NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Jessica
The training under the waterfall had become a ritual, a grueling test of endurance and focus. For seven days straight, I stood beneath the crushing weight of the cascading water, my body trembling under its relentless force. The roar of the waterfall drowned out all other sounds, creating a cocoon of noise that forced me to turn inward, to rely on my cultivation to maintain my balance and sanity. My muscles burned, my bones ached, and my mind teetered on the edge of exhaustion, but I refused to give in. I had come too far to falter now.
The silence of the pleasure system was almost as oppressive as the waterfall. It had been weeks since it last sent me a quest or task, and its absence left me feeling unmoored. The system had been my guide, and without its mechanical voice, I felt adrift. I needed its guidance, for the structure it provided, but it remained stubbornly silent.
Old man Jakens, my enigmatic mentor, observed me with his usual stoic expression. His sharp, calculating eyes seemed to pierce through the veil of my exhaustion, assessing my progress with a critical gaze. He rarely spoke during these sessions, but when he did, his words carried the weight of centuries of wisdom. Today, however, he decided to change things up.
"Enough of this," he said abruptly, his voice cutting through the din of the waterfall. "You've proven you can endure. Now, let's see what you're truly capable of."
I blinked at him, water streaming down my face. "What do you mean?"
"We're going to spar," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I want to see how far your potential stretches."
My heart quickened at the prospect. Sparring with Jakens was no ordinary exercise. He was an Apex Time Cultivator, a being whose mastery over time was unparalleled. Even the S-rank heroes from my former life would have been nothing more than ants beneath his feet. The thought of facing him was both exhilarating and terrifying.
We moved to a clearing nearby, the ground soft from recent rain. Jakens stood across from me, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He didn't need to prepare; he was always ready. I, on the other hand, felt the weight of my inexperience pressing down on me. Still, I steadied my breathing and summoned my cultivation energy, letting it flow through my veins like a soothing balm.
The spar began without warning. One moment, Jakens was standing still and the next, he was a blur of motion. His speed was incomprehensible, a result of his ability to manipulate time around him. I barely had time to react, my instincts kicking in as I dodged and parried his strikes. Each movement felt like a battle against the inevitable, as if time itself were conspiring against me.
"Sonny," he said suddenly, his voice calm despite the intensity of our exchange, "do you know why I can decipher what you're going to do next?"
I gritted my teeth, struggling to keep up. "No, why?"
"Because I can see five seconds into the future," he replied, his tone almost casual. "Time cultivation allows me to anticipate your every move."
Before I could process his words, he activated a technique I had never seen before. A time portal materialized in the air, its edges shimmering with a fierce crimson light. The moment it opened, the world around us seemed to freeze. The leaves on the trees stopped rustling, the birds in the sky hung motionless, and even the air felt heavy and stagnant.
Then, it began to heat up.
Sweat poured down my face as the temperature rose rapidly. My breath came in short, labored gasps, and my muscles screamed in protest. "Why is it getting so hot?" I managed to ask, my voice strained.
Jakens regarded me with a hint of amusement. "It's because you're still a weak time cultivator. Your body can't handle the strain of being in a time-altered space. When you improve, you won't even notice the heat."
I wanted to argue, to tell him that I was trying my best, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I focused on my healing cultivation, channeling its energy to keep myself from collapsing. The heat was unbearable, but I refused to give in.
Finally, after what felt like a millennia, Jakens released the technique. The time portal vanished, and the world returned to normal. I collapsed to my knees, my body trembling with exhaustion.
"From this," Jakens said, his voice carrying a note of approval, "you can see where you stand in your cultivation. You have potential, but there's much to improve. Focus on your speed, your endurance, and your ability to adapt. Only then will you be able to withstand the rigors of time cultivation."
He turned and began walking back to his house, leaving me to process his words. I stayed there for a while, my mind racing as I replayed the spar in my head. Jakens was right, I had a long way to go. But I was determined to get there, my revenge was too important to get there.
Eventually, I dragged myself to my feet and made my way to Jessica's house. She lived on the outskirts of the village, her home a modest but cozy place that reflected her personality. Jessica had always been kind to me, treating me with a warmth that felt almost familial. Her parents had passed away years ago, leaving her to fend for herself, but she had never let hardship dim her spirit.
When I arrived, she opened the door without hesitation, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. "You look terrible," she said with a laugh, stepping aside to let me in.
"Thanks," I muttered, too tired to come up with a witty retort.
The interior of her house was inviting, with soft lighting and the faint scent of herbs in the air. I collapsed onto the couch, my body sinking into the cushions. I wanted to take a bath, to wash away the grime and sweat, but my exhaustion won out. Within moments, I was asleep.
When I woke up, the room was bathed in the warm glow of the evening sun. Jessica was sitting nearby, dressed in a tight, skimpy outfit that left little to the imagination. She was engrossed in a TV show, her attention focused on the screen. On the table in front of me was a plate of food, curry and rice, with a side of sauce that smelled divine.
"Oh, thanks," I said, sitting up slowly. My body still ached, but the smell of the food was enough to rouse me.
Jessica glanced at me and smiled. "You looked like you needed it."
The food was as delicious as it smelled, the flavors blending together perfectly. I ate in silence, savoring each bite, while Jessica continued watching TV. When I was done, I cleaned up the dishes, not wanting to impose on her hospitality any more than I already had.
I returned to the sitting room and sat beside her. She looked at me, her eyes knowing, as if she could read my thoughts. For a moment, I considered acting on the tension between us, but I decided against it. Today had been exhausting, and I didn't have the energy for anything more. Instead, I laid my head on her lap, my body relaxing as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through my hair.
I stared up at her, taking in her features. Jessica was undeniably beautiful, with a long, elegant nose and piercing purple eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets. Her lips were a soft pink, their scent faintly sweet, like jelly. Her figure was hourglass-perfect, a fact that wasn't lost on me as I lay there. But it wasn't just her physical beauty that captivated me, it was the kindness and strength she exuded, the way she made me feel at ease even in the most chaotic moments.
As the evening deepened, I realized I didn't want to leave. The thought of returning to Jakens' house felt daunting, and Jessica's presence was a comforting balm to my weary soul. She seemed to sense my reluctance, because she didn't protest when I stayed. Instead, she let me rest my head on her lap, her touch gentle and reassuring.
Later, as the night grew darker, she allowed me a bit of self-service, her body responding to my touch as she moaned with a quiet intensity. The feel of her skin beneath my hands, the curve of her waist, the softness of her breasts, it was intoxicating. But more than that, it was the intimacy of the moment, the unspoken connection between us, that made it so special.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed me once more, and I drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep. As I lay there, my head resting on Jessica's lap, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't known in a long time. The road ahead was quite a rough one subject to my revenge but for now, in this quiet moment, I allowed myself to simply be.