NOVEL WEB Chapter 36 - Battle for Leadership
< Chapter 36: Battle for Leadership >
I scouted the area with Eryllion, gradually approaching the rhino’s territory.
According to the old cobra (shaman teacher), the Sawblade Spiked Alligators mainly inhabited the swamps. The Deathhorn Surgibeasts, on the other hand, could be found in various locations, including watersides, swamps, and woodlands. They typically rested in shaded areas and roamed freely to hunt when they were in good condition.
Since I had no experience with swamps, I thought it would be better to hunt the rhinos first. While I wasn’t lacking in swimming ability, the alligators clearly had the advantage there.
‘As long as I keep up with their level, there shouldn’t be any significant risks.’
This was my main concern. Currently, my level was 36. Since monsters grew stronger with every ten-level milestone, it was best to be cautious until I reached level 40.
‘Of course, I already possess the strength of a level 40 monster.’
Was there any other monster that had undergone three evolutions like me after surpassing level 40?
It might have seemed excessively cautious. But this wasn’t a game. If I died by taking an unnecessary risk, there would be no respawn. Hence, a slower but safer approach was preferable.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.
‘What’s this?’
The surroundings were unusually quiet today. Typically, Ignanus or Nightpanthers were visible, but not today. Wandering around the unusually quiet area, I discovered a Deathhorn Surgibeast.
“Gruh, gruh…”
They were moving somewhere with their heads lowered, looking like refugees grazing as they trudged along.
‘Is that really the apex predator of the Deep Forest?’
They seemed more like herbivores. I watched the rhinos with a bit of disappointment.
【Deathhorn Surgibeast Lv.45】
– Traits: [Horn], [Armor], [Endurance]
– Skills: [Charge Lv.3], [Endure Lv.3], [Iron Armor Lv.3], [Bite Lv.3]
– Status: [Defeated]
As seen from the armor trait, they were typical rhino monsters with tough skin like armor. Narrowing my eyes, I scrutinized their skills.
‘Defeated?’
Was that why their morale was so low? I looked around and nodded.
‘The leader is missing.’
The Surgibeasts seemed to move in groups, but their directions were scattered. Some stood still, unsure where to go, and just followed the one in front of them. Judging by their behavior, I had a rough idea.
‘Did their leader get hunted?’
Such events were common in the wild. But it was a problem that couldn’t be ignored.
‘According to the snake, the Surgibeasts were supposed to be the strongest.’
Was that just the snake’s opinion? The exact truth was unclear. What was evident now was that the leader of the Surgibeasts had died. Moreover, a monster strong enough to defeat the leader was nearby.
I decided to hunt a Surgibeast that was slightly apart from the group to test their combat power. The King Cobra might have been intimidated by their large horns and size, so I needed to verify their strength.
「Activating Stealth.」
Eryllion and I hid in the bushes and quietly approached the rhino.
“Mmoo!”
The rhino, which had been drinking water, mooed like a cow and started banging its horn against a large rock. Not just banging, but grinding it so fiercely that sparks flew.
Scrape, scrape, scrape.
I realized the rhino was sharpening its horn.
‘That’s quite intense.’
The rock being ground by the rhino’s horn crumbled and disintegrated. How strong must that horn be to do that?
Watching the rhino for a moment, I decided to ambush it while it was engrossed in sharpening its horn.
‘No need to test its sharpness directly.’
I could tell at a glance. My skin wouldn’t be able to withstand that. Having gauged the horn’s hardness, it was time to test its combat power.
Sneak, sneak.
Lowering myself and moving into range, I circled behind the Surgibeast and sprang at it like lightning. My target was the back of its neck.
“Roar!!”
I deactivated miniaturization in an instant, let out a loud roar, and raised my front paw. I aimed to lightly jab its head to induce a concussion.
Thud!
“Groarrr!”
As expected of a rhino with armor, a single hit didn’t blow its head off. Following the staggering rhino, I immediately sank my fangs into its neck.
Crunch!
I could tell right away. This rhino was definitely tougher than the Queen Cobras. Even biting with the force that completely crushed a Queen Cobra’s head didn’t sever this one’s head. Holding the rhino’s body with my paws, I bit down harder and tore off its head.
“Growl.”
I growled low. Damn it, was it playing tricks on me?
Squelch!!
Suddenly, a danger signal flashed through my sensitive senses. It happened when I let my guard down for a moment, relishing the accomplishment of the hunt after biting off the rhino’s head. I sensed something about to pounce on me from behind, where the ground by the water seemed to tremble.
“Growl!!”
“Crocra!!”
I quickly used miniaturization and Shadow Leap to escape. I heard a menacing bite snap through the air behind me.
“Crocro…!”
The failed assassin growled low in a tone similar to mine. Just by looking at it, I knew. The one that had killed the Deathhorn Surgibeast leader was this creature.
【Sawblade Spiked Gloomfang Hunter Lv.51】
– Traits: [Camouflage], [Special], [Fierce Attack], [Durability]
– Skills: [Camouflage Lv.5], [Death Roll Lv.4], [Ambush Lv.4], [Steel Teeth Lv.5], [Bite Lv.4], [Tail Whip Lv.4], [Spike Stab Lv.3]
I glanced at the status window and swallowed a laugh. There was such a creature in the Deep Forest? This one was on par with Teravore! Moreover, it had two skills at level 5. One of them being Steel Teeth meant even my hardened skin wouldn’t hold up against its bite.
Now I understood why the Verdant Grove was so dangerous. It was a jungle full of unknown dangers. Any moment, another leader like Teravore could emerge, in a place teeming with monsters.
‘It must have evolved after eating the Surgibeast.’
“Growl!”
“Croacro!”
After evolving into a Baekdusan Tiger, I had thought about facing Teravore one-on-one. A thought that was purely tiger-like.
“Fer!”
“Growl!”
Perhaps because of that, I signaled to Eryllion. This was a battle to determine the leader of this area. A desire to face off one-on-one, fair and square.
“Fe, Fer?”
“Croacroar!”
The Gloomfang let out a hearty laugh and roared.
「‘Gloomfang Hunter’ accepts your challenge to a duel!」
「Battle for leadership has begun!」
The system message flashed in my vision, and I saw the lurking alligators retreat. Eryllion watched me with trembling eyes, then bit his lip and nodded.
「‘Exiled Prince’ declares he will witness your duel!」
“Growl.”
As the stage for a one-on-one duel with Gloomfang was set, I circled slowly, looking for an opening.
“Crocro! Croacro!”
「‘Gloomfang Hunter’ declares it will give up the first strike in honor of ambush mastery!」
“Growl?”
“Croacro!”
Oh, really? If I were over level 40, Gloomfang wouldn’t have stood a chance. Knowing this, it had drawn in the rhinos to stage an ambush.
‘This creature’s tactics are similar to mine?’
A strange sense of excitement and an unknown fighting spirit surged. Was I the same person who preferred safety and avoided risks just moments ago?
‘Is this what they call ferocity?’
I couldn’t tell if this change in personality was good or bad. What mattered now was one thing.
‘Winning.’
The level difference was significant, with two steps between us. A penalty of evolution, indeed. But I had the ‘Leader’ trait.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the Underground Mine area, so I didn’t receive a physical buff. However, my basic physique was much larger. The retreating rhinos had returned to watch.
“Grooar!”
They probably wanted to see who to follow based on the duel’s outcome. The spectators weren’t just the rhinos. Other monsters, too, had slyly come to observe the duel. Clever creatures.
Ultimately, it was decided. The victor of this duel would become the true master of the Underground Mine area.
“Growl!”
“Croacro!!”
In the Deathhorn Surgibeast’s territory within the Deep Forest, the duel between the Baekdusan Tiger and the mutant alligator monster began.