I’m glad you’re here! Let’s dive into this comical adventure:
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[Author’s Note] Thanks for reading! I’m so happy to see more recommendations rolling in! T_T
Chapter 34: Evolution and Hunting Practice #3
— What are you doing here?
I lifted my head in the direction of the rustling sound from the branches.
Rustle.
Through the green leaves, a black-and-white creature was peering down at me.
‘Penguin?’
With its dark fur and white belly, it looked exactly like a penguin.
— Looks like the beast of the South can’t even recognize a magpie? Such a fool. Hehehe.
— A magpie?
I thought it was a penguin, but it insisted it was a magpie.
This so-called magpie was at least three to four times the size of any magpie I knew, looking fluffy like a basketball. It was like a cute mascot character come to life!
— You’re such a dullard. Caw-caw!
But beneath that cute exterior, the creature’s insults were ruffling my feathers, so to speak.
‘Most talking animals are utterly disrespectful. Criticizing me right off the bat!’
It was perched atop a branch about three meters up, likely confident that I couldn’t touch it.
I started scanning the surrounding trees and branches, figuring they could make decent launching pads.
— What kind of beast are you? I’ve never seen anything like you around here. Should I tell Lao-Hoo about you?
The magpie just bobbed its head left and right, mumbling to itself.
Taking advantage of its distraction, I grabbed a pebble from the ground.
— What do you think you’re gonna do with that stone? You think you can hit me with it?
— Guess I won’t know until I throw it.
With all my might, I tossed the pebble their way.
Whoosh! The rock sailed through the air, missing the magpie entirely and landing in the underbrush somewhere beyond.
It burst into laughter.
— Pahaha! What’s that? A feeble imitation of a monkey! You thought you could catch me with that? Where did you even throw it? Are your eyes bad or something?
As it turned its head to look where the pebble had landed, I seized my chance.
— W-What!?
startled, the magpie flapped its wings, trying to take off.
I leapt into the air, launching myself from the nearby trees as I had envisioned earlier.
I stretched out my front paw hoping to catch it, but alas, I only managed to snag the tip of its tail feathers.
— Ouch!
That seemed to be enough because the magpie tumbled down like a dizzy fly, landing flat on its back.
It quivered on the ground, while I perched above it, grinning from ear to ear.
— So, who’s the fool now?
— Ugh, my wing…!
I lightly landed and pressed my front paw down on the magpie’s squishy belly.
It was so soft, the flesh looked delicious, and if I just plucked its feathers, it could make a tasty meal.
‘As tempting as it is to just dive in, I’ve caught a bird—maybe I should ask the Witch to cook it like chicken.’
Just then, the terrified magpie, still trembling and screeching, began to speak.
— If you eat me, you’ll regret it deeply! There’ll be a big fight!
— A big fight? What kind of nonsense is this?
— I’m the most loyal servant and friend of Lao-Hoo! If you eat me, you’ll see just how mad he will be! So hurry up and let me go!
It was hilarious how, while pinned down, it was trying to intimidate me!
I scooped it up with my two front paws, squeezing it as if measuring its weight.
‘Maybe I should just ask for a spicy chicken stew, that last spicy candle was perfect for broths.’
While I was contemplating my culinary options, the magpie continued to tremble beneath my grasp.
— Y-You’re not scared of Lao-Hoo!?
— Ugh, stop squawking already! Who even is Lao-Hoo?
— You don’t know who Lao-Hoo is…!?
Seriously? The magpie’s beak dropped in disbelief.
It began to flap its wings, chattering non-stop.
— Do you live in this forest and not know the Tiger King, Lao-Hoo? The master of the Western Forest and the valley? He’s going to conquer all forests and become the rightful owner of the World Tree!
— Master of the Western Forest? Is he similar to Kublai in the East?
— Don’t you dare compare that mutt to Lao-Hoo! Those barbaric beasts of the South must have lost their manners!
I didn’t quite grasp everything, but piecing together its jumbled words, it seemed like:
— So, someone really important has your back, and you think that if I eat you, I’ll regret it?
— Exactly! You’re thick-headed, let me go already!
So it was just relying on connections!
It reminded me of the Ant Queen Shalom I met just yesterday, who claimed to be related to the Northern ruler, Salome.
While at least the Ant Queen spoke gracefully, this magpie’s chatter grated on my ears.
— No need to cook you; you’re going directly onto the meal plan!
I opened my mouth wide.
The magpie began to tremble uncontrollably, perhaps realizing my sharp teeth.
“Ah, you’re on your own. Why did you come to see me?”
Entering the cabin, the witch Eve greeted me warmly. I waved the hefty magpie in my hands.
— Can you whip something up for me?
Eve raised her eyebrows at the sight of the magpie.
“Wow, that’s a massive magpie! I thought it was a penguin! Must be really old and wise. A creature this big is usually quite clever and hard to catch!”
Like a proud owner praising a puppy that fetched a stick, she petted my forehead and chin.
“I hear magpies live only in the Western Forest. Did you visit there?”
— Are they edible?
“Of course! With a size like that, roasting it would surely be delicious! Now, let’s get cooking!”
Eve busily gathered utensils and a long wooden stick.
Soon she started plucking the magpie’s feathers one by one.
— Gwaah! What’s happening!?
The magpie, who had fainted from fear, woke up with a start, realizing it was in pain.
“Ah, you’re still alive! Sorry about that; I thought you were dead since you weren’t moving at all.”
— Gaaah, you’re a witch!
“Do you know me?”
— Of course! I’m the number one underling of Tiger King Lao-Hoo! I know everything about the forest!
“Lao-Hoo….”
Eve paused in her feather-pulling, trailing off as if something was on her mind.
“If what this little guy says is true, we can’t eat this magpie.”
— Why’s that?
She held the magpie in her palm, revealing it was too scared to attempt an escape.
“If we irritate Lao-Hoo, it might disturb the peace of the forest. Even though Lao-Hoo is mild-mannered, he takes care of his friends. Yan-Mite wouldn’t just let Lao-Hoo invade the Southern Forest without a fight.”
— The master of the forest… What’s all this about? I hear them talking about conquering the World Tree or something.
Eve’s eyes widened. Then, she smiled gently, replying softly.
“Oh, really? According to Leaf, you came from the city of humans and know nothing of the forest.”
— City of humans!?
The magpie’s voice echoed through the cabin.
— Uh, um, never mind. I thought it was some strange white beast, but it’s actually a critter from the human city! No wonder! Your talk and actions are just like a hairless monkey!
The magpie stuttered suspiciously.
“Let’s put this little guy inside for now.”
Eve retrieved a wooden cage from a corner of the cabin.
She placed the magpie inside and shut the door.
“The World Tree and the master of the forest. It’ll take quite a bit of time to explain.”
— I’m not too sharp; can you keep it short and sweet?
“You’re quite impatient, huh? Alright, let’s see how I can explain this. Do you know about the Fruit of the World Tree?”
— What’s that?
“It’s a very rare fruit that grows once every few hundred years from the thickest and largest branch at the heart of the World Tree. Beasts that consume it gain extraordinary wisdom and strength, transforming from mere beasts to Mythical Creatures.”
‘Mythical Creatures, huh…’
The idea of superior wisdom and strength was hard to grasp, but thinking of it like the Cordyceps or the Moonstone that led to my evolution made it somewhat understandable.
Eve dusted off the magpie’s feathers and continued her explanation.
“It’s an incredibly valuable fruit, but there are countless beasts that desire it. Among them, there are some who are closest to the fruit…”
— So, these are the forest masters?
“Exactly. As you said, one of the masters of the forests, valleys, high rocks, and hills will likely get their hands on the next fruit. Who that will be, who knows?”
I became curious about Eve’s detached perspective while she spoke about the Fruit of the World Tree in such precious terms.
— So, you’re not tempted by the fruit? With your power, you could easily snatch it from other beasts.
“Hmm?”
Eve tilted her head in confusion.
Just as she was about to speak with an awkward smile, a sudden laugh erupted from within the cabin.
— What are you talking about? She’s the Southern Witch! This lady already ate the fruit ages ago to gain her powers!
— Ah.
Lightning struck through my mind.
It suddenly clicked! I recalled Eve’s earlier mention of divine beings and Mythical Creatures.
‘So, she wasn’t just a wildling; she must have evolved after eating the Fruit of the World Tree!’
I felt like I had peeled back a layer of mystery from Eve’s existence.
Yet, with one question answered, two new ones popped up.
— So, it seems like your masters of the forest are fated to fight over the fruit anyway. What’s the reason to prevent a big conflict?
“It’s been over ten years since the masters of the forest have stopped fighting over their territories. That year, an incident occurred that led to an unspoken agreement. And I think that incident is closely related to you…”
Eve paused, gathering her thoughts.
After a moment, she parted her lips, continuing her story.
“On one summer day that year, humans arrived in this forest.”
Eve reflected on the “humans.”
The last to emerge in this forest teeming with life—hairless monkeys.
They had no teeth, dense fur coats, or sharp claws.
Everyone thought they’d get crushed by the other beasts, but against all odds, they survived, eventually escaping this forest.
That shouldn’t have been the end, but hundreds and thousands of years later, they returned, armed with tough armor and sharp weapons.
Trees that had lived for millennia burned, and powerful creatures fell mercilessly.
What they sought was none other than the Fruit of the World Tree.
“But back then, it was before the fruit had ripened. They retreated, but they’ll surely return to this forest soon now that the time for the fruit to bloom is near.”
— Humans… humans…
The white-furred beast looked contemplative as it stared at its front paws.
Eve suspected there was a connection between this creature and the humans that once entered the forest.
After all, the one who had created the Magical Beast, Behemoth, was none other than its brother—Adam, the first human.
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And there you have it! A comical take on this wild adventure, where beasts and witches collide in a world full of surprises!
