Kael stood there, feeling a mix of disappointment and determination. He had hoped to synthesize Strength Enhancement with his other abilities, but it seemed that wasn't possible.
Shaking off the feeling, Kael continued his hunt. He traversed through the forest, searching for his next target.
As he walked, he spotted a dog-like creature with razor-sharp teeth and claws. Kael recognized the opportunity and charged forward.
The battle was intense. Kael dodged the creature's snapping jaws and struck back with his shortsword. The creature yelped in pain as Kael's sword bit deep into its shoulder.
Kael quickly finished off the creature and absorbed its ability - Enhanced Taste.
However, as he stood victorious, Kael noticed that the forest had grown eerily quiet. He sensed that something was off.
Suddenly, the trees around him seemed to come alive with movement. A pack of 15 dog-like creatures emerged, their eyes glowing red with fury.
Kael realized that the creatures traveled in packs and were enraged that he had killed one of their own. He gripped his shortswords tightly, preparing for the battle ahead.
The pack charged, their jaws snapping wildly. Kael dodged and weaved, avoiding their attacks while striking back with precision.
Kael's F-Rank Strength Enhancement ability played a crucial role in the battle. Although it was a low-ranked ability, it still granted him a slight boost in physical strength.
The creatures were fast and agile, but Kael's Eagle Sight allowed him to anticipate their movements. He struck at their weak points, taking down a few, but the pack's sheer numbers made it a daunting task.
Kael fought with every ounce of strength he had, determined to emerge victorious. The battle raged on, with Kael striking down creature after creature.
After what seemed like an eternity, Kael finally defeated the pack. He stood panting, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
As he absorbed the abilities from the fallen creatures, Kael realized that it took luck to get the same ability over and over again. He was only able to gain 9 more Enhanced Taste abilities, which synthesized into the E-Rank Super Taste.
With the upgrade, Kael's Aether Rank increased to E. A warm, golden light washed over him, strengthening his body. However, the strengthening effect was subtle, and Kael soon understood why. The Super Taste ability focused primarily on his tongue, enhancing his sense of taste.
Kael's tongue felt invigorated, and his taste buds seemed to be on fire with sensitivity. He could detect the subtlest flavors and nuances in the air.
Kael couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "I guess I could work as a food taster," he chuckled, "but I don't see any combat use for this ability."
Despite the lack of combat utility, Kael was intrigued by the Super Taste ability. He experimented with it, savoring the flavors of the forest.
The experience was almost meditative, and Kael felt a newfound appreciation for the simple things in life. As he continued on his journey, Kael wondered what other unexpected abilities he would discover.
Would they prove useful in combat, or would they lead him down a different path? Only time would tell, but for now, Kael was content to explore the possibilities of his newfound sense of taste.