The Orb

'Did I really cause this much damage?' 

Hans swept his gaze around. 

"Hans, are you alright?!" 

"Can you hear us!?" 

"Do you need help!? 

Voices of his teammates caught his ears. Hans raised his head and waved his hands to indicate he's fine. 

"Fuu—"

Hans groaned as he took small steps upwards. There would be plenty of time to spend once he's outside so the priority was to get out of the dungeon first. 

At that moment, halfway through his thoughts, Hans caught a shining light in the corner of his eyes. 

'Huh?!' 

Hans shifted his gaze towards this gleaming thing. It brought his eyes to the spot where the Jackal body was. 

'Item?' 

He took a short glance above, before approaching the gleaming light. Monsters, especially the boss and named ones, drop items or rune-skills whenever they are killed. It was common knowledge everyone knew. 

'What could it be?' 

Compared to the items, he's more curious why the Jackal's body hadn't dissipated yet. It's strange. Once a monster was killed, it would automatically turn to dust; be it mobs or bosses. 

'Weird.'

Fortunately, others didn't go down to check, or else they'll also be surprised by this phenomenon. Hans ripped the glowing light out of the Jackal's smashed face. The item is shaped spherically … no rather, this is shaped in something like a reuleaux triangle. 

'What is this?'

Hans has never heard or seen items in a triangular shape. It was usually weapons, rune-skills or talismans, maybe even blueprints —something like that. So it was strange seeing an item like this. 

"Let's appraise it later."

Appraisers can identify the items with their special skills. Like blacksmiths and runesmiths, they are an essential part of the Awakened community. 

Hans meticulously observed the item before shoving it inside his pocket. Well, considering that it came from a named boss monster, it should fetch quite a lot of money right? Not a bad reward after that one hell of a fight. 

Hans crouched to the ground and ripped the monster's skin. Just a few seconds earlier, he noticed another spec of lights weakly blinking at its stomach and heart. This is a rare thing! Monsters below B-class only drop either one item or one rune skill and the rest are just magic crystals. 

'Jackpot!!' 

Hans' eyes gleamed in delight. If this is real, he'd be instantly rich. Just one C-class item can be sold for around 1 to 10 Million USD. Hans gripped the Jackal's claw and used it to cut open the monster's body. No signs of disgust showed on his face as this was part of the training back then. 

Scree—

Inside the monster's stomach was, of course, its organs, but Hans' attention wasn't focused on it. He raised a bloodied bead in front of his eyes. It was glowing in a mixture of violet and dark red aura. The bead is also the size of a ping pong ball, maybe even smaller. 

At that moment. 

[Don't touch it! Release that from your hand!] 

"What!?" 

[Don't touch it!!!] 

Hans immediately released the orb, swept his gaze around, and narrowed his eyes to the floating text in front of him. 

"Hey, you've been silent for a few days. What gives?" 

[...] 

Hans alternated his gaze between the screen and the orb. 

'Is this the reason?' 

But since the status window was not responding, Hans doesn't know what's wrong. Is it really bad just to touch it? Hans inspected his body but couldn't find anything weird. 

"How will I collect it if I can't touch it?"

[Cover it in a cloth. Use your brain please.] 

Hans scratched his cheeks before ripping a part of his already ripped clothes and wrapped it around the orb. 

"Should I keep it?" 

[...] 

It didn't respond. 

"I guess… that's a yes then…" Hans shook his head and proceeded to collect the other item positioned on the Jackal's heart. 

The item in his hand was a weapon of assassins— a dagger. Based on its appearance, it's definitely made from the Jackal's claws.

 Although good for others, it's not just made for him. He didn't even know how to use any weapons aside from his fists. The training camp didn't teach any weapon techniques at all, just stab or slash here and there. 

When Hans collected the remaining magic crystals, the Jackal's body finally turned to dust.

'Is there a special mechanism or something?' 

Thinking about a monster body remaining after being killed, Hans can't help but shudder. No doubt, it'll be shocking news. 

"Hans, are you coming up?" 

Interrupted by a voice, Hans quickly replied. 

"Yeah. I'm just collecting the loot."

"Oh, here."

The man, who seems to be Mike, threw a large bag below. Hans picked it, stuffed the items in a bag, and tied it to his back. As for the orb, he held it in his hand. 

'I'm set.'

There's no point in staying here. Putting strength to his legs, Hans propelled his body above. 

Wooosh—

After landing, he took a glance backward and noticed everyone acting rather strange. 

"Hello, Hans."

Turning to the side, he saw Fredrick. 

"How are you?" 

"I'm fine."

"Hey, Maya come here! Heal Hans."

"O-okay!" 

Shortly, all of them came to Hans' side and asked various questions concerning his well-being. 

"Ah right! Here's the loot."

Seeing the never-ending concerns of these people, Hans shifted the topic elsewhere. He nudged his elbow up and unbuckled the bag behind. 

"You can take it all. I already picked mine."

Hans slightly unwrapped the orb for others to see before closing it again. 

"Is that a beast core?" 

"Looks different but it seems like it."

"Hans, are you sure this is only what you want? We can give you the dagger." 

Hans displayed a hesitating expression, "If you really force it…" Followed by a shrug of his shoulders, "... Then I'll take it." 

Mike and others glared at Liam who said those words. 

'Moron!' 

'Idiot.' 

Can't he see the bulge in Hans' side pocket? It was clearly an item! 

Hans took the dagger while others seemed in a daze. He didn't even know the state of mind of these guys as he's mentally tired from his previous fight. Fredrick also divided the loots in which made others satisfied. 

Hans was also given a piece of high-rank mana crystal even though he rejected it. 

"Now that we're all set. Let's leave."

"Sigh— finally!"

"What a good day to start."

Soon, the party began to leave the dungeon. 

......... 

The sound of trees rustling and birds chirping echoed through everyone's ears. 

"Haha, we're finally outside."

"Oh right, Sully, didn't you have a wedding to attend?" 

"Yeah. I still have 30 minutes so no hurry."

Shortly, Hans stepped outside the dungeon. 

Inhale—

The natural air in the outside world is truly different indeed. Hans sniffed the air once again before letting out a deep sigh. 

"Alright, everyone." Frederick's voice caught everyone's ears, "It was a good raid, even though we didn't help much." 

They moved their eyes towards Hans who's busy arranging his messy hair. Sensing the eyes he received, Hans quickly waved his hand.

"Anyway, thank you for your time, and let's meet here again tomorrow."

Fredrick disbanded the party. Everyone bid their farewells, leaving only Hans and Fredrick around. 

"Thank you for your time, Hans."

"No, it's alright."

Hans observed Fredrick's body language. From head to toe, he was swaying back and forth. 

"Uhm… can I request something?" 

Hans tilted his head, bewildered by the abrupt question. 

"Go on." Hans picked up the bottle of water and opened its plastic cap. 

"Can you…?" Fredrick took a deep breath and continued, "... can you blur our images in your video?!" 

Hans opened his mouth only to be interrupted when Fredrick slightly bowed. 

"Please, respect our privacy. Although we know it's for entertainment, still…" 

Hans recalled everything from the moment he met the party.

'What video is he saying?' 

He didn't record anything or anyone at all. His watch was turned off the moment he entered the dungeon so he couldn't understand. 

'Did he make a mistake?' 

Seeing Fredrick's bowing figure, Hans's thoughts were in a dilemma. Although he didn't know what it was, he felt answering 'yes' might be the best option for now. 

"Alright, I-I guess." 

"Thank you so much!" 

Shortly after, Fredrick also bid farewell and left. 

Woosh—

Hans sat down on a nearby bench, set a cigarette to his lips, and raised his head towards the sky. 

'What a great day to start.'

Counting from just his levels, his spoils were massive. If he sold that mana crystal, it could probably sell for around 100 Grand to 1 Million USD. 

'Ha, haha seriously.' 

He can't believe that Awakeners earn this much by just one raid while him being a porter barely even made 100 USD for each. Hans tried to hold back his laughter from escaping. 

'That's life for you.' 

He raised his hand and lit his cigarette.

Puff—

The smoke blew towards his face before the wind blew them away. Further staying here might cause unwanted attention as well so… 

'Sigh—' 

It's time to leave this place. 

......…. 

8:38 am. 

Hans arrived at his rental house and quickly sat on the couch. He could have gone straight to the appraisal store but his guts were telling him not to. 

"Status."

A screen filled with numbers was displayed to his eyes. 

Tr-tring—

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23                 Level: 20 (LOCKED)      

Race: Human (94%), ??? (6%)

Potential: ??? 

Strength: 84                      

Agility: 55

Stamina: 50

Mana: 55

Unused stats: 8

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)] 

Skill: No skill.] 

He still had 8 available stat points he got from leveling up. For others, it was an amount they would normally get from leveling up by two, and now he's getting it by only leveling once. 

What a cheat. 

At Level 150, he'd be tied to SS-Class Awakened in terms of stats. Of course, this is just from leveling alone.

'First, let's invest it in mana.'

He invested all the points to his mana attribute. It was all because of the sensing perk it gave. Earlier from the fight, the Jackal suddenly vanished. If not for his incredible sensing and quick reaction time, he might be dead or fatally injured by now. 

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23                 Level: 20 (LOCKED)      

Race: Human (94%), ??? (6%)

Potential: ??? 

Strength: 84                      

Agility: 55

Stamina: 50

Mana: 63

Unused stats: 0

...] 

His stats had risen by many levels in just a day of raiding. Mana is slowly catching up to his strength. That's a good sign at least. 

Hans' gaze moved upwards, to his race specifically. 

'It's 94% now while the other is at 6%'

One is decreasing while the other is increasing. Although he can't feel big changes, he can sense it. Somewhere inside him is changing. 

'And that red form of mine as well.'

Hans lifted his hand and placed it under his chin. The red form, which he decided to call for now, is clearly a skill. Although he didn't check it mid-fight, his stats definitely rose when his red form activated. 

'Hmm…' 

He had this nagging feeling that it's somehow related to this unknown 6% racial gene. 

'What will happen when it reaches 10%?'

Hans quickly shook his thoughts and shifted his attention to his newly plundered skill. 

[Berserk (C)

— For 1 minute, grant a 50% increase in all stats. 

— For 1 minute, the user will enter the 'Frenzy' state where half of the user's consciousness will be replaced by pure rage.

Consumes 10 mana. 

Cooldown: 5 minutes.] 

This skill is a high risk, high return. He will not use this unless there's no choice. Hans inspected his status window for a short while before closing it. 

'Now...'

Hans got up and picked the orb wrapped in his clothes. He gently opened it exposing the malevolent purple-red glow. 

"Hey, status window."

[I'm not a status window.]

"Alright. So uhm… what is this thing?" 

[That's an orb containing a trace of evil mana.]

"Evil mana?" 

[Hmm… That mana is… please rank up.]

Perplexed, Hans raised his chin. Since the information is blocked for now, he changed his question. 

"So what is this? How do I use it?" 

[You can't use it unless you are a monster beast.]

"So it's useless huh?" Hans' shoulders dropped in regret. He thought he can at least use it but it seems not all things can be the way he wanted.

[Well, that is for others. But for a ??? like you, it's possible.] 

"Huh?" Hans' interest piqued at the sudden response, "It's… possible?" 

[For starters, that orb wasn't even an item. That is… a skill.]

Although the word was clearly transmitted in his head, Hans didn't quite understand it. 

[Just like how ice mage's icicles remain when cast, that orb was a physical manifestation of skill as well.]

"Ohh!!!" With a surprise realization, Hans' face lit up, "I see…" 

[...]

"But I heard physical manifested skills vanish after a short amount of time unless…" 

[... unless the caster can maintain the huge amount of mana required.]

Woooosh—

Hans's pupils constricted. 

Cold sweats rapidly oozed from his forehead as the wind breezed towards his face. Imagining that huge amount of mana required to maintain the skill, he couldn't even move. 

But Hans is Hans after all. Stronger enemies should be surpassed not to be feared. Since this topic made his brow furrowed, Hans asked a question once again. 

"By any chance… Do you, uh, know who it is?" 

[...] 

"..."

[...]

"Come on man! Don't leave me hanging!" 

[That orb came from a skill called, 'Revenge of the Fallen'. As for the owner of that skill… 

It's the Rakshasa Queen, Elisearia.] 

Hans' steady legs started trembling in fright. Memories of the past played in his head like a movie instantly. 

'Hah—, hah—'

He raised his now trembling hand and pulled up his white shirt, exposing his abdominal muscles. 

But his eyes weren't concentrated there, but instead on the small dark mark seemingly imprinted on it. 

"Do you know what this is?" 

[Hans!!! Why do you have that!!!??] 

The dark mark, who's been there and silent for ages, began showing signs of action.