---) Name: Azrael Thorne
---) Level: 13 (Class: Warrior)
---) Traits: Infinite Comprehension (Eternal Grade), Cold Blooded (White Grade — Evolvable)
---) Soul Armament: Fallen Star (Unawakened)
---) Attribute: Astral
---) Rune: Rune of Spirit
---) Substance: Nether Wind
---) Title: ??? [Locked]
---) Strength: 53.9 → 59
---) Agility: 49.1 → 55
---) Stamina: 56.1 → 64
---) Cosmic Energy: 219
---) Skills: Cosmic Energy Breathing Method (Mid Level), True Focus (Entry Level), Unyielding Body (Entry Level)
---) Class Skills: Absolute Decree, Balance Severed
---) Meditation Technique: Sun, Moon, and Star Sutra
---) Task Points: 6045
Azrael looked at his status window, and upon seeing the significant increase in his stat points, he couldn't help but smile.
However, he knew the boost in stats was only an additional bonus brought by achieving the entry level of Unyielding Body.
The true value of the skill lay in the dramatic increase in defense that it provided.
Although his stamina was currently at sixty-four points, his defense was already higher than that of individuals with stamina points closer to seventy-five.
This discrepancy existed because stamina did not solely represent physical defense.
It also encompassed endurance, physical recovery rate, disease resistance, resistance against poisons and toxins harmful to the body, as well as several other aspects.
At this moment, only his physical defense had reached a level surpassing even those with seventy-five stamina points, while the other aspects of stamina still lagged slightly behind.
That was why his stat was still sixty-four instead of seventy-five.
Azrael touched his skin and found it felt just as smooth as before.
However, the moment he applied pressure, his skin hardened automatically.
Not only his skin but also his veins, bones, and even internal organs had become significantly stronger than before.
"Now, looking at these improvements, all the pain this skill inflicts and the money it consumes are worth it," He muttered softly before closing his status window.
He did not immediately leave the bathtub. Instead, he remained lying in it for about half an hour, waiting for the trembling in his body to subside.
Once his condition stabilized, he retrieved some energy bars from his inventory and ate them to recover a portion of his strength.
After that, he slowly got up and walked to the shower to clean himself.
Warm water rained down on his body, soothing his tensed muscles and bringing him a rare sense of comfort.
A few minutes later, he turned off the shower, dried himself with the hot air sprayer in the bathroom, and stepped out.
He walked over to the mirror, examining his reflection for any changes.
Aside from the fact that his muscles appeared more refined and noticeably stronger than before, there was no drastic difference in his outward appearance.
"Good thing I didn't end up looking like some bulky, muscle-bound guy…" He nodded to himself before putting on his clothes.
When he looked out of the window, he saw the moon and stars reflected on the flowing lake.
"I don't feel like going to the cafeteria or ordering takeout at this point," He muttered, pulling out some food from his inventory.
Though not as delicious as the cafeteria meals, it was enough to satisfy his hunger.
While eating, he took out his student ID card and sent a message to Mira, asking her for details about his teammates.
After returning earlier, he had immediately immersed himself in practicing Unyielding Body, so he hadn't contacted her at the time.
Now that he was free, he wanted to know more about them.
More importantly, he needed to inform her that he would not be sharing credits with anyone.
Mira had told him that the mission was worth two hundred credits, and Azrael wanted all of them.
Even if she insisted on placing him in a team, he had no intention of splitting the reward.
After all, he already had a solid plan for locating the underground force's hideout and was confident in his ability to succeed even without teammates.
After sending the message, he waited.
But even after finishing his meal, Mira had yet to reply.
"This woman… don't tell me she's actually sleeping…" He muttered with a strange look on his face.
Azrael wasn't certain of Mira's exact level, but from what Ashara had told him, he could tell Mira's rank was even higher then her.
For individuals of such a level, even going without sleep for centuries would have little to no impact.
That left him wondering whether she was truly asleep or deliberately ignoring his message.
"Well, I'll just wait until tomorrow. If she still doesn't reply, I will leave on my own, and she won't be able to blame me for it," Azrael shrugged, putting his student ID card away before returning to his bedroom.
He lay down on the soft bed, even allowing his second consciousness, granted by the Rune of Spirit to rest instead of using it.
He had been pushing himself hard these past few days, and both his mind and body were completely exhausted, in desperate need of rest.
As such, he decided to sleep normally for once.
As soon as he closed his eyes, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and within a minute, his breathing steadied as he drifted into sleep.
Azrael had no idea how long he had been asleep when the smart Ai assistant of the house suddenly shrieked like an alarm bell, announcing that someone was knocking at the door.
With a drowsy expression, Azrael sat up and looked out the window, only to see the sun already hanging high in the sky.
Seeing the shining sun, his sleepiness vanished instantly and when he glanced at the time, his eyes widened.
'Damn, I slept for more than twelve hours…' He couldn't help but curse inwardly, frustrated that he had wasted so much time in sleeping instead of training.
For someone like him, who measured progress in every breath, losing twelve hours felt like a crime.
He only regained his focus when the smart assistant reminded him once again that someone was at the door.
Yawning, he stood up and walked toward the door.
On the way, he noticed a new message on his student ID card.
Opening it, he saw it was from Mira, informing him that his teammates would be coming to meet him today.
"Could it be that the alarm bells outside are actually my teammates?" Azrael muttered under his breath before finally opening the door... And the moment he did, two familiar faces appeared before him.
Seeing them, his expression immediately turned blank and indifferent.