If You Can't Avoid It, Preemptive Strike Is the Best
Inside a dark cave. The Totori huddled together in the narrow, damp space, crouched low. After days of constant evacuation, they were all exhausted. Some slept curled up, while others sat blankly. What they all shared was the light gone from their eyes. Having lost their home, the Totori had lost hope.
“Kku-wung...”
Even with his battered body, the Totori Leader quietly guarded the cave entrance. Bruises marred his tail, and scrapes dotted his body here and there. But... they were all still alive.
“Kku-wung...”
A sigh escaped him. Precisely... all but one.
The young Totori swept away by the current. Tori.
The bright, cheerful little one who had always toddled after him on stubby legs. The guilt of losing that child gnawed at him.
The Totori Leader's gaze shifted to one side. There sat a Totori with her head bowed, unmoving. The one who hadn't eaten a thing since. Tori's mother.
“Kku-wung...”
He wanted to find Tori somehow, but in this situation, it wouldn't be easy. Ma Energy-corrupted monsters could appear at any moment. As the leader, he had a duty to protect the group.
Above all, surviving alone as a young Totori in this dangerous Pirel Forest would be no simple task. No. Utterly impossible.
“Kku-wung...”
As the Totori Leader sank into grim thoughts, a rustling came from outside.
Rustle. Rustle.
“Kku-wung.”
His eyes sharpened, ears twitching. The footsteps were small and light. Goblin, perhaps?
At that moment.
“Kkuu-wung?”
Tori's mother's ears perked up. She snapped her head around.
“Kku-wung!!!”
And bolted out of the cave.
The startled Totori Leader shouted.
“Kku-wung!!!”
Wait!
But the mother was already heading for the entrance. With no choice, the Leader followed. Going out now would be dangerous.
Emerging after her, the Totori Leader froze. A familiar silhouette stood outside the cave.
A round body. Long ears. Fluffy raccoon tail.
“...Kku-wung?”
He rubbed his eyes. It was Tori. The young Totori, Tori, for real.
“Kkuu-wung! Kku-wung!”
The mother Totori hugged Tori tightly, voice trembling with sobs.
“Kku-wung...”
Tori clung back just as fiercely.
The Totori Leader stood rooted, staring at Tori. Alive? In this Pirel Forest? All by himself, as a young one?
Then Tori pulled away from his mother and waddled over to the Leader. He dug into his fur.
Rummage, rummage.
“Kku-wung!”
And pulled out a single leaf, offering it. A leaf that shimmered with color.
“Kku-wung?”
What was this?
As the Totori Leader stared in confusion, a voice came from beside him.
-Eat it! It's not dangerous! A gift from my friend!
The Leader looked up, eyes widening. A small, translucent green figure. A spirit. A wind spirit, no less.
Spirits revealing themselves in Pirel Forest was exceedingly rare. They'd vanished completely after the Ma Energy corruption.
And yet... a spirit had appeared?
As the Totori Leader blinked in shock, Tori reached out.
“Kku-wung!”
And shoved the leaf right into the Leader's mouth.
A bitter taste exploded across his tongue. Utterly inedible.
Was this really meant to be eaten?
The moment that thought crossed his mind.
Whoosh—!
Warmth flooded his body. The bruise on his tail vanished, wounds everywhere healing over.
“Kku-wung?!”
Startled, the Totori Leader examined himself frantically. A healing leaf? Such a thing existed?
Tori puffed out his chest proudly toward the Leader and cried out.
“Kku-wung! Kkuu-wung!”
His benefactor had given it. A land of peace. A good place to live.
The Leader's eyes wavered at Tori's words. Trusting a young Totori's word alone felt uncertain.
But this situation left no other options. Attacks from Ma Energy-corrupted monsters. Scarce food. Exhausted group.
The Totori Leader closed his eyes, then opened them. He looked at Tori and said,
“Kku-wung.”
Lead the way.
“Kku-wung!”
Tori nodded brightly with a grin and started ahead. His tiny feet stepped lightly and cheerfully.
-Wheee! We're off! Heading back!
The green spirit zipped ahead of him. One by one, the Totori rose and followed.
The Leader gave the cave one last glance before departing without regret.
At that moment, I was making preparations. Roots driven as deep as possible. As wide as possible. Firmly anchored.
The spirits watching nearby asked,
-Whatcha doing?
-What's that?
I answered the curious spirits.
'If you're fishing for a big one, the rod has to be sturdy.'
They tilted their heads at my words.
-You fish?
-Fishing? Is there a sea here?
-Oh! There's a river over there?
'No... uh. It's a metaphor.'
To prepare more, I needed info on that monster.
'Can you tell me more about the tree-sucking monsters?'
-Of course!
-We always welcome your requests!
The spirits chattered excitedly.
-They stick right to trees!
-Fly in and suck up all the tree's energy!
-Kill the trees dead!
-Ugly! Bug-like!
-Super duper strong! Stronger than the earthworm queen!
I sorted their info. Insect-like. Flying. Sticks to trees and sucks sap. Big size. Stronger than the mana earthworm queen... That about it?
'Hmm.'
If the spirits called it seriously strong, it must be. But no choice. I had to defend this Sanctuary until the Totori returned.
No, even after. I'd survive.
I rustled my branches, muttering.
'If you can't avoid it, there's only one way.'
The spirits' eyes went wide as they buzzed closer.
-What?
-Huh?
-Tell us!
'Preemptive strike.'
They looked at each other.
-What kind of bread?
-Tasty?
-Gimme some!
I chuckled inwardly at the spirits and continued thinking. For a preemptive strike, I needed to lure it in. How?
I checked my status window skills. Hmm... One caught my eye.
'Fallen Queen's Pheromone.'
This was it. Felt perfect.
Bzzzzt—!
A wingbeat echoed in the heart of Pirel Forest, sending lesser monsters scattering in panic.
Bzzzzt—!
Something whooshed by to the rhythm of the wings. Huge bulk, glossy green body. Round, bright red eyes. Six long legs. Cicada-like, but far larger. Proboscis jutting out like a mosquito's. The size of a passenger car.
A Straw Cicada monster.
But this one was different from ordinary Straw Cicadas. Black smoke wafted from its body—clearly no ordinary foe. Dyed in Ma Energy, made more savage.
Bzzzzt—!
The Straw Cicada spotted a large tree. Thud. It latched on and stabbed its proboscis in.
Sluuuurp—!
Sap sucked out, the tree withered rapidly. Trunk shriveling. Leaves crumbling. Soon.
Crack. The tree collapsed into dust.
Satisfied, the Straw Cicada withdrew its proboscis. As it moved to the next tree.
Bzzt. It stopped.
Something tickled its senses. A sweet scent. Incredibly sweet. Irresistibly delicious. Saliva flooded its mouth. Not like sap. Thicker. Denser...
Bzzzzt—!
The Straw Cicada shot toward the source. Had to consume it. No question.
Bzzzzt—!
It arrived swiftly at a small tree in a corner of the forest. Skinny and dry. No sap smell, oddly. But the sweet aroma came from there.
Try it first.
As the Straw Cicada approached to stab its proboscis.
Creak.
The branch it bumped tilted and fell to the ground.
Bzzt?
What? Not a tree? Just a branch?
Silence fell around it.
Bzzt. As the Straw Cicada raised its head.
Kabooom—!
Roots erupted from the earth like explosions. From all directions. Everywhere. Wrapping around the Straw Cicada.
Bzzzzt—!!
It thrashed. Wings flapping wildly. Six legs kicking furiously.
But the roots were strong. Enchanted with Spirit Power? Even more so.
Sizzle—!
Black smoke dispersed from where roots touched its body. The roots tightened further.
Nearby, I rustled my branches.
'Gotcha.'
Operation a total success. As expected.
'If you can't avoid it, preemptive strike is the best.'