My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 17: The Change Within

Chapter 16: The Change Within

The room was still, save for the labored breaths coming from Renji's bed.

His skin was ashen pale, save for the blotches of red where the fever hit hardest. Sweat soaked through the sheets, pooling at his neck and chest as his body twitched involuntarily under the blankets.

Elara sat at his bedside, a damp cloth pressed against his forehead, her face drawn tight with worry. Her hand trembled every time she had to wring out the cloth, like she feared letting go even for a second would make things worse.

Lena knelt on the floor beside her, clutching Renji's hand tightly, her fingers turning white from the grip. She hadn't said much—not because she had nothing to say, but because she was terrified to say it out loud.

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"He's still burning up," Elara whispered, barely holding back the quiver in her voice. "It's not getting better."

Lena's gaze stayed locked on Renji's face, his brows furrowed, his mouth parted as though he were in pain, trapped somewhere between dreams and consciousness.

"He won't even wake up... What do we do?"

His breathing was shallow, irregular. His body trembled with every breath, as though his own muscles couldn't decide whether to burn or freeze.

Elara wiped his face again. "Please... just stay with us."

The door slammed open.

Kiera's voice cut through the silence. "Renji?"

Her boots echoed as she strode into the room, eyes scanning—then locking onto him.

She froze.

"What the hell...?"

She moved in a blink, crossing the room to the bed. Her hand gripped his arm, fingers pressing into his burning skin.

"He's on fire... This isn't right." Her voice was sharp, but there was something else—panic.

Elara stood quickly. "We don't know what's wrong! He just collapsed after training—then he wouldn't wake up."

Kiera cursed under her breath, her sharp golden eyes narrowing. "How long has he been like this?"

Lena finally looked up. "Hours... maybe more. We didn't know what to do."

Kiera stood, pacing toward the door. "I'm getting a doctor. A good one."

She paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

"Don't let him out of your sight."

It wasn't long before Kiera returned, practically dragging a man in a long, silver-lined cloak behind her. He walked with the calm confidence of someone used to seeing life at its worst—a magic doctor, one of the few who understood how to treat ailments of the body and soul.

He entered the room silently, only nodding once to Elara and Lena before stepping to Renji's side.

He knelt and placed his hands just above Renji's chest. A faint blue light pulsed from his palms, forming into rings of symbols that hovered over Renji's body.

The doctor's brow furrowed as he reached into his pouch, producing crystals and vials, laying them around Renji's bed in a careful pattern.

Elara and Lena watched anxiously, hands clenched together, neither daring to speak.

The room was silent except for Renji's uneven breathing.

After several minutes, the doctor stood slowly, his expression unreadable.

"This isn't illness," he said at last. "It's... evolution."

Kiera blinked. "What?"

Elara leaned forward. "Evolution?"

The doctor nodded. "Rare. Extremely rare. His body is reacting to something deep within him—power that his system is unlocking. He's... changing."

Lena gripped Renji's hand tighter. "Is he going to be okay?"

The doctor's gaze softened. "I believe so. But it won't be easy. His body is fighting itself, trying to become something more. His best friend now is time. Keep him cool, feed him when he can eat, and watch for changes."

He stepped back, gathering his tools. "I've only seen it once before. That man didn't survive. But Renji..." He paused. "He's stronger than most. Watch over him."

With that, the doctor left.

Renji stirred as the door closed, his body suddenly convulsing. Heat surged through him—then vanished into icy cold, his skin paling, his breath slowing before racing again.

A blue light enveloped him, and in his mind, the System's voice echoed like thunder.

[System Notification]

You are undergoing Evolution.

Trigger: Uncontrolled mana exposure + repeated skill usage.

Mana Control unlocked prematurely.

Cause of Drain: Your system activated advanced abilities without a stable mana channel.

Solution: Your body is adapting to handle power. Once Evolution completes, mana flow will stabilize.

Warning: Skills are locked until stabilization.

Progress: 12% Complete.

The light faded.

Elara and Lena leaned in, feeling something strange—an aura, faint but present, pulsing from his body like a heartbeat.

"He's changing..." Elara whispered.

Lena nodded, voice small. "We have to help him get through it."

Back at the Guild Hall, Selise glanced around the room, frowning.

"You've seen Renji?"

A few adventurers shook their heads.

"It's been days."

"Maybe he's out questing."

"Or maybe he ran off with all those girls."

Selise scowled. "Enough."

She called over a Guild scout. "Go check on him. Something's wrong."

The scout nodded and left swiftly.

At a table nearby, several adventurers watched with interest.

But one man stood, leaning in the corner—arms crossed, hood shadowing his face.

He watched Selise, then glanced at the door.

"So he's sick," the man muttered. "Weak. Vulnerable."

He clenched his fist.

"They think he's so special... rising in rank, gaining attention, surrounded by girls."

His lip curled into a sneer.

"I'll show them. I'll show them he's nothing."

He turned, slipping out the door quietly.

Jealousy burned like a fire.