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Chaos Chimera [Monster Evolution Refuge Progression LitRPG]
[Zeldritzon] Chapter 26 - Blue {SPEED} or Red {STRENGTH} Feud

[Zeldritzon] Chapter 26 - Blue {SPEED} or Red {STRENGTH} Feud

Zeldritzon [Cycle 4] - Afternoon

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Current Location:

[Ungroot Zone]

[UvoSath Forest of the UvoSath Realm]

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KiAera smashed her ear into a Kobolbo, uppercutting it and leading it to crash into the ground. Upon landing, the Kobolbo exploded into particles for her to siphon.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

[[Kobolbo] defeated.]

[ApeX obtained: 40 Units]

[Conversion: 40 Units > 4 Units!]

KiAera's [APeX]: 44 Units > 48 Units!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

She squinted when her head rang.

["Sacrifice APeX to increase STR?"]

Why was it so persistent this time?

'I'm…going to do it...'

KiAera acknowledged she had a moment. After all, she was mounted on Amber's back. The LeapLeap. Her gaze diverted to the Kobolbos being kicked around by the ratite monster. Yeah, no problem, Amber could handle herself for a thought or two. Now, back to it.

She focused her thoughts, concentrating from within. Or at least where it lingered. Not like she had an exact idea. Okay. Pinpointed. 'I...feel the energy, like a particle grasped within me. Channel it… cultivate… I think this... Wait, not two!'

[STR Boost +2] [APeX -2]

A sudden burst of splendid power erupted through her when she focused her APeX through some internal part of her soul.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's [APeX]: 48 Units > 46 Units!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera felt the rush of power surge through her, a tingling heat that coursed from the sigil on her forehead down to the tips of her extendable ears. She did not feel weaker per se. A balance might be a better way to describe it. Yet. Internally? She felt a bit of a difference. Hard to explain it... It felt like training a muscle with a dumbbell, and her body did feel stronger. Otherwise, the shift did not feel anywhere like a downgrade or anything major.

"Woah!"

Amber suddenly jolted, avoiding a stray Kobolbo swipe. KiAera jolted with her, snapping back into the moment. She tightened her grip on the LeapLeap's plumage to steady herself as her sigil dimmed.

KiAera growled in annoyance as another Kobolbo lunged toward them, its teeth bared in a snarl. Her ears snapped forth like whips, slamming into the creature and sending it flying back into the twisted underbrush. She barely noticed the explosion of particles as it dissipated, her focus turning inward once more.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

[[Kobolbo] defeated.]

[ApeX obtained: 31 Units]

[Conversion: 31 Units > 3.1 Units!]

KiAera's [APeX]: 46 Units > 49 Units!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

"Not two..." she muttered under her breath. A glance to her side showed the Osseods, her crystalline mice companions, clambering over a Kobolbo. They shattered the kobold-like monster with a bit too much enthusiasm for her taste.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Beta Osseod's [APeX]: 22 Units > 25 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Pi Osseod's [APeX]: 26 Units > 29 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Delta Osseod's [APeX]: 21 Units > 24 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

She turned her thoughts inward again, toward the APeX rippling within her. Okay, so the rules here were malleable and utterly alien. Yet, they were rules she could bend to her will. Maybe.

'If I’m getting this right, I could increase my skills as well?' The idea coiled around her thoughts. What if she could spread it out, finesse it into another parameter? Speed, perhaps? Willpower? Her ears twitched at the prospect. And those guys.

"Kokobolko! Kootolba!" ["Kobolbos! Attack!"]

"Kobwour! Kobwour!" ["Devour! Devour!"]

Several Kobolbo attempted to approach her. Sticks in hand. They ranged between [30] and [40] APeX. KiAera wanted nothing to do with them. Buuuttt. She wanted to try something.

First she cleared her throat. She rumbled it, allowing a purr to emit and she hissed until... an earsplitting [Howl] ripped from her throat!

The Kobolbos twitched, fumbled their spears, and tripped. And while they made fools of themselves, she noticed a drop...

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [36 Units] [-10%]

APeX (Intimidated): [32 Units]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [35 Units] [-10%]

APeX (Intimidated): [32 Units]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [38 Units] [-10%]

APeX (Intimidated): [34 Units]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [40 Units]

APeX (Intimidated): [36 Units]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [38 Units]

APeX (Intimidated): [34 Units]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

In their APeX.

[Intimidation] successful.

Her gaze flicked back to the Osseods, who were now ganging up on another Kobolbo.

One of the Osseods squeaked in triumph, gnawing on the Kobolbo's armored tail until it disintegrated into a fine mist of particles. KiAera rolled her eyes. "Save some for me, Delta," she grumbled, though she wasn't really complaining. Every bit of APeX counted, especially now that she knew how to wield it. Sort of.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Pi Osseod's [APeX]: 29 Units > 33 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Delta Osseod's [APeX]: 24 Units > 28 Units.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

It made her wonder if they, too, had a form of APeX that she could learn to tap into and maybe even enhance.

But first, she needed to understand her own power. She focused again, sifting through the sensation of the APeX within her.

"Focus, KiAera," with a whisper, her grip tightened on Amber's back. "Distribute the APeX. Control it. Shift it like a particle... not just strength."

'Shift the APeX into speed...' It was an intriguing thought. Would that work? Or could it create an imbalance in her body? The mechanics of this world were still strange, but it was worth a theory.

She concentrated inward again. After a moment, she saw swirling glyphs and symbols that presented options she hadn't noticed before. One symbol pulsed. Blue. SPEED. Her heart raced as she selected it.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

["Sacrifice APeX to increase SPD?"]

'Yes, just one... carefully now…'

[SPD Boost +1] [APeX -1]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's [APeX]: 49 Units > 48 Units!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

The sensation this time was different—a quicksilver rush that seemed to lighten her whole body.

"Oh my, that's neat," she glanced at her paws. Her eyes darted to the side just in time to see another Kobolbo rushing at her, claws outstretched. Instinctively, she moved, and the world blurred around her. A stick nearly took head!

"Damn it! Maintain the pressure! Don't let them recoup!" she hissed, lashing her tail. She did not dare to waste a moment. She grasped the fibrous antennae at the back of Amber's head, causing the ratite monster to rush forward.

"LeeLee!" Amber's cry alarmed the flailing Kobolbos as she lunged them. The ratite delivered powerful blows with her massive beak as she smacked her wings into them. Meanwhile, at her flank, the Osseods continued their assault, pelting the Kobolbos' hide with their crystal projectiles.

KiAera leaped off of Amber and rushed one of the monsters, striking at the monster's knees before finishing it with another ear-punch. The Kobolbo crashed to the ground, dispersing into light before it could retaliate.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's [APeX]: 48 Units > 52 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

"[Get bent, scum!] LeeLee! LeeLee!" With a powerful thrust of her talon-clad feet, Amber broke another Kobolbo's spine. The monster fell over as the Osseods swarmed over to finish it off with a flurry of bites.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Beta Osseod's [APeX]: 25 Units > 28 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Pi Osseod's [APeX]: 33 Units > 36 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Delta Osseod's [APeX]: 28 Units > 31 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

A Kobolbo took the opportunity to retaliate and kicked Delta into the air, stunning the little crystalline Osseod. Delta sailed into a tree trunk before crashing to the ground, but the Osseod scrambled to its feet and limped back to the fight, crystals sparking from its mouth as it ran.

"Osseods! Fire!" Pi shouted, launching its crystals at the offending Kobolbo. Beta did the same, bombarding the Kobolbo with its crystal spit before Amber tackled the creature and dispatched it.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Amber the LeapLeap's [APeX]: 54 Units > 58 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

With their focus on the enemy before them, the other Kobolbos didn't see KiAera sneak around their flank. With a cry, she lashed out at another of their numbers. Her strike made contact with the side of the Kobolbo's neck before she knocked it away with another blow.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's [APeX]: 52 Units > 56 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

"Kill! Kobowowour!" ["Kill! Devour!"]

Her ears twitched. She dove under a new Kobolbo's claw swipe and darted away with a hop.

KiAera pounced onto her opponent's head and twisted around, wrenching her ears on the Kobolbo's neck. The monster bit down in reflex, but before it could tear out a chunk of flesh, KiAera brought her ears forward and pulled hard.

Her ears twisted and popped, sending the Kobolbo sprawling. With a swift kick, KiAera slammed its head into the dirt, causing the Kobolbo's body to dissipate.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's [APeX]: 56 Units > 60 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

[MereKick] - Beast - TECH: 2 → TECH: 3!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Three Kobolbo stumbled back upon witnessing the sudden defeat of their brethren. They were focused on KiAera when a blur of feathers knocked one Kobolbo off its feet and proceeded to take out its companion. The third Kobolbo flung itself to the floor with a shrill yelp.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Amber's [APeX]: 58 Units > 62 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Their distraction cost them as Amber charged at them from the side, smashing her beak into the nearest monster. The impact sent it tumbling to the ground, where it was quickly overwhelmed by a swarm of Osseods.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Beta Osseod's [APeX]: 28 Units > 32 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Pi Osseod's [APeX]: 36 Units > 40 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Delta Osseod's [APeX]: 31 Units > 35 Units.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

"Kill! Merecritt! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

KiAera diverted her gaze to the Kobolbos, who were rushing and pointing sticks at her. Flicking her tail, she ignited the forest floor with her [Spectral Flame], causing the Kobolbos to lurch back from the sudden sizzling surface.

They began stumbling in disarray, and KiAera noted that the rest of the Kobolbos were slowly but surely reaching their breaking point. Their attacks becoming more frantic and disorganized. She could see the fear in their eyes as they tightened into a cluster. They smelled of fear, and KiAera struggled to contain herself. She lowered her hunches, her tail swayed. She wanted to pounce...

However, she noticed an oddity. Another group approached. A pack of Kobolbos that snuck by before backstabbing their own. Hm. They had blue paint adorned on their chests and faces.

KiAera's eyes flickered to the fallen Kobolbos. Orange paint. It clicked fast. The Kobolbos were in the midst of a caboodle feud.

It intrigued her as she noted the blue-stained Kobolbos were furtively untying others. Others who may have been in their own ranks, from an odd fiber she never seen before. Prisoners of war?

Suddenly, one blurred and darted in front of its group. Its attention on her. Stick poised to thrust.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo

APeX: [42 Units]

Attributes: [Brawl] [Cryptic]

Variant Grade: [Common]

Evolution Stage: [Fledgling]

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera's eyes narrowed as her fur bristled. It better not or else.

Her gaze flickered to the orange streak Kobolbos. Yeah, now she understood. The majority of the Kobolbo in the area were red. They were the forces that her group had been skirmishing with. The blue Kobolbos only recently arrived. They were here to rescue their detained comrades. And her group had been the perfect distraction. Smart. Now to the problem before her...

"Give up," KiAera hissed as she set her fur ablaze with Spectral Flame. Blue-black flames licked at the edges of her ears and tail. "We've defeated your enemies, and soon they'll be wiped out. Surrender, and I will let you live."

The seven blue Kobolbos hesitated. Then one of them, the one before her, growled, baring its fangs. "Kovo! [Never!]" The Kobolbo leaped at KiAera with an outstretched claw.

KiAera easily sidestepped the attack and grabbed the monster's arm. She twisted its arm behind its back and pushed its face into the ground, pinning it down. With a swift movement, she wrapped her tail around its neck and pulled tight, throwing the creature.

The Kobolbo thrashed as it flew through the air, its body twisting and contorting unnaturally. It crashed into another Kobolbo, sending the two monsters sprawling to the ground. The other blue Kobolbos looked at their fallen comrades in horror, realizing that they were outmatched.

"LeeLee!" Amber hurled herself toward the Kobolbos, only for KiAera to raise her ear to halt the LeapLeap.

"Stay your attacks, Amber." She narrowed her eyes, looking at the Kobolbos. The scent of fear wafted through the air. KiAera then snarled, baring her teeth. "You heard me. Surrender now, and I'll spare your lives. Fight any longer, and I won't hesitate to kill you all."

The Kobolbos exchanged glances, appearing to realize that the battle was over. They could either surrender or die, and they were not ready to give up yet. Promptly, the Kobolbos snarled only to whimper and lower their heads in submission.

KiAera nodded, satisfied with their decision. "Good. Now, excuse us; we will be on our way. I don't want any more trouble from you guys." She did not expect them to understand her, but—with a breath to cool her flames—it was better to express her intentions anyway.

Unexpectedly, her ears twitched to a sudden chirp. She peered downward and noticed Beta Osseod stepping up.

KiAera's ears twitched again in intrigue when the Osseod squeaked several times to the Kobolbos, causing them to nod their heads and bicker among themselves, albeit still cautiously.

After their brief argument, the Kobolbos stared at KiAera, only to then step back and gesture toward the path ahead. Amber and the Osseods stood behind her, looking at the Kobolbos warily.

KiAera blinked but did not question the strange gesture. An idea sparked in her mind. "Beta, I want you to tell them to follow. I seek to borrow their manpower for our forage."

Beta nodded and relayed the information to the Kobolbos, who hesitated. Then, one of the Kobolbos stepped up and nodded, gesturing for the others to follow.

KiAera nodded and turned to lead her group towards the path, followed by the Kobolbos. She could feel their eyes boring into her back, but she ignored them and continued on her way, hoping that they would not attack her. If they chose to attack first, she would retaliate.

KiAera glanced back at her new party, which now numbered over ten, most being Kobolbos. Thirteen. She contemplated to herself, thinking about how her plan to gather more allies had worked out. Without a word, she skulked towards the strongest among the Kobolbos. She had inquiries for it, and Beta Osseod would be her translator.

"You are strong." KiAera stated as Beta Osseod relayed her words.

The Kobolbo stared at her, before nodding. "And you are even stronger. Kobolbo respects Merecritt, now. Merecritt earns respect. Kobolbo will follow. We will hunt." It responded after a brief pause.

KiAera's spirit widened in surprise, but her expression remained steeled. "Are you sure? You do not have to follow me if you do not wish to."

She paused, eyes narrowing as she asked her next question. "Why were your subordinates captured? Why the infighting?"

"Kobolbo hungry. Kobolbo wants food. Merecritt strong. Stronger than us. So Kobolbo follow. We hunt with you." The Kobolbo looked at KiAera with its beady eyes, nodding.

KiAera sighed and rummaged through her pouch. "You should have started with that in the first place," she said, taking out a light-blue crystal. "Eat this. I will give your injured a few to aid their healing."

The Kobolbo nodded eagerly and took the crystal, munching on it. It offered a few to the other Kobolbos, who ate the crystals hungrily. The injured ones quickly felt their wounds closing and stood up, ready to go.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Kobolbo (Chest Scar)

APeX: [48 Units] > [49 Units].

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

KiAera watched the Kobolbos eat, her ears twitching. She could not help but think about how strange it was for her to be here, surrounded by monsters. Yet, it felt natural.

"What is your name?" she asked after Beta Osseod translated her question to the Kobolbo.

"Kobolbo," the creature pounded the aged scar across its chest. "Loyal to strong. Serve for life. Not weak like others!"

"Scarbol. Follow me," she turned, swaggering her tail. Suddenly, her claws sliced into the dirt, and she hissed.

She gathered her voice and unleashed an earsplitting [HOWL]! "Resonate these words into your ears! I won't tolerate mutiny towards myself or any of my comrades. That applies to all of you."

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

[Howl] - Beast - TECH: 1 → TECH: 2!

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

The Kobolbos trembled as they nodded fervently.

Her gaze swept over the creatures. She smiled internally. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come hither, comrades! We have plenty of gathering to do before the suns wanes."

The Kobolbos shook and nodded.

KiAera prowled around Scarbol, noticing the creature's quaking legs with her eyes. Her voice whispered as she breathed, "I am not your enemy." Beta Osseod translated the next words, ringing louder and clearer, "Cherish the remnants, warrior."

Slowly, Scarbol stood up straighter, its legs firmer.

"We follow, Merecritt. We hunt together," Scarbol said with another pound of its chest. The other Kobolbo nodded in agreement, eyes gleaming.

KiAera nodded, "It's KiAera," and with a howl, she led her party deeper into the forest. Slowly her mind wandered to the Skyrawltal, thinking about ways to deal with it.

If they were to encounter another once again. She had to hasten herself to compete against it.