11 Above the water

Michael by now is an experienced runner but, in the tree environment, he is not well versed in it. luckily for him the lizard also has a tough time too. since the rain just end not long ago, the tree is still wet. Thus making the lizard jump more difficult.

Michael on the other hand has fewer problems with jumping. His boots are naturally really resistant to wet surfaces making his jump more precise than the lizard's. However, Michael is still at a disadvantage in terms of experience.

'damn it!'

How can a branch of the tree that he stood on a moment ago break like that? The mangrove tree branch could easily support a mid-size monster. He is truly puzzled by this.

He leaps off another tree and uses the tree climber to grab on. The alma lizard is closing in faster than the snake. Because every time he had to switch trees he needs to climb up and jump to not fall closer to the water, the lizard is clearly better than him in that department.

Gritting his teeth Michael tries to move at a faster pace but, the Lizard is still a better climber than him. Michael got to think of a way to lose this lizard. The same trap as the snake wouldn't work since he couldn't dodge the lizard and he didn't prepare any spear.

Michael is almost out of options. His position on the trees is worse than the Lizard but luckily he has a plan in mind.

He takes out his hunting knife and slices the wood out of the tree. He then drops it in the water every time he switches trees. hoping that this would be enough for his plan.

5 minute later

The lizard is only 2 trees away from his position and Michael began to doubt his plan. Seeing that he got no other choice he decides to drop down close to the water and bet that it wouldn't backfire on him.

pah!

He made another jump and landed on a tree branch that is also at the surface of the water. Although he did not like being near any body of water, he got no choice, his plan rely on it. he carves another wooden chunk and throws it into the water. However this time he carve more wood. Michael gets out his Crackling and tries to start a fire.

Unfortunately, the wood is still quite moist from the rain, So his crackling has no hope of lighting a fire on it. However, he still attempts to make it happen.

With the lizard jumping to another tree, time was running out, he could feel his death approaching.

'Oh, my Apex! where's the old man!'

He's going to die! He still didn't get to hunt this island Apex! he still wants to be respected! He still wants songs written about him! Maybe even a good wife!... He lists out the goals that he wants to achieve in life.

Crack! foo!

By a sheer miracle, the piece of wood in his hand actually lit up! He almost drops the cracking of out the surprise he felt. He felt glad that he got it to work however, the alma lizard did not share his excitement. After the fire was lit the alma lizard was taken aback by the light.

The creature on this island is afraid of fire for two main reasons. The monster is reluctant to learn about what the fire does because, although infrequently seeing a fire, it is initially terrified of the unexpected. The fact that they frequently arrive with people is the second and primary cause of their fear of fire. People who are unable to hunt on Boniha Island typically live in the village, therefore when a monster comes into contact with fire, it is typically from the hunters who are able to hunt them.

This happened for years making the monster fear the fire.

However, this doesn't apply as much when you're in daylight. The sun has appeared after the rain so the fire has less effect on it.

Michael waves the fire around to scare the lizard off but it seems like it has little to no effect! The Lizard lunge at him with its huge body of more than 2 meters, Micheal is scared by the sight! He has nowhere to run and his plan seems to be...

Splash!

His plan work!

The water rippled and splash his face revealing a 3 meters long fish that sprung out of the water. It has only one eye on top of its head. Replacing a mouth and a jaw was a spear-like head that acts as a weapon and a feeder that suck off the blood and nutrient of its prey. Its aquamarine body suggests that it's a predator that lives on Boniha island.

It's the Houeye. A fish monster that is native to Boniha island!

The fish leap out of the water impaling the Alma lizard mid-air and dragging the lizard back into the water with it. This was his plan! or at least some part of it is his plan. His idea is to attract the water predator nearby to help him kill or distract the alma lizard.

Even though the plan was straightforward, it was still a gamble. He prays that the water predators won't see him as a nice meal. Pretty risky but, nonetheless, it was successful in eliminating the alma lizard. Now he needed to leave the Houeye hunting range as quickly as he could. He ascends the tree.

'ha..'

Breathing a sigh of relief when he got quite high up in the tree.

"Good job kid."

"AWAWW!!"

Sitting next to Michael, Gurara appeared out of nowhere scaring him. He almost fell off the beach he is on but, Gurara catch him in time. The old man laughs seeing the kid's panicked face.

"How are you here?"

"It's too early for you to know, kid" Gurara then carry Michael with his right arm and dashed through the forest. With his monstrous strength, he could directly jump from tree to tree without using the tree climber.

With Gurara speed they arrive at the village in only two hours. The trip would take him around 4-6 hours with his normal ground speed and much more time on the trees.

The old man brings Michael back home. He bought some groceries and veggies to cook Michael his meal. It is a basic meat stew with only animal meat. but after the trip, Michael was feeling pretty hungry so the meal tasted quite good.

Layla hadn't been back from school yet. They are properly out training in the woodland. The elite class in the school got special training for the upcoming trial after all.

"Kid, It's time to hunt! are you ready?"

"Y...yes!"