Target 75: A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy & LitRPG by J.J. Thorn

Author:J.J. Thorn [Thorn, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

Returning to the Dungeon Entrance

†††††

We appeared in the staging area and stumbled onto the benches around us. The first thing I noticed was the feeling of relief as ‘Apprentice’s Physique’ returned, and my body started to slowly recover. It was like I’d just spent a year in the desert without water, and now a cooling feeling washed over my exhausted body.

No one spoke.

My pores tingled and the bruises around my body seemed to become even more tender as my body worked to start healing the damage I’d done. And as I healed, I felt complete bliss. Real bliss, as the effects of my Skill washed over me like a wave and the aches started to diminish. My muscles tightened, my eyes saw more clearly, my range of motion improved. And despite the lingering pain and exhaustion left over from the dungeon, I was already feeling one hundred times better than moments before.

I let out an audible groan without realizing it.

My eyes darted up to check the others, but no one seemed to notice. They had their eyes closed and I realized we were likely dealing with the exact same thing: we were feeling the effects of our ‘Physique’ Skills as though it were the first time.

In that moment, as the bliss permeated my body, I pledged to never look down on the gift we’d been given by the System, ever again. I would never see us as ‘blessed,’ but I would never again take for granted how lucky we were to have the Skill.

I think Grace laughed first, unable to hold back anymore. My eyes opened and I watched her begin to laugh.

Gills eyes opened and his gaze tracked over to Grace, then Brett did the same.

And then they both started to chuckle. We were all experiencing the elation together; the release of our Skill, but also the feeling of life returning. We’d gotten through the challenge together and no one had died.

I joined in, and our laughter echoed through the staging area. The elation of the moment turned me soft; my sides hurt and my abs shook as we giggled.

Norman’s walking stick bounced against the stone floor as he walked out without a word. Or maybe he had said something; I wouldn’t have known, as we laughed for longer than I’d laughed in ages. Maybe ever.

Our bodies were broken and healed all at once, and for whatever reason, I’d never found anything funnier.

Soon after Norman left, Chen came and got us. She walked in on our hysterics and checked to make sure we were okay, and we finally stopped laughing. The pain was still there, but in many ways, I’d never felt better. We finally stood up and left the white tower as a team.

Then, and only then, did I look at my messages from the System.

Challenge won!

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