Born In Ashes: The Enigma

As the Cosmic Energy Affinity Pill melted in Azrael's mouth, he felt a rush of comfortable heat envelop his body, as though he were soaking in a hot spring bath during snowfall.

Every single cell in his body seemed to dance in joy as they began to absorb the pill's energy. At the same time, Azrael noticed the energy he had sensed in the atmosphere—the so called Cosmic Energy— beginning to seep into his body from the surroundings, further strengthening him.

As time passed, the speed at which his body absorbed cosmic energy from the environment began to accelerate.

Azrael couldn't help but frown at the phenomenon. Though he wasn't entirely certain about how this world worked, he could clearly feel the energy from the surroundings being drawn into his body.

At the same time—

> [Cosmic Energy +0.5]

[Strength +0.01]

[Agility +0.01]

[Stamina +0.02]

[Cosmic Energy +0.5]

[Strength +0.01]

Notifications of his stats increasing with every passing second kept flashing before his eyes.

'I don't know much about this world, but there is a high chance someone powerful might notice the unusual shift in the cosmic energy I am absorbing from the surroundings…'

With that thought, Azrael tried to will his body to slow down the absorption of cosmic energy.

However, unlike his previously modified body—over which he had complete control regardless of circumstances—his current body was different. Even though he wanted to regulate the influx of cosmic energy, he couldn't.

His frown deepened as he realized the rate of energy absorption was still increasing.

At this rate, this rush of energy will soon turn into a whirlwind, and everyone will notice that something's wrong here.

As Azrael pondered a solution, his mind suddenly emptied—devoid of emotion—transforming into a cold, calculating machine.

White Grade Trait — Cold Blooded!

His trait activated and instantly calmed his emotions. At the same time—

Eternal Grade Trait — Infinite Comprehension!

His second trait surged into action, and countless ideas for how to solve the issue bloomed in his mind.

Like a supercomputer, he processed one solution after another, but most came with the risk of exposure.

Eventually, as though he had reached a conclusion, Azrael closed his eyes.

Rather than focusing on his body, he shifted his attention to the energy of the Cosmic Energy Affinity Pill that was still circulating within him.

All of his cells were greedily absorbing its energy—like wanderers lost in the burning desert who had finally found an oasis full of cold water.

He directed all his focus onto the pill's energy and consciously tried to slow its absorption.

As he did, he felt his cells begin to calm, and the rate at which they absorbed the pill's energy dropped significantly.

With that, the cosmic energy being drawn from the surroundings also began to slow.

"Safe…" Azrael muttered under his breath and sighed in relief as everything gradually stabilized.

His body was still absorbing the pill's energy and the ambient cosmic energy, but at a much slower pace than before.

'At this rate, it might take me two or three days to fully absorb the pill's energy…' Azrael thought to himself.

'Well, that's better than causing a commotion and announcing to everyone that something is off about me.'

He looked at the mirror in front of him. Seeing the familiar—but at the same time unfamiliar—face staring back, his eyes became slightly hazy.

He touched his face, and upon feeling the soft texture of skin and flesh beneath his fingertips—rather than the hard alloy-like sensation of his old, robotic body—his fingers trembled slightly.

"This is… really not an illusion I am seeing because I forgot to remove a chip or something from my body, right?"

He pinched his cheeks, and as the stinging sensation struck him, he took a deep breath and returned to his usual calm expression.

"Lia will come back to check on me in a few hours."

Azrael turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face. As the icy droplets touched his skin, the lingering drowsiness in his eyes vanished completely.

"If I want to take advantage of the unusual pressure that enveloped this place earlier to cover up my current situation, then I should just stay in the room and wait for them to come check on me. But…"

He recalled the conversation between Lia and the butler who had entered his room earlier.

> How is Young Lord Kael?

He is fine. He was wearing a protection prop, and it protected him from the pressure that appeared earlier.

"I want to see him."

A memory suddenly surfaced in his mind—a gloomy room, and a lifeless body hanging from the ceiling fan.

He didn't know if it was because of his exceptionally strong memory or the effect of his Eternal Grade Trait—Infinite Comprehension—but the incident felt like it had happened just yesterday.

"Not this time…" A cold light flashed in his eyes as he clenched his fists.

"I won't allow anything like that again."

He grabbed the towel hanging beside the mirror, wiped his face clean, and walked toward the bathroom door.

With a clicking sound, the bathroom door opened.

"If they are still the same in this world… I will kill them before they can even touch me—or anyone precious to me."

Bang!

The door of the bathroom closed behind him, and silence fell over the now empty space.