Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 36: Plan [2]

The road leading back to the inn was filled with silence. Only passing wind, the swaying of trees and the crunching of gravel beneath his footsteps could be heard.

Yet each step he took made his knees wobble as a sharp pain spread throughout his limbs. But Vergil kept his eyes fixed on his destination.

The pain had long been familiar to him.

The village lights began to flicker in the distance as the amber sky began to disappear. Leaving only the starry night to cast its shadows where light lingered.

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An hour had passed before Vergil made his way in slowly through the village gates. He staggered, moving past closed shops before finally entering the inn.

He nodded once at the innkeeper and he nodded back. Vergil had already paid in advance for ten days. And that decision was one of the best he’s ever made.

Vergil made his way upstairs before returning to his room. Opening the door, stray beams of moonlight filtered their way in through the window and balcony.

His eyes widened slightly — Eleanor was already fast asleep, one arm draped over the edge of the bed.

"How un-noble like," Vergil chuckled lightly. ’But at least one of us can sleep.’

Quietly setting down his clothes on the chair, he took off his blood-stained clothes. Before moving to the bathroom. The thought of hot water after an amazing experience was too good for him to resist.

He sank into the tub, letting the warm water embrace him as the steam rose out of the window.

He worked silently, washing himself thoroughly as water lapped gently at his skin with a warm hiss.

After finishing, he finally relaxed. There were no scented oils or expensive salts.

Just the peaceful moment of silence.

Vergil let out a soft breath, as he leaned back against the wooden part of the tub. His muscles that ached began to relax, numbing the pain as Vergil’s thoughts lingered on the progress he made.

It was a memory that was worth remembering.

He let his eyes close briefly, letting the tension unwind.

Tomorrow he would work harder. But for now, this was his reward.

"Combination," Vergil murmured under his breath as a soft resonant hum echoed in his ears.

The blue skill panel flickered before him.

Combine Resilient Body and Tough Body (E)," he spoke. The skills had evolved from the battle with the orc’s and it wad finally time.

[Combining skills... combination successful.]

Iron Body (E+)

Grants a durable and damage-resistant physique, combining blunt resistance, pain tolerance, and overall physical toughness.

As Vergil read the skill, his lips curved into a faint smile. "How useful," Before swiping the text. Another line had appeared earlier.

One that he had been saving.

Mana Sense.

He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. Combining it with Mana Affinity would be a waste since it’s still at F-rank.

’Maybe, I’ll wait till it’s equal in rank.’

His fingers hovered again on the panel. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Next... combine Primal Awareness and Combat Instinct."

[Combining skills... combination successful.]

The screen glowed with a deeper hue, the result of two honed instincts fusing into something far more refined.

Skill Unlocked: Primal Awareness (D-)]

An evolved survival-based skill that blends primal danger sense with battle-hardened instinct. Becoming more aware of threats under pressure increases reaction time.

"Same name, but improved," he whistled. "But it will help."

He leaned forward, muscles tensing as sat upstraight in the tub as he looked at his newest gain.

Art: The Lowest Form, the Highest Peak (F+)

Proficiency: 70%

Vergil read the description and before bursting into laughter. "It really does suit the likes of me." He stretched as he finally stepped out of the tub.

He placed his hand where his mana heart was, hearing it pulse faintly. "My other skills still need time."

He closed the panel before exhaling slowly.

"But training comes before anything." His gaze flickered to the open window where the trees swayed under the night.

And almost absentmindedly, he flexed his fingers. A thin layer of frost crackled as it covered his knuckles.

"I still haven’t had a proper chance to use this,’ Vergil sighed. The ice magic he learned from Elvira had remained silent in his skill list, untouched.

"Most of the fights I’ve been in are either too fast or too chaotic," he frowned. "Ice magic needs time, positioning and precision."

But that didn’t make it usless, rather it was far from that. It allowed to slow enemies down, shut enemies down. And in the future, could trap limbs or wall off entrances.

"If I had enough mana, I could above and beyond." He rubbed his chin. "But I’ll be heading back there soon... and that guy might be even stronger."

Vergil stared at the bathwater reflecting his image faintly on its surface. "I’ll need more trump cards going forward.

His hand touched the reflection causing it to ripple. Then he sank his hand in — the heat melted the ice into the bathwater. "A trip to Elvira seems necessary."

He rose from the bathtub, water dripping from his frame onto the wooden floor. The warmth that clung to him, disappeared as the cool air kisses his skin.

He dried himself off with a towel before changing into his old clothes. Eleanor had told him that the inn had a system where they would clean any clothes.

A very useful system in Vergil’s line of work.

Inside the dimly lit bedroom, Eleanor was now curled up under the blanket on the left side of the bed. Her breathing was slow, steady, and also peaceful as her white hair spilled over pillow like moonlight.

Vergil moved quietly to the opposite side of the bed, each step deliberate in order to not make any sounds. He sat his sheathed sword behind the bed before sitting on the bed.

Listening to the quiet rhythm of Eleanor’s breathing. A rare moment of stillness in a world where people are constantly thrown into chaos.

He slipped under the blanket, his eyes facing the ceiling. Before finally embracing the darkness.