Gentle and soothing winds brushed against Adam's face as he jumped from the bank of the river and easily landed on the other side.
The river's breadth was at least a hundred meters, but after having just advanced to Organ Stage, where every part of his body except for his nervous system had been strengthened and reinforced, jumping such a distance came as easy as walking to him.
After Adam landed on his feet, he turned around and glanced at the large group of baboons on the other side of the river, who seemed like they were merrily sending him off to his death.
He couldn't help but purse his lips. "Looks like these guys don't like me all that much."
"Hmph!" He turned back around and started to walk with his arms clasped behind his back. "Well, lucky for me, I'm strong."
The old baboon leader had requested him to take care of a nuisance who resided in the dark forest just past the river. This nuisance in question was a Dark Leopard!
It was a magical beast with strength rivaling the old baboon leader—Neural Stage. Despite the latter knowing that Adam had only just advanced to an Organ Stage Magus, he still asked him to take care of the Dark Leopard.
Perhaps the old baboon thought very highly of the youth's capabilities. Or maybe he was simply angry at Adam for consuming one too many of those colorful eggs.
Either way, the baboon leader promised that if he could deal with the Dark Leopard once and for all, and bring back its corpse as proof, he would be given a substantial amount of gold and platinum coins.
Adam happily accepted this deal. Although the reward was nice, he also didn't like what the Dark Leopard did to these baboons, especially the kids.
Apparently, this magical beast would sneak into the baboon settlement every now and then and prey on young and helpless baboons. This had been going on for quite some time now and even the leader of the tribe was helpless against the beast.
After all, the Dark Leopard was skilled in shadow magic. Moreover, from what the old baboon had told Adam, this magical beast could also dabble in illusion magic!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Adam had stayed with the baboon tribe for eight months now, so naturally he had gotten a little attached to its members. Especially the young baboons whom he adored very much.
During his training retreat, when he felt that things would get too repetitive, he would find these kids and play with them.
So taking care of the Dark Leopard could be considered his 'thank you' gift to the tribe that had accommodated him in these past few months.
As Adam gradually approached the dark woods, whistling a lullaby and displaying a nonchalant attitude, Valerian stuck his head out from within his robes and asked nervously, 'The old monkey said that the leopard can use illusion magic… Brother, will we be alright?'
Adam patted Valerian's head and said confidently, "Don't worry, Little Val. No illusion in this world can trick your big brother. I can see through them all. Kekeke!"
'Is that so?' Valerian asked excitedly. 'Will I also be like you?'
"Hmm…" Adam stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Perhaps. Who knows? You might be even better than me."
"Myu! Myu!" Valerian clapped his tinny paws in joy. He always did like getting praised by Adam.
As the duo casually talked to one another, it didn't seem like they were going into the lair of a powerful magical beast to hunt it down. Instead, they looked like they were going on a stroll.
However, Adam could feel the change in the atmosphere. The air was thick with an eerie stillness and a cold gust of wind blew through the trees, causing the youth's expression to turn slightly solemn.
He pushed down Valerian's head further inside his robes and softly said, "Let's not get too cocky, yeah?"
Adam learned his lesson from the last time. If it wasn't for his sheer arrogance while fighting Kevin and the rest, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state after the battle.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Perhaps he could have finished things more efficiently, and without being sent to death's doorsteps on more than one occasion.
"Myu!" Valerian nodded and adjusted himself. Now, only his eyes
—and everything above them—were sticking out from within the youth's robes.
The young dragon curiously looked around, his topaz eyes shining with wonder.
The trees seemed lanky with barely any leaves on them. Its branches twisted like skeletons, appearing extremely sinister.
Dark purple leaves littered the ground, forming a thick carpet. Every step Adam took, caused a crisp sound to echo in his surroundings.
He looked down and shook his head. The sound of his boots stepping against the dried leaves and undergrowth was sure to alert anyone nearby. Unable to do anything, he could only shake his head and continue to venture into the depths of the forest.
…
In the heart of the dark woods, the Dark Leopard slowly opened its eyes, displaying its emerald pupils that were gleaming with coldness.
It had just sensed someone encroach upon its territory and was quite surprised that someone had actually come here. This part of the woods barely received any visitors, after all.
Sensing movement not far away, it slowly got on all fours.
The sleek and darker-than-night fur on the Black Leopard made it seamlessly blend with the darkness in its surroundings.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Furthermore, it activated a spell the next moment, causing its shadows to envelope it and making it appear nigh invisible!
A predatory light shone in its emerald eyes as it slowly approached its prey.
The most peculiar characteristic of this leopard was its tail. At the end of its tail was a barbed chunk of flesh that gently flapped open and shut as if it were breathing.
From within this barbed flesh, gray smoke would materialize from time to time, producing an illusory miasma around it.
After searching for not long, the Black Leopard finally located its prey - a young human!
It slowly approached its prey from the side, its presence undetectable, and its footsteps as silent as the grave. However, it didn't attack him. Instead, it stayed about ten meters away from its prey and prepared to cast an illusion.
The beast waved its tail, the barbed flesh at the end of the tail opening and pointing to an area a few meters in front of Adam.
Following that, a second Black Leopard—an illusion—came into being right in front of Adam, causing the latter to become vigilant and get into a fighting stance.
"Beast, you finally showed yourself!" The youth screamed heroically. "Prepare to die!"
As the illusion of the beast slowly advanced toward Adam, baring its sharp fangs, the real beast had already placed itself behind him, patiently waiting for the opportune moment.
The instance Adam would start engaging with the illusion was the moment it would attack from behind and instantly kill the youth.
Such was the way the Dark Leopard hunted its prey. It would deceive their senses, then take them by surprise, and finally send them to the afterlife unaware of how they even died.
