[A few hours later]
With Haewon gone and the hospital staff few in number, it's time to discover what changes happened to my body.
From what I can understand, the other guy and the fox were fused together by the dragon lady to become me. He will become my body and I will become his mind, though I wonder why didn't I remember any of this earlier? And why did these changes start now? Was it because my life was put in danger? With my memory becoming clearer, that orc nearly killed me…
Ah let's not think about that, the good thing is my injuries are healed and I'm alive, despite the identity crisis. But how many E-Rank hunters can survive a hit from an orc?
I laughed to myself before clenching my fist tightly, my previous rank was E but right now I can confidently say I can handle one or two D-Rank monsters…maybe. I walked over to the mirror I asked for and took in my appearance and the slight changes.
My reddish-orange hair is still the same color but is a bit spikier and more wild looking? My eye color changed from brown to orange and I even gained some black eyeliner too? Dope. My canine teeth also got a bit longer, I hope no one notices these changes, but I'm an E-Rank no one cares about us.
The external changes are slightly noticeable but the internal ones have changed dramatically. If I could describe my mana before, it was like a small puddle of cool water but now? It feels like a lake of magma. I tried to use the one skill I knew, Reinforcement, but along with extreme heat my mana had a newfound level of potency as well.
Strength flooded my body and it began to have physical changes. For one, my eyes are now red and my pupils are narrowed. I have whisker marks on my face and my teeth are a lot longer. My hair is spikier and a lot more feral looking. My previous short nails are now longer and black. And finally, a thin layer of red mana covers my body.
If I could fight a few D-Rank monsters before, shit even a C-Rank boss couldn't handle me right now, maybe…
I tried flooding more mana into my body but something instinctual told me that wouldn't have good results.
"Incredible…" I couldn't help but vocalize my awe. An E-Rank who lived his whole life with such dormant power within? Does think count as a reawakening? If I got reevaluated right now I'm sure I could become D-Rank maybe even C-Rank if I cheat a bit. That would allow me to go on better raids and make more money.
But. That would also raise questions, and being a reawakened individual would put me right smack in the middle of the spot light, no matter what I rank as. Keeping this a secret is probably for the best… atleast until I grow stronger, something I'm certain will happen.
I deactivated my new form or skill or whatever and returned to my bed, I have a lot more testing to do tomorrow.
[The next day]
"Are you sure you're good enough to do this Mr. Yon?" The nurse worriedly asked me as I stretched my body.
"Yeah I think I'm good, besides I need a little sun." We were currently outside in the courtyard of the hospital, "I won't be long."
I got into running position and took off, at a normal human pace. Or so I thought, I was blowing by just about everyone I ran past which made me slow down considerably.
First things first, get my strength control in check. I can't fake being an E-Rank if I accidentally turn a goblin into mist. I looked around to make sure no one was watching before I stood in front of a tree and striked it with all my strength.
*BOOM*
"Yikes…" DAMN I'M STRONG! The tree I punched and 3 trees behind it were completely obliterated. I hope no one liked those trees, ehehehe.
Punching that tree got me all fired up though! I need to kill some monsters, half because I want to test my strength and the other half because I want to kill something right now. But I won't be discharged for another 4 days, which means I will be spending the rest of my hospital days honing my strength.
"ALRIGHT!!"
————
[4 Days later]
"Bye bye nurse lady!" Haewon waved to the nurse as we left the hospital. I laughed and held her hand as we began walking to the station.
"Big brother…"
"Hm? Yes Haewon?"
Haewon squirmed a bit before speaking again, "Can we get ice cream!"
This little fatty, "Of course we can kid." I laughed and took a hard right to the shop. After about 10 minutes of walking we were in front of a old ice cream parlor.
"OLD MAN WERE HERE!!!!" Haewon yelled and I bonked her on the head, "Manners!"
She stuck her tongue out as the old came waddling out.
"Ehh, Little Haewon and Little Kyung-Soo, you've finally come to see this old man huh?" Old Man Jisoo said with a laugh.
"Ehehehe, I'm sorry I've been busy with hunting and being in the hospital." Old man Jisoo nodded longingly.
"Ah hunting, did I ever tell you my son was a hunter? A strong A-Ranker that boy," Old man Jisoo 's eyes became watery.
"Wow A-Rank! He must be really strong old man! Can I meet him one day?" Haewon asked with a bright smile on her face.
"Ah I wish little Haewon, but my son he…he unfortunately passed away 3 years ago during the Jeju Island Raid. All I have left of him is his sword and cape…" Old man Jisoo was doing his best to keep it together. A dull blue flame enshrouded his body, these are his emotions…
"Old man…" I leaned over the counter and gave Old man Jisoo a hug and he began to break down in tears. I couldn't help but shed a few tears myself. After a few minutes the emotions calmed down.
"I'm sorry you had to see such an old man breakdown into tears, lemme get you those ice creams. Vanilla and Mint right?" Old man Jisoo asked as he began scoop them into the cones.
I dug into my wallet to pay him but he shook his head, "I would be an evil old man if I made you pay after what just happened," Old man Jisoo laughed.
I couldn't help but smile, "Thank you gramps, although I'm only an E-Ranker, I'm still strong, so if you ever need anything just call me."
"Ehh, scurry along this old man is as strong as ever!" Old man Jisoo flexed his arms which made Haewon and I laugh.
"Bye bye Old man!" Haewon waved. I noticed his body became enshrouded in a thin golden flame, the emotion of joy.
I figured out a few days ago I could see and feel the emotions of others but it seems to only present itself when it's in extreme amounts.
Not very much combat utility but it helps. I looked down at Haewon who was eating her ice cream in peace. Peace, something she should know at all times…