Girl, Stop Dreaming!

Felix's last visit was over a week ago. Today is the day he will be released from the hospital. Several changes have also occurred during this time, including his sudden increase in height.

Hans stood in front of the mirror that hung on the hospital wall near the door. He meticulously observed all of his body changes in front of the mirror while performing various poses of what a typical bodybuilder would do.

"This looks like a 4 inches increase."

Before, his height was only 6 feet flat but now he's 6 foot 4. His body who's already fit were also brimming with muscles but not to the point where his physique is overly large.

'My shoulders are broader as well.'

But the most eye-catching change is the fact that he looks so intimidating than his previous self. His slicked-back long blond hair also perfectly complements his shaved beard and eyes. It's almost a perfect look for a male fashion model but thanks to the apocalypse, he wouldn't have to deal with those.

'How can I explain this change though?'

He has a new look that would even make top awakeners' appearance to shame, so it's not strange if he heard good-looking compliments after he went out.

'But the problem is…'

Wouldn't the nurses and doctors that tended to him become suspicious? After all, it's not normal for a 23-year-old guy to suddenly have a growth spurt in just 7 days unless he has a special genetic condition.

'Let's just ignore it.'

Though that would be a sudden shock for them it's none of their business anyways. Hans raised his hand and caressed his hair backward, grasping it in a bun position before clipping it with the black hair tie in his wrist.

'It's time.'

He glanced at his figure up and down again before turning his back. Although he's a guy, he felt this new him rather… more manly.

'Sigh—'

Hans strode to the bedside and donned the exclusive watch only available to C-Class and higher awakeners. It was silver in color, with intricate patterns on each corner. Felix had given it to him as part of compensation.

'Hmm… should I browse first?'

The phone is becoming increasingly unpopular in today's world. Their features were largely obsolete, causing their market value to plummet. Though some awakeners still use it as they are much more comfortable using phones than any other gadgets.

As for why the phone market value dropped? It can be attributed to the unexpected rise of new technology. Humans were able to build the advanced watch thanks to the blueprints example obtained from dungeons and ruins. A device that can function as a phone, laptop, iPod, and so on. It was popular from the beginning of the apocalypse to the present day. However, the awakeners watch has additional functions that set it apart from other watches.

It can be used inside the dungeon and can even communicate from within the dungeon to the outside, allowing popular dungeon raids to be broadcast in real-time.

Opening the watch, Hans switches it into computer mode. There, he was presented with a solid holographic keyboard, mouse, and monitor which had a headset hanging on the side.

Tap—tap—

'Red dungeons near me, how far?'

Hans put words on the search bar before clicking various sites on the web.

'Oh, so many?!'

He didn't know New York has so many red dungeons. Back in New Jersey, other red dungeons were either reserved by guilds or just very far away from his location.

Hans visited other sites just in case, but some of them were not even dungeon-related sites so he stick back to the previous sites he found earlier.

'Hmm… there is a dungeon 1 kilometer near me.'

He clicked that location before being given a detailed route and dungeon description based on other awakeners who raided there.

[Dungeon Name: Dire Wolves Lair

Type: Cave

Rank: Red/E-Rank

Monsters: Dire wolves.

Description: You need to know that dire wolves sneak attack mostly in dark areas so always bring a light with you. They attack with claws and their teeth so please be wary every time and don't let your guard down.

Poster note: I advise you to raid the dungeon with a minimum of 10 people if you want to clear it safely.

Poster note: Please, don't clear the boss guys. Don't be selfish! Let others grow as well.]

Hans nodded as he read through the website. He fought dire wolves as well, though it was all a projection back at the training camp a long time ago. Although it is difficult to detect in dark, it is simple to kill if an awakened has a lot of experience fighting them.

He rummage through other dungeon descriptions but he still decided to stick with the dire wolves lair. It's not because of difficulty reasons but because the dire wolves skill would be beneficial for his current situation.

They have a skill that allows stealth which was even stronger in dark places. Considering the practicality and the need for him to hide his newfound power, a stealth skill would be a great start.

Since he had decided, Hans turned off his computer mode, and before finally closing his watch

But before he could do that, Hans noticed something.

[New Message]

He narrowed his sight and stared at the notification on his front screen.

'Who is this?'

Although confused, Hans tap the screen and opened the message.

'No name?'

He glared at the sender's name before shifting his gaze to the content of the mail.

[Sender: No name

Hello Mr. Hans Luther, it's me the landlord. I've been trying to reach you these past few weeks and—…]

'W-what the hell?'

Hans dumbfoundedly stared at the floating message from the landlord. But what bewilders him is that, how did the landlord even know his contact number?

Is his new watch a fake?

Do landlords these days can track those who are not paying rent anytime they want?

'I have forgotten.'

It's more or less 3 months now since he last paid his house rent. He didn't even know how the landlord survived the dungeon destruction considering that the house is near that scene.

'What a headache.'

Hans massaged his forehead and stood up from the couch before doing light stretches as he felt like his body is stiff.

Sigh—

When he took a look at the window, the sun is already setting.

'It's night again."

Shaking his head, he gathers his belongings and places them in a brown backpack. Everything from his clothes to his hygiene items was packed in a single bag.

He strolled towards the door before coming to a halt. Something strange caught his attention in the corner of his eye. Hans' perplexed expression deepened as he shifted his head slightly to the side.

'Huh?'

Hans's eyes narrowed at the floating green box in front of his eyes. Is he seeing things? As far as he knows, there is no such function in status windows. Even if there is, then this was probably the first.

Deciding to observe it, he brought down his things to the chair first before rubbing his eyes together.

It's still there.

'What is this?'

Hans slowly raised his right hand and tap the box in the air. There, the status window automatically opened with strange words asking him to choose.

[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Acrobat (D)'?]

[Yes / No.]

'Plunder?'

Hans's eyes sharpened considerably as he remembered the description of his innate skill.

Isn't the skill only supposed to work if he killed a target? So what's happening? He hasn't killed anyone at all.

'A bug?'

No, that's impossible. Although status windows were heavily inspired by those game windows, they are accurate.

Although greatly confused, Hans still tapped 'Yes'.

...….

Inside a certain waiting room, the nurse Donna was busy chatting with her other nurse friends when she remembered something.

"Guys, can a person grow taller in a week?"

Her friends stopped talking as everyone's eyes stared at Donna.

"Why ask though?"

"Curious."

"Hmm… aren't you a nurse? But if you don't know then I can tell you as long as you treat us a meal!"

"Nevermind."

Seeing her friends not interested in her question, Donna heaves a soft sigh. She's been bothered by the patient in Room 422 because of his sudden changes.

And it seems like she's the only one who noticed as the patient hasn't left his room this whole time.

'Gigantism?'

If it's that then they should have detected it from the start. The tools in hospitals now were much advance than 20 years ago. But the machines clearly show that he's a healthy guy.

'Come to think of it, he's handsome as well.'

Although he's an F-Class Awakened, Donna wasn't bothered by those. She's a regular nurse as well, so shouldn't they be compatible?

'Ahhh!'

Sometimes she imagined being in his strong arms while they dance to a love song alone together in a bedroom. Just thinking about it, makes her heart flutter. Her cheek was now covered in pinkish shade as well.

"Donna!!!"

"Huh!?"

Donna was awakened by the loudness of her friends calling her.

"Why are you not responding?"

"Ah, I just remembered some things."

"Things? You're clearly blushing!"

Hearing it piqued the interest of the other nurses in the room.

"Wow, Donna who is it!?"

"Tell us, tell us!"

"Damn Donna! Didn't you say you'll be single forever?"

However, Donna didn't answer them and just ignored their words. It's better to keep it a secret or else these girls would have interest in him as well.

In honesty, these past few days she's been searching and stalking Hans Luther information on webs and tabloids that she might not know.

And it led her to see a theory on the internet that was already buried by millions of other posts.

The article has the title of 'Is the former SSS-Class potential Awakened, Hans Luther and the Hannah Luther related?'

Hannah Luther, as everyone knows, is an S-Class Awakened, and she's not just any ordinary one, but a top ranker. Some even claim that her most powerful strike can compete with an SS-Class strike.

That is why Donna concluded that if Hannah and Hans were related…

'A literal jackpot.'

For most people, it's nearly impossible to meet an S-Class Awakened in person, let alone befriend one. If she scored some points to Hans now, wouldn't her life would be better?

Considering their ages, there is a possibility they were siblings. Wouldn't it mean that she will have an S-class Awakened as her sister-in-law?

This is a God-given opportunity! A chance to ascend to the top of the food chain!

As her imagination drove deeper into her possible future, a blooming smile slowly formed on Donna's face.

"Girl seems like Donna is lovestruck."

"Ah… looks like it."

"Hahaha, she's afraid that we will steal his future man that's why she won't tell who is it."

"True…"

However, it seems like Donna didn't hear their words as the smile on her lips didn't fade away while she was left alone in her dreams.

....

'Acrobat?'

Hans waved his hand lightly in the air, doing strange stretches. Feeling there's no change, he decided to read the skill description. Not only does he want to know what it is, but he also wants to know where it came from.

[Acrobat (D)

Type: Passive

— Allows the user to have precise body coordination and control.

— Reduce the consumption of all physical related activities.

— Flexibility increases.]

'It's a good skill. But unfortunately, its rank is low.'

Imagine fighting a similar guy with the same stats but he has this skill. Then his advantage would be obvious as he will last more longer.

Sigh—

Well, it is still much better than none at all. Next, Hans tapped the plundered button.

[Plundered from: Taylor]

'Huh?'

Hans scratched the back of his neck, perplexed. He had no recollection of killing anyone, so he had no idea who this person was or how he killed him or her.

'Taylor?'

To be honest, it sounded like a woman's name to him. But he didn't interact with any woman this past week except for the nurse who tended to him.

'Come to think of it, that girl assassin…'

Although he's tired and dizzy at that time, he clearly remembered that he left her alive at the scene. So it's impossible for her to die right?

After all, she was immediately brought to the emergency room.

Hans quickly changed his thoughts after obtaining no clue.

"Whoever you are, rest in peace."

Hans closed his eyes and put his hands together, tightly… with a slightly evil grin on his lips.