"Master I can see something left behind by the big smelly monster," Leo said as he bolted toward the remains.
Percy realised Leo must have been talking about the Loot and he quickly caught up to the wolf hybrid seeing what the zombie had left behind.
Leo sniffed around the golden dust and there Percy found 500$, a low grade potion and a book with a strange skill he had never heard of.
Crunch,
The user's bite will be more powerful than an alligator.
Attack— 50 X Str
Would you like to learn?
YES/NO?
Percy was amazed by this skill, it basically made his mouth into a weapon. But it didn't really seem like something a human could use very well. Sure maybe once in a while Percy could use it, but not all the time.
Percy's eyes then slowly trapped to Leo who was currently pissing on the remains of Legion Zombie. 'If Leo's body acts like a gaming character....can he learn like one as well?'
"Leo, come here."
Leo finished pushing dirt on top of his urine and walked towards Percy, "what is it master?"
Percy gave Leo the scroll, "here, I want you to touch this." Percy put the scroll on the ground and Leo pressed his paw on the scroll. Suddenly Leo jumped back, "what happened?" Percy asked in surprise.
"This strange box appears master. I don't know what it is saying, but there looks to be two smaller boxes below this one."
Percy blinked, "hmm, okay then. Leo you see the box with more words?"
Leo looked, "ah, is it the one on the left?"
Percy nodded, "right. Press that one."
Leo did so with the tip of his nose and suddenly the scroll disappears into nothing. Leo suddenly stood up straight and the knowledge on how to do the Crunch skill entered his mind.
"W-what was that master?"
Percy grinned, "that my friends was your first skill book. It's one of the ways I got so strong. When I was at your level I had just a handful of them, but I still managed to beat off the Legion zombie on my own."
Leo looked at Percy with newfound respect, "wow master, you so cool!"
Percy chuckled and just then the next wave of zombies started to come out of the Forest. Percy turned to Leo, "think you can handle round 2?"
Leo snarled showing his fangs, "I am going to tear those things apart."
Percy and Leo charged into the next wave. Leo went about trying his new attack. The first zombie that Leo meet tried to stab the dog with a spear. Leo dodged it and wrapped his jaws around its throat. Percy saw his teeth flash purple for second indicating that Crunch was activated and Leo easily ripped out the zombie's head in one swift movement.
Leo had been able to tear throats out before, but he had never had the jaw strength to rip out their entire head. The new skill obviously treated Leo well.
Leo began attacking every Greek zombie that he came across while Percy simply hanged back providing backup. He usually just made sure nobody snuck up on Leo by using his telekinesis skill to pull enemies away if they get to close.
Eventually they ripped through another wave of zombies and Leo had leveled up;
Leo
Lv-12
HP: 1,150/1,150
MP:235/235
Race— HellHound (1/2)+Wolf (1/2)
Exp— 1,300/2,300
Str-26
Vit-16
Dex-9
Int-10
Wis-5
Luc-4
Points-10
Skills—
Crunch Lv— 1 (70%)
The user's bite will be more powerful than an alligator.
Attack— 50 X Str
Perks—
Strength of the Hellhound— + 5 Str for every level gained.
Percy's telekinesis skill also leveled up;
Telekinesis, Lv— 5 (20%)
The physic ability to move objects with your mind.
Range— 35 feet
Max weight— 80 Pounds
Cost -20MP
Percy quickly put the 10 extra points Leo had to good use. He put 4 points in Vit increasing it to 20, 4 to Wis and the rest 2 points when into Dex;
Str-26
Vit-20
Dex-11
Int-10
Wis-9
Luc-4
Percy and Leo then turned to the side to see another Legion zombie appear. Percy turned to Leo, "you see this area," Percy said pointing to his achilles tendon, "it's what helps two legged creatures walk. Tear one of them with crunch, and if you can, tear off both of them."
The wolf hybrid nodded and charged forward. The Legion zombie tried to grab it, but with the new speed boost Leo managed to escape its grasp. Leo did just as Percy told, he tore open the Legion zombie's achilles tendons. First going after the one on the left and then the one on the right.
The giant zombie fell down smashing face first into the ground. Percy moved to destroy it, but Leo jumped on top of the zombie attacking it with his claws.
Leo looked ferocious. The wild side within him was finally unleashed. Percy could see by the way Leo that the wolf hybrid had finally let go off his domesticated tendencies. It was all animal now. Percy saw the monster try to move and grab Leo, the son of Poseidon waited to intervene at the last second, and in the end it seemed he didn't have to.
When the hand came to grab Leo the dog had already moved back dodging the hand. Leo then used Crunch to bite into the zombie's wrists, and pulled, ripping it's hand in half causing the Legion zombie to scream in pain.
The zombie tried to move, and Percy was afraid Leo would get hurt because of the monster's constant flailing, but Leo dug his claws into the zombie's back and stayed on it. Leo then jumped up and landed on the zombie's neck.
Leo used crunch and bit into the flesh before ripping it out and throwing it away. That last attack was a critical one, Percy could see the sudden drop in the zombie's health;
Legion Zombie, HP: 8,400/15,200
Leo had him half beat.
The half hellhound then bent back down into the neck opening it had made with it's last attack and bite into the monster's spine. Percy saw Leo shack his head trying to dig in deeper into the flesh. It then bite into the spine and ripped it out. Pulling the nerves out slowly, painfully.
"ARGH!" The zombie roared out in pain. But neither Percy nor Leo cared.
Legion Zombie, HP: 4,500/15,200
Percy opened Leo's status and there it was, the new skill that Leo was sure to have created due to that last attack;
Critical strike, Lv— 1 (3%)
A precise strike that cause 300% more damage to the target
Chance of success— (Luc+Dex)%
The Legion zombie then slowly got up and began shaking its body trying to throw off Leo. The dog jumped off and landed safely on the ground. However it wasn't done. Leo bent down low, and then jumped up as high as it could closing its jaws around the Legion zombie's neck.
It's fangs glowed purple as it bit into it's neck drawing blood. Leo lifted his entire body up and pressed his legs on the zombie's throat. He then pushed with all his might and spun around in mid air landing on his feet.
In his mouth was the bloody remains of the Legion zombie's neck;
Legion Zombie, HP: 3,200/15,200
"It's not over Leo," Percy told his dog. Leo spat out the piece of flesh and turned around just in time to see the Legion zombie's hand coming to squash him flat. Leo moved and avoided the giant hand. He then jumped on top of the hand and dug his claws into the zombies skin.
He ripped across the zombies arm and got up on it's back. The zombie tired to shake Leo off, but couldn't, Leo's claws were in too deep. Leo launched himself at the zombie's neck and latched onto the part of the spine that Leo had pulled out before.
Leo jaws closed on it tightly and his forward momentum caused the price of the spine he was hanging on to to be ripped out causing the zombie to fall down in pain.
Legion Zombie, HP: 1,900/15,200
Leo landed on the ground hard and rolled across the terrain. But he wasn't hurt to badly. He got up immediately and charged the Legion zombie again. Leo aimed for it's neck again. This time he got a much larger bite as he tore a larger chunk of the neck out.
The Legion zombie fell down in pain. Percy then watched as the zombie slowly lost more and more health.
Legion Zombie, HP: 600/15,200
Legion Zombie, HP: 0/15,200
It slowly disappeared into nothing and Leo stood proud and tall over the dead monster's body. It's snout and limbs were covered in blood, but Leo didn't seem to notice any of that. The monster turned into dust and a feeling of victory came over Leo.
The dog put his head up into the sky and for the first time, howled.
"Ahoooo!" Leo's voice was strong. Percy could feel his power. The demigod smiled. He had finally managed to convert his companion from a weak house dog to a powerful ally worthy to be called his companion.
Ping!
Your companion: Leo, has leveled up twice!
Leo
Lv-14
HP: 1,450/1,450
MP:335/335
Race— HellHound (1/2)+Wolf (1/2)
Exp— 1,500/2,700
Str-36
Vit-20
Dex-11
Int-10
Wis-9
Luc-4
Points-10
Percy smiled at the progress Leo had made. Already the dog was have as strong as Percy usually was, guess that just spoke about the natural superiority of strength Hellhounds have when compared to humans.
Percy approached Leo and looked down to see what Loot he had gotten. There was another low grad potion that Percy pocketed. 500$ and a fruit that looked like an apple in the shape of a peach.
Fruit of happiness,
Any person who is feed this fruit will feel happy to the person who gave it to them.
+10% bonus to health for the next hour.
Percy was surprised, a fruit like this was certainly a surprise to have. He took it and pocketed the fruit for later use. Maybe he could give it to Katie Gardner, the daughter of Demeter, maybe she could somehow make this fruit into a tree. Then they would have more of the fruits.
"That was fun master!" Leo practically bounced up and down, "I feel great!"
Percy smiled, "that's because you leveled up twice Leo. I have to say I am very impressed by the way you handled yourself. I'm proud of you."
Percy scratched Leo behind the ear and the dog, no, wolf sighed in happiness. Percy then began to allot points for Leo.
He put 5 points in Vit, 3 int Int and the remaining two in Wis;
Str-36
Vit-25
Dex-11
Int-13
Wis-11
Luc-4
Points-0
Percy then closed the box and looked down at Leo, "ready to go home boy?"
"Sure mast-"
Just then an aura of power appeared overhead. Percy turned and saw a ball of shadow forming a few feet in front of them. Percy clicked his teeth, 'right, this guy.'
The ball broke open and a Knight of the Damned stepped out. He looked at Percy and leveled his large blade against him.
"I'll take him down!" Leo shouted as he charged at the Knight.
"Leo wait!" Percy tried to say but the wolf had given into his base desire to fight. He got a taste of power, and now he wanted more.
Leo charged right for the Knight and the monster almost cut Leo in half. Luckily the hybrid wolf jumped away in time. Leo then pounced on the Knight dropping him to the ground, he then used Crunchy to bite into the Knight's armour ripping it out.
Leo went to bite into the soft flesh underneath, but stopped, there was nothing inside except shadow. Leo was startled and the Knight smashed his blade into Leo side sending the wolf tumbling away.
"Leo!" Percy shouted as he zoomed to Leo's side holding his pet close.
Leo's HP: 150/1,450
Leo was barely holding on. 'Stupid dog,' Percy cursed as he used his blood control to draw a healing rune on Leo's body. He then used his own HP and 200 Mp to restore Leo to full health.
While this was going on the Knight of the Damned slowly approached Percy and Leo. He charged ahead and looked like he was about to cut them both down when Percy lifted his head and shot a paralysing glare at the Knight.
The monster stood still for a second, and that second was all that was need for Percy to destroy it.
Several spike of Ice erupted from Percy piercing the Knight all over. Then the shadows below the Knight exploded outwards wrapping the Knight up and immobilizing him. Percy then formed a giant water hammer out of the moisture in the air and brought it down on the monster hard destroying it into a million pieces of broken armour.
Ping!
Your companion: Leo, has leveled up three times!
Leo
Lv-17
HP: 1,750/1,750
MP:485/485
Race— HellHound (1/2)+Wolf (1/2)
Exp— 2,800/3,300
Str-51
Vit-25
Dex-11
Int-13
Wis-11
Luc-4
Points-15
Percy stopped the healing process as suddenly Leo was alright again. The wolf got up on it's feet and looked around, "where did the monster go?"
"Don't worry, I took care of it," Percy assured him before he became angry, "what the hell were you thinking?!"
The wolf yelped in fear, "m-master?"
"I told you not to fight! And even if your don't hear me, you are never supposed to just charge in and attack an unknown enemy Leo! That's not a smart thing to do!"
The wolf lowered its ears in sadness, "I'm sorry I failed you master. I promise I won't lose again."
Percy rubbed his temples, "it's not about losing or winning Leo. It's about the fact that you carelessly risked your life endangering yourself," Percy calmed down and looked down at the scared wolf. He felt guilty making Leo feel this why and sighed.
"Look Leo, I don't' ever want you doing something like this again, got it? I don't want you risking your life."
The wolf nodded, "understood master."
Percy nodded and scratched behind Leo's ear, "now let's go home." The wolf barked in agreement as Percy grabbed him and broke the ID.
It was already the middle of the morning by the time Percy and Leo came back. They got a quick bite to eat where Percy treated Leo to a plate full of bacon and vegetables. What? Percy wanted his companion to get his nutritions.
Percy then went to the Arena and started the daily training of the campers. Percy then took them to the beach for weapons practice where he smiled seeing Thalia there already waiting for him.
She smiled back and they quickly started the class. As the day went along the campers noticed Percy and Thalia acting strange around each other. They usually battered a bit before and while fighting, but today's banter seemed a bit more....nice?
Percy didn't call Thalia Sparky and Thalia didn't call Percy fish face or sea head or one of the many thousand nicknames she had for him. And the way they fought almost seems like they were trying not to hurt each other, but at the same time trying to give the other one a challenge.
Eventually the training session ended with two rounds inside Percy's ID:zombie world before everyone was sent off for lunch.
Soon after a quick lunch filled with sneaking looks at Thalia, Percy found himself once again at the Fist of Zeus with Nico, Bianca and Thalia. This time though Leo was along for the ride as the wolf mostly just layed down on the ground sleeping away. He was still tired from the morning's workout.
