Chương 23: Alpha

CH 23 - Alpha Grey drew a line in the dirt, signaling visually his plan as he spoke, "We'll split up. One group will cause a distraction; try to draw as many away as we can. Then, I'll go in and take out the alpha." After a brief hesitation, Sarah nodded.

"I'll take Joe and Ike for the distraction. You and Jim can take down the alpha." With the plan set, they got ready and split up. Joe, Ike, and Sarah snuck into the valley, staying in the brush's cover to skirt around to the other side of the mountains. Jim meditated with Grey as they waited for the other group to get into position.

"This area is great for cultivating internal energy; there must be a lot of latent energy in the atmosphere," Jim said. Grey focused on his Split Mind technique, not risking any Qi cultivation because of the stench it caused. (Sense Mana) told him that this mountain range was high in mana. The animals at the base of the tree started causing a ruckus.

"Sarah must have used telepathy. Let's move." Grey whispered. He led the way down the ravine and into the clearing. The two of them snuck up towards the tree. Once they were only a few hundred feet away, the huge gorilla moved. He swung from branch to branch towards the base of the tree. Jim and Grey ducked behind a bush, but it was no use.

"You. Don't hide. Come." It can talk? I guess if Raccy can, it can too. Grey stood up from his hiding spot and walked towards the ape.

"You. You like me. Same blood. We strong. Join troop." Grey was shocked for only a moment before remembering he had altered his anatomy to be more similar to monsters. He actually based his transformation on apes just like this one. The mana running through his blood must have resonated with it.

"I came here because we want to live here. Maybe my people can live near you in peace." Grey ventured.

"No. Only one troop. You challenge me?" the ape answered.

"No, I ju-" Grey was cut off mid-sentence as the gorilla activated (Boost) and launched straight at him. Aura flared from its fist as it reached towards Grey's chest. Acting on instinct, Grey activated his scale armor and crossed his arms. Blocking the strike with his forearms, he felt the mana infused into his bones drain as they absorbed the strike. Grey was pushed back a few feet before responding to the attack with his own. Summoning his bone blade, he activated (Boost), shooting forward towards the ape.

Slicing the blade horizontally, he landed a slash against the ape's arm before being hit in the side with a punch. This guy has weaker defense than the lion, but his strength is no joke. He thought as he sturdied himself. Jim jumped up to face the gorilla, but stopped as it spoke.

"Not you, human. He challenge alpha. Fair challenge. Winner is king."

"Let me try alone, Jim. I think if I take him down, the other apes will listen to me." Grey shouted as he stood back up. Grey infused more mana into his bones, but stopped when he realized he was already running low. He considered infusing poison blood with his blade, but decided against it. If he won the duel with the alpha, he would need to keep it honorable. Ideally, the alpha would be left alive to command the others to back off. Grey thought about what to do.

He needed to increase his defense without expending too much mana. An idea came as the ape charged at him. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. He split his mind in two and got to work. One half of his mind started growing bones all over his body to form a suit of armor. The other half focused on the battle. [New skill: Bone Armor (F): Reduced energy cost for growth of armor from bones.] Grey dodged a deadly punch by pushing (Boost) to 130%.

He responded with another slice to the ape's arm. The slash ripped open the same arm he struck earlier in the fight. The gorilla's arm sprayed blood into Grey's face, blinding him for a moment. For a second, the wonderful flavor of mana overshadowed the disgust of being covered in gorilla blood. The more he bleeds, the less mana he has for (Boost). Grey told himself. Grey decided that bleeding the gorilla would be his best chance at victory.

While Grey was thinking of his next move, the ape smashed its fist straight into his chest. His bone chestplate made a gruesome crunch as the bones shattered. The punch followed through into his scale armor, collapsing part of Grey's chest. Blood erupted from Grey's mouth; his ribcage collapsed inward. He gasped for air, but struggled. I don't have much time left. He focused on regenerating as fast as he could. Looking up, Grey expected to see the gorilla charging once again, but it looked tired.

That last attack must have taken most of its energy. Grey managed to recover function in his lungs and stood up, raising his sword. This last attack would be all or nothing. He charged (Boost) into his arms and legs at 190%. The most he'd ever charged (Boost) before. The gorilla activated (Boost) as well, Grey estimated it was about 120%. On top of the ape's massive build, it was plenty to overpower Grey's human physique. It charged at him, beating its chest with a roar as it brought itself closer.

The beast raised one arm and swung it around into a wide haymaker punch. A spark of creativity inspired Grey; he sent mana straight into his brain. Using the basic principles of (Boost), he overclocked his brain with mana at 110% power. He had a feeling that this would work. Either way, it was now or never. His brain flooded with energy. Neurons and synapses firing at 10% quicker speed than normal. His time perception slowed as his reaction speed increased.

110% wasn't a lot, but it was just enough to give him the moment he needed to think of his next move. [New skill: Clarity (E): Use mana to power brain function, increasing reaction speed. May cause brain damage from overuse.] This gave him enough of an edge to slide just under the monkey's huge fists, slicing off its hand with a clean cut just above the wrist. Grey turned around expecting the ape to continue it's onslaught, but instead found the animal on its knees.

"Defeated… Troop is yours. End me quickly." It muttered with a pain in its voice, bowing towards the ground. Grey activated his regeneration and withdrew (Boost) from his muscles and brain. The backlash in his brain gave him a migraine. He figured it would have been much worse if he hadn't been training his mental force with the Split Mind Technique. He glanced at Jim and saw his jaw agape, clearly surprised at Grey's power. Returning his gaze to the gorilla, he spoke, "I have defeated you.

I shall let you live, but you must work under me now." The gorilla looked up with eyes of a baby, "You are king." [Quest: Alpha Dominator]: Progress (5/5) Status: Complete. Rewards: +25 exp, 100 wishing coins, Dragonroot seeds (D), [Title: Simian Alpha] He had defeated the final alpha for his quest. He didn't kill it, so he didn't receive exp from it, but he finished his quest. What are wishing coins? Grey asked himself.

He picked up the dragonroot seeds, and added it to his collection of herbs to practice body cultivation with in the future. He opened his stats.

Name: Grey Falsen Level: 16 [5/20] Race: Magic Human (E) Class: n/a Abilities: Shapeshifting (E), Bone Manipulation (E), Blood Manipulation (E), Mana Manipulation (F) (Passive): Mana Stomach (E), Mana Heart (E) Skills: Predator's Stare (F), Sense Mana (F), Boost (E), Bone Blade (F), Scale Armor (F), Bone Hardening (F), Bone Armor (F), Clarity (E), Poison Blood (E) Stats (Before bonuses): STR: 20 DEX: 18 END: 22 WIS: 26 INT: 36 LUCK: 11 MANA: 26 Free stat points: 5 Bonuses: WIS: +10% INT +10% Aura x2 on Simian beasts and humanoids.

Titles: Noticed, Beginnings of Aura, Manaborn, Simian Alpha He put his points into DEX and WIS. He felt his high INT made (Clarity) possible, but he wouldn't have needed it if he were faster from DEX. He also felt like the ability to create new spells was heavily reliant on WIS. X2 Aura on simians? That's OP! Any humanoid I encounter will be affected by my aura at x2 power! Grey was very happy with his quest rewards. He chugged a health potion and took another bite from his Mana Fruit.

He tossed a health potion to the gorilla, which was happily guzzled down.

"What's your name?" he asked the ape.

"Rock. I'm strong, like rock," he said. Of course. Animals don't tend to have names. The ones that gain enough intelligence to warrant a name must not have much creativity. Grey heard shouting in the distance along with the loud cries of apes. He could see the troop of gorillas chasing down Sarah, Ike, and Joe.

"HELP! These things are too fast!" Sarah said, telepathically. Grey activated (Boost) and ran towards the group. After a few minutes of running, he intercepted them just as the beasts were about to catch them. He activated his aura. Multiplied by his new (Simian Alpha) title, it washed over the apes, and they froze where they stood.

"I have defeated Rock. I am alpha now." The monkeys fell to their knees, showing their subservience.

"What the fuck?" is all that Ike could say.