Galatic Overlord:I Can Copy Other's Ability

The next morning, Hex woke up to the sound of distant growls and rustling leaves. The forest was still dark, with only faint light filtering through the thick canopy. His body felt sore, but his mind was calm. Slowly, he climbed down the tree and stretched his limbs.

He checked the ground for footprints or threats. It appeared nothing had come close during the night.

The fire had died down completely, leaving only blackened ashes. Hex picked up his remaining grilled meat which resembled dried meat and chewed slowly, knowing it had to last until he found more food.

Looking around, he noticed the forest was tranquil, which gave him an uneasy feeling.

The silence often indicated that predators were nearby creatures even the other beasts feared.

Holding his breath, he activated his invisibility power and carefully maneuvered through the thick bushes.

About ten minutes later, he encountered a strange scene.

Two mutated, lizard-like creatures were fighting near a small stream. Their claws were sharp, and their tails lashed like whips. One of the creatures had a cracked scale, likely wounded from an earlier battle. Hex crouched low to observe.

"If I can take down the winner, I can use its core," he thought.

The two lizard-like beasts snapped and hissed at each other, their bodies circling with tense, twitching motions. One lashed its tail, striking the other's side, but the attack was countered with a vicious claw swipe that tore across its jaw. They growled, kicked, and clawed, their movements fast yet desperate. The creature with the cracked scale stumbled, bleeding, then lunged again, only to be caught mid-air.

The victorious lizard clamped its jaws down on the loser's neck and slammed it hard into the ground, creating a thud that echoed through the trees.

The forest seemed to pause for a moment.

As the winner staggered back, trying to catch its breath, a flicker passed behind it

Then, a loud crack echoed.

A heavy blow landed on the back of its skull.

The beast shrieked in pain, spinning around with wide, panicked eyes, but found only empty air. Its limbs trembled as it twisted its neck, sensing an unseen threat. Another sharp strike followed, and this time, the beast collapsed, its body twitching once before going still, a thin steam rising from its cracked head.

Hex let out a breath as he dropped his invisibility and knelt beside the corpse. He quickly searched around its chest and gut area but found nothing.

There wasn't any crystal.

"Sigh…What a waste," he muttered.

He glanced at the first lizard, its body already beginning to stiffen. Checking it as well, he found still no core.

With a sigh, Hex pulled out his knife, sliced off some clean meat from the fallen creature, and wrapped it tightly in thick green leaves. It wasn't much, but it would help.

The wind began to stir, brushing against his skin like a warning. Birds started cawing loudly overhead, and branches shook without much breeze.

Then a shrill, sharp scream echoed not far away.

Hex's body tensed. He crouched low and stepped lightly, slipping between ferns and soft bushes.

The forest here was denser, and the air smelled of wet bark and blood. Carefully, he moved closer to the source of the noise.

Soon, he reached another stream,wider and faster, with water froths.

On the opposite bank, he spotted a small group of five people

Two men, two young boys, and three girl who were in trouble. They were desperately swinging their weapons, trying to fend off a group of mutant crocodiles with thick, dark-green scales. The reptiles growled, their mouths wide open, showing serrated teeth. One had already been wounded, blood soaking its side, but the others continued to charge.

Hex stayed hidden in the bushes, his body perfectly blending with the forest, completely unseen. His sharp eyes scanned the group. They didn't seem like skilled fighters; their footing was poor and their swings slow.

"Should I help them and then leave, or try to join them?" Hex whispered to himself.

Being alone had kept him alive so far. But it was also exhausting, always hunting, watching, running.Moreover,he lacked some genuine Intel.

He looked closer.

Then something strange happened.

Floating just above their heads were numbers glowing red numbers. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating from hunger or stress.

"Twenty… fifteen… five… five…" he counted softly.

But one girl at the rear end, she didn't have any number at all.

"Wait… do I have one too?"

Before he could check, a piercing scream snapped his attention back.

One of the boys had fallen, his leg caught in a crocodile's jaw. Blood sprayed in the air as he thrashed wildly, screaming.

"ARGHHHH!"

Hex's fingers curled slightly.

He didn't wait any longer.

Lia's heart pounded as she watched Harry scream in pain, his leg caught between the crocodile's jaws. One of the women screamed his name in panic. "Brook, save him!"

"Damn it, I'm surrounded too," Brook replied, swinging his weapon. He looked at Lia. "Lia... you need to do something."

Lia's whole body shook. She was terrified, barely able to breathe, but she clenched her fist and took a step forward.

Grabbing a rock from the riverbed, she ran towards Harry. He was desperately trying to pull his leg free. Lia raised the rock and hurled it at the crocodile's head.

BANG!

The rock hit hard, making the beast loosen its jaws. Harry rolled away, but the damage was done. His skin had been torn apart, exposing the bone underneath.

"ARGHHH! It hurts... it hurts..." Harry cried out in agony.

"Shut up and run, you idiot!" Cory snapped while struggling against her own attacker.

"Lia, help me," Harry pleaded, reaching toward her with bloodied hands.

Lia stepped forward, wanting to help, but her legs faltered. Another crocodile was rushing towards them. She screamed and slipped, hitting the wet stone. Her body froze as the crocodile came closer. She shut her eyes tight, bracing for death.

BANGG!

Water splashed over her, cold and heavy. A second passed, then another.

The attack Lia expected didn't come.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. In front of her, a boy was moving like a blur. He punched the crocodile with terrifying force, sending it flying.

Lia's jaw dropped. Harry, too, stared in disbelief before shouting, "Lia! Now! Help me!"

She jolted upright and rushed to Harry, placing her glowing hands on his injured leg. A green light spread out, filling the wounds with warmth. Flesh began to regrow slightly. Though not fully healed, the pain and bleeding stopped.

"I'm sorry... this is the best I can do," Lia said softly, her voice trembling.

Harry looked down at the half-healed leg. It was covered in dark clots, the wound still ugly but no longer life-threatening. "That's enough. Thanks."

BANG!

Another loud thud rang out. They looked ahead to see the same boy smashing a crocodile's head into the ground, grinding it into pulp.

"What the hell?" Cory's voice came from afar.

"Who is he?"

More crocodiles charged at the boy, leaving the group with a moment to catch their breath.

Hex stood tall in the middle of the shallow waters, his wet pants clinging to his legs, chest splattered with blood. The crocodiles rushed at him. With sharp steps, he dodged left and then leapt sideways.