The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

As Desmond gazed at the moon, its radiant glow casting an ethereal light, he meticulously scanned his surroundings, ensuring there was no prying eyes nearby. The tranquility of the night enhanced the intensity of his focus.

"Analyze all the changes and let that energy permeate my being," Desmond whispered under his breath, his voice laced with anticipation. The moon's brilliance served as a backdrop to his mystical endeavor, as if nature itself was witness to his transformation.

The absorption process commenced, its progress indicated by a series of notifications that appeared before Desmond's eyes. He monitored the advancing percentage with growing anticipation, feeling the exhilaration of the energy coursing through his veins.

"Absorb complete!" Desmond breathed out, a triumphant smile illuminating his face. The successful assimilation of energy was a milestone he had been working towards, and the satisfaction of his achievement permeated his every pore.

Eager to evaluate the effects of the energy infusion, Desmond shifted his focus inward. "Mmm, nothing seems to have changed, and I detect no trace of malevolent energy within my being," he mused, his voice tinged with relief. Standing up, he surveyed his surroundings once more before resuming his task of collecting the remaining internal organs of the fallen beasts.

Despite possessing a map, Desmond harbored a lingering doubt toward the system. His heart skipped a beat, and he nervously swallowed, grappling with a mix of apprehension and determination. Finally, he mustered the resolve to reactivate his custom spell, the Light Distortion.

As the spell took effect, Desmond's senses were greeted by a wave of relief. Not only did he feel unscathed after activating the spell, but the lingering pain that had plagued him also dissipated like morning mist beneath the rising sun.

Simultaneously, Desmond's body began to shimmer, slowly merging with the moonlit road beneath him. Starting from the tips of his feet, the radiant moonlight enveloped him until he became entirely invisible, a ghostly apparition amidst the darkness.

"I must hasten my pace," Desmond muttered to himself, an inner urgency driving him forward. He stole a glance at the remaining pile of beast corpses, a daunting task that awaited him.

Minutes ticked by, the absorption of energy from the lifeless bodies progressing steadily. Desmond, engrossed in his task, inadvertently made a few noise-induced disturbances, drawing the attention of nearby guards. Fortunately, his swift movements prevented suspicion from arising.

Yet, had anyone from the village witnessed the guards' indifference, they would have been astounded by their lack of vigilance.

The synchronized glow emanating from the pile of corpses caught Desmond's weary eyes. The slow, meticulous process of absorbing energy from each individual creature wore on him. To expedite the procedure while awaiting the lengthy system analysis, he employed this method.

Time seemed to elude him as he immersed himself in his work, until the crowing of a distant rooster abruptly shattered his concentration.

Raising his head, Desmond observed the sky with furrowed brows. The darkness still blanketed the heavens, yet the moon's luminosity began to wane, transforming into a faint transparency. Assessing the situation, he calmly shifted his gaze to the two transparent screens hovering in front of him, their data awaiting his attention.

The first screen displayed the ongoing absorption, accompanied by a countdown: [Absorbing... | Time left: 1 hour]. The second screen indicated the analysis progress: [Analyzing... | Time left: 30 minutes].

Desmond's brows furrowed further as he contemplated the time disparity, noting the unexpected delay in the analysis and the illumination of lights emanating from the villagers' homes, accompanied by the distant murmur of their conversations.

Realization struck Desmond with a sense of urgency. "Time is running out," he muttered to himself. With his pockets visibly swollen, stained with the blood of his grim task, he rose from his cross-legged position, his body showing signs of fatigue from prolonged use of his custom spell.

Fortuitously, the absorption process did not demand him to remain stationary. Grateful for this respite, Desmond braced himself and began to move, his steps heavy but resolute, knowing that every moment counted.

After glancing around once more, Desmond propelled himself forward with swift and purposeful strides, his movements accompanied by a series of small gusts of wind trailing in his wake. *Swoosh* His body, now surpassing that of a 1st Swordsman class, allowed him not only to accelerate his speed but also to suppress the sound of his footsteps, rendering them nearly silent.

At first glance, Desmond's figure seemed to blur and flicker, almost disappearing as he darted through the streets. However, a closer look revealed his legs executing powerful leaps, covering great distances with each stride. The bulging veins and enlarged appearance of his legs were visible signs of the Swordsman Body Enhancement skill taking effect.

As he ran, Desmond periodically cast quick glances at his feet, ensuring his path remained clear before refocusing his gaze ahead. "This skill is undeniably efficient, albeit with its annoying side effects," he thought, a hint of bitterness tugging at the corners of his lips.

Upon reaching his horse carriage, Desmond noticed the mercenaries still reveling in their festivities. The particular group of mercenaries he referred to belonged to the Corps of Teleknights, their camp lively and vibrant compared to the somber atmosphere surrounding the Steel Legion mercenaries.

Observing the desolate state of the Steel Legion soldiers, especially Veronica, who stared blankly at the sky, Desmond felt neither guilt nor pity for them. "Those who choose to accompany must be prepared to face the risks," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone devoid of sympathy, as if it were an expected duty for them to lay down their lives in defense of their clients.

Pushing open the carriage door, Desmond was met with a loud squeaking sound, the result of the door scraping against the floor. *Grunt* Thankfully, he utilized his abilities to control the noise, ensuring it remained audible only to those in close proximity.

Simultaneously, as Desmond's body gradually entered the carriage, the moonlight's cloak was lifted, revealing the strong scent of blood that clung to every fiber of his clothing.

"Welcome back, young master," a voice greeted him immediately upon entry. It was Laura, standing beside him as if she had been there all along.

"Good job, you've worked hard. Go rest," Desmond replied with a faint smile, turning his head slightly to find large, dark bags under Laura's eyes.

It appeared Laura had been waiting by the door for an extended period, evident from the warmth radiating from her body and the tremor in her toes. Nevertheless, she continued to smile, her hands pressed gently against her stomach as she lowered her body.

"T... thank you, young master," Laura responded, the once bright and cheerful expression on her face fading as weariness took hold. She staggered slowly toward her bed.

*Thuds* Laura threw herself onto the bed, savoring the plushness as a contented moan escaped her lips, finally succumbing to the blissful embrace of unconsciousness.

Amusement flickered in Desmond's eyes as he observed the scene. "I never asked her to wait for me or stay awake," he mused, shaking his head. Following suit, he made his way to his own bed. However, just as he was about to indulge in the same restful reprieve as Laura, he abruptly halted his movement, a sense of alertness coursing through his body.

"Oops, I almost forgot," Desmond exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization. He glanced down, remembering the presence of the beast's internal organs he had stowed away in his pockets, alongside his bloodstained attire. Although he relied on Laura to handle such matters, the memory of her exhausted state earlier made him hesitate to burden her with additional tasks.

"In truth, I don't want her to become overwhelmed while serving me," Desmond reflected inwardly, his concern for Laura's well-being weighing on his conscience. Making his way toward the rear of the carriage, he settled into a cross-legged position, leaning his back against the carriage walls.

Lost in thought, Desmond pondered what might have occurred if Laura hadn't been tired when she greeted him. The mere possibility of the situation spiraling into chaos, with his own exhaustion from utilizing spells, gave him a throbbing headache. Seeking a momentary respite, he closed his eyes once more, his body leaning back.

Several minutes passed as Desmond savored the fleeting tranquility, his mind drifting into a temporary state of calm. Suddenly, his consciousness awakened with the emergence of a new transparent screen, captivating his attention.