[Describtion added successfully.]
[Select one of the following stats: 3 Strength, 1 Dexterity, 5 Constitution]
"Last one." Considering that dexterity was too low and strength was sitting at 61, Kang chose the constitution stat.
[Affirmative, Constitution increased to 59.]
"Add 4 points to strength and another to the constitution. Dump the remaining points to dexterity."
[Affirmative, Attribute Points decreased to 0]
"Activate Lifesteal and Power Absorption!"
[Lifesteal activated!]
[You've stolen 2,800 blood and fifty years' worth of life force]
[Power absorption activated!]
[Pick one ability from the following: Lightning Field(B)]
Having no other choice, Kang chose the ability right away, causing the system to start the extraction process. Leaving the system to do its work, Kang prepared himself to attempt his evolution once again.
"I'm glad this ability doesn't consume as much blood as I thought it would." Looking at the bright sword in his hand, Kang grinned internally, pleased with the results so far. Thankfully, Ability Fusion stopped consuming blood once the two abilities merged. Not only that, the blood consumption needed to keep the weapon in shape was cut off as well.
"Now I have a decent weapon to use in battle." Although this caused him to lose the telekinesis effect he had over it, the weapon's strength increased by leaps and bounds, making that loss insignificant compared to the gains.
[Extraction successful… Lightning Field(D) added to Absorbed Abilities.]
[Lightning Field(D): Consume 10 corrupted mana points per second to form and control a lightning field]
Looking at the system messages before his eyes, Kang called up his status, only to frown deeply when he saw the ability was greyed out. Although he knew why it was unusable, he didn't understand how it was even possible in the first place, since blood fiends were incapable of using mana.
His suspicions didn't last long before a quest appeared before his eyes. Surprisingly, he had the option to either reject or accept this quest.
[Evolution Quest: Find three S-level Mana Cores and infuse them with Crimson Armor(S)]
[Reward: {Crimson Armor(S) -> Corrupted Armor(SS)} , {Full mana control when Corrupted Armor(SS) is active}, {150,000 Mana}]
[Accept | Decline]
"Accept, I will take it." Watching the potential upgrade, Kang didn't hesitate to accept the quest, even though he didn't intend to do it right away since he was too weak to face S-ranked beasts.
[Quest accepted successfully]
"It's about time to visit Argon. I could use some hunters to assist in killing the beasts when the time comes." His plan was to delay the quest until he was ready, as there was no time limit. By establishing his guild as planned, Kang hoped he wouldn't have to kill the beasts on his own.
Sensing his intention, the system brought Kang into the blood sea once again. Soon enough, the familiar beast-man stood before him, greeting him as usual.
"Welcome back, stranger. I'm curious how much you've achieved so far." Looking at the bright sword in Kang's hand, Argon smiled brightly before forming a blade for himself. "Are you ready for the usual?"
"Definitely." Confident in his victory, Kang nodded repeatedly before charging at his opponent. He knew very well he was at a disadvantage in such fights, no matter how much stronger he became, thanks to the previous battles.
He thought the gap between them was one of experience rather than power due to Argon's life achievements. For Argon to have created an S-ranked ability meant he had likely lived much longer—at least that's what Kang believed.
Swinging his sword at Argon, Kang watched as Argon's blade swiftly turned into a shield, blocking the attack. Shortly after, Kang's sword pierced through the shield as the acid began devouring its remains, forcing Argon to distance himself from Kang before laughing aloud.
"You've achieved something remarkable, something capable of piercing my conjured weapons." Praising Kang, Argon found himself under assault once again, forcing him to create a formation of shield barriers in front of him.
'He'll probably get me if I try to dash anywhere except forward.' Remembering his previous fights, Kang guessed Argon's counter-attack, causing him to activate his precision and compression abilities. Soon enough, his sword began shrinking in width and extending in length until it reached its limit.
Swinging the sword vertically, Kang cut through the shields before pushing his body forward toward Argon, who smiled upon seeing him. Ignoring the smile, Kang drove his sword into Argon's neck, swiftly separating it from his body.
"Great start, that was impressive!" Pleased by Kang's progress, Argon spoke before taking the initiative to attack Kang this time. Thanks to his newly improved stats, Kang's eyes were able to track Argon's movements clearly compared to before.
This allowed him to perfectly parry the attack and follow with a counter by kicking Argon's back, disrupting his balance. Watching his opponent become vulnerable, Kang beheaded Argon once more. Remaining vigilant despite his victory, Kang distanced himself before Argon could regenerate, while silently conjuring a bomb inside his cupped fist.
Fearing that Argon would attack him if he didn't strike first, Kang altered his sword into a spear and threw it at Argon the moment he came back to life. Reacting to his opponent's move, Argon activated his Crimson Armor and formed a couple of shields in front of himself.
Although the spear failed to pierce through the armor, it served its purpose by clearing the way for Kang. Closing in on the surprised Argon, Kang revealed his bomb before slapping it against Argon's face, causing the acid to devour him.
Waiting for Argon, Kang kept his eyes fixed on the spot where his opponent met his demise. The moment Argon's upper body regenerated, Kang took his stance, preparing his spear for another attack, intending to drive it into Argon's head.
Driving the spear toward the recovering Argon, Kang attempted to secure another victory by blowing his head off. Watching his attack fail, Kang altered his weapon back into a sword, activated his Crimson Armor, and attacked once again.
'Success, that's enough to keep me ahead!' Watching Argon's head roll as his body disintegrated, Kang deactivated his Crimson Armor to avoid further blood depletion before distancing himself to relax for a moment.