The shape of the figure was long so definitely a snake but I can't see it yet with my eyes.

I quickly checked my Mana pool, I still need around a minute to be able to condense a wind blade.

This is the worst-case scenario. I've thought about this before, but I assumed that who in their right mind who'd live with a predatory Foundation Establishment Eagle as their neighbor.

I quickly adjusted my position, looked in its direction, and completely focused my attention. The moment I see movement I'd be able to defend.

Even though I don't have any Mana now, my body is a weapon. Sharp strong beak and claws. Well-built sturdy wings and legs. I can fight it out with anything below the High Body Refinement Realm with physical abilities alone.

Show me what you got.

It didn't leave me waiting for long, only after 3 seconds, I saw a shadow opening its jaws and coming directly in my direction!

What surprised me was that I didn't hear a single thing!

The full force of the body slammed into my chest sending me flying backward. Fortunately, I didn't fall; there was a tree bark stopping behind me.

I finally saw the assailant and I immediately appraised it.

[Appraised Target: Bramian Brown Python

Cultivation Realm: Body Refinement(Mid)

Health Points(HP): 126/126

Magic Power(MP/Mana): 85/109

Spiritual Power(SP): 77/77

Magical Resistance: 14

Physical Resistance: 22

Spiritual Resistance: 11

Vitality: 49

Strength: 45

Stamina: 38

Intelligence: 35

Agility: 31

Spirit: 26

Description: The Bramian Brown Python is a snake species that specializes in both brute force and stealth. It can have several stealth skills and is very physically strong for monsters of the same rank as it.

Weakness: Very low defense below the neck area.

]

I quickly scanned over its information and I could tell why it had that weakness. It was covered in dark brownish scales in every inch of its body except below its throat.

The snake became vigilant because I didn't die, it seemed to be surprised that I was still alive. After all, I'm just a juvenile chicken in its eyes.

It raised its head from the branch and charged at me with full speed. We clashed once again but this time the result was different because I also applied strength. I wasn't just passively defending like the last time.

*Thud*

It was sent flying a couple of meters back, I immediately rushed after it.

The moment I was just about to pounce on it, it tried to slap me with its tail but I quickly jumped and dodged.

Not wanting to give it more time, I dove down from my jump and rushed towards it quickly splitting its head from the of the body in one single bite.

[You have Killed a Body Refinement(Mid) Monster |Experience Points +2000|]

*Rustle*

The moment I killed it, I heard some noise behind me. Only to find Kali falling down head first into the ground.

The tail attack that I dodged earlier apparently hit the branch in which she was standing.

I quickly tightened my wings around my body and dove down after her with crazy speed, even though I can't fly, saving her wouldn't be difficult because I can make very strong wind torrents that can hold my fall.

Midway, I thought of something that I missed!!

Originally, I was planning to carry her with my claws but how can I hold onto the tree bark if my claws are full?

If I used my beak I'd break her neck.

All of these thoughts happened in less than a fraction of a second, I immediately found the best course of action.

Bite her wing, it'll be broken but infinitely better than a broken neck or falling to the ground full of Mandrills.

*Crack*

The moment I bit down with my beak, I heard the sound of cracking noises, then I immediately spread open my wings and started moving them up and down as hard as I could.

Fortunately, my fall started to lose its momentum more and more so I was able to plant my claws on the nearby bark and stop it completely.

What a tricky situation this is.

I'm stuck face down, my claws are on the tree bark, my beak is carrying Kali and I honestly don't know how to proceed from here.

The only consolation was that we fell on the opposite side of where the Mandrills were, otherwise they'd stone me to death I'm sure.

Kali looks terrified, she has no idea what's going on! I can't imagine how she must be feeling, this whole night was one whole nightmare for her.

I wasn't as miserable as she is, right now I only get scared when things are too sudden. Then, I calm down and try to do my best to change the situation. It's very different when you're helpless and can't do anything. You just deal with the full blow of how scary the situation is, but when you have options you get the drive to overcome fear and soldier on.

I can only keep going and do my best, if death comes I'll be scared out of my wits but so be it.

That's the only option, the alternative is a gruesome death by stomach acid in some monster's stomach.

I know that because to a lot of monsters I was that monster with the acid stomach.

I quickly put 5 free Stats points into Strength, then I removed one claw from the tree and planted it a tad bit higher, I did that with the other claw and I climbed a bit.

Just like rock climbing but with a different flavor.

I call it "The Quiet Claw Tree Climbing Amid a Magical Mandrill Horde After Killing a Python While Holding Your Little Sister That You Have Broken Her Wing After Carrying Her Mama Cat Style."

It's a promising sport I tell you!

But, on a more serious note. Kali is having the worst day of her life, I can tell that she's in so much pain. Fortunately, she isn't making any sounds.

I finished climbing the bark and landed on a branch, then I put her down because it was painful for her to be held by the broken wing.

I bit down lightly on her neck once again and continued climbing.

I easily returned to where I previously killed the Bramian Brown Python and hid there with Kali.

After I ate the whole body of the snake of course. At this rate I'd be able to start flying tomorrow or the day after, it depends.

Kali is still shaking with fear, I can only sit close to her to provide some sense of safety and warmth, hopefully, it'd help.

Originally, I was afraid that because she doesn't have [Mask Presence] it'd cause a problem, but I tried covering her with my wing and it does seem to make her blend in into the darkness.

I'm still not entirely sure I'm out of harm's way, the quest is still on and I haven't received the rewards which can only mean that she isn't one hundred percent safe and if she isn't safe then so am I!

All I can do now is wait for the Mama eagle. If by any chance she doesn't come back, I can lay low here for a day or two until my feathers grow longer and take Kali away from here.

Thinking about the future I suddenly felt uneasy. Looking at this dark forest and the sound of battle coming from afar everything screams danger, I need to play my cards well and grow stronger.

[You have Killed a Body Refinement(Peak) Monster |Experience Points +6000|]

[Congratulations Host for Leveling up from 14 to 15. +5 Stat Points, +2 Skill Points.]

Oh? What the heck is that?

I was only surprised for a second, but then I understood!

The monster that I hit earlier in the throat with my wind blade and didn't die immediately was a Peak rank monster!

I definitely thought it'd have healed itself by now, what happened? Whatever, who cares.

I do not question a good thing, I need all the fortune to get out of this forest in one piece.

With the addition of these new points, I now have 20 undistributed Stats points and 5 Skill Points!

Thinking of how dangerous this whole goddamn forest is, I think putting 10 in Agility and 10 in Intelligence would be good.

No! I have very low stamina, what if I was chased by someone who happens to have the same level of speed as I do but in the end, I lose due to my low stamina?

My damage is already high as it is, I can hunt with this level of damage very easily. Alright done!

I immediately put 10 points in Agility and 10 in Stamina.

Every time I assign my points I feel a surge of power coming from deep inside of me and it starts spreading all over my body.

I'm getting addicted to this feeling, you feel so strongly that it feels like you can crush a mountain.

But, it's just a feeling of gaining strength of course. I don't care how strong I'd become, I will never overestimate my strength. If there is one thing I learned from this forest is that there is always someone who wants to eat you and most importantly can eat you!

After thinking for a while about how to distribute my skill points, I finally found the best strategy.

I've put 2 in [Umbra Hands] directly upgrading it from Intermediate to Advanced thus increasing its range to 200 meters.

Next, I've put the remaining 3 in [Zephyr Child] directly, upgrading it from Beginner to Advanced and increasing its range to 200 meters and +25% Boost.

I opened my Status Window.

[~Status Window~

Host: Zed - Umbra Storm Eagle(Juvenile).

Titles: {Blazing Heart}

Level: 15

Experience Points(Exp): 4250/14000

Rank: Body Refinement(Low)

Health Points(HP): 135/135

Magic Power(MP/Mana): 29/217

Spiritual Power(SP): 190/190

Magical Resistance: 11(5)

Physical Resistance: 9(4)

Spiritual Resistance: 19(9)

Vitality: 27(40)

Strength: 23(34)

Stamina: 29(43)

Intelligence: 42(63)

Agility: 44(66), Dark: +13, Nearby Enemy: +11, Sky Dash: +13.

Spirit: 36(54)

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Skill Points: 0

Karma Points: 0

[Skills]

[Quests]

[Map(Locked)]

[Party(Locked)]

[Shop(Locked)]

]

By god! Looking at these Stats I was over the moon!

I also noticed another strange thing! I have the above 20 Vitality, Strength, and Stamina, but I haven't broken through yet.

It seems that there is another thing I wasn't aware of, I'll ask the system later anyway!

The real kicker was seeing my Agility, the faster I am the quicker I’d be able to run away from the trouble!

I also checked my skills.

[Sky Dash(Active): Grants +30% Agility for 15 seconds while above ground. Cost(30MP) |Intermediate|]

[Wind Blade(Active): Creates a magical wind blade that has a range of 100 meters, Deals Intelligence(x2) in damage. Cost(20MP) |Advanced|]

[Umbra Hand(Active): Generates a hand from shadows that can be controlled by the user range 150 meters. Cost(3MP/Second) |Advanced|]

[Bird of Darkness(Passive): Soundless Flight and grants +30% Agility in the dark. |Advanced|]

[Mask Presence(Passive): Masks the presence of the user to a certain extent in the dark. |Advanced|]

[Zephyr Child(Passive): Grants +25% Agility if there are any enemies within a 200 meters radius. |Advanced|]

[The Stranger(Passive): +50% to all Stats. |Perfection|]

[Fiery Charge(Active): Once activated the user will be set in flames of their main element for 5 seconds. Deals Intelligence(x4) in damage in a 5-meter radius. Cost (200MP) |Beginner|]

[Firm Stand(Passive): All Resistances +50%. |Beginner|]

Too strong! I can easily run away from a Peak-level monster. As long as I don't meet any angry Foundation Establishment I can fly around freely.

But, who am I kidding? I just lived here no more than 2 two days and stayed in the same spot and I have already seen two.

I shouldn't get carried away! Caution is the best medicine for death.

I still haven't touched the skills given by the Blazing Heart title, as of yet I haven't encountered any situation in which I could use them, but looking at that Firm Stand it seems that I've been glossing over a treasure right in front of my eyes.

I'll make sure to prioritize it.

Fiery Charge on the other hand is just too good, it's oozing with potential. All in due time, I shouldn't rush things.

*BOMM!!*

The battle seemed to be getting more brutal by the second!

When I first saw their clash, they seemed to be on par with each other. I'm sure that monsters of the Foundation Establishment have even higher Stamina, so they might take a while at this rate.

The Mandrills have all already woken up, but they didn't dare to approach the battle of the two behemoths.

Which made me all the more nervous, even though I've already climbed very high it doesn't change the fact that I'm surrounded by a horde of vicious monsters.

I could see some shadowy figures moving in and about below.

*Rustle* *Rustle*

After a while, I heard the sound of leaves rustling. I had sensed them before they made any noise.

A couple of branches below, I could see who it was.

It's a group of three High Body Refinement Mandrills, they came from the direction of the nest and the worst thing is, they seem to be looking for something!

Of course, it's us. They must have smelled the scent we left on the nest and they were looking for us. Thanks to my Advanced [Mask Presence] they can't follow my scent, but Kali on the other hand is a different story.

Even though I've covered her now and there is no scent spreading from her. There are still some traces left on the bark and the branches I used while carrying her.

This is bad! Not because they're way stronger than I am. It's due to the fact I can only launch two wind blades now, then I'd have to fight the last one physically.

I'm not very strong physically, I probably won't die and can even defeat him if I play my cards well. The sound of our battle is the most terrifying.

The second the rest of the horde hears a battle on the tree top, I'm doomed.

There is also the option of using the perfect Wind Blade to kill two Mandrills simultaneously.

Still, the best course of action is that they don't discover me.

I spread my wing even more tightly around Kali and held my breath.

The Mandrills kept moving around the branches like the tree expert that they are.

Then, they split up. One of them climbed higher and the rest kept looking below.

I thought of sneak attacking the one who's going solo, but I quickly squashed that idea.

The moment I move my wing from Kali, we'd be discovered by the other two nearby Mandrills.

What a tricky situation this is...

My Mana is quickly filling up, it'd be best if I could quickly get the mana required for three wind blades. Just in case.

Fortunately, the Mandrill duo lingered directly below me just for a couple of seconds then they kept on going west.

The one who went on his own on the other hand is quickly approaching my direction...

I shouldn't give him the chance to even see me, because the moment he does there is a chance that he'd scream or make some calls.

I need to be in front of his throat, that's the only way I can one-shot him.

He started looking around there for a while then he started marching in my direction.