Chains, Goblins, and a Skill Called... Masochist?!

Darkness. Dampness. The smell of mildew and... was that blood?

Yuriko Aihara blinked. Her body ached in strange places, her head throbbed, and she was pretty sure she was chained to a wall.

“Ugh… wha…?”

Her voice came out hoarse and dry. She coughed, the sound echoing against cold stone walls. When she tried to move, metal clinked—her wrists were bound by rusty iron cuffs, and her legs were chained to the floor.

“Okay, calm down, Yuriko. Assess the situation. You’re not dead. That’s step one.”

She stared at the damp stone floor. It was too vivid. Too textured. And it hurt. Her back stung where the wall scraped her skin. Her knees ached from the cold floor. Her throat burned from thirst.

And somehow, she felt… thrilled.

“…Oh no,” she whispered, lips curling in a crooked smile. “This isn’t a dream, is it?”

[💠 SYSTEM MESSAGE 💠]

You have been summoned to the World of Eldrieth.
Class: —
Unique Skill: Masochist (Lv. 1)
Skill Effect: Takes reduced damage. Pain increases mana and strength. Skills evolve through suffering.
Warning: This skill is not recommended for normal humans.

“...What the actual hell?”

The glowing blue text faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving Yuriko wide-eyed and alone again in the dark.

“Masochist? That’s my only skill?”
She bit her lip. Hard. The sharp pain made her shiver.

Her fingers twitched in the chains.

“I… I shouldn't be happy about this,” she whispered. “This is so wrong... I’m in a dungeon. Chained up. Probably captured by monsters or cultists or—”

CLANG.

A heavy wooden door creaked open. In shuffled two small, hunched figures with green skin, crooked teeth, and dripping clubs.

Goblins.

The one in front sneered. “Heh. This one still alive. Human girl tasty.”

The other poked her with the blunt end of his club. “Not fight back. No scream. Weak.”

Yuriko stared at them, then at the club.

And then she grinned.

“Oh no,” she muttered, giggling slightly. “This is really happening.”

The goblin raised his club.

SMACK.

It slammed into her side. She coughed violently, the pain blooming like fire in her ribs—

And the blue window returned.

[💠 SYSTEM UPDATE 💠]

You have taken damage.
+10 Strength.
+5 Mana.
Masochist Skill Level Up! → Lv. 2
New Subskill Unlocked: Pain Conversion I – Damage converts into energy over time.

“…This is awesome.”

The goblins froze. Yuriko’s head was hanging low, hair shadowing her face, but they could see the smile stretching across her lips.

“I get stronger… when you hurt me?”

She looked up, eyes glowing faint blue.

“Hit me again.”

The goblins took a step back.

“I said—”
The chains rattled as she yanked at them, standing up despite the cuffs on her arms. Blood dripped from her mouth, but she looked… radiant.

“Hit me again!”

To Be Continued...