Another factor that made the Gundam Shelter unique was the 3 forests which grew as they absorbed mystic energy and later evolved into Great Forests.
Rex and his companions already experienced the Great Forest of Elias. As for the Great Ape Forest, it was home to the incredible Apes.
These incredible Apes were some that benefited most from the advent of mystic energy. They mutated, not just gaining more strength, but also gaining more intelligence that literally put them on the same level as some humans.
The strongest Apes of the Great Ape Forest could ride Hell Horses, they could use mystic weapons, they were some of the real dangers to humanity.
Despite the danger of the Great Ape Forest though, it was nowhere as dangerous as its last counterpart, the Great Dungeon Forest.
The Great Dungeon Forest was ranked in the world as the 3rd in the list of the 5 most mystical locations that appeared after the age of awakening.
This forest had a shallow surface forest, the real forest was underground. Through the numerous tunnels that filled the forest, mystic warriors could literally access other dimensions that were called dungeons.
There were different types of dungeons, some in desert settings, glacier planet settings, and some even with alien planet settings.
Mystic warriors who were strong enough to roam around inside the dungeons when lucky could chance upon legendary mystic treasures, and it was one of the many attractions of the Gundam Shelter to vagabonds.
Rex's decision to come here was also motivated a lot by this.
Zoom!
After the Monster Truck evaded a horde of apes and went deep inside the forest, all 3 friends came out as Aragorn now stood before the 2 contestants.
"Over the journey, I already thought about the perfect spar for you guys".
"I think just a 1 on 1 spar would not do the both of you justice. The spar would be in 2 phases, the first which is a normal 1 on 1 battle, and the 2nd phase which will involve you both going on an Ape killing spree".
"The one who kills the greatest number of Apes win".
"In 5 minutes, I will let my Monster Truck set a barrier around this location to prevent disruption, that is when your first spar would start".
"Use these 5 minutes to prepare yourself for the battle".
5 minutes later, Rex and Princess Elanor stood facing each other from opposite directions with absolute serious expressions on their faces.
The rules that Aragorn made for the contest were no use of Super Grade and above mystic treasures, and no use of pet beasts to battle.
This way, both contestants could battle to their heart's content in an even ground, Rex and Princess Elanor both agreed to the rules.
"3…, 2…, 1! Start!"
Whoosh!
Princess Elanor acted first as she released 3 arrows at the same time. Rex reacted almost instantaneously as he unsheathed Berserker from its scabbard.
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You have activated skill: Double Plutonian Slash!
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The sound of metals clashing reverberated as the sword parried the first arrow. Rex dodged the remaining 2 arrows while his 2nd sword slash of the double Plutonian Slash skill ruthlessly went for the kill.
Princess Elanor easily dodged the sword energy.
Rex did not stop with using a sword skill as he already started a mad sprint to close the distance to his opponent.
Despite the intimidating show by her opponent, Princess Elanor was not fazed as she stood rooted to the ground like a statue while her hands conjured arrows from the air through her mystic energy which she noosed on her bow.
The next moment, she briefly closed her eyes before opening them as instantly, she was able to actively channel her adrenaline reserves.
The wind around her seemed to increase as arrows started flying from her bow like the bullets coming from an automatic machine gun.
Rex tried to dodge but he was only able to keep up for 4 seconds before he was injured. He reacted instantly by activating both his Zone skill and his Self-Combustion advanced skill as his body was set in flames.
Some of the arrows that came close to him were incinerated by the raging Blackfire even as he continued his sprint while putting his swordsmanship to full use, his hands moved like flowing water in a mesmerizing display.
Swhaa! Swhaa!
Slicing sounds reverberated as Berserker cut arrows left and right.
This way, Rex was able to slowly close the distance even while sustaining some injuries as none of his long-ranged attacks was able to injure the Princess.
After closing the distance, he was about to lunge at her but Princess Elanor entered phase 2 of her strength. A shield made of golden metal first materialized to protect her before the trees in the forest started waving to her will.
Before Rex could react, tree branches grabbed him from different directions even as his raging Blackfire incinerated the majority of them.
A few seconds later, he was bound and unable to move as Princess Elanor finally made use of one of her trump card skills.
"Master Level Skill: Theater of Dreams- Reincarnation Arrow!"
Whoosh!
The arrow came so close as Rex felt goosebumps all over his body, his hair stood on end as his brain seemed to short circuit but adrenaline took over.
Rex instinctively activated one of his master level skills also.
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You have activated Master Level Skill: Ultimate Iron Defense!
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Having trained with it for over a period of 2 weeks to use this skill with his sword, Rex finally made use of it in battle and it was a success.
The loud sound reverberating from the impact was like a mighty sword cutting earth in twain as the arrow was ripped in 2 equal parts.
Rex lost more than 40% of his mystic energy from this one move but he was not done as his tired eyes blazed one last time for a last grasp at victory.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Rex gave it his all in that last moment as he rapidly closed the distance before unleashing his full repertoire of close-combat abilities on the Elven Princess.
He literally used all his sword skills, vampire, and blackfire skills in the span of a few seconds as Princess Elanor rapidly sustained injuries.
Despite the injuries though, she never succumbed as her pride pushed her to retaliate like a Lion King who was at death's door but was unresigned to its fate.
After one last clash, Rex received a golden metal stab to the chest even as Berserker reciprocated by stabbing into Princess Elanor's abdomen.
Both contestants gasped as they staggered backwards, seemingly out of options but Rex was not. Rex gritted his teeth as he made use of the last trump card that he was ready to use for this spar.
He raised his left hand and grabbed at the air.
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You have activated Master Level Skill: Oxygen Manipulation!
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Princess Elanor's eyes widened in shock as the air before her literally ignited out of nowhere into a burning hellfire.
The heat alone scalded her face, she dreaded to bath in this raging fire.
Rex did not relent as he controlled the burning air in her direction, he was already engrossed by the competitive spirit in the spar to care.
Princess Elanor tried to defend with her golden metal mystic ability but the window of opportunity to act was too short, she was burnt.
As she groaned in pain, Aragorn finally yelled. "Stop!"
"The spar is over!"
Rex was finally able to stop himself as Princess Elanor glared at him defiantly while he glared back at her, his blood was still burning hot and pumping fast.
"Nice battle". He smiled the next moment.
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