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"Can't believe I'm really a girl now. Testing… Testing…" Asta hummed a little. "Even my voice sounds like an older woman's. It's tough and kinda hot, actually."
She looked down and gently held the two balloons hanging from her chest. They felt so soft and comfy. "Damn, I can't believe these are mine now… I could get used to this."
Immediately after thinking that, she smacked her forehead with her hand, jostling herself back to reality. "Crap! This is not the time to fondle my breasts."
Asta tried to recall what had happened before she blacked out, only to wince as she remembered the intense agony of all the experiments done to her.
"Fuck! How did I even survive that?! I can't believe that stupid scientist turned me into this…" Asta muttered in disbelief. She gave herself a once-over in the shattered piece of mirror as she thought, only to pause as a calculated, confident, and terrifyingly divine woman stared back at her with a piercing gaze that could consume souls.
Asta felt her heart skip a beat. No matter how she moved, the woman in the mirror followed her with inhuman grace and precision. She couldn't help but be hypnotized by how delicate yet unbelievably strong, how perfect, every part of her seemed to be.
With great effort, Asta peeled her eyes away from the mirror. Only one word occupied her mind: dangerous. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but I guess this isn't all that bad… Although, I wish I still had my little brother."
Asta sighed at the thought, which led to a begrudging chuckle as she imagined how her best friend would react to her new form. "Oh man, if that fucker sees me now... I'll never hear the end of it. 'Hey, Asta! You finally match your looks!' He'll kill me with those jokes…"
"And my classmates!" Asta threw her hands up in mock despair. "I've always told them that I wasn't a girl, but with this? They'll think I've just been playing the long game."
Asta attempted to muster tears, a dramatic gesture more than anything else, but found herself weirdly dry-eyed. "Why can't I even cry properly? Is that part of the package? No tears for the new girl on the block?"
Sighing, Asta slumped against a wall as her mind wandered. "I was supposed to be the man of the house, not the... other way around. Wanted a wife, kids running around, being called dad… Well, mom now, I guess?"
Asta shook her head. "Guess it's time to set new goals. Step one: learn how to walk in heels." She chuckled at the thought before a heady laughter filled with amusement and resignation escaped her lips, echoing in the empty room. "What the hell am I even saying…" Snapping back to reality, she wiped away her non-existent tears as newfound determination burned in her eyes.
"Now that all this surprise nonsense is done, it's time for some action. I've got a new target after all," Asta muttered to herself. She paced back and forth, mentally and meticulously laying out her plan. "It's obvious these scientists are just puppets. They report to a boss, sure, but he can't be the big fish. No way."
Asta paused, running her hands through her newly long purple hair in frustration. "Potions, dragon blood… They shouldn't even exist, but somehow they do. If that's the case, then who's to say magic, alternate worlds, gods, literally anything doesn't exist?! Science be damned. The only plausible explanation for all of this is that the real string-puller is from another world."
As realization set in, a fiery look filled with an insatiable thirst for vengeance took over Asta's expression. "So… The mastermind is hiding in another dimension, huh? Fine. I'll just have to take a little trip then. I'll hunt them down, end their game, and while I'm at it, find a way to revert this... transformation."
As her plan solidified, Asta felt a sudden spark of excitement, one that came when facing a particularly difficult challenge, and one that she sorely missed. "Watch out, otherworldly overlord, here I come! Asta the girl—no, the warrior—is on her way… Well, after I escape this godforsaken room. But, nonetheless, on my way!"
As Asta assessed her predicament, her attention fell upon the sole thick metal chain still binding one of her legs. It was roughly 10 meters long, which gave her enough room to move around, and the only one that survived her violent transformation. Despite the visible cracks on the chain, it still radiated an aura of intense power.
Asta moved her leg, testing the chain's resistance. She traced and prodded the cracks on the chain with her fingers, hoping to break the weakest point in the metal, only to discover, much to her surprise, that every part of the chain seemed to be equally strong. Somehow, the visible cracks were superficial, and the actual strength of the chain hadn't waned, holding its own even against her newfound strength.
"These chains definitely aren't just for show," Asta whispered with a mix of awe and frustration. "There's definitely some sort of enchantment or magic on here, alright. Otherwise, I would be free by now."
Asta closed her eyes, focusing all her senses on the chain. Earlier, she felt an aura of power emanating from the chain, but now she could "see" it. It was dark and menacing. Worse, it was feeding off of her and repairing itself! She watched as several luminous purple threads were slowly siphoned and consumed by that concentrated ominous aura, which very much reminded Asta of black holes eating stars.
Speaking of stars, Asta quickly followed the threads back to their source, herself, only to be nearly blinded by what she "saw." It was a massive ball of fiery red and seductive blue flames that crashed and melded against each other. As she focused on it, she could feel it react, bubbling forth incredible internal strength that, for a brief moment, managed to overshadow the ominous aura of the chain.
"I don't fully understand this transformation yet," Asta admitted, as she slowly opened her now glowing eyes. "But it seems my body is adapting well to this dragon blood. Maybe it's time to test just how much I've changed."
With a deep breath, Asta once again began focusing on her core, channeling its frenzied aura into her limbs and organs. She felt her muscles tense as more and more energy entered them, her heart pounding wildly with adrenaline and raw power. In this state, she felt that the chain was no longer an insurmountable challenge, but a mere obstacle she was destined to overcome.
"Alright, let's see if that asshole was right. True dragon's resilience, huh. Well, here goes nothing!" Asta declared, her voice steady and confident. With a sudden, explosive movement, she ran and pulled at the chain with all her might, the air around her crackling and becoming hazy from the energy of her effort. It didn't take long before the chain started groaning and straining under her grip.
"Come on," Asta gritted her teeth. "Break!" She focused even harder, watching with anticipation as cracks on the chain widened a little. However, it did not break.
After a while, Asta paused as a pang of exhaustion washed over her. Despite the initial failure, her determination hadn't wavered in the slightest. In fact, it had only grown. For the next few hours, she tried again and again to break free, each time feeling her strength slowly increase as she used her powers, but it was all for naught. The chain would always survive and repair itself after every attempt, and she had no clue how to stop it.
"Uhhhh, man, I'm bored," Asta grumbled, frustrated. "This is taking far too long," she complained as she shook the chain. "Come on, strength, kick in already!" Her discomfort heightened as she realized she still had barely any clothes on.
"At least give me something to wear, damn it!" Asta implored into the void. "I'm pretty much naked here! Didn't anyone teach you guys it's rude to strip your test subjects? What kind of mad scientist convention doesn't even provide a bathrobe?!"
Silence. Asta sighed as her outbursts, as always, remained futile. An absurd, wry smile then crept onto her face as she suddenly imagined how she'd look like to some hypothetical outsider: probably, no, definitely a lunatic. "Fuck it, might as well sleep and hope for a wardrobe miracle."
"Don't worry Asta," she whispered to herself, curling up on the cold hard floor as best she could. "When I wake up, I'll definitely be strong enough to break these chains and march out of here. Hopefully, by then, I'll at least find a curtain to replace this tattered lab gown."
…
Asta yawned and stretched, feeling surprisingly refreshed. "Ahhh… Man, that was a good sleep," she mumbled groggily.
Rubbing her eyes, she suddenly paused in utter confusion as she looked around her. Gone were the stark white walls of her prison. Instead, she found herself in a lavishly decorated bedchamber, replete with opulent furnishings that screamed of incredible excess.
"Ehhhhhhhh? What the hell?! What happened? How did I end up here?!" Asta exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet, her voice laced with disbelief and rising panic.
Asta pinched herself, hard. The pain made her wince. "Shit! Definitely not a dream, but where in the goddamn universe am I?" She pondered aloud, completely bewildered.
Taking in her surroundings, Asta's gaze fell upon a large ornate mirror adorning one wall of the room. She hesitantly approached it, noticing at a glance that she finally had something on. It also meant that someone must've dressed her up while she was sleeping. She shuddered at the thought.
Quickly focusing back on her reflection, Asta realized that her pupils were actually slit-shaped, like those of a cat or dragon. They were a stark reminder that she was truly no longer human, possibly far beyond it even.
With her new attire, which was just a simple but tight-fitting bedgown, Asta looked exactly like her type of girl, a well-endowed older woman in her mid-30s: in short, a mommy character.
Asta turned from side to side, scrutinizing even more of her body that she wasn't able to back in her prison. Much to her satisfaction, her body was more muscular while somehow being leaner, with well-defined abs that made her look like she'd been going to the gym for years. "Damn, I'm ripped! Another good thing, at least," she admitted with a reluctant smile.
"Though, why does my face look so… seductive, as if I have a harem of boys?" Asta chuckled dryly. "No one would guess I'm a virgin. But, man, I have to admit, I do look crazy stunning."
Asta shook her head in disbelief before stepping back from the mirror. "Well, if I'm stuck looking like this, I might as well make the most of it," she declared. With newfound resolve, she dashed out of the room and into the gallery to see the surrounding area.
As Asta caught sight of her surroundings, a wave of familiarity washed over her. It was Shibuya, Japan, a beautiful and vibrant place she knew all too well. She had to go.
Asta rapidly descended the stairs to the ground floor, only to be confronted with an unbelievable sight. Fake photos adorned the walls of the hallway, showing not only her but also her supposed family, implying a life she never lived. "This… Does this mean I'm still being controlled by them?!"
Asta's attention quickly found itself on a table near the ground floor exit, upon which a piece of paper was displayed. "And what is this? An ID card... but whose?" Her heart pounded with anticipation and dread, only to be replaced with shock as she beheld her own image emblazoned upon the card.
"Scarlett Nova?" Asta muttered incredulously, her disbelief palpable. "That's me? They fucking changed my name too?!"
As Asta scrutinized the ID card further—her purported date of birth, gender, and nationality—a sense of indignation welled within her. It didn't last long, however, as her curiosity was piqued by two more objects on the table.
"Wait, there's a smartphone here too... and a blindfold? Why a blindfold?" Asta pondered, her mind racing with questions and suspicions. As she reached for the smartphone, her fingers brushed against something beneath it.
"Huh? A letter… It must be for me, because whom else could it possibly belong to?" Asta gently unfurled the letter and started reading its contents.
If you are reading this letter, then you have probably figured a few things out. Maybe you are feeling angry, annoyed, or indignant. Whatever it is, we feel it pertinent to inform you not to make hasty decisions you will regret in the future.
Know that there is no point in informing the police or any government authority about your situation, because you can't prove anything, even if you tried. Still, let it be said that we are not unreasonable. In exchange for your silence, we will provide for every expense of yours and allow you to live freely until such time we have some business with you.
But, and keep this in mind, we are always watching you.
Slowly, Asta picked up the phone with a somber expression. For a moment, she paused as the letter's ominous warning echoed repeatedly in her mind, casting a shadow over her thoughts. "Always watching, huh?" she murmured, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Even when I'm having a private moment? Creeps."
Shaking off her discomfort, Asta focused on the more pressing need for communication. She opened the phone. "This thing better have signal," she mused aloud as her fingers swiftly entered the numbers she knew by heart.
Ring… Ring… Ring...
Asta held the phone to her ear. Each ring seemed to stretch into eternity, amplifying her anxiety and anticipation. "Come on… pick up," she whispered under her breath.
The number Asta had dialed was her sole connection back to some semblance of normalcy, the only person she hoped could help her make sense of her surreal predicament.
"Hello?" A young man's voice came from the other end.
"Uhhhh, Aoto?" Asta replied, her voice just above a whisper.
"Yeah, that's me alright… But who are you, and why do you know my name?"
Asta's heart skipped a beat at the disbelief in Aoto's voice. Her attempt at maintaining her composure faltered as tears threatened to overwhelm her. Luckily, she managed to calm herself down.
"Ahem, ahem. It's me, Asta." Asta's voice trembled with emotion.
"You bitch!" Aoto quickly snapped back. "Like hell I'd believe that. Do you think I'm stupid enough not to recognize my best friend's voice?!"
Asta smacked her head as she realized her mistake. "Shit! I keep on forgetting I'm a girl now," she cursed inwardly.
Asta cleared her throat, trying to inject a familiar lilt into her voice. "Really, it's me bro. Look, I know I sound different, but something... happened. I'm not joking."
Aoto's skepticism could be felt even through the phone. "Something happened? What does that even mean? You sound like a girl, man."
A wave of frustration washed over Asta. How could she explain her unbelievable situation without sounding insane? "I know, I know, it's crazy. I've been transformed, Aoto. It's a long story, but I need you to believe me."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Asta could almost picture Aoto's baffled expression. "Transformed? Are you in some kind of trouble? This isn't some prank, right?"
"Absolutely not a prank," Asta rushed to assure him. "I'm serious. I was kidnapped, experimented on... It's been a nightmare. I don't fully understand it myself, but now I'm... different, yeah."
Aoto sighed heavily. "This is a lot to take in, man. If it's really you, then tell me something only Asta would know."
Grasping at the lifeline, Asta quickly recounted a shared secret from their past, hoping it would be enough to convince her skeptical friend. Still, knowing her best friend's tendencies, Asta braced herself for Aoto's inevitable inquiry.
"Jeez, I didn't need to remember that one again…. Ok, ok, you've almost convinced me. Just one more question." Aoto's voice turned sly as he spoke. "What type of girl does Asta like?"
"This motherfucker… He always asks me these stupid questions. When I meet you again, I swear I will actually beat you to death," Asta seethed internally. Still, she had to give an answer.
Asta's voice trembled with embarrassment. "Well, you know, it's kinda embarrassing… I guess I like a tall, a bit older, and a MIL-"
"Asta?! Is that really you? Are you ok?! Fuck man, where were you this whole time?" Aoto rapidly spoke with increasing worry.
"You son of a bitch, at least let me finish!" Asta snapped back in disbelief. She took a deep breath to calm herself as she reminded herself that Aoto's concern was genuine.
"Well, a lot has happened, Aoto. It's kind of a long story," Asta finally said with a steady voice.
"Ok, how about we meet up at a restaurant at like 6 pm, or something, and then there you can tell me everything?" Aoto eagerly asked.
"Sure, that sounds good. Let's meet at our usual spot," Asta agreed, feeling a wave of nostalgia at the thought of going back to their familiar meeting place.
"Alright, see you then. And, hey, don't tell anyone else about this just yet, okay?" Aoto added.
"Got it," Asta confirmed as she ended the call, a slight smile playing on her lips despite the chaos of her situation. Talking to Aoto, even under these bizarre circumstances, always had a way of grounding her, keeping her sane.
"Huff... Talking to friends is always refreshing." With a sigh of relief, Asta's attention suddenly snapped back to her immediate problem: her attire. She couldn't just go out in her bedgown.
"Right! There was a big closet on the second floor," Asta recalled, determined to find something to wear. She ran back upstairs.
Opening the closet, she was greeted by a large assortment of women's clothing. "Crap, these are all so girly and just… not my style," Asta grumbled as she sifted through the clothes.
After a few moments of rummaging, Asta finally found something more to her liking: a simple sports bra and track pants. Slipping into them, she nodded in approval at her reflection in the mirror. "There, that's more like it. Plus, these clothes actually show off my six-pack," she said with an appreciative smirk.
With the wardrobe situation sorted, Asta found herself contemplating how to spend her time until she met Aoto later in the evening.
"What day is it anyway?" Asta wondered aloud, eyeing the calendar on the wall. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized that seven months had passed. "I guess that means I've turned 17. Should I throw myself a birthday party or something?" She chuckled to herself.
Asta's attention was then drawn to a shimmering golden card next to the calendar: a VVIP gym membership card. "Wow, these guys really don't hold back with the spending, huh? A fancy house, designer gear, and now a gym membership?" Asta shook her head in disbelief.
With her curiosity about her physical abilities growing, she decided to head to the gym to test out her new strength. Before leaving, she remembered something about her distinctive appearance that could attract unwanted attention: her eyes. For some reason she couldn't find any sunglasses in her wardrobe, a shame.
"Oh yeah, wasn't there a blindfold here somewhere?" Asta recalled as she returned to the ground floor table to retrieve it. With a mix of skepticism and hope, she tied the blindfold over her eyes and was astonished to discover she could still perfectly see through it.
"Whoa, I can actually see through this blindfold! That's pretty wild," Asta exclaimed, impressed with the blindfold's unexpected functionality. "Still, it must look pretty weird. Whatever… If someone asks, I'll just say it's a new trend or something," she mused.
"Time to head outside, yes!" Excitement fueled Asta's steps as she ventured into the open air, only to be cut short by everyone suddenly looking at her. "What is going on? Why are people staring and whispering?... I don't look that bad, do I?"
With her enhanced senses, Asta couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations around her.
"Damn, that woman is so hot. Where is she from, and why is she wearing a blindfold? Is this a new fashion trend or technology or something?"
"Beats me. Her face looks very slutty though. She's definitely dating 4–5 guys at the same time. Shit… Should I confess to her? I don't mind if she has 4–5 boyfriends or not as long as I can have my way with her."
Another guy joined. "Hell nah! Just look at you… instant rejection for sure. I'm gonna be the first one to confess to her. Fucking watch me."
More people joined. "You're one to talk…" They ended up fighting each other, leaving Asta bewildered and thankfully unnoticed.
Upon reaching the gym, Asta approached the reception desk to sign in. "Hello, I'd like to register, please," she said.
The receptionist, taken aback by Asta's striking appearance and the mysterious allure of the blindfold, momentarily lost her composure.
"I'm straight, but why does my heart skip a beat when looking at her? Could this be love at first sight? But wait, why is she wearing a blindfold?" the receptionist thought, puzzled.
"Hello? Hello? Anyone there?" Asta waved her hand slightly, trying to recapture the receptionist's attention.
Snapping out of her daze, the receptionist quickly responded, "Oh, I'm so sorry! Could you please show me your membership card?"
Asta handed over the shiny VVIP gym card. She saw the receptionist's eyes immediately widen in surprise.
"A VVIP member? She must be someone important and wealthy," the receptionist mused, impressed.
"Ma'am, did you zone out again?" Asta asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"No, no, it's just that it's rare to see a VVIP member here," the receptionist explained as she regained her professionalism. "Can I see your ID card, please?"
"Sure! Here you go." Asta handed over her ID.
The receptionist glanced at the card. "Scarlett Nova? Sounds American... Oh, it says here she's a Japanese citizen. She must've been living here for over a year. It's surprising we've never crossed paths before. The world really is vast."
"Please follow me, ma'am. The gym is pretty quiet right now since it's afternoon," the receptionist said, leading the way. She couldn't help but notice Asta's well-defined muscles and toned physique, clearly the marks of someone familiar with intense physical training.
"Wow, my first time in a gym. I'm actually pretty excited," Asta thought to herself. Despite this being her first gym visit, her enhanced physical abilities had already far surpassed ordinary humans. What she didn't yet realize was just how formidable she was becoming.
As Asta started running on the treadmill, her speed swiftly increased, much to the astonishment of the receptionist.
"She's already at 28 km/h without even breaking a sweat," the receptionist muttered, her voice shaking.
"30 km/h now…"
"Wow, 34 km/h!"
"What in the world... 36 km/h?!"
With each incremental increase, the receptionist's surprise turned to shock as she watched Asta effortlessly shatter the gym's previous records.
"Now she's hit 38 km/h… She might actually set a new world record at this rate."
"Oh my goodness! 42 km/h? She just surpassed the fastest sprint record held by Thompson-Herah, which was 39.7 km/h. Who, no, what the hell is this woman?!" the receptionist wondered in complete disbelief.
Realizing she might be drawing too much attention, Asta thought, "Maybe I should dial it back a bit. I can see the worry on the receptionist's face. She looks like she might pass out from shock… It's crazy though. Somehow, I don't even feel the least bit tired."
"M-ma'am, would you like to try some weightlifting next?" the receptionist suggested, her voice still quivering from witnessing Asta's incredible speed.
"Sure, let's go weightlifting," Asta responded enthusiastically.
"How about starting with 200 kg," the receptionist cautiously recommended.
"200 kg? Alright." Asta lifted the weight with ease, barely feeling it. "This feels too light. Do you have something heavier?"
The receptionist, a mix of awe and nervousness on her face, replied, "Um, this is 300 kg, and over here we have the heaviest one available—500 kg."
"Forget the 300. Let me try the 500 kg," Asta said confidently, stepping over to the heavier weight.
To the shock of everyone in the gym, she hoisted the 500 kg weight with just one hand, as if it was no heavier than a backpack.
Whispers filled the gym as onlookers exchanged stunned glances. They were too shocked to even pull out their phones to record what was happening. "Is she even human? What kind of strength is that?" They murmured among themselves, struggling to comprehend the sight before them.
As Asta effortlessly lifted the 200 kg, 300 kg, and finally the 500 kg weights simultaneously, she unintentionally set another world record, astounding the receptionist and everyone else in the gym.
"Hey, miss receptionist, are you okay? Oh no, she fainted. Guess I really overdid it," Asta muttered, looking down at the unconscious receptionist with a mixture of concern and embarrassment.
Asta checked the clock on the wall, only to realize it was almost 6 pm. "Well, better get going. Aoto is waiting," she thought as she set down the weights and left the gym. Everyone watched her exit in stunned silence.
As Asta waited at the designated spot, she couldn't help but notice how much Shibuya has changed since she last went. What used to be a karaoke shop was now a KFC restaurant, a library was now a retail chain, etc.—truly a stark reminder of the cold passage of time.
Taking a seat on a public bench, Asta felt the weight of curious eyes upon him, igniting a sense of frustration within. "It's already 6 o'clock. Where is Aoto? He always comes late," Asta muttered impatiently, scanning the area for any sign of her friend.
Suddenly, a striking figure approached Asta—a handsome young man with lustrous blonde hair and piercing, natural green eyes. His confident stride exuded effortless charm and charisma.
"Aoto? He recognizes me even though I'm a girl? Damn… Is this what it means to be a best friend?" Asta wondered, surprised by his friend's prompt recognition.
Before Asta could utter a word however, Aoto knelt before her and presented her with a beautiful red rose.
"Hey, miss beauty, I've fallen in love with you at first sight. Will you marry me?" Aoto boldly declared. His proposal hung in the air, leaving Asta and other onlookers speechless.
"Uh?... Ehhhhhhhh?!"