CHAPTER 421: A BRUTE LIKE ME

The Kitsune’s head tilted, its molten eyes narrowing at us. Then it growled—low and guttural, like molten stone grinding together.

The sound rolled across the chamber, and immediately the pool of lava below began to churn and bubble violently. Bursts of heat rose with every pulse of its tails, matching the rhythm of its anger.

The floating landmass trembled under our feet as cracks of fire split across its surface. Droplets of lava dripped from the creature’s tails into the pool, and each drop sent ripples of power outward, raising tall waves of molten rock. The volcano itself seemed to respond to its emotion.

"Hey, no need to act so aggressive. Don’t you remember the trouble I had to go through because of you?" I said, stepping back slightly.

The Kitsune’s growl deepened.

Lyrate chuckled beside me. "I like its fiery nature," she said, eyes gleaming with amusement.

I nodded, watching the Kitsune’s molten body pulse. "Well, most abominations either cower or go completely reckless around me. It’s nice to see this one doesn’t fear my aura. What do you think?"

She shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "I’m okay with it."

"Good," I said, giving her a small smile. "Then let’s move on and see the other two. I want to get a look at all three before making a decision."

We turned, rising above the bubbling lava of the volcano.

The air cooled gradually as we left the volcano behind, the rocky mountains giving way to dense, misty forests. My perception stretched ahead, locking onto the next domain: the one holding the devourer plant.

"It’s unusual for an abomination to be stationary like this," I remarked, scanning the sprawling swamp that surrounded the plant’s enclosure. Vines twisted and writhed as if alive, tendrils scraping against the waterlogged ground, sensing our approach.

Lyrate leaned forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "I wonder how dangerous it really is. Those roots look... hungry."

I grinned. "Hungry is the right word. And it won’t just try to eat us, it’ll try to consume everything around it if it gets the chance."

We glided closer, the swamp giving off a pungent, earthy scent.

"Okay," I muttered, hovering just above the murky water. "Let’s see what makes this devourer plant special."

I pointed a finger at the murky water, and a beam of fire shot out from my fingertip, striking the water. In an instant, the swampy liquid hissed and evaporated, leaving nothing but a steaming crater behind.

Right in the center of the empty space stood a six-foot-tall plant. Nine broad, brown leaves fanned out from its base, and a single bud rested tightly closed at its center. Dozens of massive roots stretched outward, disappearing into the earth, as if anchoring it to the world itself.

"Well, there you are," I said, my voice echoing across the clearing.

The moment the words left my mouth, the plant shivered. Its central bud burst open with a scream that rattled the swamp, and the roots thrashed violently, though the runes etched across its body glowed faintly, keeping it firmly in place. The plant trembled, quivering like a living alarm.

"So this one has mastery over the laws of vitality, wood, and absorption," I observed. "Kind of similar to my devour skill."

Lyrate stepped closer, eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Then... why do you like this one?" she asked.

I shrugged slightly. "We don’t have a plant-based abomination yet. It could serve as the healer for our group."

She tilted her head, unimpressed. "Hmm... maybe I don’t like it that much," she said with a small smirk.

I chuckled softly. "That’s okay. You don’t have to like all of them. But this one’s potential is good. We have to think from the perspective of them going to the next rank as well."

The plant’s leaves rustled as if sensing our conversation. I could feel its Essence—slow, steady, patient, but strong. Its vitality flowed like a current beneath the surface, waiting for an opportunity. It wasn’t flashy like the Kitsune, but there was no mistaking its usefulness.

Lyrate crossed her arms, glancing at it once more. "Well... I guess it could be useful."

I glanced at Lyrate and nodded. "Alright, last one," I said, and we lifted off from the swamp, the air still carrying the faint scent of the devourer plant. Lyrate’s eyes followed me closely, clearly curious about what awaited us.

The journey wasn’t far, but as we flew, I could already feel the difference in the Essence around our next target.

It radiated something unusual. The closer we got, the stronger the sensation became.

Finally, the terrain opened up, and I saw it perched atop a sliced mountain peak.

The sight made me pause. A massive figure sat there, nine feet tall, muscles bulging, black fur corrupted and rotten in patches.

It was an Ape.

But it wasn’t just a simple ape, serpent scales ran across its chest, arms, and legs, glinting in the sunlight.

It held a massive bone club, at least six feet long, resting casually on its shoulder. Despite its stillness, its presence pressed against the surrounding.

"This is... different," Lyrate muttered beside me, her voice soft.

I exhaled, letting her take it in before speaking.

[Serpentine Ape - Level 250]

"This one isn’t ordinary. They call it a Serpent Ape, a mutated abomination. Its body is a combination of raw muscle, primal power, and elemental mutation. But what makes it dangerous isn’t just size or strength."

I pointed toward the bone club.

"Look at that. That club doesn’t just weigh, it radiates forces. Gravity, attraction, repulsion... even momentum itself bends around it.

This ape has mastery over laws of forces. Anything it swings, pushes, or holds can crush, throw, or trap you. The bone isn’t just a weapon, it’s an extension of its control over reality’s basic forces."

The ape’s eyes flicked toward us, a low growl vibrating through the mountain top. The ground beneath it seemed to shiver in response, tiny pebbles lifting as if sensing the gravitational tugs radiating from the club. Even the wind bent around its presence.

I floated closer, feeling my own Essence stir in anticipation. "This is exactly the kind of raw, destructive potential that can round out our team. Unlike the others, it’s pure brute force but smart, aware, and in control of powers most can’t even comprehend."

Lyrate nodded. "It is a brute like you."