Chapter 17: Survival of the fittest
Upon impact, the needle struck the wooden board, igniting it in flames, before a small explosive sound made a bullet size hole across the thick log, revealing the scorch marks left behind by Ben's powerful attack. The flames continued to dance and crackle, illuminating the surroundings with a warm, fiery glow.
Ben observed the aftermath of his skill, a mix of satisfaction and excitement bubbling within him. The enhancement had made a noticeable difference, amplifying the power and impact of his Blood Needle skill.
"If this is the strength of a normal tier weapon, I wonder how strong a normal tier beast will be." Ben inspected the wooden log, calculating the amount of damage this skill would do to the human body.
"Hey system! How would you rate my strength in the beast category right now?" Ben asked with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
[ According to your statistics, the host is currently at the peak of a low tier beast. Including your soul weapons in the equation, your strength will be currently low-range normal tier beast.]
"So basically, I am still not strong enough to take on a normal tier beast head-on. Sigh." Ben flew upward, tracking the wagon as it slowly moved along the road.
As far as Ben could see by flying above, the road ahead was single and straight, so even if he lost track of the waggon, as long as he kept flying along the road, he would find a way back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I wonder how high I can fly now." A sudden curiosity popped up in Ben's mind before he launched towards the top of the sky, much above the pine trees but below the normal height at which birds could be seen flying.
A sense of liberation washed over Ben as he soared through the sky. He enjoyed the sensation of wind against his tiny body as well as the thrill of defying gravity and exploring the vast expanse above. As he flew higher, the air flow became more intense and fast, making it difficult for him to maintain his balance while looking at the small wagon moving like a toy.
"Flying is so much fun!" Ben said this in excitement, moving his wings in a rhythmic way to control his balance. From the moment he came into this world, he was so occupied by quests and survival that he didn't even realise that he was able to achieve one of the most basic human fantasies: flying in the sky.
But what the little mosquito didn't know was that the world had some different plans for him.
"SKchreeeKKK" A sharp sound sounded from behind Ben, sending a shiver down his spine. His relaxed sensations and the warmth of nature instantly turned into adrenaline rushes as his instincts screamed at him to dodge the incoming attack.
"Slash!" With a scratching sound, a deep cut appeared on Ben's blue ant armour as a notification popped up on his screen.
[HP: 4.2/5.0 ]
"Seriously, what kind of absurd attack is that?" Ben exclaimed in shock, looking at a circular arc, wave like energy that he was barely able to dodge. But before he could even analyse the enemy's attack, his mosquito senses started to tingle again.
"Shit, there are more of those coming!" Ben shouted in panic before he turned his body against the direction of the air, somehow managing to dodge the upcoming attack. "It's a bird," He thought, catching a glimpse of his enemy behind him while turning around.
While the bird was still turning to change its direction in the air, Ben took advantage of his small body to dive directly to the ground.
As Ben descended rapidly, he could hear the whooshing sound of the bird's wings as it followed in pursuit. The wind rushed past his body, and his heart pounded with fear and despair. He had to think quickly to outmanoeuvre his larger opponent.
Glancing over his shoulder, Ben saw the bird closing in. It was a majestic creature with vibrant plumage and sharp talons. He knew he couldn't match its speed or strength, but he had to rely on his intelligence and instincts.
Using his small size to his advantage, Ben swerved left and right, making sudden changes in direction. He zigzagged through the air, making it difficult for the bird to predict his movements. The bird squawked in frustration as it struggled to keep up.
Ben then dove towards the tree line, narrowly avoiding the branches as he weaved through the dense foliage and made a sharp turn, losing the bird's eyesight momentarily. The bird, hindered by its larger wingspan, couldn't navigate the same path as him, slowing down its speed.
╔═╣Blood Needle╠═╗
Ben chanted, launching a sharp crimson needle towards his enemy. But unfortunately for him, he had underestimated his opponent quite a bit.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"SchreeKKK" With a sharp scream, the bird's wings were covered by silver light as it vanished from Ben's eyes as if it just teleported away, causing blood needle skill to miss from its mark.
"Is this my end...?" A sudden thought crossed Ben's mind as he felt massive killing intent from behind. For the first time in his life, Ben felt what it meant to be prey, being hunted by a predator.
[HP: 1.9/5.0]
[Warning: Your HP reached a critical condition, you must consume blood to revive your health.]
A bunch of notifications kept popping up on Ben's screen, but Ben was in shock, his life flashing before his eyes. He couldn't feel the lower half of his body; it was cleanly cut off from his upper body, falling towards the ground.
"SchreekKK" Ben's daze was broken by another sharp scream. He saw his predator, a grey bird with black feathers and red eyes. Its claws were sharp enough to cut through metal, diving down in the air to catch his lower half with their peck.
As the bird descended, Ben's survival instincts kicked in. Despite his dire situation, he couldn't afford to give up. He had to fight back, even if it seemed futile.
Summoning every ounce of strength and determination, Ben activated his Blood Needle skill once more. With a swift motion, he launched another crimson needle towards the bird, aiming for its vulnerable spots.
[HP:1.5/5.0 ]
To his surprise, the bird's silver aura flickered and distorted, appearing behind him once again, and with a swift motion of its wings, a gust of wind passed through Ben, throwing him against a tree bark.
[HP: 1.2/5.0]