Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: I'm a Crow and You're a Mantis
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"Kisak!"
The mantis bro didn't hold back.
Guess my sincerity didn't get through.
Of course, it couldn't understand me, and even if it did, there's no way it'd give permission.
A suspiciously black bird tilting its head and staring at its legs? I'd attack too if I were it.
I chose a strategic retreat.
Not just running away—part of a larger strategy.
"Kak..."
I hid in the bushes and peeked out just a bit.
First operation: negotiation—a spectacular failure.
But failed talks don't mean I can't get those feathers.
There are plenty of other ways.
I gave the mantis one last chance, and it threw it away.
It's gonna regret that.
Should've just given me one feather back then.
Of course, it's a bit risky.
If those sharp front legs catch me, escaping won't be easy.
And even if I do, it's got poison on them—a graze could be fatal.
Two days as a crow.
Stealing its feathers is riskier than anything I've done so far.
One wrong move, and I'm dead.
Plus, if I just back off now, we wouldn't even clash.
But I can't do that.
To face that unknown monster roaming at night, I need as much power as possible.
They say the sweat you shed today saves the blood you'll shed tomorrow.
Risky or not, I have to do it.
...Okay, my eyes might be a little glazed over too.
Green feathers?
Born a crow, I've gotta have at least one.
I steeled my resolve.
I'll get that feather somehow.
And if the chance arises, hunt the thing down.
Who knows? Maybe it's got some flaw like the Phishing Snake.
Hunting a monster mantis with this immature baby bird body is tough.
But I'm no ordinary baby bird.
A crow—the smartest bird around.
With a human brain, no less.
Crows have their own way of fighting.
I'll maximize my win rate and minimize the risks.
What I needed was a strategy.
And to devise one, I needed intel.
So I spent time observing it.
The status window gave rough info, but not everything.
Twin Blade StrikeMenacing LeapHell Grasp
I watched it use its skills firsthand and noted its habits.
Once I knew everything about it, the time came.
"Kak!"
I let out a resolute cry to announce my arrival.
Stealth attacks were pointless anyway.
"Kisak!"
The mantis crouched on the tree reacted instantly.
It was pissed—beyond pissed.
Couldn't blame it; I'd observed it plenty of times.
I'd deliberately let it notice me, making it think I was stalking it.
"Kiaak!"
Like now, charging right at me.
Why bother? The Venom Mantis was calmer than expected.
Or maybe a bit cowardly.
Even when I blatantly provoked it, it didn't chase aggressively.
So I had to do this.
Swoosh!
It leaped from the tree, gliding through the air at high speed.
Properly enraged now.
Won't let me escape this time.
A terrifying momentum poured out.
Overwhelming leg power and wing-assisted glide.
That was its skill: Menacing Leap.
I stared it down without flinching.
Simple reason.
I knew one leap couldn't reach me.
My loyal grub comrades sacrificed themselves to reveal its skills.
I knew its attack's exact range—barely short—so no fear.
Slash!
Upon landing, it swung its front leg.
Missed me.
"Kiruk?"
The confused mantis stretched its leg fully—still just short.
It swung its arm, then thrust it out fully.
Weapons fully committed— even a mantis has openings now.
Crack!
I targeted its right hind leg in that gap.
A normal crow might not scratch it, but my beak rivals a Mountain Eater's.
"Kieeeek!"
Enough to hurt it plenty.
But it twisted, so no feather stolen.
"Jaak..."
First move: minor hit landed.
Now it'll come at me for real—knows I can hurt it.
Its retracted arm thrust again.
Both arms slashing multiple times: Twin Blade Strike.
Swoosh!
I'd scouted this too, but no dodging up close.
Not that I'd take it head-on.
I'd just attacked its leg with my beak.
Head forward naturally—its strike targets the closest head, obviously.
Thud thud thud!
And my head had a seriously sturdy acorn helmet.
"Kiik... Krieeeek!"
The mantis groaned in pain.
As expected, Twin Blade Strike couldn't pierce the acorn.
Its arms look menacing but mainly grab and hold prey for slow devouring with sharp jaws.
Arms that barely scratch trees? No way they pierce this.
Not planning to tank hits forever, though.
No damage, but the impact hit full force.
"Jaak..."
I pulled my neck back max, then lunged at its arm.
Swoosh!
Slamming the hard acorn down—its arm had to suffer.
Smooth as a pigeon strut, natural flow.
Crack!
"Kiak! Kieek!"
Pretty effective.
One arm mangled.
Keep gnawing slowly, and victory tilts my way.
"Kisaak!"
It knew—countered immediately.
Swoosh!
Wings spread behind.
Half-broken arm and good one raised up.
Its last skill: Hell Grasp.
Honestly, caught me off guard.
Injured arm, yet thrusting forward?
Autumn bug battle ranking No. 1 for real.
This leverages mantis strengths—a grab even my helmet can't block.
Of course, I had a counter.
Trait from Phishing Snake: Pheromone Manipulation.
Threat Scent wouldn't change much here.
Who runs from a bad smell mid-fight?
So I used Allure Scent.
Pffft!
Mantis eyes shook.
"Ki, Kiiiiiik!"
It backed off several steps in terror.
Not Threat, but Allure—yet extreme fear reaction.
Like our first meeting.
I thought it was because I stole its grub, but observation revealed otherwise.
The real reason? My pheromones.
Allure Scent from grub hunt excited it.
It's a male mantis—females eat males.
This one's wings evolved for fleeing females.
So it mistook my scent for a female's—went hyper-aggressive.
Instinct from before birth; instant pheromones fool it too.
"Keeek!"
Injured limbs, brawling unknown black bird.
Then female joins.
No fight thoughts—pure flight mode.
"Jaaaak!"
I flapped down, smothering it.
"Keruk, Keeeeek!"
Thump!
Injured, it couldn't withstand my speed and weight.
"Kiaak!"
Crack!
Talons crushed its torso; beak pecked relentlessly.
Swoosh!
Crack crack crack!
"Kiek, Kiaaat!"
Mantis shrieking nonstop.
Victory nearly mine.
Resistance weakening.
Soon it'll be...
Swoosh!
Blade whistled past—
Splurt!
Its sharp arm sliced me.
"Kisaak...!"
Mantis grinned like it'd won.
Last gasp.
Or sly trump card?
One hit, but poisoned—enough to flip the fight.
"Kisasaak!"
That's why the smugness.
"Kaak."
Acting like you've won?
Crack crack!
I rapidly pecked its other arm.
"Kiiiik!"
Confused face.
How?
That's what it's thinking.
Sorry, crows are famous scammers.
What you cut? Pure 100% down fluff.
Final blow to the despairing mantis.
Swooooosh!
Crack!
Crisp sound—status announced victory.
Level Up
Level Up
Level Up
A glorious three-level gain!
"Kak..."
Shook my head, checked my body.
Whew, definitely not cut, right?
Slight Fatigue
Slight Hunger
Status looks fine—no poison notice if afflicted.
"Kak."
Expected some loss, but went better than hoped.
Venom Mantis stronger than Phishing Snake in most ways.
Win thanks to airtight plan.
Feather traits used perfectly.
Even superior foes have weaknesses—exploit them, and wins come easier.
"Kak kak."
Time to enjoy victor's rights.
No interest in mantis meat, but that shimmering green feather? Very.
Heh heh, mine!
The moment my beak plucked the feather—
"Keruk?"
A cry from the definitely-dead mantis.
Flapped in alarm, went on guard.
No way it's still alive?
I leveled up, even.
...Not the dead one revived.
A new one—way bigger than the last.
The female Venom Mantis, probably.
Where'd she come from?
Wasn't with the dead one—I scoured this area multiple times.
"Kerrrung?"
...Something's off.
Spotted me, saw kin dead—yet no charge.
Drooling, so sees me as food.
Eyes a bit wild.
...No way.
Wasn't I pumping Allure Scent till now?
Pheromone Manipulation customizes per target.
To me: tasty chicken smell.
Male mantis: female pheromones.
Female mantis?
"Piyaaaak!"
Male pheromones!
"Kiaaaang!"
Run no matter what.
Get caught, eaten in every sense!