With a slam of the door, Cassian entered his personal training room. He muttered under his breath, "Fuck," his anger from the previous interaction with Elisa exploding.
Her words, her accusations, and her tears—it all clawed at him. But what truly burned in his chest was the memory from the game: the scene where Elisa stood by Heaven's Child, the so-called protagonist, watching silently as Cassian sacrificed himself for their victory.
In her later story arc, she uncovered the truth of Cassian's dark past and shed tears of regret. But now, living as Cassian, that memory only made his stomach churn with anger.
"Arghhh, fuck it. Let's just get this over with," he growled, shaking his head to dispel the intrusive thoughts.
He took a moment to look around his private training chamber. The space was vast, its white walls gleaming under the artificial light. One side was lined with pristine training dummies, untouched and looking as new as the day they were placed there. Another side displayed a variety of weapons, each meticulously maintained.
Cassian took a deep breath to gather his thoughts before starting the first task in his quest routine: running.
His legs felt like lead, and his chest burned at just 100 meters. He gritted his teeth and sighed, "Ahh shit, this body sucks."
However, he continued. He persevered and finished the exhausting 10-kilometer run. By the end, he was out of breath and fell to the ground.
"Hah huh hah hah." He lay there for a while, allowing the fatigue to consume him.
Cassian stumbled toward the storage area, where potions were neatly arranged, and dragged himself to his feet. He took a gulp of stamina potion and grimaced slightly at the taste.
With renewed energy, he moved on to the next part of his training: sit-ups.
Silently, he counted one, two, three, forcing himself to finish the set.
Without even considering resource conservation, he snatched up another stamina potion after finishing.
"Everything I need is here." Wiping perspiration from his brow, he muttered, "Might as well make the most of it.
Next came push-ups.
He was able to handle the first ten, but then his arms started to shake.
He ignored the pain as his muscles screamed in protest, his resolve unwavering.
He muttered to himself, "I won't be weak." "Not as I used to be as Rion. Not like in the game as Cassian.
He reached for a rejuvenation potion and a stamina potion after completing the push-ups.
The pain went away as soon as he drank them, and his body felt renewed.
Meditation was the last exercise. Cassian closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing while sitting cross-legged on the ground. He centered himself and shut out the outside world for five minutes.
Then, the familiar notification rang in his mind.
[Ding~]
[Quest Completed]
[Reward: +2 all stats]
A wave of energy coursed through him, a brief but satisfying surge of strength.
"Status," he called out.
[Name: Cassian Evros Myrr
Age: 15
Race: Human
Level: None (Not awakened)
Bloodline: ??? (Not awakened)
Curses: Serpent's Embrace, ???, ???
Stats:
Strength: 5 + 2 = 7
Agility: 15 + 2 = 17
Intelligence: 12 + 2 = 14
Endurance: 10 + 2 = 12]
Satisfied with the results, a faint smile crossed his lips. Though small, it was a step forward—and every step counted in this new life of his.
Then his gaze landed on his curse again, and he clicked on Serpent's Embrace.
A new tab opened, containing detailed information about the curse.
---
[Serpent's Embrace: A deadly curse bestowed by the Queen of Serpents upon those who chose to betray her.
This curse corrodes the body of its bearer, slowly eating away from the inside out and subjecting them to unimaginable pain.
The marked individual becomes the mortal enemy of all snakes.]
With a shiver down his spine, Cassian gazed at the description.
He couldn't imagine what might have happened to him by now if it weren't for his unique physique.
[But because of your unique physique, you have gained control over the curse.
Ultimately, you have become the heir of the Queen of Serpents.
The effects that would have destroyed you will now become the source of your strength.]
Cassian's lips curled into a grin as he rubbed his hands together, looking like a greedy merchant eyeing a profitable deal.
[Abilities Unlocked by Serpent's Embrace:
1. Serpent Vision: Gives the capacity to perceive heat signatures, similar to the infrared vision of a snake. Improves vision in dimly lit or obstructed areas. Accurately identifies hidden threats or traps.
2. Venom Infusion: Gives the host the ability to cover their weapons or physical attack with venom that, over time, can paralyze, weaken, or kill Enemies. Has the ability to select from a variety of venom effects, such as numbing, corrosive damage, or paralysis.
3. Coiling Aura: Projects a terrifying pressure that immobilizes weaker enemies and instills fear in stronger foes. The aura can crush an opponent's will, mimicking a serpent coiling around its prey.
4. Regenerative Scale: Bestows rapid regeneration, healing mortal wounds and even regrowing lost limbs within seconds.
Provides immunity to poisons and diseases.
Regeneration can be consciously suppressed to prevent overexertion.
5. Snake Tongue:
Grants the ability to understand and communicate with serpents.
6. Serpent's Favor:
As the heir of the Queen of Serpents, you are now beloved by all snakes. Serpents will see you as their master, comrade, or even as their beloved.]
Looking at his abilities, Cassian couldn't help but smirk.
"These are the same abilities that turned Cassian into a meat shield in the game," he muttered.
He remembered how Regenerative Scale, in particular, had made the character invaluable. The ability to regenerate limbs in seconds turned him into the perfect pawn to take devastating blows meant for others.
Cassian walked over to the weapon section and selected a dagger.
But to truly master his new powers, he needed one critical skill—pain tolerance.
"I will never fully utilize my regeneration if I am afraid of pain," he told himself. He gripped the dagger firmly and aimed it at his left hand.
A wave of revulsion washed over him, accompanied by a voice in his mind whispering that he didn't need to do this. He could simply live peacefully in the mansion, avoiding the main cast and the story altogether.
"I don't want to live my second life as a coward," he declared, clenching his jaw. "Not again."
With a deep breath, Cassian closed his eyes and slashed.
/Thud/
His severed hand fell to the ground with a dull thump.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The pain was excruciating.
"F…fuck! It hurts so much!"
Then his regeneration kicked in. His hand began to regrow, and within five agonizing seconds, it was fully restored.
Cassian collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Hah… huh… hah… fuck…" he muttered, his voice shaky.
But he didn't stop. He picked up the dagger again, glaring at it as if daring it to defeat him.
Once more, he slashed.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
This torturous training continued, the chamber echoing with his screams as he pushed himself beyond human limits. Through the agony, he was forging something far greater than just a body resistant to pain—he was forging an unbreakable will.
----------------------------
[Outside the chamber]
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The scream echoed, loud enough to be heard by anyone placing their ear against the heavy door.
And that's exactly what a certain maid was doing.
Sylvia, trembling slightly, pressed her ear closer as another agonizing cry reached her. Tears welled up in her blue eyes.
"Master is screaming again... is he in pain... again?" she murmured, her voice breaking.
/Sob/ /Sob/
She tried to steady herself with her fragile hands balled into fists, but the sound of Cassian's pain was too loud.
She wiped away her tears and whispered firmly, "I must tell Madam Sophia."
Sylvia wasted no time in turning and running down the hall, her heart racing with fear and anxiety.
Though, deep down, she didn't know how heavily her decision would weigh on her. Informing Cassian's mother a second time in one day might bring consequences she couldn't foresee.