Disregarding the weeping Jedo, who miraculously produced tears, Dyne kept firing at an impressive rate and wounded the apes who were rushing. With Rena now shooting attacks, the Apes were getting furious and furious. Dyne’s bows had a strange method of moving that their attempts to evade all failed.

Dyne was trained in various weapons, and the bow was among them. But now, he could direct the arrows' movements making him an even deadlier archer.

“Now!” Dyne shouted as the Apes passed through the location where Trina and Lucas hid.

The couple emerged and ambushed the Apes that Dyne had shot. The Apes were limping as the attack struck their legs and the sudden attack of the couple brought them down.

Trina and Lucas did as Dyne instructed. Their ambush was aimed at 'that' part of the Kong Apes.

Being the only vulnerable part, the Kong Apes naturally hid it by running on four legs. And that position allowed the couple to hit it easily.

The Apes fell into shock as the sudden pain permeated to the brain.

After hitting one, the couple would chase another Ape who was still running. Dyne’s arrows would cause the running apes to stop or limp, allowing the couple to catch up and perform the sneak attack.

As the Kong Apes were so focused on the enemy ahead of them, they didn’t notice the nut-cracking group that began to attack the Kong Apes.

“Sis, focus on killing the downed Apes.” Dyne ordered.

Rena then shot down the Apes that were wailing in pain. The concentrated energy that Rena released killed the apes that lost focus in keeping their defenses up.

Soon, only one Ape was left. And this Ape didn’t notice that his other companions were dead.

Dyne shot several arrows, which now had Dark energy. These arrows pierced through the legs and made it very difficult for the Ape to move forward. The black energy hardened the stick, making it hard and painful for the Ape to take a step forward. The Ape was once a great fighter until he took an arrow to the knee.

The Ape stumbled down and howled angrily, waiting for the other apes to rush forward. But then, after a few seconds of silence, the Ape turned around to see the dead apes.

Dyne was concentrating and focusing energy on one arrow.

The Ape was frightened as it saw this and began to limp and escape.

“Don’t attack it!” Dyne called out.

Lucas and Trina stopped in their rush and allowed the frail and limping Ape to escape.

Dyne used the Dark energy of Jedo and fused it with a small portion of his soul.

“Death that contains life.” Dyne smiled and admired his creation. He continued to focus and condense it on the arrow tip he was holding.

“Wha-what are you doing?” Jedo asked.

“Soul Mark. That way, I can always sense where that Ape is. Instead of looking for the base, it's better to help Ape lead us into the right location. The Slime God did it to that item and was able to communicate with it. He could track it if it weren’t for the great distance. All I need to do is mark his soul. Weren’t you able to do this too? In Legaia, Songi seemed always to know where Vahn’s team was. He marked Gala, didn’t he? On that first battle in East Voz Forest?” Dyne asked.

“I do have that power. So you’re using the game to predict my powers?”

“Yes. Strafe is a perfectionist. For that Songi to pop up at the right moment, especially with what happened in Sol Tower and how he kidnapped Gaza, I’m sure that Strafe made the necessary preparations. Your life was meant to become everything and more of what Jedo is in-game. Hence he added the Ra-Seru Yami and made you Time and Space to do all the in-game Jedo could do. But of course, how did Songi know the exact timing to appear? He even knew that Gala was in Rim Elm after Cort’s defeat! The answer was that Songi would use you to mark Gala.”

Sweat began to pour out of his face as he exerted great effort to remove his soul.

“But… how did you learn this?”

“Seemed pretty easy to do. Seriously, Jedo. I’m glad you managed to condense water, but please work on your Dark.” Dyne reprimanded.

Jedo wanted to argue, but he could see Dyne doing it.

Strafe was already numb at Dyne’s abilities.

“Of course, he can do soul mark…” Strafe sighed.

“He’s better than you. How long did it take for you to be capable of making a Soul Mark?” Strafe challenged the soul poison inflicting him.

The soul poison quivered and trembled, and Strafe laughed.

The Ape hadn’t run far as it was limping when Dyne released his arrow.

FFFTTTT!

The arrow flew with great speed and stabbed the Ape on its shoulder.

“ROAR!” The Ape roared in pain and kept retreating.

The group watched as the Kong Ape retreated.

“Master Dyne?” Lucas asked.

“Relax. I used my secret arts to leave a mark on that Kong Ape. It’s all part of the plan.”

“The plan? What’s the plan. Little Brother?” Rena asked.

“That Kong Ape is heavily wounded. Where will it retreat to?” Dyne asked.

“Back to its den! You said you marked it with secret art? Then that means you want to find its den?”

“Yes. I plan to look for it. I need to know its size, direction, how many Kong Apes are there. And once I gather all the intel I need and make the necessary preparations, I plan to sneak in on their den. Big Sis knows that I have two items to help me enter the den and retreat. Whatever is inside that den is something that can strengthen Jedo.” Dyne pointed.

“I see. With your Dimensional Storage Item, you can steal that item! The meteor!” Lucas was amazed.

“I don’t think I can steal that item. Aside from its size, it's too powerful. I only plan to use it to make Jedo stronger.”

“Then what are we going to do?” Lucas asked.

“I need to set up a base in the forest. It has to be a place unseen by human eyes and somewhere where the Kong Ape rarely explores. This is very important. If I succeed, we should have a shot at saving your village! So I need you guys to help me create that secret base where I can secretly train and, at the same time, make you three stronger! Soon, my clansman will be here!”

“Your clansman?!” Lucas was shocked.

Even Rena’s expression changed.

“I meant it when I said that I could save your village. So try to do as much as you can. Some ten or so men would probably arrive soon.” Dyne smiled.

“But, Master Dyne. I don’t think we have the strength to move in the forest alone or stay here for a day! Even with my strength, it’s tantamount to suicide!”

“That’s why I executed my plan when we are still in the fringe regions of the Kong Apes. I plan to follow that Ape alone while you guys remain here and look for a great spot! As for how I will find you and how you can move in this forest, I will leave Gyoro and Ururun to you.” Dyne willed it, and the Monster Hive appeared on his hands, and Gyoro and Ururun jumped out of it.

The strange two-headed serpent drew curious looks from Trina and Lucas. This was the first time they observed the beast up close.

“Also… I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I should be back in a day, but I plan to do some more scouting. Just in case I disappear a few days, I think it’s best to maximize our time. Not only should you be making that base, but you should focus on cultivation at night.” Dyne explained.

“Master Dyne, is that what these Kong Apes are for?” Lucas looked at the Kong Apes they killed.

“No. Whatever you guys do, don’t absorb the lifeblood of these monsters! That path of cultivation is flawed! The more you absorb it, the more you hinder your future!” Dyne explained solemnly.

“There is such a thing?” Lucas was stunned.

“I can’t explain now. But trust me. This is how you should cultivate… Big Sis, you have to find a way to make your Light burn. The potency and purity of your Light are strong, but it is possible to make it Light. Gyoro can help you. He is a Fire Serpent that has been feeding off from my power. So most of its fire is nourished from Brimstone. Try to meditate on that power and see if you can shape your magic to turn to fire.” Dyne explained, and then Dyne turned to Lucas.

“You are a Fire Elemental Cultivator. Your body must train in that path or absorb Life energy of the Fire Element. Luckily, Gyoro can help you with that. Unlike humans, creatures like Gyoro need to eat and devour other powerful beasts to evolve. But more importantly, Gyoro can release and convert the energy into raw fire energy. It will hurt, but you should slowly cultivate and absorb the energy. It is similar to the process that I did last night. You have to use that energy to tamper your body. Expose yourself to that energy and try to cultivate by absorbing that energy!”

“Absorbing that energy?” Lucas and Trina had some strange expressions as they heard this.

“Oh? It seems your village is uninformed. Your cultivation method is flawed. That’s why you should stop absorbing the energy from a monster's lifeblood but focus on absorbing the energy that Gyoro will release. You’ll see the difference. I’ll explain everything when I get back.” Dyne laughed.

“I trust Master Dyne.” Lucas nodded.

“Auntie, you do the same, but with Ururun’s energy. It will be painful, but you have to allow the frost to seep deeper into your bones and organs and try to absorb the energy. It should help you raise your cultivation.

“I understand.” Trina also made a determined bow.

“To train in this method, Gyoro and Ururun need to eat! I placed a bit of gold on this card. Use it to feed Gyoro and Ururun. But aside from Gold, Gyoro and Ururun have to hunt and eat monsters. Try to hunt further from the location of wherever you establish that base. Use the Eucalyptus bush earlier to hide your scents so that the monsters can’t trace you back to the base. Gyoro, Ururun… Dig out the organs that you need to eat. Then, with rich Earth energy, try to become a Stone Serpent, ok? I need that power!” Dyne explained.

Gyoro and Ururun nodded,

“Good. I have to chase that Ape. Don’t worry about me. Cultivate according to my instruction and try to create a secret base. I hope to be back as soon as I can, but if I’m not back for a day or two, don’t panic. I’m quite strong.” Dyne smiled.

“We will be waiting, Little Brother Dyne.” Rena smiled and gave Dyne a tight hug.

“Being young is awesome!” Dyne thought in his heart.

“Thanks, Big Sis… I’ll miss you.” Dyne smiled.

“Alright. I’ll get going now. See you later, Big Sis, Auntie, Uncle!” Dyne gleefully retreated and began to run.

“Pervert. I’ve never seen such disgraceful human.” Jedo insulted.

“Says the Ra-Seru that magically forced himself to be one with his love.” Dyne shook his head.

“I have much to say to you… But pressing things first. Are you after that powerful dark energy? The more we moved deeper in the forest, the more I can sense it.”

“Yes. It’s deep underground. There must be a cave of some sort that leads to it. So I need the apes to help me find the entrance.” Dyne explained.

“You hope to get me to the Level One stage of Soul Gathering?”

“If possible… Why not?”