Chapter 291 Earth Magic Box

After hours of relentless travel, they finally arrived at the entrance to the cave where the magic box was. The air was thick with anticipation and dread. Suzuka dismounted the four-wheeler, her movements confident. On the other hand, Jacob was visibly shaking, his fear on full display.

Suzuka glanced at him, her expression softening slightly.

"Remember, Jacob, this is for your good. You'll come out stronger. And if you don’t... well, let’s not dwell on that."

Jacob nodded, swallowing hard.

"That is not adding any courage at all but alright, let's get this over with."

They entered the cave, the darkness enveloping them. The only sound was the echo of their footsteps against the cold stone floor. A strange, ominous energy filled the air as they approached the magic box. The box itself seemed to pulse with a life of its own, a malevolent force that sent shivers down Jacob's spine.

Suzuka turned to Jacob, her eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. 

"Step inside. And Jacob, good luck."

Jacob hesitated for a moment, then, steeling himself, he stepped close to the box. 

The Earth Magic Box was an imposing structure, towering over Jacob with its massive, cubic form. Standing over twice his height, it commanded attention with its sheer size. The exterior of the box was adorned with rich, earthy patterns that seemed to shift and swirl as if alive, reflecting the deep connection to the element of earth.

The surface of the cube was a mosaic of colors, ranging from deep browns and lush greens to golden ochres and fiery reds, each hue blending seamlessly into the next. This kaleidoscope of colors created an almost hypnotic effect, drawing the eye to the complex lines and geometric shapes that danced across its panels.

Embedded within the earthy patterns were numerous sparkling jewels, each one a different type of gemstone. These jewels glinted and shimmered in the dim light of the cave, their facets catching and reflecting the faint illumination in a dazzling display. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and topazes studded the box, adding a touch of opulence to its rugged appearance.

The lines that crisscrossed the surface of the Earth Magic Box were not mere decorations but intricate glyphs and runes of ancient origin. These complex symbols wove together in an elaborate tapestry of magical inscriptions, each one pulsing with latent power. The lines converged and diverged in mesmerizing patterns, forming a labyrinthine network that hinted at the immense energies contained within.

Jacob pressed his hands against the surface of the Earth Magic Box, his fingers trembling as he infused his mana into the intricate glyphs. The box seemed to come alive, the patterns shifting and the jewels glowing more brightly. With a deep breath, he felt the familiar pull and let himself be drawn through the box’s wall, disappearing into its depths.

Suzuka watched him go, her eyes narrowing as she studied the box more closely. Unlike the Gravity Magic Box she had encountered, this one seemed more organic, its earth tones and shifting patterns evoking a sense of primal power. The only similarity between the two boxes was their cubic shape and size. Everything else was markedly different.

Minutes passed, and Suzuka settled herself on a nearby rock, pulling out her stash of potent healing potions and placing them within arm's reach. She knew the torture Jacob was enduring inside the box all too well. Suzuka opened a book, trying to distract herself from the impending sight of Jacob's likely mangled form.

Almost half an hour later, the Earth Magic Box began to softly glow. Suzuka's attention snapped back to it as she saw Jacob crawling out, his body barely recognizable. The transformation he had undergone was horrifying.

 His skin looked as if it had been eroded by the passage of time, parts of it cracked and flaking off like dry earth. Deep fissures ran across his limbs, seeping blood and strange, golden dust that shimmered in the dim light. His muscles twitched uncontrollably, spasming from the sheer torment he had endured. His once-strong frame was now gaunt, his flesh appearing as if it had been partially turned to stone and then shattered.

"Please, Suzuka," Jacob begged, his voice a hoarse whisper.

 "No more... I can't... the pain... it's unbearable." His eyes, wide with terror and agony, met hers, pleading for mercy.

Suzuka's expression was cold, unrelenting.

 "You know this is necessary, Jacob. You need the power to fulfill your role. There's no other way."

His hands and arms bore the worst of it, the skin cracked and eroded as if he had been clawing through stone. His fingernails were dark and bleeding. His veins stood out starkly against his pale skin, filled with the residual energy of the earth magic that had ravaged his body.

Jacob's hands, now more skeletal than fleshy, trembled as he reached out, trying to grasp at some semblance of mercy.

 "I beg you... no more... I can’t survive another round. I’ll die, Suzuka. I’ll die in there."

Jacob's breathing was ragged, every inhales a struggle as he dragged himself fully out of the box. His muscles twitched uncontrollably, spasms running through his limbs from the sheer strain of the magical forces. The earth magic had not only tested his physical limits but had also drained him of his strength and vitality.

Suzuka glanced at the array of healing potions, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

 "You’ll be fine. These potions will heal you faster than anything else. You have a little werewolf blood, remember? You can handle this."

Tears mingled with the golden dust on Jacob’s cheeks as he shuddered, the memory of past tortures too fresh. 

“No, Suzuka, you don’t understand. The earth magic... it’s like being ground down. Like my very essence is being crushed and reshaped. I can feel myself becoming part of the earth. Please, I’ll do anything, just don’t make me go back in there.”

Suzuka leaned in closer, her eyes glowing a menacing red.

 “And you remember what you did to me, don’t you, Jacob? How you and Derrec planned to throw me into a box with a rating that would have killed me? This is your penance. You will gain the power you need, and you will survive.”

Jacob recoiled, his mind flashing back to the horrors he had inflicted. His guilt was as real as his pain.

 “But you... you’re different, Suzuka. You came out stronger. I... I’m just a man. I can’t... just kill me if it makes you feel better.”

Suzuka silenced him with a glare, her sharp teeth bared in a predatory smile. 

“Don't be silly, you’ll survive, Jacob. I’ll make sure of it. There is nothing for me to gain if I just kill you. Think of this as a redemption, a chance to do good things. Not just for me, but think how much good you will be able to do with more power. Think of my town, just imagine how many innocent lives will be saved and live in happiness. When the box powers tear your body apart inside of it, try focusing on that thought. It will help to keep your sanity. Now, drink the potion and get back in there. We’re not done yet.”

Suzuka wasted no time and quickly administered the healing potion. The liquid glowed faintly as it began to work its magic. Jacob winced, the healing process almost as painful as the damage itself, but he could feel the restorative effects taking hold. These healing potions were boosted with Suzuka's healing blood and worked wonders in recovering Jacob, with only a few bottles of it, Jacob was back on his feet.

Reluctantly, Jacob pressed his hands against the Earth Magic Box once more. The glyphs flared to life, and with a last, desperate look at Suzuka, he asked, "How did you survive this torture, what kept you going, how did you keep your sanity?"

"By cursing and spitting blood, swearing to myself that one day I will make everyone who wronged me that day suffer. I clung to that, Jacob."

He infused his mana and disappeared back inside the cube. Suzuka picked up her book again, waiting for the next round of torment to end.

An hour had passed, and the Earth Magic Box glowed again, signaling Jacob's return. This time, he emerged on his feet, only because of the potent healing potions Suzuka had crafted with her healing blood. Though he was still a sorry sight - his skin marred with fissures, and his body trembling - he managed to walk out alive. As he stumbled forward, he fell to his knees, gasping for breath.

Suzuka approached him with another potion in hand, her expression cold and calculating. 

"Well, Jacob, do you think you absorbed enough power to be a 4-star now?"

Jacob, desperate to avoid another round inside the box, lied through his teeth.

 "Yes, yes, I think I am. It should be enough."

Suzuka’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying his lie. 

"Just so you know, I will be taking you to Dr. Jenkins to measure your new stats and register you officially. Are you sure you're good now? Because if it turns out you were missing a few minutes, I will drag you back here and keep you shut in it until you go all the way to 5 stars. So I ask again, are we good?"

Jacob felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. His lie had been caught, and he knew the consequences of trying to deceive Suzuka. With a nervous chuckle, he admitted, "Well, now that I think about it, I might need a little bit more time. Just to be sure, right?"

Suzuka’s menacing smile returned, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

 "That’s my man," she said, handing him the potion. 

"Drink a few potions and off you go."

Jacob took the potion with shaking hands and drank it down, feeling the familiar burn of the healing magic coursing through his veins. As his wounds began to close, Suzuka’s gaze remained fixed on him, a reminder of the relentless torment she had experienced herself.

With a deep, resigned sigh, Jacob stood up and faced the Earth Magic Box once more. He pressed his hands against its surface, the glyphs flaring to life as he infused his mana. The box accepted him back inside, and Suzuka settled down to wait again, her eyes cold and unyielding.