Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: How to Use the Horizon Coordinate System
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The Twin Horn Hawk's kidnapping attempt ended in failure.
Because the crow with a brilliant mind responded right away.
Spreading my wings and leaping down was all there was to it, but that alone qualified as a solid countermeasure.
Riding the wind currents, I managed to glide like a proper bird.
"Chirp!"
Of course, knowing one slip-up would send me crashing to the ground, I was perfectly happy just drifting along with the breeze.
This was only my third time flying, and all in live combat, so my proficiency had shot up considerably.
My wings felt like they'd packed on a good amount of muscle too.
And so, whoosh.
Flap, flap, thud.
I nailed the landing on solid ground.
I pecked away at the fish meat still clutched in my talons, then surveyed my surroundings.
Thankfully, I'd been heading the right way—not far off, I spotted signs of the village.
From these glimpses, it didn't look like a massive settlement.
Of course, it wasn't the total wasteland Muna had described either.
More buildings looked surprisingly intact than I'd expected.
Has the prelude to Eternal Night really only just started?
If the people spotted it and evacuated immediately, that would explain things.
Had they stuck around, it never would have stayed this pristine.
The monsters I'd seen last night were no joke—clashing with them would've trashed the place left and right.
Most likely, the villagers bailed early, leaving an empty village ripe for monsters to claim.
"Chirp."
Of course, I'd only know for sure once I delved deeper.
"Nuoom!"
A cute sound rang out from somewhere.
I turned my head and spotted a plant wiggling what looked like arm-like vines.
What, a plant making noises?
"Nuooom!"
And kinda cute, too?
As I drew closer, its vines started thrashing even faster.
You like me too, don't you, buddy?
"Nuuooom!"
It was so thrilled, drool was pouring from the Nepenthes.
"Chaaak!"
I swiftly hammered its petals with my beak.
Bird Nepenthes
A carnivorous plant with pink petals.
A hunter that lures prey with its fragrant scent and sounds.
Skills
Vine Whip LV2
Traits
Pheromone Manipulation
Sorry, but my eyes see right through you.
And pheromone manipulation? Not your exclusive trick.
"Kaaak!"
I'd figured the village for more peaceful than expected, but running into a monster like this right off the bat.
Still, with the ambush, I could steer the fight my way.
Now then...
Huh?
I glanced at the status window message, then at the Bird Nepenthes.
It dangled limp, utterly still.
"Kak?"
No way—it's dead?
I'd meant to kill it, sure, but...
In one hit?
"Kak kak kak..."
Only then did it hit me.
Looks can deceive—my combat power was way beyond what I'd imagined.
Shwaak!
I spread my wings.
Eternal Night? Host? Whatever.
That's just because they haven't met me yet.
Brimming with that confidence, I tore through the area.
Monsters—creatures worth calling that—popped up frequently, all spoiling for a fight.
I could've snuck by undetected, but for some reason, I didn't want to.
What was it? I just felt like picking a fight.
Maybe turning into a crow physically was turning my behavior crow-ish too.
And there was zero reason not to.
Full
Confident
Feast your eyes on this terrifying level.
I'd surpassed Little Crow to hit a whopping 8.
No evolution yet, which was a shame—but I'd half-expected that.
Five was the evolution threshold before, so now it'd take higher.
Ten feels about right.
"Kak kak kak."
At this rate, it'd be quick.
I had no clue how strong this "host" was, but I'd probably need one more evolution to stand a chance.
I was pretty tough, but still just a fluffy baby bird with downy feathers.
My fighting style? Monotonous pecking with the beak or shredding with talons, that was it.
Since I'd been reborn a bird, shouldn't I at least fly freely?
To tackle real threats, I needed to max out my traits.
And for true freedom in the air, ditching the "Little" prefix was key.
But I couldn't hunt all day long.
The moment night fell, those brutal beasts from last night were bound to show.
Which was why I planned to let that lizard up ahead walk free.
"Kak kak."
Count yourself lucky, nameless lizard.
Even if I have no idea why you're standing on two legs.
I was getting drunk on my own awesomeness.
Power? Got it.
Brains? Check.
Mercy? Now that too?
"Gek..."
The lizard I'd just spared got nabbed by three spiders before my eyes.
My gut screamed that getting tangled up would be a massive hassle.
Their expressions reminded me of that Venom Mantis's vibe.
Never butt into a lovers' spat.
"Kak kak?"
Huh?
Why'd I even picture spiders and a lizard as a couple?
Overdid it with the power usage? My thoughts were going haywire.
Sun's dipping low—time to prep for night.
I shook my head to clear the nonsense.
Slap together a decent nest, and the day's work was done.
I'd tensed up over this Eternal Night business, but so far, so good.
Muna must've fretted for nothing.
Skarnas seemed nicer than expected?
Skarnas was not nice.
"Chirp!"
I—who'd been strutting around with puffed-up chest just moments ago—now backed that claim.
"Woof woof!"
Hunting dogs hot on my tail.
Same breed as yesterday's.
Tough enough to crunch an owl in one bite, but if I committed to fighting, I could drop them somehow.
I was level 4 back then; now double at 8.
But not today.
The reason...
Cursed Hound LV9
Cursed Hound LV10
There were three of the damn mutts!
"Piyaaak!"
I had good reason to squeak like a panicked chick.
It wasn't just their power—their looks were straight-up horrifying.
Not the rotting flesh or anything.
Look at those faces.
Beagle, miniature schnauzer, cocker spaniel.
The infamous "big three yapper breeds," right?
Sure, their builds were large-dog huge, so probably just coincidental lookalikes.
But those mugs radiated one thing:
If they caught me, death wouldn't be the end.
They'd use me as a chew toy first.
"Woof woof!"
So yeah, I had to run!
After an endless chase, I ducked between some stone structures.
"Grrr..."
But the pursuit didn't stop.
Couldn't see 'em, but they were sniffing around like they had my scent.
Dead set on nabbing me.
Jeez, those had to be the real Cerberuses.
If Kiwi were here, he'd chase off mutts like that in a heartbeat.
Today, I felt that plump butt's absence more than ever.
Still, hunker down quietly, and they'd move on eventually.
No noise. Play dead.
"Wooo..."
Eek! Jump scare.
Who're you?
Baby Lace LV5
A young ghost draped in cloth.
Immune to physical damage.
Mention "lace," and folks picture the classic bedsheet ghost.
This one fit the bill.
Difference? It wore a handkerchief, not a full sheet.
My acorn-sized scrap of cloth fluttered about.
Up close, tiny hands poked out—adorably cute.
"Wooo...?"
But cuteness was off the table right now.
Woo woo for now, but if it ramped to WOO WOO!, the dogs would hear in no time.
And I couldn't shut it up.
How do you muzzle a ghost?
Even my 21st-century ultimate exorcism chant, Horizon Coordinate System, wouldn't land—wrong audience.
It probably wouldn't even know what that was.
So what now?
Wait out its interest?
What if it fetched adult ghosts?
Adults would slice me in half.
...One option.
Shwaak!
Wings out.
Hated this, but survival demanded it.
"Wooo?"
Puffed my feathers to max fluff.
Bounced on my legs, drawing max attention.
Yeah—right now, I was a Paradise Bird mid-courtship display.
No baby crow here. I was that mystical black-and-blue feathered hunk wooing a mate.
Self-hypnosis time.
"Shuuu...?"
For my life...
I had to seduce this ghost!