So fast! So fast!

With just a few gentle tugs on the Hero’s belt buckle, her Cinder Points surged—jumping by 10 points each time, nonstop.

Combined with earlier gains, the remaining total had astonishingly neared 100.

Even restoring both Strength and Agility to level 70 would still leave over 20 points.

But Sylvia wasn’t stopping.

This chance was too rare. Restoring herself to peak power in one go would make every future plan effortless.

Focusing on the status panel in her mental space, she took a deep breath and pressed the tiny plus button beside Strength.

Earlier, after resetting Magic to level 70, the plus button vanished despite leftover Cinder Points—locking further progression.

As a seasoned gamer, Sylvia wasn’t confused. She instantly suspected: all three core attributes must hit level 70 to reactivate growth.

Though absent from the original story, the logic felt solid.

She was testing it now.

Strength hit level 70. A wave of profound fullness flooded her body; surging explosive power thrummed beneath her skin, ready to erupt.

This sensation was utterly unlike the previous limp, weak feeling.

Not rushing to restore Agility, Sylvia exited her mental space and threw a test punch forward.

Slow, yet visible spatial tremors rippled around her fist.

Still far from spatial distortion—but enough to stun Sylvia, who’d never felt such raw power firsthand.

So this was high-tier Strength?

And if she reached the Archangel of Supremacy’s prime, activated Seraph Form… wouldn’t a single tap of her staff shatter the heavens and earth?

Exaggerated? Maybe. But Sylvia couldn’t suppress a thrill of anticipation.

Hurry—restore Agility to level 70 too!

What new sensations would high-tier Agility bring?

Just picturing it sent a spark of excitement through her.

“Hehe…”

Suddenly, as Sylvia prepared to re-enter her mental space, an icy chuckle echoed in her mind.

Familiar… yet unplaceable.

No sooner did it fade than a strange scent hit her nostrils—sweat-like, yet scorching and alluring, nearly stirring the primal urges she’d suppressed.

What’s happening?

Bewildered, she scanned the living room. Nothing seemed amiss.

“Huff… huff…!”

Kroso, motionless on the armchair until now, suddenly gasped heavily, drawing her full attention.

What’s wrong with the Hero?

In seconds, his tight white shirt was soaked; sweat rolled down his face like he’d stepped out of a sauna.

Worse—his breath visibly formed three thick plumes of white smoke in the air.

Like a veteran smoker performing smoke tricks. Utterly bizarre.

“Hero?! Hero?!”

Startled, Sylvia leaped off the tea table and rushed to his side.

So hot!

Touching his forehead felt like pressing red-hot iron.

Her Body of Holy Spirit wouldn’t burn—but how could a human endure this?

Mind reeling, she didn’t panic.

She began casting High-tier Sacred Healing, heart pounding with doubt.

Before the healing array formed, Kroso’s eyes snapped open. Wordlessly, his hand shot up, seized her wrist, and halted the spell.

“Ouch!”

His palm—scorching like a branding iron—sent a sharp jolt of pain through her.

Unfazed, seeing she remained unharmed, Kroso’s dark crimson pupils gleamed.

Sweat on his face vanished in an instant. A faint smirk curled his lips—the instinctive smile of a predator spotting intriguing prey.

“Hero! What’s wrong? Let go of me!”

The crushing grip told her: this wasn’t the Hero she knew.

Those crimson eyes, that chilling smile—they matched the Corrupted Hero’s iconic illustration perfectly.

Had she accidentally triggered his Corrupted State?

But how? The original story’s corruption conditions were clear! Hidden triggers?

No time to think. Danger radiated from him.

Divine Ward!

She cast the skill. Momentary invincibility broke his grip.

What next? Recast healing? Flee?

Undecided, she used the invincibility window to restore Agility to level 70.

Please—let the plus signs light up now.

But…

Nothing.

Strength, Agility, Magic—all at level 70. Yet the plus signs stayed dark. A hollow buzz filled her mind.

At that moment, the Corrupted Hero sensed her invincibility fading. He rose slowly.

Motionless, he locked eyes on Sylvia as she retreated step by step. His smile deepened.

What a fascinating prey~