Chapter 7 - Brawl With Gorilla
The Silverback Gorilla charged like a freight train, its massive fists smashing through branches and foliage as it barreled toward Zaboru. Each thundering step shook the ground, and its eyes burned with primal rage.
Zaboru remained steady, adrenaline surging through his veins as he dropped into a low stance, balancing his weight. His fists tightened, his breathing slowed.
'Timing is everything,' he thought.
The gorilla lunged, its powerful arm swinging in a wide arc meant to crush Zaboru. He sidestepped at the last moment, the wind from the beast's strike grazing his face. Using the momentum of his dodge, Zaboru twisted and delivered a Roundhouse Kick directly to the gorilla's exposed ribcage. The impact sent a ripple through its fur, but the beast hardly flinched.
"Damn! Tough bastard," Zaboru muttered, leaping back as the gorilla countered with a bone-shaking roar.
The gorilla pounding its chest, then swiped at Zaboru with both hands, aiming to pin him down. Zaboru ducked and rolled beneath the swing, coming up behind the beast. He planted both feet firmly and delivered a Back Kick to the gorilla's lower spine, enhanced with Strike Breathing.
The gorilla stumbled forward, bellowing in pain.
'That got its attention,' Zaboru thought grimly.
The gorilla spun quickly, its rage boiling over. It charged again, swinging its left arm in a feint before following with a powerful punch. Zaboru dodged to the side, ready to reposition himself, but the gorilla anticipated his move, leaping to its left to cut him off.
But Zaboru grinned. 'That's exactly what I wanted.'
Before the gorilla could land, Zaboru coated his legs with internal energy and sprang into action. His legs coiled like springs as he leaped into the air, "WHOOSH!" delivering a Flying Side Kick enhanced with strike breathing and internal energy to the gorilla's face.
"BAM!"
The impact echoed through the forest as the gorilla's massive body flinched backward, roaring in pain as it clutched its face.
Zaboru didn't give it time to recover. He dashed forward and delivered a Low Kick to the beast's left leg, his Strike Breathing and Internal Energy coating enhancing the force of the blow.
"BAM!"
The gorilla bellowed in agony, collapsing onto one knee. Zaboru capitalized on the opening, raising his leg high before slamming it down with an Axe Kick with Strike breathing and Internal energy coating onto the gorilla's exposed back-head.
"THUD!"
The gorilla fell onto its back, writhing in pain and roaring furiously as it clutched its injured head.
Zaboru retreated a few steps, breathing heavily. His muscles ached, and his lungs burned from exertion. 'Huff… that took a lot out of me. Let's hope it's exhausted too.'
But the gorilla wasn't finished. Its roar grew louder, echoing through the forest as its body trembled with fury. Its eyes burned even brighter, and steam seemed to rise from its body.
"ROARR!"
'Crap, it's even angrier now,' Zaboru thought, cursing under his breath. He reached into his pouch and retrieved a Stamina Potion he had scavenged from Oswald's corpse. Originally intended for trade, it now became his lifeline. He downed the potion in one swift motion, the refreshing energy spreading through his body.
The gorilla charged once more, slamming its fists into the ground with enough force to send tremors through the earth. Zaboru rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Springing up, he retaliated with a Powerful Hook Punch aimed at the gorilla's rib cage again, his fist coated with internal energy and enhanced with strike breathing.
"CRACK!"
The gorilla roared in pain again, stumbling slightly, but its momentum didn't stop. It swept its massive arm across the battlefield, catching Zaboru off guard.
Zaboru crossed his arms in a guard stance, reinforcing them with internal energy just in time to absorb the impact.
"THUD!"
Even with his guard up, the sheer force sent Zaboru flying backward, his body slamming into a tree. He groaned, his arms trembling from the blow.
'Damn it… if I hadn't blocked that, I'd be dead.'
The gorilla roared and charged again, faster this time. Zaboru steadied his breathing, forcing his body to calm as he prepared his next move.
As the gorilla raised its fists to slam them down, Zaboru retreated to a nearby tree and used it as a springboard. He launched himself onto the gorilla's arm, then Zaboru use its arm as springboard too before leaping into the air.
Twisting his body mid-flight, he delivered a devastating Spinning Jump Roundhouse Kick to the gorilla's face. This time, he poured every ounce of internal energy he could muster into the strike, "EAT THIS MONKE!"
"BOOM!"
The impact was immense, the sound reverberating through the jungle as the gorilla's head snapped back. Its massive body wobbled for a moment before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash.
Zaboru landed nimbly a few feet away, panting heavily as he watched the gorilla's unconscious form. He wiped the sweat and blood from his face, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
'Shit!,It's still alive after my strongest strike directly to its face, but i think this good enough if its dead there's a chance that its family will hunt me''
He didn't waste any time. The forest was dangerous, and the sound of their battle could attract even another deadlier predators. Zaboru quickly gathered his strength and retreated from the area, disappearing into the dense foliage as he resumed his search for a settlement.