The king of monsters king kong

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Chapter 4: The Heart of Skull Island

The jungle was no longer just a place of danger—it was Erik's battlefield. Every step he took was a statement, every roar a challenge to the creatures that called Skull Island home. The fight with the Shadow Wolves had been a turning point. Erik had proven he could survive, but survival wasn't enough. He wanted to dominate.

The system's interface flickered in his mind as he trudged through the dense foliage, his massive frame casting a shadow over the forest floor.

**[Name: Erik (King Kong)]

Species: Primal Gorilla

Evolution Stage: 1

Strength: 20

Agility: 8

Endurance: 17

Intelligence: 10

Abilities: Primal Roar

Evolution Points (EP): 30]

Erik's eyes narrowed as he scanned the terrain. The island was a labyrinth of towering trees, jagged cliffs, and hidden dangers. He could hear the distant cries of unknown creatures, their voices echoing through the mist. Skull Island was alive, and it was watching him.

"System," Erik said, his voice a low rumble. "What's the next step? How do I get stronger?"

**[To conquer Skull Island, Host must establish dominance over its apex predators. Defeating powerful creatures will grant significant EP and unlock new abilities. Additionally, Host can consume rare resources found on the island to accelerate evolution.]**

Erik grunted in acknowledgment. "Apex predators, huh? Sounds like fun."

As if on cue, the ground beneath him trembled. Erik froze, his instincts screaming at him to move. He leaped to the side just as a massive shape burst from the earth, its jaws snapping shut where he had stood moments before.

The creature was unlike anything Erik had ever seen. It looked like a cross between a crocodile and a dinosaur, its body covered in thick, armored scales. Its eyes glowed with a predatory gleam, and its tail lashed out, uprooting trees with ease.

**[Alert: Host has encountered a Level 5 Skullcrawler. Extreme caution advised.]**

"A Skullcrawler?" Erik muttered, his voice tinged with both awe and dread. The name fit—the creature's elongated skull and serpentine body made it look like something out of a nightmare.

The Skullcrawler lunged at him, its jaws wide open. Erik dodged, his agility stat barely keeping him ahead of the creature's strikes. He swung a massive fist at its head, but the blow glanced off its armored scales.

"Tough, huh?" Erik growled. "Let's see how you handle this."

He unleashed his new ability, **Primal Roar**, the sound reverberating through the jungle like a thunderclap. The Skullcrawler recoiled, momentarily stunned. Erik seized the opportunity, grabbing the creature by its tail and slamming it into the ground.

The Skullcrawler thrashed, its claws raking against Erik's arms. Pain shot through him, but he held on, his endurance stat allowing him to push through. With a roar, he lifted the creature off the ground and hurled it into a nearby boulder. The impact shook the earth, and the Skullcrawler let out a pained screech.

But it wasn't done yet. The creature lunged again, its speed catching Erik off guard. Its jaws clamped down on his shoulder, and Erik roared in pain, his vision swimming. He could feel his strength fading, but he refused to give up.

Summoning every ounce of power, Erik grabbed the Skullcrawler's head and twisted with all his might. There was a sickening crack, and the creature went limp, its body collapsing to the ground.

**[Congratulations! Host has defeated a Level 5 Skullcrawler. Reward: 100 EP.]**

Erik staggered back, his chest heaving as he stared at the lifeless creature. His shoulder throbbed where the Skullcrawler had bitten him, but the pain was already fading, his endurance stat working to heal his wounds.

"System," he said, his voice hoarse. "Allocate 50 EP to Strength and 50 to Endurance."

**[Strength increased to 25. Endurance increased to 22.]**

Erik felt the changes immediately. His muscles swelled with newfound power, and the ache in his shoulder disappeared entirely. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw strength coursing through his body.

"Alright," he said, his voice steady. "What's next?"

The system's response was immediate. **[Host has gained the attention of Skull Island's apex predators. To establish dominance, you must defeat the island's Alpha Skullcrawler. Warning: this creature is significantly more powerful than the one you just faced.]**

Erik's eyes narrowed. "An Alpha, huh? Where do I find it?"

**[The Alpha Skullcrawler resides in the Bone Graveyard, a cavern deep within the island. Proceed with caution.]**

Erik nodded, his determination hardening. The Bone Graveyard sounded like a place of death, but he wasn't afraid. He was King Kong, and Skull Island would bow to him.

As he set off toward the heart of the island, the jungle seemed to grow quieter, as if holding its breath. The creatures of Skull Island had seen what Erik was capable of, and they were beginning to understand: he wasn't just another predator. He was something more.

Something unstoppable.

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