When Protein Bars Just Don’t Cut It

Zain stumbled forward.

Bracing himself against the wall of the tunnel as his vision swam.

His body was pulsing.

Not with pain, but with something worse.

His Heavenly Demon Body had entered the second stage.

He clenched his jaw as a violent tremor shot through his spine.

His legs buckled. Blood leaked from his nose.

"The second stage... it's not just skin and muscle anymore."

He looked down at his trembling hands.

"This time... it's digging into everything."

"Bone. Nerves. Organs. Cells."

Another pulse hit him.

Like fire burning from the inside out.

His body arched, ribs straining as if something inside was forcibly tearing and rebuilding.

He dropped to one knee.

"Damn it!"

His breath came in shallow bursts.

"I need to keep the Angelic Demon Shift active."

"Or it will fail for not getting enough energy."

His horns flickered, his aura fluctuating.