Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 46: Fixing the Plumbing?

Hu Qi looked down.

The axe in his hand was much larger than any ordinary axe on the market.

It felt heavy in his grip, weighing over thirty pounds, and exuded a cold, tough aura.

The blade was incredibly sharp, glinting with a cold light, and the body was forged entirely from black steel.

The handle had a fine, granular texture.

It was made of a non-slip material to ensure the user wouldn’t easily lose their grip while swinging it.

Hu Qi had this axe custom-made by a smith, and it had cost him over a thousand yuan.

An axe this heavy simply wasn’t available for purchase on the market.

For an ordinary person, swinging such a heavy axe would be extremely difficult.

It didn’t just depend on arm strength but also involved the power of the entire upper body, core strength, and coordination.

But to Hu Qi, it felt just average. After all, his own strength was on another level.

However, he would still get tired after swinging it for a long time.

Swinging it was a short Burst of power, but hacking with an axe that weighed over thirty pounds for half an hour was a completely different concept.

Continuous swinging would quickly lead to muscle fatigue and exhaustion. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Fortunately, because Hu Qi practiced the Nourishing Essence Breathing Technique, his stamina recovered far faster than an ordinary person’s.

If it were anyone else, they would have collapsed from exhaustion in a few minutes at most.

Thinking of this, he looked at the panel.

————

[Mad Axe Fighting Technique (Entry-Level) △]

[Modification Point: 4 (32%)]

"Have I finally reached Entry-Level?"

Hu Qi let out a light breath and stretched his body.

He hadn’t bought the axe for fun, but to practice this Mad Axe Fighting Technique.

The description for it mentioned that the heavier the axe used for practice, the better the effect on strengthening one’s physique. That was why he had custom-ordered this one.

Now, his time for hard work was over. He needed a little help from Crimson.

’Crimson, modify the Mad Axe Fighting Technique! Upgrade it to Perfection!’

HUM!

The panel trembled slightly. The moment Hu Qi’s thought settled, the words "Mad Axe Fighting Technique" began to blur.

At the same time, the familiar, cool stream of reinforcing energy appeared inside his body again.

However, compared to before, this cool stream was much stronger.

Because he had just finished practicing, his body temperature was high. When stimulated by this cool stream, wisps of white steam actually began to rise from his skin.

Hu Qi thought about it for a moment. He quickly understood the reason. It must be because he had used Crimson to upgrade the Fighting Technique directly from Entry-Level to Perfection, a leap that was too great.

When the reinforcing stream of energy faded, Hu Qi opened his eyes and looked at the panel.

—————

Mad Axe Fighting Technique (Perfection) — Trait: Dragon Spirit and Tiger Fierce

Modification Point: 2 (32%)

Upgrading from Entry-Level to Perfection had only cost two Modification Points.

As Hu Qi’s physique and strength increased, the boost a Fighting Technique provided to his body, while present, was nothing compared to before.

Correspondingly, however, the cost of using the Modifier to upgrade these Fighting Techniques was also getting lower and lower.

’A new Trait?’

Hu Qi looked at the "Dragon Spirit and Tiger Fierce" Trait.

He could clearly feel his stamina, which had been depleted from half an hour of practicing the Mad Axe Fighting Technique, recovering at a visibly rapid pace.

At the same time, his own energy became much more abundant and vigorous.

"Not bad!"

Hu Qi’s eyes lit up. Feeling the changes in his body, a smile appeared on his face.

After a Skill reached Perfection, it would always awaken a Trait.

A single Trait, on its own, would help improve the body, but it would still be within the range of an ordinary person, at most making someone seem unusually talented.

But if he spent a lot of time continuously stacking Traits like Strengthened Physique, he might be able to elevate himself to a non-human Realm.

If this world were just an ordinary modern city, Hu Qi might not be in a hurry and would consider doing that.

But after learning that this world contained Extraordinary Techniques capable of breaking the limits of the human body, he naturally wouldn’t take that path.

For him, that would undoubtedly be penny wise and pound foolish.

Right now, he just wanted to improve his physique as much as possible before heading to the core class in a few days, to reach the true limits of the human body and then practice a Limit-Breaking Technique!

At this thought, Hu Qi prepared to get up and take a shower. His clothes were sticking to his body from the sweat.

It was really uncomfortable. But just as he reached the bathroom,

KNOCK KNOCK!

someone suddenly knocked on his door from outside.

It was already past nine o’clock at night, and it was pitch black outside.

Even his landlord wouldn’t come looking for him this late.

Besides, the landlord didn’t even live here. He lived over in South City, and rent was paid every month via direct mobile transfer.

After a moment of thought, Hu Qi walked to the door and looked out through the peephole.

In the hallway outside stood a young, beautiful woman.

She was wearing a flimsy black slip dress, so thin it was nearly transparent, like a barely-there veil of gauze. The outline of her underwear was even visible.

Her long, black hair was wet, clinging to her smooth, pale shoulders.

A few strands fell along her cheeks, and droplets of water dripped continuously from the ends of her hair.

Her eyes held a trace of anxiety and helplessness.

This was the woman from the young couple living next door.

"Hello? Is anyone home?"

Just then, the woman at the door seemed to notice Hu Qi’s gaze and looked up.

Her soft voice, combined with her delicate face, was extremely effective at stirring a man’s protective instincts.

"What is it?"

Hu Qi’s voice came from behind the door, his tone completely flat.

"Hey, handsome... I’m your neighbor from next door. A pipe burst in my bathroom while I was showering, and my boyfriend isn’t home.

Could you please help me turn off the valve? I’m not strong enough to turn it."

After speaking, the woman bit her lip, wearing a pitiful, heart-wrenching expression.

’Fix a pipe?’

A strange look appeared in Hu Qi’s eyes.

"How much are you willing to pay?"

"Huh?"

The woman froze, clearly not expecting him to bring up money for such a simple favor.

"Why should I help you if there’s no money in it?" Hu Qi asked.

"Fine. Come over and help me, and I’ll give you..."

Before the woman could finish, Hu Qi cut her off.

"Forget it. Just call the number on the wall. There are plumbers on there, and their prices are reasonable. Don’t bother me!"

With that, Hu Qi said no more. His footsteps faded as if he had walked away from the door.

"You..."

The woman stomped her foot in anger before finally turning and leaving.

’This woman...’

Behind the door, Hu Qi watched her leave through the peephole, his brow slightly furrowed.

Only after confirming that she had returned to her own apartment did he turn and go back inside.

Even if a clichéd scenario like "fixing a pipe" could happen, the chances of encountering it were just too low.

He didn’t deny that his body had become stronger and more sculpted from all his combat training recently.