Bella wasn't the one to be outdone. To prove herself, she also charged alone and effectively slew a Steward Rank Giga Ape.
After finishing the Giga Ape, she cast a haughty look at where Aegis had been, as if proving she could also do it alone.
But Aegis wasn't there at all.
He was already moving along his own path, toward the opposite branch.
"Hmph, arrogant fool!"
Saying that, she went in the opposite direction.
Aegis was running across a single branch, but he felt like walking on a massive runway.
Several small villages could easily fit here.
His eyes locked onto a brilliant, glowing blue fruit.
He felt a resonance with his Water Element. So whatever it was, it was obviously useful to him.
However, reaching the fruit, he faced another Giga Ape guarding it.
GRRR!
It bounced onto one of the leaves, its brown eyes holding terrifying ferocity.
Its fist hardened like rock and charged like a primate.
This brutish creature would not show any mercy to this puny human who intruded to take its much-awaited food.
"Tidal Barrier!"
With a single motion, Aegis crafted a strong water wall that completely halted the Ape's charge.
Bam! Bam!
It smashed onto the barrier with both fists, but their impact only sent a ripples across the surface.
Its innate ability: Stone Fist, wasn't able to do much against the barrier.
"Swish, swish, swish.."
Just then, its massive eyes shrunk. Several ice blades surrounded it then pierced its back like a shower of daggers.
Thud!
The Giga Ape collapsed as one of the bigger ice blades delved straight into its heart.
Aegis bypassed the corpse, then went to acquire the fruit.
[ Water Elemental Fruit (Unmatured) ]
[ Grade: D ]
[ Effects: Upon consumption, it increases one's affinity toward Water Element. Plus, a slight boost in Mana Reserves. ]
[ Note: Time until maturity: 45 seconds. Poisonous for individuals who don't have the specific affinity. ]
All in all, it was perfect for Aegis's needs. Besides his control over the Water Element, his energy reserves would also increase.
But to let it fully mature, he had to wait for 45 seconds as instructed.
These 45 seconds passed like forever.
However, before he could lay his hand on his reward, an arrogant voice echoed from behind:
"Well, well. Look what we have here. A Grade D Water Fruit, perfectly ripe. You have done the heavy lifting for me, little one."
Aegis looked back to see a middle-aged Skylord landed gracefully on the massive branch about ten meters away.
The man had a rough beard and a deep crimson halo pulsing above his head which was a clear marker of a Fire or Earth affinity.
He swaggered toward Aegis with an air of complete superiority.
He seemed unaware of who Aegis was.
"Hand it over," he commanded condescendingly. "I saw you sitting here like a pathetic beggar, waiting for this to finish ripening. It's time to pay the toll for resting on my path."
He didn't acknowledge the massive, cooling corpse of the Giga Ape nearby, seemingly dismissing Aegis's ability entirely. To Yolei, anyone climbing with water-based propulsion was likely a weak support type.
Aegis' expression, however, was utterly indifferent. The fruit was seconds away from full maturity.
"It's mine," Aegis stated simply.
Seeing his indifferent attitude, the man's rough face twisted in annoyance.
"Did you just talk back to me, boy? Do you know who I am? I am Yolei, an E-Rank Skylord! This tree of Life is for true warriors, not children playing with puddles. Get out of my way before I burn the water right out of your body."
He raised a hand, and a faint smell of fire and smoke began to permeate the air.
"Can't you see the Ape lying there?" Aegis said, indicating the corpse.
Yolei shrugged it off with a sneer. "Are you saying you killed it, pretty boy? Don't make me laugh!"
Aegis watched him like a fool. "Since you are courting death, I won't show mercy."
"Haha... You will show me mercy? How ridi—"
Yolei's mouth suddenly opened wide with sheer disbelief.
A giant water hammer raised high in mid-air, heading straight for his head.
"F*ck!"
He immediately struck the hammer with his puny fire arrows, but they might be nothing but child's play before Aegis.
The flame puffed into smoke.
The water hammer struck squarely on his chest, sending him tumbling down the branch.
His body fell straight downward, until something hard struck his back, forcing blood and air out of his lungs.
Bang!
The guy landed onto another branch, making the nearby adventurers jump in shock.
They saw Aegis' silhouette above and instantly swallowed their words.
"Is that Aegis? He looks so handsome, and strong!" one girl said, infatuated.
The guys there internally flared with jealousy.
"He is just a showoff."
"Once I attain a powerful fruit, I will be stronger than him."
Regardless of opinion, Aegis finally claimed the Water Elemental Fruit.
After consuming the papaya-sized fruit, his divine energy surged, and his control over the Water Element increased further.
Without delay, he headed for the next fruit.
Meanwhile, on a different location:
Bella had just consumed an Ice Elemental Fruit, and her whole physique radiated an unbearable chill.
Just then, several handsome boys and girls approached her with a genial smile.
"Bella, is that you?"
"You look so strong!"
"Are you a Skylord?"
Bella recognized them as her friends and classmates, but as usual, she showed no excess emotion.
She just gave a small nod.
Then a particularly handsome boy with golden hair, a sharp face, and a domineering air stepped forward.
Without asking for her permission, he went forward and hugged her.
She immediately pushed him back, her face showing annoyance.
"Stay back, Sylus!" she shouted aloud.
Sylus, the handsome young man with the air of a playboy, looked as if he were hurt.
"Stay back? How can you say that, My Fiancée? Do you know how much I missed you? How much I was worried for you?"