It released a low growl as its tree trunk legs stepped forward heavily.
''Interesting, finally an opponent.'' The clone smiled aggressively. This beast isn't weaker than himself!
Luckily the clone could see the weakness is the beast's speed. Its large frame and heavy weight dragged it down.
The clone pulled out the small sword, bought with the last bits of cash Mark had left, and readied himself to fight.
The pitbull made the first move. It's mouth opened revealing a set of sharp but rotting teeth and a loud roar echoed.
The clone felt his body shake under the influence of the roar and Spiritual Energy.
However he didn't have time to focus, as the Pitbull ran forward aggressively. Every step causes pits in the hard ground beneath its feet.
The clone hurriedly leapt back, his legs placed against a heavy tree. And just as the pitbull was about to hit him, his body performed a beautiful summersault over the body.
''Hurgh!'' With an aggrieved and painful grunt, the Pitbull rammed heavily into the wood which was shattered instantly.
However the clone didn't give it time to recover, his body span like a dancer with the tip of his toes as leverage and the iron sword sliced heavily against the ass of the beast.
Immediately a deep cut appeared, revealing bones and flesh inside of the beast, but it didn't matter.
The beast only released a heavy grunt before turning around to attack Mark again!
This is the horror of the Creed. The bodies they possess are dead, and if they aren't already dead they die under their control.
Any wounds that could normally be fatal, is irrelevant.
The only way to win is by killing the parasite itself.
The clone hurriedly avoided the next charge, wrapping some heavy leaves in front of the eyes of the beast as it charged.
But this time he learnt from his mistake. Rather than attacking the body, his sword slashed towards the ankle of the beast.
With a disgusting squelch, the tendons were cut and the beast, unable to bear its weight on one leg, tumbled to the side.
''SCREEE'' The pitbull let out a shocking but high pitched screech as it pushed its body up onto three legs.
Unable to charge, its battle strategy changed.
The clone looked at the heavy snapping bites heading towards it, this would be threatening, but the pitbull can barely move.
The clone dived to the side, his body drenched with the wet mud below as he thrusted his sword up and through the head of the beast.
But this time, when it was retracted a thick black oil was spread across the sword.
The clone successfully killed the parasite within the beast's head.
After checking its body, the clone was disappointed to find that there was no Spiritual Core, but he picked the body up anyway and dragged it towards the city wall to sell it for credits.
At the same time, the one of the accompanying clones also shuttled between trees, his body twisting as he hid between leaves hiding his traces.
Occasionally a small rotting creature will appear from the bushes, only to be cut down and their corpses abandoned.
The same for the last clone. Only after thirty minutes of hunting useless creatures did they finally find an opponent. And even then it only had 100 Combat power.
Soon after another hour passed, the three clones met each holding their prey over their shoulders.
''Good hunt today, we should make a couple of hundred credits at least!'' The middle Clone holding the pitbull said happily.
The other two however were comparing their prey. One held an alligator and the other held a small baby bear.
Both small figures compared to the pitbull however.
The Middle Clone ignored them, and headed towards the shop. But just as they were about to arrive four bulky tattooed figures appeared in front of them.
''Can I help you gentlemen?'' The middle clone said politely. Faintly aware of the people's strength.
One with combat power over 200, the others below 200.
''Help us? I suppose so! Leave your prey behind and scram.'' The bulkiest figure said mockingly. His muscles flexed as he drew a long iron sword.
''And if we don't?'' The clone replied condescendingly.
''Then leave your lives.'' The man shouted bloodthirsty, as his men jumped forward towards the clones.
The clones also dropped their prey at this point, and pulled out their iron swords.
However the thieves seemed to have underestimated the clones. Only one of them had combat power comparable to Mark's clones, the rest were weaker than a Rank 1 Warrior!
So naturally they quickly fell into a disadvantage. The clones swung heavily, breaking their blocks as they tried to carry it through.
But the thieves had a number advantage, and their boss took on the clone himself, freeing one up to freely travel and protect.
So the battle was stuck at a stalemate. Whenever a Clone would almost kill a thief, the free one would appear blocking the blow.
However things changed quickly, the thieves resorted to petty tactics.
The boss's feet kicked up faint dust and kicked up dirt and mud into the eyes of the clone in front of him.
The clone coughed and his eyes stung, and while he couldn't see the boss's sword swung stabbing heavily into his arm.
The clone's arm was immediately severed from his body.
''Haha good one boss!'' The rest of the thieves laughed mockingly as they fought. They were confident that they would win.
But suddenly the Middle clone looked at his fallen arm, and remembered something.
His body is disposable!
Suddenly he leapt forward and grabbed the hulking figure of the man in front of him.
''Do it!'' He shouted as he used all his strength to stop him from moving.
''What the?!?!'' Before the man could realise what was happening, one of the other clones charged forward, pressing his sword through the hearts of both the clone and the thief.
The clone died naturally, but so did the boss of the thieves.
He clutched his heart as blood gurgled and fell down his body.
''Boss! You bastards!'' The thieves shouted, however a flash of cowardice appeared in their faces.
The suicidal behaviour of the clone freaked them out!
But before they could react, a clone appeared in front of one of the thieves. After one clone died, their combat power skyrocketed to 275!
The direction of the battle changed.