Theoretically, when someone practiced a skill they lacked, they could eventually attain it. Likewise, in cases where a profound evolution occurred, impacting the very foundation and structure of a person's body, they would instinctively receive an epiphany or understanding of it, without fully comprehending the nature of their achievement.
This was precisely what happened with Cyril and the result of the unnatural application of his [Material Conversion] talent. When the abundant amount of bodily energy suddenly surged within him, dramatically altering his bodily functions, he gained insight into how to regulate it and ensure that he could move his body without restrictions.
Initially, Cyril was concerned about the adverse effects of losing his natural blood and replacing it with such volatile, misty blood. However, contrary to his worries, he found that he could still move his body, as the energy in his body still provided the necessary functionality. The initial worry stemmed from the volatile nature of the misty blood compared to the liquid blood, but it appears that he didn't need to be concerned about that.
Despite undergoing dramatic changes, Cyril didn't have time to fully immerse himself in the sensations of his body's evolution. The instinctive insight he gained was rudimentary, but it was still sufficient enough to turn the current deadlock situation slightly in his favor.
With this motivation, Cyril consciously circulated his volatile, misty blood in veins throughout his circulatory system, gathering and mobilizing it to strengthen himself. He filled and stacked every fiber of his muscles and skin with the misty blood energy, fortifying them to withstand powerful physical attacks. This act of strengthening muscles and skin was a general application of bodily energy, achievable by anyone who possessed bodily energy. With enough bodily energy, one could also promote faster healing of the body.
Despite being aware of this potential, Cyril chose not to heal his severe arm injuries, as doing so would deplete a significant amount of his misty blood energy, which he couldn't afford to waste if he intended to defeat the giant wolf monster.
As a consequence of his clash with the giant Steel Chaotic Wolf leader, Cyril had repeatedly broken his knuckles and forearms, effortlessly repairing them each time. However, upon awakening from his absentminded state, he seemed to have forgotten how to heal himself in the same manner.
With the intention to investigate the cause, Cyril tried to recall the feeling of regenerating his flesh and repairing his bones multiple times during his fight with the giant wolf monster. However, he discovered that he had lost the essential healing factor that made it possible. As a result, his arms remained unhealed, and his injuries showed no signs of improvement when he tried to re-enact the healing and repairing process of his body.
Although Cyril initially didn't know the exact reason for this, he could deduce from the sequence of events that it had something to do with the Chaotic Wolf corpses he had absorbed using his unique talent, [Devouring Vortex]. He deduced further that it was likely that he had depleted the healing factor acquired from those deceased Chaotic Wolves, which also explained his inability to heal his injuries and repair his broken bones.
After reaching this conclusion, Cyril was about to stand up when he noticed the reappearance of the starry-framed golden page in his field of vision. Reading its contents sequentially, Cyril realized that he had missed some semi-important details during the time he had lost himself.
As Cyril read the words on the golden page, they disappeared, only to be replaced by more words in a sequential manner until the final lines of black text were displayed on the starry-framed golden page before him.
Instantly, Cyril could feel his skin being shrouded by a misty gas that not only strengthened his muscles but also slowly solidified his skin tissues. Eventually, he was covered in what appeared to be a crimson metallic shell, giving his skin a shimmering luster, as if it had been painted with blood.
Cyril also noticed that even his thin strands of hair had been strengthened and appeared to be covered in the same substance as his body. He briefly observed his appearance and found himself looking quite intimidating and horrifying. The crimson metallic shell on his face seemed to accentuate the indention lines created by the wrinkles on his face.
Interestingly, only Cyril's eyeballs remained unaffected by the activation of the skill, [Blood-Steel Body Fortification].
After taking a few moments to recall the fragmented memories scattered in his mind from the savage fight with the Chaotic Wolves, including their leader, the giant Steel Chaotic Wolf, Cyril boldly took a step forward, determination etched on his crimson-shelled face. With the assistance of the starry-framed golden page and his newly acquired skill, he felt more confident in facing the giant Steel Chaotic Wolf monster.
Meanwhile...
The giant Chaotic Wolf leader continued to engage in a heated battle with the old man, the overseer of the awakening ceremony. However, upon sensing a presence in the distance, it became agitated by the terrifying new aura permeating the air, reeking strongly of blood. In its frenzy, it ruthlessly kicked the already battered old man in the chest, breaking a few of his ribs in the process.
The old man was sent flying, coughing up another mouthful of blood. This time, his broken ribs seemed to have pierced some of his internal organs, causing him immense pain. He quickly retrieved a blood-colored pill and swallowed it without hesitation. Taking advantage of the monster's temporary disinterest in him, the old man sat down and focused his energy on refining the pill to heal his wounds, including his broken ribs.
Shifting its ferocious gaze, the giant Steel Chaotic Wolf leader once again targeted Cyril, who menacingly approached it with a misty bloody aura emanating from his body, filling the air with the sweet scent of blood and the metallic tang of iron.
The closer Cyril got to the giant Chaotic Wolf leader, the stronger the smell of blood emanated from him. At the same time, the more the giant Steel Chaotic Wolf leader caught its scent, the more riled up it became, eagerly anticipating tearing him apart piece by piece.
For some reason, the giant Chaotic Wolf leader sensed that it could evolve further by consuming the body of the diminutive human who had now been enveloped in a thick, blood-colored aura.
Ignoring the potential threat Cyril posed, it looked at him with greed in its ferocious eyes. With lightning speed, the giant Chaotic Wolf leader stomped its agile feet and charged at Cyril, intending to kill and devour him whole.
Within seconds, it closed the distance between them and appeared in front of Cyril, launching a deadly steel-clad claw attack aimed directly at his head.
Rather than immediately attempting to dodge, Cyril skillfully thrust his broken and jutted forearm bone, now strengthened by his [Blood-Steel Body Fortification] skill, below the monster's chin, aiming for an uppercut stab.
As the enemy's claw attack loomed over his face and neck, Cyril tilted his head to evade it. He executed the movement with minimal effort, smoothly maneuvering around the attack while maintaining a relatively unchanged posture. He didn't want to waste the opportunity that lay before him.
However, Cyril couldn't completely avoid being injured by the steel-clad claw of the giant Chaotic Wolf monster when his attack landed on it.
Blood splattered everywhere, resembling a burst pipe, staining the ground with a vibrant red hue.