The last goblin gurgled on its own blood, clawing weakly at the spear skewering its chest before going limp. All around them, the village was painted in shades of crimson and smoke. Goblin corpses lay strewn across the dirt paths—twisted, mangled, some with limbs hacked off, others frozen mid-scream, their crude weapons shattered beside them. The king's great tent had collapsed in flames, burning like a funeral pyre for the entire tribe.
The stench of death hung heavy in the air. And then—
[Stage cleared!]
[Han (★), Jenna (☆), Tess (☆☆), Shay (☆☆☆☆) leveled up!]
[MVP - Tess (☆☆)]
[Reward: 15,000 G, Iron Ore (B) x2, Leather (B) x8]
[Special Reward: Tome of Shamanism (B)]
As they were disappearing into particles of light and returning to the lobby, Han's eyes widened at the system's notification.
"The Tome of Shamanism? In the 3rd Floor?" he said, disbelief written across his face.
And then, with a flash, they returned to the lobby.
"Looooki!" Iselle's high voice echoed before Han could even take a breath.
She launched herself at him the moment he reappeared, her tiny body slamming into his neck as she hugged him tightly.
"Are you hurt anywhere—"
Her concern was cut short as Shay casually grabbed her by the back of her dress and flung her across the air like a skipping stone.
"Stay away from my husband," Shay declared, draping herself over Han with possessive grace, eyes narrowing at the flailing fairy.
Iselle tumbled through the air but flipped mid-spin and hovered with her wings buzzing furiously. She turned back toward Shay with her face bright red and fuming.
"You crazy bitch! What do you think you're doing?! Stay away from Master Lok— I meant Han!"
"And why should I?" Shay said with a calm, smug smile as she leaned in and gave an absentminded Han a kiss on the cheek. "He's my husband."
"Don't kiss him with your lurid lips!" Iselle shrieked, pointing an accusing finger.
"Lurid lips?! How dare you?!" Shay shouted back, fire suddenly flaring in her tone.
The two launched into a heated barrage of insults, their voices growing louder and more chaotic with each word—until a spear slammed into the ground between them with a resounding thunk.
"Are you two finished fighting over a guy like two bitches in heat?"
"Who are you calling a bitch in heat?!" Iselle squeaked in anger.
Shay blinked, turning toward Tess in surprise. "Tess, what are you saying?" Her tone shifted, uncertain. Tess had always been calm and composed, cheerful when in confidence… but never like this.
Jenna stepped in, arms crossed. "Yeah, Tess… what happened to you? You've been acting strange ever since that ritual…"
But Tess didn't respond directly. She just smiled. The red tribal marks that pulsed faintly along her arms and neck seemed to glow a shade deeper.
Then she stepped forward, right up to Han. Before anyone could react, she cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips against his.
"How dare you dephile master Lok— I mean Han!"
"What are you doing, Tess?!" Shay immediately exclaimed, starting to get angry as well.
But Tess didn't care and continued.
The kiss wasn't gentle.
It was primal—hot, raw, and far too long.
Han's eyes widened, his thoughts still halfway absorbed in system analysis.
The Tome of Shamanism… it's the item that allows a Hero to learn Basic Shamanism. Shamanism is superior to magic in terms of healing and buffs… who should I give it to—
His thoughts shattered the moment Tess deepened the kiss, her body pressing against his. He pushed her back immediately, breaking the kiss with a gasp.
Her lips were warm… too warm.
'Her lips sure are sweet…' Han thought despite himself, then said aloud, "What do you think you're doing, Tess?"
"Claiming my man," she said, her voice thick with heat. "It's normal for the strongest female to mate with the strongest male, right—"
Before she could finish, Han struck her neck with the side of his hand, precise and controlled. Tess's body instantly went limp, the red marks dimming before vanishing completely. She collapsed forward into Han's arms.
"Shay… take her to rest." He passed the unconscious Tess into Shay's arms with a sigh.
Then he looked her in the eye and said softly, "Oh… and don't worry about her. She just lost her mind a bit because of her new skill."
"She just lost her mind a bit?" Shay's voice was sharp, her glare smoldering. "She just kissed my man and I'm supposed to shrug it off like it's nothing—"
But Han stepped in, sealing her lips with his own before she could finish.
The kiss was slow, intentional—soft where Tess's had been wild. When he finally pulled away, he looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Shay… you're the only one I kiss with true love. Don't get mad over such trivial things."
Shay was stunned, her face flushed red all the way to the tips of her ears.
So were Jenna and Iselle, who had both been silent witnesses to the entire exchange.
"O-Okay then…" Shay mumbled, still dazed as she gently adjusted Tess in her arms. "I'll be back shortly."
She left, carrying the unconscious girl toward the dorms with a strange look of pride and embarrassment warring on her face.
Once she was gone, Han exhaled and turned back toward the lobby.
"Now…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Let's see if my theory is right…"
He focused his thoughts.
"Tess' Status Window."
A light screen shimmered into view in front of him.
[Tess Elzaine (☆) Lv.3 (Exp 18/30)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 18/18, Intelligence: 7/7, Stamina: 17/17, Dexterity: 16/16]
[Skills: Basic Spearsmanship (Lv.4), Spear Throw (Lv.3), Spear Vortex (Lv.3), Warrior's Mark (Lv.1)]
"So I really am half Master, half Hero…" Han mused, lips curving into a subtle smirk. "I can even check the other heroes' Status Windows…"
His gaze lingered on Tess' stats.
"Not bad at all. Actually, she's stronger than a level 3 two-star born hero should be."
He tapped on the last skill, and its description expanded.
[Warrior's Mark]
[Once imprinted, the Warrior's Mark etches itself into the bearer's very flesh and soul. When battle begins, glowing red tribal markings spread across the user's body, awakening an instinctive bloodlust and a deep, innate connection to the art of war.]
[Effects:
Mark of the Warrior: During combat, all physical stats—Strength, Agility, and Stamina—receive a 20% boost.
Bloodlust: Enter a controlled battle trance upon combat initiation. Pain dulls, hesitation vanishes, and killing intent sharpens. The longer the fight continues, the more overwhelming the desire to dominate becomes.
Weapon-Born Instinct: Grants an innate talent over weapons. The user adapts rapidly to melee weapons and grows at accelerated speeds in martial skill.
Predator Aura: When active, the red markings emit a tribal aura that lowers the morale of weaker enemies. Those with fragile will may hesitate, falter, or flee before the bearer.
Warning: this skill may change the user's personality.]
Han leaned back against the lobby wall, crossing his arms.
"Yeah… it's just as good as I remembered. A perfect synergy skill for a warrior." He chuckled under his breath. "And if I'm right… it should be one of the skills needed to acquire the Battle God skill later down the line."
He closed the screen with a small, amused grin.
"Tess… you're so lucky."
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Did I exaggerate (I know you all told me not to worry about me making them too OP, but still.)
Also, who should I give the Tome of Shamanism? I thought of giving it to Chloe since I find her the most suitable, tell me what you think.