Aimless Ascension

_Another week and a few days passed. And my fate hadn't changed.

I was still the poor sod I was a week before. Although my left palm got a lot better, still not to the point where I could put pressure on it. Then there were the lashes that were added on every day of my incompetence. It hadn't been any bit easier on me.

Today I was supposed to get eighty lashes on my back.

I couldn't sleep the last day when I got seventy lashes. That pain was still fresh in my mind even though a day passed. Not to mention, the marks that were accumulating on my back.

I had one freebie left and I would be using that tomorrow for all that matters. Hopefully, I would be able to meet the quota before I die on the punishment stand.

Hopefully.

But that wouldn't change my fate, would it? I would still be slaving away my life, knowing there was a broader world where magic was real. It wasn't simply a shÅ’nen manga that I could free myself of this cursed fate out of sheer willpower and courage.

Well, even if it were, I didn't think I fit to be the protagonist. I brood too much and simply didn't have the courage with this beat-down body of my own.

'No, no, I shouldn't brood too much on these useless thoughts,' I thought to myself. I couldn't let them break my mind. I must preserve. I must keep on hoping. It's hardly been three weeks. There were people who survived worse. Imani and Dele survived for six years, and they had nobody to help them as they were doing for me.

I would preserve whatever the cost.

I hadn't managed to get much information about vital energy from the doctor or his assistant these past few days. Well, my involvement was mostly limited to the assistant. Her name was Sara. She was here for four years, and like me only able to survive with the help of others. Especially, Imani.

Sara seemed to hold Imani in high regard for what she did for him. I didn't know the specifics, but Imani probably saved her a dozen times.

Anyway, Sara was the one who put me through those agonising massage therapies. I didn't know how they would help when the problem was with the bone. Well, doctor stuff, but since it got better, I have no issue with that.

As for the matter of the weird spiral mark on my palm? There was no change. And no, it hadn't given me any superpower that would help me miraculously get off this enslavement.

To be honest, I felt somewhat peculiar bearing this mark, not knowing what it would do to me. So far, it hadn't been that fitting, leaving my left palm sore and un-rehabilitated all over.

Well, it couldn't be worse than slavery.

Anyway, I went slaving away my labour at the mine like usual. Let us cut to the end of the day since I would be boring you with my mindless, anxious thoughts.

So eighty lashes. . . I won't be describing the pain to you again. Because you simply couldn't imagine it if you hadn't been at the end of the lash for once.

Just know that Cameron, with the help of a couple more guys, carried me to my room. Well, I was conscious for some time, but I asked Cameron to strangle me.

No, not to kill me. I still had juice left in me to keep going, not to mention all that pep talk I gave myself before. I just wanted to pass out. At least the pain would be relieved for a few hours.

Passing out did the trick, as I spent a few hours in dreamland, hoping my misery would end soon.

I didn't know if the gods above heard my plea because that was the day hope finally kindled in life at my most desperate time.

Hope was also in the shape of the most beautiful woman in my life.

The two ladies who were listening to Gale narrate his story sucked in a deep breath, exchanging glances. They were way past the point of disturbing Gale's narration.

Gale didn't have to tell them that it all ended in a tragedy as the look on his face was evident enough.

It was at some point at midnight, and my mind decided it was time to wake up as if I hadn't been compelled to the satisfactory amount of misery for the day. I was thrown into the fiery pit of hell the moment I woke up. My whole body spasmed as the pain overwhelmed my nerves.

I cursed in low grunts, blaming the world and myself.

Stupid brain, couldn't you just let me remain dreaming in peace for a few more hours? I complained to myself. Now how could I sleep bearing so much pain?

If I knew I would meet her today, I wouldn't be complaining like this. But I wasn't an oracle, so I laid there for some time, until I felt uncomfortable in my stomach.

Well, I was on resting on my front. Of course, it would be uncomfortable, but that wasn't it. It seemed I needed to unload some crap out of my system. I really didn't want to move out at this hour, not to mention with my aching body, but I stood up, as I didn't want to dirty my room.

Somehow, I managed to carry my body out of the room, leaning against the wall. I considered asking Cameron for help, but on second thought, I decided against it. The former accountant had trouble of his own to take care of, not to mention this was a bit. . . no, a lot embarrassing to ask someone to help me shit.

Hopefully, I won't die shitting alone. And even if I die, I would die with all the little pride I was left with.

_______

Another one remaining of the flashback for this turn. Hopefully, I would be able to leave you all hanging on the cliff.