Chapter 14: Newfound Strength

They rushed out of the portal, Shay carrying Han on her back. The moment they emerged into the lobby, Shay immediately placed him on the ground, expecting the lobby's absolute and instantaneous healing to take effect. But the purple hue covering his body remained, and his convulsions did not cease.

"What's happening?" Shay exclaimed, her voice tight with panic. "Why aren't you being healed?"

"Han..." Jenna whispered, kneeling beside him and taking his hand. She had grown deeply attached to him over the course of the past days spent together.

Tess stood a little apart, uncertain of what to do. She had only just joined them and didn't fully understand why Shay had expected an immediate recovery.

"Girls..." Han managed to rasp out, his breath shallow. "Don't worry..."

Slowly, the purple hue covering his body began to recede, and his violent convulsions eased. The tension in Shay and Jenna's faces melted away. "The lobby's healing isn't that immediate."

"Han!" they both exclaimed in relief.

Finally, the last traces of purple vanished from Han's skin.

[Skill Awakening!]

[The hero, Han (☆), has awakened the skill: Poison Resistance!]

Han let out a slow breath, regaining his composure. His usual cold and aloof demeanor returned as he smirked slightly.

"You know, Shay..." Han muttered, his voice steady once more. "You're so cute when you're worried."

Shay's eye twitched, her fist clenching. "Shut up—"

She raised her hand to punch him, but before she could, Han's body was wracked with new, violent convulsions. His muscles tensed, and his face contorted in pain, far worse than before.

"What's happening now?!" Jenna gasped, stepping back in alarm.

"Han!" Shay shouted, dropping to her knees beside him.

Han gritted his teeth as his body underwent another transformation. His muscles became denser—not larger, but packed with a newfound strength. His bones hardened, his veins pulsed, and then, most strikingly, his eyes turned a deep, piercing yellow.

"That failed werewolf bit me... Am I becoming a werewolf as well?" Han thought, his mind racing. Then a more terrifying realization struck him. "Wait… that creature wasn't just a normal werewolf. It was probably some kind of failed experiment… a black magician's twisted creation. Does that mean I'm turning into something just as failed?"

A fresh wave of pain cut his thoughts short, his body seizing as if tearing itself apart from the inside.

"Fuck—" Han gritted his teeth, bracing for the worst.

But then, suddenly, warmth spread through him. A soothing, golden light enveloped his entire body—the lobby's maximum healing effect had finally activated.

[Han (☆)'s transformation state has been stopped.]

"Han, are you fine now?" Shay asked cautiously, noting the green healing aura hovering around him. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder to check for any lingering injuries, but something felt different. Her fingers pressed against his skin, and she realized—his muscles were far denser than before, his body more refined and battle-hardened.

[Skill Awakening!]

[The hero, Han (☆), has awakened the skill: Primal Resilience!]

Shay's gaze traveled up to his face, her breath hitching when she locked eyes with him. His irises had not returned to their usual color. Instead, they remained a sharp, unnatural yellow, glowing faintly in the dim light of the lobby.

[Skill Awakening!]

[The hero, Han (☆), has awakened the skill: Feral Senses!]

"Han... were you always this strong?" Shay asked, beginning to touch Han all over, feeling the increased density of his muscles.

"Could you please stop touching me?" Han asked coldly.

"Ah—" Shay's face turned completely red. "Sorry..." She quickly removed her hands.

"Han, are you really all right?" Jenna asked, concern laced in her voice. "Your eyes are even yellow now..."

"My eyes?" Han asked, unable to see the change himself. "Really?"

"Yeah..." Tess chimed in.

Han immediately opened his status window:

[Han Islat (☆) Lv.7 (Exp 32/70)]

[Class: Novice]

[Strength: 29/29, Intelligence: 11/11, Stamina: 29/29, Dexterity: 28/28]

[Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.5), Combat Logic (Lv.2), Pain Tolerance (Lv.4), Poison Resistance (Lv.1), Primal Resilience (Lv.1), Feral Senses (Lv.1)]

"Primal Resilience?" Han's eyes widened. "That's... that's one of the best skills a wolf-related character can have!" he thought to himself before tapping on the skill to read its details.

[Primal Resilience (Lv.1)]

[The lingering power of the werewolf's transformation fortifies your body, granting enhanced resilience and endurance:

Enhanced Durability: Your body becomes tougher, allowing you to endure harsh impacts and injuries that would incapacitate others. Skin, muscles, and bones are reinforced, letting you take more damage while continuing to fight.

Natural Healing: Your healing rate is accelerated, enabling you to recover from wounds faster than normal. While not instant, cuts, bruises, and even broken bones mend more quickly, especially in the heat of battle.

Fatigue Resistance: Your stamina is greatly enhanced, making you tire much less in combat or physically demanding situations. You can push your body to the limit without feeling exhausted as quickly.]

Han's heartbeat quickened as he read the description, but his excitement didn't stop there. He tapped on the next new skill.

[Feral Senses (Lv.1)]

[Grants heightened perception, allowing you to sense your surroundings with incredible accuracy:

Night Vision: See clearly in the dark, giving you an advantage in low-light conditions.

Acute Hearing: Pick up subtle sounds and distant noises undetectable to ordinary people.

Enhanced Smell: Detect scents with great precision, allowing you to track enemies or recognize individuals even without seeing them.]

Yeah, now I understand why the other rankers said that werewolves were OP. This skill is broken... Han thought to himself, barely able to contain his excitement.

Even Feral Senses is no joke. I'm sure it's just a minor skill compared to Primal Resilience, but its effects are amazing...

His hands clenched into fists as he processed the new power flowing through his body. My physical stats even increased by 10 across the board because of Primal Resilience. Now, the gap between me and Shay in base stats isn't as big anymore—

But before he could finish his thoughts, a sharp voice pierced through the air.

"Loki!!!!"

Han barely had time to react before a tiny blur shot toward him at high speed.

"You're fine, thanks Moebius!" Iselle cried, wrapping her small arms around Han's neck, her little wings fluttering rapidly.

"Thanks Moebius?" Han repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying 'Thanks God'—"

Before he could finish, a system notification appeared in front of him.

[Master, Anytng, has logged off.]

"Seems like the master has logged off, girls," Han said casually, glancing at Shay, Jenna, and Tess before stretching his arms. Without hesitation, he turned and started heading toward the training ground.

"Wait... are you seriously going to train right now?" Shay said, stepping in front of him, her arms crossed in concern. "You should rest."

Han chuckled. "Shay, why are you worrying so much about me? That's not like you."

"Shut up," Shay snapped. "I just don't want a promising warrior to die so early on."

"Hmhm, that's absolutely the reason..." Jenna and Tess said in unison, their voices dripping with sarcasm.

Shay's face immediately turned red with frustration. "Shut up!" she shouted, glaring at them.

The moment they saw her expression, Jenna and Tess exchanged glances—and bolted.

"Get back here!" Shay yelled, chasing after them while Han smirked, watching the scene unfold.

---

Yeah... did I now make Han too OP? I can't really regulate myself, sigh...

Also, has anyone have an idea for a waifu to put as the blacksmith? I thought of Hephaestus from Danmachi, but I think she is too strong for the beggining (maybe I could create a younger version of her and then make her reach her appearance of now with time?)