Chapter 153
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: The Crow's Training Method
Satisfy the Rabbit!
I had the feeling someone was snickering, "Heh heh heh," but it couldn't possibly mean anything like that.
For starters, I'm a crow, and that guy's a rabbit.
Plus, I'm in bird form, while he's taking on a human shape.
"What’s with that look on your face?"
"Kawk..."
Still, I couldn't help the snort that escaped my beak.
Why not? I could afford to have a little hope.
Just like Cheshire said, those clothes looked pretty tempting.
"Crow..."
Rebecca, who called me "crow" instead of Raven, poked my side.
It wouldn't hurt me over something like that.
"Caw!"
...It hurts!
It hurts a lot!
Did Swungswung's ability evolve or something?
"You're incorrigible."
Poke.
"Kawk!"
Once Swungswung's brief retribution ended, the rabbit continued.
"I'll give you a mission, guest. It'll involve hopping around here and there, reflecting on your own body."
"Sounds like training. Or cultivation."
Moona, standing beside me, interpreted the hidden meaning in those words.
He had a weird way of expressing himself, but his ability to understand others was top-notch.
If he twisted it even more into his own style, it might cause problems, but he was using simpler words this time.
Maybe because he'd recovered some memories.
"If you show results that satisfy me, I'll give you a treasure from this place. That's the best I can offer. What do you say? Will you accept?"
There must be restrictions on handing over treasures directly, so he's skirting around it like this.
Not some simple task—actual training for a treasure.
No reason to refuse.
Plus, training!
It's been ages since I heard that word.
Feels like just yesterday I was flapping around, trying to fly with my fluffy down feathers.
...
Come to think of it, have I ever done any proper training?
"Kawk..."
I'd leveled up through the status window's cheats and constant real combat, but no dedicated training comes to mind.
Of course, it wasn't laziness. Real battles outside were more beneficial than training sessions.
I could level up by defeating enemies and pick up traits as a bonus.
That seemed most efficient, but trying training this time around wouldn't hurt.
I might have a knack for it and skyrocket in growth.
I've gotten strong enough through status windows and levels; pursuing other paths couldn't be bad.
"Caw, kawk!"
Alright, starting today, I'm a training crow.
I nodded boldly at the white rabbit watching me and let out a spirited cry.
"Caaaaaw!"
This isn't training!
Well, it is training.
Too perfectly fitting the definition, that's the problem.
Hanging huge rocks from my legs and flying, or using my wings like arms to hang upside down from a pull-up bar. Obviously, the rock on my legs stayed put.
I endured thinking it was wing strength training, but willpower alone couldn't cut it.
"Cheep... chirp huuuuh..."
I flipped onto my back, stuck out my tongue a bit, and panted.
After all that suffering, today's wing reinforcement training was finally over.
"Alright, next up immediately."
The wing training was done, but not the whole session.
The rabbit stared mercilessly at me.
I averted my gaze a little.
"Peep..."
I trembled, making the chirps of a tiny chick.
Felt like a shivering baby goose.
"Come on over. Didn't you agree to this, guest?"
Calm tone, but he seemed oddly excited.
What did I do to deserve this!
...His methods do seem effective, so I'll endure.
Shwooooo...
Nature holds tremendous power.
Not just typhoons or earthquakes.
Even that ordinary-looking waterfall packed explosive force no individual could handle.
Kraka ka ka!
I closed my eyes against the crashing waterfall.
Thud thud thud thud!
Felt like crow dough, but my sturdy body held up somehow.
In that state, he told me to meditate and empty my mind... Honestly, no clue what that's supposed to do.
"Maintaining composure in any situation is key."
Yeah, yeah, Moona's droned that sermon plenty.
Fwoosh!
After meditation, with my feathers soaked, into the fire pit.
Training to conquer fear of flames and use terrain, but it just seemed like drying wet feathers.
Brutal training with rocks tied on.
Dunked in water, battered by waterfalls.
And straight into the fire pit.
...Isn't this more torture than training?
"Eyes open, huh? Close them again."
"Caw..."
The rabbit rolled me right back into it.
After repeating the process, waddling crow-style around the area a few laps, morning training finally ended.
Yeah, morning training.
Afternoon sessions awaited.
The workload screamed for screams, but I had motivation to endure.
"Right on time."
"Raven! Good work!"
My cheering comrades!
"Drink this first... Oh, your eyes are already glazing over."
...The food they brought was my fuel.
Delicious dishes from local ingredients, all suiting my tastes perfectly.
Seemed Moona and Swungswung cooked themselves.
Swungswung aside, didn't expect Moona's cooking to fit me so well.
Or after this workout, anything tasteless would be abnormal?
"Tasty?"
"Peep, pip pip..."
"Rough day, huh? You're regressing."
Swungswung insulted me casually.
"Peep."
What's wrong with peeps?
"I like this Raven too."
"Kawk kawk."
I scarfed down the food from Swungswung and Moona.
Not just tasty—their food made my body feel better each time.
Mind sharpened, body lightened. At first, I thought it was the ingredients, but no way. Probably training results.
Common sense: you don't get stronger just from eating.
Your level has increased.
"Kawk...?"
Level up felt odd, but probably from the training.
Food wouldn't level me up.
"This fish is decent quality-nyang? Pretty eatable-nyang."
At Cheshire's words, Swungswung's face sharpened.
Poke.
"Nyaaak! Why-nyang?!"
She snatched the fish from Cheshire's mouth to give me, but I refused.
I'm no thief stealing from others' plates.
Glare-eyed Swungswung grumbled at the now-messy-haired Cheshire.
"We saved cat fish separately. Why eat it."
"Nyang... I didn't know it was cat fish-nyang... Who cooks it like this... Hold on, you rabbit? Never gave me any when I asked, but feeding that precious elixir like candy...!"
Cheshire vented injustice, but none of my business.
"Enough, Rebecca. We prepared the most important thing separately anyway."
"Yeah, Moona. I'll let pulling a bit of fur slide this time."
"Nyaaaak...! I misjudged you, human. No, ghost! You looked cute outside... Stay away-nyang!"
After yanking a tuft of cat fur, Swungswung glanced my way.
Sizing up if it could decorate me, but cat fur's a pass from me.
Even gobbling food, I overheard something serious.
The most important thing was prepared separately.
What did that mean?
Everything so far was appetizers.
Main course incoming.
"Time now. Little wind, receive this."
"Raven, eat this."
Moona and Swungswung offered plates simultaneously.
Moona's: a hefty meat chunk, juicy with brown sauce.
"Knew you like big ones. Best to start with this."
Swungswung's face changed at Moona's words.
Her sharp eyes flicked to Moona's upper body, then down to her own something.
Then sharp to poooof-pointy.
"Nyaaak! Why pick on me-nyang?!"
Quiet Cheshire screamed.
"Raven. Try mine first. Size isn't everything. Small but fresh."
Swungswung's: dainty fish dish.
Tiny fish compensated with varied ingredients—never-seen veggies around it.
Cheshire eyed the plate sideways, muttering about veggies, but ignore.
"Heard that sauce uses ancient wine? Fresh veggies make this better."
Moona's face twitched briefly.
Usually expressionless, but Swungswung triggered a reaction.
What word poked Moona?
"Hmph, old isn't always bad. It's called aged elegantly."
"Could be spoiled."
"Fresh veggies lack flavor. Eat mine first."
...
What was this situation?
Atmosphere got weird.
Why sparks flying between Moona and Swungswung?
Moona and Swungswung stared silently.
Silent pressure: eat mine first.
...Why, exactly?