But the third specimen triggered the evolution he’d been seeking.

<You have devoured the Pond Lizard>

<You have evolved the Water talent: E+ → D->

<Talent evolution threshold achieved!>

Finally. D-rank Water manipulation.

Power flowed through his enhanced physiology as the talent integrated into his existing capabilities. Water became responsive to his will, environmental moisture gathering around his fingertips with unprecedented precision.

Significant improvement. This opens new tactical possibilities.

His status window updated automatically:

<Human: Ethan Brandon>

<Rank: Low-Gold>

<Talents: Water(D-), Speed (E+), Crystal Hardening (E+), Wind(E+), Protective Shield (F+), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Regeneration (F+), Dagger Wield (F-), Fire (F+), Mental Enhancement (F)>

<Transformations: Lazy Monkey(Peak-Silver), Tunneler Behemoth(High-Silver), Crystal Ape (Mid-Silver), Panther (Mid-Silver), Silver Serpent (Mid-Silver), Harpy(Mid-Silver), Shadowfang Wolf (Peak-Bronze), Razorback Boar (Peak-Bronze), Black Beetle (High-Bronze), Brown Bear (Peak-Bronze)>

<Level 6>

<Health Points: 2400> <Mana Points: 2400>

<Strength: 240> <Agility: 240> <Intelligence: 240> <Vitality: 240>

<Free Attributes: 10>

<Skills: Basic Footwork (Novice – 89%), Swordsmanship (Novice – 60%), Mana control (Novice – 76%)>

D-rank Water talent confirmed. Intelligence increased from absorbed cores.

The advancement felt substantial—not just numerical improvement, but qualitative enhancement of his tactical options. Water could now serve offensive and defensive roles with genuine effectiveness.

Combination attacks become much more lethan. Fire and Water working together for steam-based tactics.

He devoured the remaining two lizards for completeness, their cores providing additional intelligence points while confirming the talent had reached its current evolution limit.

The steaming pond behind him marked another successful hunting expedition. Each encounter strengthened his position while providing valuable intelligence about enemy territory composition.

‘My most powerful skill is now water, which I didn’t expect.’

The irony wasn’t lost on him. Of all his accumulated talents, the one he’d considered least important had evolved into his strongest capability. D-rank Water manipulation, was one of the more versatile talents jusg like his wind talent.

‘It will be helpful in the desert too.’

‘But having multiple F-rank talents isn’t great, even if I have many of them.’

Quantity meant nothing without quality. His talent collection resembled a museum of mediocrity—impressive in scope but lacking the focused power needed against Platinum-rank opposition. Each F-grade ability provided minimal advantage compared to evolved alternatives.

‘Time to hunt with purpose. Target monsters that match my existing talents.’

Advancing his talents now required strategic targeting. Instead of random encounters, he needed creatures whose abilities aligned with his current portfolio. Fire-based monsters for his F+ Fire talent. Crystal creatures for his E+ Crystal Hardening. Speed-focused predators for his E+ Enhanced Speed.

‘Every evolution multiplies combat effectiveness exponentially.’

The jungle stretched endlessly ahead, its diverse ecosystem promising encounters with every conceivable monster type.

His enhanced senses swept the surrounding vegetation, searching for specific energy signatures that matched his advancement needs.

Movement in the canopy announced aerial threats. Three winged shapes descended through filtered sunlight, their forms radiating the distinctive energy patterns of speed-specialized predators.

<Ferocious Beast: Sky Razor>

<Rank: Mid-Silver>

<Enhanced Speed Talent: E+>

<Drop Rate: 0.5%>

‘Perfect. Speed enhancement opportunities.’

The Sky Razors moved with aerial grace that would challenge most ground-based fighters. Their enhanced speed manifested as lightning-quick diving attacks followed by rapid repositioning beyond effective counterattack range.

‘Hit and run tactics. Standard aerial predator strategy. But they are fighting someone whi mastered that technique.>

But their Mid-Silver capabilities meant nothing against his overwhelming power advantage. Enhanced Speed activated, turning their rapid movements into manageable slow motion sequences.

Wind blades carved through their flight patterns like invisible nets. The creatures’ speed became irrelevant when faced with attacks that moved faster than thought itself.

Three corpses plummeted to the jungle floor within seconds.

‘Three cores. Marginal talent advancement expected.’

He processed their remains efficiently, each devouring session providing incremental improvements to his Enhanced Speed talent. The the first crystal devoured made advancement feel minimal—E+ to E+ still, but with subtle increases in effectiveness.

However upon eating the next two this was when he speed talented reached D-.

The jungle beckoned with promises of flame-based creatures whose abilities could push his fire manipulation beyond its current F+ limitations.

Smoke tendrils rising through the canopy caught his attention first. Then the acrid scent of burning vegetation reached his enhanced senses, accompanied by the distant roar of creatures accustomed to destruction.

Fire-based predators. Exactly what I need.

Three massive shapes moved through the undergrowth ahead, their forms wreathed in natural flames that consumed everything they touched. Trees smoldered in their wake while smaller vegetation simply disintegrated under their heat.

<Ferocious Beast: Inferno Salamander>

<Rank: High-Silver>

<Flame Body Talent: D+>

High-Silver rank. More challenging than previous encounters, but fodder remains fodder.

The salamanders moved with predatory confidence that spoke of apex status within their territorial range. Their flame-wreathed bodies radiated heat that distorted the air itself, creating shimmer effects that would confuse lesser opponents.

D+ grade talents. Significantly stronger than my current fire capability. It seems like i’m lucky to evolve to if my talents today, fire and water.

Gold-rank power still trumped High-Silver capabilities, regardless of talent grades.

The lead salamander detected his presence first, its reptilian head swiveling toward him with intelligence that went beyond animal instinct. Flames erupted around its form as defensive systems activated automatically.

They know I’m here. No point in stealth.

Combat erupted as all three creatures attacked simultaneously. Gouts of superheated flame carved through jungle air while molten projectiles sought his vital points with lethal precision.

Ethan’s Enhanced Speed activated, reality shifting into manageable slow motion. The salamanders’ attacks became readable patterns rather than overwhelming assault waves.

Wind blades materialized around his position, compressed air sharpened to cutting edges that sliced through even superheated environments.

The salamanders’ flame auras provided impressive defense, but concentrated force overwhelmed even enhanced protection.

The first creature fell to dismemberment, its flame body sputtering out as vital organs ceased functioning. The remaining two adapted quickly, their pack intelligence recognizing the threat level they faced.

But retreat required mobility they no longer possessed. Wind magic pinned them in place while fire magic—his own enhanced flames—met their natural abilities in direct confrontation.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep