บท 4: Chapter 4: The Battle for Territory

Still red with victory, I gazed down at the dead ferret and knew I couldn't stay there. The system charged me with a new quest-a riskier objective-to take my claim on the territory. This isn't just some surviving anymore; this is all about becoming-something more-a real hunter out in this cruel forest.

[Quest: Territory Claim]

Goal: Kill off three more predators, mark a portion of this forest as yours.

Reward: 300 XP, Predator's Domain ability.

I breathed in and novelty powered up inside my small, fluffy body. Finally Quick Strike was mine and the increase in agility from my last level-ups had made me much quicker than before. However, this quest wasn't about how to startle one ferret easily, but three predators one after another, each stronger compared to the last one.

This was a forest that I knew was full of hazards yet which I must now find. I could no longer depend on small size and luck in life; I needed a strategy. It was going to be more like fighting for the throne.

[System Tip: Find a strategic location in the forest for your territory. Higher ground or natural defenses will provide an advantage against stronger predators.]

That sounded about right, as I was going to be fighting three enemies in succession; I needed a spot where I could have control over what happened. A place that would help me win. The system so far had helped me through this, so if it was telling me to find a stronghold, then that's exactly what I'd find.

I took off, moving again, keeping low and alert. Sometimes my Survival Instinct skill gave me small hints of possible dangers, so that wasn't perfect either, but I had managed to mostly avoid fighting when I didn't need to. After a while, trees grew thicker, and in some time, I came upon a small hill full of heavy bush, with a few big rocks bulging out.

Great.

This hill would serve as a good vantage point for everything that surrounded me, the rocks served well to camouflage, and the bushes may keep off the larger animals. Sprang right up on top of the hill and let out a good look-see. Wasn't great but could be my home base. If I wanted to take over a little bit of land, this was as good of a spot as any.

And when I made it my stronghold, the system gave a list indicating:

[Location Identified: Small Forest Hill]

Status: Unclaimed Territory.

Eliminate all oncoming predators, and continue to dominate in this zone.

Just as I was getting the message, a sound came from below. I perked my ears, catching the distinct sound of something big moving through the bushes. I crouched down behind one of the rocks, peering over the edge.

A feral pig, that is, big and nasty-looking, tusks shining in the sun, rooting in the dirt at the foot of the hill, looking for food no doubt, but it was getting closer and worse, it looked territorial.

[Enemy Identified: Wild Boar]

Level: 5

Status: Low-level predator, territorial.

Weakness: Vision, easily enraged.

I swallowed nervously. The boar was hugely bigger than me, at least four or five times in size over me. Its level was also higher than the ferret's, too. But I had an advantage-I was fast, quick, and on the hill. If I could get it to charge, I might just be able to play its anger to my advantage.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself.

[Quick Strike Activated]

Springing up from behind the rock, I sprinted down the hill and took an easy course straight at the boar. Instantly, it caught my gaze with its little bright eyes against my movement. It gave a loud snort and charged at me with tusks. Which was just what I wanted.

At the very last moment I dodged right and summoning every last shred of speed possible, I ran up the slope. Blind with fury the boar was unable to comprehend his inability to bank with me in time. He slammed into the solid rock face with a deafening crunch. He was sufficiently surprised that the pause allowed me the opportunity to rush forward and utilize Quick Strike.

My small body quickly lunged with a hail of blows right at the more vulnerable underside of the boar. The combat help of the system guided me through it, enabling me to dodge the legs of the boar in its mad flailing. The boar was resilient, though, and my swift blows no more did drop its guard.

It was really angry; it circled its head around and almost hit me with the tusks. I jumped backward to avoid the next attack and waited for another opportunity. This time, it came towards me very slowly, injured but not giving up.

I had to do it.

The closer it came, I sprang onto a rock from which in turn I sprang very high to land upon its back. With my teeth sunk deep into the back of its neck, catching on tightly as it did much moving about trying to throw me off, in one last effort I gave a quick hit to its neck by catching a weak spot.

It suddenly dropped with a load thud, and I got off, huffing.

[Quest Progress: 1/3 Predators Defeated]

Experience gained: 150 XP.

Progress to next level: 200/400 XP..

I stood over the fallen boar, highly worn out. Well, it was a bit tougher than I had thought this would have been. Stronger and tougher than the ferret, he was, but I won. I knew, however, that I should not let my guard down yet, as there were two more to go before I could take this land.

I climbed to the top again, looked around. The boar lay at the foot of the rise, a reminder of the combat. The forest was silent now, but I knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. Predators are always on the lookout for food, and in their own natural way, I was making it easier for them by messing with how things usually go down.

I had to be prepared.

As I came to an easier position, the system flashed again-now a new warning said:

[Warning: Predator Approaching]

Enemy Type: Unknown

Estimated Time to Arrival: 10 minutes..

It was running my heart with yet another one on the way, and this time around, it would not come upon a surprise; I scanned around, making up in a rush what I would do, partly shielded by the rocks and the bushes, but they could not just do the job; I would have to be quick and outsmart them.

I looked at system stats: I was getting close to leveling up again, but this fight would come first. With my increased agility, now that Quick Strike was unlocked, I had a fighting chance, but I mustn't let my guard drop.

Those moments became one huge moment of the silent hush of the forest, with the wind blowing through the trees and playing with some leaves. Then, I heard it, and what I heard was some deep and frightening growl.

I listened; the dangerous animal was there. I hunched low, ready for whatever was coming. Whatever this new enemy, it had to be met head-on. That was the price of taking territory-the price of living.