One Month as a Bird: From Scavenger to Apex Predator
Crow's second life—no, one month into my avian existence. I'd long since tossed out any lingering human dignity from my skydiving instructor days.
"Caw! Caw-caw!" (Wheee! The wind rocks!)
Today, like always, I kicked off my morning with a refreshing flight through the dawn dew. At first, I turned up my beak at wriggling bugs. But after three days of starving, even grubs looked like protein capsules. Turns out, human dignity crumbles pretty fast on an empty stomach.
I'd peck grubs from rock crevices or scavenge lucky finds of small animal carcasses, living that peaceful "natural bird" life. Gross? My taste buds registered raw meat and bugs as Michelin-star gourmet. A grub bursting in your mouth? Pure, nutty, nutrient-packed bliss.
But even that scavenger routine hit its limit eventually.
"Caw..." (Hungry...)
Suddenly, ten grubs barely registered. Was my gut expanding, or was flying burning too much energy? Rotten carrion couldn't keep up with my raging appetite anymore.
So I ditched scavenging and dove into active "hunting."
It started easy. A plump snake slithering through the underbrush.
"Caw!" (Oh, a moving jelly!)
I plummeted from the sky like a bullet, snatching it with my talons for a perfect meal. Days later, I targeted a hopping mountain hare.
"Caw-caw!" (Fresh rabbit meat!)
A diving attack at light-plane descent speed snapped its neck in one go. Hunting leveled up my diet explosively: snakes, rabbits, badgers. Whatever crossed my path got snatched and shoved down the hatch. My gravity-powered dive from above was an inescapable killer move for small fry.
The thrill of the hunt and fresh-kill flavor blew scavenged rot out of the water.
Then, one day, as I was devouring the forest ecosystem like a whirlwind—
Grrrroooowl!!
I'd just polished off a hefty badger, but thunder rumbled in my belly again. No good. I needed something substantial today. I spread my wings and climbed higher, scanning the woods with my wide field of view. Jackpot: a tempting target.
Broad shoulders, vicious fangs bared. No backyard beast—this pack of wolves was bear-sized.
Human me would've bolted without eye contact. But now? Only hunger ruled my brain.
"Caw..." (That thing... portioned out, it'd last days.)
Drool oozed between my beak. No hesitation. I folded my wings tight and bullet-dived straight down.
Target: that alpha's skull. Acceleration warped the world around me; wind screamed in my ears.
BOOM!!
No time for screams—my talons smashed into the leader's crown with crushing force.
"Caw?!" (Huh? Why's the bone so brittle?)
One dive, and the massive wolf's head exploded like a watermelon, body flopping lifelessly. The pack scattered in panic, tails tucked.
I shook blood from my talons, tilting my head. Too easy, even for a speed ambush. A wolf crumbling like paper?
Then my reflection gleamed in the pooling blood.
'...Hold up.'
I rubbed my eyes and peered again. No cute neighborhood crow. Glossy black feathers radiating menace. Beak sharp as a dagger, thick and deadly. Talons thick enough to crush rock. And most insane: my wingspan rivaled a compact car, dwarfing the fallen beast at my feet.
'When the hell did I get this big?'
While snacking on snakes, I'd unknowingly grown into the forest's apex "monster."
Staring at my hulking puddle-reflection, I nearly spiraled into deep thought. But my bird brain was too far gone—doubts lasted three seconds max.
'Whatever. Bigger's better. No one's eating me, right?'
No overthinking. Good is good. Plus, bigger body meant stronger wings and bigger meals.
I ditched the navel-gazing and approached the wolf corpse. Tore the hide with my beak, chomped a huge slab of red meat.
Squelch, rip.
"Caw!" (Grr, thought it'd be tough—melts like butter!)
A meaty juiciness worlds beyond snakes or rabbits. Devouring this wolf felt like my past life's solo chicken feast.
'If wolves are this easy, why bother with small stuff?'
Confidence surged. My light-plane dive attack turned the forest's beasts into a flying buffet.
That day launched my full-on "forest gourmet tour."
Barking deer? Prime appetizer. Wild boar? Chewy pork belly special. Bears? One talon-stomp to the skull, and instant raw beef tartare.
"Caw-caw! Caw!" (The world's vast, and the eats are endless!)
One day, mid-air scanning for lunch, my radar locked on a standout wolf.
'Oh, that one's special.'
Bigger by a full circle, fur gleaming sleek. Eyes burning with feral killer instinct—not your average mutt. Prime wagyu or black pork vibes from my old life knowledge.
'Today's the day!'
Wings folded, merciless vertical drop.
Whiiish—!
Talons pierced its skull—
Clang!!
"Caw?!" (Huh? Why's the bone this tough?)
My talons stung like striking rock. But momentum and my bulk overwhelmed it; the premium wolf crashed with a dying yelp.
Took 1.5 times the effort, but hunt success.
"Caw, caw." (Let's taste that pricey meat.)
I sliced its belly, gulped the tenderest bit. Hot, explosive energy surged through my veins.
'...What is this.'
Unlike snakes, rabbits, bears—this was next-level. No chewing needed; it hit my gut and my whole body ignited. Like chugging concentrated energy drink straight into the bloodstream!
And the fullness...
"Caw? Caw-caw?" (What? Why isn't my belly deflating?)
Post-premium-wolf, I flew high to digest, feeling great. But a day passed, two days—no hunger. Wings flapped stronger, energy bubbling endlessly.
Day 3, 4, 5... I flew nonstop for seven straight days—no food, no water, no perching. Past-life me would've keeled over from overwork, high-fiving the grim reaper. But my crow body? Feathers gleamed richer, tireless.
'How nutrient-dense was that wolf? Do these beasts pack compressed rations in their meat?'
No deep dives. A week of pure flight, my favorite thing? This forest was my custom paradise.
"Caw~ Caw-caw~" (Ahh, perfect weather~ Sweet breeze~)
After seven days nonstop, I alighted lightly atop my original cliff perch. The vast forest panorama sprawled below, cool winds whispering over the endless green sea.
'Krr, this view's insane. Penthouse level.'
Grooming my feathers while admiring, my back itched. A month of crashing on random branches left marks, now with my car-sized bulk.
Great view's worthless without comfy sleep. Eat, fly, sleep—this perfect NEET life needed one thing: a cozy "home."
Random branches wouldn't cut it anymore. Time for a proper base camp.
Past-life human me couldn't afford Seoul real estate despite lifelong loans. Here? Claim prime spot, it's yours.
"Caw!" (Alright, architecture time!)
I launched off the cliff, scouting the woods. Needed sturdy branches, soft padding for the nest.
Whish—thunk! Snapped thick oak limbs with talons, hauled to the peak.
"Caw!" (Frame's set.)
Now for plush flooring. Rummaging brush, jackpot: bear napping, size of a hill.
'Oh, that hide looks cushy.'
Dive attack executed—clean neck snap. Fresh meat bonus; thick pelt ripped into mattress layers.
Oak frame, bear skin base, moss and dry grass topping...
"Caw-caw!!" (Insane!! Masterpiece!!)
A five-star avian suite, big enough for three grown men. I flopped dead-center. Bear fur's plushness and moss's fresh scent melted away fatigue.
This whole forest: my private runway, infinite organic buffet on tap. Topped with perfect penthouse nest.
'Seriously... why'd I hustle so hard as a human?'
Basking in warm sun, eyes drifted shut. Tomorrow, grill snakes in the east valley? Nah, west plains had plump boars.
Mulling happy meal plans, I slipped into the ultimate bird nap.
Oblivious that my rampage as the "mysterious predator" had the forest beasts cowering in terror.