With the money from the arena, Kael bought a 'Corrupted Heart Stone'. Most people would die if they touched it, but for a Vanguard, it was fuel.
He retreated to a cave and began the ritual.
[Warning: Evolution Process is extremely painful.]
[Do you wish to proceed?]
"Do it," Kael hissed.
Black veins spread from the stone into Kael's arms. His skin began to peel, replaced by a layer of 'Vanguard Scales' beneath the surface. His heart stopped for ten seconds, then restarted with a thunderous boom.
[Evolution Complete!]
[Rank: Iron-Grade Vanguard reached.]
[New Skill: 'Vanguard's Domain' – For 30 seconds, all enemies within 10 meters have their mana suppressed by 50%.]
He was no longer just a human. He was becoming something the world hadn't seen in ten thousand years.