Michael’s eyes narrowed, his senses on high alert as he scanned their surroundings. Mage Lian’s eyes were fixed on something ahead, his expression intent.
Michael followed his gaze, and soon, he saw it too – a tree, unlike any he had ever seen before.
The tree itself wasn’t too big, but its branches seemed to stretch on forever, twisting and turning in impossible ways.
And on those branches, Michael saw strange looking fruits, glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
But what caught Michael’s attention wasn’t the tree or the fruits, but the two massive creatures sleeping at the base of the trunk.
They looked like apes, their fur a thick, shaggy coat of brown and gray.
They were enormous, easily three times Michael’s undead blue apes, and their muscles rippled beneath their skin even as they slept.
Michael’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of the apes.
Mage Lian’s voice was barely audible as he spoke, “Those are the guardians of the Soul Pool Fruit. We’ll need to defeat them to get the fruits.”
“Also, there’s no need to worry about damaging the fruit or the tree. Just show an intention to attack, and they will naturally move to another area,” Mage Lian explained.
Michael listened carefully as Mage Lian continued.
“With Sir Mic’s summon, while it may be difficult to defeat a mountain ape, it shouldn’t be impossible. Sorry, Mic will take one, and I’ll take the other. Please come assist me once you’re done.”
Michael nodded in agreement.
Though he couldn’t use his detect skill from where he stood, from the aura he sensed from the two apes,. though they were indeed more powerful than Mage Lian, it wasn’t to the point of despair.
Mage Lian wasted no time.
Raising a hand, he conjured a spear of fire, its tip burning white-hot.
Marking his target, with a flick of his wrist, the projectile shot forward, streaking through the air like a comet.
The sleeping mountain ape jerked awake the moment the spear struck its thick fur, the force sending embers scattering into the air.
It roared, shaking the ground beneath them, its massive frame twisting as it turned its furious gaze toward Mage Lian.
Michael, already prepared, reached into his storage space.
In an instant a massive undead griffin emerged in mid air.
The second mountain ape, startled by its companion’s roar, snapped awake.
Its gaze locked onto Michael and his undead beast.
Mage Lian had immediately dashed in another direction with the first ape making Michael stand out to the second ape
Without hesitation, it bared its fangs and slammed its fists into the ground, sending a spray of rocks into the air.
With an angry bellow, it grabbed a chunk the size of a boulder and hurled it toward him.
Michael reacted instantly. “Go,” he commanded.
The undead griffin let out a screech and charged forward, its wings kicking up a gust of wind.
With a powerful leap, it soared toward the incoming rock, smashing through it with sheer momentum before diving straight at the mountain ape.Michael stood behind.
He wasn’t done.
With Mage Lian no longer in sight, Michael summoned both lucky, his undead wolf and his undead high human.
“Lucky, the environment is too restrictive for you to summon and use your vines, so stick to physical attacks. Also, don’t use your poison.”
The last command was given with the Soul Pool Fruit in mind—he couldn’t risk damaging it.
Turning to the undead High Human, Michael issued another order. “No magic. Your spells are too destructive .”
Only the undead griffin was granted the freedom to use its wind magic, its Wind Slash providing aerial support from above.
The mountain ape roared as the undead griffin struck, talons raking across its thick fur. The impact forced it back a step, but it quickly regained its footing, snarling in fury.
Michael didn’t waste time. He barked his commands aloud.
“Lucky, flank it. You! Keep it occupied from the front!”
Lucky dashed forward, its undead form moving with unnatural agility.
The undead High Human followed with steady, heavy steps, its lifeless eyes locked onto the ape.
The mountain ape, now fully awake and enraged, pounded its chest before launching itself at the closest enemy—Michael’s High Human.
Its massive fist came down like a hammer, shaking the ground on impact.
But the High Human was fast. It twisted to the side, avoiding a direct hit, and countered with a powerful punch to the ape’s ribs.
Though the undead lacked true muscle strength, its sheer durability and unnatural force made up for it.
The ape grunted, momentarily stunned.
That was all Lucky needed.
Leaping in from the side, the undead wolf latched onto the ape’s arm, its fangs sinking deep.
The beast howled, shaking violently to throw Lucky off, but the wolf held firm.
“Griffin, Wind Slash!”
Above, the undead griffin let out a piercing screech before unleashing a razor-sharp gust of wind.
The attack struck the ape’s exposed back, drawing blood for the first time.
Michael’s eyes gleamed.
Good. It can be hurt.
But the mountain ape wasn’t done.
With a furious bellow, it slammed its free arm into Lucky, sending the undead wolf flying.
At the same time, it lunged at the High Human, using sheer brute force to overpower the undead.
The two collided, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground.
Michael steadied himself, watching as his undead struggled against the mountain ape’s sheer might.
The High Human, despite its unnatural strength, was slowly being pushed back.
The ape’s fists rained down like sledgehammers, each strike forcing the undead further into the dirt.
This thing is a brute, Michael thought grimly.
“Griffin, more Wind Slashes!”
The griffin screeched in acknowledgment, its wings beating furiously as it sent another barrage of razor-sharp wind blades toward the ape’s exposed back.
The ape roared as fresh cuts appeared across its fur, but it didn’t falter.
Instead, it grabbed the High Human by the shoulders and, with terrifying strength, hurled it across the battlefield.
Michael’s undead crashed against a jagged rock formation, cracking the stone upon impact.
Michael narrowed his eyes.
“Lucky, go for the legs!”
The undead wolf, having recovered from its earlier blow, darted forward with blinding speed.
Its fangs sank into the ape’s ankle, twisting violently to unbalance the massive creature.
The ape staggered, momentarily distracted.