11 Exploring More of the Jungle

The next few days were filled with more of the same me honing my skills and catching more and more rabbits and during some days going to the village to trade out spoils.

I was getting better, now I could get 20 rabbits in a day and could catch 50% of the rabbits I tracked down.

Our campsite was also improving from all the trade. We now had an actual, some chairs and tables to gather around, a beginning of a small wall.

To be honest I don't know why people don't just live here. Barry said the pool was a sacred place and we wouldn't be attacked, and he was right.

While I had seen some of the massive tigers, panthers, and wolves come to drink from the pool they had never attacked us.

So feeling confident I walked deeper into the jungle, deeper than I had ever been before. Looking around the trees overhead became denser and denser.

After a while, I could even see the sky anymore. It was covered by the branches and leaves overhead.

Now I was nervous, as while I could see the jungle was now dense enough that it only helped me see the shrubs and vines around me. My visual range had dropped to around 5 meters.

To my side, I heard a rustle and suddenly a massive tiger lunged at me. I managed to duck and roll away before it could hit me. But then all it did was fade back into the jungle.

I craned my ear, now my only way of detecting enemies from afar. How good was my perception stat, I hadn't checked in a while.

It wasn't a good idea now but I swore if I had a free moment I would check. So I waited until once again I heard a rustle.

This time instead of dodging, I turned to the sound using the momentum gathered with that movement to execute a roundhouse kick directly at the tiger.

It connected and I could feel some of the bones I hit break. Too bad for me instead of hitting its head the tiger was smart enough to raise a paw to block it.

Now limping the tiger tries to run into the underbrush. I chased after it, trying to catch any noise it made or scent it left.

After chasing for a while I got complacent and suddenly the tiger turned around and lunged at me. I was midair after leaping off a tree so I couldn't maneuver well.

I made a decision. I twisted in midair dodging its gnashing teeth but getting scored on the side of the body by its sharp claws.

After I landed it lunged at me once more, but this time I was ready. I did Renewal Taekwondo Axe, an axe kick that landed directly on its head.

My kick was coming from above and its legs were not flexible enough to reach up and protect its head. I connected. Its skull shattered and blood showered all over my body.

I heaved in a huge breath. That tiger was much smarter than I expected. While it wasn't as fast or strong as me I need to remember that even people weaker than me can kill me.

It was the same as with Loyd. I underestimate him. This time however the enemy was actually good enough to capitalize on my mistake.

I cradled my side. While the wound was shallow and wouldn't affect my combat ability much I did hurt like hell.

I decided that it was enough hunting for the day so picked up the tiger corpse and started walking back to camp.

On the way back I heard multiple rustles from all sides. Shit, shit, I was surrounded. I immediately dropped the tiger and tried to jump up the trees.

But from above came a panther lunging down at me. In a panic, I executed a Hwechook trying to hit it in the head. I missed as I twisted in midair and dodged the blow.

It then landed on me hard. I could feel a few ribs break as I managed to wrap its teeth around my shoulder taking a deep bite.

In this short-range I executed an Arang, hitting the panther directly in its center of mass with my elbow. The shockwave I sent through its body liquified its organs and it fell down dead.

I stood up quickly, looking at the opponents around me. I was surrounded by 10 wolves. They all lunged at me at the same time.

In my desperation I did a modified spinning top kick, dropping on my back and rotating quickly to hit all of the wolves.

While it did hit them, it did not do much damage. Going on your back to essentially do a breakdance move is not exactly the best way to transfer force.

I did give myself the time however and I used it. I rushed to the wolf closest to me executing a Baekdu, hitting them in the face with my knee, killing it instantly.

Now I had broken the encirclement as I was facing all the wolves at once. Only having to worry about them attacking from in front.

I thought about running but they were wolves, they would easily track down my blood back to camp then I would have to protect Barry as well as worry about killing these wolves.

So I stood my ground. When the first wolf approached I hit it with a Renewal Taekwondo Silla and crushed its skull with a downward blow.

I then moved back with a Bo-bup to gain some distance. The next 3 wolves I hit with a Lowest Hwechook, kicking all in their legs, shattering them, and not allowing them to chase me.

After that I rushed into the pack of 5 remaining wolves with a Bo-bup. I let loose and few Fist Strikes killing the 3 wolves closest to me before dispatching the remaining 2 wolves with a Gor Yo kicking both of them in the head.

I had no time to rest however as now I was injured, exhausted, and deep in enemy territory. So I left the bodies and immediately rushed back to camp.

Thankfully no other animal attacked me but by the time I reached camp I was truly feeling my blood loss.

As soon as Barry saw he said, "My gods boy, what happened?"

I said, "Got arrogant, wandered too far into the forest."

He said, "Ok Ok can you walk? If we can just reach Warren he should patch you right up."

I nodded and with my good arm laying over Barry's back we rushed to the village. When we got there I remember voices then darkness, as I finally succumbed to my injuries.