Reality Quest: Lookism

The clash of weapons echoed through the building, sparks flying with each collision of Goo's improvised sword against my steel pipe. My arms trembled slightly with each strike I blocked, the sheer force behind his attacks threatening to disarm me. Still, I held on, refusing to back down despite the odds.

Goo moved with a deadly grace, each strike calculated, each motion precise. His stance shifted seamlessly between styles, Kendo, fencing, and techniques I couldn't even recognize. The broken chair leg in his hands seemed like brush creating a painting, its jagged edge tracing arcs in the air as if wielded by a master craftsman.

"Impress me." Goo muttered, his interest in me increasing.

I pushed forward, sweat dripping from my brow. My breathing grew heavier, I felt it, my body was beginning to falter. My hands gripped the steel pipe tighter, but there were brief moments where my fingers threatened to loosen, moments where my knees almost gave out after a block.

Goo noticed. Of course, he did. He tilted his head slightly, watching as I stumbled for just a second before regaining my footing.

"You're slipping." he said, almost mockingly. "You're strong, but your body has limits."

I didn't answer. I couldn't waste my breath. Instead, I swung the pipe in a wide arc, aiming for his ribs. Goo sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a slash aimed at my shoulder. The jagged edge bit into my flesh, tearing through my jacket and leaving a deep, stinging cut.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to scream. Blood seeped down my injuries, but I forced myself to swing again. Goo blocked it with ease, the force of his counter sending me stumbling backward.

"Sloppy." he commented, his tone almost disappointed. He stepped forward, his broken chair leg moving faster than before.

I blocked as much as I could, but his strikes began to overwhelm me. A precise thrust cut across my thigh, followed by a slash that grazed my side. Blood dripped onto the floor with each passing second.

Goo sighed. "You're tougher than the other kid." he admitted, referring to Johan. "Guess I'll have to cut deeper."

He wasn't lying. His attacks grew more brutal, the chair leg slicing through my defenses and carving into my body. My chest, arms, and legs bore the marks of his precision. Blood soaked through my clothes, pooling around my feet as I staggered to stay upright.

But I didn't fall. Not yet.

With one eye half-open and the other nearly swollen shut, I glared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me collapse.

"You're still standing?" Goo asked, genuinely surprised. "Impressive."

He stepped back, lowering his weapon slightly. "You've got good talent." he admitted, his tone sincere for the first time. "I've decided, I won't find out who you are. I'll leave that as a mystery."

He turned his back to me, adjusting his glasses as he walked away. "But about the dying part… that's up to you now. Don't disappoint me."

I tried to move, to lift my weapon and strike him from behind, but my body refused to listen. My fingers lost their strength, the steel pipe slipping from my grasp with a dull clang. My legs wobbled, trembling uncontrollably, before finally giving out beneath me.

I fell to my knees, then forward onto the floor. Blood pooled around me, the metallic scent filling my nose as my vision darkened. My body was shutting down, the pain dulling as exhaustion took over.

The last thing I saw was Goo walking away, his broken chair leg resting on his shoulder. The world faded into silence, and my consciousness slipped away with my eyes still open.

....

In the endless void of black, I lay still, unable to move. The wounds on my body were gone, yet the pain lingered, cutting deeper than any blade ever could. My breath came shallow, my chest rising and falling weakly. I had lost. All my efforts, all my struggles, led to this.

"Has it… been all for nothing?" My voice cracked, the words barely escaping my lips as doubt clawed at my mind.

As if summoned by my despair, a voice rang out, dripping with mockery. "All those cheats, all those skills… and you still fell short to a fictional character?"

I turned my head slowly, my heart sinking as I saw myself, or rather, the version of me from my past life. He stood there, dressed in the same dull clothes I once wore, with the same condescending smirk I had directed at others so many times.

"For what were the points? The credits? The skills?" he spat, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. "All of that grinding and scheming for what? To bleed out on the floor like some dog?"

"Shut up." I muttered weakly, clenching my fists.

"Or what?" he sneered, leaning down to meet my gaze. "You'll fail again? You'll whimper about how life isn't fair? Pathetic."

Another voice cut in, sharp and filled with disdain. "Hah, look at you. Laying there like the fool you are."

I glanced up, my stomach twisting as I saw another version of myself, the one just after my reincarnation. He was short, skinny, and frail, his clothes hanging loosely on his frame. He looked down at me with disgust.

"Didn't you promise to get stronger? For your parents?" he asked, tilting his head mockingly. "What a joke. Money is better anyway. They're not even your real parents."

I froze. The words struck like a dagger, piercing through my resolve.

"Admit it," he continued, stepping closer. "You only want to protect them because you couldn't save your real parents. Isn't that right?"

I lowered my head, my jaw tightening. The void around me seemed to close in, suffocating me with the weight of their words. Was that true? Was my resolve that shallow?

But then, I spoke.

"You're right." My voice was soft at first, but it grew stronger with every word. "I do want to protect them because I couldn't save my real parents."

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Warning: Critical State Detected. Potential Unlocked.

Analyzing Host's Determination...

Current Status: You have begun to surpass a wall.

---

The two versions of myself paused, their smirks faltering.

"But what's wrong with that?" I asked, raising my head. My body trembled, but I pressed my hands against the ground, forcing myself up. "What's wrong with wanting to protect the people I love? What's wrong with fighting for them?"

I staggered to my feet, blood trickling down my chin, but my gaze burned with determination. "That's not my only reason." I said, taking a step forward. My past selves stared in silence, their forms flickering as the void began to ripple.

I clenched my fists. "I fight because I love to win. It feels good, no, it feels soo fucking good."

The void shifted, and in the distance, I saw a massive projection of Goo. His figure loomed above me, radiating power and dominance. His back was turned, yet I could feel his oppressive aura.

I wiped the blood from my lips and smiled, a spark igniting in my chest. "For my family, for myself, I'll surpass that wall." My steps grew steadier, more deliberate, as I walked toward the giant figure.

---

[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]

Host's stats are increasing at an unprecedented rate.

Adaptive Growth Activated.

Physical and mental limits are being rewritten.

---

Every step I took made the projection of Goo tremble slightly, and my past selves faded into nothingness. My determination burned brighter than ever as I faced the impossible.

---

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Skill Merge has been auto-activated.

- 20000 Credits

Merging Skills: Multi-Strike Destruction + Falcon Drop + Stun Smash + Brazilian Kick + Critical Strike + Blind Spot Critical...

---

[SYSTEM ANALYSIS]

All input skills are found to contain overlapping or redundant features. Their individual mechanics have been streamlined and integrated into a single, advanced skill.

---

[New Skill Created: Recoilless Strike]

Description: A perfected offensive technique that eliminates wasted motion, delivering a rapid, critical strike with overwhelming speed and power. Combines the best aspects of all merged skills into a seamless, devastating ability.

Mana Cost: 300 MP

---

All redundant skills have been permanently discarded.

----

Damn, i spent two hours thinking what to do with the reward for surpassing the wall, but i can say I'm satisfied.

With this i have a clear path for Speed and Strength Mastery with Recoilless and blind spot stikes.

Drop stones 😩

And if you want to read until chapter 56, go on Patreon!

Patreon: Mr_Graythorn