Ape of the Wilds

Kuro awoke to the distant cries of jungle birds, his body aching but invigorated. The events of the previous day replayed in his mind—the fight with the razorback boar, his first taste of true battle, the strange power of the System guiding his growth.

The jungle canopy filtered soft golden light down onto his makeshift nest, casting long shadows over the damp forest floor. He flexed his fingers, feeling the raw power coiling in his muscles. His Unarmed Combat skill had awakened, and he had gained his first level.

But he was still weak.

If he wanted to thrive, he needed more than just brute strength. The jungle was vast and dangerous, and the Tzalik—the exiled Maw'Tanu who had embraced bloodshed—were still out there. They wouldn't care about fair fights.

Kuro checked his status screen.

Name: Kuro

Race: Maw'Tanu Ape

Level: 2

Health: 120/120

Stamina: 100/100

Mana: 15/15

Strength: 7

Dexterity: 6

Endurance: 6

Intelligence: 2

Wisdom: 1

Skills:

• Unarmed Combat (Lv.1)

• Survival (Lv.1)

• Fire-making (Lv.1)

He had improved, but it wasn't enough.

He needed weapons.

Kuro had seen the human visitors of Varadain wield weapons before—blades of steel, bows of carved wood, staves humming with arcane power. The Maw'Tanu did not use such tools, but that didn't mean he couldn't.

He made his way through the jungle, searching for something to use.

His sharp eyes landed on a fallen ironwood tree. Ironwood was one of the densest materials in Aru'Mata, strong enough to withstand the might of even the deadliest beasts. If he could fashion a club from it, he would have a weapon that could shatter bone.

Using a sharp rock, he began chipping away at a thick branch, shaping it into something resembling a war club.

It took hours, but finally, he held in his hands a crude, yet deadly, weapon.

New Weapon Acquired: Ironwood Club

• A sturdy wooden club, durable and hard as stone.

• +5 Attack Power

• +10% Stun Chance on Hit

New Skill Unlocked: Weapon Crafting (Lv.1)

• Increases proficiency in making primitive weapons.

Kuro hefted the club, testing its weight. It was perfect.

Now, he needed to test it.

Kuro had fought a boar yesterday, but that was a reactionary battle. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to actively seek out conflict.

He moved through the jungle, his senses heightened. Every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig, sent a ripple through his instincts. He climbed a tree, scanning the area for prey.

Then, he saw it.

A Bloodfang Panther.

Sleek and deadly, its black fur barely visible against the shadowed jungle floor. It was a natural predator, faster and deadlier than Kuro. But he wasn't afraid.

This was a test.

Kuro gripped his club tightly and dropped from the tree, landing directly in front of the beast.

The panther froze for a moment, sizing him up with piercing yellow eyes. Then, with a flash of movement, it lunged.

Kuro barely had time to react. He swung his club upward, deflecting the panther's strike, but the force of the attack sent him skidding backward.

The beast snarled, its muscles coiling for another attack.

Enemy Encounter: Bloodfang Panther

Level: 4

Health: 150/150

Kuro's heart pounded. This was not like fighting a boar. The panther was faster, more agile, and smarter.

He needed to outthink it.

The panther leapt again, aiming for his throat. Kuro ducked, feeling the wind of its claws pass inches from his head. He spun, swinging his club mid-motion—

CRACK!

The club smashed into the panther's ribs, sending it tumbling across the ground.

Critical Hit!

Bloodfang Panther - HP: 150 → 90

The beast yowled in pain but didn't retreat. Instead, its eyes glowed red, and Kuro felt a sudden chill.

The panther's body shimmered.

Bloodfang Panther has activated: Shadow Step

• +50% Evasion for 10 seconds

Kuro's eyes widened as the panther vanished into the darkness.

Kuro slowed his breathing. If he couldn't see the panther, he had to listen.

A rustle—behind him!

He spun, swinging his club blindly—

MISS!

The panther's claws raked across his shoulder, sending searing pain through his body.

-30 HP

Kuro gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to make another mistake.

He crouched low, gripping his club with both hands, waiting.

The panther circled, waiting for an opening.

Then—another rustle.

This time, Kuro didn't swing immediately. He waited for the real attack.

There!

The panther lunged from the side. Kuro twisted, bringing his club down full-force on the beast's skull.

BOOM!

The jungle shook from the impact.

The panther collapsed, its body twitching.

Enemy Defeated!

+50 Experience Points

Level Up!

Kuro - Level 2 → 3

New Skill Unlocked: Instinct (Lv.1)

• Enhances reaction speed and sensory perception.

Kuro panted, wiping blood from his fur. He had won.

And he had grown stronger.

Kuro had barely finished catching his breath when he heard footsteps approaching.

Not the steps of an animal.

Humanoids.

He crouched low, gripping his club, watching as three figures emerged from the trees.

They were Maw'Tanu, but different. Their fur was darker, their eyes glowed with a faint crimson. Their bodies were adorned with bones and crude war paint, and their weapons gleamed in the dim light.

Kuro knew their reputation. Exiles, murderers, betrayers. They did not follow the laws of the Maw'Tanu. They believed only in power.

The tallest of the three stepped forward, eyes locking onto Kuro.

"A strong one," he said, voice thick with amusement. "You killed a Bloodfang alone?"

Kuro said nothing. He could feel the tension in the air.

The Tzalik warrior grinned, revealing sharp teeth.

"Good. That means you're worth killing."

The Tzalik warriors rushed him.

Kuro reacted instantly, ducking beneath the first warrior's swing and smashing his club into the second's ribs.

The warrior grunted, stumbling backward. But the third was already behind Kuro, a bone dagger flashing toward his spine.

Kuro twisted just in time, the blade grazing his fur.

Too many. He couldn't win this head-on.

He needed to be smarter.

He grabbed a handful of loose dirt and threw it into the eyes of the closest warrior.

The Tzalik howled in rage, stumbling backward.

Kuro didn't waste the opening. He kicked off the ground, leaping into the trees.

The Tzalik cursed, watching him go.

"This isn't over, ape," the leader spat. "The jungle will belong to us soon. And you'll be the first to die."

Kuro watched from above, breathing heavily.

He had survived.

But now he knew—his true enemies weren't just beasts.

The Tzalik were coming.

And he would need to become much stronger to stop them.