The Blackstone Tribe wasn't a large place.
News of Orion's victory over James quickly spread throughout the tribe. The giants talked excitedly and curiously, but when they remembered that Orion's sister was Clymene, they understood.
As the strongest young female warrior in the tribe, it wasn't surprising that her brother had such talent.
"Speaking of which, Orion is already 10 years old. He's not a child anymore."
"Yeah, who would've thought that the small-statured Orion could defeat James in close combat? It seems he has talent in fighting as well as magic. I'm looking forward to his future."
In the chieftain's tent, several elders were conversing.
Hyperion sat in the chieftain's seat, silent but inwardly pleased.
Orion was his son, and whether he chose to be a shaman or a warrior, as long as he contributed to the survival and growth of the Blackstone Tribe, it was enough.
Just then, a giant with a scar on his face rushed in, speaking urgently.
"What? Clymene took half a year's worth of food? How can that be?!"
"Summer is almost over. Once autumn arrives, the Black Forest will be covered in snow, and food will be scarce. We must gather as much food and warm fur as possible. Why did you agree to her request?"
"Slate, did you agree because you have a crush on Clymene?"
"What? You tried to stop her, but she beat you up? You can't even handle a woman? Are you really a bloodline warrior of the Blackstone Tribe?!"
The elders erupted in chatter.
"She said it was to nourish Orion. Her brother needs to grow!"
Slate explained, stubbornly defending himself to the elders. "Is she just any woman? She's Clymene!"
The elders exchanged glances, then looked at Hyperion, who remained silent.
"Ah, it's just some food. We can hunt more. Besides, much of our stockpile was gathered by the chieftain's hunting expeditions."
"Yes, yes, let Orion have it. I saw his duel with James. Once he completes his bloodline awakening, he'll be a great giant warrior."
"Slate, really, this is a minor issue. No need to bother us with it. Off you go."
...
Outside the tent, a greatsword and spear were stuck in the ground.
Orion stood before them, lost in thought for over an hour, pondering a question.
Since the battle ended, no new newbie proficiency quests had appeared. Orion felt eager to improve but lacked a way to do so.
"Could it be that the condition is combat?"
"But it's strange. The push-up quests didn't have this condition."
Orion thought it might be related to his current attribute limits or endurance.
"It seems becoming the strongest in a short time isn't realistic. I need to take it step by step."
Orion sighed and returned to his family's tent.
"Mom, I've gained the tribe's recognition. I defeated James!"
Phoebe, pounding herbs with a bone stick, looked up, pleased. "That's my son. May the Titan God bless you to become as strong a warrior as your sister!"
"But I heard you want to use two weapons. Is that true?"
Orion nodded. "Actually, there's another weapon that suits me better, but the tribe doesn't have it."
Contrary to his expectations, his mother didn't offer conservative advice. Phoebe just smiled. "As you wish, child. Your sister told me you're a true genius. You don't need to follow others' opinions."
"Thanks, Mom!"
Just then, the tent flap opened, and Hyperion entered, beaming, and embraced Orion. "Son! You know, after our discussion, you have the right to choose your tent in the best area of the tribe!"
"Really?" Orion was excited.
The best area was where Orion's parents lived.
Clymene was the strongest young female warrior in the Blackstone Tribe, Phoebe was a rare and valuable shaman, and Hyperion, the chieftain and core leader of the hunting party, was powerful and held a high status.
Their residence was naturally at the heart of the tribe.
"Son, you can live near us. Your mother chose this spot specially," Phoebe explained. "The magic concentration here is higher than in other areas. Living here will benefit you."
"Thank you, Mother, but that would make me feel like a child still nursing," Orion laughed, shaking his head. "I'm a true warrior, ready to embrace my destiny and honor. Please let me live independently."
"Alright."
Phoebe was reluctant, but her son was 10 years old, ready to learn independence.
The next day, accompanied by Clymene, Orion found a more secluded spot, home to an old, one-eyed giant warrior.
"This warrior is our tribe's honored warrior. He achieved many feats in his youth. You should get along with him," Clymene introduced with a smile.
Orion took a closer look at the one-eyed giant.
Tall but slow-moving, his remaining eye held a deep, somber gaze, resembling an elder nearing the end of his days.
"Hello, esteemed honored warrior. My name is Orion. We'll be neighbors from now on," Orion greeted.
"Oh, just call me Kolgor."
The old one-eyed giant seemed taciturn, turning back to his tent after speaking.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A rhythmic tremor shook the ground.
Orion turned to see his sister emptying a special beast stomach bag of hides and large beast bones, arranging them neatly on the ground.
Clymene used no tools, simply punching a thick leg bone into the ground like a nail, leaving half exposed.
"My brother, what do you think?"
Orion shrugged. "It's alright. Nothing to brag about. I could do that too."
"Then... how about this?"
Finding her fist too easy, Clymene hefted her large breast, aiming it at the exposed leg bone, and slammed it down!
Thud!
The leg bone was driven entirely into the ground.
"How about it? Want to try?" Clymene boasted.
"What's there to brag about? Watch me!"
Orion mustered all his strength, slamming down, but the leg bone only went halfway into the ground.
"Haha, you're not quite there yet. Not like me..."
Before Clymene could finish, Orion acted again.
He quickly removed his beast skirt, revealing his massive cock, and swung it like a club!
Thud!
The leg bone was instantly buried in the ground.
"Cool!" Clymene said. "My brother, you always surprise me."
With Clymene's help, Orion's tent was soon built, spacious and sturdy.
He moved in, the interior simply decorated but using the tribe's finest hides and materials.
Lying on the soft hides, Orion recalled his duel with James.
His strength was sufficient, but his speed was lacking. He needed to improve his agility.
As if in response, a panel prompt appeared before him.
[Newbie quest triggered, run 5 kilometers with a 20-pound weight, Agility +1]
"Here we go, time to get stronger!" Orion was thrilled and accepted the quest immediately.
A red glow enveloped him, and Orion felt a slight weight, but nothing more.
The extra 20 pounds was negligible to him. He began running and quickly completed the newbie quest.
[Newbie quest completed, Agility +1]
Then, the panel displayed a new challenge!
[Newbie quest triggered, run 10 kilometers with a 200-pound weight, time limit 25 minutes, Agility +1]
Ten kilometers, 25 minutes, and with a weight... Orion was contemplative.
On Earth, the best athletes had a 10-kilometer record of about 26 minutes.
The newbie quest demanded 25 minutes, with a 200-pound weight. The old record wouldn't even meet this newbie standard.
But with a giant's powerful physique, it wasn't an issue.
Orion completed it in just 21 minutes.
"Huff, huff..."
Orion was sweaty, taking a short break before the panel presented another prompt.
[Newbie quest triggered, run 10 kilometers with a 2000-pound weight, time limit 30 minutes, Agility +1]
The difficulty increased exponentially. Orion weighed only 500 pounds but had to carry four times his weight. It was incredible.
A red glow flashed, adding 2000 pounds to Orion. He took a few steps, feeling the ground sink half an inch!
"No, this is too hard for me!" Orion felt the weight, and after 100 meters, he stopped.
"This quest is impossible for now."
Orion was exhausted. With his current stamina, 10 kilometers would take at least 50 minutes, far from completing the newbie quest.
The red glow flashed again, and Orion felt lighter, the weight gone.
Then, the newbie quest changed.
[Newbie quest triggered, eat 20 pounds of fresh meat, Strength +1]
[Note: Must be from a standard level or higher beast]