169 Back to the waiting world

World of Waiting

In a mostly blank room, Jacob woke up once again due to the faint noises around him. As he opened his eyes, he saw a transparent glass-like structure just a few inches from his face while his body was in an upright position.

He had returned to this strange, completely white world!

"[Welcome back to the World of Waiting. Please wait for the wounds on your body to be completely healed!]"

"[Initiating tissue regeneration program, repairing damaged nerves, restoring declining stem cells!]"

"Yes, I'm back..." Jacob had gone through many things to be back in this place, and all those experiences had transformed him into a new version of himself.

He had thought he would die, even sought it initially after finding the experiences in his original world emotionally unbearable. But now he had changed, both his mental age and maturity were incomparable to who he was two years ago.

While Jacob reminisced about all those beautiful memories, Katniss was one of the best things that had happened to him in that world, and he felt an extreme connection to her. Firstly, Katniss volunteered as tribute in place of her younger sister, which made him think of his brother Ethan and how it gave him a new perspective on the bond between siblings.

What he experienced was what happened in most cases, but what he lived in his original world could only be described as betrayal and an attempt to drown him in suffering. It's true that he is not exempt from guilt, and he could acknowledge that without any cover-up, but he did what any brother would do in such a situation.

Jacob looked at all of this objectively, but it's true that his situation developed in a completely different way. However, at this moment, Jacob only wanted emotional stability and to gradually overcome the memories of the world he traveled to.

"[Your body, which is actually your avatar, has been fully repaired... The enhancements, experience, and strength won't be erased from your muscles; everything will be preserved for the next world you travel to if you wish to do so!]"

"What will happen now?" Jacob looked around and approached the armory where the weapons he had obtained from the roulette were stored—the bow, his retractable dagger, the grenade, and the optical camouflage device. Truth be told, all of his weapons were intact.

"[In response to your question, you will receive some rewards, and after you choose to return, you will wake up in the same place you traveled from!]"

"Well, let's speed up the process..." Jacob, who currently wanted to avoid conversation, hastened the process, still bewildered by what he was experiencing.

"[... Congratulations on surviving a four-star difficulty world... Rewards obtained:

100K US dollars...

Carrying the support tool wherever you go...

A body enhancement serum... (Only for use on your original body, not applicable to the avatar that travels to worlds)

The possibility to travel to worlds you have already visited if you wish... Applicable only after completing three travels

Your weapons remain intact for future use, applicable only in the World of Waiting...]"

"Can I return to a world I have been to before?" Jacob asked, slightly surprised, as he thought he would no longer be able to return to a world he had already visited.

So, could he see Katniss again?

"[Generating response... You have to consider that the days you spent in your original world count towards the worlds you have already visited. As long as you travel to other worlds, time will stop for everyone except you and the new world.]"

"[Do you wish to return?]"

"Of course..." Jacob naturally responded, but after realizing that the question wasn't in the context he thought, he wanted to retract, but it was already too late.

"[Returning to your original world]"

…

"Hoo... Hoo... Ho..." Jacob woke up with his heart racing, his eyes suddenly blinded by the dawn light filtering through one of the windows of his cell.

Had he returned to where he was before obtaining that strange orb?

Jacob looked around and discovered that it was indeed his cell. His smaller body compared to his avatar caused him a sudden discomfort that lasted for a few minutes.

"[Welcome back, Master. My functions are fully operational in this place. Don't forget to communicate if you need any assistance!]" A sudden voice echoed in his head, and Jacob widened his eyes, realizing that his intelligent assistant had accompanied him to his original world. It wasn't just a dream.

"Can you tell me how long I've been asleep in this place?" Jacob asked while holding his head.

"[Master, you have been asleep in this cell for approximately seven hours. According to the security cameras, nothing significant has happened since you hung up the call!]" the voice responded.

"Can you provide me with an update on the public opinion regarding my ongoing case?" Jacob stood up, touched every part of his body, and suddenly felt a kind of tube in his pocket.

"[Master, public opinion is divided. Some believe you should go to prison for killing that young man, while others argue that you acted in self-defense and should be released with certain conditions to ensure your well-being upon reintegration into society!]" the voice explained.

"And what do you think the judge's verdict will be?" Jacob asked, realizing that he no longer cared about the answers. After all, what difference did it make if he was in prison or out of it?

"[Considering that denying you bail is already irrational, the judge's verdict should not be too severe given the circumstances of your case. It is true that you killed the young man, but the public opinion also factors in, and currently, people are divided on your case. However, analyzing the path your lawyer is taking, the chances of you being released from prison are very high.]" the voice reassured.

"Very high..." Jacob examined the small tube in his hands, feeling intrigue and curiosity growing inside him. "What is this?"

"[It is a body enhancement serum composed of a compound designed to improve your physical abilities, stimulate growth, increase strength, and strengthen your immune system.]"

Jacob carefully inspected the tube, and without anyone asking him to do so, his intelligent assistant took control of the cameras to prevent his master from getting into further trouble.

"This is something I need..." Jacob murmured softly. It was a tempting opportunity, a chance to enhance his abilities in the fight for justice and freedom. After losing all that strength and size from his avatar, this was a perfect opportunity to return to an acceptable level.

Without hesitation, Jacob decided to inject himself with the serum. With a steady hand, he brought the syringe to his arm and pushed the plunger with a button that immediately injected it into his bloodstream. A cold sensation traveled through his veins, spreading throughout his body. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still around him.

However, unlike what he expected, he didn't feel any immediate reaction. There was no burst of unbridled energy or explosion of superhuman strength. Everything remained calm, as if the serum had silently integrated into his system.

But Jacob knew that something had changed. He felt a strange connection with his body, as if he were more in tune with every movement, every muscle, and every fiber of his being. His perception sharpened, capturing the subtlest details of his surroundings. He could feel the strength flowing through his veins, ready to be unleashed at the right moment.

Beep!

At that moment, the cell doors of all the inmates opened, and everyone walked towards the cafeteria, closely monitored by the prison guards. Jacob, like everyone else, stepped out and followed the rest. That injection had awakened something inside him, a latent strength that would help him survive, at least, in this prison.