11
Chapter 11
Sweet Fist was triggered on the very first try.
It beat the terrible odds of just 3 percent.
Spicy-Sweet Fist, you little...
Is the displayed probability low, but the actual chance pretty high?
......There's no way that's true.
I guess I just had good luck this time.
Isn't there a saying like beginner's luck or something?
Anyway, I'm sorry, Mr. Rabbit.
I really didn't expect to succeed on the first try.
Bow. I sincerely apologized to the Blood Rabbit that had fallen into a state of Sleep.
Zzz.
It's sleeping soundly.
Will it wake up if I shake it?
I should check while I have the chance.
Hey!
Mr. Rabbit, wake up!
I shook the Blood Rabbit's body vigorously.
"Oooong......."
It didn't wake up.
It only tossed and turned, letting out a soft moan.
It seemed so deeply asleep that it wouldn't even notice if someone carried it away.
"......."
I have no intention of killing or eating it.
Because Mr. Rabbit is a friend, not prey.
We built camaraderie while fighting the ground together.
I picked up some nearby leaves.
And gently placed them over Mr. Rabbit's body.
Sleep well.
I will protect you until you wake up.
***
The Sleep time wasn't long.
About 30 minutes had passed?
The Blood Rabbit woke up, sat up, rubbed its eyes, and looked around.
"Oong...?"
Suddenly, our eyes met.
The Blood Rabbit looked at me and raised its front paw in a cheerful greeting.
"Oong!"
It was an unexpected reaction.
Does it not resent me?
Even though I suddenly hit it with a surprise Sleep punch?
It truly was a kind-hearted rabbit.
Bow. I bowed my head once again.
It was a greeting filled with gratitude and apology.
This alone probably wouldn't convey my sincerity.
I should give it a gift as an apology.
Mr. Rabbit.
Hand me that Carrot you're holding for a second.
I pointed at the Carrot with my hand.
"Oong? Oong!"
The Blood Rabbit handed over the Carrot.
To grasp the meaning of my Action immediately.
We might actually get along pretty well.
After receiving the Carrot like that.
[Would you like to use [Magic Chef lv.1]?]
I activated the Magic Chef skill.
The gift I was going to give Mr. Rabbit was none other than a Carrot dish.
[Using [Magic Chef lv.1].]
[Carrot Cake is complete.]
Already?
This time, the cooking was finished in a flash.
The Flame Bear Seasoned Meat took quite a while.
Well, a good thing is a good thing.
[Carrot Cake]
└ When completely consumed, power temporarily increases by 1.
└ The effects of the same dish do not stack.
The cooking could be considered a success in its own right.
Because it doesn't have a phrase saying the taste cannot be guaranteed like last time.
Anyway, Mr. Rabbit.
Take this and enjoy your meal.
"Oong? Oong...!"
The Blood Rabbit was startled.
Is this its first time receiving a gift?
It was making a deeply touched expression.
If you eat that, we become best friends now.
"Oong! Oooong!"
Munch, munch!
The Blood Rabbit hurriedly devoured the cake.
It didn't seem to taste bad.
Because it had a happy face.
"Oooong!"
The Blood Rabbit that finished off the cake tightly hugged me.
Then it rubbed its face all over mine.
Its affection level seemed to have gone up significantly.
Let's get along even better from now on.
After showing affection for a while, the Blood Rabbit suddenly looked up at the sky.
It was slowly getting dark.
"Oong......."
Was it time for it to go back home now?
The Blood Rabbit pulled away from me with a regretful expression, then weakly waved its front paw to say goodbye.
And turning around, it quickly disappeared into the bushes.
Bye-bye.
Come play again tomorrow.
***
The next day.
The Blood Rabbit came to visit again.
You're here.
I waved my hand and greeted it gladly.
The Blood Rabbit also perked up its ears and greeted me brightly.
"Oong-oong!"
The Blood Rabbit took a seat next to me.
Then it tapped the ground with its front paw.
It seemed to mean it wanted to fight the ground together again today.
You came here because you wanted to do this.
I'm sorry, but I won't be fighting the ground today.
I fully charged both Sweet Fist and Spicy Fist at dawn.
Because I don't sleep.
Today, I plan to go out hunting.
I need to replenish my Mana soon.
And I also need to become much stronger to survive in this harsh world.
For reference, today's hunt is not a solo play.
I planned to do it together with my newly made friend, Mr. Rabbit.
Level 15 Rabbit Knight.
Let's go out hunting together!
Please carry me!
Hmm. How should I convey this?
It would be nice if we could converse easily and simply, but that's impossible.
Because I can't speak any languages.
It can't be helped.
I have no choice but to try body language like I've done so far.
Wiggle, wiggle.
Speaking with my body.
Moving this way and that, I tried to convey my intention of going hunting together.
"Oong?"
The Blood Rabbit tilted its head.
Soon, it smoothly offered me a Carrot.
No! I'm not asking you to give me a Carrot!
Wiggle, wiggle! Shimmy!
I moved my body vigorously.
Desperately hoping that my intention would be fully conveyed.
Was that desperation conveyed?
The Blood Rabbit, who had been staring at me intently, opened its mouth wide and nodded its head up and down wildly.
Oh. Did it finally understand?
Our Mr. Rabbit really does click with me pretty well.
Or maybe it's just a really smart bunny with an extraordinary brain.
Now, shall we set off?
After pointing in one direction.
I took a step toward it.
The Blood Rabbit also followed closely behind me.
***
Peek.
I poked my head out from the bushes.
In the direction I was looking.
A familiar monster was standing there.
[Thunder Ant lv.11]
└ Pw.22
└ Rnk.Uncommon
Thunder Ant.
An ant-type monster whose nose hair acts as antennae.
It was the same individual that had its prey stolen by me before.
But where did the rest go?
The other two that were with it last time were nowhere to be seen.
Did they go out hunting?
Or do they not normally live together?
Were they just visiting a friend's house briefly back then, and aren't a species that lives in groups?
It didn't matter either way.
The only thing that mattered was that this was the perfect opportunity to hunt the guy.
While I was poking my head out from the bushes.
"Kii?"
The Thunder Ant spotted us.
It wasn't that its senses were good; it seemed our eyes just happened to meet.
That's a shame.
I was planning to launch a surprise attack while using the Camouflage skill.
It wasn't really a problem, though.
After all, I'm not alone.
I have the reliable level 15 Mr. Rabbit with me.
Mr. Rabbit, let's go.
Unlike my humiliating display last time, today I emerged majestically, pushing through the bushes.
When I stepped forward first, the Blood Rabbit also revealed itself right behind me.
"Kiiii!"
Nice to meet you. Have you been well?
You probably don't remember, but I'm here to impose on you again.
Today, I'm a robber, not a thief.
Hand over everything you have!
"Kiiiii!"
Bzzzt!
The Thunder Ant's nose hair flashed.
Soon, electricity was generated from its nose hair.
What kind of principle is that.......
I was slightly flustered.
I guessed from its species name that it would handle lightning, but I never imagined it would generate electricity from its nose hair.
"Kiiiiii!"
Krakoom-!
Lightning shot out from the nose hair.
The lightning split into two branches.
Toward me, and toward the Blood Rabbit.
"Oong!"
Hop!
The Blood Rabbit quickly sprang to the side and dodged the attack.
Mr. Rabbit's reaction speed is amazing!
Unfortunately, I failed to react.
I took a direct hit from the lightning just like that.
It didn't hurt.
Because I can't feel pain.
But that didn't mean there was no damage.
The arm that was struck by lightning fell off my body.
"Oong?!"
The Blood Rabbit looked at me with a surprised face.
Don't worry.
I'm used to missing an arm.
My arm falling off was actually a good thing.
Because the severed arm is currently blazing with fire.
The fire almost spread to my entire body if I wasn't careful.
"Oooooong!!!"
The Blood Rabbit's expression distorted.
Its gentle face was nowhere to be found.
It seemed extremely angry.
Swaaaash-!
The Blood Rabbit discharged bloody water from its back.
It was a sight like a whale spouting water.
The elongated streams of blood wriggled like snakes, then quickly surged toward the Thunder Ant.
Slice-
The Thunder Ant couldn't react.
The whip made of blood severed the Thunder Ant's neck.
Its fallen head rolled on the ground.
Wow.
Mr. Rabbit, you were stronger than I thought.
I'm glad we're on the same side.
"Kii, kiiii...!"
The Thunder Ant didn't die.
It groaned as if it were still clinging to life.
But it'll draw its last breath soon, right?
The moment I had that thought.
Its body began to swell grotesquely.
What, don't tell me there's a phase two or something?
Or is it trying to use some kind of self-destruct skill?
Whatever it was, it looked dangerous.
"Oooong!"
Smack, smack!
The Blood Whip didn't work anymore.
Its swollen body seemed to have become extremely hard.
Now it's my turn to step up.
I kicked off the ground and dashed forward.
I lost my left arm.
I can't use Spicy Fist.
My right arm is still left.
Sweet Fist can be used a total of three times.
The probability of succeeding at least once out of three tries is over 8 percent.
Though 8 percent was still a very low probability.
If they all fail, I'll have to hold hands with Mr. Rabbit and retreat.
While I was having those thoughts.
I had somehow arrived right in front of the Thunder Ant.
Go to sleep nicely!
I threw three consecutive right-arm punches at its enlarged body.
Bonk! Bonk! Bonk!
[Sweet Fist was not triggered.]
[Sweet Fist was not triggered.]
[Sweet Fist was successfully triggered.]
Ohhh! It succeeded on the last one!
It actually worked! Isn't my Luck a little too good?
Am I seriously a Lucky Teddy Bear or something?
It seemed like we wouldn't have to retreat.
Psssh-!
Like a balloon leaking air, the Thunder Ant's swollen body shrank back down.
"Oooong!"
The Blood Rabbit delivered the finishing blow.
The Thunder Ant's body was split into 10 pieces, and it ultimately drew its last breath powerlessly.
Mr. Rabbit.
Thanks for the carry.
***
A place where a single Boxwood stood tall.
After returning safely, the Blood Rabbit and I threw a small feast.
[Zapping Ant Sashimi]
└ It has no effect even if eaten.
└ Its soft texture and zapping taste are excellent.
I used my cooking skill to turn parts of the carcass into ant sashimi.
I activated my sense of taste and tried a piece, and just as the description said, it really was a delicacy.
It was the most delicious food I've eaten since my Reincarnation.
Nice, very nice.
This is life.
No, should I call it a bear's life.
Anyway.
If there's something to chew, there should be something to drink.
I peeled off two shells from the carcass.
I struggled a bit because I only had one arm.
Splash.
Using the shells as bowls, I filled them to the brim with the Thunder Ant's bright red blood.
For reference, the Thunder Ant was an ant with red blood flowing through it.
Here you go, Mr. Rabbit.
It's the blood of the Thunder Ant we hunted together.
I handed one glass over to the Blood Rabbit.
I already confirmed that it's carnivorous,
And since it's a rabbit that handles blood, it would probably drink blood too.
"Oong-oong!"
"......."
We clinked our glasses together.
And we gulped down the blood without hesitation.
Doing this made me feel like our bond had grown stronger.
Rabbit, I'll stop using honorifics from now on.
We don't need to be formal with each other, right?
While chewing on sashimi and drinking blood like that, I examined the remaining carcasses to cook them too.
Meanwhile.
I discovered something inside one of the chunks of the carcass.
It wasn't a Mana Stone.
...Wow, what is this?
Why would something like this be in here?
What I pulled out of the carcass was none other than a Human's face.
It had the appearance of what seemed to be a middle-aged man.
Its size was smaller than my fist.
And I could feel thick Mana coming from inside this face.
This energy feels like a Mana Stone?
Is the Thunder Ant's Mana Stone inside this face?
The moment I tried to tear the face apart to check.
Rustle.
I heard a sound from behind.
What is it? Did other Thunder Ants come seeking revenge for their friend?
I immediately took a guarded stance and whipped my head around.
Huh?
What was behind me wasn't a Thunder Ant.
A familiar yet nostalgic face was staring intently at me.
"Kku-o?"