Chapter 10: The Rise Of Apex Predator

Aiden crouched low, hidden by a thick curtain of vines.

His vision, aided by the Devil Truth of Misery ability, focused on a three-tailed monkey playfully swinging its tail on the branch of the tree while eating something.

Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves overhead, casting dappled shadows on the damp forest floor where he lurked. The recent rain had left the air thick with the earthy scent of wet ground and decaying leaves – a constant reminder of this world's untamed nature.

He knew capturing the monkey, let alone fighting it head-on, would be a challenge. Monkeys, with their incredible agility, were masters of these tangled branches. Here, in the heart of the jungle where sunlight barely touched the ground, the monkey held a clear advantage.

Aiden's hand tightened around his makeshift staff, his only means of defense against the unpredictable creature.

Ideally, Aiden would avoid creatures like monkeys – their skill at climbing made them dangerous opponents for someone who had previously never known the world except through touch and sound.

Moreover, he doesn't know how to climb the tree.

Aiden looked everywhere to make some plan, and soon he noticed a small rock, nestled amongst the damp leaves.

With a deep breath, Aiden picked up the rock, its weight comforting in his hand. He knew any attempt to capture the monkey would likely alert it, but staying passive wasn't an option.

It is better to alert it by giving a little damage.

Taking aim, Aiden hurled the rock towards the three-tailed monkey. Perhaps his unique way of perceiving the world gave him an edge in his throw. The rock sailed through the air with surprising accuracy.

Before the rock could hit the three tailed monkey, one of the monkey's tails darted out in a blur of motion, swatting the projectile away with surprising force. The playful mood from before vanished instantly. The monkey, its eyes narrowed, scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the attack. Its gaze landed on Aiden, a flicker of anger replacing its initial surprise.

Swish!!!

As if offended by the audacity of such a weak creature, the monkey shrieked and launched itself towards a nearby tree. This particular tree sported clusters of hard, inedible berries. With a swift movement, the monkey snatched a handful of these berries and hurled them back at Aiden, a barrage of unexpected missiles.

***

Quickly Aiden scurried behind a thick tree trunk, using it as a meager shield.

This three-tailed monkey, despite its small size, packed a surprisingly strong throw.

Soon, the sound of hard berries striking the tree trunk had ceased. The three tailed Monkey had been throwing hard berries at him, but now the barrage had stopped abruptly.

Aiden waited for a second before he cautiously peeked out from behind the tree.

The monkey was nowhere to be seen in the branches above.

Swish!!!

Suddenly, A rustle of leaves and the unmistakable sound of a body leaping through the branches sent a jolt through Aiden. Before he could react, a searing pain exploded on his head. The three tails of the monkey, like whips, had slammed into his head from behind.

A guttural cry escaped Aiden's lips as he instinctively raised a hand to cradle his injured head. Blood trickled down his fingers, the pain intense but bearable. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm. He could feel a small skull fracture, the blow from the monkey's surprisingly hard tail. But almost as quickly as the pain arrived, his body's regeneration kicked in. The injuries began to knit themselves back together, the fractured skull mending at an astonishing rate.

He gritted his teeth, swearing under his breath. Those tails were definitely not made of fur! They were as hard as rocks.

Spinning around, Aiden scanned the canopy, his eyes landing on the three-tailed creature perched on a branch, its expression a mix of surprise and confusion. Clearly, it couldn't comprehend why this seemingly weak prey hadn't succumbed to its attack.

Aiden watched warily as the monkey shifted restlessly from branch to branch, clearly preparing to launch another attack. Its beady eyes are searching for another opportunity to strike. He took a deep breath, focusing every ounce of concentration on the sound of rustling leaves. Strangely, as he closed his eyes, his hearing seemed to sharpen, amplifying the surrounding sounds.

The world around him faded into darkness, but the sounds of the forest became sharper, clearer.

A swishing sound cut through the silence. Aiden knew the attack was coming. Aiden didn't hesitate. He flung his staff aside and dove forward, launching himself towards the source of the sound. The three-tailed monkey, mid-leap, froze in surprise as the human hurled itself towards him.

In a blur of motion, Aiden's hand closed around the furry body, sending both of them tumbling down to the ground. The monkey wriggled furiously beneath him, but Aiden held on tight.

Aiden clamped his hand tightly around the monkey's neck, his other hand instinctively lashing out in punches. The startled monkey fought back, its three tails whipping around, one of them finding purchase on Aiden's throat. It tightened its grip, choking him.

Despite the pain and the constricting pressure around his neck, Aiden refused to give up. He had a reason to fight, a memory that fueled his desperation. He wouldn't die here, in this unknown land. He had a promise to keep, a sister to protect if she ever found herself in this strange place.

Through gritted teeth, Aiden rained blows on the monkey. Blood stained his knuckles and splattered on the forest floor, but he didn't stop.

The monkey, overwhelmed by the relentless assault, could no longer bear the pain. Its eyes fluttered closed, and with a final shudder, went limp. In those last moments, a primal fear gripped it – the realization that it had encountered a predator unlike any other.

As its strength waned, Aiden felt the pressure on his throat loosen. Finally, with a shuddering breath, the monkey went limp.

Aiden collapsed beside the still creature, his chest heaving and body trembling from the exertion. The taste of blood filled his mouth, and a wave of nausea washed over him.

He had won!

….