Blood Cleansing [ II ]

It was a vast, flowery garden with the beautiful radiance of pink, red, and purple petals spread across the expanse. The sweet fragrance of the flowers made it even more enchanting, filling the air with a heady aroma that seemed to envelop anyone who entered.

However, there was something else in the garden that made Xavier's jaw drop. Despite the garden's serene beauty, a disturbing scene unfolded before his eyes.

"Please!!"

"Let me go!!"

"Waaa!!"

"Don't cut my... off! Please!!"

Before him was a scattered crowd of men who had passed their youthful years. Most were in their early twenties, while the rest were middle-aged. They were strewn across the beautiful garden, undergoing torturous activities imposed upon them by women dressed in the same uniform as Carla. The only difference was that these women wore dark veils that covered their faces.

From the gate, Xavier could see a young man lying on a bed of pink roses, while two women pierced his stomach with long needles. The young man cried for help and tried to escape, but the flowers clung to him tightly, their tendrils wrapping around his limbs and torso, preventing his escape. He could only let out a blood-curdling cry of pain, his voice echoing through the otherwise tranquil garden.

Another middle-aged man lay on a bed of flowers with his stomach torn open, while a woman poured a strange, viscous liquid into his open abdomen. Though the man didn't react verbally, the anguish was visible in his lifeless eyes.

Other torturous activities were ongoing in a similar manner. The men were either tied to the flower beds or pinned to the ground while the torment continued. 

The scene before Xavier was beyond his imagination. It was dark and twisted, a nightmarish reality that seemed impossible in such a beautiful setting. The only difference between this and the biblical hell was the absence of flames.

"Holy fuck!!" Xavier exclaimed inwardly. He looked at Carla, silently asking if he was going to endure such pain.

Understanding his inner thoughts, Carla explained, "This place is for failed experiments, not for the likes of you. Your place is over there," she pointed to the center of the garden where a small pool could be seen, its waters shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

Xavier let out a relieved sigh. He couldn't help but thank the heavens for ensuring he wasn't a failed experiment like these unlucky souls. If he were, his life would become so hellish even his system might not be able to save him. The thought of undergoing such unimaginable torment made his skin crawl.

Being a successful experiment wasn't great either; he would be kept under tight watch, reducing his chances of escaping. But even with that, it was better than being a failed one and going through hell. At least as a successful experiment, he might have some leverage, some small chance of survival.

"Let's go. We can't delay the blood cleansing anymore," Carla said, grabbing his hand and leading him down the path toward the middle area where the pool was located. The path was lined with flowers of all kinds, their beauty, a contrast to the horrors they concealed.

As they strolled through the wide path, Xavier paid attention to the women. He noticed they possessed strength superior to that of an average bodybuilder, their muscles rippling beneath their uniforms. But that wasn't the only reason he focused on them. 

"Character hack," 

He found one of the women who was performing the gentlest torture and picked her as a target. She seemed less cruel, more methodical, almost as if she took no pleasure in the pain she inflicted.

[Character hack succeeded. Level 21 Apprentice has been hacked.]

[Would you like to view her character status?]

'I can view their character status?' Xavier was confused. Back on Earth, he never had the chance to view the character status of those he hacked. Why was it different now? Was it because of magic? he wondered.

The woman Xavier hacked continued her torture, not appearing dazed as they would on Earth. She was focused, her movements precise and practiced.

'Open her character status,' Xavier concluded. He wanted to see just how strong she was compared to him.

[CHARACTER: Level 21 Apprentice | Name: Livia

MAGIC STRENGTH: Lv. 3

MAGIC DEFENSE: Lv 2

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Lv 3

PHYSICAL DEFENSE: Lv 3

CONTROLLABLE: YES. Do you want to activate character control on her?]

Xavier nodded. The character control was activated, and instantly he felt the usual sense of authority over the character. It was a strange feeling, almost intoxicating, knowing he had power over someone else.

'Stop torturing him,' he issued a command using his mind.

[DING! Error! Mental control feature of character control hasn't been unlocked yet. Reach D rank to activate.]

'Fuck,' he cussed. He didn't feel good about not being able to control her mentally. 

Nevertheless, there were other uses for her than control. 

[An option to absorb the mental strength of a character you've hacked will appear after you awaken your mana.]

'And how do I awaken mana?' he asked without wasting time, eager to find a way to strengthen himself.

[These are the primary methods:

-Awakening naturally at the age of 16

-Through rituals

-Taking a blood mana bath

-Swallowing core gems

-Devouring the heart of a shadowborn.]

Most of the methods listed by the system were absurd and unbelievable, especially the last one. It even made Xavier curious about what a shadowborn was. But he knew there was no time left anymore; they had already arrived at the pool.