Blood Assimilation

Brawler Randy made a startling discovery when he realized that the newfound sense bore a resemblance to the [Dimensional Sense] skill possessed by his main body. However, his new surveying ability surpassed mere environmental detailing of [Dimensional Sense] skill's effects. As he pursued the black-haired girl, Randy could discern variegated glowing lights, each representing individuals he encountered on the way.

Focusing on these lights provided basic information about the sources, including names, occupations, and other trivial details. Although Randy acknowledged the usefulness of this information through the new ability, he chose not to delve into specific details, instinctively aware that it might come at an undisclosed cost— a price he was unwilling to explore at the moment. With that decision made, he opted to limit his perception to what he deemed necessary or interesting.

Utilizing this newfound ability, he tracked the only moving dark shadow with exceptional speed, a figure distinct from others he had encountered while traversing Mercenary Street.

Throughout the chase, Brawler Randy attempted to deactivate the transfigured state, only to discover that he couldn't undo the state he had assumed accidentally once again since the last time. Despite trying various methods to return to his normal state, all efforts proved futile, leaving him with an ongoing heightened sensory experience.

Fortunately, he managed to mitigate energy drainage for the activated eye powers by allowing them to passively activate only when he expressed interest in his surroundings. By refraining from seeking information or displaying interest, he could prevent the activation of the eye ability and preserve his sole energy source— Divine Points.

Lacking an energy vessel, Brawler Randy relied solely on Divine Points accessible through his main body to trigger any abilities or skills he could employ. Since these points couldn't be recovered like mana points, Randy was cautious not to escalate their consumption rate.

Divine Points constituted one reason why Randy sought missions in Mercenary Street. By undertaking missions related to hunting magical beasts or criminals, he would get many opportunities to harvest Divine Points and Knowledge Points.

Although his main body had not utilized Knowledge Points recently due to the versatility of Divine Points, which rendered Knowledge useless for learning techniques, Brawler Randy knew that Randy planned to employ them in the future to enhance his Mental Strength attribute. This aspect of strength seemed relevant according to the information Randy received from the Ancient Tome.

…

Setting aside this matter and shifting the focus to the current developments...

Through the labyrinthine network of roads, alleyways, and intersections, the determined silhouette of Brawler Randy pursued an elusive shadowy phantom, expertly navigating winding pathways as if they were familiar with the intricate pathways. Occasionally, the phantom form turned illusory, phasing through walls or sinking into the ground, showcasing speed and skillful evasion. No matter how long one observes this shadowy phantom, there does not seem to be any discernible destination, as they move haphazardly.

"Liena, wait for me!"

The black-haired girl, whose identity was the shadowy phantom, heard her name uttered by a persistently annoying person whose voice she didn't want to hear, as this wasn't the first time her pursuer called out to her by uttering her name. Her frustration deepened as she quickened her pace, the echoes of her voice fading into the distance.

"Stay away from me! How do you even know my name? I don't recall introducing myself to you. Are you a creep following me around?" She shouted in annoyance as she navigated intersections and meandering pathways to lose her pursuer.

"What do you mean by creep? Just because I know your name, you label me a creep? I genuinely learned of your name not long ago. I already told you this, why don't you believe me?" Brawler Randy explained, tracking her steps through the intricate pathways with unwavering precision, never losing her trace on the trail she blazed.

Liena remained unconvinced by his seemingly ludicrous claims of just discovering her name. Instead, she became determined to escape the persistent annoyance that was Brawler Randy by increasing her speed, gradually putting considerable distance between them as she spoke.

"Do you think I'll believe such blatant lies? Also, how do you keep finding me? No one should be able to discover me in this form, much less track me with such precision." She expressed doubtfully, noticing Brawler Randy closing in with every stride he took.

"It's a secret." Brawler Randy playfully responded from behind. Without losing his determination, he continued to chase after her as he proposed: "Come on, stop running and show me around this street."

"Why are you so annoying? Hasn't anyone ever asked you that before?" Liena, expecting such a response, helplessly retorted.

"You're not the first to ask me that, actually. I had a childhood friend who…" Brawler Randy briefly displayed a reminiscent look but abruptly shook himself out of his reverie, saying: "Never mind. Just show me around, and I'll leave you alone. What do you think? Is it a deal?"

"No way! Leave me alone! I already told you to find somebody else. I don't have time to entertain someone like you." Liena abruptly refused and pleaded: "Please, just stop following me, I have an appointment!"

"Not happening! If I try walking around by myself, it would take me weeks to discover all the intricacies of this whole Imperial City. I don't know anyone around here, after all." Brawler Randy curtly replied, seemingly not counting Gutz and his party as people he could confidently call his friends, as they were more like acquaintances of his main body.

While he did get along with Gutz, he barely knew him well enough to feel comfortable asking for a guided tour without it being awkward. Additionally, there was a possibility that Gutz and his party might be occupied with their own pursuits, as he had gleaned from Gutz that they were prominent Dungeon Hunters in Imperial City. 

Setting that consideration aside, at the moment, he didn't plan on visiting the Society for Dungeon Hunters, as there was nothing for him to gain hunting in dungeons since dispatching the creatures inside did not yield Divine Points, which were more beneficial to him.

"Why can't you just leave me alone, you creep?!" Liena increased her speed once again, her despondent voice echoing as if she had been relentlessly tormented by the same bully, and she was unable to escape the persistent torment despite her efforts.

"Hahaha!"

In response to her plea, Brawler Randy burst out laughing. Despite being amused by her, he still matched his pace with hers, unrelentingly following her trail.

"This annoying bastard..." Liena muttered expletives upon realizing Brawler Randy had caught up to her once again while ignoring her plea.

Her profanity only elicited more laughter from Brawler Randy, whose figure was not far away from her. After collecting himself, in a frisky tone, he replied: "I'll take that as a compliment."

Liena had been navigating Mercenary Street, attempting to evade the enigmatic person trailing her since their encounter, but to her dismay, she couldn't shake him off. Regardless of the path she chose or the speed she employed with her ability, she found him unyielding in his pursuit.

She wondered what she had done wrong to be bothered by so many irritating people on this particular day… 

Having awakened normally and barely eaten her breakfast as she couldn't stomach her food while contemplating her impending mission, she wasn't having a good day. As was usual before taking on her side job's mission, she always experienced a nightmare that had haunted her since childhood, souring her mood.

Just when she thought things couldn't worsen after encountering those three men undoubtedly sent by someone she knew too well, she was spotted and followed by a creep who somehow managed to catch up to her in her [Illusory Shadow] form. It seemed as if the creep could anticipate her trajectory and perceive her, regardless of whether she was on the other side of a wall or hidden underground while in her intangible shadow form.

This confirmation came after numerous attempts to change routes during their cat-and-mouse chase. Despite her efforts, the creep maintained pace at every turn she made, leaving her with a sense of immense despair rather than hatred toward this peculiar person following her.

…

Meanwhile...

Brawler Randy silently exhaled a sigh of relief, thankful that he no longer had to maintain his new eye ability. The activation of this ability not only drained his Divine Points when focused on a target but also depleted his Mental Strength, or more specifically his Psionic Energy under his Mental Strength attribute.

Fortunately, his Mental Strength attribute surpassed even that of his main body, granting access to units of Psionic Energy that his main body now possessed. This allowed him to sustain his Transfigured state without collapsing from the expenditure of Psionic Energy. He attributed this to the inherent flaws of his body, recognizing them as the reason for the changes to his body, which also granted his current form.

Lost in contemplation, Liena, having abandoned her attempts to mislead him, reached her destination and came to a halt. She deactivated her skill, sweat covering her forehead as she breathed heavily.

Turning her hooded head to view behind her, she immediately observed Brawler Randy approaching with a triumphant smile plastered on his face.

Although he stopped as soon as she did, he chose not to rush toward her, knowing that he had already achieved his purpose.

Liena frowned in displeasure at his gloating expression. However, before she could voice her exasperation toward Brawler Randy, a voice interrupted her, prompting her to turn in its source.

"L-Liena? Y-You're here?" The voice, seemingly filled with surprise and questioning, echoed.

Despite attempting to mask their surprise, the speaker failed, stuttering as Liena fiercely glared at them with animosity etched in her eyes.