After reaching the First Brother milestone, Kyle was given his own room by Lu'k, who had played the role of a silent observer for the past few months.
Kyle was seated on the makeshift bed his siblings had made for him from straw they worked together to gather. Ever since he became their First Brother, their attitude toward him had taken a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. Before, they were nothing more than leeches who wagged their tails at whoever brought them food, but now they actively tried to lessen his burden even without being asked. Even Sl'k had begun taking the initiative to head out with a small group each morning to check the traps and bring back kills.
These days, Kyle didn't need to lift a finger for things to run smoothly. He was enjoying the same clan-head privileges Tu Li once had, just without the title. However, this wasn't enough. If things continued this way, he would eventually become the clan head while someone else took the role of High Shaman.
Over the past three months, Kyle had noticed that Lu'k had been spending more time with one of his four sisters, Ma'ya. He wasn't sure why, but his gut told him something was wrong. The only way to prevent this was to become the High Shaman himself—but to do that, he needed the one thing only Lu'k possessed among his siblings.
Magic.
If he could fill the gap Lu'k occupied, he could replace him with or without his approval. The scriptures, stories, and teachings of the great ancestral dragons were known by everyone, so he didn't need a special skill to act as a spiritual guide. Only by controlling both the clan chieftain and High Shaman roles could he truly lead the clan to prosperity.
At least, that was what Kyle believed.
The only way to achieve this was through evolution. Kyle knew a thing or two about kobolds and supernatural creatures even before coming to this world. While he wasn't sure how evolution worked here, he was certain that leveling up was the key—and that thought brought him back to the Bed of Reeds.
"Level twenty was the recommended level. So I believe I qualify now." Kyle's eyes sparkled with excitement as he checked his personal information.
{Name:} Kyle
{Race:} Kobold
{Level:} 21
{Stats}
{Strength:} 13
{Agility:} 13
{Vitality:} 11
{Intelligence:} 10
{Health Points:} 130
{Stamina:} 130
{Mp:} 25
{Experience Points:} 1915/2150
{Talent Points:} 020
He could still remember when fighting a tiger bunny had been a life-or-death struggle. Now, he was far stronger than before. Kyle currently stood close to four feet tall, even larger than Sl'k. Only a month ago, he had realized that stat increases affected physical growth. The change made him truly look like an elder brother to his siblings.
Looking back on his level-ups, Kyle was pleased that he had figured out how the system worked. Every five levels, he gained three points to stats and talent points. He also received five points to his mana pool—a stat that had worried him for a long time. Increasing vitality raised his health and stamina, but no matter which stat he upgraded, his mana remained unchanged.
Kyle had always known about the kobold race's weak aptitude for magic and their naturally low mana reserves. Knowing that he gained mana every five levels was a relief. As for his accumulated stat points, he kept everything as balanced as possible.
Kyle wasn't the type to favor one stat over another. He understood the role each played in survival.
"Talent store," Kyle ordered.
{Talent store}
{Weapon Mastery: Blunt}
{Price:} 5 Talent points
{Basic Leadership Starter Pack}
{Price:} 7 Talent points
{Basic Bloodline Starter Pack}
{Price:} 10 Talent points
{Basic Civilization Starter Pack}
{Price:} 20 Talent points
"Twenty? Isn't that a bit too expensive?"
Kyle had grown past cursing at the system, but this time he couldn't help himself. A tier-one talent shouldn't cost that much. Still, the name caught his attention.
Civilization was a broad concept. He wasn't sure what to expect, but his instincts told him it would change everything about their clan. Though tempted, Kyle pushed aside his curiosity and stuck to his original plan.
"Basic Bloodline Starter Pack."
He selected it, and another panel immediately overlapped the previous one as messages appeared rapidly.
{Basic Bloodline Starter Pack Purchased}
{Basic Bloodline Starter Pack: Greater Kobold}
{Bloodline Tier:} Dormant
{Status:} Sealed (Partial Awakening)
{Information:} The diluted draconic blood within the Greater Kobold had begun to stir. Though far from true dragonhood, the host had gained foundational traits tied to survival, endurance, and domination.
{Bloodline Skill 1: Hardened Scales}
{Type:} Passive
{Tier:} 0
{Effect:}
Increases physical defense slightly
Reduces piercing and slashing damage by a small amount
Improves resistance to bleeding effects
{Hidden Growth Condition:} Repeated exposure to physical damage and survival combat
{Bloodline Skill 2: Predator's Awareness}
{Type:} Passive / Sensory
{Tier:} 0
{Effect:}
Increased awareness of movement within a short radius
Improved detection of hostile intent
Slightly increased chance to notice ambushes, traps, and predators
{Hidden Effect:} Detection range increased when stationary or observing terrain
{Bloodline Skill 3: Draconic Vitality (Lesser)}
{Type:} Passive
{Tier:} 0
{Effect:}
Increased stamina recovery rate
Slight boost to maximum health
Natural wounds healed slightly faster over time
{Restriction:} Does not regenerate during combat
Kyle read through the list twice before letting out a heavy sigh. He wanted to shout in joy but held himself back, afraid of drawing attention. For months, he had imagined what his ideal bloodline skills would be. The first and third were exactly as he had hoped. The second felt like a gift from the heavens—perfect for navigating dangerous areas like the Bed of Reeds.
For the first time, the system had given him something truly worth the cost.
Without hesitation, Kyle sprang to his feet, passion burning in his eyes. Until now, he had hidden because he was weak. With his current stats, he was eager to test his strength.
The Bed of Reeds was the perfect place to do so.
"This little kobold isn't so harmless anymore!"