Chapter 10

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Battle Instincts

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Setting down the carcass, he picks up a spare knife he made, and starts cutting through the skin. A disgusting smell wafts in as he cuts the beast apart. Trying not to mind it Teng continues. He needs to use some of his energy to keep the cuts going.

Soon a whole two metre skin of it presents itself. Teng knows you have to boil it, but that’s about all he knows. He builds a pot out of one of a nearby trees, then adds water. After he starts a fire. Once it starts boiling, he throws the snake skin in.

After checking on it now and again, while training some spear skills, he finally pulls it out of the wooden pot. Luckily these trees are resistant to fire, at least of low temperatures. Satisfied with its progress he lets it dry and air out.

After stitching it together with some vines, Teng finally has a form of protection. Not perfect, but still gets the job done.

Feeling hungry for more energy, he heads back out for another day of hunting.

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Heading to the outskirts of the volcanos that are in the south Teng sees numerous sea creatures on the way. Not a threat for Teng however. Small clusters of crabs a metre in length stretch the sea shore, and into the jungle. Not willing to waste time on them he tries to move around them. He does still encounter a few and makes short work of them giving him small boosts in energy, but not as much as the snake creature though.

Thinking this is a worthwhile spot to hunt, in the outskirts of the jungle, he decides to actively hunt the crabs. After hunting nearly fifty crabs proved beneficial, boosting his cultivation to around 120 energy. A good harvest for Teng he remarks. Thinking of calling it a day, he decides to scout a bit before heading back. He heads in closer to one of the lush volcanoes.

His scales from the snake creature proved decent armour when a crab caught his leg. Although the crushing force was still very painful. With his new strength in his body he can somewhat resist it. Its more useful for blocking piercing attacks.

The crabs being not too smart, just a little aggressive aren’t too hard to fight. Teng plans to make it his hunting ground for now. After gaining height in the volcano he glances down below.

A vast view stretches out below him, with an ocean that stretches far and wide. Trees that cover nearly every part of the island, besides a small part of the valley north, and the mountains west. Him being South west of his camp, on top of one of the volcanoes.

Behind Teng up above, he sees the rift still pouring out the newfound energy. It hasn’t shown much disturbance after the first shockwave, but as long as its still there Teng will not rest.

Just as he is about to head back, he sees shadows moving in the distant below. Not sure what they are, and curious if it is a new hunting ground for him, he moves forward. Getting up close he is horrified to realise it’s the same snake beast he defeated yesterday. A small camp of sorts, numbering hundreds.

Teng is nearly hundreds of metres away, but that doesn’t stop them from noticing him. With no time to think, bone spears are hurled at him. Ducking for cover Teng, rolls and moves quickly down to the forest, hoping for some cover. Spears seem to be missing mostly, but to throw spears at him from hundreds of metres is a feat in itself. Not wanting to be trapped on this volcano he moves swiftly down north east. The creatures seem to be on the south west side.

As Teng moves, the sun is setting, but he still hasn’t lost them. Dozens still follow him. No idea what he did to offend them, why they would go to such lengths. Looking down he suddenly realised he is wearing their scales as armour. Well that makes sense. No need to think about it now, as Teng rushes onward. He moves quickly through the dense jungle.

Before he gets too far a spear is hurled at him from behind. Not waiting to see, just hearing a whistling sound, Teng throws himself to the side, to see a spear hit the dirt where he was running to. That could have killed him!

Completely furious Teng turns to face them. He is sick of running anyway, it seems they have more endurance them him, just a little slow on dirt. He has already lost most of the group so decides to kill the rest.

Seeing one approach he doesn’t waist anytime. Willing it, water spreads out from his wooden container. This makes it easier instead of creating water out of moisture in the air. It coils around Teng’s arms and legs making him nimbler, as well as stronger. He heads for the one on his left, before they try to trap him like an animal.

Completely unprepared from its prey that ran for over an hour it barely registers the attack. In a battle, a second can decide victory in an instant. Its head pierced by Teng’s spear.

Jumping a few steps back as bone spear overextends in front of him. His left arm lashes out with a makeshift water piston. The beast has a strong grip on its bone spear so doesn’t lose it, but is thrown off balance. Teng seizes the chance to pierce his neck, leaving a big enough gash that it will not recover.

Teng continues to aggressively attack, not showing any openings. He has honed his battle instincts over various fights with beasts on the island. However, his opportunity to fight intelligent creatures are very little. Thankfully they fight similar to a beast, besides their weapons.

The fight doesn’t last long, as Teng decided to go all out, not wanting any reinforcements to arrive. Soon nine snake creatures lay dead at his feet. Not wanting to stay any longer, he leaves the loot behind, only picking up a bone spear.

Safely returning to camp Teng throws down his gear and meditates. This battle has given him much insight into how to apply his strength in his fights. Reflecting on it will help him. He also has to constantly pay attention to his energy consumption, not willing to overdraft himself in a fight.

Thinking like this over an hour passes, until darkness creeps in. After he is down reflecting over his fight, and any new insights he grabs a fruit to eat, before heading to sleep.