Born In Ashes: The Enigma

---) Name: Azrael Thorne

---) Age: 16 Years

---) Level: 9 (Apprentice Warrior)

---) Status: Awakened

---) Traits: Infinite Comprehension (Eternal Grade), Cold Blooded (White Grade — Evolvable)

---) Attribute: None

---) Rune: None

---) Substance: None

---) Title: ??? [Locked]

---) Bloodline: None

---) Strength: 31.3 —> 41.3

---) Agility: 28.5 —> 38.5

---) Stamina: 31.3 —> 41.3

---) Cosmic Energy: 184 —> 198

---) Skill: Cosmic Energy Breathing Method (Mid Level)

---) Shop

---) Inventory

---) Task Points: 1045

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Azrael couldn't help but become dazed when he saw the massive increase in his stat points.

Each of his stats had increased by 10 points. (Cosmic Energy increased by 14 due to the 40% boost provided by the Mid-Level Breathing Method.)

The overwhelming surge of power made Azrael feel as though endless energy now flowed through his body, wanting him to vent out.

He clenched his fists tightly, and the air around them seemed to tremble.

Seeing this, Azrael took a deep breath and used Force Utilization to quickly bring his strength under control and in just a few minutes, he somehow managed to adjust to his newfound power and even smiled slightly.

"I never thought the Moon's Essence would be this useful," He murmured to himself, feeling that the risk he had taken to rob the Titan Ape was absolutely worth it.

Since Azrael was already far stronger than others of the same level, even if he had killed monsters to level up, his stat gains would never have reached this extent.

Previously, he had estimated that if he killed Level 9 and 10 monsters and advanced to Level 9, his stats would have hovered around 33 points.

But now, thanks to the Moon's Essence, his stat points had skyrocketed off the charts.

It was important to note that Azrael's stats were already far above average for someone of his level due to the Mid-Level Breathing Method and the relentless, intense training he had undergone.

Now that the Moon's Essence had boosted his stats even further, even he wasn't entirely sure of his true strength.

"With my current stat points—in conjunction with Fallen Star, my battle instincts, and my combat technique— I might actually be able to take on some newly promoted Class Warriors…" Azrael muttered with a thoughtful expression.

However, he was still uncertain about facing any of the Three Tower Masters, who appeared to be around Level 16 to 18, let alone the Titan Ape, who was nearly at the peak of the Class Warrior stage and was a elite monster.

Not only that, but the Titan Ape's resistance to physical damage was extremely high. This was evident from the fact that even when it fell onto the sharp spikes from a height of over a hundred meters, it didn't sustain any serious injuries.

"Well, as long as I successfully complete this trial, I should at the very least reach Level 10, and then I can proceed to become a Class Warrior and attain my Class," He added.

Azrael felt a surge of anticipation at the thought of acquiring his Class, and knowing that completing the trial could grant it to him made his eyes shine with excitement.

"Tomorrow… I just need to wait for tomorrow to see the result," He whispered and slumped onto the bed.

Thanks to the gentle energy of the Moon's Essence, his body had already begun to recover.

All of his swollen muscles had almost returned to normal, and he estimated that by tomorrow, he would be back to peak condition.

"Let's take some rest. If things go well tomorrow, I'll have a lot to do to force that vessel of corruption to reveal its true nature," Azrael muttered before closing his eyes.

It was already late at night by the time he returned to the city, so Azrael didn't get much sleep before the sun rose brightly in the sky, heralding a new day in New Moon City.

Even though his sleep was brief, Azrael didn't feel fatigued at all.

On the contrary, thanks to the effects of the Moon's Essence, he was brimming with energy.

His body had completely recovered, and he could now use his full power without worry.

Azrael left the inn and strolled around the city for several hours, casually speaking with locals and trying to learn whether anything significant had happened while he was away in the Moon Forest.

But after nearly three hours of exploration and small talk, he hadn't discovered anything noteworthy.

"So nothing unusual happened, huh..." He mumbled and began walking toward a specific area of New Moon City.

Roughly half an hour later, a massive black tower came into his view.

It was the Magic Tower of New Moon City—the residence of the Magic Tower's people and, of course, its Tower Master—Claudia.

Azrael stood for a moment, gazing at the tall, dark structure before glancing around and quietly slipping into a deserted alleyway.

He estimated the distance between himself and the tower and concluded he was about three kilometers away.

"This distance should be enough…" He whispered and took out a small, square-shaped device from his inventory that resembled a remote control.

He pressed one of the buttons on the device and carefully placed it on the ground.

After setting it down, he retreated about a kilometer, hiding in a spot where he could still see the device's location.

Time passed slowly and two hours went by without a single movement. Azrael remained motionless, eyes fixed on the device and his surroundings.

Another three hours passed, and when still nothing happened, Azrael finally confirmed that no one was monitoring the area.

He swiftly approached the device and inspected it. Inside a small transparent tube attached to the device, he noticed a tiny dot—the size of a small mosquito that hadn't been there before.

"Since this thing came back and no one followed it, it means she didn't detect it," Azrael murmured under his breath and tucked the device back into his inventory.

After confirming no one was nearby, he quietly slipped away and began heading back to the inn where he was staying.