30. Monster Rabbit Herd
Of course, it was not without constraints.
As stated in the Character Window, to handle powerful beings, one must reach a certain level of proficiency.
It meant growth was necessary.
But the potential she held was immense.
If it falls under the category of a beast, it could handle any type of species, making it quite remarkable just based on its potential for the future.
However, that alone wasn’t the entire reason.
“I can finally put this worry to rest.”
The slight concern for the young dire wolf pups was precisely what it was about.
The day when they would grow older and mature more than they are now.
It was only natural that the monster’s ominousness would loom over.
But now, there was no need to worry about that anymore.
Yumina’s characteristic of “sharing the wild” would serve as a suppressant to bury that ominousness.
From now on, those young dire wolf pups would always be together as their comrades.
“……”
Yumina clasped both hands together and closed her eyes.
[Sniff?]
At that moment, as if sensing a change, the young dire wolf, Noah, perked up his head.
And at that moment, changes began to occur in Noah’s body.
The immature young body started growing rapidly, fur sprouting, body and claws growing.
In a blink of an eye, a fierce adult form was completed.
Truly, it was enough to evoke admiration once again.
The size was truly enormous.
Even compared to the adult dire wolves he had seen before, there was no lacking.
In a courtyard so large that you had to look up, the size was so massive that even just the head size alone was like that of a lion or tiger, big enough to swallow a person whole.
It couldn’t be anything but a strange ability.
As if turning back time rapidly, achieving such rapid growth in an instant.
Such an ability, even modern humans had never heard of.
[Pant! Pant!]
With a tongue as large as a human palm, Noah gazed at Yumina.
There was no trace of malice like a monster in his gaze.
He licked Yumina’s cheek with his large tongue.
“hehehe, tickles.”
Yumina squirmed, her body trembling.
Rather than looking displeased, her face was adorned with an even brighter smile than usual.
“Noah. Would it be okay for me to ride you once?”
[Clang!]
In response to those words, the adult Noah vigorously replied.
It seemed like he even understood the language of the elves.
Bending down obediently for an easy mount, Yumina, wriggling, slowly climbed up.
Embracing Yumina with his mane that had grown long like a lion’s, Noah, who began to walk slowly, gradually picked up speed, soon starting to run across the ground.
As Noah galloped away, leaving a trail behind like the wind, Han, Irina, and Zion were all watching, captivated by the sight.
Running ahead of Noah, the young cubs Lua and Mia stuck by his sides.
“So fast, huh? At this rate, we’ll move really far in just a short time.”
A wolf racing through the snow-covered expanse. To be honest, I was a bit envious.
Even the one watching couldn’t help but think of trying it.
[Bark!]
Noah running energetically, followed by Lua and Mia behind him.
But it was just a moment.
Was it due to excessive excitement?
It seemed Yumina’s focus had wavered.
Thud!
Dyer Wolf, running through the snow, stumbled.
“Huh?”
Yumina and Noah were taken aback.
In a moment of confusion, Yumina and Noah tumbled together in the snow.
[Crunch?!]
Noah, who had just fallen to the ground, screamed as if he were dying.
The dignified appearance from a moment ago had vanished without a trace.
“S-Sorry! I’m sorry!”
Yumina quickly got up and apologized.
The onlooker closed their eyes tightly as they watched this scene.
“Oh my. That must really hurt.”
No matter how sturdy Dyer Wolf was as a monster, a cub was still a cub.
Despite being no bigger than a young cat, did they have the strength to bear Yumina’s weight?
Luckily, the soft snow cushioned the fall; otherwise, it could have been a serious injury.
At least one thing was clear.
To maintain reinforcement, Yumina needed to focus on the wolf cubs.
***
Han manipulated the screen.
Now at Level 4, having grown, he could explore even further areas than before.
At least from one end of the city to the other.
As he leisurely surveyed the ruins of this fallen city, something caught Han’s eye.
[Sizzle!]
A group appeared.
They were fiercely running across the snowy white expanse.
“…What’s that now?”
Han’s expression turned ambiguous.
To confirm their identity, he quickly zoomed in on the screen.
[Red Alert: Monster Rabbit Horde.]
That was…
That organism, surprisingly, was a pack of rabbits.
The difference from ordinary rabbits lay in the fact that they were muscular and vicious rabbits with disproportionately developed upper bodies.
He grimaced and swallowed dry saliva.
“What on earth? What kind of rabbits… look like they could beat up lions?”
Even those who watched from afar, not joking, were visibly taken aback by the ferocious-looking creatures.
There seemed to be at least a dozen of them, appearing fierce enough to make a run towards me with a fierce glint in their eyes.
[Monster rabbits are carnivorous beasts with extremely ferocious tendencies. They tirelessly cover long distances of tens of kilometers daily, constantly searching for food, showcasing remarkable stamina and energy levels.]
…They certainly seemed so.
At first glance, they didn’t look like your average, harmless rabbits.
At the very least, they were not normal animals.
Up close, you could see veins pulsating with a reddish hue.
However, Han was watching them without any particular concern.
Because, in the first place, their movement was part of the process of passing through the city.
At this rate, they would continue on through the wilderness without any major incident.
Of course, he remembered that monsters would likely pursue the magic of the World Tree.
But judging by their momentum, it didn’t seem likely.
Their direction was consistent.
If they were being pursued, they would have changed course long ago.
But for some reason…
The procession of fast-moving creatures gradually began to slow down.
Their heads turned gradually to the side.
As if suddenly catching a scent, they began sniffing the air.
“Wait a minute.”
Han’s expression, which had been watching quietly, changed ambiguously.
“Why are those guys looking back right now?”
Something didn’t feel right.
The direction they were looking at was where the city was.
The direction of the World Tree.
“Could it be?”
As if to confirm his unease, they changed direction.
[Grrooar!]
With ferocious roars, the creatures started running towards the city.
If he wasn’t mistaken, what they were likely heading towards now was probably…
Han’s expression hardened.
***
Kugugugu-.
As expected.
The procession of monster rabbits was heading straight towards the city center.
No doubt.
“If we continue in that direction, we’ll surely reach the World Tree.”
Dangerous.
With that thought firmly in mind, certainty led Han straight towards Irina.
There was no time to waste.
Those guys would arrive soon.
“Irina!”
He immediately summoned a massive hand to pull her towards him.
Irina’s gaze met his.
“My Lord?”
Han raised his hand, pointing in a certain direction.
It was the direction from which the fierce snowstorm was blowing.
An unusually urgent movement, unlike his usual demeanor.
There was a clear sense of emotion in it.
“…?”
The doubt in Irina’s expression upon facing it was brief.
Soon, a change came over her.
A sense of alertness appeared in her eyes.
She understood what he was warning about.
“I see, My Lord. Enemies.”
Correct.
Irina stopped what she was doing and rose from her seat.
Without even touching the ladder that was nearly vertical, she leaped up to the top of the watchtower with sheer force, and then shouted loudly.
“Guys!”
Irina had already drawn her bow.
“Zion! Yumina! Enemies!”
Everyone rushed out of the house in haste.
Zion wielded Irina’s steel sword and shield, while Yumina and three wolf cubs ran out together.
“Sister Irina!”
“Everyone, get ready! My Lord has warned us!”
She raised her bow and looked across the street.
Zion stood guard in front of the watchtower, while the wolf cubs stood by Yumina.
Her pupils dilated, and she gazed at the rough area beyond the fierce snowfall.
Dark shadows appeared to be leaping through the snow menacingly.
From Noble mtl dot com
Monsters.
Squeak.
She slowly pulled back the bowstring of her bow.
Not just one.
There were many. No, quite a lot.
The ground beneath Irina, who stood at the top of the watchtower, vibrated as if to indicate the sheer number below her feet.
Thump, thump, thump!
Before long, their figures were unmistakably revealed.
[Growwll!!]
Gigantic rabbit creatures.
The ground began to shake even more violently.
Their momentum was considerable.
Zion firmly gripped his shield, steadying his breath.
“Ugh, ugh….”
Yumina, overwhelmed by fear, sank to the ground.
Yet, she did not lose her resolve.
It was the moment Yumina’s trembling hands were clasped in unity.
A cerulean magic rose like smoke, seeping into the young wolf cubs beside her.
“Hey, hey! Help us!”
The young wolves’ frames swelled in an instant.
Growing in size, they fiercely stood in front of the creatures, blocking their path.
[Grrriiind!]
The three imposing adult Dire Wolves and the monster rabbits bared their teeth at each other.
A fierce battle was imminent.
The determination to face the monsters head-on was palpable.
The elves stood resolute without wavering.
“But… will we truly be okay?”
A hint of concern crossed the eyes of the onlooker.
Frankly, there was worry deep down.
Each creature was so massive, almost comparable to a formidable bear. Moreover, their numbers were close to ten, undoubtedly posing an overwhelmingly threatening presence.
Although Yumina and Zion had undergone a momentous growth through talent enhancement, worries lingered.
Numerical disadvantage, with the two siblings being able to hold their own.
There were several factors that could be cause for concern.
“But the elves won’t back down.”
[Growwll!!]
As they drew closer.
The offensive began with Irina’s arrow.
“Phew.”
She breathed deeply into her lungs, until finally, at the moment when her breath and tremors ceased entirely.
The tension of the sacred bow, imbued with divine power, was released.