"Master!" Lysinthia hurried to greet Orion as he returned, gently supporting his arm.
"I'm fine. Go guard the tent for me. Don't let anyone in without my permission."
The serpent maid nodded, "Understood."
With everything arranged, Orion sat cross-legged in the tent and consumed the Bloodline Purification Potion.
A burning sensation spread from his throat, though it was much milder than the Titan Potion. As soon as he drank it, he felt the potion's effects taking hold.
The familiar sensation of his bloodline expanding coursed through his limbs. Orion felt like he was on fire, a bit painful but bearable.
He silently endured the potion's transformation, and after some time, his body suddenly trembled. An overwhelming surge of power erupted from him, flipping the furs and bone furniture in the tent with the force of the air current!
"Roar!!!"
Orion roared!
His attributes surged, his body becoming stronger and taller. Most importantly, his [Blood Rage] skill advanced to [Intermediate Blood Rage].
[Intermediate Blood Rage]
Effect 1: Giant's Fury
Effect 2: Localized Enhancement
The description of Intermediate Blood Rage was simple, and Orion wasn't entirely sure what the skill entailed.
Did it require a special method to activate?
Focusing his attention, Orion discovered that with his will, a powerful force began to gather within his body!
"Effect 2 is active... this power can move at will."
Orion realized he could direct this power to some extent.
"...Focus on the fist." Orion clenched his fist, feeling the immense power concentrate in his hand.
He stepped outside the tent and struck a massive boulder with all his might!
The enhanced power of his fist sliced through the rock like a hot knife through butter, shattering it into pieces!
"Ah! Master, what are you doing?"
At the entrance, Lysinthia, who had been diligently standing guard, was startled, her scales standing on end.
Realizing the immense power came from her master, the serpent maid relaxed, admiring the imposing giant from a distance, her cheeks flushed with a captivating blush.
But Orion was too absorbed in the power's enhancement to notice.
Strong, sharp, and as easy to control as his own limbs.
Even more terrifying, he could use this power to enhance any part of his body!
For some reason, thinking of this, Orion instinctively glanced at his cock.
He focused his attention there, and instantly, a powerful force gathered, making his cock thicker and harder.
This is insane...
His cock was already formidable, and with localized enhancement, it might actually serve as a weapon in a pinch.
Ahem... Though he hadn't taken the bloodline trial yet, Orion assessed himself as a half-bloodline warrior.
With his enhanced strength, Orion checked his current attributes:
[Name: Orion]
[Race: Giant]
[Level: Standard]
[Age: 10 years]
[Height: 7.5 feet]
[Weight: 600 pounds]
[Cock: 25 inches]
[Strength: 45]
[Agility: 34]
[Intelligence: 31]
Title: Survivor
Skills: Advanced Greatsword Mastery, Advanced Spear Throwing Mastery, Intermediate Beast Taming, Intermediate Resistance Skin
Special Skill: Intermediate Blood Rage (Can advance to talent after completing bloodline trial)
"Besides strength, I've grown taller too," Orion noted with bright eyes.
Coming back to his senses, Orion noticed he had an audience and asked, "Lysinthia, am I handsome?"
"Master, you're the best," Lysinthia replied, her face still flushed, her eyes glistening as if about to overflow.
"But shouldn't you... put on your beast skirt first?"
"Uh, wow?!!"
...
Inside the tent, Orion sat on the bed, while the serpent maid sewed a new beast skirt, occasionally glancing at him softly.
As someone who had lived on Earth for many years, even with the Blackstone Tribe's open customs, Orion wasn't in the habit of running around naked.
It must have been the power enhancement that tore the skirt...
"Master, it's done," Lysinthia smiled, holding up the beast skirt and personally helping him put it on.
"You're quite skilled, thank you, Lysinthia."
"This is my honor, if you like, I can sew anything for you in the future," Lysinthia beamed at Orion's praise.
Orion patted her head, and Lysinthia smiled with squinted eyes, her tail swaying gently.
"I'm stepping out for a bit, I'll be back soon."
"Mm."
Orion left the tent, heading straight for the chieftain's tent, now his sister's residence.
Coincidentally, Clymene and Elders Thorak and Rendall were there.
"How is the war going?" Orion asked.
The situation was grim, as expected.
On his way, Orion saw many wounded, their faces pained, broken weapons discarded, and many familiar faces missing from the tribe.
Clymene nodded, sighing, "As you can see, we're left with a mess."
"War, injuries, compensation, disease spread..."
"But the only good news is the Tiger Tribe is willing to negotiate."
Orion sneered, "What's their demand?"
"Firestone, 500 pounds," Clymene held up five fingers.
Orion almost laughed in anger, "They'll leave for 500 pounds of firestone? How 'generous'!"
Winter hadn't even arrived, and the Blackstone Tribe had already lost many members, only to appease those who turned their blades on them with 500 pounds of firestone?!
"Dream on! Those damned tigers won't get a single piece!" Orion slammed the table in fury, cursing, "Once we bleed, more sharks will come sniffing!"
"We might as well hold out. The polar night of winter is coming, let's see if the tigers can withstand the extreme cold and dark beast tides!"
Hearing this, the elders sighed, and even Clymene was silent.
Orion wasn't wrong; their only choice was to fight.
The tigers knew this, hence the 500-pound demand, seemingly modest but with no intention of retreating.
Rendall said gravely, "The decisive battle will be in a few days. The medicine and food we traded for have been useful."
Thorak nodded, "They can't wait either. Before the polar night, there must be a resolution."
With that, Clymene organized tasks. The Blackstone Tribe was their last home, and with the fortified walls and territorial advantage, the giants had a fighting chance despite the power gap.
But the battle required dual preparation, especially a life-and-death struggle.
...
Orion left the tent, returning to the Abyss, determined to gather enough cores to trade for the Bone War Trident.