Chapter 11: The Forgetten Memories

A notification materialized in front of Aiden as he lay beside the Monkey.

[+50 Life Force gained from Three-Tailed Monkey lvl 2 (Uncommon)].

He stared at it for a moment, then sighed.

Apparently, without using his Primordial Predator ability to consume the creature, it wouldn't be added to his list of "Primordial Preys."

However, the ability was currently on cooldown – a fourteen-day wait before he could use it again.

Even if it were available, Aiden wouldn't have used it on the monkey.

Rising to his feet, he took a deep breath, the weight of the situation settling in. This was only the beginning.

He glanced at the lifeless creature, a silent plea for forgiveness forming in his mind. Oddly, he felt nothing – no remorse, not even for his first real kill. Instead, a strange thrill coursed through him, a dark satisfaction from the fight and its outcome.

"Maybe I really am becoming a devil," he thought grimly.

Whether he became one or not mattered a little. Survival in this world seemed to demand a darker side.

Aiden didn't dwell on it. He had a promise to keep. He wouldn't let his sister face this unknown world alone. He swore to protect her, no matter the cost.

Aiden looked up at the sky, trying to discern the time. It was a difficult task due to the dense forest. Though blind before, he'd learned to gauge the time by the sun's position. When it was directly overhead, it was likely afternoon.

His gaze then fell to his wooden staff, once again proving useless in the hunt. With a shake of his head, he dismissed the thought.

Aiden then looked at the lifeless monkey and turned the monkey onto its back, his curiosity piqued by its tails. "They really are made of hard bone," he muttered, running a hand over one. An idea flickered in his mind – a cruel one.

Aiden wanted to take a tail, to use it as a weapon. He scanned the area for something sharp, his eyes landing on a suitable rock.

A grim determination set on his face as he approached the monkey, the rock clutched tightly in his hand.

Grasping the tail firmly, Aiden began scraping the sharp rock against the joint where it connected to the monkey's body. The process was arduous, taking a good five minutes of focused effort before the tail finally yielded. He grasped the detached limb, a cruel weapon in his hand.

He gripped the severed appendage in his hand, curiosity urging him to test its potential. With a swift movement, he lashed the tail at a nearby tree. A loud crack echoed through the air as the thick tail, surprisingly strong and sharp, left a distinct line on the tree trunk. Aiden could practically feel the power coursing through the tail – a formidable weapon indeed.

However, wielding the whip effectively was another problem entirely. He didn't want its deadly power to turn against him, becoming a danger to himself rather than his enemies.

His initial plan was to use the monkey's flesh for food, but now a new desire burned within him. He craved more practice with the tail, a desire to test its capabilities against creatures.

Activating his Devil's Truth of Misery ability, he hoped to locate suitable prey.

However, a new development forced him to abandon his plan. He noticed several creatures approaching his location.

'They must be likely drawn by the commotion of the fight,' he thought grimly.

Unfortunately, the ability only allowed him to sense the general direction of nearby creatures, not their exact numbers. It also only worked on creatures experiencing strong emotions. Furthermore, it was useless on very small creatures.

With a surge of urgency, he scrambled away from the monkey's lifeless body, disappearing into the concealing embrace of nearby bushes. There, he waited, his senses on high alert, hoping to avoid whatever danger lurked in the approaching shadows.

Five minutes crawled by, a tense silence broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Then, Aiden spotted movement through the foliage. Two creatures, similar to the deceased monkey but larger, swung through the trees, with their three tails intertwined into a singular, thicker appendage.

A shrill cry ripped through the air as one of the adult monkeys launched itself towards the lifeless body. It nudged the limp form, its movements frantic, desperate to rouse its offspring. Its cries echoing through the dense jungle. The other adult scanned their surroundings with wary eyes, searching for any sign of danger.

A lump formed in Aiden's throat. He hadn't considered the possibility of a group. Guilt gnawed at him as he saw the pain in the Adult Monkey eyes.

They are the parents of the innocent creature that he just killed.

Aiden strained to remain concealed, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew his current strength wouldn't stand a chance against these enraged creatures. The grieving parent's cries were laced with a simmering fury, especially upon noticing the missing tail. Fear surged through Aiden as he watched the scene unfold.

Howwwll!!!

Suddenly, the air trembled. The same chilling howl that had greeted him upon arrival in this strange world echoed from the direction the adult monkeys had come.

The two monkeys froze, their grave demeanor replaced by raw alertness. The one holding the lifeless form of its child clutched it tighter, and then, without hesitation, they bolted. They didn't search for their offspring's killer, they simply fled, a desperate urgency in their flight as if pursued by some unseen terror.

Aiden remained frozen, his body a statue of fear and guilt. He didn't dare move, his mind replaying the heart-wrenching scene that had just transpired – the grief of the parents, the agony of losing their child, especially in such a brutal way.

The playful young monkey, the one with the strange fruit, hadn't been careless. It must have been left behind in this supposed haven while its parents were out hunting. The haven – the area surrounding the Majestic Tree – seemed to offer a sense of security to creatures.

The haven is placed around the Majestic tree. The majestic tree, a sanctuary for weaker creatures, probably lulled these adult monkeys into a sense of security to leave their kid alone.

The Majestic Tree is itself a peak Predator, and it wouldn't let any Predator near its territory.

It also explains the lack of ferocious predators around it.

The unfamiliar fruit the young monkey carried also made sense now. It likely wasn't native to this area, further suggesting it had been left behind by its parents.

Aiden's mind was in chaos, he didn't understand what he did was right or wrong.

Then, from the depths of his fractured memories, a shard of a forgotten moment pierced through. A memory bathed in a sickly yellow light, the metallic tang of blood heavy in the air. A small, trembling form huddled in a corner, wide eyes reflecting pure terror. He lunged, a primal scream tearing from his throat. Warm fur, a desperate struggle, then silence.

Suddenly Aiden's head began hurting a lot and a chilling voice echoed in his thoughts, a fragment of a forgotten memory. 'Demon!' it shrieked, 'He ate the cat alive!'

Aiden squeezed his eyes shut, a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he forced them back. He wasn't a demon, he fiercely reminded himself. He clamped his hands over his ears, desperately trying to shut out the haunting voice and the weight of his guilt.

.............

{Encyclopedia}

{Three Tailed Monkey: These unique monkeys are a mutated species found only within the dense forests of Old Patheona. Unlike their more common cousins, Three-Tailed Monkeys don't form packs or social groups. Instead, males find a mate upon reaching maturity, and the pair remains bonded for life. If one member of the couple dies, the other will never seek a new partner. Tragically, Three-Tailed Monkeys are targeted by many races due to their remarkable tails. These tails are composed of a special, highly valued material prized for its use in crafting weapons.}