Chapter 32: Pierce

Chapter 32: Pierce

The illuminated sword was enveloped in a bright and comforting warm energy, a skill that was the result of Hans' progress to reach his current stage during his intense training.

{Aura}

Once mastered, aura control could help people unleash immense strength or speed, depending on their inclination.

Auras varied in types and could be recognized by their colors; the well-known ones included red for power, green for speed, blue for sharpness, and white for holiness.

The intensity and the brightness of these colors also reflected the aura's latent power.

Taking Elijah as an example, the color of his aura was a blinding white before transforming into a regretful gray after his class change.

However, typically an individual's aura does not change, for that they would have to go through immense traumatic experiences or personality shifts for the color of their aura to modify.

Strangely enough, Hans' aura, unlike the regular, wasn't composed of a single plain color, rather, it looked more like a painting.

It resembled a beautiful, pure starry night painting that would intrigue anyone who gazed deeply into it.

Despite the aura bursting out of Hans' body as if it were entirely on fire, the golem remained unfazed, unable to sense any pressure or fear from the human.

But this didn't bother Hans either as he was solely focused on his strategy.

How to attack, counterattack, and breach through the opponent's defense, were the only thoughts that ran in Hans' mind.

Han's eyes turned serious as he launched yet another assault, aiming it toward the moving pile of titanium.

[The nameless sword has acknowledged your mana. The name you have granted to the sword is accepted.]

[{Frost Fang} has unlocked its secret attributes.

{Name: Frost Fang

Grade: Rare Top

Owner: Hans Richter

Description: A perfectly crafted and extremely sharp sword that has acknowledged its owner's mana and adapted to it.

Effect: Frost Fang's special ability is to adapt and amplify its owner's aura.

Current skills:

{Amplification of Hans Richter's Aura.}

(Aura Rank: Undetermined

Amplification: +100%)

+10% to strength and dexterity while holding the sword.}]

{Wind Gust}

{Aura}

He pushed his battered body to its limits, using every ounce of strength he was left with.

The incredible blow derived by the clashing of all these spells and Hans's blade with the golem sent it hurtling through the air, landing several meters away.

Exhausted and barely able to stay upright, Hans knelt before the now-revealed core of the machine, his grip on the sword faltering as he tried to stand with its help.

"Cough... cough!"

Blood spilled from his mouth, covering his lips and staining his clothes.

[You have defeated the boss monster: Titanium Golem]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have....]

[Current level: 105]

The slight boost of endurance he gained by leveling up and the pain induced by his bleeding interiors managed to keep him conscious, albeit barely.

It took him a couple of minutes just to rise to his feet.

As he walked towards the gate, every single one of his muscles burst with pain, much less talk about the internal injuries he had received, it was painful, painful enough to just want to die because of it, but more than anything, Hans was grateful for having survived. Had that golem only been slightly faster or if it hadn't moved as Hans had thought, he wouldn't be in this world right now.

Half-dead, Hans made his way home.

Not to a hospital like most would, but home.

He was sick and tired of it, he had been to the hospital too many times in the past few months, and even before that, the hospital reminded him of nothing but his family, leaving him despondent.

He opened the door of his apartment and closed it right behind him before slowly passing through and making his way to the bed and completely lying down.

'I'll take a break from this.'

'Whether I'm strong or weak, it doesn't matter if I'm dead.'

'Because of my reckless actions, people died. I need time to reflect.'

His thoughts were unlike any he'd ever had before.

For the first time in years, a person who always thought about his family had finally thought about himself, especially when he was on the verge of dying.

Truly, the life he was living wasn't a normal one.

Despite having received no word from him, Emily was certain of his success since the gate had disappeared. But since Hans hadn't reached out, she decided to just leave him alone for a while.