Awakening: God-Tier Adaptive System
Chapter 31: Pain

Chapter 31: Pain

’I need one last evidence,’

Though he got stronger, it was still within the boundaries of science—drugs that boost strength and senses was not something new.

For example, meth was a powerful stimulant that increased energy, alertness, and physical strength by flooding the brain with dopamine.

However, his next attempt would provide the final evidence he needed.

"Look carefully, alright? Don’t blink, or I’ll gouge your eye out," he instructed sadistically.

The prisoner nodded weakly, unaware of the reason behind the command.

Neo began checking his status window, and as expected, the drug he just took appeared under the "GOOD SHIT" skill.

---

APX-Booster Type

Purity:70%

Grade: F+

Content: Erythropoietin , Testosterone , Xenotryl ,Thrymian Extract, Cortex-Amp... etc..

---

True to its word, any drug he took would be save by the system, and there were even ingredients listed, though most of them were unfamiliar to him.

It cost 10 Points, and in the bottom right corner, a counter showed 120 points—more than enough to buy one.

’When did I earn these points?’ he wondered for a split second before clicking the purchase button.

Suddenly, a pill appeared in his hand.

"Did you see that? What appeared in my hand?" he quickly asked.

The man swallowed hard and nodded. "I saw a pill."

Neo was completely speechless.

Just now, he had done something that couldn’t be explained by science.

Logically speaking, no one could create something out of nothing.

According to the laws of physics, matter and energy cannot be conjured from thin air.

Every action, every object, was supposed to have an origin, a cause.

’So, my power is related to drugs?’ he raised an eyebrow.

’No... The system switched to God-Tier Adaptive when I got angry. Maybe it adjusted to my needs, or helps me adapt to anything.’

He mulled over it, his head aching as he tried to find an explanation.

’Forget it,’ he muttered, shaking his head in resignation.

For now, he just accepted that he had some kind of superpowers.

TAP!

TAP!

Tapping his legs, he glanced at the man again, who was now slowly losing consciousness.

"Drink this," he shoved a different type of drug down the man’s throat to keep him awake and numb the pain.

This way, he could interrogate the poor guy for much longer.

"See? I’m not such a bad person. I even gave you medicine," Neo smirked.

Too traumatized to speak, the man lowered his head, unsure if regaining alertness was a blessing or a curse.

From his perspective, he was facing a psychopathic serial killer.

"Oh, you’re already getting to the point. Good. Let’s start with an easy one: Tell me how I can leave this fuck up island."

"I don’t... know. We’re not allowed to walk far from our designation, and when it’s our time to leave, we get blindfolded and put in a closed truck."

"Bullshit!" Neo lashed out. "So, you’re just stuck in this building, like a damn statue?"

"I was considering letting you live, but now? Now I’m going to kill you. Hope you’ve lived your life to the fullest, because it ends now."

He raised the scissors, ready for the final blow.

"No... no... please don’t kill me! There’s a small town 15 km from here. It’s where the employees gather."

"A town?" Neo lowered the scissor a bit. "Tell me more."

The man spoke more clearly, numbed from the previous beating because of the drug.

A clearer picture formed in Neo’s mind. That place was big, capable of housing thousands of people at once.

It was like those old industrial towns he had seen in documentaries before.

Though, in this case, it was on a much grander scale because, according to the man, there was even a shopping mall, bars, clubs, and many other luxurious places where they could spend their money.

"Wow, you insects are living it up while ruining countless lives," Neo sneered in contempt.

"I’m just an employee. I’m just following orders."

SLAP!

Neo hit him hard.

"Is that really your defense? Aren’t you going to come up with something better? Like they’re forcing you, or maybe your family got kidnapped, and now you have to follow orders even though you’re actually a good guy? Come on, where’s the pity card?"

He received no answer.

The man just lowered his head, shame written across his face.

Deep inside, he knew the things done in this place were unforgivable—too despicable to excuse.

Neo seized the chance, driving the scissors into the man’s throat.

"Gurgle... Cough... Cough"

Choking on his own blood, the man struggled for air.

"It’s alright... it’ll all be over soon. Just close your eyes and start dreaming of hell, because that’s where you’re headed."

The man’s face drained of color, tears welling in his eyes as his body went into shock, and he lost control, soiling his pants.

Such sight made Neo’s stomach turn, and with a disgusted sneer, he kicked him to the floor.

Blood pooled around the man, and with a final, breath, he exhaled his last.

[DING!]

[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST, FOR COMPLETING THE QUEST.]

[COMPUTING REWARDS BASED ON PERFORMANCE.]

[Physical Torture: 5/10]

[Psychological Torture: 7.5/10]

[Emotional Torture: 5/10]

[Sensory Torture: 4/10]

[Environmental Torture: 3/10]

[Total Score: 4.9]

[Reward Bronze]

A box materialized in his hand, just like before. As it opened, a strange gas quickly escaped and surrounded him.

As it took effect, he could feel a familiar rush, a surge of power coursing through him.

But this time, something was different. A new sensation, more intense and foreign, made his body tingle.

[Passive Skill: Novice Torturer]

[Effect: This skill enhances the user’s ability to inflict pain]

’You gotta be kidding me. All that effort and I only got Bronze? Why does it feel like the system is dissing me for being too soft?’

He massaged the bridge of his nose, deciding to let it go.

At least the requirements were clear now, making it easier to raise the score on future missions.

And judging by how the system worked, he grew confident that many jobs like this would come his way.