Reality Quest: Lookism

The regular chapter of today.

Pls give me stones!

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The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself standing in the middle of a massive arena. The atmosphere was eerily quiet, with no crowd or sound to fill the air, just an oppressive silence that hung over the field. The familiar cracked earth beneath my feet and the endless walls surrounding me sent a jolt of recognition through my body.

"Here again?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes. It was the same place I had first fought myself when I purchased Blind Spot Strike. A place where the only enemy was me, literally.

As if summoned by my thoughts, a figure stepped forward from the inky substance. It was me. Or at least, a perfect copy. The same height, build, and expression. But his aura was different, sharper, colder, and far more dangerous. His presence radiated hostility, his stance loose yet prepared, like a predator waiting to pounce.

We locked eyes, neither of us moving. My instincts screamed at me to be ready, but I held my ground, observing his every move. Then, as expected, the system chimed.

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[Quest Update: Defeat Yourself.]

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Before I could even process the notification, the clone sprang into action. His movement was a blur of speed. My body moved on instinct, tilting my head just in time to avoid a powerful cross aimed at my jaw. The gust of wind from the punch brushed against my cheek, and I retaliated immediately.

My right leg snapped up in a flawless *Blind Spot Strike*, aiming to cripple him with a counterattack. But before my kick could connect, his body shimmered, enveloped in a blue aura, and he vanished into thin air.

"What the-?" My words were cut short as a brutal impact slammed into my ribs, sending me skidding across the arena. My back hit the ground hard, and I gasped for air, the wind knocked out of me.

Before I could even register the pain, another hit connected with my back, flipping me like a ragdoll. Then another struck my shoulder, then my abdomen. Each blow was stronger than the last, and the speed was unlike anything I'd faced before. My body bounced across the arena like a helpless toy under his relentless assault.

I coughed, blood splattering the ground as I forced myself to stand. My vision blurred for a moment, but I gritted my teeth and steadied myself. "Booster..." I muttered, wiping the blood from my mouth. He was using the Booster skill.

The clone dashed toward me again, his movements erratic and almost impossible to follow. I raised my arms, bracing for impact, but the hit came from my side, faster than I could process. My body twisted as the blow connected, sending me crashing into the ground again.

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[HP: 1900/2800]

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"Damn it!" I shouted, pushing myself up. I had to figure this out. His speed was overwhelming, but it wasn't invincible. If he could use the skill, so could I. I just needed to understand how it worked.

Dodging another blow, I closed my eyes briefly, trying to block out the pain. I focused on the faint sensation of mana in my body, the same energy I used for other skills like Blind Spot Strike. But this time, I needed to channel it differently, through my veins, through every fiber of my muscles.

The clone didn't give me any time to think. He appeared again, landing a solid punch to my gut. My knees buckled, and I spat out blood as I stumbled backward.

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[HP: 1400/2800]

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I grit my teeth, refusing to fall. With every hit, I tried to focus on the energy flowing inside me. I clenched my fists, feeling the faint hum of mana as I took another blow to the ribs.

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[Booster Skill: 20%]

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A system notification flashed briefly, encouraging me to push further. I focused harder, ignoring the pain as the hits kept coming. My body screamed in protest, but I didn't stop.

The clone appeared again, aiming a devastating kick toward my head. I ducked just in time, the kick grazing my hair as I rolled to the side. I felt the mana grow stronger, coursing through my veins. With every hit I endured, I grew closer to unlocking the skill.

I stood firm, planting my feet on the ground. The clone lunged at me once more, his fist glowing with power. But this time, I didn't try to dodge. Instead, I braced myself, tanking the hit square in the chest.

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[HP: 900/2800]

[Booster Skill: 70%]

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The impact sent me sliding across the ground, but I clenched my fists, refusing to go down. I could feel it now, the energy surging through me. My veins throbbed, my muscles burned, and my heart pounded like a drum. The blue aura started to flicker around me, faint but present.

The clone lunged again, his movements faster than ever. I sidestepped, barely avoiding the attack, and threw a punch of my own. It connected with his ribs, sending him skidding back.

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[Booster Skill: 100%]

[Skill Acquired: Booster]

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The moment the notification flashed, everything clicked. The energy exploded within me, and the blue aura around my body surged to life. My movements became sharper, faster, and more fluid. For the first time in the fight, I was on even ground.

The clone charged at me again, but this time, I was ready, feeling the raw power course through my body.

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[MP: 260/560]

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He swung at me, but I sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a rapid flurry of punches that left him staggered. My speed overwhelmed him now, each strike landing with precision and force. The clone tried to retreat, but I didn't let up.

Channeling all my remaining strength, I activated *Blind Spot Critical*, pouring everything into one final attack.

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[Blind Spot Critical Activated: -500 HP, -200 MP]

[MP: 60/560]

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My fist glowed red as I launched forward, striking the clone square in the abdomen. The force of the attack created a shockwave that echoed across the arena. His body crumpled under the impact, disintegrating into blue particles as he collapsed to the ground.

I stumbled back, my body trembling violently. Blood dripped from my orifices, and my vision blurred. Every muscle in my body screamed in agony as my blood vessels burst. I fell to my knees, barely able to stay conscious.

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[HP: 1/2800]

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The system chimed again, its voice calm and emotionless.

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[Clone Defeated.]

[Healing Initiated.]

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A soothing warmth enveloped me, mending my broken body and erasing the pain. My HP bar steadily climbed back to full, and my breathing evened out. I lay on the ground, staring at the endless sky above as the adrenaline began to fade.

"Never again..." I muttered, a faint smile on my lips. Using Booster and Blind Spot Critical together was a mistake, a lethal combination that pushed my body far beyond its limits.

I stood up slowly, rolling my shoulders as I looked around the empty arena. My fists clenched, determination burning in my eyes.

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1162 words.

Patreon: Mr_Graythorn