Tinny took the gemstone and began a full analysis. After a few moments, it delivered its report in a calm, mechanical voice.
"This is a red crystal extracted from a second-level White Beast. It contains immense energy known as 'Emass Energy.' When introduced into a host body, it can stimulate the mitobiotic system—essentially triggering a transformation. It has the potential to accelerate mutation, enhancing your physical abilities and possibly granting you powers akin to those of the native beings of this world."
I narrowed my eyes, intrigued but cautious. "How would it respond to my body?" I asked.
Tinny paused, then looked up at me with its glowing blue eyes. "If you take it, the process will resemble a rebirth. Everything that defines you as human will begin to change. Your physiology, your cellular makeup—even your core biological structure—will evolve. You will no longer be entirely human. You will become something different... something more aligned with the beings of this world. A hybrid. A beast."
I swallowed hard, letting that sink in. "Not entirely human... but what exactly will I become? What are the risks?"
Tinny's voice remained steady. "It depends on your body's ability to adapt to mutation. If your cells are unable to handle the transformation process, you will not survive. However, if your body successfully absorbs the crystal's energy and accepts the mutation, you will live—but I cannot guarantee what you will look like or how you will change."
That night, I couldn't stop thinking about what Tinny had said. The idea of transformation... of giving up what I was... haunted me. But so did the reality of my current situation. In this world, everything was stronger, faster, deadlier. If I had any hope of surviving—of completing my mission—I needed power. Real power. The kind this crystal could give me.
But if it failed... it would be game over.
I thought about it through the long, quiet night, weighing my options while the wind whispered outside the cave. Dawn eventually broke across the horizon, painting the world in soft orange light, but I still hadn't reached a clear decision.
My gaze shifted to Adrian. He was still asleep, his breathing now deeper and more noticeable. His pale face, marked by bruises the night before, was already healing. His body was regenerating far faster than any human's could. It was a clear sign—people native to this world were extraordinary. Their biology allowed them to recover quickly. No wonder the orcs and other native species could survive here.
I watched him silently.
"He could wake up in a few hours," I thought, my eyes drifting between him and the red crystal in my pocket.
"If I take this... maybe I can be just as strong as him."
With a long breath, I put the crystal back into my pocket and stepped outside. I made my way to the nearby river, hoping to clear my head and maybe catch a fish or two for breakfast. The cold water splashed against my skin, waking me up completely. I managed to catch two large fish and returned to the cave, roasting them slowly over a fire.
As I tended to the meal, I heard Adrian mumbling in his sleep. Curious, I walked over and touched his forehead—no fever. I sighed in relief and was just about to return to the fire when he suddenly reached out, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward him. I lost my balance and fell—landing right on top of him.
Our eyes locked.
My heart skipped a beat.
His face was close—so close that I could see the tiny flecks of silver in his eyes. His features were striking. Beautiful, really. More elegant than rugged. My hands, unbidden, landed on his chest. It was firm, muscular, and defined, his torso carved into perfect six-pack abs. I couldn't help myself—I traced my fingers along the ridges of his stomach, completely mesmerized.
"You've seen enough," his voice said suddenly, low and hoarse—yet deep and oddly mesmerizing.
I gasped and looked up to meet his eyes again. I was dumbfounded, caught in the act. "I... I... I'm... sorry..." I stammered.
Realization slammed into me like a wave. I immediately sprang up, flustered and embarrassed, and rushed back to the fire. I grabbed one of the roasted fish and brought it to him.
He sat up in bed and took it but didn't eat immediately. Instead, he watched how I carefully separated the meat from the bones. Then, without a word, he copied my actions, mimicking how I ate. I noticed but didn't make a big deal out of it.
We ate in silence. He finished first, stood up, and prepared to leave.
Before he could walk away, I asked him, "This red crystal... can I eat it?"
He turned and looked at me without responding.
I added quickly, "Will it affect me?"
"No," he said after a moment. "But it might be very painful. I wouldn't recommend it. It won't kill you... but the pain might."
That's when it dawned on me—what Tinny had called "rebirth" was actually regeneration. And it wasn't just a beautiful concept. It was violent. Painful. Possibly deadly. The transformation would tear through my body—and the process itself might be what kills me.
"I'm going to take a bath and hunt," Adrian said suddenly. "After that, we'll leave for the tribe."
Without waiting for my response, he walked out of the cave.
I watched his back as he disappeared into the forest, his words echoing in my mind. I knew then—I had made my choice.
No matter the cost, no matter the risk... I would take the crystal.
"Tinny," I called. The little bot activated and appeared instantly.
"Give me some painkillers and monitor my vitals closely," I instructed. "I'm going to consume the crystal."
Tinny complied, injecting me with a dose of strong painkillers. Then, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the red crystal. Holding it in my hand for a moment, I studied its glowing core. With a deep breath, I placed it in my mouth. It began to dissolve slowly—not as quickly as the other crystal I'd taken before.
As I swallowed, I felt nothing at first.
No pain.
The painkillers were working, numbing me from the inside out.
I relaxed for a moment—until I felt it.
A sharp, burning sensation ignited deep inside me. It was like swallowing fire. Heat surged through my veins, and my muscles tensed. My entire body began to tremble.
The transformation had begun.