26 Mandatory molestation

The branch of intelligence upgrades was still admittedly perplexing, one wouldn't know what to expect from them. Surely, the whole topic was complicated.

However, the complexion didn't halt William's curiosity. He whole-heartedly opened a system tab, and observed the only other upgrade available.

"Hmmm, let's see what we got here." He thought, and then brushed through the bits of information.

The purchase option in question was apparently linked to intellectual intelligence, this branch was differently known as IQ. Such a name was popular back on earth, most people would link one's overall mental abilities to this term. 

Fame aside, the boy still couldn't understand how this upgrade would help. He grew boldly hesitant once this thing's price was acknowledged.

"Four-hundred and sixty? This shit's the most expensive thing yet! Why bother fighting bitch ass owls and apes if one upgrade would steal all my points?" The young one complained internally.

The system didn't answer, oddly. So he decided to analyse the tab of information once more. It explained that this upgrade would increase his intellectual intelligence by twenty points, but what was that even good for?

This purchase option seemed inadequate, and William felt smart enough already, so he was convinced that this upgrade wasn't worthwhile. But that was when the system swooped in with a few chunks of advice.

At first, she harshly encouraged. [I highly recommend that you buy it. When it comes to intelligence upgrades, numbers don't matter much, especially in the beginning.]

Such a statement failed to make any sense alone, but thankfully the lady in his head didn't hesitate to elaborate the matter.

This time around she guided punctually and calmly, [What you should care about instead, is the neurological density which this upgrade can give you. Any improvement in this field of power, can permanently increase your other intelligence-oriented abilities.]

"So... you're saying that my neuro-shocks can be stronger?" He swiftly caught up.

Quite casually, the system assured. [Yes, because this purchase tinkers with several brain lobes as a start, along with numerous sub-branches of intelligence. In simple literal words, it's an actual brain upgrade.]

"But I'm already smart, uh, what's my IQ?" William questioned.

In an instant, the past blue tab disappeared from his vision, and got replaced by a smaller one which carried the same colour. This tiny window featured a specific, white-coated, three digit number.

After he acknowledged that number, the system voiced out. [As this statistic makes it clear, your current IQ barely reaches one-hundred and twenty points.]

A moment later she slowly explained, [You're intellectually gifted for a snakezoid, undoubtedly. However, your intelligence is still low in comparison to what I can fully offer.]

Slowly but surely, the boy was seduced by such possibilities. So a bold crave for power grew swiftly, likewise he didn't want to neglect this solid opportunity.

However, skepticism still was the young one's middle name. But his paranoia darted towards these rough surroundings, rather than the system itself.

William already figured that this upgrade might hurt, so he didn't want to experience such fate while wild animals strolled close by. That level of vulnerability made him uncomfortable already.

"I don't wanna be food just yet," The boy thought.

For that matter, he stalked the area a little bit, just to figure out its odds and ends. Everything seemed fine, echoes of toads and crickets enveloped the scenery, but actual threats seemed non-existent around the camp spot.

Olivia tried to get a fire going, so they could munch on some sub-fresh worm meat. A scent of that matter would probably attract predators, but at least the two would be a hunch more ready to welcome them.

However, the current circumstances were likable enough, so he derived the outside world away from his attention and opened up a system tab.

He analyzed the upgrade just a little bit more, and finally requested. "Okay, I'm ready for that brain thing or whatever you said. Lay it on me."

[Your request has been confirmed and it's loading...] The system instantly assured.

Much like it was expected, a wave of pain struck him faster than a blink. Yet the prior expectations he had, weren't enough to prepare against these volumes of discomfort.

As a traumatic start, one strong headache had enveloped the boy's noggin, along with incredible amounts of head tension. It felt like his skull closed in, as if it shrunk.

Sharp and short bits of pain started to strike, right in the middle of his forehead; they were easily the worst part of this experience.

This storm of pain managed to topple the boy over. He kicked and shivered like a paralyzed animal, as if he was close to turning into a worthless carcass.

Unsurprisingly, Olivia noticed such a struggle so she leaped close to her friend.

Through a stroke of panic, the brunette shouted. "What's wrong? Willy! Did a demon attack you or something?!"

William could not answer of course. He continued to violently twitch and shake, this sour fate seemed like it had no end.

"Demons didn't do this to snakes before... gotta be that brain magic you did! It's making you crazy!" Olivia continued to holler.

With her options spread thin, the lady decided to rely on a solution which desperate situations demanded.

"Hold on, I'll heal your head!" She shouted and sprung into action.

Oddly enough, she leaned over just to land a kiss across the boy's lips. This seemed like a random and uncalled for solution, that was for sure.

But in actuality, this was the safest way to inject health-regenerating properties towards another person's head! It was much safer to puncture those soft lips.

However, as both of them mumbled through this ongoing struggle, the lady decided to enhance her effects. In response to this decision, her palms softly grasped the boy's head.

Although in hindsight it seemed like they violently made out with each other, the truth leaned far from what the naked eye would percept.

Quite desperately, Olivia's thoughts urged. "Gotta do more... can't have Willy go crazy."

Her newest idea seemed pointless for a moment, as mental concentration was a necessity through this dilemma. However, this approach finally proved useful!

She managed to unleash bits of dimly-lit, white light. They were shaped like small transparent ocean waves, and unraveled right out of her palms!

This clean illumination breezed across William's head, and gave out quite a show as well. It twirled around the patient's head, and eventually behaved like a helmet as well.

However, the visuals didn't matter much. This light was nothing less than a healing spell, it was meant to regenerate health. It worked slowly, like most casts which surrounded this arcana branch, but the lady was desperate.

"Don't give up on me... I can't make it alone out here." The brunette thought and then latched harder to the other.

She wanted to help the boy as much as possible, which was why she unleashed two waves of aid. Such a stressful effort was effective after a while, and it made sense why.

Although she contributed nothing towards the boy's brain health, her spells proved to be great painkillers. There was nothing wrong with his brain, no wound to heal, but the storm of discomfort was unforgiving!

So in a way, Olivia helped her friend endure through this upgrade! Such pain reduction was beyond useful, it raised their morale a little bit.

"I hope he made it," The lady said, once she noticed how the other's twitches calmed down.

This purchase was hectic so far, because billions of neuron cells were ripped through the young one's brain. Such a mental storm erupted, just so refined pieces of intelligence could settle in.

In a metaphorical sense, this procedure was much like a tailor's work. However, in this case, old clothes were purposely ripped open, so better quality material could be attached to them!

That's how this upgrade worked. A huge patch of tampered intelligence, forced itself above portions of older and weaker neuron cells!

In the same process, countless neurological branches stretched rapidly in all directions, just so they could latch on this new addition and permanently sew it to the boy's noggin!

These neurological branches behaved much like a tailor's string, they made sure that the new fine patch was stuck there for good!

If William knew what happened in his head right now, he would never buy another intelligence upgrade again. The scene would project itself as too horrific!

However, regardless of the numerous details, this torture finally met its glorious end.

The system confirmed it, after she announced. [Upgrade complete. Four-hundred and sixty system points have been consumed.]

Such a sum seemed admittedly big, but thankfully there was a lot more to spare, and the lady in his head specified it too.

[In total, twelve-hundred and ninety five system points remain for you to use.] She assured.

Now regardless of those numbers, the boy was simply happy that those unbearable levels of pain finally passed away!

This situation was uncomfortable for all involved, it was beyond stressful. Olivia didn't let go up until the last moment, she was petrified even as a healer!

Once the boy calmed down, his eyes widened thanks to the sharp pain across those thin, teenage lips! These two good friends have technically kissed for over a minute now, so this warmth almost felt intimate.

With those facts considered, he didn't know how to react. But thankfully, the lady acknowledged the other's awareness so she finally latched off.

"Not to complain... but the hell did you kiss me for?" William questioned and wiped a bit of blood off his lips.

Quite shamelessly, Olivia snapped back. "I thought you were going insane!"

"And molesting a madman makes you the smart one?" The boy taunted.

As slight embarrassment struck her, the brunette hollered. "Shut up! That's how all healers treat head wounds! And uh, you liked my bite anyway, so..."