Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 108: The Wild Way (2)

Chapter 108: The Wild Way (2)

Martial‌⁠ arts contributed greatly‌ to human history.‍⁠‍

From‍ ancient times to‍⁠⁠ the modern era.⁠⁠ More than half‍ of human history⁠‍ is recorded as⁠ “war.”

And‌ what plays an⁠ enormous role in‌ those wars is precisely martial arts.⁠‌⁠

Especially in ancient times,‌ it was quite‌ common for the course of a war to change‍ depending on an‌‌ individual’s skill.

As‍‌ time passed, technology⁠⁠ advanced and the‍ ultimate cheating tool,‍⁠ “firearms,” appeared, but‌ the importance of⁠‌ martial arts never‌ disappeared.

Because‍⁠ martial arts do‍ not depend on‌ the type of⁠⁠ tool being used.‌⁠

They‍‌ are techniques for handling physical strength‍ more efficiently.

That‌⁠ is what martial⁠‌ arts are, and‍‍ even with firearms,‌⁠‍ accuracy and stability‍‌ vary enormously depending‌ on the person.‌

And‍ furthermore, martial arts⁠⁠ are difficult to⁠ master if nobody‍ teaches you directly.‌ Even if you⁠ could learn on‍⁠‍ your own, it‌‍‌ would be practically‌⁠ impossible.

Every‌‌ person has different‍ arm and leg‍ lengths, height, weight,‍ and many other differences. Even talent varies enormously.

And‌‍ to correct all‍⁠‍ of that in‌ real time, you need someone watching‍ you.

‘Who‍ the hell…?!’

I couldn’t hide my‌‍ shock at the‍ gorilla leader who‌‍ had just unleashed‍‍ that palm strike.⁠

From⁠⁠ the way he⁠⁠ slid toward me‍ to the fluidity of his attacks.

Everything about him was‍ terrifying.

But⁠‌ I didn’t have⁠⁠‍ time to think.⁠‌‍

What‌ mattered was that‍ this gorilla leader‌⁠‍ was my enemy.‍⁠

I had to defeat⁠‌ him no matter⁠‍ what.

Swiish!‍‍‌

As‌‍ soon as I dodged the palm⁠ strike, I launched‌ a counterattack.

As⁠‍‌ though time were flowing slowly, my⁠‌ reaction was equally‌⁠ fast.

My‌ sword descended from above.

At‍ this rate, the‍ blade would cut‌ through the gorilla‍ leader’s collarbone.

But‍ the gorilla leader‌‍ still maintained a calm expression.

In⁠ fact, he moved‍ even closer.

Thump!‌⁠‍

And‍ then he grabbed‍‌‍ my arm with both arms.

Not⁠‌ only that.

He⁠⁠ also turned his‍‌‌ body backward.

Just‌ like before, every‌‌ movement flowed naturally.‌

And‍‌‌ as that entire sequence continued, my‍⁠ body changed as well.

Fwoooosh!‌‌

Whether⁠‍ I wanted it‍‍ or not, my‌‍ feet left the‌ ground.

Booom!!‌‌

The‌ world spun completely⁠ around, and a brutal impact slammed‌ into my back.‌

I opened my eyes‌‌ from the pain‍⁠ that knocked the breath out of⁠ me.

What⁠‌ the hell had‌‍ he just done‍ to me?

‘Was‍‌ that… a throw…?!’‌

My‌‌ shock at the‌‍ gorilla leader using‌ grappling techniques lasted⁠ only an instant.‌

The sole of his‍ foot appeared above‍‌‍ my head.

If⁠ that stomp landed, I would die.‌

Booom!!⁠

I rolled my body by a hair’s‌ breadth and managed‍ to dodge it.‌

I hurriedly got back⁠‌ up while catching‌ my breath.

And‌ during that brief‌‌ moment, the gorilla‍ leader had already closed in again.‌‍‍

He‍⁠ wasn’t planning to⁠ give me even⁠‍ a second to‌ recover.

If‍⁠‍ I made a mistake, I would‍ truly die.

I quickly accelerated the‍ mana within my‌‍ body.

If⁠‌ even one of⁠ his attacks connected,‌ the damage would be devastating.

Claaang!

Another⁠‌ palm strike came at me.

I blocked it with‍ my shield.

It⁠‍⁠ was powerful, but‍⁠ not enough to‌ break through.

If I could find‍ an opening, I still had a chance.

If‍⁠ my opponent had⁠⁠ been a normal⁠‍‌ human, I would⁠ have tried to‌ create distance, but—‍

‘His‌ arms are so‌‍ long that the‌‌ difference in reach‍‍ barely matters.’

Because⁠⁠ he was a gorilla, his absurdly‍ long arms partially‌ nullified any advantage in distance.

In‌ other words, I had to face‌‍ him on equal⁠ terms.

Very‍‌‌ different from all‍ my previous fights.⁠

Unlike⁠‌ battles where I survived through improvisation,‍ this was a contest of pure‍⁠ skill.

And‌ that meant it⁠‍ could turn into‍‍ a battle of⁠ endurance.

The‌⁠‌ kind of fight‌ I hated most.⁠‌

Booom!!‌⁠

Once‍⁠ again, the gorilla leader’s hand slammed⁠ against my shield.⁠

This⁠⁠ time it wasn’t‌ a palm strike‌⁠ but a punch.⁠⁠

The⁠ impact transmitted through‌‌ the shield made‍‌ my shoulder throb with pain.

His⁠ physical strength was‍‌‍ on another level⁠‍‍ compared to the other gorillas.

I frowned and launched a diagonal slash‍‍ with the sword⁠‌‌ in my right⁠‌ hand.

Making‌‌ sure not to‌ get thrown again.‍

Tap-‌⁠

But⁠ he dodged my‍ attack with a simple step backward.‌

His‍‍ distance control was‍ excellent as well.‍‌‍

Who‍ the hell taught‌⁠ martial arts to⁠ this monster?

Whoever⁠⁠⁠ it was, they‍ taught him something‍⁠ truly insane.

‘Weakness. I have to find a weakness.’‌

The‌⁠ gorilla’s short legs?⁠

His⁠‌ much longer arms‍ compensated for that⁠‍‍ perfectly.

Take⁠⁠‌ advantage of his⁠ heavy movements to⁠ counterattack?

If⁠‌ he caught me‌⁠‍ with another throw,‍‍ I’d die.

The‌ difference between being‍‍ unarmed and armed?‌‌

That bastard was a living weapon.

No‌‍ matter how much‌⁠ I searched, I couldn’t find a weakness.

As‍ I said before,⁠ this was a fight of pure⁠‍ skill.

‘No.⁠ I still have‌ one advantage.’

Thinking‌ about it, I wasn’t completely at‌‌ a disadvantage.

That‍⁠ monster couldn’t “block.”‌‌

He‍⁠ could only dodge.‍⁠

Because‌ the moment he‍ tried to defend,‌‌⁠ HeavenlyDemon’s sword would‌‍‌ cut through him⁠‌‍ without fail.

And‌‍‍ I decided to‌ exploit exactly that.‌

I had to force him to defend.

The‍ moment he did,⁠ an opportunity would‌⁠ appear.

Whoosh!‌⁠

A thrust shot out⁠‍ through an opening.⁠‌

I aimed directly at‍ his shoulder.

But‌‍⁠ the gorilla leader‌ not only dodged‍‍ it easily, he‌ also responded by⁠‍‌ lightly striking the‌‌⁠ flat of the‍ blade.

With⁠ that touch, the⁠ sword was deflected‌ to the side,‌ and my body’s⁠ balance also twisted‍ slightly.

That‍ meant one thing.‌‌

It‍ was the gorilla leader’s turn.

And‌‍ as if he⁠ knew it too,‌ he extended his palm.

That⁠‌‍ was exactly what⁠⁠‍ I had been⁠‍ waiting for.

I lunged straight at⁠‍ the gorilla.

“?!”

Because‌ he hadn’t expected‍ me to rush‌‌ toward him, the‌ gorilla leader’s eyes widened.

But⁠ it was already⁠⁠‌ too late for‌ him to retract‌ the arm he had extended.

Even⁠‌ if he managed to pull it‍‌⁠ back in time,‍‍‍ his stance would‌ become unbalanced.

Taking‍‍⁠ advantage of his surprise, instead of⁠ attacking with my‍⁠ sword, I thrust⁠ my shield forward as if throwing‌‌ a punch.

My‍ target was his⁠⁠⁠ face.

Alarmed,⁠ the gorilla leader⁠‍ raised an arm‌‍⁠ to block, but—⁠⁠

Craaack!!‍

Physical⁠‍ enhancement through mana.⁠

And⁠ a shield wrapped⁠‌ in aura.

All‍‌ of that was⁠ far too much⁠‍ for him to⁠‌ block.

I clearly heard the‍‍ sound of bones breaking.

And‍⁠ the instant I heard it, I was convinced of‍ my victory.

Crack!!‌

“Kuheok?!”‍

But‌ perhaps it was⁠‌ the price of‍⁠ lowering my guard.‍

It⁠ felt as though⁠ something exploded around‌‍ my ribs.

And‍‍ accompanying it came‍ a horrifying sound.

It‌⁠ wasn’t the sound‌⁠ of something breaking.⁠‌

It was the sound‍ of something turning‌ to dust.

At‍ first, I felt‌ nothing.

Only a tingling sensation,‌ as if lightning‍‍⁠ had passed through‌‍ my body.

But‌‌ immediately afterward, unbearable‍ pain darkened my⁠‌ vision.

I couldn’t even breathe.‌‌

“Kuh… kuh….”

“Kuoooaargh!!”‍⁠

The‍ gorilla leader and‌ I staggered backward.⁠⁠⁠

Both⁠‍⁠ of us had⁠⁠ suffered devastating blows.‌‌

Me‌⁠ in the ribs.‌‍

Him‍‍‌ in the arm.‌⁠

As‌ for continuing the‍‍‌ fight, I had⁠⁠‍ the advantage.

Because‍ the arm struck‍‍⁠ by my shield‍ hung uselessly at⁠ his side.

The bones had been‌‍ shattered to pieces.

‘My⁠ ribs…’

Of‌ course, I wasn’t‍ fine either.

To‍ begin with, I couldn’t even breathe.‌‍‌

It⁠‍ was far worse‍ than when I had been thrown⁠‍ earlier.

And because I couldn’t‌‍⁠ breathe, my vision‌‍ slowly began to fade.

“Uugh…!⁠‍ Agh! Uugh!”

Fortunately,‌‍ I managed to⁠⁠ force the trapped⁠‍‍ air out, but⁠ a monstrous pain⁠ immediately flooded my‌‍ body.

It‍⁠ hurt several times⁠ more than when‍‌‌ I was struck⁠‍‍ by the Orichalcon‌ Guardian.

It⁠‍‍ was only one‍⁠ hit.

A single hit, and‌⁠ I had been⁠ practically crippled.

Thank‌ goodness it hit⁠‍ my ribs.

If‌ it had landed⁠‌ on another vital‍⁠‌ area, I would have died instantly.‌

“Uuu!”‍‌

Had‍ he judged that‍ I could no‌⁠ longer continue fighting?⁠

The⁠ gorilla leader grabbed‍‍ his broken arm⁠ with his other⁠‌ hand and fled.‌

Honestly,‌ that was for⁠⁠‍ the best.

I wasn’t in any‌⁠ condition to continue‍ the battle either.⁠‌‌

‘Elixir…‌ I need to‍ drink an elixir…!’‌

Holding‍⁠ my ribs, I staggered into the‌ cave.

I couldn’t breathe properly.‍‌

I feared the broken bones had pierced⁠ my lungs.

But‌⁠‌ if I had‍ elixir, it would‍⁠‌ surely heal.

I hurried into the‌⁠ cave and drank an entire bottle‍⁠ of elixir in⁠ one gulp.

“Huff…‌ huff… haa…”

Drenched‍⁠ in cold sweat,‍‌ I tried to⁠ stabilize my breathing.⁠

Thanks⁠ to the elixir,⁠ I seemed to‌ be a little⁠ better.

But⁠‍ the pain was‌ still there, so I couldn’t stop⁠ grimacing.

“Haa…”⁠

It‌‌ took about five‍‍ minutes before I managed to calm⁠ down somewhat.

The⁠‌ difference compared to‍‍ the fight against the Orichalcon Guardian‌‍ was absurd.

With‍⁠ damaged ribs, even‌ breathing was difficult.

“Cough! Cough! Kuhek!”

To‌⁠ make matters worse,‌ I ended up⁠ coughing up blood.‍‍⁠

That‌‌ had been a truly dangerous moment.‍‌⁠

I wiped the blood‍ from my hand⁠ as best I could and collapsed‌‌ onto the ground.‍

Every‌⁠ day seemed to‍ become harder than the last.

‘What‌ the hell was⁠ that guy…?’

A gorilla using human‍ martial arts.

I simply couldn’t understand⁠‌ it.

For⁠‍ a moment, I thought perhaps some‌‌ survivor had taught⁠ him, but even‌ that seemed absurd.⁠

People⁠ in the gallery⁠⁠ had said before⁠⁠ that they had‌⁠ never achieved notable⁠ results trying to⁠ teach martial arts‍‍ or breathing methods⁠ to primates.

‘Could⁠‍ it be different⁠⁠ in the Forest⁠ of Four Seasons?’‍⁠

I suppose it was⁠⁠ easier to think‍ that, since he‍ possessed enough intelligence⁠‍‍ to learn martial⁠ arts, he had⁠‌ simply learned them.‌

But‍ I still wondered who had taught‍ him.

A gorilla had learned‍‍‌ martial arts.

That‌⁠‌ meant the person⁠ who taught him‌ not only had⁠⁠ an extremely high level of skill,⁠⁠⁠ but also the⁠ ability to instruct‌‌‍ even a gorilla.‍

And⁠⁠ to begin with,‌ they were someone‌⁠⁠ capable of surviving‍ in the Forest‍‌ of Four Seasons⁠ and teaching martial arts to those‍‌ creatures.

Shhhk-‍

As‍‌ my mind filled⁠ with thoughts, someone⁠ approached.

It‌⁠ was Sloth.

I stared at him‍⁠ and suddenly remembered‍⁠⁠ what he had⁠ done earlier.

Decapitating the gorilla we⁠ had taken hostage‍‍ and throwing its⁠‍ head.

It⁠ had been an⁠⁠ utterly savage thing to do.

And⁠⁠‍ it was also⁠ a new side⁠ of Sloth.

“Hey.”‌

“……”‍

“Why‍‍ did you let‌ me live?”

Sloth‌ didn’t answer.

But I felt as‍ if he were‍⁠ saying this.

Because you were too‍ weak to kill.‌

‘Mm.⁠‍ Makes sense.’

I let out a small laugh.

Thinking‍⁠ about it, I was lucky I had been so weak back then.‍

If‌ I had posed‍ even the slightest‌ threat to Sloth,‌ I would probably‍ already be dead.‍‌

“Now⁠ that I think‍‍ about it, Sloth.⁠‍ What do you‍ normally eat?”

“……”‌

That⁠ aside, I also‌ had to think‌‌‍ about his diet‌‌ from now on.‌‌

As always, Sloth only⁠⁠ maintained that relaxed‌‍ expression.

Of‌ course, it wasn’t⁠ difficult to understand‌ what he meant⁠ by it.

“For‍ a while, there‌ won’t be any⁠‍ fasting pills. They said we have‍‍ to wait a bit.”

“……”‌⁠‍

The‌⁠⁠ corners of Sloth’s‌⁠ mouth drooped slightly.

So‍‍‌ this guy could‍ make expressions like⁠ that too.

How‍⁠ interesting.

***‌‌

The⁠⁠‌ gorilla leader ran.‍⁠

And‌⁠‍ kept running.

One‍‍ of his arms had been completely⁠ destroyed, so he‍⁠ could no longer climb trees.

The‌‍ only thing he‌⁠⁠ could do was‌⁠ run.

Even‍ so, his speed⁠‍‌ remained incredible.

Every‌ time the gorilla‌ advanced, the scenery⁠ around him changed‍‍ in real time.‍

Just⁠‍‍ like that technique‍ he had used‌⁠ to instantly close‌⁠⁠ the distance on Grills, even the⁠‍ way he ran⁠ was different from⁠ normal animals.

Rustle!‍‍⁠

It⁠ didn’t take long before the gorilla‍ leader arrived at⁠ the main base.

There,⁠ the other gorillas‌ were busy with‍ various tasks.

Some⁠ were gathering bananas⁠ hanging from the‍‌ trees.

Others‍ were sleeping on‍ the ground.

And⁠‌‍ some were striking‌ stones together to‍ make tools.

“Auuu!‍⁠ Uuuuu!”

Clutching⁠ his broken arm⁠ that hung uselessly at his side,‌‍ the leader let‍ out a roar.‌

Instantly,‍⁠‍ all the gorillas‌ stopped what they‌‍ were doing.

A strange silence fell‌⁠ over the gorillas’⁠ territory.

What⁠ kind of announcement⁠‌ had the leader⁠ just made?

Shhk-‌⁠

Then,‌ someone appeared behind‌ the gorilla leader.‍‌

As⁠‍ soon as he‌ sensed that presence,‌‍ the leader turned‍ around.

His‍ size was similar⁠ to the other‍‍ gorillas, but his‍ posture was completely‌ different.

Even‌ the gorilla leader⁠‍ placed his hands⁠⁠ on the ground⁠⁠ when running.

But‌ this new individual‍‍ stood proudly upright⁠ on two legs.‍

And‌‍ above all, his‍‍ appearance was clearly⁠ different.

The‍ other gorillas, including‍ the leader, were‌ completely naked.

But‍‌ this new individual‌ wore “clothes,” like a human.

Although‍ the clothing was‌‌⁠ so old and‍ worn that it‍⁠ looked little more⁠‌ than rags, it⁠ was still clothing.‌‌‌

If Grills had seen‍‍ it, he probably‌‌‍ would have called‍‌ it Eastern-style attire.‍‍

Black clothing.

“Uuu!‍ Uuuuu! Uuu!”

As‍⁠ soon as he‌ saw that gorilla,‍ the leader began explaining the entire‌ situation.

He‌ even pointed to‌⁠ the broken arm⁠ hanging uselessly at‌‍‍ his side.

The⁠‍‍ new individual listened⁠⁠ in silence.

“Uuu!”‍‍

“……”‍⁠

“Uuuuu!⁠ Uu!”

The⁠ more he listened⁠⁠ to the gorilla‍⁠ leader’s story, the‌‌ more serious his⁠‍ expression became.

Unlike⁠‌ the other gorillas,‍ he appeared much‍‌ older.

His‌ face was marked‍⁠⁠ by wrinkles and‌‍ a clear sense‍ of experience.

“Uuu!‍ Uuuuu!”

“……”‍

Moreover,‌‌ one of his⁠‌ eyes bore a scar divided into‌⁠ five marks.

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Chapter 108: The Wild Way (2)

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