Chapter 17 : Impostor Hamster

As the rush of adrenaline slowly subsided, Arthur's body began to register the full extent of his injuries. The pain intensified, and he could feel that he had likely broken a bone in his back during the tiger's vicious bite. Despite the discomfort, he knew he had to act quickly to tend to his wounds.

After completing the painstaking suturing process, Arthur mustered the strength to take another shower, washing away the remnants of blood that clung to his battered body. The cool water brought some relief, but it couldn't alleviate the deep ache that throbbed throughout his form.

Feeling tired and lightheaded from the loss of blood, Arthur knew he needed nourishment to sustain his body. He opened his makeshift refrigerator and reached for one of the snakes he had hunted and stored earlier. His foresight in keeping a stockpile of food proved invaluable now, ensuring he had sustenance during times of need.

In addition to the snake, Arthur grabbed his hammer and carefully broke off a piece of ice from the freezer. Gingerly, he applied the cold ice to his back, hoping it would help alleviate the pain from the suspected broken bone. The temporary relief brought a sense of comfort, even though he knew that proper medical attention was beyond his reach in this world.

As he lay there, pain coursing through his body, Arthur's thoughts turned to his own vulnerability in this wild and dangerous realm. He had been fortunate to escape the jaws of the Void Tiger, but the encounter had left him with a stark reminder that survival in this world required not just wits, but also resilience and adaptability.

Seeking to distract himself from the lingering pain, Arthur's eyes wandered around the room until his gaze fell upon the hamster he had used as an improvised overhead camera during the painful suturing process.

Curiously, he observed the hamster's peculiar behavior as it seemed to struggle against an invisible barrier. Arthur noticed how the creature's muscles appeared to be in contradiction, attempting to project strength while making no actual forward progress—a performance akin to that of a skilled mime. His mind delved into the simulated world, where he recalled having enclosed the hamster in a clear, icelike substance to limit its movements by deceiving its sense of touch. However, now he questioned whether the hamster's reluctance to move was a matter of choice or capability.

A novel idea began to form in Arthur's mind as he contemplated his newfound ability and its effects on reality. He decided to experiment further, manipulating the icelike material in the simulated world to force the hamster's hand upward. To his surprise, the real-life hamster's arm responded accordingly, moving in sync with his actions in the simulated world.

Curiosity piqued, Arthur's focus shifted to the simulated world once more, where the tiger was resting in a serene grassland. Drawing inspiration from his previous experiment, he encased the tiger's paw with a thin layer of durable, carbon-based fiber. With a deliberate thought, he willed the fiber to pull the tiger's paw toward its own face. The unsuspecting tiger was suddenly struck by its own paw, taken aback by the unexpected attack.

As the white energy surged around the tiger in response to its surprise, Arthur sensed a significant weakening of his control over the creature. The energy moved chaotically before being absorbed back into the tiger, rendering Arthur's influence over the majestic beast minimal. The connection had weakened to a point where Arthur could no longer exert control—it seemed he had reached what he now termed "stage 0" of his influence.

Deep in thought, Arthur contemplated the strange development that had occurred during his interactions with the hamster. A question lingered in his mind—had his 'Poison Fangs' undergone an unexpected upgrade from his daily meals, or was this a subtle effect of the elusive stage 5 control that he might have overlooked in his earlier experiments? Determined to find answers, he resolved to put his hypothesis to the test and investigate whether this newfound ability would persist at stage 4 control.

As time passed and Arthur observed the hamster enclosed within the simulated world's ice-like structure, he eagerly awaited any signs of change. After a mere twelve hours, he noticed something peculiar—the hamster began to phase through the material, as if it had acquired an unexpected ability to defy the simulated physical barrier. This observation left Arthur both intrigued and cautious, as he carefully assessed his connection with the hamster. It became evident that something had indeed shifted, leading him to conclude that this must be a completely new stage of control.

Dubbing this uncharted territory "stage 6," Arthur realized that he now possessed the extraordinary capability to manipulate not only the creature's senses but also its very muscles. Excitement and curiosity surged within him as he pondered the possibilities this new stage of control could bring. To validate his discovery, he decided to conduct a definitive test—once again, he blacked out the hamster's sensory organs and proceeded to bite it. Sure enough, the control over the hamster's muscles returned, affirming that this was indeed a separate stage of control.

With a newfound understanding of his capabilities, Arthur's mind buzzed with innovative ideas. He realized that relying solely on the limited food supplies in his cave would not sustain him for much longer, especially in his current condition. Venturing out to hunt in his injured state would only exacerbate his injuries, posing a grave risk to his well-being. Determined to find an alternative solution, he decided to experiment further with his extraordinary abilities.

With a sense of purpose, Arthur called the hamster back towards him. Biting the creature several more times, he infused its body with his potent poison. In a calculated move, he opened a small gap in his cave's door, allowing the hamster to venture out into the plains. Using his manipulation skills, Arthur guided the hamster, causing it to rustle the grass and attract attention.

As anticipated, the scent of blood and the commotion from the hamster drew the attention of a hungry snake. Watching as the snake devoured the hamster, Arthur observed the simulated landscape representing the hamster slowly fade away.

Exiting the simulated world, Arthur waited patiently. Within a surprisingly short span of around 15 minutes, he felt a new connection form in his simulated realm. It was the snake—the one that had consumed the hamster.