CH22:BEATDOWN AT REDZONE.

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

Nadia, Luke, and Blake had killed about twenty more of the Caterbit beasts which they just so happened to have come upon socializing. So far, none of them had sustained any injuries and thanks to their weapons, they were able to kill so many without showing any signs of exhaustion.

"Wow, that's the largest number of caterbits I have ever seen together in one place." Nadia remarked while gathering the crystals from the dead bodies. "Normally, these things are found together only when they're fighting for a meal or when they're mating and stuff."

"Feels kind of wrong that we're killing so many at once." Blake spoke, pretending to have compassion for them.

"Oh, don't worry about them." Nadia smiled. "These things lay eggs in hundreds and they mature in only a matter of months. Besides, if we don't do this, these little beasts will move into Desper and hurt many people."

"So we're indirectly being pest control, right?" Luke muttered.

"No. We kill them and sell their crystals to the citizens of Desper and beyond. We get credits in the end and get to keep Desper pest free."

"Killing two birds with one stone."

"Exactly."

"HEELLPP!!" The distant cries of help echoed in their ears. "WE NEED REINFORCEMENTS."

"What's going on?" Blake asked. "Are those hunters like us?"

"Yeah. It sounds like they've encountered a high-tiered beast." Nadia replied while finishing up with collecting the crystals and following the sounds of help. "We have to get there as fast as possible. Keep your swords in your hands. We don't know what we're facing."

The three hunters ran as fast as they could while following the cries for help. They passed a couple of dead caterbit bodies on their way, but they weren't killed by humans.

"Claw marks?" Nadia wondered. "This is a hostile beast we're faci….."

"NADIA WATCH OUT!!" Blake and Luke pulled her back and saved her the opportunity to have her face clawed apart.

*SCROOOOOEEEAACH*

A painfully loud scream that sounded like a million deaths forced everyone around the beast to take cover and shield their ears. The beast making the painful scream was shaped like a rat that stood at eight feet with protective bone plates on its legs, head, and along the line on its back. It had long claws like a mole with the muzzle of a bear. Its eyes glowed a violent red color and were filled with bitter rage.

"Why's it making so much noise?" One of the Gorilla Hunters asked.

"Look, its underbelly has been injured. We've almost got it."

[Scan Complete.]

[Beast Name: Molerdillo]

[Tier: Intermediate.]

[Skills: Protective armor, scream of death, long, blunt but powerful claws]

"EVERYONE STEP BACK!!" Blake ordered as he pulled Luke and Nadia into the trees. "TAKE COVER IN THE TREES. THAT WAS A SCREAM FOR HELP."

The other Hunters listened and each climbed the trees surrounding the beast. Each one of them had their swords drawn out, but no matter how much they tried, the beast's armor was too strong for them to cut through.

"This is an intermediate beast we're dealing with." Blake spoke while reading the analysis. "That scream wasn't one of its abilities. It was a cry for help. It's calling more of its own."

"What should we do now?"

"If we run, it'll follow us. Most of us have been hit by its marking scent. There's nowhere for us to run to without it following us."

"DIDN'T ANY OF YOU ANALYSE THE BEAST?" Luke blasted the hunters for their reckless behavior, even though it was his first day.

"Yelling won't do anything. We have to take this creature out as soon as possible." Blake continued. "We would run, but as someone said earlier, it'll follow the marking scent."

"EVERYONE, FOLLOW MY LEAD."

----------------------------

Dezhong, Kong, Kena, and Abdul were inside a thick, almost military-like vehicle that was armored in every inch. Abdul flew them toward RedZone, making Dezhong worry a little.

"Err…Sir," Dezhong's panic levels rose the closer they got to RedZone. "Aren't we entering into the Dragon's territory? You know, the rivals of the Gorillas?"

"Yes, we are. Good eye you have there." Kong replied abruptly without adding any explanation.

"Well, why ARE we going there? Isn't it dangerous for us, the Gorillas, to go into the RedZone, the area that belongs to the Dragons?"

"Yes, it is." Kong, yet again, replied abruptly.

Kena sensed how Dezhong was growing uncomfortable so she placed her hand on his thigh and said, "You don't have to worry about it, okay?" She smiled. "There's a reason we're moving in this armored vehicle."

'I'm not worried about that.' He started to complain to himself. 'I just don't know what could happen to me. I know that werewolf's inside of me but, I'm not sure if I should be….'

"We're here." Abdul slowly landed the vehicle by a large pile of debris on what was once the Dragon's Den.

"Man, you weren't kidding," Kong said to Abdul. "The place is really is a pile of rubble. What happened to them?"

"I don't know, sir." Abdul replied. "All I got from our spy is that the place just came crashing down. He hasn't reached Jin's inner circle so he wasn't in the den by the time this happened."

The four Gorillas stood over the rubble as they and hundreds of passers-by wondered what could have caused the den of the Dragons to fall. To Dezhong's surprise, he wondered why this wasn't in the news or at least publicly announced. He even wondered why RedZone's Police hadn't done anything to keep the general public safe from it.

"One thing's for sure, Jin's not going to be happy to see us here." Kong let out a loud laugh while kicking dirt all over. "COME OUT JIN, SHOW YOURSELF."

*DING*

[Dragon's Walk Activated.]

In just a blink of an eye, Jin suddenly appeared and slammed his boy against Kong's, sending his rival rolling through the debris. The Dragon's leader leaped in the air and attempted to land a powerful kick on Kong's chest. Kong quickly positioned his thick, heavy arms in an X position, causing Jin to land on them.

As soon as Jin landed, Kong pushed him up into the air with such great force that he was caught unaware. Kong quickly got on his feet, grabbed Jin while he was still airborne and slammed his body into the ground.

"Hey Jin," He laughed. "Look at you, man. You've gained muscle." Kong was greatly disturbed about how Jin's body was more ripped than it originally was and how he didn't have tattoos anymore. "Got rid of the tattoos, huh? You what, did a little bit of lifting weights?"

*KICK*

Jin's kick was so powerful that it sent Kong's heavy body flipping and falling to the ground. "I got help from the gods, that's all." He laughed maniacally while his hands somehow grew bigger.

*DING*

[A werewolf fights and protects those who are his allies.]

[Quest: Challenge your leader's rival and try to win.]

[Reward: Triple level up.]