The cold glow of the hospital room was gone when Eric awoke again. His mind, sharper than ever, immediately noted the stillness in the air and the faint buzz of distant machinery. It was night.
For a moment, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling. His body ached, his ribs screamed in protest, but his mind churned. He wasn't just Eric Thorn now—he was something more, someone with the tools to rewrite a story that had ended in failure.
The faint creak of a door startled him, pulling him from his thoughts. A nurse stepped into the room, clipboard in hand. She glanced up, saw him awake, and offered a kind smile.
"You're awake. That's good," she said softly, walking to his bedside. "You've been through a lot. How are you feeling?"
Eric considered her question. His mind instinctively analysed his body once more.
[You assess your current state. Your injuries remain severe, but rest and proper care have improved your recovery speed. Pain has decreased by 15%. Recovery estimate: 3–5 weeks.]
"I've been better," he replied, his voice hoarse.
The nurse chuckled lightly. "I'd imagine so. You were brought in two days ago—unconscious, multiple fractures, internal bruising. It's a miracle you're even alive."
Two days. He filed the information away, along with the faint tremor of anger rising in his chest. Two days lost while his enemies roamed free.
The nurse adjusted his IV, then scribbled a note on her clipboard. "The doctors will check on you in the morning. For now, rest. You'll heal faster that way."
She left him alone again, the soft click of the door echoing in the silence.
As the hours stretched on, Eric's thoughts returned to the memories of the old Eric Thorn. The pain, the humiliation, the rage—it was all so vivid. But this time, he wasn't going to wallow in despair.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the memories of training. Boxing drills, sparring sessions, the crack of knuckles against punching bags. Each memory became a piece of a larger puzzle, and with every moment of focus, new details emerged.
[You analyse the original host's combat training. You refine the basic techniques and identify critical weaknesses. New skill acquired: Unarmed Combat (Novice).]
The notification stirred something within him. If he could analyse and improve himself this quickly, there was no telling how much he could grow.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the protests of his body. The faint sting of needles tugged at his arms, and the sharp ache in his ribs flared as he stood. His knees buckled momentarily, but he caught himself on the bedframe.
[Warning: Physical strain will slow recovery. Excessive movement may cause further injury.]
Eric grimaced. He couldn't afford to lie idle, but pushing himself too far would only delay his plans. He reached for the rolling IV stand and used it for support as he shuffled toward the window.
The city stretched out before him, its lights twinkling like stars. Somewhere out there, the men who had destroyed Eric Thorn's life were walking free, unbothered by the havoc they'd caused.
A thought struck him like lightning. If he was to face them, he needed to be more than just a man with revenge in his heart. He needed a foundation—strength, skills, and a strategy.
[You consider your current situation. Step 1: Accelerate recovery through controlled physical therapy. Step 2: Establish a safe location for training. Step 3: Gather information on targets and allies.]
Morning came quickly, bringing with it the routine sounds of the hospital. Doctors checked on him, nurses bustled in and out, and he answered their questions with curt nods. His mind was elsewhere, always analysing, planning.
By mid-afternoon, he requested a notebook and pen. The nurse was kind enough to oblige, and as soon as she left, Eric began scribbling.
He listed everything he remembered about the five men—their names, appearances, habits. The memories of the old Eric Thorn were still incomplete, but they were clear enough to give him a starting point.
Next, he outlined a recovery plan. Breathing techniques, stretching exercises, basic movements to rebuild his strength. His incredible understanding filled in the gaps, turning vague ideas into actionable steps.
[You develop a structured recovery plan. Recovery time reduced by 10%. Physical resilience increased.]
A spark of determination ignited within him. Every action, no matter how small, was a step closer to reclaiming control.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Eric tested the first step of his plan. He focused on his breathing, each inhale and exhale deliberate and measured. Then he added gentle stretches, moving carefully to avoid aggravating his injuries.
[You perform light physical therapy. Flexibility and mobility improved. Recovery progress: +5%. Basic Breathing Techniques proficiency +1.]
The results weren't miraculous, but they were tangible. His body felt slightly looser, his mind clearer.
As he lay back in bed, exhaustion creeping in, a new notification appeared:
[Your Basic Breathing Techniques proficiency has reached the limit. The skill has been upgraded to Intermediate Breathing Technique.]
He stared at the glowing text until it faded, a small smile playing on his lips.
The old Eric Thorn had failed because he lacked the tools and the vision. But this time would be different.
This time, failure wasn't an option.