6 The Test I (3)

Rio took a look at the map shown by the Oracle's Lens and saw some aggressive beasts who were laying-low not far away from them while some of them burrowed on the ground waiting for prey to go past them. The map not only shows the number of aggressive beasts but also shows those who were on the neutral side.

From time to time, green dots appearing on his map - getting the attention of Rio. And When Rio tried to check what is the Green dots, eggs of beasts appear on his map. He theorized that because it's a mere egg without intelligence, the map recognized it as a friendly individual.

After walking for a while, Rio saw a pack of yellow dots appearing on the map not far away from their position. He then started talking with his team to alert them.

"Be careful when you walk and make sure that those neutral beasts won't be disturb and find a reason to attack us first." Rio Magus

Rever flinched then stopped for a moment. He then stared at the back of Rio, confused about what he just said.

Rio noticed that then throw him a glance.

"What? Don't tell me, you don't know that beasts that are classified as neutral are extremely territorial?" Rio Magus

"No! Of course, I know that. However, how are we supposed to know whether they are neutral or not? They don't have any tag on them." Rever Mantu

"It's simple. Aggressive beasts won't bother shooing us away, that is just a bother to 'em. They like attacking their target the moment they see an opportunity. The neutral beasts are different, those beasts, only see us as a nuisance.

"There is a small part of the beasts listed in the book that is categorized as neutral, but, most of them have the ability to stand to their choice to become a neutral party." Rio Magu

"Neutral beasts... Just like those beasts looking at us right now?" Rever Mantu

Grr! Growl!

Just as they were speaking, three gigantic wolves stepped out of the tree root they were hiding in ambush. Warning them to step back after judging that Rio's group is neither a threat nor a suitable prey.

"Yes, they are indeed one of the beasts written on the book. Senior, protect Bluch just like we talked about. Rebbeca, don't shoot unless I told you. These beasts won't let it go and treat it as a challenge to them." Rio Magus

Rever stepped up covering fatty Bluch while Rebbeca threw the crossbow and her quiver on the ground then equipped with her newly acquired dual blade; Rio named the blade Twin Shredder Fang which is based on the weapon's characteristics.

Wolf-type beasts or those which has the appearance of a wolf usually live in a pack. This was mainly because of their nature, to follow a leader or the strongest. If one ever finds a lone wolf, it's either a deserted one or a fearsome beast that is far stronger than those who fought alongside its pack. However, no matter how ferocious and stronger a lone wolf was, it's not a good thing for a lone wolf to face a pack of a bloodthirsty beast.

Some of them were just standing under the shade of the trees while some are bathing in the morning sun. They are just throwing a ferocious glance at Rio's group from time to time as if they were chasing them away.

The team except for Rio were quite nervous. After all, meeting a pack no more than twenty meters away from them is quite surprising. Ever since their group traveled last time, they only manage to meet lone beasts, they also managed to avoid the beast before it noticed them.

This was because of a ploy that is laid down by Rio himself.

Last night, not only Rio spent some of his time getting familiar with his abilities, but he also spared some of his time looking for a suitable target to gather some meat.

Rio then spotted this group of wolf-like beast looking around the open-field, roaming around it from time to time.

It seems like they were the original resident of the grassland and thought that it will be a great training partner for Rever and Rebbeca.

The pack surely tried to move stealthily; the reason might be because they thought Redrayots conquered their home.

The mounds Rio piled up certainly looked like a base created by those beasts, but the wolves seem like find it weird and tried to check it again and again.

It's just a few days when they have a pack hunt, and here, their base is already occupied by a foul beast. They want to take their base back, however, even ferocious beasts like them don't have the guts to confront Redrayots.

The average size of the wolves was three feet tall, a foot wide, and four feet long while the elites were at least fifty percent larger than normal. The alpha, which was recognized as the leader of the pack will receive a percentage of his pack strength has the size four times larger than the normal ones whenever it increases a class.

"Those beasts are called 'Black Maned Wolf', a beast with an average strength of class five. That big one in the middle is the alpha, a class-changing beast, and has a minimum of class six beast.

"Base on the size of the alpha, the alpha might be at least a peak class seven beast or it might be one of a rare class eight Alpha. These beasts are also known as 'Proudful Duelist' base on the information written on the monster book." Rio Magus

Rever and Rebbeca listened to what he spoke, although they themselves were quite nervous. However, after learning about what the beasts were called, the duo frot some relief. They also felt somehow — interested in the peculiar pack of Black Maned Wolf in front of them.

"You mean, that strange one? I remember it clearly, mainly because of its stupid behavior. They would gank those who they think are much stronger than them but won't fight a losing battle, but they won't attack or touch those they deemed to be small fry but fight them one on one if they were pissed." Rever Mantu

"Yeah. But that also made them a good practice target. And what's more, they would also think highly of those who could beat them. Check this out." Rio Magus

Rever and Rebecca tensed up as they watched Rio stepped up then stabbed his spears on the ground. He then whispered something under his breath which caused his body to change. Purple-colored skin, stony appearance, and short pink hair.

His beard remained but it also turned into prickly stone, a shiny pink-colored stone. It was the result of the combination of champions he made, a combination that is created in order to fight someone barehanded.

Rio moved his body comfortably and cracked his joints loud enough to attract the attention of the pack's leader. The alpha gave him a simple glance then it snorted, before it continued its nap and ignore him again. Although the alpha doesn't give a fuck, those who are beneath him were pissed.

They started growling at each other as if they were talking about something and after that, one of the largest members of the pack stood up and walked in front. The beast emanated the dignity of a strong and proud noble beast that killed and harvest all kinds of life forms.

The three Black Maned Wolf who greeted Rio's party stepped back and joined the pack after noticing that their elite personally move just to fight the challenger. The Elite's pride is much higher than the normal ones — they won't allow any interference, even if they are a member of the pack.

"Grrr! Graah!" Black Maned Wolf

"Come on! Let's do this!" Rio Magus

"Graah!" Black Maned Wolf

Rio and the Black Maned Wolf elite battle cry rang all hundreds of meters to the forest. Rio's body is quite weird — except for his gravel-like skin, the part where his veins are located shines like magma.

The wolf completely ignored Rio and started running on its feet. The wind moved like it has life and followed the beast stirring the ground then the leaves around him along with some sand, covering the body of the beast.

The wolf clearly did not look down on him, as he was a proud member of the Black Maned Wolf pack who fights with its full strength every time it enters a battle. The action the beast made shortened the twenty meters gap to two meters in just a second.

This action alone showed how powerful a beast it is. The speed that could topple a top speed Although it could only possess such speed for a few seconds, it could make use of that time to finish off its target easily.

"Be careful!" Rebbeca Frostlight

"Hmph! Using such tricks just after the game started huh? Come to Rio!" Rio Magus

'Masochism!'

Rio's words sound so deep and mysterious after he activated a skill. His aura grew by a bit, enhancing his next attack. His health also dropped by a bit as compensation for using skills.

Rio smiled as he glare at his opponent. He did not bother thinking about what his opponent is and what it is planning to do, he just has to wait to be attacked then fight the beast head-on.

The wolf who charged in front of him then jump over his head; it was hiding behind the gust of sand and leaves and did not attack directly. After jumping over Rio, the beast eyed his naped, looking for a fast and sure kill.

Rio responded quickly as if he knew what the wolf is trying to do. He twisted his body then step back to avoid the attack before grabbing the wolf's leg.

Now that he is already inside the gust, Rio could already make his move. He ignored the pebbles pelting his gravel-like body then grabbed the beast's foreleg then threw it up to the air.

This resulted in the loss of the momentum the wolf built and removed the ability it used. The leaves and pebbles dropped on the ground as the world of the beast began to spin.

"Grah?!" Black Maned Wolf

The wolf beast was shocked after finding out that he was floating in the air. Its skill is also forcefully canceled which made it flinch. The wolf twisted its head and looked below him and saw his target waiting for him, with a huge grin on his face.

Instead of lifting a hand to punch him, his enemy moved his head back, waiting for the beast to drop in front of him.

The wolf dropped from the sky straight in front of Rio. It was incredibly experienced in battle, as it opened his mouth wide, ready to plunge on Rio's chest and tear it apart.

"Rio is too strong for you!" Rio Magus

Rio screamed into his lungs as he gleefully welcomed the wolf's attack. It might be because he is thinking of throwing the wolf into the air instead of causing damage that the system did not consider as a first attack.

Roar! Plack!

The system then recognized his intention as it took over the control of his body and activated the 'Burning Agony's' enhanced attack. Rio smashed his Rocky head towards the wolf's forehead making a loud noise after the collision. The wolf was thrown two meters away after he spun in the air twice.

The beast started to bleed from its forehead even though there was no cut or wound created when he was hit. Even those beasts who are watching were confused by this. What's more, the bleed stopped after five seconds.

"Whine* Whine*" Weak Dogo

The wolf whined as it struggled to stand up. His comrades who saw his condition raised their ears in shock, it seems like the headbutt is strong enough to make the beast to its current condition. The growls become louder and louder as if they were conversing about something.

Not long after their shock, the injured Black Maned Wolf sat somewhere to rest, however, it looked so depressed because of instantaneous loss. The fact the other member of the pack was ignoring him makes the beast more stressed.

The growl around the pack began to wind down as another elite stood up from the pack. Unlike the first one, which looks like a complete amateur, this one looks different. Not only its body but the wolf's face is filled with scars.

There are only two reasons why it has those scars; It's either it's stupid enough to confront attacks head-on or he is a veteran who fought lots of battles.

Rio Magus POV

I actually think that this is a convenient way to train against those beasts. If they want a fair fight, then we don't need to worry about the numbers. It's cool, but at the same time, it's a little dangerous.

That Alpha never opens its eyes but it knew what is happening. I feel it like its eyes are locked on me despite the fact that his eyes are closed.

The alpha did nothing but rest and did not even try to discuss with its pack. It's as if it was making his own pack decide whether we are a threat or not. It is also studying is — it is as if the beast will tear us once they think we're a threat. Are we good enough for the pack to take action and gank us? Are we strong enough for the boss to lift its paws?

This world also looks real where the life cycle actually exists and not just artificially created a day ago. This elite in front of me has lots of scars all over its body. Those scars are not from any kind of beasts written in the book of monsters; there is no beast that has the ability to cut the beast's hide and create a thin and long scar like that.

Well, it might just a bit stronger and experienced than the other elite, but he's still just an elite, not the Alpha.

Two wolves stood up just after the elite. Seems like they were after senior Rever and Rebbeca. Will they be okay? I properly demonstrated how to deal with them, so maybe they could also do that?

Non-elite members have the same skills as the elites, it's just way weaker than those who are recognized as an elite. They are also not fast enough, not strong enough, and not as experienced as the elites.

However, do these so-called seniors of mine are strong enough to face a beast with such abilities? Do I have to hold back so they could concentrate on their own fights?

"Seniors! Do your best not to die! Also, try your best not to slay the beast..." I said as I look at them on the side of my eyes. Although I really want them to be able to perform their best, killing might offend the pack and attack us.

"What?! How are we going to fight without killing it? We don't have enough raw strength to knock up these beasts out as you did!" Senior Rever exclaimed — troubled on what I ask them.

"Oh yeah? Does that mean, you can't handle dogs, Red Bird? They look down on us and sent just a mob instead of those elites. Ain't you mad?" This senior Rebbeca teased senior Rever. They sure are close, weren't they?

"Tsk! Who cares! I'd fight them, I won't kill them, but I can't promise that they won't be living without broken bones!" Rever Mantu

Senior Rever snapped on his feet and rushed forward — this action excites the beast who was against him. How can he just charge like that? Did he think that he can win in a head-on battle or is does he think the way I fought was impossible for him?

I even made my movements easy to read for them to notice how to fight these beasts. These beasts are intelligent, but probably not as intelligent a humans.

They just need to avoid the first attack then hit them hard with a simple counter. Does senior think that tactic won't work cause he can't lift the beast? He just needs to avoid it!

They can't fight head-on cause they are not strong enough to do so. That's why they need to use counter-tactics to use their enemy strength against them.

"We're not kids to watch every move we did! Focus on your own fight!" Senior Rever shouted as he confronts his target. Who is he talkin' 'bout? Is it me?

Oh! so that's what he was after! As soon as they began, the Wolf Maned Beast activated its skill creating a torrent of wind around him, and surround itself with pebbles and leaves.

If the senior waited for the skill to accumulate enough materials, he will have a hard time fighting it. Senior Rever also used baiting tactics, making himself look vulnerable only to swiftly avoid the attack then struck the beast with the face of his katars.

His attacks were strong enough to send the beast rolling on the ground. But not strong enough to deal with actual damage that will hinder the beast's movements.

That senior Rever is much better than I think. He could absorb all the battle experience better than Rebbeca does. Although he was inferior to her if it's about knowledge.

Senior Rebbeca also started moving her feet. Unlike senior Rever, she walked slowly towards her opponent. The beast also does the same. They made eye contact, observing each other's movement as if they were having an actual duel. Interestingly, the opponent was having fun. It wagged its tail is the same way my father's dog does.

Ha! Well then. It seems like I don't need to hold back. The beast in front of me was in his sitting position. It looks like he was well aware that I am looking after my allies. How prideful, not content on defeating me when my focus not o him.

"Sorry for making you wait. Let's begin as well. Ha! Come to Rio!" Like before, activating skills force me to lose control over my body. Those words I said earlier were the quotes Dr. Mundo spoke when activating a skill.

'Burning Agony!'

This time, I used the skill that will burn me alive and lose my health second by second. Well, that's the description of the skill, and don't even have time to use Dr. Mundo when I started playing.

That's what I expected, but instead of being set on fire, three balls of fire with the size of a wrecking ball appeared next to me. The balls then started to spin like planets rotating around the sun(me).

I saw my health bar decreased by 0.5% every second. Although my health drops, I don't feel any discomfort, instead, I feel something else. This is... Weird. I better start the fight.

"Let's have some fun, kay? Ha! Come to Rio!" I shouted as the surroundings tremble as a skill activated.

'Mocking Shout!'

"Roar!" Scarred Elite Black Maned Wolf

Huh? I just activated a skill when the enemy in front of me pounced, attempting to cut my legs. What is this punk thinking? Does he really think that I would let him reach me and tore my limbs off?

What's the difference between him and that first elite I fought? They are overconfident that they drop down their guard. Oh well, it seems like the effect of the 'Mocking Shout' is effective. There is a chicken emote popping out of the wolf's head.

The skill reduces the enemy's attack by a quarter and decreases their speed if running away from me or have their back on me will be demoralized which will also hinder their movement speed at the duration of debuff skill.

I haven't received any actual damage for the past eight seconds since I assimilated with Malphite, allowing me to generate a shield. Another layer of rocky skin surrounded, covered, and hides the veins on my body.

It's annoying though, despite the debuff, the attack from an elite is still not something I can't receive head-on. Even with Malphite's passive 'Granite Shield', I will still receive damage. Tsk.

The beast's claws slash through the shield as the stone skin that covering my body crumbles. I lifted my legs and jumped high enough just to avoid the beast's attack, then kicked the back of the beast's head like a sear.

But it dodged from a fatal hit on the last second by moving sidewards. The 'Burning Agony' skill hit his body once and my feet only grazed its face before smashing the ground, creating a loud noise. My feet crushed like a spear, causing the ground around me to shatter into fragments.

Bang!

Grr!? Whine!

Then impact is just so-so, however, there is something I've never expected to happen.

'Cancel! Burning Agony!'

I saw the flame-like sphere around to hit the body of the beast, but instead of colliding with the beast's fur, it just went through its body. There are no burnt marks or anything else left from the skill.

The beast was also quite shocked by the scene; it observed his body for a while then stared on the ground for a moment so I can tell. It also seems like he forgot that he received quite damage to its face because of his shock.

I observed the beast for a while then noticed that the beast trembled, then lost its balance. It was a surprise; I've seen him moved like the injury he received from my kick was nothing. Is this because of the 'Burning Agony'?

Yeah! The sphere of flame won't stop after dealing damage to the target but will go through the target's body, dealing damage to the beast's internal organ! Brilliant!

The Black Maned Wolf elite in front of me shook its head to relieve the pain and remove the blood on its face. It's just a small bruise, but the bleed won't stop. The passive skill of Darius is one that endangers the enemy's life, especially those who need blood to live; If you don't have anything to replenish your blood, you will be weakened from blood loss or might even die. I really want to kill this beast, but, with their personality, killing it might heighten their guard.

Surprisingly, the passive 'Hemorage' is much stronger than before, is it because I've managed to deal with an actual wound and not just a successful hit?

Right now, the beast is looking at me with a glint in his eyes. As if it found a worthy prey. The beast regained its balance and started to circle me, looking for the opportunity to attack.

This is how a veteran elite fights, huh? How disappointing, its first move is not something a veteran combatant would do. Did he really think they could win up against me with pure instinct? Does he think that he could simply walk like that and think of a way to deal with me? Huh!

"Sorry, but I won't let you do that! Come to Rio!" I said then launched myself on the beast. The beast was surprisingly alert. As soon as I make my move, the beast also did. It's not letting me near him, every step I made, that bastard will step back twice.

I activate one of Dr. Mundo's basic skills, 'Infected Cleaver'. A transparent cleaver appeared in my grip as my body started moving on its own. My hand then threw the cleaver in the beast's direction caught it off-guard.

At the same time, Seraphine's passive activated, casting the 'Infected Cleaver' twice without using extra health.

Swish! Swoosh! Chuck! Chuck!

"Grr!!! Gra!" Elite Black Maned Wolf

To my surprise, the first cleaver hit the beast's tight, while the second one missed, avoiding any fatal damage. Too bad for him though, the 'Hemmorage' passive is too brutal. As soon as the imaginary cleaver disappeared, the wound on the beast's tight started to bleed, the movement speed of the speed also decreased because of the debuff effect of 'Infected Cleaver'.

Well, not just slow though, the beast completely lost the ability to move its limbs. The beast struggled to stand too, it is s as if it was actually suffering from an infection. That's unexpected, the skills that I used has a lot of hidden effects.

'Infected Cleaver' will hack the target's current health by twenty percent then slow down the target's maximum speed, so why did the beast suffer from an infection?

There are lots of skills with effects not written on the skill description. I'm unable to check any hidden effect from Yasuo's skills because the Redrayot we encountered died so easily. I also can't just change the champions I'm currently assimilated with because of the rune I'm currently using.

I canceled my assimilation with Yasuo and Master Yi earlier then assimilated with Dr. Mundo and Malphite, creating a sturdy build. Luckily Malphite's assimilation only changed his skin, not his body size.

[Unawakened Human: Rio Magus]

Rank: Unranked

Title: None

[Health: 100%]

[Skill Usage Count: 0/2]

[Assimilated Champion/s]

: Tryndamere (Click to Expand)

: Seraphine (Click to Expand)

: Darius (Click to Expand)

: Dr. Mundo (Click to Expand)

: Malphite (Click to Expand)

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[Last Game System: Wild Rift]

Wild Core: 750,000

--Current Champions: 0

--Champion Summon: Unavailable

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[Malphite]

Granite Shield(Passive): Malphite is shielded by a layer of rock which absorbs damage up to 10% of his maximum Health. If Malphite has not been hit for 8 seconds, this effect recharges.

Seismic Toss(Basic Ability): Using his primal elemental magic, Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Movement Speed for 3 seconds.

Energy Consumption: Sealed

Thunderclap(Basic Ability): Malphite passively gains armor. When Malphite activates Thunderclap, he attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom. For the next few seconds, his attacks create aftershocks in front of him.

Energy Consumption: Sealed

Ground Slam(Basic Ability): Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor as damage and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.

Energy Consumption: Sealed

Unstoppable Force(Ultimate): Malphite ferociously charges to a location, damaging enemies and knocking them up into the air.

Energy Consumption: Sealed

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Runes:

Keystone: Electrocute (Basic attacks and abilities generate stacks on enemy champions hit, up to one per attack or cast. Applying 3 stacks to a target within a 3 second period causes them to be struck by lightning, dealing massive adaptive bonus damage. Adaptive)

Domination: Brutal (Gain a slight increase on your Physical damage while your physical attack ignores 2% physical armor, or gain a slight increase on your Magical damage while your magical attack ignores 2% magical armor.)

Resolve: Backbone (Gain a slight increase on your Magical Resistance or Physical Resistance depending on which stats you are lacking.

Inspiration: PathFinder (When out-of-combat, gain 8% bonus movement speed in forest, mountains, the body of water, underground paths, or caves.