-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Predator's Arsenal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Horned Rabbits travel in packs, just like the Ironclad Armadillos.
And because there was more to eat here than in the barren wasteland, their numbers were greater.
Thanks to that, it didn't take long to complete the Horned Rabbit's essence to 100%.
[You have leveled up.]
[Essence Predated: 100%]
[Essence Grade: Common]
[You have perfectly absorbed the essence of one species.]
[Skill - Nimble Hind Legs has been added.]
[Nimble Hind Legs]
Grade: ★
Classification: Active
Focuses power into the legs for a rapid leap.
An essence that momentarily increases leap distance and speed.
My mass prevented me from reaching the bullet-like speeds of the original owner, the Horned Rabbit, but it was useful for closing the distance with an enemy.
It's not a proper charge skill, though.
The [Skills] given to Players are more powerful.
Techniques that can forcibly push back enemies or break their stance with a simple charge.
Or even manipulate elements at will.
[Carapace] also has excellent defense, but its high mana consumption makes it not very cost-effective.
Nevertheless, there's a reason my [Predation] is superior.
'It weaves skills together.'
For example, by weaving the Horned Rabbit's [Nimble Hind Legs] with the essence of the goblins that inhabit the first floor of the Tower, [Swift Escape], I could obtain a skill called [Full Sprint].
A kind of synergy.
Weaving two essences together doesn't make one of the traits disappear.
I could use [Nimble Hind Legs] and [Swift Escape] individually, and it was also possible to use their combination, [Full Sprint].
The point is that depending on how I combine each essence, I can create various skills.
That's why it was important to obtain as many essences as possible.
Shall I review my progress since entering the tutorial stage?
[Player - Yoo Jinho]
Age: 23
Level: 4 / Race: Human
Grade: Unranked / Class: None
Ability: Predation
*Stats
Strength: 46.6 (+15)
Agility: 38.2 → 40.7 (+12)
Stamina: 38.3 → 59.7
Toughness: 33.9 → 60.2
Mana: 53.7 → 94.5
*Bonus Stats: 5
My Stamina, Toughness, and Mana had increased dramatically.
Dragon Tooth Warriors, Ironclad Armadillos, and Slimes.
All of them were monsters with strengths in durability or endurance.
As for Mana, the bonus stats were steadily accumulating thanks to the [Heart of the Dragon].
A laugh escaped my lips.
"This is insane."
These are the stats of a day-one Player?
The average graduation level for the tutorial is in the mid-30s.
Even if I stayed here for two weeks, it would be impossible to achieve these kinds of specs.
Knowing the future is truly...
"Amazing."
I grinned and clenched my fist.
There was still a lot to obtain in the tutorial.
I was already looking forward to how much stronger I would be in a month.
At this rate, I should move my plans up a bit.
My next target was decided.
The essence of the Silver Fang, the ruler of the plains.
* * *
I headed toward the southern part of the plains.
The number of Horned Rabbits had drastically decreased.
It made sense.
Further south from here was the territory of the Silver Fang, the predator of the plains and forest regions.
-Silver Fangs can only be challenged by a team of at least seven people.
-Tank-type Players must learn the [Taunting Shout] skill by the lake.
-Magic-type Players must have learned at least a 2-star skill.
...
There were one or two other things to be mindful of besides these.
The Silver Fang was just that formidable of an opponent.
"There they are."
I hid my body behind a nearby tree.
"Grrr. Woof!"
"Woof woof?"
Three wolves covered in white fur roamed the area.
The predators of the plains, Silver Fangs.
A suitable number for my first encounter.
*Rustle- Rustle-* I stepped on the tall grass, moving forward.
"Woof!"
"Grrr!"
As soon as the pack of Silver Fangs noticed me, they showed their hostility and charged.
[Furious Charge]
A straight-line course, clear as day.
Such honest creatures.
Just before colliding with the Silver Fang pack.
I jumped straight up.
"Grrr?"
The Silver Fang passed by, missing me by a hair's breadth.
From my airborne position, I stomped on the Silver Fang beneath me.
*CRUNCH!*
Its wide-open jaws were forcibly slammed shut.
The Silver Fang, pinned under my foot, struggled with its four paws, trying to escape.
"You came in here on your own."
*CRACK!* I kicked its nape, and its body only twitched intermittently before it fell into a groggy state.
"Grrr!"
Instead of the one that had already passed, the Silver Fang that was a step behind swung its front paw.
"Too slow."
As I ducked, its claws grazed my collar.
An attack that could tear through even compressed carbon steel.
So what?
"If it doesn't hit, it's useless."
Using the momentum from leaning back, I did a swallow flip.
*CRACK!* The jaw of the Silver Fang, caught by my spinning leg, was shattered.
Seeing its tongue hanging out, its condition didn't seem too good.
"That makes it one-on-one. Right?"
I grinned at the remaining one.
Even though the Silver Fang was one of the stronger monsters in the tutorial field.
Compared to its excellent attack power, its toughness was weak, and its patterns were simple, making it manageable to fight.
But there was another reason why these creatures were considered dangerous by Players.
"Kyeow! Woof!"
The creature tucked its tail and fled.
That was precisely why Silver Fangs were dangerous.
'When things look bad, they run.'
The ones roaming the plains are scouts.
When at a disadvantage, they quickly retreat and call for reinforcements.
At least thirty of them.
Even with my high stats, facing thirty Silver Fangs at once would be overwhelming.
So.
"I'll kill it before it can run."
I crouched on the ground, curling my body into a ball.
[Using Nimble Hind Legs.]
[Leaping powerfully.]
My thighs swelled to twice their size.
The leaping ability of the Horned Rabbit.
The muscles, expanded beyond their limits, unleashed several times their usual power.
*THWOOM-!*
I channeled that power into my feet and kicked off the ground.
The Silver Fang's pupils followed my movement a moment too late.
"Grrr?!"
"What, surprised?"
Of course, if I kill them all before they can call for backup, I won't have to face a crowd.
"After all, if there are no witnesses, it's an assassination, right?"
"Grr! Woof!"
The Silver Fang bared its teeth in desperation.
I was one step faster.
The fist I threw straight ahead crushed the bridge of its nose.
*Kyeeng!* The Silver Fang tumbled to the ground.
The impact must have been severe; it could only tremble, unable to move.
In times like this, a quick end is a mercy, right?
After finishing off the three trembling on the ground, I predated their essences.
[Absorbing the essence of the Silver Fang.]
[Essence Grade: Common]
[Essence Predated: 2.7% → 5.3% → 7.1%]
Good.
Absorbing the Horned Rabbit's essence was worth it.
The standard strategy is to draw aggro with [Taunting Shout] when a Silver Fang tries to flee.
But you can just run faster than it can escape and take it down.
"This is doable."
I glanced at the crumbling corpse of the Silver Fang and licked my lips.
* * *
Silver Fangs travel in packs.
The size of a scout party ranges from a minimum of three to a maximum of seven.
"Grr!"
The pack I encountered this time was seven strong.
The largest number among the groups that roam the plains.
Creatures accustomed to pack hunting.
One of them didn't miss my opening and dove toward my side.
[Using Carapace.]
A gray carapace covered my waist.
The Silver Fang's teeth lunged a moment too late.
*CRUNCH!* A heavy impact shook my body.
"Grrr?!"
"I don't taste very good, do I?"
Even with the carapace, I couldn't completely mitigate the shock, and my balance wavered slightly.
But if I had taken that bite on bare skin, it would have been more than just painful.
[Carapace durability has been depleted by 32%.]
Wow, look at all the cracks in the carapace from just one bite.
Carapace isn't omnipotent.
A spot where carapace has been generated can't be reformed for another minute, so I'll have to be careful not to get bitten on my side again.
[Using Herculean Strength.]
I smashed the head of the Silver Fang latched onto my side.
With a heavy thud, the wolf's head shattered into pieces.
Blood and flesh splattered in all directions.
Ugh, I shook my hand from side to side.
"Grrr!"
The Silver Fangs charged with staggered timing.
You think I'll let you hit me again?
I kicked off the ground and took a step back.
Claws swiped through empty space.
I drove my fist into the creature's exposed abdomen.
Because there were so many, by the time I landed a blow on the second one, the other Silver Fangs had taken positions behind me.
Claws raked down my back.
There was no time or opening to evade, so I protected my back with [Carapace].
In the close-quarters battle with the Silver Fang pack, I made appropriate use of [Carapace] and entered a brawl.
I could block a Silver Fang's attack between three and four times.
If I defended by switching body parts, I could last quite a while.
[Using Nimble Hind Legs.]
I broke out of their encirclement.
I kicked the Silver Fang behind me with all my strength.
The Horned Rabbit's ability, [Nimble Hind Legs], was originally meant for offense, you see.
It can't be used consecutively like Herculean Strength.
But depending on how it's utilized, it can be quite powerful.
"Kkyaaa!"
"Kehek!"
One by one, the Silver Fangs collapsed.
Two minutes after the engagement began, not a single monster was left standing.
"Phew, that was tough."
I let out a short sigh.
My clothes were already torn to shreds, their original form unrecognizable.
The fight hadn't lasted long, but it had been just as intense.
The carapace formed all over my body.
Most of it was so cracked that it would crumble at the slightest touch.
As I jumped lightly in place and shook my body, the carapace attached to my skin fell away.
"At my current level, fifteen is the max, I guess."
I stroked my chin.
That's the number possible assuming I calculate [Carapace]'s regeneration time and utilize its durability to the extreme.
If I just had a proper attack skill, I could handle even more of them.
In that sense.
"The Silver Fang's essence will be helpful."
I predated all the corpses of the Silver Fang pack sprawled on the ground.
[Predating the essence of the Silver Fang.]
[Essence Predated: 100%]
[You have perfectly absorbed the essence of one species.]
[Skill - Sharp Claws has been added.]
[Sharp Claws]
Grade: ★
Classification: Active
Enhances the cutting power and hardness of the fingernails. Imbuing them with mana can inflict additional damage.
I immediately activated the skill.
*Shhnnk!*
My fingernails grew out about twenty centimeters.
A sharp aura swirled around the elongated nails.
Later, when I earn more money and collect 100% of the [Primal Species]'s essence, I can fuse [Sharp Claws] into [Predator's Claws].
As I infused more mana, a faint white aura enveloped my nails.
As a test, I clawed at a nearby rock.
*SCRAAPE!* Claw marks were left clearly on the rock's surface.
"With this, about thirty of them should be a piece of cake."
The Silver Fang's sharp claws would now be turned against them.
How ironic.
I had predated all of their essences, but there was still something left to obtain.
The essence of the pack leader.
From now on, I'm going to get something that can only be obtained in the tutorial stage.