Jay escaped the outskirts of the shopping district and found refuge in an old basement that connected to the sewers.
Along with the familiar ache in his stomach, the technique's recoil had severely twisted the muscles throughout his body. He leaned against the damp wall, breathing heavily.
[Progress: 3.1345% → 3.1348%]
0.0003%
He stared at the system window.
The result of the destroying a weapon, suffering internal injuries, and almost paying with years of his life—was just a change in the fourth decimal place.
'At this rate, how many more times do I have to achieve this until I can return to Earth?'
His goal of returning to Earth felt increasingly unrealistic in the face of this world's definition of "progress." It was not progress as he had imagined it.
He tore out a piece of old cloth, forcibly pulled out the fragments embedded in his body, and tucked them into his pocket.
The bleeding wasn't severe, but the deep, internal pain from using the technique to its limit didn't subside.
[Physical Condition: Internal Injuries (Stage 2). Regeneration required for complete recovery (Time required: 0.5 years).]
The system recommended paying half a year of his lifespan, but he refused.
Half a year was too much for a price.
He used his remaining strength to push himself up.
His fight couldn't stop now.
Time was ticking.