Chapter 11 : The Experiments

Feeling dejected but undeterred, Arthur accepted that not giving the hamsters any time to escape had been his key advantage in hunting them successfully before. Their swift escape abilities called for this approach. With this realization, he decided to set aside his experimentation with the 'Poison Fangs' skill on the hamsters for now.

Without dwelling on the setback, Arthur set out again to search for other prey. His instincts and experience guiding him, he managed to catch and consume two separate hamsters after an hour of hunting. The satisfaction of a successful hunt helped uplift his spirits, allowing him to momentarily forget the earlier disappointment.

Taking a brief moment to attend to his needs, Arthur then returned to his cave. The sight of the door he had crafted brought a sense of accomplishment and reassurance.

With the door now securely closed, Arthur felt a renewed sense of security as went to take a shower.

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After taking a refreshing shower to cleanse himself, Arthur's curiosity led him back into the simulated world to further explore the mysterious sensation he had experienced when biting the hamster. To his astonishment, upon entering the simulated world, he discovered a small landscape in the distance. Intrigued, he ventured closer and saw the hamster he had bitten peacefully gazing in the tall grass, accompanied by the other hamster he had encountered before, bearing the faint claw marks from their encounter.

Arthur observed that his connection with the bitten hamster seemed to be more profound, as if he could sense its presence and surroundings within the simulated world. However, the other hamster appeared to be no more than a mere projection, blending into the surroundings like any other part of the landscape.

Intrigued by the nature of his connection with the bitten hamster, Arthur decided to conduct an experiment in the simulated world. He attempted to materialize a small berry on the ground, similar to the ones he had seen the hamsters eat from bushes in the tall grass. Although these berries were too tiny for him to consume, he was eager to observe how the hamsters would react to it. As the berry appeared before the hamsters, one of them squealed in surprise and curiously approached the newfound treat, while its partner looked on, seemingly puzzled by its actions.

The hamster picked up the berry and cautiously placed it into its mouth, nibbling on the unfamiliar offering. Arthur carefully observed the reaction of the two hamsters, and his suspicions were confirmed. The hamster he had bitten with 'Poison Fangs' still maintained its connection to the simulated world, seemingly unaffected by the passing of time. On the other hand, the hamster that had only been exposed to the 'Illusionary Eye' appeared to have released its influence, as if the illusion had dissipated.

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As Arthur's days settled into a familiar routine, he found himself honing his skills and exploring the depths of his unique connection with the bitten hamster. The cycle began with him hunting three hamsters, providing him with the sustenance needed for his daily meals. The remaining time was dedicated to moments of leisure spent within the comforting confines of his cave or embarking on snake-hunting expeditions to gather energy reserves.

Each night, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Arthur's attention turned towards his curious connection with the bitten hamster. Through diligent observations, he discerned that this extraordinary bond progressed through distinct stages. When freshly bitten, Arthur's control over the creature reached its apex, designated as 'Stage 5.' At this phase, the hamster became utterly intertwined with the simulated world, unable to distinguish reality from the realm of simulations. Every sensation experienced by the creature seamlessly integrated with the simulated environment. However, this heightened state of connection would wane, gradually transitioning into the subsequent stages.

By the end of the first day, the control lessened to 'Stage 4,' and the hamster's sense of touch became severed from the simulated world. Although it could still interact with objects, a peculiar void lingered whenever its tiny paws made contact. This stage would persist until the second day, wherein it would further descend to 'Stage 3.'

At this point, the hamster's sense of smell became isolated from the simulated reality, rendering it unable to perceive scents generated within the simulated world. This diminished connection endured until the fourth day, when it slipped to 'Stage 2.'

During 'Stage 2,' Arthur's control over the hamster's sense of hearing dissipated. While he retained the ability to manipulate its visual perception, the creature became deaf to any sounds originating within the simulated realm. This stage would continue until the sixth day, leading to the penultimate 'Stage 1.'

In 'Stage 1,' Arthur's control over the hamster's vision evolved into a unique facet. He could no longer remove objects from its sight, but he could add new elements to its visual field. This intriguing stage persisted until the tenth day.

Following the completion of the tenth day, the connection entered a curious, enigmatic phase. Dubbed 'Stage 0' by Arthur, he found himself unable to exert any influence over the creature. Nevertheless, its vision still remained within the simulated world, affording Arthur the opportunity to observe the world from the hamster's perspective. What intrigued him even more was that he could feel that he could destroy this connection if he wanted to, severing the ethereal link between himself and the hamster.

The delineation of the various stages of control over the bitten hamster also proved to be instrumental in Arthur's understanding of how to optimize his 'Illusionary Eye' ability. By comprehending the connection between the stages and the effects of his illusion, he made a significant breakthrough. Arthur found that when he utilized 'Illusionary Eye,' the targeted creature would enter a state akin to 'Stage 3' control for a limited duration. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Arthur reevaluated his previous approach, discarding the notion of creating simulated clones of himself.

Instead, he embraced a more refined and efficient strategy. Now, Arthur employed his 'Illusionary Eye' to selectively tamper with the senses of his prey. When confronting potential targets, he focused on blacking out their vision and impairing their hearing, evoking the sensations of 'Stage 3' control. This approach proved remarkably effective, enabling him to confound his prey and approach them without the use of 'Shadow Walk'.

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With the triumphant accomplishments of his well-executed hunts, the assurance of his secure door, and the dwindling prey in the surrounding plains, Arthur felt a newfound sense of confidence. It was time for a change of scenery, and the forest beckoned to him with its mysterious allure. Standing resolutely outside his familiar underground dwelling, he gazed at the dense canopy of towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly towards the heavens. The forest floor was a realm of shadows, cast by the interwoven foliage above, creating an aura of enigma.

Inhaling deeply, Arthur steeled himself for the unknown and embraced the exhilaration of adventure. With feline grace and agility, he leaped into the vast expanse of the forest, venturing into an uncharted territory that promised both challenges and opportunities. The cool breeze brushed against his fur, carrying with it the scents of various flora and fauna, tantalizing his senses with the diverse life teeming around him.