[Author’s Note] Recommendations and comments are always welcome. Huge thanks to those who gave me coupons. 32nd Episode
Chapter 11: Evolution and Hunting Practice
031 – Evolution and Hunting Practice #1
“Evolution…!”
My body trembled at the sweet resonance. Who wouldn’t be overjoyed at the prospect of becoming stronger?
Before me, a flurry of names and descriptions of creatures danced like a firefly party gone wild.
I figured I’d pick one of those bad boys and evolve again, just like last time.
━Wait, why are you just standing there like a deer in headlights? Is something wrong with your body? Are you losing hair or something?
Yan-Mite, with those big googly eyes, scrutinized me.
━You know, scaly beasts shed their skin as they grow, but I wonder what happens to furry beasts like you. Do you feel all itchy?
Yan-Mite seemed genuinely curious, firing questions at me like a child at a candy store.
I did my best to act calm and nonchalant, dismissing the fluttering letters popping up around me.
━Nah, I feel fine. So, how long until sunrise?
━Just a bit longer. It’s the time for weaklings.
Yan-Mite replied, and I glanced outside the cave.
The dim early morning light was starting to sparkle on the horizon.
‘The last time I evolved, it felt like I was knocked out by some strange drug.’
Not having much experience, I had no idea what bizarre events would happen to my body during evolution.
There was a chance of suddenly fainting again or some unforeseen catastrophe striking me right then and there.
Showing something like that to the dinosaur or Raccoon Leaf didn’t seem like the brightest of ideas.
It could lead to some totally unnecessary drama, or worse, my life being in danger.
A little while later, the sun finally began to peek up.
Leaf and I stepped outside the cave, waved off by Yan-Mite.
Even though it was a brief encounter, Yan-Mite seemed a bit disappointed to part ways, as if I was your favorite TV show getting canceled.
━When you meet Eve, tell her I said hi. And since you helped me out today, let’s call it a week. I’ll let you slide without hunting this time.
━So what happens after the week?
━We’ll see how things are then. But remember, the forest is big and I’m busy, so we might not bump into each other too soon. If the day comes when we meet again…
That grin of Yan-Mite’s, with those sharp teeth, looked a little too terrifying for my taste.
Watching that slimy drool trickle between those teeth sent shivers down my spine.
I thought I might make a friend, but he looked like he was planning to have me for dinner instead.
I could only hope I wouldn’t have to deal with that dude for at least a week.
━Uh, let’s get going!
Leaf yanked my arm, and as we stepped out of the cave, it was like we’d exchanged a silent promise to RACE!
Behind us, I sensed the lizards—sss—making a big racket, chasing after Leaf and me.
━Wait, you said you wouldn’t hunt for a week!
I yelled back, and I could faintly hear Yan-Mite’s voice trailing after us.
━That’s my rule, buddy! Those friends are a different story. Just don’t get eaten, okay? I kind of like you, so let’s meet again!
Now that was a bizarre farewell if I ever heard one.
After dozens of minutes of nonstop running, Leaf and I finally slowed down once we didn’t sense the lizards behind us.
━Phew, phew. I think they’re not coming after us anymore?
Leaf huffed and panted, glancing back nervously.
His previously spiky fur started to settle down slowly.
━I can’t believe we made it back from Yan-Mite’s cave! We might be the first beasts to do so.
Leaf couldn’t contain his joy and burst into laughter, as if riding a wave of triumph.
I guess it made sense—anyone who sticks their hand in a lion’s mouth and comes out alive deserves a little happiness.
Of course, in this case, Yan-Mite was the king of hunting and tracking, so things were a bit more complicated.
━What’s next? By the way, you ate that Cordyceps, but you don’t seem to have any reactions. Usually, rare stuffs give a reaction right away…
Now that Leaf felt a bit more at ease, curiosity was simmering within him.
He started pacing around me, looking for changes, mimicking Yan-Mite’s prior stance.
━Sniff, sniff.
He wriggled his nose at me. I pushed his face away with my front paw, feeling a tad violated.
━Why are you sniffing me? That’s gross!
━Oh, no! It’s just that you smell nice. Like tasty herbs! Is that the scent of Cordyceps? What did it taste like? What was the texture?
━Just mushroomy, I guess. Surprisingly, the ant bits were kinda good—sweet like dalgona candy, you know? Not too shabby.
━Dalgona? What’s that?
Raccoon Leaf kept firing questions at me.
Ignoring his curious inquiries, I contemplated what to do next.
‘First, I guess I should evolve.’
I couldn’t just keep disregarding those letters floating around me.
If there’s some sort of time limit, the evolution might kick in before I get to choose.
‘Thank goodness I don’t feel any pressure, but better rush to be safe.’
I thought of a secure place to evolve.
My home was shattered thanks to those wolves, so the first place that came to mind was Leaf’s tree house or the witch’s cabin.
‘Nah, better skip the witch’s cabin.’
Eve was a beautiful woman, but there was something oddly unsettling about her.
According to Yan-Mite, Eve enjoyed conducting all sorts of experiments on animals.
‘I might just end up as her experiment. Totally vulnerable during evolution!’
If that’s the case, the only option left was Leaf’s house.
So, I resolved to commandeer that raccoon’s place.
Stealing Leaf’s house had been on my mind since he swiped my blue crystal.
━First, let’s head to your place, Leaf.
I gave Leaf a playful jab with my front paw.
━Hey, open up! What are you doing in there?
Raccoon Leaf barked loudly from below the tree, digging at the ground.
I squatted by the entrance of his tree house, blocking the entrance with a plank. I could feel Leaf’s strength banging against my backside.
That sturdy plank wouldn’t crack easily under his little paws.
━This is my house now. You better go find another place.
━Hey, that’s not fair! You can’t just steal my house! How could you do this to us?
━“Us”? What do you mean?
━We’re, uh, friends! You’ve saved my behind a dozen times! And I’ve led you around!
His voice from the burrow had a hint of embarrassment. I felt kinda awkward.
━What’s this friend talk? Skedaddle before I eat you!
I growled with all the might I could muster.
Even I thought it was a pretty convincing threat.
I could feel Leaf flinching on the other side of the plank, hesitating.
━B-but… I thought we were friends.
Leaf’s voice sounded half-choked.
My heart softened for a moment, but considering this sly creature’s propensity for deception, he was probably just playing it up.
I could hear Leaf scampering off into his burrow. His presence faded quickly into the distance.
‘Did he take off?’
I pressed my ear to the tree wall to focus my senses.
‘Since there’s no noise, he really might be gone.’
I felt a twinge of guilt for what I did.
But isn’t the wild all about taking and getting taken?
I piled up the stones that decorated the insides of the house on the plank.
With that, I had a moderately heavy doorstop, so Leaf wouldn’t come barging in while I wasn’t there.
━Phew.
After letting out a small sigh, I finally faced the fluttering letters.
This time, just like before, about three options appeared.
I started from the left.
【Mustard Edge Hog】
A rare species of fierce pig hedgehog. Unlike regular hedgehogs, its spikes only grow along the spine. It’s relatively small but quick, so caution is needed when trying to catch it. Known as a forest madman, it has a particularly ferocious temperament.
To remove its spikes once caught is simple: cover the back with mud and harden it with fire until it’s as solid as pottery. Once removed, the hardened mass will come off along with the spikes, making it easy to prepare for eating.
The taste is similar to forest pigs—tender but could feel bland without a special sauce given its low-fat content. Due to the spikes being high-quality fodder for archers, its numbers have dwindled to near extinction.
━Hmm, mustard? An edge hog means something sharp, I guess?
Since it’s a relative of hedgehogs, I might feel some similarities to Belger from last time. It sounds like a pretty interesting choice, especially with those spikes out of its back.
‘Those spikes from Belger were a pain.’
I nodded with satisfaction. These evolution options seemed promising.
As they leveled up, I might transform into even more useful and powerful creatures.
I turned my gaze toward the middle option, brimming with inflated hope.
【Chili Raccoon】
A type of dog. They look like Demigrass Raccoon but are not even close to their cousins. Chili Raccoons are actually more closely related to Tartar Wolves. Yet, their behavior is unmistakably raccoon-like—they’re clever and intelligent.
Records suggest that some rare Chili Raccoons can create and use tools like humans, but there’s been no confirmed sightings.
Oddly enough, they’re easy to hunt despite their smarts. Dig a deep pit, toss in a shiny rock, and the Chili Raccoon will clumsily plunge in to retrieve it. No one knows why. A beast will always be a beast.
Their meat is flavorless regardless of spices or sauces tried; however, their skins are tough and shiny enough that they’re popular among noblewomen. Currently, they’re listed as an endangered species across the continent.
━Chili Raccoon?
I frowned slightly.
Wasn’t that Leaf’s species? Seeing this as my second evolution option, it made me realize Leaf might be quite the precious critter after all.
‘Let’s pass on that one for now.’
I rolled my eyes, feeling rather conflicted, and moved to check the final, remaining choice.
【Tabasco Ant Eater】
Predator of ants and other bugs. With a long snout and a sticky tongue, it easily licks up little critters. Generally docile, but due to their large size and sharp claws, many accidents happen when someone gets too close.
They’re famously fond of Wildlings, those cute and handy creatures. There’s a joke that the reason Wildlings are facing extinction is because Tabasco Ant Eaters gobble them up on sight.
Their meat boasts a refreshing flavor and doesn’t really need spices because it lacks that pesky odor. Their hides are tough and durable, popular enough to be used for armor, making them prone to overhunting and currently endangered across the continent.
━Hmm.
I meticulously examined each option’s details.
‘What’s “neulumi”? An ant-eater, maybe?’
While I was excited after discovering the Mustard Edge Hog, seeing Tabasco Ant Eater left me a bit disappointed.
‘Looks like there’s only one clear option.’
Choosing the Mustard Edge Hog felt like my best bet.
I wouldn’t know how the evolution would shake out, but just judging by the description, an agile creature armed with those threatening spikes seemed like the way to go.
‘Not feeling the Raccoon or Ant-Eater vibes, to be honest.’
Unlike my first evolution, this time, I didn’t have much to mull over. I moved my paw to touch the name 【Mustard Edge Hog】.
Ding! The sound rang clear and artificial. The letters that crowded before me scattered like mist.
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes.
As I slowly concentrated, a bizarre sensation washed over me like waves retreating from the shore, shaking my mind.
Evolution complete.
Some time later, it felt like my eyes shot open like they were set to an alarm.
‘Did I evolve? What just happened?’
As I shook off the haze and rose, letters materialized before me like specters in the gloom.
Species: Magical Beast Lv.10
Strength: 33
Agility: 31
Stamina: 33
Skills: 《Omnivore》《Sturdy Claws》《Low Frequency》《Stealthy Movement》《Dance of Succession》《Crossbreeding》
Every stat surpassed 30.
Especially the agility, which I distinctly remembered being 22, had skyrocketed by a whopping 9 points all at once!
‘Did leveling up contribute to that? Or did the evolution have an effect?’
I glanced at my arms and legs.
They felt unchanged, as if my white fur hadn’t grown, and I didn’t look any different.
I shifted my paw to stroke my neck and back.
Something unusually firm brushed underneath my paw.
‘Oh!’
Turns out that nothing but spikes were growing there!
As I moved my paw down, I found spikes extending like a glorious plume from my crown down to the very tip of my short tail.
‘Guess I need to check exactly how I changed by the stream.’
Thinking of that, I removed the plank and stepped outside the tree house, but was taken aback, my face turning white as a sheet.
━Yikes! Leaf!
