Chapter 2: Innate Abilities

Strength. At this stage, strength is the sole pursuit of Kelot. Even if he can't fully merge his two bloodlines, he yearns to attain a level of might that defies the law. True powerhouses pay no heed to government decrees, for their very existence is the most blatant provocation to the law!

In this world, there's a detailed strength classification for professionals. Over the past two months, Kelot has gained a general understanding by chatting with some professionals who frequent the tavern to while away their time.

### First Stage: [Body Forging]

Professionals acquire combat power through physical or mental strength training. [For instance, ordinary soldiers and apprentice mages fall into this category.]

### Second Stage: [Skill Ignition]

Based on physical training, professionals practice combat skills, including advanced fighting techniques and weapon - handling prowess.

Casters start learning various attribute - matching spells, getting familiar with and using them with dexterity.

### Third Stage: [Mind Refinement]

While continuously honing their combat skills, professionals develop their own combat personalities. These can be tough as steel, gentle as a breeze, brave as a lion, timid as a mouse, dull as a rock, sharp as a blade, wild as a storm, or calm as a lake. At this time, professionals begin to integrate their thoughts into combat and create their own combat systems.

Casters start building their own spell systems at this stage, piecing together various spells to form their unique combat styles and spell systems.

### Fourth Stage: [Spirit Purification]

Professionals fully blend their personalities into combat, and their entire bodies become lethal weapons. They might be able to take on a hundred enemies single - handedly. At this point, their robust physiques and proficient skills are seamlessly combined.

Mages start developing their own spell domains at this stage, infusing their innate abilities into them and constantly perfecting these domains.

### Fifth Stage: [Bone Ignition]

Professionals break through the limits of humanity and learn how to re - train their bodies. They can only reach this level after their bones and blood have been tempered like iron in a furnace.

Caster professionals complete their domains. Their mental strength breaks through once more, and their souls verge on becoming tangible. Casters at this stage often refer to it as [Soul Condensation].

### Sixth Stage: [Essence Comprehension]

This is the hallmark of the strongest professionals in the current world. The physical training of professionals reaches its peak, and the mental training of casters surpasses the limits of human perception. It's not unheard of for people at this level to fight against a thousand enemies.

### Seventh Stage: [Soul Incineration]

This is a strength level that exists only in records. Currently, there's no record of such a powerful being in the world.

(The above rank distribution is borrowed from the author's favorite article *The Demon King's Nanny*.)

What exactly is Kelot's current strength rank? With the bloodline of the Tidal Giant, after two months of training, he effortlessly completed the Body Forging stage. Moreover, his pure physical strength has almost reached the mid - level of the Skill Ignition stage.

But when it comes to his comprehensive strength, it's still stuck at the low - level of the Skill Ignition stage. Kelot is like a caged tiger, his physique still powerful, his strength overwhelming.

However, he's frustrated by his inability to utilize these advantages properly. The reason is that his combat skills are no better than those of a street thug. After all, no one is born a combat prodigy. Life - and - death battles aren't just about physical strength; the application of skills is equally crucial in determining victory.

There's nothing he can do. Kelot has no special tutor here to teach him combat skills. Moreover, aside from not having the money to hire one, even if he did, he wouldn't dare.

Who knows what kind of background the tutor has? If he fails to learn any skills and instead exposes his half - giant bloodline, it's all over.

"Kelot! Kelot! Are you around? Come back to the tavern right now. Someone's looking for you!"

A woman's voice rang out in the distance. Kelot emerged from the water and looked up, but he couldn't see the figure. However, he could still hear the voice clearly. This is one of the characteristics of the Tidal Giant bloodline. Kelot's hearing has been greatly enhanced, but his vision on land has been somewhat impaired. He can only see normally underwater.

He swam back to the shore, propped his hands on the shore, and hauled himself onto the stone bank. Kelot didn't care about his wet clothes. He simply walked in the direction of the voice. At the same time, a layer of blue light began to shine on his skin, which was gradually returning to a human complexion. The water on his body and clothes was slowly being absorbed by his body!

This is the manifestation of the Tidal Giant bloodline's ability to control water elements. Kelot doesn't know any water - based spells, but he can make some basic use of water - element energy. For example, he can form a water film around his body with the absorbed water, which can significantly reduce the impact force.

Splash...

Suddenly, the sound of something falling into the water came from behind Kelot. He whirled around and saw a dark figure on a small wooden boat that he'd previously thought was empty and drifting near the shore. The sound had come from there.

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. His half - giant bloodline must never be exposed!

Regardless of whether the person had seen his state when he emerged from the water, since he'd appeared at this location at this time, Kelot would never let him go!

He turned around, leaped, and plunged back into the water. Kelot swam swiftly towards the wooden boat. The person on the boat obviously noticed him and picked up an oar to row away. However, Kelot, with the Tidal Giant bloodline, was far faster in the water than the man rowing the boat!

The wooden boat was poorly constructed. After catching up with it, Kelot punched a hole in the bottom of the cabin, allowing the sea water to flood in. He ignored the man's pleading. The descriptions in some books about how humans deal with half - giants had already steeled his resolve!

To successfully hide his identity, Kelot wouldn't let anyone he didn't trust learn his unique secret.

"I didn't see anything! Don't kill me! Don't kill me!!"

After the boat sank, the man struggled and pleaded for mercy in the water. Unfortunately, the only response he got was Kelot's thick right arm, which turned blue - purple again! He hooked the man's neck and tightened his arm muscles. Under the bright moonlight, Kelot could clearly see the man's face turn red and then purple at an alarming speed under the powerful squeeze of his muscles. The man's violent struggle soon turned into slight twitching...

Obtained 1 point of bloodline energy. The system is not activated... The energy dissipates!

"System... System! Why isn't it activated yet!"

Kelot didn't know what the bloodline energy was for, but he could clearly feel that some energy would appear around him after he killed someone. His body craved this energy, but he couldn't make use of it.

Don't get me wrong. Kelot's moral compass is far lower than that of ordinary people. Although he's only been in this world for two months, he's already witnessed the world's cruelty. For many, as long as they're powerful enough, killing is a thoughtless act. They do it without hesitation.

Of course, if the person they want to kill has a certain status, some maneuvering is still required. After working as a guard in the chaotic Duras Port Tavern for two months, Kelot has already shed blood. Those small thugs who came to cause trouble were simply had their necks broken, tied to a stone, and thrown into the sea behind the tavern. No one would ever question it!

You should know that human lives are sometimes worthless in this world, especially in Duras Port, where gangs run rampant. One can't survive without being ruthless!

From being reluctant at first and forcing himself to act to now having no qualms about killing, Kelot's growth has been astonishingly rapid.

In fact, for some reason, after killing someone for the first time, a strange feeling welled up in his heart. It was as if his actions were completely justifiable and there was nothing wrong with them. Strangers seemed like mere livestock in his mind.

This was an idea Kelot had never had before, and it was somewhat similar to that of real giants. It seems that the influence of the Tidal Giant bloodline on Kelot is not limited to his body...

He looked around again to make sure no one had noticed his actions, and then Kelot continued walking in the direction of the voice.

It was the peak business hour at the Deep Harbor Tavern. As soon as Kelot reached the back door, he heard the boisterous laughter inside. He reached out and rubbed his face, transforming his cold expression after the killing into a simple and honest smile.

This was the image Kelot had painstakingly crafted in front of others over the past two months. He wanted others to believe that he was just a naive, somewhat selfish, petty - minded, and strong - but - stupid brute. This impression would make others unconsciously lower their guard, which would bring him many advantages in various aspects.

"Aunt Ruili, why did you call me? Was there another troublemaker while I was out fishing in the sea?"

Fishing was a perfect excuse for Kelot to explain his frequent presence in the water. After demonstrating that he could go into the water in such weather and easily catch two big fish, the tavern's landlady, Aunt Ruili, readily believed it and helped him spread the word.

"The sheriff from the garrison is looking for you. He said you two had discussed something a few days ago, and he's here today to take you with him."

"Oh, I remember. You know, my memory's not great. I promised him the other day, but I forgot about it these days."

What had Kelot promised the sheriff? This was another plan Kelot had formulated in the past month. If this plan succeeded, Kelot was confident that he could better hide his identity and at the same time get a chance to become stronger...