Chapter 84: It's a Trap
As I walk through the area, I go through a particularly dark alleyway. My scan passes through the area and notices an abnormality along the far edge of this alleyway.
In one of the dilapidated buildings, within what appears to be an old toy shop, is a big spider trap.
Automatically, I stop and take a look at my surroundings. The area seemingly goes quiet with tension.
Gong did promise to help me with my training. Could this be one of the things she wanted to do?
Taking a closer look, it appears to be a spring-loaded trap, using a combination of hard and soft sticky webs. If triggered, it would capture the person in a very sticky, but thick web. Wrapping them tight.
As I extend my scan out, I can sense Going fast approaching. She approaches quickly but stops at a portion of the wall on her approach.
She triggers some type of trip-line, reaching all the way here.
It feels almost comical, how my scan follows the vibrations and pulling motion all the way to the eventual trap set in this alleyway. Directly behind me.
Apparently, the movies had it right with the rolling-ball trap, as a segment of the wall behind me breaks off and is covered in web, rolling into a ball shape.
When it starts rolling towards me, only one thought dominates my mindscape.
Is she actually trying to kill me?!
My abilities move into Overdrive, as I feel my body turning into a blur. I hear my tendons pop and burst as I fly down the alleyway. Quickly re-healing as I move. The pain of such an action doesnt even register in the moment.
Surprisingly, Im easily able to keep ahead of the ball, though I keep a lookout for any openings I can use to escape from it. The ball tears apart the buildings its squeezed between, as is it bumps back and forth between them.
I can see the wall coming up to meet me, right ahead of us, and I realize that this is the only chance I have to escape.
My scan also reveals Gong is waiting near the alleyway turn, which I could easily reach.
Thats most definitely a trap.
She seems to look a little puzzled before answering me.
I could be wrong, but I could have sworn you could heal pretty easily from something of this level
Uhhh, somewhat. But it would be exceptionally painful to do so.
She chuckles a bit, before shaking her head as part of her response.
You want me to train you, but you werent ready for pain?
I can assure you, James, youll wish you were more used to pain when your enemies hit you. At least when I hit or hurt you, Ill still try to save you afterwards. Particularly with your ability, you should get used to pain and healing it on yourself.
And dont act dumb either. I know you know this is the best way to train your abilities. The only reason were not going through true pain tolerance training is because Im worried about how, delicate your mind is. So, we will take that side of things slowly.
When you get into the cultivation world, youll learn very quickly how to manage it. This will just be an introductory course.
I can feel myself gulp at the reminder.
That was silly of me to ask. Especially, as Im the one that asked her to do this for me. Not only that, I already know that I can handle something at this level, as did she.
Yeah, thanks Gong. Sorry about the silly question. I really appreciate you setting this up for me. Though, I have a question.
I gesture to the destroyed and broken buildings around us.
How did you know this area would be safe to do this around? And how did you know that this area would be the one that I will go through?
Oh, thats easy to answer. Since you told us that your ability works off the fastest and safest routes, I just made every other route not as fast or safe as this one. The other ones are blocked off by my web, which will be cleaned up by the spiders.
I used to do this sort of thing all the time, so most people are already used to it and just clear out of the area when Im doing something. Though, I normally didnt have anyone to test it on. For obvious reasons.
Ah, right.
Gongs scary.