The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer-Chapter 7 - : Predator

The forest was alive with sound. The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot filled the air. But suddenly, a new sound emerged—a chorus of high-pitched howls that sent shivers down the spine.

Keiran stood still, his eyes scanning the treetops. He knew what was coming.

A mob of Spider Monkeys arrived, their grotesque forms moving with unnatural speed. They were not ordinary monkeys.

Each one had eight spider-like legs protruding from their backs, allowing them to leap from tree to tree with terrifying agility.

Their howls echoed through the forest, a cacophony of hunger and rage. The sound was deafening, a mix of screeches and guttural growls that seemed to vibrate through the very air. The Spider Monkeys moved as one, their glowing eyes fixed on Keiran, their prey.

Keiran watched them with a calm expression, his face betraying no fear.

The Spider Monkeys were dangerous, but he was confident in his abilities. His body was tense, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

His eyes darted from one monkey to another, calculating their movements, their numbers, their weaknesses. He could feel the weight of their stares, the rage in their eyes.

They were predators, but so was he.

[Common: Spider Monkey — Level 5.]

[50 Spider Monkeys.]

The notification appeared in his mind, cold and mechanical. Keiran didn't need the reminder. He could see the swarm of monsters closing in.

Without hesitation, he spread the spider legs that emerged from his own back. They were sleek and sharp, glinting in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees.

The legs twitched slightly, as if alive, responding to his thoughts. They were an extension of his body, a weapon.

Keiran activated Skittering Rush, a skill that allowed him to move at incredible speeds in random directions. It was a difficult skill to control, but his high Dexterity stat gave him an edge.

He darted through the forest, his movements a blur. The ground beneath him seemed to vanish as he leaped from one spot to another, his spider legs propelling him forward with incredible force.

The Spider Monkeys lunged at him, their spider legs stabbing the air where he had just been. But Keiran was faster.

He twisted in mid-air, his spider legs slicing through the bodies of the nearest monkeys. The sharp tips skewered them effortlessly, and their screams of pain filled the forest.

Blood sprayed through the air, splattering against the trees and the ground. The smell of it was sharp and metallic, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.

More Spider Monkeys rushed in, their eyes glowing with fury. Some of them picked up stones and hurled them at Keiran with surprising accuracy.

Keiran didn't flinch. His human skin hardened and transformed into thick, jagged stone.

The stones thrown by the Spider Monkeys bounced harmlessly off his new armor. He was a living statue, impervious to their attacks.

The stone skin was rough and uneven, like the surface of a boulder, and it gave him an imposing, almost monstrous appearance. The Spider Monkeys screeched in frustration, their attacks useless against his hardened form.

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But the Spider Monkeys were relentless. They swarmed him, their numbers overwhelming. They crowded around him, their spider legs stabbing at his stone armor, trying to find a weak spot.

Keiran felt the pressure building. He couldn't hold them off forever. The sound of their legs scraping against his stone skin was like nails on a chalkboard, grating and unbearable. He could feel the vibrations through his body.

[Your HP is decreasing.]

The notification flashed in his mind, a warning he couldn't ignore.

Keiran gritted his teeth and activated Tremor Wiggle. His body began to shake violently, the vibrations radiating through the ground.

The Spider Monkeys lost their balance, tumbling to the forest floor. The earth itself seemed to tremble beneath them, the trees swaying as if caught in a sudden storm. Keiran seized the opportunity.

He transformed again, this time into a massive wolf. His jaws snapped shut on the nearest Spider Monkeys, crushing them in an instant.

The taste of blood filled his mouth, warm and metallic. He shook his head violently, sending the limp bodies flying.

But he knew he couldn't take them all head-on. There were too many. Instead, he adopted a hit-and-run tactic, using his speed and agility to pick them off one by one.

Keiran activated Rapid Hop and leaped into the trees, where some of the Spider Monkeys were hiding.

As he closed the distance, he transformed into a Black Scale Snake, his body elongating and his scales glistening like obsidian.

He struck quickly, swallowing one of the monkeys whole before reverting to his human form. The transformation was seamless. His body moved with fluid grace, each form complementing the next.

The remaining Spider Monkeys lunged at him, but Keiran was ready. He activated Iron Fist, his fists glowing with a metallic sheen.

His punches were devastating, each one breaking skulls and sending bodies flying. The sound of bone crunching under his fists was sickening, but Keiran didn't hesitate.

He moved with precision, each strike calculated and deliberate. The Spider Monkeys screeched in terror, but they didn't retreat. They were too driven by their primal instincts.

Eight spider legs sprouted from Keiran's back once more, and he used them to fend off the monkeys that got too close. The legs moved with precision, stabbing and slashing with deadly efficiency.

They were like whips, cutting through the air with a sharp hiss. The Spider Monkeys that came within range were impaled instantly, their bodies writhing in agony before going still.

Despite the chaos, Keiran's voice remained calm as he asked, "How many are left?"

[20.]

The number appeared in his mind, and Keiran nodded.

He transformed again, this time into a monstrous hybrid—a giant wolf with stone skin covered in thick black scales.

Eight massive spider legs extended from his back, and a sharp horn protruded from his forehead.

He was a creature of nightmares, a predator at the top of the food chain. His presence alone was enough to send a chill through the forest, the air growing heavy with tension.

A group of Spider Monkeys leaped at him, their spider legs poised to strike.

Keiran activated Horn Thrust, charging forward with his horn. It pierced through the monkeys effortlessly, their bodies impaled like insects on a pin.

The force of the charge sent them flying, their bodies crashing into trees and rocks. Those that managed to dodge were met with his fangs, which tore through them with brutal efficiency. The sound of flesh ripping filled the air, a gruesome symphony of violence.

[9.]

The number of remaining Spider Monkeys was dwindling.

Keiran activated Predator's Rush, a skill that enhanced his speed and strength. He moved like a shadow, hunting down the remaining monkeys one by one.

His jaws snapped shut in Ferocious Bites, ending their lives in an instant.

The forest, once filled with the war cries of the Spider Monkeys, was now eerily silent. The few monkeys that remained tried to fight back, hurling rocks or attempting to flee.

But Keiran was unstoppable. He swallowed some whole and used Predator's Rush to chase down those who tried to run.

When the battle finally ended, Keiran stood alone in the clearing. The bodies of the Spider Monkeys lay scattered around him, their spider legs twitching in their final moments.

The forest was quiet once more, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. Keiran took a deep breath, his body slowly reverting to its human form.