Chapter 29

The battalion of ape type monsters travelled through a long and winded path. From the looks of it, it seemed like the area where we (the monster prisoners) were being held was located underneath the actual base of operation of these ape type monsters. And when we finally made it to the surface, I was surprised by the sheer height and width of the monsters’ base of operation.

Looking around, I noticed that the area seemed to be shaped like a rough cylindrical object. In its central hollow part, there were some lumber sized branches that seemed to function as both a bridge and a support for the whole hollow portion of the place. And on the wooden walls that were enclosing the hollow portion of the area, there were some human sized holes which probably served as both an entrance and an exit for this place.

This place surely resembled a tower or maybe a light house. Was my first impression.

From my current position at the very bottom of the area, I couldn’t seem to see the ceiling of the place. And even though the absence of light was also a factor to consider as a reason, most likely, this tower-like place was just that high to the point that I couldn’t see the top even with that aid of my Night Vision skill.

While still looking up, I mentally asked. Just how high is this area really? And it was then that our group finally exited the place.

When our group finally made it outside, the true identity of the tower-like base all became clear.

Towering in front of us was a gigantic tree. And that tree, as you may have guessed, was the true form of that tower-like base. Surrounding that gigantic tree was an area full of greenery of plants. And just like my home forest and that swamp like area, this place also had a ceiling in which the only dim source of light was coming from. Though because of this ginormous tree, the whole jungle type area was being covered by the shades and shadows of those giant leaves and branches. Of course, that didn’t mean that the jungle type area was small by any means. In fact, this area was probably as expansive as my home forest and that swamp like area. It was just that the tree was enormous enough to cover that much of a space.

So, this is why I can’t seem to see the ceiling inside… I concluded while gazing at the giant tree in awe.

It was then the battalion of ape type monsters had split into three groups. Each of the groups consisted of three squads and for some reason, the three squads that were carrying us (the three monster prisoners), were all in a single group being led by the supreme commander of the raid which was the Tronobo.

After splitting into three groups, the ape type monsters proceeded to leap into action by the signal of the Tronobo. Following that, the ape type monster made full use of their agility and jumped from tree to tree just like some ninjas.

Upon seeing the outstanding ability of the ape type monsters to move in this dense forest, I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of fighting them in a place like this. Most likely, even with my enhanced agility when Haste was active, I would only be able to barely keep up if I fought them in an area like this. Seriously, I think that even those Lesser Banobos would be a huge threat for me.

What was most terrifying about all of these was the Banobos. For one, even though these three Banobos were literally carrying us on their shoulders, the monsters didn’t seem handicapped at all. In fact, the three Banobos were moving with even more grace compared to their Lesser Banobo subordinates. And then, there was also that Tronobo, which despite having a boulder like body, was still able to move with the same agility and grace as the three Banobos.

So, how come those trees weren’t even shaking or even yet, weren’t even making a noise when that boulder-like Tronobo lands on them?! That’s just ridiculous!! I internally screamed.

Honestly, the way the Tranobo moves seemed to completely defy the laws of physics. It was truly bizarre. Especially considering the fact that the monster was seemingly moving without being burdened by its size and weight. It was as if despite its size, the monster was as light as a feather.

Wait, something that defies the laws of physics? Don’t tell me… is it a skill?

If we were talking about something that could defy the laws of physics. Then, in this world, that could only be a skill. And judging by the movements of these ape type monsters, it seemed like a skill that every ape type monster has no matter what evolution stage they were in. If that was the case, only one skill category that I had seen so far would fulfill all of those conditions. And that was…

A Species Exclusive Skill… I surmised.

For now, I still had no idea what skill this ape type monsters have. But for us, the wolves, we were born with the Species Exclusive Skill called Call of The Moon. Which even now, because of the location of this area, I still haven’t used. And as for these ape type monsters, it looked like their Species Exclusive Skill was somehow related to moving between the trees like this. Of course, if you think that the effect was just that, then it would look like a pretty mediocre skill. The problem was, when it came to skills, there was some huge difference between simply understanding its effects, to seeing it in action. I knew that because I experienced it first hand with some of my skills. In fact, I even grew too dependent on one of them.

As I thought. Though its uses are limited, its effects are really powerful in exchange.

While I was thinking things like that, I was also observing and analyzing the formation of our group. And for some reason, the three Banobos which were carrying us (the three monster prisoners), were at the center of the formation. Directly ahead of us was the Tronobo. While surrounding us from both sides and the back were the Lesser Banobos. From the way it looked, it was as if the ape type monsters were protecting the three Banobos. No, it seemed as if they were protecting us (the three monster prisoners), from something. Honestly, the formation was strikingly similar to a high-profile escort guard.

We are already moving fast on top of being at this height. Yet these monsters are still being cautious about something? Is it really possible for other monsters to attack us at this point?

To be perfectly honest, the speed and height in which we were travelling were pretty ridiculous. On top of that, our group was also being led around by a really powerful monster. That was why I highly doubt that there were that many monsters that could or had the guts to attack a group such as this. But just a few moments later, I finally understood why these ape type monsters were being this cautious.

Out of nowhere, something sharp and fast flew in every direction. Fortunately, the ape type monsters reacted so quickly as if they were already expecting something like this to happen from the very beginning. But because of all those things flying around in a way that was clearly trying to prevent our march, our group wasn't able to continue moving forward. Of course, because of the ape type monsters’ mobility, not a single one of those attacks had yet to land. Though at this rate, our group would be stuck in a perpetual evasion and dodging maneuvers.

It was then that the Tronobo let out a roar that seemed to function as a command or a signal for the ape type monsters. Following that, all the Lesser Banobo dispersed and took a small branch or stick from the trees that were near them. Then after acquiring such questionable weapons, all the Lesser Banobo disappeared inside the dense trees. A few moments after that, the rain of sharp and fast objects finally stopped.

Without even waiting for the Lesser Banobos to come back, our group consisting of three Banobos and one Tronobo continued moving forward. Of course, being that I was an outsider, I certainly had no rights to question the decision of the leader Tronobo. But even then, I still couldn’t help but wonder why we didn’t wait for the Lesser Banobos (which were technically our body guards) to come back.

The trip proceeded without any more trouble after that. And when we were finally about to reach the end of the dense forestry, the Tronobo and the Banobos stopped just a few distances away from the last line of trees.

Looking around, I noticed that the other groups had also positioned themselves a little further away from us while cautiously looking up ahead. Curious as I was, I also looked up front only to see a huge mass of piled up dirt beyond the last line of trees. And for some reason, it was positioned near a hole on the wall that seemed to be the entrance and the exit of this place. But that wasn’t all, because there were also an enormous number of ant-type monsters crawling back and forth from that hole all through the mass pile of dirt.

Wait, is that thing an ant hive?! Was my immediate conclusion.

But then, all my thoughts came to a halt when I noticed the return of the Lesser Banobos which were helping each other out to carry a whole cut-upped tree. And without even any consideration with my confusion, all three of us (the monster prisoners) were instantly tied into the tree. Though for some reason, I felt like we were tied in a way that we could easily escape.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Don’t tell me this is what I think it is?! I mentally asked in panic.

Oblivious to the situation, the Savaga and the Hackclaw immediately tried to break free probably because they noticed that it was possible now. But before they even managed to break free from their bounds, the Tronobo lifted up the tree that we were all tied in and made a javelin throwing stance. A split second later, we were already flying towards the huge pile of dirt along with the tree we were tied in at a terrifying speed.

At that moment, I desperately tried to break free of my bounds. Because clearly, judging from the way that the events had proceeded, our role for this operation could only be one thing…

Damn it!! We really are the freakin SUICIDE SQUAD!!