I stretched my hand toward the lava pool again, focusing entirely on the heat particles.
They rushed toward me, faster this time, flowing through my veins and into the core. The Generator roared to life, devouring the energy and converting it into pure Essence.
In just twenty five minutes, I had generated 10 units of Essence.
I exhaled slowly, feeling the heat around me grow weaker as I drained it from the atmosphere. My body....it was adapting.
The Generator Core wasn't just absorbing energy anymore. It was naturally pulling particles toward me, as if my very presence was beginning to influence the environment.
My Essence store was full again, and I only needed 5 points for Strength to hit 50.
If I added all 20 units to Strength, it would permanently increase by 6 points and reach the threshold.
But I needed a break.
My body felt completely done for the day.
I sat down, ate some food, drank some steaming water, and went to sleep.
The next time I woke up, I had no idea whether it was day or night outside.
I was inside a damn volcano, deep underground.
After finishing my daily routine, I decided to do a little fighting to warm myself up before pushing my Strength past the 50 threshold.
I moved toward the next target.
Reaching another lava pool, I watched as the surface bubbled and two orcs walked out. I scanned them and both were level 24.
I cracked my neck and stepped forward.
This fight was going to be too easy.
I stood there, relaxed, my feet sinking slightly into the heated ground as the two orcs emerged from the lava pool.
Their bodies radiated intense heat, molten red skin pulsing with magma beneath the surface. Jagged rock-like protrusions jutted from their shoulders and backs, and the massive clubs in their hands glowed with cracks of molten energy, spikes dripping with heat.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders.
My body felt light, yet dense.
My Constitution had crossed the 50 threshold, and my Strength was nearing it as well.
These orcs, despite being level 24, didn't feel like a threat anymore.
This fight wasn't about winning.
It was about testing my body.
"Come," I whispered.
The orcs roared in unison and charged forward, clubs raised high. I didn't move. My muscles tensed slightly, but I left my stance open, intentionally allowing the first attack to land.
The one on the left swung horizontally, aiming straight for my shoulder. I braced myself and let it hit.
The molten club crashed against my shoulder with a heavy thud, sending a shockwave through my body. The ground beneath me cracked from the force.
Pain surged through my arm, burning hot and dull, but it was manageable. My skin didn't split. My bones didn't crack.
I smiled.
I had tanked that.
The orc looked surprised for a moment, but I stepped forward before it could react. My left hand shot out and grabbed the handle of the club, stopping it mid-swing.
The heat from the molten cracks burned into my palm, but I ignored it.
"Not bad," I muttered.
The second orc swung from above, aiming for my head this time. I let go of the first orc's club and raised my forearm above my head.
The club descended and smashed directly onto my hand.
A loud, echoing crack filled the air.
The ground beneath me cratered slightly, but I remained standing. My hand throbbed for a moment, but that was it.
My body absorbed the impact, the enhanced Constitution handling the force with ease.
I tilted my head side to side and grinned.
"Solid," I murmured.
The orcs roared in frustration and swung again, one aiming for my ribs, the other for my legs.
I let them.
The first club slammed into my side, and I felt my ribs bend slightly but not break. The other struck my quads, and the force spread through my muscles, but I remained rooted.
My body was adapting to the heat and impact. My muscles tightened. My skin thickened. Even the magma-infused clubs couldn't pierce me.
I stepped forward and drove my elbow into the first orc's face.
Its molten skin cracked slightly as its head snapped back.
The second orc tried to swing again, but I caught the club with one hand. My grip tightened, and the molten spikes dug into my palm, but I ignored the pain.
I yanked the orc forward and headbutted it directly in the face.
My skull met its molten forehead with a sickening crack. The orc's face caved in slightly as magma leaked from its mouth and nose.
I released the club and stepped back.
The orcs staggered but didn't fall. They were tough, and I needed that.
I raised my arms slightly, inviting them to attack again.
"Come on. I'm not done testing yet."
They roared and charged again.
This time, I let them strike my back. One club slammed into my spine, while the other smashed into my side.
I only skidded back and that was it.
My muscles flexed, absorbing the force. My internal organs didn't rupture. My bones didn't crack.
I grinned wider.
I shifted my weight, burst forward and kicked the first orc in the gut. My foot sank into its molten flesh, sending it flying backward.
The second orc swung again, but I caught the club mid-air and yanked it out of its grip.
"Let me try something."
I flipped the club in my hand and swung it with all my strength, smashing it directly into the orc's face.
The molten spikes dug into its skull, cracking it open as magma leaked out. The orc stumbled but didn't fall.
"Damn. Tough bastard."
The first orc charged back toward me. I tossed the club aside and met it head-on.
This time, I didn't hold back.
I stepped forward and slammed my fist into its chest.
My Essence-infused strength sent shockwaves through its molten body, shattering the rock-like protrusions on its back.
The orc coughed out magma and collapsed to its knees.
The second orc swung its claws at me in desperation, but I ducked and drove my knee into its chin. Its head snapped back violently, and I followed up with a heavy punch to its throat.
It staggered.
I activated [Essence Manipulation] and channeled Essence into my arms.
I grabbed the orc's arm and let out a low roar as I lifted its massive body off the ground.
With a swift spin on my heels, I swung the orc and slammed it down onto the other one that was kneeling.
Their bodies collided with a heavy bang, and the arm I was holding twisted unnaturally before completely snapping from the shoulder.
I stepped forward without hesitation and brought my foot down, crushing their skulls and ending them both in an instant.
Silence filled the air.
I stood there, steam rising from my skin as the lava bubbled quietly around me.
I felt strong.
Now only two things were left on my to-do list.
First, increase Strength to 50.
And finally, push my level as high as possible.
I was getting closer to level 25, and I liked it.
I let out a slow breath and sat down right where I stood. Without hesitation, I transferred all 20 units of Essence into Strength.
My stat jumped up, permanently crossing the 50-point threshold.
And then I waited.
And waited.
Then it happened.
A strange tremor ran through my muscles.
My arms twitched. My legs tightened. My chest felt like it was caving in for a moment before something inside me snapped and released.
Suddenly, an intense surge of heat spread through my body, but unlike before, this wasn't from the environment. It came from within.
My muscles began to swell and pulse as if each fiber was breaking down and rebuilding itself.
I felt the tendons in my arms stretch and harden, becoming denser, tougher. The bones beneath cracked softly, not from breaking, but from compacting, reinforcing themselves to handle the new strength coursing through them.
I clenched my fists, and I could feel the raw power humming beneath my skin. My veins bulge slightly, filled with energy that felt almost electric.
My back stretched as if new layers of muscle were forming along my spine, wrapping around my core and strengthening my balance.
Even my legs, which had already adapted to the heat of the lava, felt sturdier, as if they could crush the ground beneath them with a single stomp.
I raised my arm and flexed my fingers.
My grip felt unnatural, tighter, stronger, as if I could crush stone with ease.
I stood up and took a step forward.
The ground felt soft beneath my foot.
I grinned.
Unlike Constitution, which rebuilt my body from the inside out to handle more damage, Strength was different. It felt violent. It felt raw. It was built to deal more damage.