Chapter 157 - Fighting the Jaguars (2/2)
”It's an okapi,” Lang exclaimed, slightly surprised as she immediately recognized the spirit beast in front of her.
Hei had recognized the okapi as well. However, his gaze was fixed on the point from which this spirit beast had come out. In fact, his little sisters had warned him that there was a whole herd of spirit beasts approaching. Even Fenrir noticed it and began to growl and howl fiercely to alert the approaching herd of spirit beasts to move away. But his warning went unheeded.
From the foliage of the forest, there was a loud roar, and a black spirit beast came out from the same direction of the okapi. It was a fierce creature of nearly three meters long.
”Black Jaguar, also known as the Black Panther,” Hei commented in a guarded voice. He could easily guess the danger of such a spirit beast by merely looking.
”Is that a jaguar? Weren't they of a different color?” Haruno asked as he stood motionless in the center, awaiting instructions.
”Certain types of spirit beasts can end up developing melanism, meaning an excess of black pigmentation, including jaguars,” Hei replied briefly while not taking his eyes off the black jaguar.
In the meantime, the okapi, realizing that its pursuer was stationary, used that opportunity to return into the foliage. Thanks to the particular color of its fur, the okapi could take advantage of the sun's filtered light to blend in. Quickly, it became impossible to follow it with the sight, and its smell was becoming weaker.
The black jaguar, left without his prey, turned its attention to that strange group that had the smell of wolves and yet only one of them was really a wolf.
'Filthy humans. What are you doing here? Because of you, I lost my prey.' The jaguar let out a series of roars that were understood only by Hei and Lang, who knew how to talk to the spirit beasts. Because she was bound by the spirit pact with Ye and Xing, Lian also understood what the black jaguar said after the translation of the two little divine beasts.
”We didn't mean to offend you or disturb your hunting session. We were passing here by chance. I ask you to let us go without making a fuss; we have no bad intentions against you. However, if you don't leave us other alternatives, we will respond by force if necessary.” Hei replied, while with his hair, he wrote the following phrase behind his back 'get ready to fight.'
The black jaguar was surprised because the brown-skinned human answered him immediately without the interlude of a spirit beast. Furthermore, the language used was that of spiders, a language infrequent to listen to, at least by the jaguars. However, Hei's calm but firm tone irritated him, mainly because he showed no fear of it.
'Insolent! Do you think that only because you are numerous can you beat me? Then let me show you the true strength of us jaguars.'
Emitting another roar, eleven other jaguars suddenly emerged and formed a circle around Hei's group. One of them was holding by the neck, the unfortunate okapi who had tried to escape. Ten of them had the classic bronze yellow color that varied towards the reddish-brown with dark spots in the shape of a rose; the last specimen instead had a pure white color and went to position itself near the black jaguar, rubbing its head against the black jaguar
”White, albinism. A female. The black one is a male. They are a couple.” Lang revealed as Fenrir stood in front of her.
”Hei, give the signal. We're ready.” Lian communicated to Hei confidently. She wasn't afraid even in this situation in which they had suddenly been surrounded. The others, instead, including Lang, had a worried look because they didn't think they had to fight immediately against so many spirit beasts. However, noting Lian's full of confidence tone, their concern eased, and they reestablished their fighting spirit.
Hei took a quick look at the jaguar pack and murmured to himself.
'Aside from the groups of mothers with their cubs, jaguars are typically solitary creatures. But this applies in normal conditions. In a forest full of spirit beasts and, therefore, possible predators, variations to this rule may occur. I had to be more careful. It is my fault now if we have been surrounded.'
”Jaguar pack leader. Please calm your anger and listen to the reason. This is a clash that you don't want. Don't force me to react. I don't want to kill specimens as beautiful as you. Your companions have taken okapi, so I kindly ask you to let us go.”
'Poor fool. Do you really think we will let go of the prey when it is right in front of our eyes? That miserable okapi isn't enough to satisfy us. But I have heard rumors of how delicious the flesh of you human is, especially that of martial artists.'
At that point, Hei sighed. The black jaguar had no intention of reasoning and letting them go. Even if he didn't want to, at the same time, he certainly wouldn't pull back from the fight.
”You wanted it. The only fault of it what's going to happen now is only yours, remember that. However, I will at least make sure that all your teammates will follow you. Ye, Xing, fighting mode. For today, we eat jaguar meat!”
The little spider and the small snake jumped from Hei's shoulders, and in midair, they turned into gigantic creatures of three meters in length. Seeing this, everyone pulled out their weapons and activated their spirit power. Soon the pressure of nine spirit soldiers and three second-level spirit beasts spread over the jaguars.
Nevertheless, the herd of jaguars didn't appear at all worried. They also roared and activated their spirit power, showing their strength as second-level spirit beasts. However, the biggest pressure was being emanated by the black jaguar who locked its gaze towards Hei. As the leader of its pack, it was reasonable to aim the leader of the other group.
Hei noticed its gaze and answered it with a smile. His long pitch-black hair had stood up in the air and were swaying threateningly while holding the purple spear with red veins. At the same time, Hei showed his blue teeth and green fingernails and assumed the Full Combat Mode. His target was the black jaguar.
”Do not hesitate. Kill them as fast as possible. This is the result of their own actions.”
After saying this, Hei quickly sprang forward, followed by Ye and Xing, who were happy to finally be able to fight against someone they could kill and against whom they didn't have to limit themselves.