I choose yes on both options, then use self-regeneration, extreme stamina, and drink a full HP potion while slowly air-stepping toward the boss room floor.

My vision is hazy, and my body is tingling all over.

I can feel the life coming back to me, but with over 80% of my Qi core also depleted, I begin to feel lightheaded and weak as well.

Both hands start to glow white, and the sensation begins to climb up my arms to cover my chest and creeps up my neck to cover my head as well.

I've felt this sensation once before, and it was when I ranked up last time.

Right below me, the corpse of the fallen lightning wolf is yet to dissolve, but with the intensity of the energy that's flowing through my mana pathways right now, I get the feeling my rank up isn't going to be a quick and pleasant procedure.

The more the energy takes over my conscious mind, the closer it feels like I'm about to transfer up to the next floor and be in serious danger.

I make the split-second decision before my vision goes white to open up a spatial magic portal, letting the undissolved corpse of the lightning wolf fall inside. Then, allow Ember to fly out.

The instant he hits the air, his entire body begins to shine bright white as well, and I place a hand on his back, dungeon walking us to the outer edge of a dungeon that is ingrained in my mind as a default teleport point.

I see the glimpse of the empty great plains, right where the rift of the Void Creeper's used to stand, but now is just an empty wide-stretching meadow with rolling hills and mountains far off in the distance.

The hot white energy envelops my entire body, and I lose consciousness.

____________

[+1000 Strength]

[+1000 Mental Strength]

[+1000 Speed]

[+1000 Agility]

[+1000 Defense]

[New Buff!]

[Rising Emperor's Greater Form][Hidden Ability][Active]

A rejuvenating rush of energy washes over me while I open my eyes and take in a fresh breath of air cooler and more refreshing than any breath I've ever felt.

I sit up and slowly look around to my left and right, taking in the view of the great plains with a newfound appreciation for the dungeon's intricate design.

My eyes are sharp, cutting through the imagery of what looks to be a grassy plane, and I see the manifestations of mana for what they really are. Realistic holograms of energy, producing lifelike designs to lure in hunters to expel mana while searching for treasures.

Every breath I take brings in more mana in the air, converting it into usable energy, and every second that passes, my body expels mana of its own at an extremely fast rate as it is constantly running on passive buffs and active bodily functions.

I can feel every mana particle in this dungeon down to its core, and I even sense the monsters in this dungeon cowering at the sense of my aura, not getting within a kilometer away from me.

My mana control has easily increased by over 2.5x, and my Rising Emperor's Domain now reaches out just over 100 meters.

Less than 20% of my Qi stores remain after that battle, but it feels as if I could use this small amount to easily perform the attack I just threw with 75% of my previous core.

Every aspect of my being has been upgraded. My mind feels sharper, my energy control is leagues above what it used to be, and my natural base level strength feels far greater. My skin is smoother, and my movements are more graceful.

My armor and wounds from battle are completely healed. I don't feel a hint of fatigue in my body at all, and my new and improved form already feels natural.

"Ember..." I whisper under my breath, as he's the second thing on my mind after myself.

My head turns as I perceive the reading of a level 1002 Dragon in my mind's eye, but the visual I see is far from what I expected.

A young man with fair skin and long silky crimson hair sits in a patch of grass less than 15 meters away from me, admiring the dungeon's glory in the same manner that I did just moments ago.

He wears an elegant outfit, similar to the apparel seen on high ranking nobles I passed in my travels through Valor City or expensive auctions.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The man wears a black vest over a white dress shirt, and a silky red overcoat that matches his bright hair. His matte black shoes match his silky gloves, and a powerful invisible aura surrounds his being.

The man turns his head toward me. Fierce, yet calm, crimson eyes lock with mine.

He speaks aloud in a voice I know very well.

"Glad to see you're finally awake, Master. It's great to see you decided to take my advice and rank up again."

The corner of his lip curves upward, and I see a striking resemblance to the toothy grin Ember always shows when he's enjoying himself.

"Maybe we won't be killed so easily by The Lich King after all." He mutters to himself.

It takes me a moment to register my thoughts, but I reply.

"You've... changed quite a bit too..."

He stands to his feet, letting his long hair and thin red overcoat flutter in the light breeze of the dungeon.

"I have, indeed. It's always been much easier getting around in these human forms. Not the greatest for combat, but I get a lot less screams when I walk into rooms."

He looks down at his hands, moving his fingers and breathing in the mana dense air through his nose.

A red glow starts to manifest around his body too, showing his Mythic Grade Plunderer Skill activate for a fraction of a second and all of the mana in the surrounding area gravitates toward him. He turns it off and his base aura glows even brighter than it did before.

"It's been a while since I've ranked up a second time, this body is probably my favorite one so far."

Another pulse of red aura surrounds him for a moment, then the extremely strong mana control completely vanishes into thin air. It's like he's using a mana suppression technique that masks his strength, but I can't see a drop of Qi surrounding his body at all. It must be an even more advanced technique.

He continues to admire himself, while tons of thoughts race through my mind.

I should have come to this conclusion earlier. Both of the double-ranked-up monsters I've faced so far have started their battles in human forms. Of course, Ember would be the same...

This changes quite a few things. Like he said, there will be far less terror from normal humans when entering a room. Meaning Ember can walk around with humans, and his safely guarded identity will not be so easily figured out.

Secondly, a more concerning thought comes to my mind as I look down at my status and see my new buff [Rising Emperor's Greater Form].

I point a question toward Ember, hesitant to activate my buff and see for myself.

"So monsters receive the ability to turn into humanoid forms when they reach level 1000. Does this mean... I'll have the ability to turn into a monster...?"

_______________________

Updated Status Sheet:

_______________________

[Status Open]

____________________

Name: Jay Soju

Level: 1002

Hp: 5015/5015

Mp: 5015/5015

Strength: 4039 [+3999][+5049][+11188][+4847][+2020][+4039][+7714][+5049][+5049][+10098]

Speed: 3900 [+4329][+5928][+4875][+5616][+1950][+3900][+5187][+4875][+4875][+9750]

Agility: 4008 [+4008][+4409][+5010][+5932][+6212][+2004][+4008][+6974][+5010][+10020]

Defense: 4205 [+3112][+5929][+4626][+5845][+8074][+6938][+2103][+4205][+5551][+10513]

Mental Strength: 4566 [+4568][+5708][+5981][+9726][+8173][+2283][+4566][+7854][+5708][+5708][+11415]

____________________

Skills:

Absorption [Legendary Grade]

Swordsmanship [Legendary Grade]

Combat Magic [Advanced Fire Summoning]

Inspect [Special Grade]

Enemy Detection [Legendary Grade]

Body Hardening [Legendary Grade]

Self Regeneration [Legendary Grade]

Spatial Magic [Item Storage]

Plunderer [Legendary Grade]

Telekinesis

Appraisal [Special Grade]

Conceal [Special Grade]

Berserker [Legendary Grade]

Dungeon Walker [Legendary Grade]

Intimidation [Legendary Grade]

Dagger Mastery [Legendary Grade]

Stealth [Legendary Grade]

Bloodlust [Legendary Grade]

Equivalent Exchange

Combat Magic [Advanced Wind Summoning]

All-Seeing Eye

Extreme Strength [Legendary Grade]

Dual Wielding [Legendary Grade]

Telepathy [Legendary Grade]

Final Breath [Legendary Grade]

Combat Magic [Advanced Earth Summoning]

Combat Magic [Advanced Mana Manipulation]

Life Steal [Legendary Grade]

Hibernation [Special Grade]

Combat Magic [Advanced Demonic Energy Manipulation]

Combat Magic [Advanced Ice Summoning]

Body Double [Legendary Grade]

Lie Detector [Legendary Grade]

Hush [Legendary Grade]

Craftsmanship [Mythic Grade]

Extreme Speed [Legendary Grade]

Combat Magic [Advanced Water Summoning]

Screech [Legendary Grade]

Phantom Step [Legendary Grade]

Flare [Legendary Grade]

Confusion [Legendary Grade]

Blast [Legendary Grade]

Bind [Legendary Grade]

Iron Fist [Legendary Grade]

Extreme Stamina [Legendary Grade]

Combat Magic [Extreme Lightning Summoning]

____________________

Items Equipped: [15 Slots Available Post 2nd Rank Up][Current Items Equipped]

Platinum Ring of Visual Manipulation [+151% Mental Strength][+111% Speed][+100% Agility][+99% Strength][+74% Defense][Illusion Attribute]

The Behemoth's Platinum Amulet [+141% Defense][+125% Strength][+125% Mental Strength]

Enchanted Boots of Extreme Speed [+152% Speed]

Enchanted Ice Serpent's Pendant [+110% Agility] [+75% Magic Resistance] [+95% Ice Magic Resistance]

Platinum Ring of The Blue Ogre King [+131% Mental Strength] [+125% Speed][+125% Agility][+110% Defense]

The Flame Emperor's Sword [Advanced Fire Aspect][+277% Strength][+213% Mental Strength][+139% Defense][+144% Speed][+148% Agility]

Berserker King's Armor Set [Blood Bonded] [+192% Defense]

Cloak of Total Darkness[+179% Mental Strength][+155% Agility][+75% Perception][Hidden Passive Ability][Concealment Attribute]

[Enchanted Lightweight Gauntlets][+165% Defense][+120% Strength][Hardening Attribute]

Greater Demon's Core [+50% All Stats]

Arch Demon's Core [+100% All Stats]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

Final Slot[15th]:[Interchangeable]

The Wind Tyrant's Dagger Set [Advanced Wind Aspect][+191% Strength][+174% Agility][+172% Mental Strength][+133% Speed][+132% Defense]

Midnight Dagger

____________________

Skill Buffs:

[Berserker] +125% Strength + Mental Strength

[BloodLust] +125% Speed + Agility + Mental Strength , +50% Perception

[Extreme Strength] +125% Strength

[Extreme Speed] +125% Speed

[Final Breath] ~ +250% All Stats (Exact % will vary, conditions & circumstances apply)

____________________

Permanent Buffs:

Rising Emperor's Domain[Hidden Ability][Passive]

Rising Emperor's Greater Form[Hidden Ability][Active]

Red Hydra's Rage[Soul Bond Attribute][Active]