Chapter 46

For an instant, I froze on my spot upon seeing those notifications popped up. Oh…

Then in order to make sure that I wasn’t just seeing things, I focused my eyes on it and read those notifications over and over again. And when the realization that I wasn’t seeing things finally hit me, I felt the boiling heat of excitement welling up inside my chest.

YES!!! I finally made it!!! I celebrated inside. But while I was bathing in joy of finally reaching the heights that any normal wolf wouldn’t ever reach in their lifetime, I was then interrupted by a sudden attack from an ant type monster. Fortunately, I still managed to sense that attack on the last possible second prompting me to dodge it only by a hair’s breadth.

Pissed by that uninvited interruption, I bit the ant type monster on its hind part as it passed through. Then, using the full force of my body, I threw the ant type monster towards its companions who were also preparing to launch themselves forward. As a result, the group of ant type monsters toppled over by the impact. And probably because their sharp protruding fangs were pointed forward, the ant type monster that I threw died in an instant after being pierced by his very own kind.

Yikes. Using that as the diversion, I activated Stealth and sneaked away from that spot. And with all that finally out of the way, I once again glanced at the notification still displayed on my vision.

Looking at the notification upfront, I could feel my mouth curving into a smile. Though because of how dangerous this place was, I obviously couldn’t afford to be hasty in my decisions. Especially because I knew from experience that evolution itself could be dangerous if I didn’t prepare myself for it. And since this evolution in particular would put me in the same level as the alpha class monsters, then I couldn’t possibly leave it in a gamble just like what I did on the ones before. That was why after staring at it for a while, I ultimately chose no for an answer.

While maintaining my stealth and sneaking through the battlefield, I couldn’t help but remember what had happened on my last evolution. That was a really close call. If I didn’t have that excess food lying about that time, I might have gone into a mindless rampage in search of food…

Truth to be told, just thinking about what might have happened if I had gone into a mindless rampage at that place sent shivers down my spine. After all, it was there in that very same area where I met that three-headed monstrosity; the Cerberus. And to be brutally honest, if I had gone on a rampage right there, there was a huge chance that I would happen upon that monster.

Yep. There is no way I can beat that thing even with this much improvement and progress. So, that time, if I had fought that monster in a contest for food, I would most definitely die. I concluded.

Luckily, for this area in particular, I had yet to see nor feel the presence of any overwhelmingly powerful monster such as the Cerberus or the Swamp Drake. But as usual, I couldn’t be much too sure. Because even though all the ant type monsters in this battlefield so far were all the familiar ones that I had fought during those raids, this place was still undoubtedly their territory. And given that it looked like the ant type monsters had absolute control over this area, then it would be safe to say that there was a monster ruling above all these ants much like that Gigarillon for the ape type monsters. The problem was…

The sheer number of the ant type monsters living in this place far surpassed the number of the ape type monsters living in that jungle type area. Furthermore, these guys are also somehow completely dominating this area, so I cannot afford to be optimistic and think that their ruler is only at the same level as the Gigarillon… Ugh!! Seriously, what the heck is that Gigarillon even thinking?!

Of course, I just had no idea whether the Gigarillon was simply incapable of realizing this or if they actually had an intel that the ruler of these monsters wasn’t that strong. Despite that, it was still insane that they were actually going to invade this den of ants. And it wasn’t as if the Gigarillon was completely unaware of their numbers either. After all, based on their behavior before, it was clear to see that they had planned this attack, so they should have at least an idea about the numbers of the ants living here. In fact, being that they sent us here, it was only obvious that those monsters were going to use the commotion that we would make in order to somehow divide the ant type monsters’ forces.

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But even then, that simply will not be enough to diminish their overwhelming disadvantage in numbers…

It was then that I finally managed to escape the chaotic battlefield. Then, while hiding a little distance away from there, I watched as the swarm of ants continued to charge towards where I came from. Looking at that, I couldn’t help but be relieved because my decision to run away was right.

Yep. That choice diffidently saved my life… I thought while turning away from that scene. Well, I guess I should prioritize my evolution for now. In which case, I should first find a safe place to hide then begin my preparation.

With that in mind, I began walking around while still keeping Stealth on.

***

Intermission: The Preparation

The time has finally come!! That was the collective thoughts of all the ape type monsters that were participating in the counter invasion.

Ever since the ant-type monsters discovered the jungle type area; the ape type monsters had endured countless battles and invasions against the ant type monsters. But because the ape type monsters knew that they had no chance of winning against the ant type monsters given their opponent’s overwhelming advantage in number, the ape type monsters had been forced to simply defend their territory without ever striking back. As a result, despite finally having a taste of the most prosperous era under the Gigarillon’s rule, the ape type monsters’ living in the jungle type area were once again thrown in the middle of another bloody conflict. Though this time, it was very likely that the conflict wouldn’t only determine the fate of their new kingdom, but instead would also affect the survival of their very species or at least every ape type monster living in the said area.

Because every single ape type monster had felt these waves of changes, every single one of them made sure to follow every command of their new ruler. After all, every living ape type monster had seen the capabilities of their new ruler firsthand. That was why in the minds of the ape type monsters, the only one capable of leading their species into certain victory against the turbulent times was without a doubt the Gigarillon.

And so, the ape type monsters completely devoted themselves in serving the Gigarillon and following each of his commands. In turn, it also seemed like the Gigarillon was doing everything he could to ensure the survival of their species. Every ape type monster under his rule had witnessed it. More so those that were directly under his command. And despite the fact that the ape type monsters couldn’t understand the reasoning behind some of the Gigarillon’s commands, they still followed and executed them ultimately leading to advantageous results.

As time went on, the positive effects of the Gigarillon’s commands became more and more obvious. One such thing was the fact that despite constantly battling against the ant type monsters, the casualties on the ape type monsters’ side were somehow decreasing. Furthermore, also because of these constant battles, the strength of the ape type monster warriors was increasing at a rapid pace. And it wasn’t simply the individual strengths of each warrior either. Because beyond that, the battle tactics and group coordination that the Gigarillon had taught to his direct subordinates was also paying off. As a result, not only did the ape type monsters manage to acquire some individual strength, but each of those strong fighters had also become capable of fighting as an army.

Fortunately, the ant type monsters didn’t launch any large-scale invasions during these times. As a result, the preparations of the ape type monsters proceeded without any hitch nor interruption in between. In fact, the small-scale invasions that the ant type monsters had launched ended up as a training for tactics and group fights. And with the existence of the monster prisoners that could be used as a bait on top of that, the defense against the ant type monsters’ invasion became so easy to the point that they didn’t even have to worry about casualties.

Until at last, after their long wait and preparation, the time had finally come. And following the lead of their ruler; the Gigarillon, the ape type monsters had begun to march towards the ant type monster territory. Of course, every single ape type monster knew. Warrior, or not. Whether part of the invasion army or those that would be left behind to protect their home, they were all aware. Because the simple truth was; the battle wasn’t only their first counter-attack. Instead, it was the first and last stand of their species. Which essentially means that; whoever won the battle, would also effectively win the war.