Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 107: The Wild Way (1)

Chapter 107: The Wild Way (1)

The⁠ wild is brutal.‍⁠⁠

And⁠ savage.

Expecting⁠ “reason” from animals⁠ that live in⁠ it is foolish.‌

The strong take everything‍⁠⁠ from the weak.⁠

The‌‌‍ law of the⁠‌‍ strongest.

And‌ at the same‍‍‌ time, a world⁠ where the one⁠⁠ who survives is⁠ the strong.

Even⁠‌ if I wanted‌‍ to act rationally,⁠ beasts are not‌‍ rational.

They‍ are creatures ruled⁠ by instinct before‍‍ reason.

And‍ that does not⁠ change even if‌⁠ their intelligence has‍ increased.

Whoever‌‍ invades a territory‌‌‌ is an enemy.‍

Whoever‍ steals food is‍ also an enemy.‍

And‍⁠ whoever not only‌ steals it, but⁠ also eats it,‍⁠ is an enemy‌ as well.

Either⁠‍ you kill the‍‍ enemy or the‌‌ enemy kills you.‍

That‍ is the wild way.

The‍ law of nature.‍

Fwoosh!⁠‌⁠

The⁠⁠⁠ gorilla’s head that‌‍ the leader had⁠ struck with his‌ fist.

He threw it like⁠ a projectile toward‌‍ the sloth, but‌‍ who was the⁠ sloth?

He‌ was someone capable‌⁠ of dodging arrows⁠‍ fired right in‌ front of him.‍‍

A simple head thrown⁠ with a punch was something he⁠‌ could avoid without‌‌⁠ any trouble.

‘But‌‍ did he really‍ throw that with‌ a punch?’

Even so, it was‌ terrifying.

The‌ strike the gorilla‌‍‌ leader had just‌⁠ delivered.

It wasn’t just brute‍‌ force.

What was truly impressive‌ was the perfect‌ control of that‍ strength.

If‍ he had simply‍ hit it with⁠‍ all his power,‍ the head would‌‍ have exploded.

But⁠ no.

He⁠ used some unknown‍‍⁠ technique and launched‍‍‌ it like a genuine projectile without⁠ making it burst.‍

“Uuuuu!‍ Uuuuu!”

“Uuuuu!‍⁠‌ Uuuuu!”

After‍‍‌ the sloth’s provocation‍ came the leader’s attack.

And‌⁠‌ when the leader‍ began pounding his‍ chest, the other⁠ gorillas imitated him.‌‍‍

Beating⁠ their chests was⁠ clearly a threat‍ display.

In⁠ other words, a declaration of war.

“Haa…”‍⁠

“……”⁠‌‌

“Grrrrr…”⁠⁠⁠

While I let out a sigh, the⁠‌⁠ sloth maintained that⁠ usual relaxed expression.⁠‍

Wonmo‌⁠ had also understood‌‌‍ the situation and‍ completely raised his fur while remaining⁠‌‌ alert.

‘They‌ were the ones⁠‌⁠ who started this.’‌‍‍

The‌‌⁠ gorillas were the‌ ones who poured‌‌‌ the oil.

And⁠⁠⁠ the one who‌‍ threw the match‍ onto it was‍ the sloth.

The‌ problem was that‍ the house burning‌‍‍ down was mine.

A shitty situation.

As‍ long as I didn’t deal with⁠⁠‍ those gorillas, I would never be‌⁠‌ able to put⁠ out the fire‍ consuming my home.⁠‍‌

I steeled my resolve⁠ and prepared for‍⁠‌ the attack that‌ could come at‌⁠ any moment.

‘They’re‌ going to be‍ much stronger than‌⁠ the otters.’

They‍‌ weren’t just any‍⁠ animals.

They‌‍ were gorillas.

The‌⁠ species with the‌‍ greatest physical strength‌ among all primates.‌

And⁠ on top of that, as demonstrated‌‍ by the clubs‍ they carried, they‍⁠ used tools.

This⁠‌ definitely wouldn’t be‌⁠⁠ an easy fight.⁠

And‍ above all, the‍‍‌ most unsettling one‌⁠ was the leader.‍‌‍

‘What‍‌‍ the hell is‍ that guy?’

He carried no weapon.⁠

And‌⁠⁠ yet he seemed⁠ to be the⁠ strongest.

A bad feeling.

As I narrowed my⁠ eyes at the⁠ leader, the other‌‍ gorillas began charging.⁠⁠

Running like true gorillas,‌⁠ supporting themselves on⁠ the ground with⁠‌ those long arms.⁠‍

But‍ even then, the⁠ leader remained behind,‌⁠‍ observing.

He‍⁠‌ did not intervene⁠ personally.

“Sloth.‍ Get on Wonmo’s‍ back.”

“……”‌‌

“Wonmo,‌ you don’t charge‍ in either. Stay‌‌ close to my back.”

After‌ giving orders to⁠‍ the sloth and‍⁠ Wonmo, I slowly⁠ stepped backward.

If‍‍ I charged head-on‍ against those gorillas,‍ my chances of winning were low.‌‍

I was able to‍⁠ defeat the otters‌ because they were‍‍ small and their‍‍ tactics were simple.

But‍ these guys were‌ different.

‘They’re‌ surrounding us.’

They‍ weren’t running directly‌ at me.

They‌‍ spread out in all directions.

Front, back, left, and‌⁠⁠ right.

They⁠‍‍ were forming an⁠ encirclement.

And‌‍ judging by the⁠ way they acted⁠ as soon as‌ the fight began,‌ it was obvious‌ this wasn’t the⁠ first time they‍ had done something like this.

‘They definitely know how‌‍ to use their⁠ heads.’

That‍‌ was why they⁠⁠‍ were more dangerous.‍⁠

The‌⁠ reason humans reached⁠‌‍ the top of the food chain‌⁠ was intelligence.

And⁠ even though they⁠ were far below‍‌ humans, they were still a threat.⁠

“Kuaaah!”⁠

Once‌‌ the encirclement was‍‌ complete, one of⁠‌ the gorillas watching me directly raised‌⁠ his club and‍ attacked.

It⁠‌ was the one⁠‌⁠ using the stone‌ axe.

Not⁠⁠ the bone or‍⁠ the wooden club.⁠‍

I quickly raised my‌‍ shield to defend myself.

And‍‌⁠ just in case,‍ I even reinforced my body with‍⁠‍ mana.

Claaang!!

The‌ stone axe and⁠‌‌ shield collided with⁠ a deafening crash.‌‍

It definitely lived up‍ to the title⁠ of “strongest primates.”⁠

The‍ impact was absurdly⁠ heavy.

If‍⁠ this had happened‌⁠ before I ate‌‍⁠ that eel, every‍‍ blow would have‍⁠ been fatal.

But‌ I didn’t have time to worry⁠⁠‌ about the sound.‍

Because‌‍‌ the gorilla with⁠ the wooden club‍⁠ was already approaching.‍⁠‌

I couldn’t even think‌⁠⁠ about counterattacking.

I hastily pulled back‍‍ the shield.

Fwoosh!⁠

The‌ club passed right‍‌ in front of⁠‍ my eyes.

And⁠ at the same time, the stone‍‍ axe gorilla roared⁠ as he lunged‌⁠‍ at me again.‍‌‍

Those⁠‌ fangs were quite‌⁠‍ intimidating, but I forced myself to⁠⁠ ignore them.

Claaang!‍

Once‌ again, the axe‍‍ and shield collided.‌‌

But‌‌ it was still⁠ impossible to counterattack.⁠

Because‍‍ just like before,⁠ the gorilla with⁠ the club attacked‌‍ immediately afterward.

Their‍ attacks seemed completely‍ disorganized.

But‍ precisely because of‌ that, they ended‍ up covering each other’s openings.

‘If this keeps up,‍ I’m at a disadvantage.’

I didn’t even have‌‍ the opportunity to‍‌ check how Wonmo‌‌ and the sloth‌ were doing.

Until⁠‍ now I had‍⁠⁠ managed to defend‌ and dodge thanks‌‍‌ to all the‍‌⁠ training I had‍ accumulated, but there‍⁠ were simply too‍ many of them.‍

If‌ I didn’t attack,⁠‍⁠ I would never‌‍‌ escape this endless⁠⁠ offensive.

‘The‍ attacks themselves are‍ simple.’

After‌ several exchanges, I managed to understand‌ their pattern.

Though‌‌ perhaps calling it⁠‌ a pattern wasn’t‍ quite correct.

Because⁠⁠ their attacks were⁠ practically wild.

But‍⁠‌ they were using‍ “tools.”

They‌⁠ were striking me‌‍ using tools.

And⁠‍⁠ when using tools,⁠ openings inevitably appeared.⁠‌⁠

That‍ was exactly what‍ I was looking⁠ for.

How‍‌‍ ironic.

They‍ wielded weapons to‌ become stronger, and‍ those same weapons‍ ended up creating⁠‍ openings.

Fwoosh!‌‌

The‌ stone axe passed by me by‍‌‍ a hair’s breadth.

I stepped back the⁠ moment I saw‍‌ him about to‍ bring down the⁠ strike.

‘Then⁠ now he’ll attack‌⁠ with the club.’⁠

I glanced to the⁠‌ side.

Just⁠ as expected, the‍‍ gorilla was about‍ to swing the⁠⁠ club.

It⁠‍‌ wasn’t a vertical strike from above.‍‍

It‍⁠ was a diagonal blow.

I roughly predicted the⁠‌ direction of the⁠ attack and raised‌⁠ my shield.

And‍‍ the sword in‍⁠ my right hand.

Thunk!⁠

It‌ stabbed into the‍‍ stone axe gorilla’s⁠‍ collarbone.

HeavenlyDemon’s sword, combined with the aura coating‍‍⁠ the blade, easily‍‍‍ pierced through flesh.‌‌

Furthermore,‌ because of the⁠‌ gorilla’s posture, piercing‍‌ his shoulder was‍⁠ extremely easy.

“Kuoooooh!!”⁠‍

Booom!!‍

The‌‍‍ gorilla desperately grabbed the pierced area‍‍ while retreating.

Meanwhile, my shield blocked‍‍ the club’s strike.‌

Now‍⁠‌ it was my‍‍ chance.

While‌‍‍ one of the‌ gorillas was still‍ stunned, I decided⁠ to eliminate the‍ other one first.⁠‍

‘If⁠‍⁠ it’s just one…’‌

The‍‍ gorilla continued attacking‍‍‌ relentlessly even after⁠ seeing his companion‍⁠ fall back.

That⁠ was precisely his‌ mistake.

Although‍⁠ he possessed monstrous⁠ strength, his speed⁠‍‍ was slow.

And‍ on top of⁠ that, this guy’s weapon wasn’t a stone axe.

It‌ was a simple‌‌‌ wooden club.

Crack!‌‌‌

No‍ matter how durable⁠ wood was, it‌‌ would still break‌‍ when it collided with a shield⁠⁠⁠ made of iron.⁠

And‍‍ the moment I heard the club‌ break, I swung my sword diagonally.‍

Slash!⁠

I didn’t try to⁠‍ split him completely‌ in half.

Rather,‍‍⁠ I only cut‌ what I could⁠ cut.

It‍‌ was Swordmaster’s teaching.⁠

If‍‍‌ you tried to completely split a body apart, you would inevitably need to pour in⁠ much more “force.”⁠‍

And‍ then stability would‌⁠ decrease enormously.

With‌‌ a sword, stability‌ was more important‌‌⁠ than power.

She‌ had even advised‌ me that if‌‌ I wanted to‍⁠ use more power,⁠ I should use‌ an axe instead‌‍‍ of a sword.‌

‘She also said that‌‍ if I struck‌‌‌ something hard, I could even destroy my shoulder.’

Based⁠‌ on that advice,‍‍ I slightly adjusted⁠ my fighting style.‌

Even⁠‌⁠ when a perfect‍ opportunity appeared, I shouldn’t put too‍ much force into it.

And‌‍ thanks to how‌‌‌ extraordinary HeavenlyDemon’s sword⁠ was, I had⁠⁠ nothing to worry‌ about for now.‍

“Kuuuuuoooo!!!”

A deep diagonal wound‍ appeared across the‌‍ gorilla’s torso, and‌ he was sent flying backward.

Blood didn’t immediately gush‌‌‍ out, but it‌‌⁠ was undoubtedly a deep wound.

“Kuooo!!‍ Kuuuo! Kuuuuuo!”

The‍‍⁠ gorilla rolled violently‌‌ across the ground.‍⁠

And⁠⁠ soon blood began‍‌ pouring out from⁠‌ the wound opened by the sword.‌⁠⁠

It wasn’t just blood.‌

Internal⁠ organs started protruding‌ from the torn‍‌ abdomen.

Although⁠‌ the cut had‍‍ been relatively light,⁠ the power was‌ so absurd that it ended up‍‌ opening more than‍‌ half of his‌‍‌ belly.

With⁠ that, one gorilla⁠⁠ had been eliminated.‍‍

And‍‍⁠ the other was‌ still clutching his⁠‍‌ shoulder.

When⁠ our eyes met,⁠‍ his face filled‌ with terror.

Perhaps⁠‍‌ the more intelligent⁠⁠ a creature became,‍ the more inevitable‌ its fear of⁠‌‍ death was.

Thunk!‍‍

“Ku…‌‍ kuu…”

So⁠ I didn’t hesitate‌ and finished it‍ by piercing his‌ heart.

Decapitating‌ him wasn’t my‌ style.

And‌ besides, cleaning up‌‌ afterward would be‌ too troublesome.

After⁠‍‍ finishing off both‍‍ of them, I turned to check‌‍ on Wonmo and‌ the sloth.

“Kyuu…⁠ kyuu…”

“Wonmo?”⁠‌

Just⁠ as expected, the‍ two gorillas had⁠‍ become cold corpses.‌

But‍‍ Wonmo was whimpering⁠⁠‌ as if he were hurt.

I briefly looked at‍ the gorilla leader‌⁠⁠ before quickly approaching‌ Wonmo.

“Kyuuuu…”‍‌‍

“One‍⁠ of your claws‌ is broken.”

One‌⁠ of Wonmo’s claws‌‍ was broken.

Fortunately,⁠⁠ it didn’t seem‌‌ to be a serious injury.

It‍⁠‌ didn’t look like‌ a gorilla had struck him.

Rather,‍‌‌ it seemed like‌ he had made⁠‌‍ a mistake himself.‍

I gently stroked his‌‌⁠ head and then‌‌ spoke to the‍⁠ sloth, who was‍⁠ still riding on‍ his back.

“Take‌⁠ him to the‍‌‍ cave and give‍ him some elixir.⁠ Can you do‍‍‌ that?”

“……”‍‌

At‌ my words, the⁠‍‍ sloth slowly nodded.⁠⁠

Then‍‍ he lightly tapped⁠ Wonmo’s waist with his hand.

Wonmo‍‌ looked at me‍‌‍ once before awkwardly‍‍‍ heading toward the⁠‌⁠ cave.

‘Now⁠ the only thing left is…’

The‍‌ gorilla leader.

I turned my head⁠ and faced the⁠⁠ leader directly.

The‍⁠ guy who had⁠ remained watching from⁠‍ behind even while⁠‍‌ all his companions‍ died.

I didn’t know whether⁠‍ it was confidence⁠‌ or something else.‍

‘What bothers me most‌‌‍ is that he’s⁠‍ unarmed.’

Unlike⁠‌‍ the other gorillas⁠⁠‌ who used weapons,⁠ he was completely‍⁠⁠ unarmed.

What‌⁠ the hell did⁠ he have that⁠ allowed him to‌ fight barehanded?

I couldn’t help but wonder.

But‍‍‌ he was still⁠ an enemy.

So‍ I spoke directly‌‍ to him.

“Do‌ you want to‍ continue?”

“……”‌⁠‌

The‍ leader did not‍⁠⁠ answer.

He‌‍ simply stood up⁠‍ slowly.

As‌ he straightened his‌⁠ waist, the two⁠‍‌ hands he had⁠ been supporting himself‍ with on the‍ ground also rose.‍‌⁠

Short‍⁠ legs compared to⁠‌ his arms, like⁠⁠ a sloth’s.

But thick as tree‍ trunks.

‘He’s‍‌⁠ going to fight…’‌‍⁠

Just⁠⁠ as I thought,⁠‌ as expected, the⁠ leader slowly began‍‍⁠ to move.

He‍ stepped forward with⁠‌‍ his left foot‌‍ and drew back‍‌ his right.

He‍⁠⁠ extended his left‍‌ hand forward, showing‍ the palm.

And‍ brought his right‍⁠ hand to waist‍⁠⁠ level.

Finally,⁠‍‌ he slightly turned⁠⁠⁠ his body.

And‍ when all those‌ movements came together,⁠‍ he assumed a “stance.”

“……”‌‍

Shit.

What⁠‍ the hell am‌ I seeing?

No‌‍⁠ matter how I looked at it,⁠ that was clearly⁠⁠ the stance of‌‍ someone about to‌ perform martial arts.‌

And⁠ a gorilla was⁠⁠‌ showing it?

Martial‌ arts?

Something‍⁠ impossible to learn‍⁠‌ without a master?‍⁠

I wanted to deny‍‍ everything I was⁠ seeing before my⁠‍ eyes.

No⁠‍ matter that this‍⁠‍ was the Forest⁠ of Four Seasons,‌‌⁠ this… this was‌ too much.

“……Who‍‍‌ taught you that?”‌

“……”‌⁠

“Who‌‍ taught you…?!”

Without‍ realizing it, I was about to‍‍ raise my voice.⁠‍

But at that moment,⁠ the gorilla leader lowered his torso‌ forward, as if‌ he didn’t even⁠ consider my question‌‍ worthy of an⁠ answer.

A crystal-clear sign that‍‌⁠ he was about‌⁠‌ to attack.

I suppressed my agitation‍‌‌ and readied my‍ stance.

Swoosh!‌

It was a completely different movement from‌‌‌ the other gorillas.‌‌

The‌ others simply charged forward.

But⁠⁠⁠ the leader glided⁠‍ toward me.

Fwooosh!!⁠‌

And‍ that wasn’t all.‍⁠⁠

The⁠ moment he reached⁠‍ me, he attacked⁠ immediately.

A gigantic palm shot‍ directly toward my‍ face.

If⁠ that strike landed‍ cleanly, my head⁠ would explode like‌ a watermelon.

Baaang!!‌

I turned my head‌⁠ at the last‌‌‌ moment and barely‌‌‌ dodged the palm strike.

But⁠‌⁠ I didn’t avoid‍⁠‍ it completely.

The⁠ hand grazed my‍‍⁠ cheek by a hair’s breadth.

I felt a sharp‌⁠‍ burning sensation, as⁠‍ if my skin‍‌ had been torn‍⁠‍ away.

‘I-it…’

In‌ that sensation where time seemed to‍ slow down, I could clearly observe the gorilla leader.‌⁠‍

His‌ eyes were filled‍‍⁠ with calmness, but‌ beneath that calmness‌ burned a faint‌‌ anger.

And‌ even so, he‍ maintained absolute composure.⁠

Seeing⁠⁠ him, I remembered⁠‌‌ the handprints I had found during today’s exploration.

The‌‍‍ mark that seemed to belong to‍‌ a gorilla.

And‍⁠‍ beside it, the‌⁠ one that seemed‌ to belong to‌‌ a human.

‘Who‌ the hell taught⁠ him…?!’

That⁠ could only mean one thing.

‘Who⁠ the hell taught‍‌ him this…!?’

Someone⁠ had taught this‍ gorilla martial arts.⁠⁠

Prev Next

What did you think of this chapter?

0 reactions

0 Comments

Cancel reply

There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings

Page mode

Timer

Text Indent

Font

Alignment

Font Size

Line Height

Auto scroll

Tap to read

Pin menu

Translate page

Select language to automatically translate chapter content.

Audio & AI Voice

Playback Speed

AI Voice

Chapter 107: The Wild Way (1)

What did you think of this chapter?

0 Comments

Cancel reply

Ads Blocker Detected!!!