As the final memory faded and the sync timer reached zero, a low hum filled the air. The sound resonated deep within his chest, marking the beginning of a new transformation. His body, worn and frayed from the strain of the sync, began to glow faintly. At first, the light was subtle, a soft glimmer beneath his skin, but soon it grew more intense, enveloping him entirely.

He could feel it—the raw energy coursing through him, mending the damage that had torn him apart during the sync. His destroyed internal tissues began to stitch themselves back together, healing with an eerie precision as if time itself was reversing the harm that had been done.

Each pulse of light seemed to rewind the pain, undoing the trauma, knitting muscle and bone together seamlessly. But as the healing progressed, something else began to happen—something far deeper, more unsettling. Veins started to pulse all over his body, bulging beneath his skin as if something was stirring within them.

His heart hammered in his chest, each beat growing faster, stronger, until it felt like it was about to burst. A sharp sting spread through his veins, racing up his spine and exploding through his limbs. His breath caught in his throat, his body convulsing with the intensity of the transformation.

A low growl escaped his lips, teeth clenched as he fought to stay conscious, his body trembling from the force of whatever was happening within him. The glow around him intensified, flickering like a flame in a gust of wind, illuminating the void with bursts of light that seemed to push back the surrounding darkness.

His muscles tightened, nerves straining as though his very form was being torn apart and reforged to contain the power surging through his veins. His body was no longer just human, no longer just elf—it was something more, something monstrous.

The bulging veins that pulsed violently beneath Leo’s skin began to subside, and the involuntary twitching of his body slowly diminished. His erratic breathing steadied, each inhale deeper and more controlled than the last.

Sync with Silva completed.

Calculating synced years.

Successfully synced 300 years.

Congratulations, receiving successful sync reward.

Increasing all stats by 3000.

A surge of raw energy pulsed through his veins, each heartbeat sending waves of tingling power to his fingertips and toes. His skin buzzed with newfound strength, as if every cell in his body had been supercharged. Leo threw his head back slowly, savoring the sensation as it rushed through his veins. A mix of exhilaration and unease washed over him as he felt strength he had never known before.

His muscles felt more solid, his senses sharper. It was like standing on the edge of something immense, a force barely contained within him.

But then, without warning, a strange sensation followed. He felt it—his power being drained, not entirely, but enough for him to notice. A significant portion of the strength he had just received seemed to be siphoned away, vanishing into the void within him.

Blight of the Vanquished, he thought, the curse that had been with him ever since he defeated the Dragon Lord. It was a familiar weight he had learned to bear, a reminder of the price he had paid. The curse did not hinder him in day-to-day life, but in moments like this—where every drop of strength counted—it felt like a chain pulling him back.

"Damn this curse," Leo muttered under his breath. "Every step forward, and it pulls me two steps back."

If it weren’t for the curse, he mused, perhaps Silva wouldn’t even be an issue. A flicker of frustration passed through him, his jaw clenching. The curse was like a leash, holding back his true potential. But even as the thought formed, Leo pushed it aside.

But I can't let it stop me. Amanda and Roxanne are counting on me.

Raising his arms, Leo curled his fingers, feeling the strength ripple through his limbs. His skin tingled, but nothing felt out of place. If anything, he felt stronger than ever. His body was brimming with power, even with the curse dampening a portion of it. His muscles flexed as he twisted his wrist, marveling at the newfound force flowing through him.

And then, as if responding to his unspoken thoughts, a system message popped up before his eyes.

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You have reached the maximum allowable active races.

Succeeding syncs with other races will be placed in the passive category.

Leo's brow furrowed as he read the message. Another limitation of the system—a new rule. Before he could ask, Ai’s voice cut through the silence.

Ai began, her voice carrying its usual hint of superiority, "It's included in the system update, Leo. A limitation in the Share the Pain perk called Racial Assimilation."

"Limitation huh?" Leo's eyes narrowed.

"Currently, only 3 races can be activated at once," Ai continued. "These active races grant you full access to their skills and abilities."

"And if I sync with more?" Leo pressed.

"Any additional races you sync with will be passive, offering only their innate traits and passive bonuses."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he processed the information. It made sense—his power couldn’t grow infinitely without some form of regulation. But the idea of being limited in his race capabilities added a new layer of strategy to his already complex system.

"I see," he muttered, turning the thought over in his mind. "Three active races... and the rest passive." He clenched his fist, testing the strength still coursing through his veins. He had to make sure he chose the most useful combinations going forward. There was no room for mistakes.

Though a part of him felt annoyed by this new restriction, another part welcomed it—it was a challenge, and Leo had always thrived under pressure. There would be time to explore this further, to understand what passive abilities might enhance his arsenal.

Leo’s voice came out muffled beneath the mask, a reminder of its presence. His frown deepened as the barrier between him and the world became more apparent. Though the mask’s influence kept his thoughts crystal clear, the barrier it created between him and the world around him was irritating. Without hesitation, he gestured toward his system once more, navigating to the VIP perks.

Activating Wardrobe 1 VIP perk.

Wardrobe 1 activated.

He felt the mask fade from his face, its weight and texture dissolving into nothingness. But its effects—the clarity of his mind, the unyielding focus on his goals—remained intact. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he flexed his jaw, appreciating the newfound freedom of speaking unobstructed. Even without the mask’s physical presence, he felt more focused than ever.

Satisfied, he flicked through the interface to check his adventurer details. The familiar screen blinked into existence before him.

Leo

‎ Level: 15

‎ Class: Swordsman

‎ Race: Hybrid (Human-Elf-Mimic)

‎ Age: 416

His eyes lingered on the word Mimic for a moment. It still felt strange, seeing himself classified alongside creatures that he had once only encountered as enemies. But now, the power that came with it was his—something to wield and control.

A memory from their earlier encounter flashed through Leo’s mind—his encounter with Silva in her mimic form, hidden beside her throne. He recalled the eerie sight of the treasure box sprouting a single limb that reached out, caressing the girl’s head in a disturbingly gentle manner. That bizarre image now echoed through his body.

He remembered the Mimic's ability to shift its form, to grow additional limbs at will, to adapt and change as needed. The memory triggered something deep within him, like a switch flicking on in the recesses of his subconscious.

Leo tilted his head slightly, honing in on the strange sensation creeping along his spine. And then, he felt it—a tingling, almost alien feeling, spreading from his back. His skin shifted, stretched, and then—suddenly—four new limbs sprouted from his shoulders and lower back. They extended outward, dark and fibrous, moving with a life of their own.

His mind struggled to process the sensation, but curiosity overtook hesitation. Slowly, he tested the limbs, the initial awkwardness giving way to controlled movements.

With slow, determined movements, he tried to guide the limbs. It was confusing at first—his brain struggling to process the extra appendages. But with focus, he felt each one move independently. He tested them, making slight movements, curling and uncurling them, bending them at different angles.

The control came gradually, like learning to walk for the first time. Each of the six arms moved with a mind of its own, yet all obeyed his will. A sense of amazement settled over him, the sheer adaptability of his new abilities bringing a quiet thrill.

Leo examined his new limbs with cold calculation, recalling the monstrous creature he'd encountered in this world. He'd once seen them as obstacles, but now its abilities were tools at his disposal. The distinction between hero and monster blurred in his mind - all that mattered was the power to achieve his goals.

He could feel it now—the limitless potential of his hybrid form.