For this journey, Kyle planned to go alone. At their current level, the others would only slow him down. As for food, he wasn't worried. There was enough meat in storage, and the traps were still catching a few wandering animals. Food wouldn't be a problem.
As usual, before leaving, Kyle informed Lu'k. The elder merely gave him a deep look before offering a brief nod, his expression neutral throughout. Kyle couldn't read the elder's thoughts, and given the stark contrast between Lu'k's attitude toward him and toward the other siblings, he was inclined to believe the elder didn't view him favorably.
However, none of that mattered. As long as he gained control of the clan, Lu'k's personal feelings meant little.
With that, Kyle left home and began his journey west once more—but this time as an adventurer, not a cowardly scout. He no longer hid in bushes or behind trees. He walked openly, carrying the confidence of someone who had begun to believe himself untouchable.
On the second day of his westward journey, Kyle came across a sun-kissed armadillo and a tiger bunny locked in a standoff over a piece of carrot.
Watching the two square off, Kyle felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment and simply walked toward them. Seeing two prey fight was amusing, but he had no intention of delaying his journey because of them.
"Don't mind me. Carry on," Kyle said, waving casually as he passed between them.
Both beasts froze, their attention snapping fully onto him.
They went on high alert.
{Warning, Horn Charge Used!}
The system warning made Kyle's brows furrow slightly as he glanced over his shoulder, only to see the tiger bunny gathering mana into its horn. A dazzling rainbow light burst forth, illuminating the forest.
Heh!
Kyle turned to face it, the smile on his lips never fading. There was contempt in his eyes as he watched the beast prepare its attack. In the past, he would have panicked—but now was different. Not only did the skill look far less threatening, the awareness of his draconic bloodline, however weak, made him instinctively look down on the tiger bunny.
The successes of the past three months were slowly reshaping him.
Swoosh!
In the next instant, the tiger bunny blurred as it charged straight at him. What would have once looked instantaneous now seemed sluggish in his eyes. The slowed motion made the attack feel unimpressive, and Kyle decided against using any bloodline skills.
Instead, he casually reached out with his bare hands.
BOOM!
The impact was heavier than he expected the moment they collided, but even so, it only forced him back three steps.
{-2 hp}
"Not bad at all. If I can do this much without my reinforcements, I wonder how much damage I can inflict when I go all out," Kyle muttered as he watched the tiger bunny struggle under his grip.
He wasn't in a hurry. With its horn firmly held in his hand, there was no way it could escape.
Kyle then shifted his attention to the sun-kissed armadillo—only to realize it was gone. The creature had fled the moment it witnessed his strength.
"Okay, that leaves us with just you."
Kyle looked back at the tiger bunny just in time to see its horn glowing brighter, rainbow colors swirling as it began gathering mana for another charge.
"You know, I don't even have a weapon to fight with in the Bed of Reeds. Your horn will make a fine substitute for my club, don't you think?" he said, mostly to himself.
Since losing his bone club, Kyle hadn't bothered replacing it. He simply hadn't needed one—until now.
SNAP!
Without warning, Kyle snapped the horn effortlessly. The built-up mana exploded outward in a shockwave, forcing him back five steps as the tiger bunny was hurled in the opposite direction.
{-2 hp}
{Bone Drill Dagger}
{Weapon Type:} Dagger
{+15 damage}
{Durability:} 20/20
"Not bad."
Kyle nodded in satisfaction after inspecting the weapon, then turned back toward where the tiger bunny had been—only to find it gone.
"You should've gone for the kill before checking weapon stats, you silly fool," Kyle muttered, facepalming.
A free hundred experience points had slipped away because he'd gotten carried away by his newfound strength.
"But I'm awesome though," Kyle added, recalling the encounter with a grin.
His growth was unnatural. He wasn't sure an average kobold would reach this stage even in their prime years, yet he had achieved it in just his second year. The Greater Kobold might be stingy, but it was great regardless. Kyle could now clearly see the difference between himself and ordinary kobolds.
He stored the weapon and continued his journey as if nothing had happened.
With his high vitality, he could go longer without food and recover faster. Unlike his first journey, he didn't need to search for a safe place to rest at night. He simply kept moving, shortening what used to be a three-day journey into just two.
By evening, the Bed of Reeds stood before him.
Unlike last time, Kyle wasn't anxious or afraid. He stared at the tall grass for several seconds before stepping inside, even though it was already late. He hadn't come to explore—he had come to hunt. Waiting for a safer hour wasn't an option.
Buzz!
The moment Kyle entered, it felt as if he'd stepped into an entirely different world. The air was thick, painted red by an overwhelming killing intent coming from all directions—and none of it was aimed at him.
In an instant, the confidence he had built up wavered under the pressure, freezing his body for a brief moment. It took only a few seconds for him to regain control, but by then, sweat was already pouring down his body despite the cool night breeze.
{Welcome To The Bed Of Reeds}
Somehow the system's message only worsened the ominous feeling. However, even in fear, Kyle never entertained the thought of turning back.
Thinking back to his far he had come from a weak infant kobold and everything he has experienced to be here, Kyle strongly believed he has earned the right to be here!