บท 18: Chapter 18: Semi-Immortal
By the time the first sliver of dawn light peeked through the canopy, Aiden's arm ached from exertion, and his body bore several stinging welts, now fading thanks to his regeneration.
The first rays of dawn peeked through the canopy, painting the sky with streaks of gold and orange. Aiden blinked, finally tearing his gaze away from the monkey tail in his hand. He leaned back against the rough bark of the Majestic Tree, exhaustion washing over him. He'd lost track of time in his training, completely absorbed in mastering the whip. Luckily, his regeneration ability meant his tired muscles recovered quickly, leaving him pleasantly sore rather than incapacitated.
However, the energy boost from the boar meat had long been depleted by the constant use of his regeneration. He looked at the screen, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face as there was no notification of gaining Maturation Point.
Maybe they weren't as easy to come by as he'd initially thought.
Aiden felt hungry again, to properly use the Regeneration Ability, he needed to hunt and eat something.
He activated his Devil's Truth of Misery, scanning the surrounding forest for potential prey. "Looks like hunting is back on the menu," he muttered, his voice hoarse from disuse.
After a well-deserved hour of rest, Aiden set off north from the Majestic Tree, the monkey tail coiled loosely in his right hand, the tip brushing the ground.
He had traveled for about a kilometer when a faint rustling sound caught his ear. Following the noise, he stumbled upon a sight that made him pause.
A gigantic caterpillar, easily half his size, munched on the carcass of a small creature. As far as Aiden knew, these creatures eventually transformed into butterflies or moths. In th Earth, he might have been curious to witness the transformation, but here, survival took precedence.
With a swift movement, Aiden lunged at the caterpillar from behind. But to his surprise, the seemingly lumbering creature reacted with surprising agility, twisting out of the way just before the monkey tail could connect.
Aiden blinked, impressed. Sure, the monkey tail might not look like much, but it packed a punch. He knew any creature hit by it would take some damage, though the caterpillar's hefty body might help absorb the blow.
The gargantuan caterpillar, its beady eyes glinting with fury, reared its head at Aiden, then unleashed a spray of green liquid from its mouth. Aiden dodged with ease, adrenaline coursing through him. He narrowed his eyes and closed the distance, determined to end the fight quickly.
This time, the caterpillar remained rooted to the spot, its head weaving back and forth as it fired volley after volley of the green goo. Aiden knew just a drop on his skin could cause serious damage. He needed to end this before he got careless.
Aiden poured all his strength into a single, powerful attack. The monkey tail whipped through the air, catching the giant caterpillar completely off guard. This time, the creature couldn't react in time.
Splash!!!
There was a sickening splash as the tail slammed into its mouth, tearing through the flesh and sending a spray of green blood into the air.
Soon, A torrent of green goo, tinged with blood, erupted from the wound.
Aiden understood why the creature hadn't dodged. It seemed its incredible speed was an ability, not an inherent trait, and it took time to activate again. Seizing the opportunity, he switched weapons, the boar tusk replacing the monkey tail in his hand. He plunged it repeatedly into the gaping wound in the caterpillar's mouth.
Even though the caterpillar was massive compared to its Earth counterparts, its three-foot height was no match for Aiden's determination. But its life force was impressive.
He stabbed it numerous times, yet it still writhed in pain. Finally, after a brutal flurry of blows, a notification materialized before his eyes:
[+60 Life Force Gained From Catacorus Blue Caterpillar level 3(Common)]
Only then did Aiden allow himself to pause the relentless assault. Every fight here was a desperate struggle for survival, and he couldn't afford a single careless moment. He activated his Devil Truth of Misery, scanning his surroundings.
With a swift, almost panicked motion, he used the boar tusk to rip open the caterpillar's stomach. He seemed to be in a frenzy, shoving fistfuls of its insides into his mouth and devouring them as quickly as possible. His speed was inhuman, impossible for any normal person.
But before a minute had passed, while he was still feeding, a new wave of dread washed over him. He sensed them – five more colossal caterpillars closing in on him from all directions.
Aiden rose to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "You guys are a quick bunch," he muttered. He'd noticed them during his earlier scan. These creatures rushed towards him after he'd killed the first.
They seemed to share some kind of similar connection, a sense of rage emanating from them.
Fleeing wasn't an option. Their sudden bursts of speed, coupled with their green projectile attack, made running a dangerous gamble. He couldn't defend himself while on the move. So, he chose to fill his stomach, replenishing his regeneration to its peak for the inevitable fight that was about to unfold.
—
The five colossal caterpillars formed a menacing ring around Aiden. Their beady black eyes glinted with a shared fury, seeing a creature devouring their fallen kin fueling their rage.
Aiden knew this wouldn't be a simple fight. He gripped the boar tusk tighter, its rough surface offering a sense of comfort. He couldn't afford any mistakes – a single hit from that green goo could leave him with a searing, dissolving wound.
The first caterpillar lunged, its immense body fueled by unexpected speed. Aiden barely managed to dodge, the green projectile missing him by a hair's breadth. The sickening sizzle of the goo dissolving a nearby leaf sent a shiver down his spine.
He retaliated with a powerful swing of the tusk, aiming for the caterpillar's head. But the creature twisted with a surprising agility, the tusk scraping harmlessly against its fleshy side. Aiden cursed under his breath. Fighting one was proving difficult; five seemed like an impossible feat.
The air crackled with tension as the remaining caterpillars simultaneously unleashed their green goo attacks. Aiden danced through the barrage, his movements quick and precise. But one projectile found its mark, splattering on his arm. A searing pain erupted, a burning sensation eating away at his flesh.
He gritted his teeth, adrenaline masking the pain for a precious moment. Regeneration surged through his body, knitting the wound shut. But the experience served as a stark reminder – his ability wasn't invincible, and it required energy to function.
Fueled by the green goo attack and the adrenaline rush, the caterpillars lost their initial cautiousness. They charged at him in a frenzy, their massive bodies shaking the ground with each thunderous step. Aiden, however, remained calm, his focus razor-sharp.
With a well-timed sidestep, he avoided a crushing blow from one caterpillar, using the momentum to launch a counterattack. He rammed the boar tusk into the creature's underside, a sickening crunch echoing through the forest. The wounded caterpillar writhed in agony, thrashing its body uselessly.
Aiden wasn't finished. He ripped the tusk free and plunged it into the caterpillar's exposed throat. A surge of life force flooded him as a notification materialized before his eyes.
[+40 Life Force Gained From Catacorus Blue Caterpillar level 2(Common)].
Aiden turned to face the remaining threats. His regeneration had already sealed the wound on his arm, leaving only a faint scar. He knew he couldn't afford to be reckless. He had to pick them off one by one, replenishing his own strength with their flesh after each kill.
The battle became a macabre ballet of violence and survival. Aiden dodged, weaved, and parried, the boar tusk a deadly blur in his hands. He took his hits, the green goo dissolving his flesh, but each time, regeneration brought him back stronger. And after each fallen caterpillar, he devoured a portion of its flesh, his regeneration humming with renewed vigor.
He was chewing the meat in his mouth while fighting them.
The forest floor became a graveyard of gargantuan caterpillars. Finally, with a guttural roar, the last caterpillar fell, its green blood staining the tusk a sickly shade.
Aiden stood amidst the carnage, his body had multiple wounds, all healing rapidly. He was battered, bruised, and utterly exhausted. But he was alive. He looked down at the boar tusk, the once sharp tip now dulled and chipped.
With the immediate danger gone, Aiden scanned for a secure spot to rest. The urge to hunt more thrummed through him.
If it was before, he would seek refuge in the Majestic Tree after hunting. But now he wants to explore this forest.
The Perennial Regeneration ability that he gained from the Indelible Inchor's blood, was really incredible, it restores five percent of his total health per second. After only a period of rest, it always restored his body to peak condition.
It just makes his body inexhaustible and semi- immortal.
.....
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