Hypothesis

—Earlier—

As the water boiled in the stove, Hans blankly stared at the ceiling. But in fact, his eyes were focused on his status window screen. 

It's been a day since he cleared the trial dungeon and many doubts and questions arose in his heart. 

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23                 Level: 20       

Race: Human (91%), ??? (9%)

Potential: ??? 

Strength: 104             

Agility: 75

Stamina: 70

Mana: 68

Unused stats: 0

Talent: Unlock at Level 100

Innate Skill: [Endless Plunder (D)] 

Plundered Skill: [Body Enhancement (B)], [Mind's Eye (E)], [Acrobat (D)], [Hide (C)], [Berserk (C)], [Lurk (E)].

Skill: [Mirror Clone (B)] 

Mana Property: Evil.] 

'Hmm… strange.'

If it did not have the red form, the Naga might have already killed him. Hans understood that this ability wasn't something simple. The fact that red form can't be seen in his skills arsenal further supports the assumption. 

'It might be… an Innate skill?' 

Based on his observations, this red form might be just like his 'endless plunder'. 

"Plundy, what do you think of my red form?" Hans leaned on the soft cushion as he asked. 

[It's cool.]

"No, no! I mean what do you think of its origin? Is it just like you? An Innate Skill?" 

[To be honest, it's also my first time witnessing such a bizarre power but…] 

"but?" 

[but the red form can't be an Innate Skill.] 

Hans listened carefully but upon hearing Plundy's words, he brought his hand under his chin. Even Plundy didn't know its origin. 

"Fuu—" 

Hans groaned in helplessness. 

[I… I could more or less sense where it's coming from though.] 

Hans' eyes widened in delight. He straightened his back and quickly asked, "Where!?" 

[Your race.]

"My… race?" 

[It's like this.]

In a sense, Plundy's explanation was simple. Monster races have something called Innate Talents the moment they are born. They develop it from their infancy until they become adults and mature. 

[But in fact, there's also another talent the status window couldn't show.]

Hans knew that there is a mystery behind his skill but to think there's another talent section in the system still greatly surprised him. 

"What is it?" 

[The racial talent or traits. I can't remember the right term.]

Hans listened carefully and nodded. In his 20 years of life, he hadn't heard of anyone having this kind of thing. In actuality, this was also his first time hearing those words. 

"..."

As if he understood Hans' silence, Plundy began to explain. 

[Racial talent or whatever it is, unlocked at a monster's puberty or adulthood. It was just similar to Innate Skill if you asked me albeit racial talents would only be available when certain conditions are met.]

"..." 

[For example, you're a healthy baby. Walking would not be possible for you as certain conditions haven't been met yet.]

"Uh, that's quite an example huh."

Although it was a simple explanation, Hans understood it all. His eyes move in his race section. Due to some circumstances, Hans could somewhat guess how it went up.

"I'm not sure though."

The 7% came from his plundered skill while the other 2% might be the result of him using the red form twice now. Now the only question is… 

"What would happen when it reached 10%?"

Would he uncover something? Or perhaps nothing at all. But just as Plundy says, if the red form was truly a racial talent then the possibility of having another power up might be at hand. 

If racial talent exists at every milestone, then a 10% should suffice. 

'I could use this as a trump card.'

Due to his lack of attack skills, Hans has been at wit's end. Unfortunately, rune-stones were so expensive even though the skills inside were low ranks. He had no money to buy those yet.

Hans' groaned as his thoughts flew. 

Truuuu—

The sound of boiling water escaping from the kettle made him stand up. For now, this hypothesis would remain in his head until the promised day came.

.............. 

Although they appeared deeper inside the boss room, there weren't any monsters appearing. It was strange as the boss monster was a necromancer. There should be at least mobs, right? 

Everyone suddenly looked at each other. The throne also seemed to be far away even though it could easily be seen by the naked eye. 

'The boss room is getting wider!' 

Everyone came to this conclusion. Even Jason's brow furrowed at this strange phenomenon. He raised his hand and signaled the team to stop. 

"Don't move any of you!!" 

The boss room continued to widen with every step they took. 

Understanding his meaning, everyone halted in their tracks and stared at the skeleton sitting on the throne. It felt like it was staring at their souls, making their skin crawl in fear. 

Jason brandished his sword with mana and sent a slash to the boss monster. 

Shu—

As if something blocked it, the slashed vanished midway. 

"As expected, there's a barrier."

Jason nodded after realizing the boss room structure. 

"We need to destroy the barrier without moving here, so mages fire your best shot!!"

Although conflicted, eventually they had no chance to turn back. Spells and skills rained down upon the barrier and with just over 6 seconds, the barrier finally collapsed. 

"Phew."

"Ha."

Some let out a thankful sigh of relief. With this, they could already see the boss monster coming to life. Its eye sockets glowed in blue while in its hand, an orb glowed green. 

As the boss monster woke up, Jason took the lead with each member following suit. Fogs entered their sight, obscuring their vision as they walked forward. 

"This is creepy."

"Should we go back?" 

"Do you think you could go back? Can't you see that door!? It's closed, Brian!" 

Everyone flustered at the thought of being locked in forever. Jason, who's obviously delaying the time, had no intention of getting out. His eyes observed the boss monster. Based on the aura it's exuding, it was more or less C-class peak or borderline B-class. 

With that even said, it still wasn't enough to consider a threat. 

The moment the boss monster stood up from its chair, everyone nervously tense; their hands clenched their weapons. Having entered many yellow dungeons, only Wayne, Kyle, and Jason were not cowering but still, their eyes showed solemnity. 

"Don't falter and focus on killing the boss!" 

The boss monster raised its hand. Together with his action, the ground shuddered in delight. As if a portal came in there, skeletons began waking up from their sleep until the room was filled with them. 

"Isn't this too many for a yellow dungeon?" 

"Indeed, even a B-class Awakened with a necromancer skill can't summon this much."

"Maybe, the boss evolved?" 

The wavering voices were full of anxiety. Even as a seasoned C-class Awakened, it was their first time having to fight a necromancer. As this was their first time, it was quite scary. 

Jason took the front, assuring the group that he was still there. 

Everyone exchanged meaningful glances and nodded in resolve. The only way to get out of here is to kill the boss monster. 

"Prepare yourself!!!" 

After hearing his words, instinctively, everyone got into their positions and readied their spells. Cold sweats oozed on their forehead as time passed by. The moment when everyone was prepared to fight the monsters...

Kyyaah—

Kuaaaah—

After the boss commanded his summons, skeletons began rushing into their position. There weren't only humanoid ones. 

Dark knights, orcs, kobolds, and goblins. 

The monsters vary in strength as well. Some were stronger while few were weaker. But even then they were still monsters. 

Rip—

Jason pounced to the one near him which was the dark knights. As he was delaying time, he didn't quickly decapitate these humanoid beasts but instead prolong the fight more. 

Still, to avoid suspicions, he killed them after some time. 

Meanwhile, on the other side… 

"Ada buff us!!" 

"Got it!!" 

"Hendrick, take the rear with Brian! Wayne, to the right!!" 

"Hai!!!" 

Jason cocked his head and swung his blade down to the struggling monster. His mind only thought of Hans' fate. 

'Hehehe, he must be being tortured by now right?' 

He purposely left 3 vacant positions so that his bodyguard could get inside. The moment Hans agreed to join the raid, the plan was already shaped in his head. 

His bodyguards are all A-class, something that even Hans couldn't contend. Even if he has his potential, which was impossible of course, beating those 3 would only be a dream. 

"Everyone, regroup!!" 

As per his command, the team gathered in the center with their backs on each other. 

"Let's repeat the process until the mobs are cleared."

"Yes, team leader!!" 

Taking the lead, Jason raised his sword and blocked the incoming monster while Kyle and Wayne shielded the others as they taunted these mobs. The mages stood behind supporting the frontline by casting auxiliary and control spells. For a team, they were all fighting well. 

'It's a pity, almost all of them were already recruited in a guild.'

Sighing deeply, Jason shifted his gaze to the side. From this location, the monsters seemed stronger. He cocked his head back and upon seeing the team doing just right, Jason went to the monster rear. 

There was no way he'd support them. A little injury would also be fine for their experience.

After all, their fate was already sealed. 

............ 

"Man, he passed out?" 

Dos gripped Hans' hair and raised it slightly.

"Hmm…" Dos observed his eyes, "... It seems like he did."

"Are you sure you didn't kill him?" 

"He's still breathing."

Dos grabbed Hans's head and pulled him out of the wall. Bits of rocks fell from where he stood. He shifted his gaze to his subordinates. 

"Our job is pretty much done here. Let's just wait for the boss'  arrival."

Uno and Tres exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. But it seems like Uno had something to say based on the hesitating expression on his face. Dos noticed this and asked. 

"Tell me, Uno. What's bothering you?" 

"The others."

"Others?" Confused, Dos tilted his head, "Who's others?" 

"Boss' teammates." 

Realization immediately kicked in Dos' head. He dropped Hans to the floor and held his chin to think. 

"Didn't he say he'll finish them himself?" 

Earlier before they arrive here, Jason tasked them to injure and torture Hans. But from what Dos could vaguely remember, Jason said he'll 'take care of the others. 

"Is that so?" Uno fidgeted his fingers remembering the job asked by Jason's father, "... Boss wouldn't lose to them right?" 

Dos glared at Uno. This guy had been asking questions after questions. It's annoying. 

"Are you doubting his judgments?" 

"No...no I…I'm just worried. Aren't you worried too?" 

Indeed, Jason's teammates have this great chemistry that even he, as an awakened, was amazed. If commanded right, they could even take on a bonafide B-class and not lose an inch. 

'Unfortunately, Jason was not ordinary.'

Having a rich and powerful parent has its perks. Almost unlimited money, rune-stones, high quality equipment, all of them had been acquired by Jason. If he used all those to his advantage, Jason's teammates wouldn't stand a chance. 

"I'm worried but I trust him nonetheless."

"..."

"Anyways, let's just wait for goo—" 

"Hey, where's Hans!!?" 

A loud yell interrupted Dos' words. He turned back at Tres who was already sweeping his eyes around. 

"What's the problem? He's her—" Dos pointed to the empty ground, his eyes widened realizing Hans was missing. 

As veteran guards, the three immediately gather into themselves with their weapons raised in a defensive stance. Due to Hans' abnormal means, they couldn't take him lightly anymore. Even Dos had these thoughts. 

'But even if you have some strength… what can you do?' 

He's confident in their abilities. As long as Hans appeared, they'll torture him for real. 

'Now, where are you?' 

Dos spread his perception, leading him to the dark corner. 

'He's there!!' 

As if sensing his sudden tension, the two guards beside him moved their eyes towards the corner as well. Even though it's dim, as long as they could sense him, Hans wouldn't have a chance to escape.

That's what they thought. Unfortunately, Hans didn't want to escape. 

"What do you take life for?" 

A deep and hoarse voice echoed in their ears. They immediately tense up, feeling goosebumps crawl on their arms as they shivered. 

'What the fuck is this guy talking about?' 

Life? The fuck was that? Rules should be created by the strong. 

Dos narrowed his eyes. 

"Just because you're strong doesn't mean you rule the world."

However, as if the three didn't hear it, they just brushed it off and giggled. 

"If you gladly surrender right now, we'll lower your torture time how about it?" 

"That's right, Hans. You wouldn't like it at all." 

"Really? What a shame."

Shortly afterward, footsteps rang from the dimly lit corner. They didn't know why, but just his footsteps were enough to make them step back. 

"Lecturing us? Where did you get the confidence huh? People like you should be purged or else you'll bring endless trouble to us!" 

"Enough then. For people like you. Death wouldn't suffice..."

[??? Reached 10%... 1st Evolution Commencing… Changing Blood Procedure… Success… Musculoskeletal Strengthening… Success… First Evolution… Complete.]

[You have acquired the racial trait, 'Hand of Asura'] 

[You have acquired the racial skill, 'The Balance'] 

"... And I… will cleanse your souls."