Ape of the Wilds

The jungle air hung heavy with the scent of blood.

Kuro stood at the heart of the battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen Tzalik warriors. The moonlight shimmered against the slick crimson coating his Duskrunner Claws, his breath steady despite the carnage.

His warriors, Kota, Sia, Varek, Boru, and Ruka, stood nearby, their chests rising and falling, their fur matted with sweat and dirt. The battle had been quick, brutal, and one-sided—just as he had planned.

But Kuro knew this was just the beginning.

The Tzalik warband had been crushed, their ranks torn apart by the ambush. But Kuro had left one survivor—a single warrior sent running back to his people, carrying the message:

The jungle belongs to me.

He could only imagine how the Tzalik would react. Anger? Fear? Vengeance?

It didn't matter.

Let them come.

He would be ready.

Status Screen Update

Name: Kuro

Race: Maw'Tanu Ape

Level: 6 (40/600 XP)

Health: 170/170

Stamina: 150/150

Mana: 20/20

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 14

Endurance: 12

Intelligence: 2

Wisdom: 1

Skills:

• Unarmed Combat (Lv.3) [+] – Mastery over unarmed strikes, grappling, and counterattacks.

• Survival (Lv.3) [+] – Increased awareness, tracking skills, and adaptability in the wild.

• Fire-making (Lv.1) – Ability to create and sustain fire with basic materials.

• Weapon Crafting (Lv.2) [+] – The ability to craft effective primitive weapons and improve them.

• Grappling (Lv.2) [+] – Enhanced ability to subdue enemies, apply locks, and break limbs.

• Aerial Combat (Lv.1) – Increased agility and precision when attacking from above.

• Instinct (Lv.1) – Heightened reaction time and combat awareness.

Titles:

• Jungle Predator – Fear effect on weaker enemies; stealth attacks deal +15% extra damage.

• Tzalik's Bane (NEW) – Tzalik warriors now recognize Kuro as a major threat.

• Effect: Tzalik forces will be more aggressive in their pursuit of him.

Kuro studied the updated status screen in his mind's eye. His strength and dexterity had increased significantly, and his Unarmed Combat had reached Level 3.

But something else caught his attention—his new title.

"Tzalik's Bane," he murmured under his breath.

The meaning was clear.

They would come for him.

Kuro turned to his warriors, scanning them for injuries. They were bruised but alive, and more importantly, they had fought as a single unit.

Boru cracked his knuckles, a satisfied grin on his face. "That was good. I've never seen them run like that."

"They weren't expecting resistance," Varek muttered, wiping his spear blade clean. "Now they know we're watching."

"They'll return," Sia added, notching a fresh arrow onto her bow. "And next time, they won't be so careless."

Kuro nodded.

"Then we prepare."

He crouched beside one of the fallen Tzalik warriors, inspecting their weapons and armor. They were still primitive, mostly crude spears, blades, and stone clubs—but the paint on their skin was what interested him most.

He rubbed his fingers against the markings. The red pigment, mixed with something darker, carried a faint, almost metallic scent.

"Blood magic," Kota said quietly.

Kuro glanced at him.

"You're sure?"

Kota nodded, his expression serious. "It's old magic. Forbidden. The Tzalik have been using it for years, but this… this feels stronger."

Kuro's grip tightened around his claws.

Blood magic was dangerous. The Tzalik must have had a shaman among them, strengthening their warriors, using rituals to enhance their bodies.

And if that was the case—

The next battle wouldn't just be a fight. It would be a war against something unnatural.

The journey back to the Maw'Tanu village was silent.

Despite their victory, no one spoke. The reality of what they had just done weighed on them.

They had killed thirty warriors.

The Tzalik would retaliate.

The village walls came into view, the torches flickering against the wooden barriers. The sentries above the gate spotted them instantly, calling down.

"Kuro and his warriors return!"

The gates creaked open, and within moments, the entire village was awake.

Maw'Tanu gathered in clusters, murmuring among themselves, their eyes filled with questions—and fear.

Elder Mar'Zun stepped forward, flanked by Hak'Tor and Sa'Ruk.

Kuro met their gazes head-on.

"The warband is dead," he said simply.

The words sent a ripple through the gathered warriors.

Some exchanged glances of shock. Others stared at Kuro as if seeing him for the first time.

But Mar'Zun's expression remained unreadable.

"And the Tzalik?" the elder asked.

"They'll return," Kuro said, his voice firm. "And they won't come alone."

The council hall was tense. The air inside the wooden structure was thick with smoke and uncertainty.

Kuro stood at the center, his warriors beside him. The elders sat in a semi-circle, listening as he described the battle, the ambush, and the blood magic markings.

When he finished, Mar'Zun let out a slow breath.

"The Tzalik have never attacked like this," the elder muttered. "Not in such numbers."

Hak'Tor leaned forward, his scarred face grim. "They have a new leader."

Silence followed.

Kuro glanced at him. "A leader stronger than their last?"

Hak'Tor's expression darkened.

"Stronger… and worse."

Sa'Ruk, the most cautious of the elders, tapped his staff against the wooden floor. "Then we must assume this will not be the last warband."

"It won't be," Kuro confirmed. "The Tzalik won't just attack the village. They'll come to claim it."

Mar'Zun nodded. "Then we have no choice."

The elder rose, his voice carrying across the hall.

"We will prepare for war."

The village exploded into motion.

Warriors sharpened their weapons. Scouts were sent into the deep jungle, watching for signs of another attack. The outer defenses were fortified, and traps were set along the Tzalik's known paths.

But Kuro wasn't just thinking about defense.

He was thinking about the leader behind all of this.

Whoever this new Tzalik warlord was, they weren't just sending warriors into the jungle blindly. They were strategic, patient, and dangerous.

Kuro had to find them first.

That meant one thing—

He had to take the fight to the Tzalik before they were ready.

Before they came for him.

New Quest: The Warlord's Shadow

• Infiltrate the Tzalik territory and uncover the identity of their new leader.

• Eliminate high-ranking Tzalik shamans to weaken their forces.

• Prevent the next attack before it begins.

Reward: +400 XP, New Combat Skill Unlocked.

Kuro exhaled slowly, his claws flexing.

The war was coming.

And he would meet it head-on.