Chapter 117: The Outer and Inner Wastelands—Instantly Defeating the Level 4 Savage Ape

In the fringe zones, there exists a large number of Level 3 and Level 4 mutated creatures, with occasional appearances of Level 5 mutations. On rare and unlucky occasions, even Level 6 mutated creatures may be encountered.

Of course, although the fringe zones lie on the outskirts of the Black Hawk Corporation’s territory, they remain under its control. Therefore, if a Level 6 or higher mutated creature invades the fringe zone and lingers for an extended period, the Black Hawk Corporation will dispatch operatives to exterminate it, preventing any significant threat to the Level 5 Evolvers.

However, Level 6 mutated creatures are no common pests. Even in the wilderness, their numbers are few, and those venturing into Black Hawk’s territory are even rarer—let alone staying for long periods. Such occurrences are exceedingly rare, possibly happening less than once a year, making them true anomalies.

In truth, for those Level 5 Evolvers who wish, they may leave Black Hawk’s domain and venture deeper into the wilds, entering what is called the “Outer Wilds.”

The territories controlled by Black Hawk and other forces are generally referred to by Evolvers as the “Inner Wilds.” In contrast, those wilderness areas not governed by any faction are known as the “Outer Wilds.”

Compared to the Inner Wilds, the Outer Wilds are far more perilous. The danger here arises not only from the greater number and stronger mutated creatures but often from other Evolvers themselves.

Within the Inner Wilds, major factions enforce strict laws forbidding Evolvers of the same faction from fighting each other. Thus, battles typically occur between Evolvers and mutated beasts, with Evolvers seeing each other more as rivals or allies rather than foes.

However, in the vast Outer Wilds, Evolvers hail from various factions, and there are no prohibitions against conflict. Skirmishes between Evolvers are frequent and often deadly.

Just as slaying mutated beasts grants an Evolver evolutionary energy, killing another Evolver yields evolutionary energy as well, along with a substantial haul of equipment and supplies. The rewards are undeniably lucrative, so mutual slaughter among Evolvers in the wilderness is not uncommon.

That said, even within the Inner Wilds, a certain order is maintained. Occasional killing of one or two Evolvers might be considered normal, but those who make a living hunting Evolvers are themselves hunted and declared outlaws. After all, no one wants to be attacked or killed by another Evolver without cause.

For this reason, unless there is a dispute over interests, two Evolvers or two teams of Evolvers generally avoid initiating conflict, maintaining a fragile peace.

Yet, when a rare mutated creature or precious medicinal treasure appears, if neither side yields, this fragile peace shatters instantly, and a fierce battle is triggered.

Moreover, such battles almost invariably end in the total annihilation of one side, with no chance of ceasefire. In the wilderness, mercy is unknown; everyone fears betrayal by former enemies lurking in the shadows.

In addition, although hunting other Evolvers is outlawed, a few individuals survive by preying on humans. These are known as wilderness bandits or marauders.

Though jointly wanted by all major factions, and bounties offered for their deaths, they remain elusive, a testament to their formidable strength, posing another grave threat in the wild.

Currently, Zhang Ran has no intention of venturing into the Outer Wilds. With his strength, hunting in the fringe zone of the Inner Wilds is already highly efficient, so there is no need to risk the Outer Wilds.

After speeding along for two hours, Zhang Ran arrived at his target area. After a brief rest, he began his hunt.

Compared to the area 120 kilometers away, the fringe zone harbored more mutated creatures of greater strength, but even so, Level 4 mutations were still uncommon targets.

After a full hour, Zhang Ran finally encountered his first Level 4 mutated beast.

It was a massive ape, about three and a half meters tall, covered in formidable muscles and black fur. Nearby lay the mangled corpse of a Level 2 mutated antelope, torn in two, its flesh and blood strewn about.

“A Level 4 Savage Ape! You’ll be my appetizer today!” Zhang Ran thought with a grim smile.

With a flicker of his mind, he scanned the creature through his chip to confirm its power level. Satisfied, he nodded slightly, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

This Savage Ape was a very ordinary Level 4 mutant, its four primary attributes registering at 9.6, 8.8, 8.2, and 3.3 points respectively—much weaker than the Tyrant Zhang Ran had once faced. Moreover, Zhang Ran himself had ascended to Level 4 Evolver, greatly enhancing his strength. Facing this ape, he did not even activate his Blood Boil ability.

Gripping his heavy broadsword, “Breaking Army,” Zhang Ran charged at the Savage Ape. Seeing him, the beast roared furiously, its giant red eyes flashing with savagery, dropping a half-eaten lamb leg, and rushing toward Zhang Ran.

“Die! Blood Sprint!”

Watching the Savage Ape charge, Zhang Ran felt no anger, only joy. When the creature closed to nearly one hundred meters, he activated his Blood Sprint ability.

As his mind commanded, the fourth blood-shadow rune on his evolutionary tree within his consciousness suddenly shone brightly, radiating waves of mysterious power.

With the rune’s glow, strange blood-red energy cloaked Zhang Ran’s body, and his speed surged to nearly double, transforming him into a dazzling crimson streak as he sprinted toward the Savage Ape.

The ape’s eyes flickered with confusion at Zhang Ran’s sudden acceleration and transformation into a blood shadow, causing it to hesitate momentarily. In that instant, Zhang Ran’s figure had already appeared before the beast.

“Downward Slash!”

Gathering all his strength into the Breaking Army broadsword, Zhang Ran struck a swift, deadly sword beam aimed at the ape’s throat.

“Crack!”

With the sound of a neck bone snapping, propelled by the Blood Sprint’s speed, Zhang Ran’s strike was terrifyingly swift. The Savage Ape had no time to react before its head was severed cleanly—a decisive, one-move kill.