Beast Taming In The Apocalypse

Chapter 9: Winner Leaves and Loser Dies

Meanwhile, Kingdom was sitting against a tree, trying to stop the bleeding from the gunshot wound. Taking out his only spare shirt, he ripped it into pieces and wrapped his side the best way he could.

If only my vitality was way higher than it is now, I would have stopped the bleeding instantly, he thought as he grit his teeth and took a deep breath to calm himself.

Currently, he was waiting for Chaser to arrive before they struck. He alone couldn't take down that many people.

Suddenly, he heard their voices, which made him quickly climb up the tree, hiding himself in the branches. Looking down at the four men, Kingdom perked his ear as he listened to their conversation.

"The blood trail ends here."

"Do you know where he would have gone?"

"My class is that of a thief, not a tracker or scout. I don't have such a skill to find out."

"Let's not quarrel about that, guys. Everyone should spread out and look for him. Yell if you find him."

These guys already have their classes!

Even though they already had their classes and their levels were probably higher than his, he didn't know why, but he didn't fear them even a little.

Maybe it was because he had Chaser with him? Or maybe his control over his body and sword had improved.

Watching them split up, Kingdom decided to follow the leader, Tiger, as only he posed a real threat due to his gun.

Waiting until they were about three to five meters away from him, with the bush blocking their view, Kingdom slid down the tree as quietly as he could.

After making sure no one heard him, he took off in the direction of the leader. Following him, he finally found him and saw that there was a gun in his right hand and the mace club in his left.

He crouched down in a bush as he waited calmly for an opportunity to strike. Tiger, meanwhile, was searching left and right, and after a while, he changed spots and headed toward Kingdom's position where he was hiding in the bush. This made Kingdom nervous and, at the same time, grateful that Tiger had given him the chance to strike.

Subconsciously, all his muscles seemed to tighten in suspense, like a bowstring ready to release.

Killing goblins, rodents, and a cow was one thing. But killing a human?

No matter how evil the human was, it was a completely different scenario he never wanted to face but was forced into.

He knew deep down that it was either he killed or waited to be killed.

Watching as Tiger got closer and closer to his spot, Kingdom, whose sword was short, didn't pull it out. He waited for him to reach a two-to-three-meter range before striking.

Rustle.

A light rustle was heard to the left of Kingdom, and Tiger turned toward the sound.

Now or never!

Dashing out of the bushes with his sword in hand, Kingdom closed the distance between the two of them in the blink of an eye. Before Tiger could react, a thin line of blood appeared across his throat.

Grabbing his neck in vain to stop the bleeding, he dropped to his knees before falling over.

Haaa haaaa... Haaa...

Seeing this, Kingdom couldn't help but take deep breaths. He looked at the body, and his stomach churned, threatening to empty itself.

This wasn't how he expected his first meeting with humans in this apocalypse to go. He thought the first meeting would help him find his parents or a way out quickly. Weren't humans supposed to unite together in times of danger?

[Congratulations on acquiring passive skill: Beginner Sword Mastery (1/10)]

"Eh?" A look of shock appeared on Kingdom's face for a second before it broke into a smile.

"Finally, I've gotten a sword skill. Beginner mastery," he thought excitedly. The shock from killing a human lessened temporarily.

The pressure from knowing he would die if he didn't complete the class quest also reduced as he took his first step into sword mastery.

Woof!

Suddenly, Chaser, who had finally found Kingdom, walked out of the bush. He looked at his buddy, who was smiling, confused about why he was so happy.

Looking at Chaser, Kingdom remembered the rustling bush and instantly knew it was Chaser that had given him the opening needed to kill Tiger.

Who said animals weren't smart?

How were they able to form packs? Use distraction? And have advanced hunting skills?

"Thanks, Chaser," Kingdom said as he rubbed his head gently, making Chaser close his eyes in satisfaction.

"We still have three more to end," Kingdom said. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he remembered the rest.

---

Esau had been searching for over an hour now without finding the bratty kid. He was getting frustrated and decided to head back to where they split up, but before he did, a figure walked out of the bushes.

"Looking for me?" Kingdom said with a smile.

His t-shirt was covered in blood from the gunshot wound, but it didn't look like it bothered him. Holding a deadly-looking short sword, he slowly approached Esau.

"You dare appear alone, kid? What gives you the balls?! EVERYONE! HE IS OVER HERE! FOLLOW MY VOICE!!" Esau yelled, trying to attract the attention of the other three.

"Save the breath you're wasting. Your leader... What was his name again, Tiger? Whatever. He is dead, and my friend went to pay your other colleagues a visit. They are probably dead by now, too," Kingdom said calmly.

Hearing his words, Esau felt like he was drenched in cold sweat. "You think you can lie to me? Never!" he denied it. He didn't want to believe it, as that would bring down his morale.

Just as he finished speaking, a giant black wolf walked out from the trees, dragging a body.

"Sca... Scar... Scarface?" He stuttered, petrified.

"Now, any last words? And please, put up a great fight. Maybe my skill will level up."

"Sir... Please... Please don't kill me. I will do anything, but please don't kill me. I was forced by Tiger to hunt you down," Esau immediately went to his knees and begged for his life as tears and snot flowed from his face.

"Get up. Don't worry, I will tell Chaser not to intervene in this battle. It will be just you and me." Kingdom's voice was flat and cold. He raised his sword, the point aimed at Esau's heart. "Winner leaves, and loser... dies."