Code Collector

< Copycat >

Exclusive Skill effect: Active - When a Hunter uses a special move, the user can copy the move by 60% up to 99% (scales with level).

Just when he thought that he had everything he needed, the Snake gave him this. The Exclusive Skills were definitely useful for Allen and his future projects.

If he can copy skills, it would be hard for them to find out his identity. He can just use multiple techniques whenever he encounters people. That should stir them up just right.

"Why do you keep pacing out?" Bernard asked from the front of him. The man was opening the gate by pulling a lever that was disguised as a flower. "You need to be very careful. Keep your distance, and make sure you run when I tell you to."

Allen nodded, "Okay".

With that, the two ran to the forest and to the direction of the wolf. Bernard watched his fence get dented by the beast, deforming the part where it slammed its body on to.

"That beast must be really strong," Allen commented after seeing the damage it dealt. "It could do that to this fence. Bernard, are you sure you can handle this?"

The man chuckled and shrugged. "Let's just see."

In the forest was a path filled with destruction. The beast had been in here since the branches of the trees and the bark were damaged, as if a storm came just to wreck havoc.

"That beast is the parent of the wolves I hunted," Bernard said. "It's not common, but a lot of beasts have bonds with their parents that when they're killed, the parents step up another ladder to ascension.

"This was called Blood Link, and this had been observed since the beginning of humanity's exploration to the Otherworlds," Bernard continued. He stopped in front of a tree and traced his fingers on the scratch marks. "The more children is killed, the stronger the Blood Link is."

"How many ascensions does a beast gain through a Blood Link?" Allen asked.

Bernard looked at him with nothing but seriousness in his eyes, "One per child."

The answer sent shivers down to Allen's spine. The wolves were high tier Rare grades, the parent must be one too. If that beast ascended four times, it will surely reach Grand.

"Do you get why I was skeptical into bringing you with me?" Bernard asked. "Even the highest tier Rare grade beast couldn't touch the fence without exploding. This beast in particular slammed its entire body to the electric fence and lived. Who wouldn't worry about that?"

Allen gulped but slowly nodded in understanding. He knew that they were in a difficult position, but only his level was low. He believed that if Bernard would need help, he can provide that.

Bernard narrowed his eyes and looked around," Do you hear that?"

The boy looked around but heard nothing. His passive skill did not activate yet, so he was sure that he's safe. The skill had never failed him before.

"Look out!" Bernard yelled and grabbed Allen to the side. Not a second after they dodged, the giant wolf pounced on the area they were at. "That wolf is fast."

'Enhanced Instincts I activated. !Enhanced Instincts I is delayed due to the level of the opponent.'

Allen gulped after hearing the notification. The only skill he was relying on was failing him, and that's not a good sign.

"Go back a bit," Bernard ordered to which Allen obeyed. He didn't want to get caught up in the fight for now. He will wait for Bernard to ask him for help befor he acts. At the moment, there wasn't much that he could do. He was inexperienced in battles, and it seemed like his luck had ran out after he saw the beast.

"Starling War Axe!"

Bernard raised his right hand in the air and a flash of light rained upon him. In a split second time, his hand had gripped on a giant axe with long shaft and two sharp blades.

The axe was long. It's shaft measured the height of Bernard, and one blade was half the size of its body. Each blade was fan-shaped with the small corner attached to the shaft and the wide side were sharpened like they were made for killing stone golems.

"I thought that axe was your weapon?" Allen asked, to which Bernard answered with a chuckle. "I have a lot of weapons in my arsenal. Perhaps that's why I'm an effective fighter. I can fight in many ways."

Just by looking at the axe, Allen knew that this was built for damage and taking down large beasts. Each side of the blades were long, about a forearm' length, and they were sharp.

The wolf saw the weapon, but it didn't even flinch. Instead, it growled even more and slowly stalked in front of them.

"Your children were the naughty mutts," Bernard said. "They're nothing but pathetic scum."

It was like there was a glowing brown aura coming from Bernard. The aura looked like it was a colored mist that seeped through his skin and hovered over him.

"What's he doing?" Allen asked himself. Bernard heard this and he shrugged at the boy.

"Fighters are versatile roles," Bernard said while spinning his axe like a fan. "When a group has no tank, or the tank is unavailable, fighters take the damage. You should learn that so you too can become an effective fighter.

"I-I…" Allen paused and pursed his lips. "I guess so."

"Good," Bernard said. He stopped spinning his weapon and he cracked his neck to prepare his body. "Watch me fight this beast and we will have a small quiz later on, okay?"

The boy nodded while preparing something on Bernard's back. When the latter rushed to the wolf, Allen had spoken the words and activated his skill.

"Copycat."