Chapter 154
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Max Level Rabbit
It felt like they were subtly locked in a battle of wills.
Have these two always had this kind of relationship?
I hadn't really noticed when Moona was rolling around and Swungswung was whooshing about.
I'd just thought of them as friendly companions, but something felt off.
Was it because there'd been changes in Moona and Swungswung?
Moona had regained some forgotten memories, and Swungswung was appearing in a human form rather than as a ghost, which made him feel unfamiliar.
The way they were staring at me so intently, like they were competing, was starting to get a little scary.
If I didn't choose quickly, it felt like discord would brew among my companions.
But picking one would just disappoint the other, and that might lead to strife too.
Logically speaking, I should start with what Swungswung offered.
Swungswung had a somewhat childish side, so if I chose Moona's, he'd definitely sulk.
Moona, on the other hand?
He was reliable and mature, so he'd surely understand.
Right?
But when I glanced at Moona with that in mind, I saw his beady eyes darting around uncertainly.
What am I supposed to do if you're like that too?
Two plates sat before me.
My fate would be decided by which one I chose.
Moona's aged wine-sauced meat dish, or Swungswung's fresh, vibrant fish dish.
Mortals might agonize here, but I was a crow embodying material desire.
In a situation like this, I was the greedy sort who took both!
"Caw!"
Before anyone could say a word, I swiftly stacked the food from both plates into my beak.
Even the slightest delay might spark an argument over whose went in first, so I acted with lightning speed.
Gulp.
I barely tasted it shoving it down my throat, but my plan had succeeded.
"You... ate both? At the same time?"
Swungswung said, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Hm. I see. Well, for the vessel of the small wind, this much is... Er..."
He hadn't expected it, but he seemed to accept it in his own way.
A Solomonic solution, if I do say so myself.
"Cackle, cackle..."
My belly was full, they'd accepted it.
A perfect world where no one got hurt.
"Nyaa..."
But one certain cat wasn't pleased.
"Keep the romance between yourselves, nyaa."
Huh?
Romance? What are you talking about?
Normally I'd unleash a talon kick, but with a full belly, I was feeling generous.
I could let one bit of nonsense slide.
"I have no interest... Wait, a ghost with the same attributes... or a kiwi of a somewhat similar species...? Which one has more potential, nyaa?"
She seemed lost in thought.
"Suddenly, I'm interested, nyaa."
Cheshire's eyes sparkled.
I have no idea what caught her interest, but I wasn't interested in you.
"When do you plan on having kids, nyaa? I'm curious what they'd look like, nyaa."
Talon kick!
"Nyack!"
What kind of nonsense is this!
Boom!
Cheshire went limp from the talon kick.
The power of my talon kicks was growing stronger by the day.
Must be the fruits of my training.
"Nyaa... That hurts, nyaa..."
Cheshire whined dramatically.
Lately, I'd been talon-kicking her more often.
Partly because she kept pranking me, but also because her body was surprisingly tough, so I didn't hold back.
Someone like Cherry or Kiki would burst into tears from even a pulled talon kick, but Cheshire was a strong cat at level 40.
She could handle my playful attacks just fine.
"If you're gonna hit me, try the base of my tail instead of there, nyaa. That might feel better, nyaa."
Now she was even giving constructive feedback.
...Not that it seemed all that constructive?
"What's wrong, nyaa?"
Cheshire wagged her tail slowly.
The base of a cat's tail...
"Caw!"
I silenced her with another talon kick.
Better to nip these things in the bud before they cause trouble later.
*
About a week had passed since training began.
"You've definitely built up a lot of muscle."
White kneaded my body.
"Caw, caw..."
If it were Cherry or Kiki, I'd have pecked them with my beak, but since it was White, I decided to endure it.
He wasn't exactly a master, but he was helping with my training.
"Cawrong..."
It absolutely wasn't because his gaze was fixed on my lower body.
"Raven..."
Swungswung snuck up like a ghost and pinched my side.
I let out a silent scream.
"You've done enough basic strength training. It took a week, which is a bit concerning, but the results are satisfactory."
White misspoke, but it'd only taken a week.
Could anyone else grow this strong in that time?
This was pure physical training, without relying on status screens or level-ups.
"The spirit herbs I used up were worth it."
You used up the spirit herbs?
I don't know where you used them, but hope it was well spent.
"Caw caw."
"Well, the guest... Never mind."
He stared at me like I was ridiculous.
I shot him a similar look.
You said you'd give me the treasures here, but you used up the spirit herbs without a word?
Thieving tendencies, but that's just who I was.
Rumble.
Something stirred in my belly.
This phenomenon had been happening occasionally since training started.
It seemed to intensify every time I ate the food from Moona or Swungswung.
Like something undigested was wriggling around.
"Oh... So this is a crow's belly... How does it feel? Cheshire freaks out if you touch her stomach."
White gently stroked my belly.
I wondered if this was part of checking training progress, but it didn't feel bad.
If a stranger tried, I'd peck them, but with someone familiar, I'd let it slide.
"What a fine body. If I could, I'd love to keep torment... er, training it forever."
Did you just say torment?
My expression nearly sharpened.
"Remember when you said you'd satisfy me earlier?"
"Caw caw."
Yeah.
You said you'd give me all the treasures in the rabbit hole.
"Caw caw, treasure, caw."
"...Even what's in the guest's belly isn't insignificant, but I can't exactly say it."
He pressed firmly on my belly.
He looked regretful, but it was probably my imagination.
"It's digested decently, and time's about right, so I'll assign the main mission."
"Caw!"
My eyes lit up.
He'd finally decided to hand over the treasures.
"This can be seen as an extension of training. It's not just tempering the body and cultivating the mind—practical combat training is essential too."
I'd built strength hauling rocks and moving with them, tempered my mind meditating under the waterfall.
So what was next?
The answer was obvious.
Practical training meant sparring.
"Once this training ends, I'll deliver the promised treasures right away. Jack's beans will be useful at the Lion Heart King's Castle, and Saroka's gourd seeds pair excellently with our ghost guest."
Just finish a simple bout, and he'd hand over the treasures.
Like the rewards from beating Lu Karkol, or White Rabbit's promises—maybe facing the Lion Heart King would be easier than thought. If I poured out all my hoarded treasures, I might not even need to lift a wing?
As those thoughts crossed my mind, something adorable waddled over from afar.
A cute rabbit about the size of Cheshire's head.
What was this harmless little creature?
I'd seen plenty of cuteness hanging with Swungswung, but this one was next level.
"You'll have a simple bout with this one."
I glanced at White Rabbit, then at the approaching cutie pie.
This 'one'—you mean that guy?
"Me and him? Caw?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Caw!"
I kicked around pests like Cheshire, but I wasn't evil enough to hit a cute little animal like this.
"Even if it's simple, it'll be tough. I understand."
"Caw, cackle."
Yeah. Don't treat me like a errand boy.
Just send me to hunt some moderately strong intruder, or spar with yourself. Treasures tempt me, but not against a guy like this.
"So I'll ease the conditions somewhat."
Ease them, huh.
That changed things.
Maybe just gently pick up the cute guy in my beak and give him a playground ride?
Yeah, White Rabbit must've called him to go easy on me.
Unable to hand over treasures directly due to restrictions, he gave the simplest mission: spar the weakest foe.
This guy was too considerate.
"If you survive against this one, I'll give you the promised treasures."
Just survive against a guy like that...
"Caw?"
I glanced at White Rabbit spouting nonsense, then back at the cute scrawny one approaching.
Survive against a guy like that?
Do I look like a Little Night Crow to you?
【Murderer Rabbit LV99】
Wha—why's its level like that?!
"Caaaaaw!"
It's a max-level rabbit!