving me?" I muttered under my breath.
It wasn't the first time I'd asked that question. I'd confronted Dr. Four Eyes directly once, demanding an explanation.
He'd simply smiled, his calm demeanor infuriating. "You'll find out when the time is right," he'd said.
Right. Like that was supposed to comfort me.
Still, I couldn't deny the changes I'd noticed. My body seemed to be adapting, albeit slowly. I now only had to rush to the toilet three times a day instead of six—a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
I should be proud.....proud my ass.
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Despite the hellish experiments, there were silver linings. My strength had increased again, now at 3.6, and my agility had improved significantly. Killing bugs in the dormitory still provided minor boosts, though the gains had diminished over time.
But survival wasn't enough anymore. I needed to escape. The system was my only ally, and I intended to use every advantage it gave me to get out of this place.
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The dining hall was as chaotic as ever, a cacophony of clinking trays and murmured conversations. I carried my bowl of nutrient-packed slop, heading to my usual spot on the left side of the canteen where Blondie waited.
Blondie was one of the few kids I could tolerate in this place. His bright hair and cheerful demeanor stood out in stark contrast to the grim surroundings.
As I walked, a familiar sensation prickled at the back of my neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it—a foot, casually stretched out in my path.
This wasn't the first time.
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The first time it happened, I'd been too exhausted to react, tripping and landing face-first in the mess. The memory still burned, the laughter of the other kids echoing in my mind.
Since then, I'd learned to dodge these petty tricks, ignoring the sneers and snickers that followed me. But today... today felt different.
I saw the foot and let myself stumble, loosening my grip on the bowl just enough. The contents flew through the air, landing squarely on the boy who had tripped me.
The room went silent.
The boy's face turned red with anger as he lunged at me, his fist raised.
But he never connected.
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His body seized up, freezing mid-motion. His eyes widened in shock as the tattoo on his wrist glowed faintly—a fail-safe designed to prevent violence.
I smirked, the satisfaction bubbling inside me. Revenge had never tasted so sweet.
Blondie rushed over, his face a mixture of concern and admiration. "That was amazing!" he said, helping me to my feet. "You gave him a taste of his own medicine."
I nodded coolly, brushing off my clothes. "It was nothing," I said, though my heart was still racing with exhilaration.
Without sparing the paralyzed boy another glance, I grabbed a fresh bowl of food and joined Blondie at the table.
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Even as I ate, questions lingered in my mind.
Why were they targeting me? Was it because I was Dr. Four Eyes' personal test subject? Or was there something else—something I hadn't yet uncovered?
Blondie's voice broke through my thoughts. "Hey," he said, leaning closer. "Why do you think they keep messing with you?"
I shrugged, keeping my tone casual. "Jealousy, maybe. Or boredom."
But the truth was, I didn't know. And that uncertainty gnawed at me.
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The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. Back in the dormitory, I lay on the upper bunk, staring at the ceiling. In the time period my resistance to the sleeping drug in the food had also increased taking effect later then usual. It was still early and I wasn't sleepy.
The system screen hovered in the corner of my vision, a constant reminder of the progress I'd made. Strength: 3.6. Agility: 3.2. Intelligence: 0
It wasn't much, but it was something.
I clenched my fists, determination coursing through me. I would escape this place. I didn't know how or when, but I would.
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End of Chapter 21