The Way of the Wild (3)
Martial arts have contributed quite a bit to human history. From ancient times right up to the modern era. More than half of human history is recorded as 'war'. And martial arts played a huge role in those wars. Especially in ancient times, the tide of battle often shifted based on individual prowess. Time passed, technology advanced, and the ultimate cheat item 'gun' appeared, but the importance of martial arts never faded. Martial arts transcend tools. They're techniques to wield martial force more easily. Guns vary wildly in accuracy and stability depending on the user. And martial arts are hard to master without someone teaching you directly. Self-study is nearly impossible. Everyone has different arm and leg lengths, heights, weights, and so on. Talents vary even more. To correct flaws in real time, you need an observer.
'Who the hell...!' I couldn't hide my shock at the leader gorilla's palm strike. From gliding in like silk to the fluid follow-up attacks—everything was jaw-dropping. But there was no time to think. The key was that this leader gorilla was my enemy. I had to take it down, no matter what.
Siiiing! I dodged the palm strike, and my counterattack followed immediately. Time seemed to slow, making my response lightning-fast. My sword slashed down from above. At this rate, it would bury into the leader gorilla's collarbone. But the beast's face remained eerily calm. It even closed in tighter.
Thud! Then it grabbed my arms with both of its own. And it spun its body behind mine. Just as fluid as before. In that seamless motion, my body shifted too.
Whoooosh! My legs lifted off the ground against my will.
Boom! The world spun once, and a massive impact slammed into my back. My breath caught with a sharp gasp!, eyes bulging in agony. What just happened?
'No way... a shoulder throw...!' My shock at the leader gorilla's grappling skills was short-lived. Its sole suddenly loomed over my head. One stomp and I'd be dead.
Kwaaang!! I barely rolled away in time. Gulping air desperately, I scrambled to my feet. In that split second, the leader gorilla closed in again. No mercy, no breather. One mistake and I'd be gone for real.
I accelerated the mana in my body. Even grazing one of its attacks would deal massive damage. Kaang! Another palm strike flew in. I blocked with my shield. Strong, but not shield-shattering. If I could exploit an opening, I could hold my own. Against a normal human, I'd create distance... but...
'Its arms are too damn long. Reach means nothing.'
As a gorilla, its arm length nullified distance games. We were equals now—pure skill clash. Nothing like my previous improv fights. This could drag into an endurance battle, the kind I hated most.
Kwaang! Our shield and fist collided again. This time a punch, not a palm. The shock vibrated through to my shoulder, numbing it. Worlds apart from the other gorillas' strength. Grimacing, I slashed diagonally with my sword in my right hand. I didn't forget to watch for throws.
Thok— But it sidestepped effortlessly. Perfect distance control. Who the hell taught this thing martial arts? Whoever it was, they taught it some bullshit.
'Weakness. Find the weakness.'
Short legs? Its long arms covered that. Slow movements for counters? Another throw would kill me. Bare hands vs. weapons? Its whole body was a weapon. No weaknesses in sight. Pure skill fight, as I said.
'Wait. I do have an edge.'
Thinking hard, it wasn't all bad. It couldn't defend. Dodging was its only option. Blocking Cheonma's sword meant instant death. I targeted that. Force a situation where it had to block. An opening would come.
Shiiik! A thrusting stab at a gap—aimed at the shoulder. But it dodged lightly and thwacked the flat of my blade. The sword spun aside, throwing off my balance. Its turn now. It thrust out a palm, sensing the shift.
I went for it. Charging straight at the gorilla.
"?!"
It hadn't expected that—eyes widening. Too late to pull back the extended hand. Even if it did, its stance would crumble. While it panicked, I thrust not with my sword, but my shield like a punch. Straight at the face. It threw up an arm in haste... but...
Kwaduduk!!
Mana-enhanced body. Shield surging with aura. Not enough to block. I heard bones shatter clearly. That sound sealed its defeat.
Wooduk!!
"Guhk?!"
But was it overconfidence? Something burst in my ribs. Ominous crunch—not just broken, pulverized. No pain at first, just electric jolt. Then agony hit, vision blacking out. Couldn't breathe.
"Guh... guh..."
"Kuooo!!"
We staggered back, both critically hit. Me in the ribs, it in the arm. I had the edge for continuing. Its arm dangled uselessly—shattered to bits.
'My ribs...'
Not unscathed myself. Breathing impossible. Worse than the shoulder throw. Vision fading without air.
"Ugh... Puh! Urgh!"
Finally exhaled, but pain crashed in. Worse than the Oriharukon guardian by miles. Just one hit. Nearly crippled me. Lucky it was ribs—not a vital spot, or I'd be done.
"Uwooo!"
Judging it couldn't fight on? Leader gorilla clutched its broken arm and bolted. Good thing. I couldn't either.
'Elixir... Need elixir...!'
Clutching my ribs, I stumbled into the shelter cave. Breathing ragged. Worried a shard pierced my lung. Elixir should fix it.
Inside, I chugged a full bottle.
"Hoo. Hoo. Hoo."
Cold sweat pouring, I steadied my breath. Elixir helped some. Pain lingered, grimacing often.
"Haa..."
About five minutes to stabilize. Way different from the Oriharukon guardian. Ribs made even breathing hell.
"Cough! Cough! Kek!"
Blood even sprayed from my mouth. Close call. Wiped it off and slumped down.
Days getting harder and harder.
'What the hell was that guy...?'
A gorilla using human martial arts. Unfathomable. Survivor teach it? Doubtful. Gallery said no one ever taught apes martial arts or breathing methods with notable success.
'Four Seasons Forest different?'
Smart enough to learn, so it did. But who taught it? Gorilla mastering martial arts means a high-level master with teaching chops. Surviving here to teach gorillas.
Swish— Head spinning, someone approached. Ppareumbo. Staring at it, I recalled what it did. Beheaded the hostage gorilla, tossed the head. Pure wild style—new side of Ppareumbo.
"Hey."
"..."
"Why'd you spare me?"
Ppareumbo stayed silent. But it was saying: Pathetic, no need to kill.
'Yeah. Fair.'
I chuckled. Good I was weak then. Any threat, and I'd be dead.
"By the way, Ppareumbo. What do you eat?"
"..."
Separate issue—future diet. Ppareumbo kept its usual chill face. Easy to read.
"No Wall Valley Pills for a bit. Wait."
"..."
Its lip twitched down. It could make faces. Wild.
*****
Leader gorilla ran and ran. One arm wrecked—no climbing, just sprinting. Still insanely fast. Environment blurred by like its approach technique—running wasn't normal animal stuff.
Crunch! Soon, back at base. Other gorillas busy: picking bananas from trees, sleeping sprawled out, splitting stones for tools, etc.
"Auuu! Uuuu!"
Clutching its dangling arm, leader roared. All gorillas froze mid-task. Eerie silence blanketed the area. What did it say?
Swish— Someone approached from behind. Leader turned at the presence. Similar build, but posture different. Leader gorilla ran on all fours; this one stood tall on two legs. Appearance stark too. Others bare-skinned. This one wore 'clothes' like a human. Tattered rags, but clothes. Black, Eastern-style—what Grills would've called.
"Uu! Uuuu! Uu!"
Leader explained everything, pointing to its broken arm.
Newcomer listened quietly.
"Uu!"
"..."
"Uuuu! U!"
The more it spoke, the graver the newcomer's face grew. Wrinkled, aged beyond others.
"Uu! Uuuu!"
"..."
One eye scarred with five gashes.