Shen stumbled back to his quarters, body aching and sore from the duel.
Every breath reminded him of Hydris's overwhelming strength.
[Health 100/150]
He clenched his fists.
"Fifty points in one strike… if he had gone any higher, I'd be dead."
Instead of collapsing into bed, Shen sat cross-legged on the floor. The thought of resting gnawed at him, but he refused.
"If I stop now, I'll never catch up. I'll never be strong enough."
He activated
[5:00:00]
The strain hit immediately, his muscles burning as though they'd been set aflame. Sweat poured down his brow.
Hours later, the timer chimed.
[Training complete.]
[Energy 120/120]
Shen panted heavily, nearly collapsing to the side. His body screamed for rest, but his eyes gleamed.
"Again."
He activated it once more.
[5:00:00]
The cycle continued. His hands trembled. His skin flushed red from the heat building inside. He could feel the skill gnawing at him, reshaping his body from the inside out.
[Iron Body leveled up.]
[Current Level: 2]
"Good… stronger… stronger…" Shen muttered, voice hoarse.
By the time he stopped, dawn light crept through his window. He collapsed backward, chest heaving, but his eyes burned with determination.
"I'll get there… Shu, I'll get there."
---
Meanwhile…
The royal advisor walked through the dim hallways of the palace. He paused, pressing his hand to the wall as if listening.
A faint vibration. Faint energy waves.
He smirked.
"So, the boy refuses to sleep… interesting."
He pulled a small crystal from his robes.
"The fish swims harder than expected. What should we do?"
A distorted voice answered through the gem.
"Let him grow. The bigger the fish, the better the catch."
The advisor tucked the crystal away and continued walking, the faintest of sinister grins spreading across his face.
---
That sets up:
Shen's relentless training obsession.
Iron Body's upgrade.
The advisor spying and hinting that enemies want Shen alive… for now.