Killed or Be Killed

The Predator Tiger, an apex species that rules the deeper forest in the Naga territory. Like a normal tiger it is one of the largest feline species in the continent, it is most recognize for its pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter underside.

Like cats, they play with their meals before they kill them, unlike the wolves that hunt in groups with ferocity, these beast attack once the prey is weaken from start to finish, using their advantage of size and explosive leg strength to dominate them.

They never hunt in groups, as they grew up in nature they had to prove their worth, because of their difficult fertility they only be breed in small numbers.

Since youth, they have hunted by their own and survive on their own.

The size of such beast can make one run with all their might hoping that they are not noticed, their roars can paralyze the weak and shatter the resolve of the strong.

Their metal-like fur can block slashes and spear attacks, so the only way to defeat them is to use heavy attacks on the spine and the neck.

The one before Stigma was larger than the one before, from how it looks, it followed the sound of screams from here and tried to take advantage of the chaos, only to fail with finding carcasses riddled with injuries with multiple bite marks.

Looking around for a moment, it found no one on the ground and went to nearest corpse, relaxing then took a large chunk of flesh after one bite, tearing it in half, the sound of bones being crushed under its jaws made his spine shudder, if his leg got caught it won't end well.

Looking at its body multiple scars were seen, it seems as though it was used to fighting stronger rivals.

Using 'Essence Reader' he confirmed it was stronger than the last one.

*

Species: Great Predator Tiger

Ranks: Rare(II)

Skills: Power Slash (III). Steel Body (V), Thunderous Howl (IV), Strength Boost (III)

*

Slash (III)

*A skill that increase damage done by the user, range will depend on the weapon used. Each level will increase damage.

Steel Body (V) 20%

*A skill that increase the bodies natural strength and defense. Each level gained will increase parameters.

Thunderous Howl (IV) 50%

*A skill that lowers stats of surrounding enemies. Each level gained increases range and effect.

Strength Boost (III)

*A skill that momentarily increases the base strength by 10 percent, take note that increasing natural strength will result in back lash and exhaustion, unless the body is properly trained damage will lessen as a result. Each level will increase the strength including increase of damage by 10%.

Current Strength increase is by 30%

'Shit, its a beast after all.'

'The skills were boosting his defenses, with all those buffs stacked together I don't think even Dusk can take care of it by its own.'

*BADUMP!*

His heartbeat was racing so hard from the danger it was causing him some chest pains, he was getting excited from actual danger of being discovered.

Yet, at the same time, the feeling of greed came to him, if he can absorb it's soul, he will be close to completing the Tiger Soul.

When he tried to use the energy he had yet to complete, he found out it was limited he can't cultivate it, unless he found someway to complete it, then he would have to replenish it every know and then.

He clutched his chest to calm his rapidly beating heart and grinned.

'Looks like I will have a difficult time if it discovers us, any plans Hilda.' Stigma was smiling and had whispered to Hilda who was strapped behind him.

'None master, like you expect the strength you have is not enough, you will die without a plan.'

Stigma was safe for know, with him and the entire area covered in blood from his experimentation, he had unintentionally masked his scent, he would have been discovered long ago by the beast if not for such luck.

Dusk was not far from the Tiger, but given the size difference it would need a good strike at the tigers neck to make it work again.

While thinking he saw some bushes nearby shifting, there was no wind so he presumed that a poor small fry is going to die after being discovered, but it didn't matter to him, its killed or be killed.

Unfortunately, the tiger didn't notice yet, as it continued to eat the other half of the remains, feasting with great relish of its free meal.

In case things don't go his way, he checked his belongings and evaluated his odds.

He had with him were three knives to use to attack its eyes if he had the chance, some jugs of blood and liquor were still on the ground but that's only to draw attention even if he had it, the small bag filled with stones was empty as he has yet to restock, Hilda would injure him but that would get him come face to face with it so a no, using Dusk would be ineffective although he got bigger it wasn't enough.

All in all he can do is wait it out, until it leaves.

'...Why do I get the feeling something was missing.' Patting himself and the sac he was trying to remember what he had missed, until he heard a sound that caught his attention.

*Bark!**Bark!**Bark!* A cute sound of a puppy was heard from the bushes.

'Why is there a puppy here of all plac.e..s...'

...

'...OH SHIT! I FORGOT I LEFT HIM DOWN THERE!'

Slapping his head from his stupidity, he remembered that he went up but forgot about the puppy.

'MASTER, WHY DID YOU FORGET HIM!' Hilda was starting to like the puppy, so she was also worried about its safety.

Stigma had completely forgot that it was still eating, when he was working with the last one and it disappeared, he assumed it was nearby so he didn't notice that it left, it must have taken a nap and woke up from the noise.

Looking closely, including the one in the Tigers mouth only four were still present and the fifth was gone.

A body was near where the baby wolf was, so it will be discovered sooner or later.

'Think you bastard, think! You are going to get the puppy killed if you don't act now!'

After racking his brain to get them both out of the dilemma, he an idea, he ordered Dusk to be a distraction since he was at the opposite side and he would grab the puppy as it kept the beast busy.

Doing as it was told, it jumped down to draw attention to the Tiger from behind, it slouched down then position its claws making a fighting stance of a certain comic character[1], but Dusk was ignored when it did.

'Huh? Master, what's going on?" Dusk had landed but was ignored, could it be he seen as weak.

Puzzled by the development, he told Dusk draw its attention by going near it, and again it didn't move nor noticed, to test something he ordered Dusk to get close to it's face and wave at it.

The tiger didn't seem to notice that a figure was insulting it.

'...Could it be the invisibility was still active.' Checking its stats he confirmed.

*

Name: Dusk

Species: Wraith

Rank: Unique (1)

Skills: Polymorphism(III), Invisibility(III), Assimilation(II)

*

Mimicry (III) 20%

*A skill unique to Poltergeists, for as long their body mass allows them, they can change their body parts to any form. Each level will increase their body mass.

Invisibility (III) 15%

*A skill that obscure presence for 5 minutes. Each level increases the time by five minutes and further fades one's presence.

Assimilation (II) 10%

*A skill that absorbs and stores energy inside its body to increase its strength and sends to its master's vessel when ordered and vice versa, its range of absorption depends physical contact. Each level gained will increase speed of absorption, and increases strength.

'It became fifteen minutes no wonder, he is indeed a perfect assassin, now that I think about it, not even a sound was made when he landed.'

After seeing the time and the abilities he had an idea, he ordered Dusk to grab a jug of blood, then draw its attention by breaking it away far from hear and return.

Dusk executed the order, seeing as how he planned to sell some of it, losing one or two was okay.

When it grabbed a jug the tiger looked towards the direction, thankfully Dusk was invisible and was ordered to stop if it was noticed, then it went back to another corpse.

After the whole 'Red light Green light' game was over, Dusk was ordered to break the jug away as far away from Stigma's position.

*CRASH!*

The noise was loud enough to attract the attention as it roared and chased to where the sound was coming from. Taking his chance he grabbed his sac and ax and looked for the puppy, but it looked like it was scared of from the roar.

He left the jugs behind, since Dusk was going to look for him he mentally ordered it to retrieve the jugs and come back to him.

After looking through the bush there was nothing but a half eaten bat, no signs of the puppy.

'Where is he? If I don't find him, his life would be endangered!' After thinking for a moment he remembered he had a way to find him.

"Hilda! Check the surroundings it should still be near, I'll help out."

"As you wish!" Hilda had an ability to check for life energy of living beings, but her range was very limited.

While Hilda was checking, he used 'Essence Reader' to look for any life force, because of his experimentation he scared of the other small animals so it was going to be easy to find the puppy.

'Got him!' Stigma was seeing a small light moving away from where he was standing, it was going away at a fast pace.

"Master, he's over there! By the west!"

"I know." Grabbing his sac, he ran at his top speed.

Because of the uneven road he had trouble finding the right footing, but he ignored the footing and went forward, he was worried that it would get attacked by another predator.

After a few short breaths, he found him inside the roots of an oak tree, shivering and covering it's head.

When he tried to get close it barked at him relentlessly, it must have been frightened by the roar.

Seeing such a lively creature get scared made Stigma feel downcast, he had took the responsibility of looking after the young puppy, after it got older and stronger he would look for it's pack again then n return to it's family.

Taking a deep breath, he moved slowly to not agitate him, even saying the same words of his mother who cared for him, as he reached out his hand, it was bitten hard as blood dripped on his hand.

It was a natural instinct, so he didn't seem to bother about the sudden injury.

"It's okay, I'm hear now." Slowly the the baby wolf looked at him with anger.

"You can hate me if you wan't, but I won't abandon you." When he said those words, he felt miserable, those very words were from his father.

His often worked late at night and had no time for him, so he became rebellious, saying hurtful words to him with anger behind him, but even after all that his father still told him that even if was hated by him, he would not abandon him.

He can understand how the wolf felt, when his father wasn't around he had to play around by himself and when he had time, he only told him that he was tired, he was doing the same thing he did.

Having a father, yet when you look around for his help, you couldn't find him making him feel abandoned and scared.

"It's scary right, finding out you have no one to rely on, it's okay I'm here." The puppy gradually lessened its grip on his hand until he let go.

He slowly he reached out and grabbed it by its rear and pulled him out, he patted its head seeing it still shivering in fear, when his hand was moving away it grabbed it by it's tiny paws and licked his hand.

"I'm sorry, little one." He felt relieved, the shacking stopped and it buried itself on his chest.

"Master! Someone powerful is drawing close!"

The peaceful moment was something he wanted to last, but when he heard what Hilda said, without saying anything else he jumped to the nearest tree and hid from the branches.

Anyone who was brave enough to enter was strong so he had to avoid him. Given that a powerful beast was also near, he would do anything to not draw it's attention either.

The sound of footsteps drew near from the other side and a figure showed.

He saw a shot man walk out from the distance with an eye patch, holding a small orb on his hand, having an annoyed expression.

"What the hell, where is it?" The man stood for a moment and turned away from where Stigma was.

'Looks like he didn't notice' He was about breath to sigh on relief and leave.

"Yeah right! How long are you going to hide!" A great sword thrown from where Stigma was hiding, he impact broke the tree in half the branch and crashed at another tree from behind.

Luckily his reflexes were enough for him to dodge, but he had no time for a breather.

The man charged at him this time with and ax twice his size suddenly appeared, aiming to cleave him in half.

With the 'Wolf Soul' his reflexes and speed were enough to stay alive from range of the heavy ax.

He grabbed Hilda and swung deflecting the ax, if he didn't then he would be dead.

The man jumped back and rubbed his chin, with a face of amusement.

"Not bad, brat! I'll enjoy this fight, but first hand over the medallion!"

He had no idea what medallion he was talking about, but it doesn't look like he will get out alive, it's do or die.

His heart was beating crazily.

Clenching Hilda, he took a deep breath to calm his beating heart and stomped the ground and charged at him.

It's killed or be killed.

[1] can you guess who, give a comment and I will answer.

[2] Red light Green light - a game used by kids, a picked kids will look away then others try to get near him, if the chosen kid spots a moving child when he looks back the found kid will be out.