Chapter 60 Incorporating New Tactics

The fluttering of the trees continued endlessly - being pushed, pulled, and stretched by the uncharted winds within the crimsoned and pink forest ceaselessly.

Monsters, such deadly and ferocious creatures, loomed - beset all over these woodlands. Scrambling, hidden from the world itself, underneath the soil - they scattered around, entering and creating infinite routes of underground tunnels.

Up on the surface, various creatures traversed the terrain - some strategically lingering within the confines of their own territories and domains. Others, persistently ventured, roaming their surroundings instinctively.

Even higher than that, an even more limited variety of monsters clung to the rocky ceiling and walls that caged the forest. So high up that one slip-up and it was a done deal for the Individual, no matter how reinforced their defense and durability was.

The ambient air that hung so thinly was inhaled by all the denizens. With each breath, they inhaled and exhaled the rich mana into their lungs; yet another reason for their superior physique compared to the creatures on the surface…

In a certain area within the colorful scenery, miles deep - pass countless amounts of extraordinary trees of grand stature, mixed in this mana-filled air - the metallic scent of iron sat suspended.

Lethargically, it inched away before returning once again, circling and spinning around a medium vicinity. It's source was the carrion of a deceased monster.

The dead creature looked to had been clawed deeply, and certain parts of its body was missing. Even specific organs were taken from the carrion, while others remained untouched - like something had been extremely picky when eating this corpse.

Oddly enough, this corpse was unaccompanied and left unattended. No monsters were in sight, zero eating it. This was a very odd sight, a scene that was extremely out of the norm.

Dried up blood, naked bones, and various amounts of fur laid was strewn around the corpse. Not to mention the tattered and burned tall-grass, which only added to the oddity.

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There were also dramatic dents in the floor and trees around it, though this could have been created in the fight that killed the corpse, or even a previous fight between monsters from days ago…

Still, the smell of blood attracted many.

In the air, a large feathered monster flew around in circular patterns. It's body was colored mostly black, with white dots on its feathers, and pinkish-black landing feet that was equipped with needle-like talons. The monster flew around, sharply eyeing the carrion beneath it.

Additionally, it also watched its surroundings in the air vigilantly. Vigilance was always necessary, regardless of location - there was always the high chance of a creature being attacked out of nowhere; life was like keeping balance on a tide rope in lands such as this. Safety was a luxury, one that was extremely expensive to have, so it was only normal to be cautious.

The smell of blood continued to seep into its nostrils, urging it to come closer - like a beckoning call of enticement or seduction.

The bird circled a few more times to make sure that the coast was clear and that it was risk free to try and cease this prey.

Then finally, it dropped down, attempting to swiftly land onto the corpse and grab it with its talons to take the prey to it's nest, where it could enjoy the meal with a bit more security.

The bird wasn't fit for any sort of combat on land, so it had never been a option in the monster's head to land next to the corpse and eat it there.

Unknown to the bird, a predator laid in wait of this exact opportunity. The unidentified creature was practically invisible to the naked eye - blending nearly flawlessly with its environment. It was obvious that this creature was used to waiting long periods of time - given that it never got impatient and move from its position.

As soon as the bird touched down on the corpse and began to lift it, a invisible force peeled out with insane speed. Before the bird could even take flight…

Lethal Venomous Bite!

The invisible creature chomped down at the bird viciously - ripping off most of its flesh with its sharp, serrated fangs, while gripping its wings tightly in his blade-like claws. Hidden underneath the birds feathers, it's meaty skin shivered before blackish veins bulged. This caused the bird immediately began to lose its strength.

The bird like creature, immediately tried abandoning the food instead, hoping to drop the corpse in order to make the weight pulling it down lighter. However, with a flick of the camoflauged creature's neck, all the muscles flexed in its body - and it easily slammed the bird to the floor with little difficulty.

Black colored feathers flew everywhere upon its impact on the floor. Without hesitation, the invisible monster held down the large bird, the struggles were now useless, the camouflaged monster now held its life in its own hands(claws).

Seconds later and the invisible monster started to lose its camouflage. Its body began appear out of nowhere - almost like it had just randomly started materializing.

Cyan colored scales glistened, reflecting it surroundings like a mirror. It was a giant reptile.

Ethoss flickered his tongue moderately, staring at the weakened and injured bird. Two seconds later and he stabbed his claw into its neck, then he guided his claws down its body.

The bird abruptly began letting out chirps of pain - it was literally being dissected alive. As Ethoss claws ran down the body, the thin layer of feather and outer skin quickly gave in slicing itself.

A couple of minutes later…

[You have defeated level 2 Shambling Cathartes Aura]

[You have gained XP]

The body of the bird fell limp, no longer struggling and shivering from the pain of the potent venom.

Ethoss retracted his claws from the bird, licking the blood from it.

He had been doing this for a couple of hours, hunting down monsters of different species. Over time he began using the new technique he learned in the cavern network some days ago.

Luring monsters out by leaving exposed carrion out in the open. It was a obvious trap, but monsters here weren't very intelligent in pointing out the suspiciousness of the exposed corpse. As long as they contiued to smell the blood and see that the food was free from any other monsters, they would inevitably try to get the free food.

This was Ethoss's passive way of hunting at the current time being. He was still relatively new to these lands, unaware of the different dangers that loomed. So in turn, to avoid those hidden dangers he had chose to use this way of hunting that he personally developed in the cave network and its many tunnels.

Ethoss dragged the corpse of the large bird and put it next to the other deceased monster that he had been using as bait this time around.

He was swapping the bait that he was going to use. Ethoss already knew, leaving food out for too long would result in the dungeon sucking and absorbing it into the floor. So to counterattack that from messing up his efficiency - he would swap the newer dead monster body that he killed and replace it with the older corpse so it could be used a bait.

He reached into the body of the bird snatching out its bloody heart, placing it in his mouth.

[You have consumed a new source of Bioemass: source of Biomass: Shambling Cathartes Aura, you have been awarded one Biomass]

[Basic profile of the Shambling Cathartes Aura unlocked]

This was the same routine he had been following for his previous successful ambush/traps. He would take a body part of organ if the newly killed monster was a monster he had never ate before, so he could get his guaranteed biomass point.

He couldn't see the future and tell if any monster would actually successfully snatch and get away with the bait he laid down. So he would take and eat a organ or body part of the monster to at least get his guaranteed biomass.

A second later and Ethoss then grabbed the older bait with his maw and carried it to some thick bushes. There, he began eating the rest of the body.

This dead monster was another species of warthog, this monster had red colored tiny hairs all over its body.

Ethoss quickly ate the corpse. As he ate down, he would always look up to see if anything had tried to eat or take the bait that was still laid out in the open. He had to hurry and get back into position.

***

Monster profile:

[Shambling Cathartes Aura: Shambling Vulture. This monster is known for its scavaging. These monsters are most likely hunting in solitary away from other groups and looks to pick off of other monsters foods or meal remains. They also enjoy cannibalism, feasting upon even their own kin without any qualms. Found in the Dark Plains and the first and third stratum's of The Elzic Dungeon]