However, the rabbits weren't so foolish as to let me dodge easily. The second and third paws were already waiting to surround me in the direction I'd dodged.
"How?!"
I was shocked by the battle tactics of these Rabbitoes. While one attacked, the others were already waiting in two directions where I was likely to dodge.
I was forced to use Space Distortion again to escape. Just as I dodged, the shockwave from the two paws hitting each other made my hair stand on end.
If I get hit by that, I'm dead!...
I had no choice but to run around, burning my mana. This cat-and-mouse game was getting ridiculous. How did I become the prey instead of the hunter? I wanted to cry, but now wasn't the time to complain.
After dashing a few more times, I backed away about five meters from the rabbits before canceling Space Distortion.
I couldn't afford to waste more mana. If I didn't cast Soul Shackle on them soon, I'd run out of mana before Malrang could join the battle.
I could feel my partner's unease as it hid behind the trees. It was a strange sensation, as if our souls were truly connected by some mysterious energy.
I was in the perfect line, where the rabbits had their backs to the fox. All I had to do was make myself look like an easy target and hope they'd attack me together.
I needn't have worried; as soon as they saw Space Distortion deactivate, the four Rabbitoes attacked me together. Maybe they decided I was out of mana or had given up, but all that mattered was that my plan worked.
However, watching four huge paws fly at me at lightning speed left me with doubts. Could I cast my skill in time? Failure would mean death.
Soul Shackle!
The four rabbits froze mid-air just in front of me, dropping to the ground like stones.
"MALRANG!"
The fox quickly dashed out from its hiding spot and used Hellfire Breath on the four rabbits. I was so excited by my success I nearly forgot to dodge the incoming flames, ending up awkwardly running away with my hair nearly getting burnt by my teammate's attack.
"That was too close!..."
The fox's attack was more effective against these monsters than my kinetic slash, as the silver fur started melting.
Are they really made of silver?!
I was amazed by the wonders of this world, but I also knew the battle wouldn't end here, and my chance to inflict damage had finally arrived.
Kinetic Slash!
I launched another attack, but this time there was no metallic clash. Just four lifeless bodies on the ground, slashed in half.
Silver melts quickly in a strong flame. If I'm not mistaken, the hellfire breath produces flames over a thousand degrees Celsius. Too bad there's no way to measure it in this world.
I was thrilled to have such a strong companion; with these flames, I'd never have issues facing metal-affinity monsters.
[You have slain a rare monster, Level 3 Forest Rabbato!]
[Your experience has increased by 25%]
[You have slain a rare monster, Level 3 Forest Rabbato!]
[Your experience has increased by 25%]
[You have slain a rare monster, Level 3 Forest Rabbato!]
[Your experience has increased by 20%]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 3!]
[Your overall stats have been upgraded]
[Level 7 Stamina -> Level 8 (Total Stamina 80)]
[Level 7 Attack -> Level 8 (Total Attack 80)]
[Level 5 Magic -> Level 6 {After amplifying-Level 20} (Total Magic 200)]
[Level 6 Strength -> Level 7 {After amplifying-Level 21} (Total Strength 210)]
[Level 7 Defense -> Level 8 (Total Defense 80)]
[Level 6 Agility -> Level 7 (Total Agility 70)]
[Level 10 Mana -> Evolution condition met -> Level 1 Mana Spring (Total Mana 300/300)]
[Level 10 Mana Regeneration -> Evolution condition met -> Level 1 Quick Mana Regeneration (15/sec)]
[Level 2 Physical Resist -> Level 3]
[Level 2 Magic Resist -> Level 3]
[Level 2 Illusion Resist -> Level 3]
[Level 5 Element Resist -> Level 6]
[Level 3 Body Regeneration -> Level 4]
[Level 6 Magic Growth -> Level 7 (increases magic stat by 14)]
[Level 6 Strength Growth -> Level 7 (increases strength stat by 14)]
[Your abilities have been upgraded]
[Level 2 Kinetic Slash (evolving) (10 mana) -> Level 3 (15 mana)]
[Level 2 Kinetic Shield (evolving) (3 mana/s) -> Level 3 (3.5 mana/s)]
[Level 2 Soul Harvest (evolving) (30 mana) -> Level 3 (35 mana)]
[Level 2 Space Distortion (evolving) (15 mana/s) -> Level 3 (20 mana/s)]
[Level 1 Darkness Steps (evolving) (10 mana/step) -> Level 2 (10 mana/step)]
[Level 1 Soul Shackle (evolving) (20 mana) -> Level 2 (20 mana), up to 8 targets at a time]
{[Level 2 Laughing at the Death -> Level 3, each second in combat grants 1 stack, stacking up to 100:]
[After reaching 100 stacks, a special ability is granted:]
[Level 2 -> Level 3 Each stack grants 0.3% attack power]
[Level 2 -> Level 3 Each stack grants 0.3% defense]
[Level 2 Death Shall Not Claim Me -> Level 3 - User becomes immortal for 12 seconds.]
[Level 2 Increased Regeneration -> Level 3]
[Level 2 Increased Vision -> Level 3]
[Level 2 Quick Movement -> Level 3]}
[You have been granted one new ability]
[Level 1 Soul Bite]
[You have slain a rare monster, Level 3 Forest Rabbato!]
[Your experience has increased by 10%]
[Congratulations! You have acquired a new achievement]
[Rising Star - Slay 10 monsters.]
[4 skill points have been granted]
[You may now use Soul Harvest]
Soul Harvest!
A rich rabbit flavor tickled my taste buds as it traveled down to my stomach.
So delicious! I could get really addicted to this!
[Congratulations, a new evolution condition has been met]
[Ten souls have been consumed. Proceeding to upgrade the user's soul!]
"What's happening?!"
Suddenly, I felt lightheaded and fell to my knees. My eyes were spinning, and I felt sick to my stomach. I felt my eyes begin to burn as everything became blurry. If any bystander were watching, they'd notice my eyes shining with a neon violet color, forever altering my retina.
I felt something in me grow slightly, and I felt more connected to the nature around me. Once my body's situation stabilized, I noticed that all my senses had become sharper.
Unfamiliar smells and sounds surrounded me from all directions. My vision became clearer, and I could see farther into the distance.
"What is this? I feel… reborn! My mind feels so clear, as if I've had a fresh memory installed… How is this possible?"
I couldn't find an answer to my question. The only explanation was obvious, but I didn't want to accept the idea that there were actually souls in this world.
Is the creator of this world some sort of god? I can't imagine how all of this could exist in a game. Everything feels so real, to the point where every living being here has its own soul… And when I think about it… my job is to eat those souls to strengthen myself…
I knew that what I was doing was unethical, but…
"I'm sorry for killing you all. But I must survive!"
[Congratulations! You have acquired a new achievement]
[Soul Knight - Achieve the first soul evolution]
[10 skill points have been granted]
"Soul Knight, huh? I might as well call myself a Dame from now on, haha."
But I have to admit, Soul Knight sounds cool. I wish my brother could see me right now…
"Woo!"
A sudden bark snapped me out of my self-absorbed state.
"Oh, Malrang! Are you okay?"
"Woo!"
The fox was jumping around happily, wagging its tail. I could feel the connection between us growing, but I still felt uneasy. What if one day I'm not strong enough to protect my companion? What if one day I had to choose whether Malrang lives or dies… I hope that day never comes…
Perhaps Malrang could sense my expression or maybe guessed my feelings. It was so sudden—Malrang jumped on my shoulder and licked my face.
"Don't worry about me; I'm fine."
Obviously, I lied...
"Woo…"
"Come on, let's inspect these Rabbitoes before more monsters gather here, drawn by the scent of blood."
I noticed a small line of drool coming out of the fox's mouth as soon as I mentioned rabbits.
"Are you hungry?"
"Woo…"
It buried its nose in my shoulder, as if hiding from embarrassment.
"No need to be shy. Dig in. You were the main reason we won this fight."
"WOO!"
It was funny to see the shy fox quickly jump down, grab one of the monsters, and devour it within a minute. I could only stand by, smiling warmly.
Inspect!
[Purple Foxterit]
[Level 2 (85%)]
[Mystic grade demon fox]
Good. The stronger it gets, the higher our chances of survival in these lands…
However, as I inspected Malrang's growth, I noticed a new and strange skill.
What is that?
[Soul Ignite - The user can ignite their soul to gain ten times their stats for a period of time before their soul dissipates. (One-time use)]
I froze. This skill… if used recklessly, Malrang could… No, I refuse to believe this is a coincidence. It must be the work of that Creator. Giving my partner a self-sacrifice skill is beyond evil.
At that moment, I swore to myself that I would never, ever, let myself get into a situation where Malrang would feel threatened.
"Malrang…"
"Wee?"
It was still munching on the rabbit's leg.
"Promise me… to never use your new skill, okay?"
A tear rolled down my cheek. I don't know why—maybe because of the Soul Link, or perhaps because I'd become attached to this purple fox—but one thing was clear: I could no longer leave its side, I must protect it.
The rabbit leg in the fox's mouth dropped to the ground, and the next thing I saw was Malrang sitting there, smiling at me, nodding its small head. But somehow… that smile felt fake…