The Giant Horn Rabbit's Deadly Charge
Too late to realize it, the massive horn rabbit pawed the ground like a bull. Its distinctive red eyes seemed bloodshot with excitement.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed hard at the grotesque sight of the horn rabbit. At that tiny sound, both the horn rabbit's ears and mine perked up simultaneously.
Ah. It reacted to the swallow.
The moment the horn rabbit turned toward the adventurer, I nocked an arrow and aimed at it as well.
Pang—!
The twang of the bowstring made the horn rabbit's ears twitch. It charged at the adventurer but then leaped high like any ordinary rabbit.
Thud—!
An arrow embedded itself where the giant horn rabbit had stood. It had dodged just by the sound of the vibrating bowstring, launching its body away.
This thing was seasoned in battle. In terms of combat experience, it was leagues ahead of me, who'd only hunted goblins and regular horn rabbits.
A groan escaped me at the overwhelming skill gap.
"Nngh."
If the other adventurers had mana, a beast like that would've been one-shot. Frustrated, I gripped the bow tighter, then shook my head.
No point complaining about what I didn't have. What mattered was making do with the situation at hand. That's how I'd survived until now, and that's how I'd keep going.
First, let's test it out.
Jeong Yu-na had said horn rabbits were specialized in hearing, so their eyesight was underdeveloped. Time to see if this giant one followed the same rule.
Eyes and ears first.
I drew the bowstring without nocking an arrow.
Pang—!
The instant the string vibrated, it reflexively sprang away. Even without a shot fired, it had reacted to the sound alone.
Its vision must be poor, prioritizing sound. Just like regular horn rabbits, no mana in its eyes.
I glanced at Han Yeoreum beside me to share the discovery, and she flashed me a thumbs-up.
"……!"
She got it without a word. Elated at helping her, I let my guard down.
Pop—!
I was too late spotting the giant horn rabbit charging us. I whipped my head around at the sound, but it had already slammed its massive body into the tree I was perched on.
Kwang—!
The tree tilted from the impact, and I tumbled down with it, unable to keep my balance.
"Winter…!"
Han Yeoreum reached out for me. I stretched toward her too, but our hands missed.
"Ah."
Falling. Wonder if it'll hurt a lot.
Lost in that pointless thought, Han Yeoreum suddenly launched herself at me.
"Winter!"
She pulled me into a tight embrace, cushioning the fall and cradling my head.
Thud—!
We hit the ground together—right on the horn rabbit's enormous back, dispersing the impact. But the fear of it being right there only grew.
"Uh…"
Its horn was as thick as my forearm. One stab and I'd be dead, right?
As that dumb thought crossed my mind, Han Yeoreum scooped me up and bolted.
"Yu-na!"
"Over here!"
Jeong Yu-na's voice came from a nearby tree. Behind us, the horn rabbit coiled to jump, its leg muscles bulging.
Alone, I'd roll aside, but I was cradled in her arms now.
"D-Duck!"
We had to duck. Instinctively pressing down on her head, she hurled me skyward instead.
Puk—!
Something pierced with a wet sound as my body soared. She must've thrown me high—Jeong Yu-na snagged the back of my collar from the tree.
"Th-The horn rabbit…!"
Dangling from Yu-na's grip, I scanned for Han Yeoreum. Right below me, I found her grimacing in pain.
"Uh…?"
The giant horn protruded from her stomach, slick with red blood. More unreal than ever.
Without mana, a gut wound like that would kill any normal person. A death without warning—from the weakest monster, no less.
"Summer…?"
Jeong Yu-na's arm trembled, clutching my collar. I shook just as badly.
What could I do to save her? My mind raced, but nothing came.
Not even a top-grade potion would work now.
It's over…
No way out. Sinking into despair, limp and defeated—then Han Yeoreum groaned, gripping the horn jutting from her gut.
Behind her, Choi Jin-hyeok and the other brawlers charged the horn rabbit.
"Hang on just a bit!"
They latched onto its massive body. It bucked wildly to shake them off, rearing on hind legs.
Mana-less muscle could only hold it for seconds. Futile.
Powerless, frozen—our eyes met as she lifted her head with effort.
Ah…
She's dying because of me. I'm so sorry. My mouth wouldn't move.
Maybe I was doomed to be a burden forever. Why am I so useless?
Self-loathing surged—then I spotted the faint smile on her bloodied lips.
Smiling…?
Not reassurance. Not a farewell. It was the resolute smile of someone who'd learned to trust—a smile aimed at me.
Was there still a way? I bit my lip, forcing numb nerves awake, recalling everything Sophia and Han Yeoreum taught me about dungeons.
To save someone gutted like that…
Immediate healing needed. But in this mana-blocked dungeon, clear it first.
Once cleared, mana returns—then pour every potion in.
Boss dungeons clear when the boss dies.
That's when her smile clicked. We're holding it— just shoot.
Even impaled, she'd trusted me.
"……!"
I swiftly nocked an arrow, aimed at the giant horn rabbit, and yelled to Yu-na holding me.
"Don't shake!"
"Got it!"
Did she think the same? One deep breath steadied her arms completely. Seamless teamwork, like one body.
From within it, I loosed the arrow at the giant horn rabbit.
Pang—!
It flew straight for its eye. It tried springing at the sound, but a dozen adventurers clung to it.
"Argh!"
"Guh!"
Some rolled off from the bucking, but their sacrifice made it twitch in place.
Puk—!
The arrow sank into its eye. I sensed the tip piercing its brain.
-Piii…
The giant horn rabbit let out an oddly cute death cry mismatched to its size, then slumped.
Han Yeoreum, still on its horn, dropped to her knees with it.
"Kuh."
A gush of blood sprayed from her mouth. I wriggled to get down; Yu-na released me.
"S-Summer…!"
Calling her name, I approached cautiously. Her eyes squeezed shut, she looked dead.
Had we missed the golden hour? Trembling, I stroked her face—then she chuckled through the blood.
"Aigoo, sis nearly bit the dust."
"Y-You're alive…!"
"Yeah. I peeked at the afterlife, but mana’s back—got some strength now."
"G-Good… so good."
Mana restored. I sighed in relief; she weakly poked my cheek.
"Leave sis like this, and she'll see it again…?"
"Ah! W-Wait!"
I rummaged her bag frantically. She'd told me where she kept potions; I pulled one out fast.
"Drink this quick!"
I poured it into her mouth. She resisted at first, so I forced it in.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Puha—!
Finishing the potion, she let out a weird "ehehehe."
"Winter, pull the horn out first…"
"Ah! R-Right…!"
Her regenerating stomach was blocked by the massive horn. Racking my brain in this bind, I suddenly recalled our first meeting—her force-feeding me soup.
Ah.
People get pushy when worried. Obvious, but I'd just realized it.
Awkward grin at Han Yeoreum, barely reviving.
"Aigoo… I'm dying here…"
Saving her first, before getting sentimental.