Ariel: How am I alive?

Devan: (I brought you back to life. You do not deserve to die here by my hands. But In exchange for not sending your soul to the underworld, I would like you to join us on our quest to defeat the apex predator.)

At the mention of the apex predator she began to whimper while covering her eyes.

Ariel: You are mad! No normal creature can defeat the king of this jungle!

Devan: (But I'm not normal, far from it.)

I slowly layed down next to her not wanting to scare her more than she currently is. Wystan and Alyssa both moved to my sides before laying their heads on my stomach. We just watched the sun shine through the holes we made in the roof of vines and leaves during our battle. Slowly Ariel uncovered her eyes before watching the sun with us.

I never noticed how beautiful this world is through all the death and battles. We still have to fight the other two creatures in the north and east. System said she was the easiest out of the three so the others are much more powerful.

Devan: (I won't force you to fight it if you do not wish to. I just ask you assist me in defending my family.)

Ariel: I'm grateful you brought me back, truly I am. But I can't fight against the apex it is much more powerful than I.

You know, I still don't know what the apex is or what it looks like. It might be a dragon or a god, I'll just have to find information on it. But for now I still have two more creatures to kill.

Devan: (You won't have to fight it, I will. Also, what species is the apex that makes you fear it at the mere mention of it?)

Ariel: I've fortunately never encountered it so I don't know what it looks like. But we can sense it's suffocating power miles away.

Devan: (Rest assured we won't try to kill it for a while. But do you know of the powerful creature north of here?)

She flinched when I said north so I guess they've met before.

Ariel: I do, he is the strongest bear alive. I've had only one altercation with him when we unfortunately crossed paths. He is much bigger than you Devan and stronger, I don't believe you can beat him in a fight.

A creature with more strength than me? I'll have to see for myself or read about it in the bestiary.

I took the book out once more as Wystan and Alyssa snuggled closer into my fur waiting for me to read to them. Ariel just looked confused until she wrapped around us with her her tail acting as a blanket. She then placed my head on her stomach which made her sweet scent more intense.

This is actually pretty comfy I guess we can go to sleep earlier today after I read about this bear.

Devan: (Do you know what his species is called?)

Ariel: I believe he called himself a demon bear.

I began to flip through the various pages of the book looking for any "demon bears". Not much came up until I landed on a page where the picture made Ariel slightly tense up. It was a creature called The Onikuma or demon bear. I began to read it outloud for them to gain some knowledge on this next foe.
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The Onikuma

When a bear has lived for many years, it becomes an onikuma.

It possesses enough strength to be able to move boulders as large as two meters in diameter.

It is said to be able to kill a small animal simply by pushing it.

It comes down from the mountains to steal horses and cattle, which it brings back to the mountains to eat.

Additional note

These ruthless creatures are also known as "demon bears". They can easily manhandle any creature with their brute strength. However they aren't just muscle heads, they'll throw heavy boulders at any and all creatures given the chance. I will now recount my unfortunate luck to have run into one of these behemoths.

I was traveling through the mountains with a caravan heading deep into the north to reach the arctic tundras. The caravan leader said they'll only take me as far as the start of the deeper parts of the mountain to avoid the demon. My curious nature got the best of me as I inquired more of this so called 'demon'.

Before he could answer me a giant boulder landed on the wagon behind us. At first I thought it was a rockslide but then we would've heard it coming, not a second later another boulder landed on the wagon at the front. We couldn't move passed the broken wagons or boulders and there was a steep edge to our right.

Whatever was happening wasn't natural as we then felt the ground shake as something jumped down from the mountains. It was a bear but it's eyes were bloodshot red with bloodlust and hunger. The remaining caravan members readied their weapons to fight this demonic bear. But I knew this was futile as one of the more giant men charged at it with his broadsword only to be smacked away by it's huge paw.

That man had to be at least 150lbs and it just swatted him like a fly. The man's body was launched off the edge of the mountain, falling to his death. Seeing their comrade die they attempted to swarm it with their numbers. While they foolishly attacked it I began to climb over the rubble to escape. Now normally any creature could be overwhelmed by large numbers, but this creature was far from normal.

It merely swiped it's paw cutting off all their heads except one. The remaining man attempted to run but the demon wrapped it's arms around him and began to squeeze. By this point I was over the rubble but I could still hear the man's pain filled screams. As I was about to run the screaming stopped and his body was launched at my feet. His body looked as if everything inside him was squeezed out. I looked up and I saw something that will forever be burned into my memories.

There it was somehow grinning at me with blood running down it's mouth and arms. I was petrified by the intelligence of this creature, it waited on a path caravans take, it threw boulders on the first and last wagons to cut off our escape. It turned before carrying the decapitated bodies of the caravan members back up the mountain. I ran not wanting to stay near that demon I have named The Onikuma, Demon Bear.
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I closed the book as I saw the sun already setting. Everyone already dosed off as they clung to my fur and Ariel's tail.

This bear is going to take a lot to overpower, but I already killed two bears how hard can this one be? More than likely damn near impossible to kill. But if I do manage to kill it my strength could become unrivaled.

With that final thought I began to feel sleep take over my body as my eyes slowly closed.

- .. -- . / ... -.- .. .--.

The sun's bright rays shined directly into my eyes waking me from my comfortable sleep. I looked around me to see everyone still sleeping, they looked peaceful but I have a bear to kill. I slowly raised my hands up before clapping loudly startling everyone awake by the thundering sound it produced.

Devan: (I apologize for interrupting your sleep but we have a demonic bear to kill.)

They all gave a nod of conformation before we exited the Zouwu's Lair back into the jungle. The boost in speed from my new skill is a noticeable difference. I made it out of the lair in only a few seconds at a slow walk. Once outside the sun's morning rays were more bright. It was 8:38 so we have plenty of time to find and possibly battle the onikuma. But first we need breakfast and there's plenty of fruits and berries around. I noticed several clusters of pink fruit on all of the branches of several tall trees around us. Not wanting to climb I just grabbed the base of the tree and begin to shake causing about 27 clusters of fruit to fall. Surprisingly they weren't in the slightest bit damaged, I sniffed a few for any foul smells but all there was were the sweet scent the fruits produced.

Devan: (These fruits seem alright to eat so finish your breakfast then we can go to the north and find this bear.)

I sat down with Alyssa sitting on my lap and Ariel laying at my side. As we began to devour the fruit Ariel asked me a very important question.

Ariel: How do you plan to kill this demonic bear? Your strength may not even be on the same level as his. It also has enough intelligence to come up with a strategy even in the middle of battle.

It's true our strength may be on different levels and if this thing is a grizzly bear that just adds to the difference in power between us. In the real world a brown bear beats a gorilla 10 times out of 10. I might have to outsmart it or attempt to overpower it.

Devan: (I have no idea how to fight this enemy but I'll come up with a strategy while I fight him.)

I could hear them both sigh except for Wystan who was attempting to catch a nearby butterfly.

Alyssa: (Honestly, I don't know how you're not dead yet if that has been your plan since you got your mark.)

Technically I did die and I would've died again if System didn't interfere.

Ariel: As crazy as it sounds that's about the only plan we can come up with. None of you encountered a onikuma before, so you really won't know what will and won't work until you battle it.

By the end of this conversation all of the fruit was gone and the butterfly Wystan was chasing flew away. I slowly stood up as Alyssa moved to cling onto my back just as Wystan made it over to us. Ariel stretched before getting up and moving to my side.

Devan: (I'm going to try to move at high speeds if it becomes to much tell me.)

Alyssa: (I'm sure we can handle it.)

Wystan: I think I got used to your top speed now, master.

I began at a slow jog which was already pretty fast as our surroundings began to slightly blur. I could feel as Alyssa's and Wystan's grip on my fur tightened. When I looked to my left Ariel was cantering right next to me. I looked at my map to see we were almost in the north section of this jungle, at this speed we'll be there in a few minutes.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: User, now that you have a few minutes before your battle I would like inform you.

Devan: Sure what is it?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You recall when I transported you and your allies away from the Wraith?

Devan: Yes, how could I possibly forget a giant army made of skeletons?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Yes well, I'm able to come out of your soul as a physical body. I may be able to assist you for a short period of time in killing the onikuma. This however will weaken you greatly so I'll only come out as a last resort. That is all also, you're about to cross onto his territory.

A powerful foul smell attacked my senses causing me to stop. Unlike before when I skidded to a stop I would just kick up dirt and small vegetation. This time I managed to uproot a few young trees with a huge wave of dirt and stone. My nose got used to the powerful smell allowing me to pinpoint it's origin.

Turns out the trees I knocked over is where the smell came from. They also had scratch marks all over it. I made my way to inspect it closer but I came across giant paw prints in the dirt.

This is how bears mark their territory, they leave their scent on trees and on the ground. The tree also has claw marks all over it's bark, but the paws are abnormally large. This onikuma is probably as big if not more than me. But the scent, it smells like it's gotten close-

Alyssa: (Look out!)

I looked up just in time to dodge a huge boulder before it could crush me. A tree in the distance could be heard snapping before the thundering sound of it collapsing echoed throughout the entire jungle. Not a second later another boulder came hurdling toward us, but this time I was ready. I prepared for the impact of the boulder as I would attempt to catch it.

Wystan: Incoming!

When the boulder made contact with my open arms it slightly pushed me back until I stopped all of it's momentum. These boulders are at least three meters in diameter, and for it to be chucked like that means the onikuma does possess great strength like mine. More trees could be seen to fall as loud roar echoed around us drowning out the sound of the trees hitting the ground. The ground began to shake as whatever it was came closer.

More boulders began to be launched at our position which I either dodged or caught. The constant catching and dodging annoyed me to the point I punched the next one that came at us. The boulder exploded into fragments and behind the boulder stood the biggest and most intimidating creature we have ever encountered so far.

It was much bigger than Ariel as it stood 13 feet tall with broad shoulders and large arms. I slowly stood up standing only 10 feet tall. Alyssa got off my back as Wystan made his way to my ear to whisper something to me.

Wystan: When the battle begins toss me in the air so we may determine it's strength.

I have no idea what you're about to do but I'll trust you.

I nodded at him showing I understood what he said before I turned back to the onikuma. He was just staring into my eyes annoying me slightly. Ariel and Alyssa were about to join my side to battle the bear, but I gave them a look that made them stop and go behind cover instead. Wystan made his way to my hand as I could feel him move around.

One swipe from it's paws would injure me, but it could kill Alyssa and maybe Ariel as well in only a couple of swings.

His ears flattened as he began to let out small snorting. I began to grunt as I did a quick chest pound mindful that Wystan was still in my right fist. He lowered his head and seemed to look at me in pure fiery rage. He glanced over to where Alyssa and Ariel were hiding and roared which made the battle start as I threw Wystan into the air.

As Wystan went into the air the bear watched as various stones and rocks began to launch up to Wystan's small body. After a few seconds Wystan was back to his original form standing over 25 feet tall.

The bear looked surprised before he looked like he was grinning. Wystan raised both his arms intending to smash the bear into the ground. As he was coming down he yelled a battle cry as the bear raised both arms up and roared. When Wystan made contact with the bear a huge explosion of dirt blinded everyone as we tried to fan the dirt out of our eyes. You could hear Wystan grunting and the bear growling. To clear the dirt I pulled my arms back before clapping the storm of dirt away from us. I looked up expecting to see the onikuma several feet underground, but what I saw was Wystan struggling to push down on the bear with both his fists.

The onikuma let out what sounded like a laugh at Wystan's struggle to squash him. What I saw next surprised me as the bear held off Wystan's hands with one paw and with the other he swiped at his hands. At first nothing happened until Wystan's hands fell to the ground sliced clean off his arms. Wystan was too shocked to move allowing the bear to push Wystan's chest making him fly back.

Never had I seen Wystan be manhandled so easily. Even the other golems we fought had some difficulty to toss him. Wystan's chest had cracks all over it and he seemed to be knocked out. The bear turned to me before speaking to me.

???: You have strength. More strength than the rock, cat, and monkey behind you.

Devan: Don't speak to them like that bear.

He laughed loudly slightly shaking the ground.

Voytek: You are protective of them aren't you? My name is Voytek, what is yours creature? I've never seen your kind before.

Devan: My name is Devan and I'm the biggest ape in this jungle.

Voytek: Devan? A fine name, ape. But now we will see who's strength is greater. Let's put on a good show, shall we?

He finished off that sentence with a roar shaking the world around us.

Devan: A test of might? This will be one hell of a battle.

I pounded my chest while letting out an echoing roar.

Voytek: Don't hold back now as I'll be going all out!

He got down on all fours and charged at me as I roared and did the same.

If I want to win I'm going to have to use every trick I have up my metaphorical sleeves.

(10k+ reads?! I didn't think this story would go anywhere but yet here it is. Also apologies for the late upload!)