NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: The grueling task
Keeping up that form hadn't been easy. The strain of maintaining the transformation magic was immense, and I could feel the toll it took on my body and mind. If it weren't for the system regulating the flow of energy, I would have collapsed long before reaching safety. The thought of what could have gone wrong sent a shiver down my spine, creating an alternate timeline or getting stuck in that form forever were risks I couldn't afford. Old man Jakens had warned me about the dangers of tampering with time and form, and for once, I was glad I had listened.
As soon as I reached a secluded spot, far from prying eyes, I released the magic. The transformation unraveled like a coiled spring, and I felt my body shift back to its natural state. The relief was immediate, but the exhaustion lingered. I slumped against a tree, catching my breath and reflecting on the experience.
"Damn, that was so tiring… but worth it," I murmured to myself, a faint smile tugging at my lips. My mind wandered back to the sensation of softness, the unexpected discovery of how delicate and comforting female breasts could be. It was a strange thought to linger on, but it brought a strange sense of satisfaction. I shook my head, trying to focus on the more pressing matters at hand.
The Pleasure System chimed in my mind, its voice crisp and mechanical.
[Ding! Congratulations! Task completed. Rewards accepted.]
I stared at the notification, still in disbelief. The idea of reclaiming the cultivations from my former life had seemed like a far-fetched dream, but here I was, with tangible proof that it was possible. Time magic truly was a force beyond comprehension, capable of bending reality to its will.
[Available Cultivations:
Healing Cultivation: Level 4
Time Cultivation: Level 7]
A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I recalled my past life. The demons who called themselves heroes had robbed me of so much, my potential, my dignity, my future. Their constant harassment and abuse had kept me from honing my healing cultivation, leaving me as nothing more than an average Joe. If only I had been given the chance to train properly, I could have achieved so much more.
I pushed those bitter memories aside and focused on the present. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. I realized with a start that I was almost late for my return to old man Jakens' house. He wasn't the type to make idle threats, if he said I'd sleep outside, he meant it. I broke into a sprint, my feet pounding against the dirt path as I raced against time.
Luckily, I arrived just as the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon. The old man was already asleep, his snores echoing through the small cabin. I crept inside as quietly as I could, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Not gonna work, sonny. Your footsteps are pretty loud," he muttered, still seemingly asleep.
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "What? My footsteps are loud?" I whispered, more to myself than to him.
"You'll understand what I mean when you meet an assassin or a ninja. They usually carry out their missions in the woods, so you're bound to see one someday," he replied, his voice drowsy but clear.
I frowned, puzzled by his words. Assassins? Ninjas? What did he mean by that? And why would I encounter them? Before I could ask, his snores resumed, signaling that the conversation was over.
"Probably just sleep-talking," I muttered, shaking my head. I made my way to my cot, my mind buzzing with thoughts of the day's events, the breast adventure, the new girl I had recruited, the cultivation I had reclaimed, and the time ability I was beginning to master. It had been an eventful day, to say the least. I wondered what tomorrow would bring.
---
The next morning, I was rudely awakened by a basin of cold water being dumped over my head. I shot up, gasping and shivering, to see old man Jakens standing over me with a smirk.
"Wake up, kid. We've got training to do," he said, his tone far too cheerful for the ungodly hour.
"Seriously, old man?" I groaned, wiping water from my face. "Couldn't you have just shaken me awake?"
"You said you wanted to be trained by me. Well, this is my method. Don't like it? You're free to leave," he replied, his expression unyielding.
I bit back a retort. As much as I hated his methods, I couldn't deny that he was the best and only person who could teach me what I needed to know. Grumbling under my breath, I got dressed and followed him to the nearby waterfall.
The sight of the cascading water was breathtaking, but the thought of standing beneath it sent a chill down my spine. The water was icy cold, even from a distance.
"Get into the base of the waterfall," Jakens instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"What? The water's freezing!" I protested.
"Exactly. You need to train your mind not to get distracted easily, and this is the easiest method. Unless, of course, you'd prefer something more… challenging," he said, raising an eyebrow.
I gritted my teeth and stepped into the water, the cold biting into my skin like a thousand needles. The force of the waterfall pounded against my shoulders, threatening to knock me off balance. I clenched my fists and focused on my breathing, determined to endure.
Hours passed, or at least it felt like hours. My body was numb, and my mind was foggy, but I refused to give up. Just as I was about to collapse, Jakens' voice broke through the haze.
"Oh, kid. You can get out now, unless you want to die in there. You shouldn't stay for more than three hours," he said casually.
"Three hours?! Why didn't you tell me that from the start? I've been here for four!" I shouted, stumbling out of the waterfall and collapsing onto the riverbank.
My vision blurred, and I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness. Before I could black out, a warm, soothing energy enveloped me. I opened my eyes to see Jessica kneeling beside me, her hands glowing with a soft, golden light.
"You're going to be okay," she murmured, her voice calm and reassuring. She lay down beside me, her body providing much-needed warmth. Her presence was comforting, but it also stirred something deeper within me.
Her breasts pressed against my chest, and I couldn't help but notice how soft they were. The sensation was intoxicating, and my thoughts began to wander. I reached up, my fingers brushing against her, and she let out a soft moan but didn't pull away. The line between comfort and desire blurred, and I found myself drifting off to sleep, my mind filled with conflicting emotions.
---
When I woke up, the sun was setting high in the sky, and Jakens was nowhere to be seen. Jessica was still beside me, her breathing slow and steady. I sat up, stretching my stiff muscles, and took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened.
The training was grueling, but I could feel myself growing stronger, both physically and mentally. The encounter with Jessica had added a new layer of complexity to my journey, and I wasn't sure how to navigate it. But one thing was certain: I was determined to see this through, no matter the challenges.
As I stood and prepared for the remaining day ahead, I couldn't help but smile. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but it was mine to walk. And with each step, I would grow closer to becoming the person I was meant to be.