Bigger chapter this time because I felt bored…. So enjoy I hope

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5: Rank Up part 2

As the snake went up to grab the sword, he glanced back at the dying lion that was convulsing on the floor due to the poison, just as he was about to look towards the sword. He spotted a pair of red eyes which contrasted perfectly with the night-time, this made the snake unconsciously shiver, and sensing this as a threat, the snake immediately jolted towards the eyes to catch the owner off guard.

But just as he reached 10 meters before the eyes, a tail came out of nowhere piercing into the dying lion’s abdomen, and accurately pulling out the core. This made the snake stop in its tracks as he knew if he approached recklessly, it would cost him his life.

However thinking he could win in the first place, as when the figure came out of the shadows a look of horror covered his face, this is because what approached him was a creature that looked like it came from hell itself, the figure he saw was a 4 meters tall and 5 meters long demon fox, this alone gave him a fright as the fox carried itself and his tails with pride, but what terrorised him so much was the infernal red markings that gave off a blood like smell, and the golden tips of the tails that suddenly gave off tiny sparks.

“Snake that’s a nice look you've got… kukuku” a voice that did not belong to the creature in front of him, as it seemed to be filled with care but the snake now snapped out of its horror knew otherwise.

“Ha…ha that’s not true sir… but if I dare to be so outgoing, may I ask why someone like yourself is around this part” The snake squeezed trying not to anger the person in front of him, as he knew if he did it would not end well for him.

“Oh if you're asking… I heard your fight, and it woke me up… as I was pretty angry I would just kill you both instantly… but then I spotted that sword over there and I found it to my fancy… so, would you be willing to let me have it in exchange for your life” Elias didn't really care about the answer, as he would kill the snake any way, but this way it made it more amusing to him.

Hearing the obvious threat, the snake knew what was good for him, as he valued his life more than the sword he just happened to pass so unwillingly he said “Fine I know what’s good for me, and arguing with you would not result well… so you can take it, just let me keep my life”.

Smiling like a mad man, Elias went up to the swords position, and used his middle tail to wrap around the hilt and pulled it out with more strength than he thought it would take.

As the snake let out a sigh of relief he left quite slowly, due to the pressure Elias gave him, but as he got moved away 5 more meters he felt a sharp pain go through his tail, looking stupefied he saw the fox that promised his life stab through the lower part of tail, and before he could say anything the sword that was carried by one of the fox’s tails hurdled towards his face and the next thing he saw was pitch black.

‘That was a nice expression hehe… but I have to say this sword is pretty sharp, considering I didn't feel any resistance when cutting through him’ Still thinking about the sword, and grabbing the snakes core with the tail that already held the lion's core, he did not notice the runes on the sword absorb the blood of both corpses.

Thinking about the outcome, Elias smiled to inwardly and ran back towards the north for 5 kilometres, until he stopped near a small cave that he used when he was small. Shrinking back down he entered the cave and started to devour the cores again using the same absorbing process, but at the end it seemed to not help at all as he didn’t progress a single step.

‘Ah this must be what father said about a bottleneck in training’ thinking back to what his father said to him he figured what was wrong. After a few minutes Elias realised what was wrong ‘Hmm father said something about absorbing a humans Ki core… huh, but that would mean going to the 1st circle. Damn! I hate that place’ getting over the fact that he had to go to the 1st circle. Elias quickly set off.

2 hours passed when Elias first reached the 1st circle of the forest, and as soon as he did most other creatures did not dare to come near him, as they all recognised his as a powerful demon fox and at the most the highest rank out of the creatures here was a D rank not wanting to commit suicide they let Elias do whatever he pleased even if it meant him invading some of the clans set up territories.

Some small fry came to bother him, so he just brushed them off not even bothering to collect their cores.

As Elias approached the edge of the forest, he saw far off in the distance some of the human outposts they set up to attack any monsters that came out too far, but everyone knew if a monster that had a B rank or above came out they could easily get past their defences but because most powerful creatures didn't care about the humans as they were too lazy to even go into the 1st circle.

10 more hours passed by quickly, and was now midday, the most popular time for humans to enter the forest, due to the monsters sleeping patterns but unfortunately for them that didn’t affect Elias.

“Oi oi sir Adam may I ask why we are going this far into the forest as it gets very dangerous around this area and weak people like the rest of us may not be able to handle it” A panicking voice heard by Elias made his jump from tree to tree until he spotted a group of 10 humans, the one at the front seemed to be the leader with blond hair, emerald green eyes and arrogant haughty look gave him the feel of a stereotypical noble. Two fully built men followed behind him gave the feeling of warriors that would scare most humans just by one look due to their not so clean cut scars and messy hair, after them came 6 general people that Elias did not give a second thought about, but what surprised him slightly was the girl that did not seem any more than 13 years of age, with pale skin scattered with bruises, her previously blond hair caked with mud and the chain on her leg piqued Elias’s dangerous curiosity as he had seen many humans before but none with chains on their legs.

Making his ever evil grin again Elias thought to himself ‘let’s scare them a bit… I do wonder about that girl though’.

“Humph why did I even bother to hire you people if you're going to be scared by a few E rank monsters and you call yourselves mercenaries” with a disdainful voice the noble answered back to the trembling mercenary. “Yeah! That’s right those E rank beasts don't even make us work hard don't you worry sir we will definitely get some treasures from here” With an enthusiastic voice, one of the stocky males said to everyone giving them some more confidence in their journey.

“Good as expected of a D rank monster hunter I will be expecting good things from you” With a slightly excited voice the noble replied, but soon had a dark expression when he saw the girl slacking behind and shouting he said “Oi! Bitch hurry up you'll be left behind and eaten”. Hearing this the girl didn't reply but doubled her speed instead, as if she spoke back she knew she would be hit again.

As they travelled for 2 more hours and finding an opening, they started to set their camp up. “Bitch! Hurry up and set the camp up and don't forget what we bought you for” as she heard this she looked up and was met with everyone sending her perverted and malicious glares making her tremble while she set up the campsite.

When she was about to set up the last tent, everyone in the opening felt as though the gravity increased twice, looking around to see if anything was out of place they soon picked up their weapons and immediately got on guard. But as soon as they did a loud voice that seemed to be from a child made them all have cold sweat run down their backs as they heard “Oh what do we have here… some despicable humans actually want to invade my territory”.

As the voice sounded out the humans were met with a 2 meter tall and 3 meter long fox with three tails with one of the holding a very peculiar sword was looking extremely menacing at them. The humans were all cursing inwardly as they knew that a monster that could talk fluently like this one was at least a C rank monster.

Even the once cool headed and confident noble now looked in despair as he recognised the monster before them as a nine tailed demon fox and with three tails it was at least at the B rank. Wanting to get out of this situation as soon as possible he spoke clearly to the animal without the slightest hint of intimidation “Lord we did not know this was already occupied, and we would like to ask you if we could leave so we don’t cause you anymore trouble”.

With amusement in his voice Elias spoke again saying “very well but it will cost you… lets see leave one person here as I've always loved the taste of humans”. Hearing his demands the noble gave a sigh of relief and shouted to the girl at the back “You can stay here… think of it as a privilege that you're sacrificing your life for me”. Realising her fate the girl let out a few miserable tears and slowly walked forward to Elias.

Thinking the deal was done the noble then said “Lord as our deal has concluded we shall take our leave” but as he spoke the last word the sword arced round from Elias’s tail a without a noise took the head off of the noble. “Ha! Who said you get to choose who stays human” smiling Elias turned to see the shocked girl who had hints of delight and fear on her face, and then saw the mercenaries who some had already pissed themselves in fear and while laughing Elias let out a shout that could shake the seas “SCRAM!!!” as he said this all of the mercenaries screamed and ran for their lives, but the slowest ones were killed by Elias and gathered with the body of the noble.

Turning towards the girl again who was stuck between opposing emotions he spoke like a child getting a new toy to he saying “What’s your name?” Listening to Elias’s tone she was shocked that she was not already dead but then let out a small voice saying to the child like fox “Jessica” hearing the name Elias smiled which again shocked the girl but was confused when she heard what Elias said next as he replied “Well, Jessica you should cut your ties with the humans as you interested me and will now be my source of entertainment as well as giving me information about the human cities hehehe”.

Grabbing Jessica with one his tails and placing her on his back, Elias grew to his maximum size, and grabbed the bodies he gained in his mouth, and while sprinting towards the inner circle thinking to himself ‘A rank here I come… I wonder if I can shock other humans by using her as bait for them kukuku’