Bringing the ferocious Lizard-man Haggs into the room, Lear took out the black ore purchased from the Black Market, speaking solemnly.
"Inside is an Energy Core from an ancient magical beast... although much has faded with time."
"Yet, it can still bring transformation to your bloodline."
"Haggs, are you willing to become the blade in my hand?"
The heart of the Wetland Lizard-man trembled.
Transform into... a Hero?!
The amber eyes revealed the most fervent madness.
Suddenly kneeling on the ground, head touching the floor.
In the most humble manner, he raved.
"My lord! I am willing to become your blade and offer you my soul!"
"Where your gaze falls, there shall I act!!"
To grow stronger is the nature of all life.
Becoming a hero is the lifelong dream of most beings... now, before him lay the opportunity dreamed of countless nights!
Lear slowly nodded.
After allowing him to stand, he handed over the stone.
Haggs did not hesitate, squeezing it with force, a cracking sound as large fissures appeared, followed by a shattering crash.
Amidst the rubble, a thumb-sized object with a faint red glow appeared in sight.
A surging energy radiated out, like holding a tiny sun!
"Consume it to complete your transformation."
Haggs took a deep breath, suppressing his inner excitement, and swallowed it whole.
The next moment, a fierce and brutal aura burst from his body.
His face began to contort.
His body softened, collapsing to the ground, a beast-like growl emanating from his throat.
His whole body started twitching uncontrollably.
As though enduring an incredibly terrifying torment.
It looked chilling.
Lear glanced at the intelligence again—
At the twenty-second stall selling ores at the Black Market entrance, a stone in the stall owner's hand contained an Ancient Magical Beast Crystal Core. Despite most of its energy having dissipated, it remained extraordinary and could be fed to the strongest Wetland Lizard-man, Haggs, for bloodline evolution. Other Lizard-men could not bear the pain of transformation.
A simple hint, extraordinarily precise.
Without enduring hardship, how can one taste the sweetest fruits?
Silently waiting, watching the increasingly twisted and hideous face, Lear couldn't imagine the extent of the pain the other was enduring.
This was a being almost immune to pain, one that even the Ring of Enslavement couldn't suppress...
This process lasted a full three hours!
During the continuous transformation, Haggs' body visibly grew larger.
His height increased from 1.7 meters to 1.85 meters, his presence was as aggressive as a beast.
Even while trembling on the ground, there remained an aura of ferocious brutality.
Another hour passed, and only after completing his advancement did Haggs slowly awaken.
Gradually standing up, the 1.85-meter tall body was like an inflated balloon, Dwarven Armor stretched tight over the muscles.
The solid muscles couldn't be concealed by the armor.
The Lizard-man's head was ugly and grotesque, blood filled mouth with fangs like knives, amber eyes full of aggressiveness.
The ten-centimeter-long claws gleamed coldly, like daggers.
Ordinary armor couldn't withstand their sharpness.
Striding to Lear, he knelt on one knee, head bowed.
"My lord... from now on, I shall be your war saber, cutting down all thorns for you!"
Haggs felt the power surging within him, overwhelmed with excitement.
He had stepped into a higher tier, becoming a hero!!
This was a scene dreamed of on countless nights.
Now, the dream had come true!
And all of it was granted by the great Sovereign!!
Greatness needs no words.
Lear's lips curled into a slight smile.
He was his first true hero; Bain, though a life hero of no small importance, in battle, Haggs could kill a hundred, a thousand Baines!
Gazing at the kneeling Wetland Lizard-man Hero, the new attribute panel of the other filled Lear's mind.
Haggs
[Level]: Middle Tier Knight (Level 7)
[Potential]: 2 Stars (Level Cap: Level 9)
[Racial Talent]: Amphibian Life, possessing unique lung organs, can hold breath for long durations and breathe briefly underwater.
[Hero Talent]: Regeneration, possessing a body with unique power that has the ability to regenerate, can quickly recover by consuming Qi Blood after being injured, even regrowing severed limbs.
[Qi Blood]: 1000 points
[Skills]: Scale Armor (2 Stars, Passive) - Scale Armor possesses steel-like defense, reducing received damage by 30%.
Brutality (2 Stars) - Becomes extremely brutal when taking damage or initiating an attack, increasing all attributes by 30%, fearing no pain, and unrelenting against enemies.
Blood Frenzy (2 Stars) - After tasting the flavor of blood, body size increases by 20%, and strength increases by 40%.
[Equipment]: None
[Evaluation]: Ferocious swamp life.
Lear's eyes glinted brightly.
After the transformation, the strength surged significantly!
The potential increased from 1 Star to 2 Stars, and the level cap reached level 9, with the original level 6 advancing to level 7.
Meanwhile, he awakened a powerful hero talent—
Regeneration.
Can consume Qi Blood for recovery after taking damage, and even... regenerate severed limbs!
This is definitely a skill of rebirth!
In combat, the already ferocious and pain-insensitive Lizard-man gained the ability to recover quickly... the image of a green giant flashed in his mind.
Isn't this the youthful version of a little green giant in the Fantasy World?
And the new attribute Haggs gained—Qi Blood, is unique to the Knight path.
It can only awaken after becoming a hero.
Qi Blood can enhance skills, dealing extra damage.
It is a symbol of advanced combat power!
Only those with Qi Blood can truly be called heroes.
However, in contrast, mages... possess magic power from the start.
This is also why mages are called mage lords, because what knights need to be heroes to possess, mage apprentices can acquire...
Haggs's originally two 1 Star skills were upgraded to 2 Stars, with a significant enhancement in attributes.
Additionally, a new skill was gained—Blood Frenzy, also exceptionally fierce.
Overall, with the promotion to hero, Haggs's individual combat power skyrocketed significantly.
Now, he could solo two to three squads of Wetland Lizard-men with no problem.
This is a hero unit.
An infinitely charismatic hero unit!
Heroes like Bain, oriented towards lifestyle, will only become subordinate for the same reason... strong individuals can determine fate.
"Rise... Return to restrain your companions, tomorrow morning, we set out for the territory."
"That will be the future home for all of us."
Haggs took a deep breath, lowering his head.
"As you wish..."
As Haggs left the room, the intelligence system quietly revealed itself.
[You have cultivated a hero unit and received an extra piece of intelligence—within the Mire Swamp, a magic plant: White Flower Long Leaf Grass, grows, containing unique energy, and after Haggs consumes it, his potential will increase to 3 Stars.]
Lear was initially stunned, but couldn't help but smile after reading the new intelligence.
This damn thing works too?!
There's even subsequent intelligence!!
White Flower Leaf Grass, can elevate Haggs's potential from 2 Stars to 3 Stars...
A 2 Stars hero, though decent, has a level cap of only level 9!
Rising to 3 Stars, that would truly be a high-tier hero.
Most directly, the level cap could increase to level 12!
The overall increase in combat power is not just a simple addition.
How satisfying.
And with the support of the intelligence system, it's not unlikely to cultivate Haggs into a top-tier hero in the future!
At this moment, Haggs strode back to the side yard of the Rose House.
Perceiving his aura, the Wetland Lizard-men showed some confusion, and after a careful sense, immediately became agitated.
The aura emanating from Lord Haggs... A hero?!!
Upon confirming with Haggs, they became even more uproarious.
Their gazes turned scorching and frenzied.
What did the Sovereign bestow upon Lord Haggs? How did he transform into a hero in just a few hours?!!
Swamp God above!
Could it be the Sovereign was sent by the gods to save them?!
Bain witnessed this scene, filled with disbelief.
Only he knew, how much difficulty and hardship he went through to become a hero initially... never thought hero units could be granted?!
For a moment, Lear suddenly became mysterious in his eyes.