BXBX NOVEL Chapter 32: Against an army (1)
Meaning his minimap saw more of the tutorial island than many players because Jake was that serious about his gaming.
He didn't want to miss anything precious on this land to which he soon couldn't return.
It was now time to explore more of the tutorial!
Appearing before trees whose roots were so dense and tall they resembled prison walls, Jake examined the second natural barrier in the forest.
It didn't seem passable at any point, as Jake couldn't spot any openings in the complex roots, which were similar to the wolves' zone's first barrier yet impossible to climb.
If it weren't for Richard's guidance, Jake wouldn't have noticed a hidden clearing in which he would be able to squeeze himself to enter the next leveling ground. Jake did exactly that to cross the second defense line.
Though it may have seemed like a defense wall, it was a natural measure preventing monkeys from butting into the territories of wolves and bears.
"Alright," Jake said after confirming his safety. He was told by Richard that monkeys had given up on trying to trespass into other territories, meaning he should be fine upon entering their land for the first time.
After putting on his heavy equipment, Jake checked his flexibility and finally clenched his bow in his left hand. He put a quiver on his back as he would mainly focus on Soldier and Master forms.
It wasn't because Joker was useless here. In fact, Jake could see himself dancing with the monkeys in a close combat battle, flexing his acrobatics and speed of Joker Form.
That said, Jake needed more experience and practice with his other forms.
Those were crucial against his impending battle against Ender.
'The perception skill is passive. I currently do not really feel the bubble around me, but it should become more tangible as I practice it,' Jake thought as he sank deeper into the forest. His vision was fine because he'd been used to the tutorial forest's darkness.
He, however, was a much different man. Jake paid more attention to his surroundings, intending to grasp any possible threat and absorb it into his bubble of perception skill.
His eyes now were more of a hunter searching for prey.
Nonetheless, Jake was a few steps behind the other monkeys—those little creatures had noticed him first. The monkeys hang on tree branches on their elongated and flexible tails, hiding themselves in leaves.
Their eyes were as dark as shadows, making them more sneaky than ordinary monkeys.
Their fur was as black as shadows, and they were about the same height as adult monkeys from Earth.
BANG!
Jake was hit by a pebble from the left side. His wolf armor consumed the damage and even stifled the sound. A second later, more pebbles came from various directions, momentarily drawing a vista of the stone rain.
Undisturbed, Jake read the trajectory of their skills as much as he could before turning himself toward the first opponent. Believing in his judgment, Jake entered the soldier form and raised his bow. He drew the highest anchor point as fast as possible before releasing his arrow with a thumb release.
His arrow neatly struck the monkey dwelling within the clouds of leaves, and a prolonged cry bounced off the trees.
[-105 HP!]
[Forest Monkey Lv. 7 HP: 225/330 MP: 75/100]
Now that he had its stats exposed, Jake confirmed the monkey's location and made the next move. Jake summoned Odin into the battle without shouting his name, putting him on the tree's branch.
Sniffing the blood, Odin did what he does best and pounced at the wounded foe. He disregarded his safety and position to achieve his goal—killing the enemy. He flew with his four legs stretched out, his jaw widening to the limits, his saliva trickling down.
BANG!
Odin shut his teeth on the monkey's torso, eliciting the cry so loud that branches swayed. He latched himself strongly onto the monkey and didn't plan on letting him go until he died!
That resolution weighed more than Odin himself, taking these two onto the ground.
Once they dropped with a loud thud, Odin climbed the monkey's carcass and victoriously howled, standing on the monkey's corpse with his paws pushing the monster into the ground.
"Well done, Odin!" Jake shouted, his praise reaching Odin's heart. At the same time, another arrow pierced through the other monkey, successfully scratching some of its health points and blood.
That metallic smell of blood was all Odin needed to locate the monkey properly. The problem was this little creature swaying on the tree far above him.
Jake couldn't summon him again here, too.
Frustration filled Odin's heart, which had been beating with a strong desire to prove himself. He growled and demanded the monkey drop off like a sore loser.
But in this case, the loser was clearly Odin.
He couldn't take it.
Indignation mixed with the billowing frustration, giving birth to a skill Jake was familiar with!
[Odin has used The Howl Of The Wolf Boss.]
In his case, it wasn't a slice that could be easily dodged. Odin's howl was like an invisible torpedo that slammed itself at a speed faster than light.
It weighed a lot and did tons of damage.
That said, its effects were the real boons.
The monkey became stunned and frightened, which caused its elongated tail to straighten, meaning he no longer dangled from the tree's branch!
The little monster fell off like a stone into the lake, dying from the impact.
Meanwhile, Jake hurt more monkeys around them, marking them with blood.
And while Jake was uniquely developing his perception, Odin heightened his already feral awareness and nose to locate enemies for him!
Their teamwork evolved at a rapid pace.
Five minutes then passed.
Jake was left alone, and before him, the wall of monkeys stood and dangled off the trees.
Odin's roar had taunted the nearest monkeys…
Jake was now alone against them all, feeling quite troubled and irritated… "Odin… I guess I must put a blind eye to it."