"You bitch! Why are you still standing there? Run!"
"Huh! "
Ryder exclaimed with his widened eyes, as he saw the "Kongs" approaching.
Scrutinizing towards the direction of the giant creatures, Ryder saw a long wide Quagmire lengthened against the running Leaf Clan trainees. Remembering what happened to the bunch of wailing Owls, he came to realize what had captured them at that time.
'The Kongs killed the Owls. Damn! '
After those thoughts, he quickly followed the Smoke Clan trainees. They had gone quite far from him though, but just after a couple of seconds, he got past them. Not quite long, he could be seen at least, a hundred meters ahead of them.
.
.
"The guy is such a runner", a boy with white hairs on his head said, peeking mainly at Ryder's legs as they hop and stump rapidly upon the wet red soil.
"What could you have expected, his legs are long enough to sprint in that motion", another dark-skinned, beer-bellied guy said, glaring at the boy with white hair.
"But running heedlessly with no looks at the back is a very bad idea. That 'thing' is trying to get himself killed."
"Uhh, who cares? If he dies, he will surely reincarnate. That's no big deal. At least, he hasn't attained any rank. He is still as negligible as we are", the fat Smoke Clan trainee said, ignoring the fact that Ryder might die.
"Anyways, I think we should run faster. Those things could approach us at any time", the white-haired trainee said and hastened his race, leaving the fat fool behind.
"Hey! Are you being serious right now? Common, you won't leave aren't you?", the fat trainee asked, furious.
"Of course, I'm going to leave you behind. Staying back with you here is just like willingly waiting for the Kongs to come get me... I mean the both of us", the white-haired boy cursed. Soon after, he continued his race forward to the boys who also seemed to be surprised by Ryder's mode of running.
.
.
They have run so far. Giving a long distance from the Kongs and the Leaf Clan trainees. However, they didn't dare to run straight. Ryder's skin had begun to itch him due to its contact with the hairy leaves nigh another swamp.
Of course, that's why it is called the Swamp Forest. A forest in which wetlands are crammed, at every possible spot.
After moments of a non-stop run. Ryder and the others decided to rest a bit. At least, a minute would do. Ryder was exhausted indeed, but was relieved after a successful escape from the giant monsters.
However, the fat fool just approached them right now. Some boys were startled as they sighted his fat shadow mistaken it for that of a Kong.
Sigh!
"You almost quenched our heartbeats, Matt!", the white-haired boy said, grimacing.
"Sorry, just trying to find you", Matt said.
"Haha. I thought the Kongs had killed you", the white-haired boy teased, chuckling.
"Why would you say that? Do you want me dead?", Matt asked with an infuriated utterance, glaring at the white-haired boy as though trying to clutch his gushing lips.
After some period of silence, Ryder decided to speak.
"Hey! This is not the time to rant, Matt. We need to get out of this... This 'Jungle'. "
"Really, I didn't expect those iconic words from your mouth. Rather, I would advise you to watch it and try to stay off the line, okay!", Matt warned as he stepped close to Ryder with a sore look pasted on his chubby face.
Though, Ryder responded with a bittersweet giggle, glancing back at Matt with a fearless exhibition.
"Are you threatening me? I don't give a damn about who you are and what you can do. What I can see here in front of me is just a Big Fat Fool", Ryder angrily cursed, peeking and facing Matt with a fierce look through his eyes.
He might have tolerated the bullies and cusses back at the Leaf Clan when he was still under the watch of the ridiculous masters, but now, that would never happen. He was ready to confront anyone in the face and yell back after any threat.
At this time, Matt became extremely angry. Looking at him from his head down to his toenails, it was truly shown that Ryder wasn't lying. After noticing that others were about to burst into laughter, Matt's heart began to burn to the extent that he was about to punch Ryder in the face.
"Hey! Hey! Common don't do that! ", the white-haired boy exclaimed, trying to stop Matt's fist from hitting Ryder's pale cheek.
"Tsk. Are you trying to punch? You should have done that and get your arms ripped off in return. You fool", Ryder said, blustering with anger.
"You are nothing but a little chip!", Matt cursed.
"You are nothing a Big... Fat... Fool", Ryder gave back his.
However, Ryder didn't think he could face Matt one-on-one if they were given the chance. He just got to free out the anger that was in him due to the bullies. After this, he thinks he feels good.
"Look everyone, this is not the right time to do this. If you guys want to bring on a fight, then it should be after we leave this forest and when the war is over. Everyone should stay calm", one of the boys whose outfit was completely different from the others said and looked at Ryder. "You should watch your mouth. You know you are not part of us."
'What a nasty bitch. '
Ryder angrily left that spot and continued moving. Unfortunately, they have forgotten about the Leaf Clan trainees who were chased by the Kongs.
'I want them dead. Then before they get reincarnated, I should have been ranked in the Dormant level I guess.'
Nonetheless, trainees are regarded as "No level" individuals. They are seen to be weak humans who are trying to learn how to get strong in the academy.
But when it comes to the system. A person without a system is called a Dormant ranked individual just like the trainees. However, there is only one way to get a system, and that is to obtain an Ability Stone.
The Ability Stone is responsible for the continual leveling of a system and periodically, it nurtures Lifespan increase. When the Ability Stone is absorbed, it is recorded as a Core Record and ranked as a Soul Power.
Also, an Ability stone has its own specific functions. Which was to grant different varieties of unique powers to a human. Nevertheless, it also had limits for a particular individual. For example, a human with a Dean intellect is liable to get only a hundred ability stones or less. The Intellect type of a human determines the amount of Soul Power obtainable.
Though, not all humans have been able to get an ability.
Soon after, Ryder and the Smoke Clan trainees reached a cold waterfall. Glancing around the area, they discovered that there was no way to get past the gushing waters.
The waters rolled down from atop a lofty mountain standing above other peaks around the mountain chain. Surprisingly, the water was not red in color, which made the Smoke Clan trainees and even Ryder astonished.
"The Red Rain usually affects all water bodies in Verbot including the Grey Lake. Why is the Swamp Forest's waterfall not red?", the white-haired boy asked, surprised about the whole thing.
"I don't know either, maybe things have changed", the different costumed boy said and looked at the white-haired boy who stood close to Ryder. Things change every time, that's why we are receiving an unusual attack from the Aliens today. "
The white-haired boy nodded and walked close to the flowing water. As soon as he moved, Ryder quickly followed, leaving the others behind.
Matt chuckled and sniffed, staring at Ryder as though looking at stupid soups.
"Drake! I'm coming with you! ", one of the boys shouted and jogged up to meet Drake (the white-haired boy).
"Common Ken where do you think you are going", Matt said furiously.
"I'm staying back. I don't wanna die", Ken said and continued his jog.
The others decided to stay back, while Ryder, Drake, and Ken walked towards the main spot of the largely dropping waters.
Ryder was perplexed. Getting no sight of any alley was just as though they had gotten lost inside the Swamp Forest. The water overflowed every single corner of the forest, causing multiple amounts of trees to fall flat due to the weakness of their roots.
They kept quiet as they walked. Ryder and Drake were close to each other as they strolled, but no one endeavored to utter a word. Even Ryder, himself, never wanted to talk. To him, the people of the Smoke Clan were another weak figures trying to be what they could never become.
Fear splashed into Ryder suddenly after they heard shouts. Turning to the direction of the noise, they came to discover that it was Matt.
"A Monster!"
"What the...", Ryder mumbled and paused.
Another giant creature was seen back at the spot the other Smoke Clan trainees stood. Its three wide eyes stared at the other trainees who were already running towards the waterfalls. The Monster had short but thick shanks that stood steadily as they pounced on its prey. It has no fangs, but its finger was as long as that of a short sword. Imagine a creature whose arms were attached to his waist. Then its head found itself on the shoulders, without a neck.
They watched Matt's skull get crushed by the hefty fist of the monster. And saw as it feasted on his flesh and bone, leaving not even a drop of blood.
After finishing with Matt, it was now time for God knows who. Ryder was running as fast as his legs could carry him, but unfortunately saw that he was running into the waterfalls. They were terrified. Even the different costumed boy feared for his life.
Not up to half a minute later, another boy screamed for help as his arms were grabbed by the monster.
"Gosh! It's running so fast!", Ryder told Ken who was running close to him. Ken was also a fast runner but he couldn't measure the same spot with Ryder. At least, he was close, better than others who were likely to die in turns.
They continued to run around the waterside, trying to find the right way out of the waterfalls. Ryder was highly exhausted, and so did the rest. However, they were only five remaining. Drake was among and Ken was still alive, right behind Ryder.
But at a point, Ryder could no longer run. He became so tired to the extent that he fell on the floor, making the others scream. He saw the monster approaching him, but he couldn't make a move. He tried, yet, his limbs refused to respond.
The monster was in front of him now and had raised its fist, about to bang it upon Ryder's innocent skull. Seeing that he couldn't do anything anymore, Ryder closed his eyes and prepared to die hard.
"No!!!!"
Drake shrieked, almost in tears. But he was forced to continue running. The winds blew heavily, hurling the dry leaves of old trees into the waters. And before anyone could know it, an evasive blitz launched from nowhere, and blasted the giant Monster, scattering its flesh and blue blood everywhere.
Ryder opened his eyes, stunned. Glancing around, he saw the stinking meats of the monster disbanded into fragments. Everyone smiled, except the guy with a different outfit.
Before attempting to stand up, something strange appeared in front of him showing some understandable phrase.
[ Congratulations. You have attained a system. You can now take the Ability Stone inside the heart of the Blue Monster and absorb it.
Gripping bonus: +½ S-coin.
Absorption bonus: +½ S-coin.
Verify Scar System. ]