Free Web NovelChapter 32: Scars and Evolution
Gabriel did not forget the most valuable trophy.
With movements still charged with adrenaline, he summoned his black war axe. The heavy weapon appeared in his hands with a dark flash.
He approached the corpse of the Giant Pseudo-Tyrant and, without hesitation, delivered a brutal blow against its thick neck.
The axe cut through flesh, bone, and tendons with a wet, repulsive sound. The head rolled several meters, leaving a trail of dark blue blood.
He stored it immediately in his inventory. That biological item was extremely valuable. He could trade it for juicy rewards in the village or use it for future absorption rituals.
Satisfied, Gabriel took one last look at the ruined laboratory. The silence was palpable and darkness spread through its corners.
Now all that remained was to leave.
He climbed the stone stairs with heavy steps. Every movement made his exhausted muscles burn.
When he reached the final section, the hanging chains awaited him like one last test of physical endurance.
He grabbed the first chain with force. His tendons protested with liquid fire. His recently reset shoulder screamed in pain, but he ignored it.
He climbed meter by meter.
Sweat mixed with dried blood on his face. His arms trembled. His lungs burned. The exit seemed far away, but he didn’t stop for a single second.
Halfway up, a sharp pain pierced his chest. He paused, hanging from one of the chains.
His fingers trembled; it wasn’t from exhaustion... It was from hunger.
Every heartbeat felt too strong, his breathing too hot.
The smells varied in intensity. The monsters’ blood still coated his body.
And a part of him wanted to go back... wanted to consume more.
He shook his heavy head, trying to focus.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he saw sunlight filtering in from above.
With one last desperate effort, he pushed off with one hand and climbed out of the hole.
The fresh outside air struck his face like a blessing.
He stood up unsteadily under the golden afternoon light. His appearance was both terrifying and glorious.
His coat was in tatters, barely hanging from his shoulders. The shattered chainmail revealed deep wounds.
Crimson and blue blood covered almost every inch of his body. He limped visibly, but his back remained straight.
Players instinctively stepped aside. Genuine fear settled in their chests as they sensed the consequences of that presence.
They didn’t understand the reasons, only that something was wrong. As if the blood-covered man had left his humanity behind in the dungeon.
Their whispers began to spread like wildfire.
"Who the hell is this guy? I feel like I’m going to vomit..."
"That should be impossible... No one survives that dungeon solo."
"Disgusting. He’s completely bathed in monster blood."
He didn’t stop to listen to the conversations. His pace was slow but firm.
He ignored the gazes mixed with admiration, envy, and fear.
In his mind, he reviewed the gains he had obtained.
The system rewards, valuable drops, absorbed essences and the biggest surprise of all: he had leveled up five full levels during his solo challenge.
Level 15!
A total of 48 enemies had fallen by his hands.
Three Alchemical Cyclops, thirteen bandits, thirty-one common Pseudo-Tyrants, and the Giant.
But what truly left him stunned was the next notification.
MUNDANE THRESHOLD BROKEN!
All four main stats have surpassed 100 points.
You are one of the few individuals who has managed to break the Human Limit: Awakening.
Strength, speed, endurance, and intelligence. All shining with values bordering on superhuman for his current level.
Less than 0.5% of living players have reached this threshold before level 20.
He had finally broken the first true barrier of a player.
Gabriel felt satisfaction wash over his battered body. It wasn’t just a level or an item — it was a distinction, and he had finally crossed it.
A potential class evolution was immediately unlocked.
________________
Class Evolution.
Class: Sleeping Vampire.
Potential Path: Superior Vampire.
Requirements:
All stats above 100
Elite Creature Core (0/5)
Evolution Core (0/1)
100 Blood Crystals (0/100)
Complete an Ascension Ritual
Survive a Vampiric Tribulation
________________
He felt a wave of excitement mixed with caution. Such an early class evolution was undoubtedly transcendent. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
He reached a secluded pond he had read about in another player’s description. He urgently needed to clean his body.
He slowly removed his torn clothes, without shame or modesty. The fabric fell to the ground with a wet sound.
He stood completely naked under the sunlight.
Dark veins showed through. Pulsing rhythmically, they were trying to digest the energy hidden behind his stoic expression.
He walked in with firm steps until the water covered his collarbones.
The icy contact against his open wounds felt like both a balm and a punishment at the same time.
He carefully ran his hands over his body, cleaning the dried and fresh blood. The water around him turned red and blue.
He traced with his fingers every defined muscle, every fresh cut, every bruise.
He watched as the blood slowly dissipated upon contact with the water.
For a second his hunger flared up again, leaving a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
He clenched his jaw.
He would not allow his emotions to control his behavior.
He opened his interface to distract himself.
His stats glowed with power. The class evolution constantly tempted him, like a silent seduction at the back of his mind.
He could feel the potential pulsing under his skin.
Finally, he stepped out of the water with soft, almost silent steps.
His reflection in the pond was clear. A body covered in fresh and old scars that were already beginning to heal.
Each mark told a story of survival.
Each scar had a price.
And Gabriel was willing to pay it.
He dressed in spare clothes he kept in his inventory. Simpler, but clean.
Leviathan Gluttony continued to roar deep in his soul. Deep down, it found no satisfaction.
He looked up toward the horizon. His primal instincts craved more blood, more fighting, more power.
And for the first time... he understood that even he could lose control.
