I stopped for a second to catch my breath and to observe what the ferret might do next.
It seems that the ferret got right back to his senses and returned to his fighting stance. The ferret hissed at me in an aggressive manner.
Seeing that he was back into the game, I used [Bounce] to gain some momentum in my hops.
The ferret moved in a swift manner and prepared a motion to bite once again. I narrowly dodged the bite by jumping up, but once again the with cunning wit of that bastard he bit me on my belly.
[No Name]
[Rabbit]
[HP 8/17]
FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, AM I GOING TO DIE TO A FUCKING FERRET?!
In my panicked state, I used [Kick] on the bastard's face, I crashed him beneath my feet.
[Ferret]
[HP 13/25]
The ferret's face caved in a bit, and he coughed some blood.
I used [Bounce] once again and went deeper into the forest in an attempt to lose the ferret. I felt my breaths go faster and faster with all the stress that my mind and body are taking right now.
The ferret chased after me once again.
SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, WHAT THE FUCK SHOULD I DO
The chase continues once again, the ferret continues in his pursuit.
I continued to narrowly dodge his attacks, but some have gone through.
[No Name]
[Rabbit]
[HP 5/17]
I am now covered in my own blood, but still, I have to survive.
The ferret and already felt our exhaustion from our bodies, it came to a point where the ferret slowed down for a bit due to exhaustion and I was able to lose him and hide behind a big rock.
I know that I will not be able to hide forever and that he will find me soon. I need to think of a way to finish him off.
As my HP dropped dangerously low, I spotted two trees growing close together. An idea sparked in my mind—a desperate, reckless plan.
I activated [Bounce], launching myself toward the gap between the trees. The ferret followed, its sleek body twisting through the air.
I ricocheted between the trees, building momentum with each jump. The strain on my legs was excruciating, but [Danger Sense] kept me focused, warning me of the ferret's every move.
[No Name]
[HP: 3/17.]
The ferret lunged, its jaws snapping inches from my face. That's when I struck.
Using all the force I'd built up; I launched myself straight at the ferret and delivered a devastating [Kick] to its skull. All the momentum built up on my legs from ricocheting transferred to its body, crashing down to the ground.
CRACK!
The ferret crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath its broken snout. I noticed that the ferret was on the verge of death but still alive and breathing.
I rushed towards him and bit his neck. I released all the built-up rage and frustrations and finished him off by biting his neck to the point that his skin pulled off from his body
It twitched once, then went still.
[Defeated Ferret.]
[Obtained 23 EXP.]
[Level up: 6 → 7.]
[Level Up: 7 → 8.]
I collapsed onto the ground, panting and trembling. My legs felt like jelly from all the ricocheting, and my vision blurred as the adrenaline drained from my body. But I'd done it.
I'd defeated a predator.
"Take that… you stinky… weasel…" I gasped, lying flat on my back as my tiny chest heaved.
The system notification blinked faintly in my mind, and for a moment, the sheer satisfaction of leveling up washed away the pain.
[Status Updated.]
[No Name]
[Rabbit]
[Level 8 [0/40 EXP]]
[HP: 3/19]
[Mana: 5/15]
[Skills]
[Bounce Level 3]
[Danger Sense Level 1]
[Kick Level 1]
Forty EXP to the next level. "Great. Just great. Guess I'll be grinding caterpillars until the end of time…"
But the ferret… The ferret was worth 20 EXP. Twice as much as leveling up! A predator like that had to be worth hunting again someday, but the thought made my paws tremble. I'd barely survived this encounter.
-----------------------------
I forced myself to sit up, staring at the ferret's lifeless body. My fur was matted with blood—some mine, some his—and my limbs shook with exhaustion.
The iron-like flavor of the Ferret's blood that flooded my mouth felt disgusting, but I am glad that I was able to escape my fate.
I've been too careless on my part, becoming overconfident sure has its shortcomings but why am I even overconfident?
I am a rabbit for God's sake, a prey near the bottom of the food pyramid.
This wasn't like the caterpillars. Killing the ferret hadn't been just a casual stomp-and-squelch routine. It had been a fight for survival, brutal and desperate. And in the end, I'd won.
But the cost…
I looked at my paws, still trembling. The image of the ferret's face caving in under my final [Kick] played in my mind, over and over. I'd done what I had to do, but part of me wondered if I was starting to enjoy this a little too much.
"No. Stop it," I muttered to myself, shaking the thought away. "It's survival. Nothing more."
But the weight in my chest lingered, even as I hopped shakily back toward my puddle.
-----------------------
On the way back, I felt a strange sensation wash over me. It wasn't quite pain, but it wasn't comfortable either. It was like something deep inside me was… shifting.
The orb.
The power it gave me wasn't finished. I could feel it now, thrumming faintly in my core, like a heartbeat that wasn't mine. It felt alive, pulsating in sync with the forest itself.
And then there was the buzz of [Danger Sense], always humming faintly in the back of my mind. It was quieter now, but I knew it would never truly go silent. The orb had amplified it, sharpened it, and turned it into something more than just a warning system.
Sometimes, when I activated it, I felt like I could almost see the intent of the creatures around me. Their movements slowed ever so slightly, giving me just enough time to react. But it came at a cost. Each time the skill flared, it left me drained, as if it were pulling from a deeper well of energy than just my mana.
I paused mid-hop, catching my breath as the orb's power pulsed faintly in my chest. "What… did you do to me?" I whispered to the empty forest.
The trees, of course, didn't answer. But I swore I felt them watching.
-----------------------------------
When I finally reached my puddle, the squirrels were waiting. Papa Squirrel was perched on a low branch, his beady eyes fixed on me. He let out a series of sharp chirps, his tail flicking rapidly.
"Yeah, yeah, I know I look like crap," I muttered, limping toward the water. "Rough morning, okay? Give me a break."
But Papa Squirrel wasn't chirping about my appearance. He hopped down from the branch, his movements quick and jittery, and darted toward me. He stopped a few feet away, his tail still flicking furiously, and let out another series of sharp, urgent squeaks.
"What's your problem?" I asked, my ears flicking in irritation.
Mama Squirrel joined him, her movements just as frantic. The two of them squeaked and chirped at each other, glancing toward the deeper part of the forest.
I froze.
They were afraid.
Before I could ask what was wrong, [Danger Sense] buzzed faintly in my mind. Not the sharp alarm of an immediate threat, but the low, ominous hum that had become all too familiar.
Something was out there.
-----------------------------------
I stared into the forest, my fur bristling as the buzzing of [Danger Sense] grew louder. The squirrels had scampered back up their tree, their squeaks fading into the distance.
And then I saw it.
A figure.
Tall. Humanoid. Watching me from the shadows.
It was too far away to make out any details, but its presence was unmistakable. It didn't move, didn't speak—just stood there, its gaze fixed on me.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared back, every instinct screaming at me to run. But I couldn't move. It wasn't fear that held me in place—it was something else. Something deeper.
The orb pulsed faintly in my chest, and for a brief moment, I felt like I could sense the figure's intent. It wasn't hostile… not yet. But it wasn't friendly either.
"What… are you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The figure tilted its head slightly, as if amused by the question.
And then, without a sound, it turned and disappeared into the forest.
---------------------------
I stood there for what felt like an eternity, my mind racing. The buzzing of [Danger Sense] had faded, but the tension in the air lingered.
Who—or what—was that? And why was it watching me?
I glanced down at my paws, still stained with the ferret's blood, and felt the orb pulse again in my chest. Whatever was happening to me, whatever the orb had done… it wasn't over.
And I had a feeling the forest wasn't done with me either.
"Looks like things just got a lot more complicated," I muttered, turning back toward my burrow.
As I hopped away, the faint sound of rustling leaves echoed behind me, sending a shiver down my spine.
The rabbit wasn't alone anymore.