Seed of Titan-Chapter 156: World’s Fastest Second-Stager

[Class: Chaos Spawn]

[Description: #!?%_; $@%_c0^&$#@. @$*f+t!# m$$; ##t+w##n *!$#t#nc3//n0%n3. ∞ 100p 0f b0k3n @#.]

[Traits: &&# D5!rt@d f0%—c4*’t_h#%@_sh@p*. %%# M3m^@# l#5!/r3w!%#t@/m3!t1$*. $$# V0!#3 gt%@#$_un#@!#rd/h3rd/t0 !%#d. @@# Py5!c$ = b#nd!#%/fr@gm3@#%!#/r3@#%r$1n@.]

[Effects:]

[R@#9A^k r##l1!# un*%4*#3, b#%#1n% 1t 1n un*@#t#4l w&y$. T!#3 sl!$%, sp@#3 f#4@#r3$, @#n#3%$ b3c0@#3 u#tr4#%@!3.]

[T**$# @3@r#%t 3#p3r!3n@3 m#nt@# d3%@#d#t10#—m3m0r!3$ $#uf%@3, th0u#%#$ @0rr#@#, c0#n!t!0# g#1%@h3$ 0*t.]

[Ph#s1%# c%*&S 3r&@%$: g#4!#y $#@p$, 0bj3@#$ ph@#, b0d!3$ d1$$0#v3 & r3c0@#!l3 wr@#.]

[T** l0#%3# 1t 3#1$#%, th3 m0r3 un&3@# r3@#!t# b3c0#@$.]

Drai didn’t even think of comprehending the mess he was seeing, as he had been viscerally shaken, with beads of cold sweat emerging from all over his body.

But how could he not be horrified by the sight? Ever since his awakening, the System had become an essential part of him, but now it seemed to be glitching. It was like seeing fingers suddenly grow out of his stomach.

Moments later after recovering from his shock, he asked, ’System... What the fuck is this?’

However, the reply he got only managed to increase his concern.

[Query denied.]

’Why can’t you answer? Are you having an error?’

[Query denied.]

Not giving up, Drai asked again with a wishful tone, ’This whole mess won’t spread, right? I mean—if I don’t pick this option, things will remain normal, right?’

[Query denied.]

’Come on now... Just tell me something—anything.’

[Request denied.]

Drai sighed heavily, finally resigning to the fact that he wouldn’t be able to get to the bottom of this issue, at least for the time being. He then took a last glance at the chaotic subscreen before closing it for good.

Before deciding his choice, he rechecked the other three classes, just in case their details also became messed up. But to his relief, they remained the same as before.

’At least it doesn’t look like a corruption spreading across the System. I wonder if Max or Madeleine knows anything about it—maybe I’ll ask them later. Now, there’s really only two choices for me to pick from. So should I go with the original titan class or the Scion of Gaia variant?’

Still unsure which to choose, Drai asked, ’System, what’s the difference between these two titan classes?’

He half-expected the System to refuse answering his question just like before, but fortunately, it seemed to function normally again, though it still wasn’t helpful at all.

[That is for you to discover.]

Drai felt that the System could really use some heartfelt slapping.

’Well, after seeing the unreadable mess earlier, the cryptic details of these titan classes don’t seem so mysterious anymore. But still, why the secrecy? Won’t I eventually find out after choosing the class? Or is it saying that I should pick it with total conviction and not bother with the details at all? Yeah, maybe it’s some kind of test.’

Drai stared at the two options, mulling over them for a while.

’In the end, I’ll have to rely on my hunch, huh? Max said he chose the one that felt good, but I don’t actually feel anything from these two classes. Honestly, I just want to pick the stronger version, but I don’t have a way to determine that. And there’s still the twist and question mark in the variant’s details that might end up being crucial factors.’

After deliberating it for a few more seconds, Drai eventually thought, ’I’ll choose the second option, Scion of Gaia.’

[Seedling of Titan – Scion of Gaia class chosen. Proceed with evolution?]

’Yes.’

[Are you sure?]

’Yes.’

[Choice confirmed. Permission received. Commencing transformation.]

As his body heated up, Drai thought, ’I’m still not sure if this is the best choice, but I think it’ll give me an edge when I eventually face my fated enemies. After all, the titans they defeated must’ve been from the original class line, right? Then why not divert from that ’failed’ lineage?’

Just then, his body began to stir, paining him greatly. Soon, Drai was soaked in sweat and trembling, but a faint smirk could be seen amidst his twisted expression.

’Heh, is this all you’ve got? Professor Ravi’s procedure was way more unbearable than this.’

Although the process wasn’t quite overwhelming, Drai didn’t dare to move, fearing it would negatively affect his transformation. So he just lay there quietly, waiting for the whole process to finish.

Eventually, the pain, heat, and churning subsided. Drai waited until his body completely stabilized before bringing up the System screen again.

[Transformation complete. Please acclimate to the changes before attempting to move around.]

[User has leveled up and evolved. Related stats, skills, and features have been adjusted.]

[Strength +17.2]

[Constitution +17.5]

[Agility +12.7]

[Dexterity +12.3]

[Intelligence +6.7]

[Transcendence +4.1]

[SP +16]

[Colossal Augmentation à Nexus Augmentation]

[Lesser Titanic Physique à Titanic Physique]

[New skills available]

A surge of dopamine hit Drai as he read the notifications. Beyond all his expectations when he first became an evolver, he managed to reach the second stage just under half a year. This previously unheard of leveling rate was made possible due to Bio Drain, but Drai had also been extremely diligent in improving himself, practically never skipping even a single day of training.

At this moment, a sudden thought entered his mind.

’Being a second-stager, am I even qualified to continue studying in the academy? I’m basically on the same level as if not higher than the rare fifth-year seniors. But knowledge-wise, I’m probably below the average first-year. Shit... I might have to find a job after returning.’

Putting aside this matter, he inspected the notifications.

’The stat growth isn’t as great as I thought, just about four levels’ worth of stat points. Hm, maybe I overestimated the class change. The four transcendence points are nice though—it would’ve taken much longer to raise it by this much through normal leveling. And the SP is decent too. I hope the costs of these new skills aren’t as outrageous as Colossal Augmentation.

’And it looks like two of my class skills have evolved too. I think the higher version of Titanic Physique will just raise the previous effects since the core name didn’t change, but what about this Nexus Augmentation? What does ’Nexus’ even mean?

’Well, whatever—I’ll take a look at them later. Now, let’s check out the new skills first since I’ve got plenty of SP to spend.’

Opening his skill page, Drai could see three new skills on the list.

[Grassland Dweller]

[Wilderness Cooking]

[Nova Flux]

’The first and second one are pretty obvious, but the third one has an interesting name. Is it a class skill?’ Drai briefly pondered before opening the first skill.

[Skill: Grassland Dweller]

[Description: You have adapted to life in the grassland.]

[Effects: 5% increase to all parameters when user is in a grassland.]

[Cost: 2 SP]

’Yeah, I thought so—it’s just a variation of Valley Dweller. I’ll probably end up taking it, but I better read the other skills first just in case they cost a lot.’ 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

After moving on to the next skill, Drai immediately nodded.

’Yep. I’ve been expecting this kind of skill to appear. No way my daily butchering and cooking doesn’t culminate into a corresponding skill.’

[Skill: Wilderness Cooking]

[Description: You’ve made a commendable effort in making use of the wilderness’ bounty.]

[Effects: Increases preparation and cooking proficiency of ingredients gathered from the wilderness by 40%.]

[Cost: 3 SP]

’3 SP? Damn, that’s quite expensive. System, what does ’proficiency’ include here?’

[It includes various aspects in both areas. Do you want me to provide the details?]

’Sure, do it.’

[Very well. For preparation, it includes:

- Butchering Skill – Cleaner, more efficient cuts with less waste.

- Resource Extraction – Maximizing usable meat, bones, and other materials.

- Tool Handling – More effective use of knives, cleavers, and other tools.

- Preservation – Better salting, smoking, or drying techniques.

- Speed & Safety – Faster processing with lower risk of injury.

And for cooking, it includes:

- Efficiency – Faster cooking times, better heat control.

- Precision – Improved ingredient measurements and seasoning.

- Quality – Better taste, texture, and nutritional value.

- Recipe Mastery – Ability to cook more complex dishes successfully.

- Reduced Waste – Fewer burned or ruined dishes.]

Seeing the elaborate list, Drai was pleasantly surprised.

’Damn... I wasn’t planning on getting this skill, but seeing all this makes me want to buy it. A forty-percent proficiency increase isn’t enough to turn me into a pro chef overnight, but it’ll definitely save me a lot of time in the long run. Plus, Max and Horsie will get to eat better. Hm, if I really go for it, I’ll probably end up as the camp’s designated cook—not that I’d mind, though.’

Keeping the list in mind, Drai finally closed the subinterface and moved on to the last skill.

[Skill: Minor Nova Flux]

[Description: A manifestation of raw, radiant energy, Nova Flux envelops the user in a white aura, enhancing physical prowess and enabling flight. With adequate training, portions of the aura can also be launched as energy blasts. This skill draws power from the Transcendence attribute, determining its sustainability.

[Effects: Skill activation sparks an aura that raises physical parameters by 25%. The time limit is one minute per transcendence stat, which constantly accumulates, can be utilized at will, and regenerates at the same rate according to the spent duration. When used for flight, the duration expenditure doubles. When a portion of the aura is used as an energy blast, it will drain the duration relative to the amount of energy used.]

[Note: Nova Flux operates on a separate energy reserve from Nexus Augmentation, ensuring that its activation does not interfere with the aforementioned skill’s duration.]

[Cost: 20 SP]