I crept through the underbrush, each paw placed with deliberate care. The forest felt different now - no longer a maze of threats, but a hunting ground full of opportunities. My whiskers twitched, picking up subtle changes in the air currents. The Wind Wolf's core had sharpened my senses beyond what I'd thought possible.
A branch snapped somewhere ahead. I froze, ears swiveling to track the sound. More rustling followed, accompanied by high-pitched screeches that set my teeth on edge. Whatever made those sounds, they weren't trying to stay hidden.
I dropped into a crouch and slunk forward, keeping to the shadows. The noise grew louder - angry shrieks mixed with the crash of breaking branches. Through a gap in the leaves, I caught my first glimpse of the commotion.
Two massive monkeys, each easily three times my size, were locked in a brutal fight. Their muscled bodies rippled as they grappled and clawed at each other. But what caught my eye were the fruits scattered on the ground between them - four perfectly round objects that pulsed with an inner light.
"System, analyze."
[Mana Fruit - Green ranked consumable item. ]
[Blood Apes - Level 17 Mana Beasts
HP: 180/180, 165/180
Strength focused fighters with enhanced regeneration. Warning: Known for berserker rage when wounded.]
The apes slammed into each other again, their red fur bristling with rage. One landed a vicious blow that sent the other crashing into a tree. The impact shook loose a shower of leaves, but neither beast seemed to notice. They were completely focused on their battle over the fruits.
I settled deeper into my hiding spot, studying their movements. The way they fought was pure brute force - no technique, just raw power and aggression. A smile crept across my face. This could be exactly the challenge I needed.
Explain the rankings and Rarities
While the Blood Apes continued their savage brawl, I focused on the glowing fruits between them.
"System, what exactly are those fruits? They look valuable."
[Ironhide Fruits - Uncommon ranked consumable. Grants +3 Defense and 1 stat point upon consumption. Current market value: 2,000 coins each.]
"Rankings? What do you mean by Uncommon?"
[Item Rankings from lowest to highest:
Common - White
Uncommon - Green
Rare - Blue
Epic - Purple
Legendary - Gold
Mythic - Red
Divine - Rainbow]
I watched one of the fruits pulse with a soft green light. The System continued unprompted:
[Each rank increases an item's effectiveness exponentially. Uncommon items are more potent than Common.]
"So these fruits are actually pretty good?" My tail twitched with interest.
[Correct. Ironhide Fruits are sought after by low-level cultivators and beasts for their defensive properties. The stat point bonus makes them particularly valuable.]
The Blood Apes smashed through another tree, neither willing to give up their claim to the fruits. Four fruits meant four stat points and a significant defense boost. My whiskers tingled at the possibility.
[Warning: Blood Apes are territorial and extremely aggressive. Direct confrontation not advised.]
I flexed my claws against the soft earth. "Who said anything about direct confrontation?"
I watched the brutal display unfold, my nose twitching at the metallic scent of blood that filled the air. The Blood Apes' muscles rippled under their crimson fur as they traded savage blows. The larger one caught his opponent in a crushing grip, but the smaller ape twisted free, leaving chunks of fur in the other's grasp.
Their shrieks echoed through the forest as they slammed into each other again. The smaller ape's teeth sank deep into the larger one's shoulder. Blood sprayed across the fallen fruits, but the bigger ape barely seemed to notice. He grabbed his attacker's head and smashed it against a tree trunk. Bark exploded outward from the impact.
The smaller ape dropped to all fours, shaking his head. His left eye was swollen shut, but rage blazed in his remaining eye. He launched himself at his opponent's legs, tackling him to the ground. They rolled across the forest floor in a blur of red fur and flashing fangs.
My whiskers quivered as I tracked their movements. These weren't mindless beasts - there was cunning behind their savagery. The larger ape might have the strength advantage, but the smaller one was quicker, darting in to strike vulnerable spots before dancing away.
A particularly vicious exchange left both apes bleeding from multiple wounds. Their regeneration kicked in almost immediately, flesh knitting back together before my eyes. But the healing seemed to fuel their rage rather than calm them. Their attacks grew wilder, more desperate.
The fruits lay forgotten between them, their green glow a stark contrast to the violence above. Neither ape seemed willing to grab them and run, too caught up in their battle for dominance. Pride, I realized. They weren't just fighting for the fruits anymore - this had become about proving who was stronger.
Blood matted their fur as they continued to tear into each other. The smaller one landed a devastating punch that cracked against the larger ape's jaw. The bigger ape responded by seizing his opponent's arm and wrenching it at an unnatural angle. The snap of breaking bone cut through their battle cries.
I tensed my muscles, gathering mana into a tight coil. The smaller ape stumbled, favoring his broken arm. Perfect. My Ice Spear formed silently above my head, its crystalline surface catching the filtered sunlight.
"Let's see how you like a surprise attack."
I burst from the undergrowth, launching the spear in the same motion. The ice projectile whistled through the air and struck true, burying deep into the injured ape's side. His shriek split the air, a sound of pure agony that made my fur stand on end.
Blood sprayed from the wound, staining his red fur an even darker crimson. The spear had punched clean through his ribcage, ice crystals spreading from the entry point. He staggered, his good arm clutching at the wound while his broken one hung limp.
The larger ape froze mid-swing, his head snapping toward me. His eyes widened, nostrils flaring as he caught my scent. For a split second, nobody moved - just the sound of labored breathing and blood dripping onto leaves.
"Surprise." I bared my fangs in what might have been a smile.
The wounded ape's shriek turned into a gurgling cough. He dropped to one knee, ice continuing to spread across his chest. His remaining eye locked onto me, filled with a mixture of pain and fury. Despite the grievous wound, his muscles tensed, preparing to spring.