Chapter 13 Exploring the city

Ajax woke up early in the morning laying down in the same spot he started his evolution from last night. Seeing that it was still early in the morning, he quickly got up and ran to the window that was still open during the night and entered. Closing the window, he slowly crawled into bed trying his best not to wake Tim up. Now laying down face up, Ajax summoned his status.

Name: Ajax [lvl 10]

Exp: 0/1500

Race: Primate [chimpanzee, Martial Ape]

Strength: 37

Defense:27

Agility:33

Intelligence:25

Endurance: 22

Skill points: 10

Skills: Warrior [lvl1], language [lvl3], , Observation [lvl1], Spear Fishing [lvl2], , Wind enhancement [lvl2], Cooking [lvl3], Perception [lvl1].

Looking at his skills, Ajax became alarmed at the new skill and panicked a little about what had happened to his previous skills. Trying to figure out the cause, he looked at the warrior skill.

Warrior: A passive innate ability of a martial Ape. Because of previous combat skills, host was able to combine the three skills into one making it stronger. The warrior ability is an innate skill that allows the host to develop more combat sensibility and improves intuition when it comes to fighting allowing host to better predict opponents moves in fights and attack vital areas stronger.

Seeing this, Ajax became speechless at the amazing innate ability he gained. He also took the chance to look at his new perception skill.

Perception: Allows the host to easier sense any life forms or any danger in in his surroundings within 5 feet.

Although 5 feet isn't particularly a big effect, it will come in handy when battling multiple opponents as he can just sense any incoming danger that comes within 5 feet to him. Looking at his stats, he became more and more happy of the evolution that he just took. Thinking back to when he was thinking about the two decisions of whether to stay as an ape or turn into a human, he didn't regret it one bit. He also reminded himself, humans can't possible evolve into a stronger being can they? Thinking that it was not possible, he just felt an overwhelming satisfaction. Feeling the power coursing through his body, he was excited and felt ready he wanted to go fight something strong in order to get a better outlook of his strength. Next, Ajax put 5 skill points into intelligence and the last 5 into endurance. As Ajax was now in a city full of humans, he knew he needed to pick up on their language faster and higher endurance can allow him to fight longer periods of time.

Feeling a slight move, he saw that Tim was beginning to wake up, he suddenly jump back and fell to the ground and stared at Ajax full of surprised and a little of fear.

" Ajax? is that you, how did you change so much overnight" asked Tim still staring at the ape before him.

" Yes, last night I went out and happened to evolve" explained Ajax.

" Evolved,? I guess you have reached the threshold of your strength last night when you killed those bandits. Father told me that most beast that rely more on their intelligence than their beastly instinct could evolve, it seems that it is true. He also said that it is most common among us apes because we possess similar qualities with humans" said Tim. " he also said because of the fact that we are also similar to humans, our evolution path is very narrow and there are many limitations and conditions one needed to have to be evolve.

Listening to the new information flooding in, Ajax was greatly surprised. He was expecting that Tim did not know what evolving was and was ready to explain what evolving was and that it was special only to him. He did not expect Tim to already know about evolution and also agreed with the conditions part because it was because of a few life style and magic conditions that allowed him to choose two different paths.

Ajax decided to take a closer look at himself in the mirror and was surprised at his outlook. He looked a bit taller from the day before and he was covered with less fur. Although still covered in fur, the hair was a lot shorter but it looked a little more like armor as it looked extremely tough as an thin outer layer protection from his body. His muscles also grew in size making him have an imposing look with just muscles a lone. He also noticed some change in facial features. His mouth was not sticking out of his face as much as before. Taking a closer look, he was starting to look a little human. For a ape he looked a little handsome and neat even as he continue to stare at himself in amazement.

As the two begin to get ready to explore the city, they heard a knock on the door. Hearing the knock on the door, Ajax walked to the bed and saw Mary there, with a different attire from yesterday. She wore a light tan pants that were interlaced by black lines which made her legs and outlook popping. She had a white flowery blouse long sleeve shirt that complimented her clean pretty face and features. Seeing Ajax open the door, she immediately noticed the difference between the today and yesterday.

" Did you evolve last night?" Asked Mary full of surprised.

" So she also knows about evolution huh, Yes I did, must've been from killing those bandits yesterday" said Ajax as he thought and answered her question.

Getting back on topic on the reason why she came to Ajax in the first place she said, " My father wants to meet you and thank you properly for helping us last evening"

Nodding his head, Ajax had Tim follow and had Mary lead the way. They went up the stairs and reached a door at the front of the stairs with two guards posted on both ends. As the three went by and through the door, they were not stopped as they were already informed of their household leader had already informed them. As the three entered the room the room they saw a large long table that was faced horizontal not far from where they were. As Mary brought the two in, she went and stood behind her father not intending to leave them by their self. Seeing her daughter act like that, he knew that she would not listen to his request if he wanted to speak to the two alone. It seems like Mary was quite fond them or at least one of them.

As Ajax came in, he saw the figure that had a really strong aura. He saw was also startled and was trembling a little as he felt like the person in front of him was way too strong to handle if he so much as wished to kill them two. The figure was of a tall man even though he was sitting down, he was already as tall as the back seat holding his back upright. He had Blonde golden hair, that reflected the sunlight when it hits his hair. He had a light golden beard that one can tell his age to be around the mid 30s. Although he looked around this age, if you look at his deep brown eyes, you can see unimaginable power and life still brimming through ready for combat anytime. he had on a light red coat that had fur of some animal that outlined some parts of the coat. the coat was opened wide and you can see his white buttoned shirt with the powerful pecks that was hidden underneath his shirt.

As Ajax saw Tim trembling, Ajax came forward bowing slightly and said, " Hello, I am Ajax this is my companion Tim".

Bowing is always considered as proper manners when greeting people of very high status. As the status of a city lord and noble, he felt that it may be necessary to get on a proper start.

Surprised by the courtesy that was displayed, the man replied, " Hello Ajax, I am Lord Alfred. Thank you for meeting and allowing me the chance to thank you for saving my family and soldiers." His voice not too loud or intimidating , it was projected well and gathered some form of respect as he thank Ajax. He continued, " My wife told me that you wanted more knowledge. What does a 2nd tier beast like you want knowledge for" this time with a more intimidating voice with a slight killing intent lingering in the air.

Seeing the change in atmosphere, Ajax did not feel scared or threatened, he knew that this was probably a test, but if he proved unsatisfactory, then might also be killed immediately, after all, he was a beast and one too powerful can cause harm to the city. As the city lord he was expected to eliminate unforeseen threats to his territory.

Feeling the atmosphere changing, Ajax gave his answer, " I simply want to just see more of the world and what it has to offer".

As Lord Alfred had heard the word 'offer' he immediately got up and sent a punch towards Ajax. Seeing the punch coming towards him, Ajax did not move or blink and just stared at it. Right when the punch was about to land on his face and possibly kill him, he stopped and Lord Alfred said, " What do you mean by 'offer'".

" The joy it can bring, the sadness, the danger, the rich, the glory, I want to experience them all" said Ajax as he loudly proclaimed as if telling not just the person in front of him but what world itself and the god that brought him into this world.

Hearing his words, Lord Alfred continued to look at Ajax in silence, he was utterly speechless as heard the words of the beast in front of him. Such a proclamation almost made him laugh, like hearing the words of a beast that was many times weaker than but stopped as he saw the determined look in his eyes.

" Hahahaha. Interesting, extremely interesting. As long as you don't possess a threat to my city or kill innocent people, then do as you like, if anyone in the city tries to obstruct you, show them this" said King Alfred as he gave him a shiny golden emblem with a griffin on both sides of the coin.

After this small incident that happened, the two did not see the amazed and surprised Mary and the shivering ape. The two continued to chat and learned more about each other. Lord Alfred knew some detail about Ajax from Mary but decided to ask more about him himself. The reason why Lord Alfred's family had an emblem of a griffin was because their ancient ancestors once rode a griffin into battle and helped saved their King when the King was in dire situations. Granting them the last name Walker and the status of a noble family. Although griffins were now nearly extinct, their history was still widely known as great power. After talking about many things, the Ajax and Tim left the room.

As the two left and headed towards their room, Ajax said, " Did you understand anything that we talked about"

" A little. I'm still trying to learn and understand their language" replied Tim.

"Only I will be leaving this room mansion. I will be going around the city to look for things and information about the place and territory we are in. I can also learn about many things about the forest that is in our home and the many mysteries that it may hold. While you can stay, I ask Mary if I can ask a maid or somebody else to teach you how to speak and understand how to communicate better. This will be vital as we may come across many humans and other species of creatures that we have never seen before and may need to know how to approach them and avoid dying in the process".

" Okay, I understand" said Tim slightly depressed as he knew he might be stuck in the mansion for awhile.

Seeing the Tim like this, Ajax knew Tim was excited to see more of the city too but decided to force him to learn and prepare more. He said, " Don't think it about it too much, since I've established a good connection with the city lord, we can come and go as we please. So just focus on learning and after a few days, we will go back to the forest to continue to get stronger".

" okay I got it" replied Tim has he hurriedly nodded his head as he was thinking about getting stronger again.

After getting everything ready, he wore a pants that he had found inside one of the drawer file. he only put on a pants because he felt that it would be weird just being naked out in public where children can see might be slightly inappropriate. Although he is now an ape, he felt that blaming that he was a beast and not human was not a good excuse for being naked and showing everyone his jewels. After wearing the pants, he also put on his backpack and carried some rations and the money he got from killing the thieves and the money from Tim when he killed the bandits.

Ajax walked out the mansion and started heading inwards towards the town. He wanted try out the local food and see if he can find any demi-humans that are part of many fantasy novels like elves and dwarves. He wanted so see people cast magic and wanted to buy many things that he could not recognize from his world. As these thoughts came to mind, he has finally reached the market area. It was filled with different and unique stores that sold different clothing's and jewelry. He saw many of the food stands and tried a bit of every one of them. Although the food was sometimes bland with just slight seasonings, it was a new experience because of the many types of animals that they prepared. He would also receive occasional stares because of his odd appearance of being an ape that just had a pants on, but after he showed the emblem that Lord Alfred had given him, they soon turned away ignoring him again with a respectful gaze. After enjoying his time in the market, he then started to look for a library or a place that held historical knowledge. After walking for half a day and asking directions from the local people, he had finally arrived at the archive that was place as a library.

The local people did not know what library was until he described what he meant and told them they had an archive where a person can go and look at. It had many historical books and books about all the creatures that has been seen so far and recorded down. They also had books about different life plants and their habitat as well as uses. Arriving at the archive, he saw white stone pillar at the top of the steps. with huge golden doors in the middle. the buildings itself looked to be just a giant triangle roof with side walls to hold it in place. As Ajax entered the with the identification of Lord Alfred, he immediately went out too look for information about the forest that he was in.

The Sun Forest was once home to many fearful creatures. A long time ago, there was a beast king that governed the whole forest. He sent many monster hordes to attack several of the human civilizations around it. He wanted complete dominance as he began to strive for more power. But after an eventful day of a big battle between the beast king and its subordinate against the King and his nobles that fought four three days and three nights, the beast king was successfully killed and king was severely injured. After the death of the beast king many of its subordinate chose to split the land and no longer sent hordes to attack any city. However as time passed and their numbers grew, the subordinates in the forests would send a few hordes as if to regulate the forest population and the human population from getting to populated.

After reading about the Sun forest, it made him think about his main quest of conquering the forest and what the inheritance was. He picked up a book about many beasts recorded. Tier 1 beasts were beasts that were known to only operate on animal instinct and very few would possess intelligence. Tiear 2 beasts were beasts that were able to think and communicate with humans on some level but not completely. Tier 3 beasts are ones that are able to command a great number of beasts under them and have the knowledge and strength of how create their own civilization Tier 4 beasts ones that were strong enough to take over the forest and cause massive damage to human civilizations. Tier 5 beasts were once that were able to cause a threat to a whole kingdom level civilization where they had devastating power and had a large amount of creatures underneath them. They were also the most rarest ever seen as they had to have an ancient bloodline or possess an extremely long life.

After reading about beasts he looked towards the book about plant life but would only occasionally flip through them just gathering some basic knowledge. As the day was starting to end, he went to grab a snack from the food stall and went back to the mansion to rest. This continued on for a few more days of just resting and reading, soaking up everything that he could to better prepare himself for the future.