The morning started with its peaceful ceremony, Majid resolved his conflicted heart. This is the world he wanted, where one's own life in one's hands. Win, and I'm gonna reap all the benefits, lose and another life continues the way. It was inevitable. And now it was a good time to take a step forward in his journey.

Swallowing the nuts like he's taking medicine, he made his last preparations. He looked at Fiery, unlike her usual self, she was standing, ready, looking back at him with fierce eyes.

'System apprize'

STATUS

.

.

Strength: 8/10 (injured) Agility: 10/12 (injured)

.

.

Vitality: 3/8 (injured) Stamina: 6/10 (injured)

.

.

Her stamina was the best it ever was since he met her. Yesterday, he didn't ask for more spars any longer past noon, it paid off. Her vitality didn't improve though, no wonder, that's why she was pressured to get to the spiritual source. They both looked at the little Foxy, he was resting his head on his arms, staring up at them with sad eyes. Fiery licked him a few times before they set off, whimpers following behind their back.

His heart beat faster and faster with each step he took, he can't stop nature. Fear never left his weak heart waiting in a dark corner like a stalker, waiting for the right moment to overwhelm him. But this time something else was present, fighting it. He was excited, he wanted that fight it means a lot to him, he gonna survive.

They make it to the end of the woods. The cave threatened from afar much like a skull's socket, warning its onlooker of the death, residing into the depths of its darkness. That didn't deter them though, they continued toward it. Majid was conflicted as they stopped before the cave. Over the night, he was helpless, unable to find a way to lure the beast out. He looked at Fiery hoping she has something up her sleeves. Not waiting for him to ask, she howled, a high pitched sound echoed in and out the cave, forcing him to close his ears.

Sounds echoed deep inside, one after the other in a constant rhythm. The ground vibrated slightly under their feet as the sound grew closer. The gray body emerged from the darkness, face first, bulges were In place of its brows, making the bags under its eyes darker. Yellow eyes glowed inside, with thin pupils letting off a sharp gaze. Packs of fur stacked on its shoulders, made it look like some general, ready for battle. The front of its head was bald making its face look long and vicious, with the wrinkles and scars of its glorious times. Long fungs hung down like two daggers, along with its claws hungry for blood.

The Gray Ape didn't disappoint him, its domineering nature not allowing it to accept trespassers, in what became its own territory. It climbed a boulder near the cave and looked down at them as they retreated to the clearing, showing its superiority. It didn't hesitate to stride after them, leaving deep footprints on the ground, as it got closer. Ripped muscles threatened as they twitched with each step, even the fur couldn't hide the strength in its arms which was thicker than its legs. The ape straightened its back towering over their heads, as it lets a resounding cry.

Fiery caught in fire, raising her head in dignity defying the beast, it engaged without blinking an eye. It circled around the ape, drawing all its attention and attacked from the sides like lightning. Her claws exploded with fire as they clashed, the attacks were several times more powerful than usual. The darks of Majid's eyes deepened at that, she was going easy on me, indeed. He was relieved, at least her speed wasn't much different. His role depended entirely on that.

Meanwhile, Majid started his move, keeping a safe distance he circled the beast, founding his way behind it. The steps symbol circled the Ape in his vision, an additional circle was present this time, about 6 meters radius. This circle was part of the level 2 steps technique, tracing the soul rage of the enemy, he kept outside of that range. watching their fight. Analyzing the Ape attacks, he adjusted the symbol size to its attacking range.

The Gray Ape was distracted. Even though the enemy was weak, not knowing what it planned was annoying, like an itch on its back, harmless yet can't ignore. It turned its head to look at Majid now and then, Fiery took those chances to attack. She wasn't able to deal great damage though, the Ape reacted fast and guarded its vitals well. About to clash again, Majid's heart was booming like crazy, still, he mustered courage and lunged toward the ape. It turned its head in surprise, only to find Majid backing away. Fiery attacked keeping the ape in check. He repeated this process many times, each time updating his estimations until he grasped its soul's range, about 3 meters radius. This time, he stood right outside of that range, disturbing the ape even more.

Just what the hell is this guy trying to do! the ape thought.

This was the plan he prepared, it gave him some confidence to step up despite his fear. He used the first stage of his plan to calm himself, and probe the ape. Evading was easier now that he found the attacking range. With the soul range, he can get closer undetected, and surprise attacks become possible. He can't be just a mosquito in this fight, it won’t work for long, the time to take part has come.

He channeled his Qi and took an attacking position. Fiery was about to attack, he took a deep breath before he waved toward the Ape as well. She was faster so the Ape can only focus on her, and braced himself for the other attack. Majid channeled Qi into his legs all the way to his hands. As he set his legs on the inner circle behind the Ape, a series of fiery punches bombarded it, He waved away timing his retreat perfectly with Fiery. Oh god, this is nerve-racking. The Ape turned its head toward him, it grimaced at him before it returned its attention to Fiery. What does that mean, he doesn't know if it was a smile or a scowl, it looked evil though that his legs weakened a bit. He focused back on the fight, setting that aside, he can't let himself get affected.

As time goes on, his hands started to feel numb. His punches and thrusts left some burns, but it wasn't able to pierce the ape skin. He understood what that stare meant then, it was obvious he wasn't dealing serious damage. The Ape paid him no heed anymore, it gave its fall attention to Fiery, bent on finishing her first, then the fight is over.

Racking his brain, he starts to hit different spots on its body looking for a weakness. Its private parts were hiding well otherwise he knew of well part to target. Well, there's that back eye as well, but... he didn't want to go to that extent! if all things fail though, maybe he has to dirty his hands after all.

He looked for another way, inspiration from his childhood hits him then, from the few fights he had. No matter how strong your opponent, hitting, or pushing him at the right moment and the right place brings him down. Back then it happened on occasions by chance, now he can do it at will, or at least try with his better understanding of the body balance. Whenever the ape stood, leaned, or attacked he would target the flaw in its balance. It wasn't a decisive factor, but he was satisfied, he recognized the annoyance in its face when it looked at him this time.

The fight continued for a while to a stalemate. Time wasn't on their side though, they must do something or retreat while they can. The beast suddenly gave its back to Fiery, it charged at him instead. They didn't have the time to get surprised, one of its hands rose about to attack him. Fiery rushed after it to intercept, but Majid was sure he was outside of the attacking range though. Before he could make sense of that, it was too late, the palm swung, but it continued past him. When they understood the implications it was too late to retreat. The palm slammed her like a truck, her body shot tumbling on the air, she crushed and rolled on the ground never to move again, silence followed.

Majid found himself with the worst scenario he feared, other than fighting inside the cave, he was stuck into a solo flight. His heart was trying to burst out of his chest, and his mind was cowering. By that time though he built a sizeable amount of confidence, though it was crumbling by the second, as the weight of the ape fall attention falls on him. Still, he brushed off the thought of escaping, decisively as soon as it comes, he hated betrayal. Fiery does her part without hesitation, she was hit because of him, so he needs to keep his word as well. He even felt sad at the idea of her demise, these foxes grew on him these few days. He would give her time to recover as much as he could, but he would retreat if can't take it anymore.

His mind sharpened, his eyes fixated on the Ape, it tilted its head to the side, as if amusing at the bug that stood its ground. It strode casually toward him, as the inner circle[1] in his vision reached his legs the ape lunged at him. Majid gave up on guarding, he can't take any of its blows, he sidestepped to the side, its hands smashed were he stood, a punch followed, swipe, a smash... debris scattered around. He danced between the blows, like a surfer under the wave's mouth, waiting for him to lose his footing, to swallow him whole, and crush him under the raging turbulence.

His heart stopped as he stepped on one of the debris. They were littering around the battlefield like landmines waiting for unsuspecting prey. A punch didn't hesitate to come after his faltering body, an explosion arced the Ape, it comes out of nowhere. The ape vanished from his vision to the side like a tree in the rear window of a speeding car. Its body tumbled a few times before it stopped and squirmed around. Looking between the Ape and the smiling Fiery in front of him, an awkward smile welcomed her back.

So it played dead heh, both these bastards are way cunning, well what do you expect, one is a monkey and the other is a fox.

Fiery faltered, but it steadied herself immediately, not before Majid realize how much damage she suffered, it wasn't all a play after all. He can't worry about her now, the ape got on its knee enraged, though a deep cut was on its side, it wasn't much affected, on the other hand...

Majid circled the ape again, as it rushed at Fiery, debris scattered with each step. They need to finish this fight as soon as possible. If this continues they would be the first to fall. But his role was almost meaningless at the moment. He might even get in the way, used as bait again. Is there any way he can make a difference, It was then he remembered something. The only reward he received of value. When he tried it out though, it was weak so he ignored it, now he had an idea, in the first place he has a supporting role in this fight, weak doesn't mean useless.

Majid burst toward the ape before even Fiery attack, she followed right after him, he channeled Qi through his hand and touched the Ape with his palm. The ape gave him no heed like before, especially with his move that awarded no sense of danger. Thus, he was caught off guard when the electric current invaded his nervous system, stunning him for a few seconds. Those few seconds enough for Fiery, she attacked blowing the other side, her claw left a deep cut. The burns couldn't stop the fresh blood from gushing out, smearing the ground as the ape body rolled a few times again.

Majid received an Analisis as one of his rewards, a lightning manual. He thought he got his trump card, the power was lacking, unfortunately, barely any electric arc showed, he would need time to grow his control. Back then his mind was obsessed with power, overlooked the potential.

Fiery continued her attacks capitalizing on their advantage, The Ape was rising its guard facing the series of attacks, on the other hand. Majid waited for the right moment before he goes for another stun. He knew it wouldn't work easily this time, so he channeled more Qi into it. Fiery goes after him for a big one again.

Cold sweet gathered on his forehead as he didn't feel the spasm he expected. Behind its fur and thick skin resistance, the ape channeled more Qi easily neutralizing his weak electric arcs. Between its crossed arms, a savage smile hid, the yellow eyes glowing with malice.