Chapter 10: 10. Horrifying Upgrade

Chapter 10: 10. Horrifying Upgrade

In a dimly lit space where sunlight barely reached, three teenagers, aged around fifteen to sixteen years old, stood solemnly.

Their faces were etched with sorrow as they gazed at the ground, where a makeshift grave lay.

Atop the grave, a large stone was embedded with the name 'Myla' inscribed upon it.

After a moment of silence, they moved to a different part of the cave, leaving the makeshift grave behind.

The cave they were in seemed to be within a large mountain, with ample space all around them. Moving around was easy, as the cave appeared more spacious than the forest they had been in earlier.

In the corner where the three kids stood, Famir addressed the other two.

"I am going to upgrade to the bronze level now."

Orion and Ryfin both nodded in agreement to Famir's words. They understood the necessity of having someone strong among them, given the precarious situation they found themselves in.

"Start the upgrade."

Famir addressed his system, holding the spherical ball in his hands as he spoke.

[Initiating Process. Upgrade starting in 3, 2, 1, and start.]

In that moment, Famir's body began to emit a golden aura-like hue before he suddenly erupted into screams of agony.

"Agggahhhh!"

"Are you alright?"

"What is going on?"

Orion and Ryfin were immediately filled with concern as Famir's screams pierced the air.

Before they could utter another word, however, they witnessed something horrifying unfold before their eyes.

They watched in horror as Famir's body began convulsing, his muscles contorting, and his bones audibly cracking. Unable to withstand the torment, Famir collapsed to the ground in agony.

But that wasn't the end of the horror they witnessed. A strange and unsettling transformation began to unfold before their eyes.

Famir's body seemed to shrink in reverse, his limbs retracting and his hands and legs diminishing in size until only his head remained unchanged.

Excitedly, Famir began to explain how he felt after the transformation, but he had even more good news to share with them.

"And you know what's the best?"

"Just tell us, what's with the suspense?"

Orion asked, his expression tinged with irritation.

Famir smiled as he gazed at both of them, then proudly displayed the spherical ball for their inspection.

"I think you two can also upgrade with this help."

"What? We can?"

Ryfin excitedly exclaimed, but the memory of Famir's excruciating and bone-chilling upgrade process gave him pause, causing him to doubt whether he should undergo the upgrade himself.

Seeing Ryfin's doubtful expression, Famir understood his hesitation and sought to reassure him.

"Don't worry about the pain. Think about the gain."

'He is right. Think of the gain after the upgrade. I can have my own stats after leveling up. But the pain...'

Ryfin pondered to himself. Though he desired the upgrade, the fear of the excruciating pain he would have to endure during the process filled him with dread.

In the end, he succumbed to his gamer instincts.

"Fine, I will do it."

At that moment, Orion offered Ryfin a valuable suggestion.

"Alright, you upgrade first, but not here. Just go to some place where we can't hear or see you. Just looking at Famir's upgrade made me think I will have nightmares tonight."

Though the suggestion would primarily benefit him, he wouldn't want to witness a similar scene of that nightmareish transformation again.

Ryfin nodded solemnly as he looked at them, acknowledging their suggestion.

"Alright then, I will be back in a while."

"Just don't go too far."

Famir added, watching as Ryfin walked away, his expression thoughtful.