Boing. Boing. Boing.
The life of a rabbit—especially this rabbit—was a ridiculous mix of absurdity and terror. One moment, I'm leaping majestically over a puddle, admiring my fluffy reflection, and the next, I'm fending off ferrets with delusions of grandeur.
Yesterday, one of those overgrown weasels almost turned me into a snack. And let me tell you, it wasn't fun. Sure, I won the fight, but barely. The bite marks on my back and legs still burned, and my once-pristine fur was patchy in spots, thanks to those razor-sharp claws. Because of that stupid noodle rat, I've spent the whole day just resting, preventing me from getting back to Killing— I mean protecting the precious citizens of my kingdom.
[No Name]
[Rabbit]
[Level 8 [0/40 EXP]]
[HP: 19/19]
[Mana: 10/15]
[Skills: Bounce Level 3, Danger Sense Level 1, Kick Level 2]
"Zero EXP," I muttered, glaring at the glowing status screen in my mind. "It's like starting from scratch. Again."
I sighed dramatically, glancing at my surroundings. The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, its towering trees forming a thick canopy that only let in faint shafts of sunlight. The air was damp and heavy, filled with the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves. Somewhere in the distance, a bird called out, its sharp cry echoing through the trees.
This place was both beautiful and terrifying. On the surface, it looked like any ordinary forest, but spend more than a few days here, and you'd start noticing the little things. Like how the shadows seemed darker than they should be. Or how the air felt... alive. Watching.
And then there were the creatures. This forest wasn't just home to caterpillars and squirrels. No, it had predators. Real ones. Creatures that made the ferret look like a puppy in comparison. I hadn't seen them yet, but I could feel them. Out there, somewhere, waiting. Am I just paranoid from all that has happened to me since reincarnating in this world? I don't know.
When you think about it logically if there are magical orbs just lying around waiting for a random rabbit to snatch it and RPG elements like skills and weird trees and stuff. We can most likely conclude that we're currently in a fantasy setting. Am I right or Am I right? Of course, I am right you dumbos.
But I didn't have time to dwell on existential dread. I had a mission: grind EXP and get stronger. Because if another ferret showed up, I wasn't sure I'd survive a second round.
--------------------------------
I started the day at my puddle, which, by the way, I had officially claimed as my territory. It wasn't much—a muddy little splash zone fed by a nearby river—but it was mine.
Papa Squirrel was already there, perched on his usual branch. He chirped sharply when he saw me, his tail flicking irritably.
"What's your problem, Acorn Lord?" I asked, dipping my head into the cool water. "Jealous of my fluffy and handsome visage?"
He chirped again, this time more urgently, and hopped down to the ground. His beady little eyes scanned the trees, and he let out a series of rapid squeaks, glancing back at me every few seconds.
"Okay, what's with the drama?" I asked, straightening up. "Is there another ferret around? Or are you just mad I haven't paid rent? Wait, you should be the one paying me rent."
Mama Squirrel appeared next, carrying a shiny nut in her tiny paws. She dropped it at my feet, her expression unusually serious.
"Uh... thanks?" I said, nudging the nut with my paw. "Are you guys trying to bribe me? Because it's working."
Papa Squirrel let out a sharp squeak and pointed his tail toward the deeper part of the forest. My ears twitched as a faint hum of [Danger Sense] buzzed at the edge of my awareness. It wasn't a full-blown alarm—just a low, persistent hum that made my fur stand on end.
"Right," I muttered, backing away from the puddle. "I'll steer clear of that area today. Thanks for the warning, I guess."
The squirrels chittered nervously as I hopped off, their eyes never leaving the shadows of the deeper woods. Whatever was out there, it had them spooked.
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Grinding EXP was as monotonous as ever. Caterpillars were plentiful, sure, but each one only gave me 1 EXP. And with 40 EXP needed to level up, that meant I had to squash forty of them. Forty.
"You guys better appreciate this," I muttered, crouching low in the underbrush. "I could be doing something meaningful with my life, but nooo, I'm stuck exterminating worms."
The caterpillars were clustered around a patch of wildflowers, munching away like they didn't have a care in the world. Perfect. It's like they unionized, they created a union for caterpillars. But alas, I don't tolerate rebels in my kingdom.
I activated [Bounce], launching myself high into the air before slamming down into the center of the cluster.
Squelch.
[Obtained 1 EXP.]
[Level Progress: 1/40 EXP.]
"Bow before your fluffy overlord!" I declared, puffing out my chest. "No rebellion will be tolerated in the Kingdom of Fluff!"
One particularly bold caterpillar lunged at me, its slimy body twisting in a desperate attempt to bite me.
"You dare to harm me you peasant?!," I scoffed, sidestepping its attack. "You're just a glorified gummy worm."
I delivered a swift [Kick], sending it flying into a nearby tree. The impact left a gross green smear on the bark.
[Obtained 1 EXP.]
[Level Progress: 2/40 EXP.]
I was mid-squelch when [Danger Sense] flared sharply, the faint hum turning into a blaring alarm. My ears shot up, swiveling toward the sound of rustling leaves. My nose twitched as I caught a faint, musky scent.
Again?
No. It couldn't be.
I turned slowly, my heart sinking as a sleek, dark shape emerged from the bushes. Its green eyes gleamed with hunger, and its scarred body rippled with muscle.
Another ferret.
But this one was different. Bigger. Stronger. Meaner. It wasn't just a predator—it was a veteran. A seasoned killer.
"Oh, come on!" I groaned, backing away slowly. "What is this, ferret revenge day?! Did you guys hold a meeting or something? Or are you the father of the one that I fucked over yesterday? If I kill you what's next? Will the grandpa come, after that then the great grandpa, then the ancestor, and maybe even the sect your ancestor belongs to?!"
The ferret hissed, baring its sharp teeth. My [Danger Sense] screamed at me to move, and I leaped backward just as it lunged, its claws raking the air where I'd been standing.
The ferret wasted no time, darting toward me with deadly precision. Its claws slashed through the air, and I barely dodged in time, activating [Bounce] to launch myself out of its reach.
I twisted mid-air and delivered a quick [Kick] to its snout, feeling the impact reverberate up my leg.
[Ferret]
[HP: 26/30.]
The ferret stumbled but recovered quickly, its green eyes narrowing with fury. It lunged again, zigzagging through the underbrush with terrifying speed. I barely dodged its attack, but its claws grazed my side, leaving a shallow cut.
[No Name]
[HP: 18/19.]
The ferret zigzagged around me, its claws slicing through the air with terrifying speed. My breathing was labored, my heart pounding as I leaped back to avoid its relentless attacks. This wasn't just another mindless predator—it was smart, calculating. Its glowing green eyes tracked my every move, and it wasn't about to give up on its next meal.
"Alright, you oversized weasel," I panted, hopping back a few feet. "You think you've got me cornered? Let's see how you handle this!"
I activated [Bounce], launching myself high into the air. My hind legs coiled like springs, propelling me upward and out of its reach. The ferret lunged after me, snapping at my tail, but I twisted mid-air and delivered a [Kick] straight to its face.
CRACK.
[Ferret]
[HP: 22/30.]
The ferret stumbled, its head snapping to the side, but it recovered almost instantly. It growled low in its throat, blood trickling from its snout as it crouched low to the ground, preparing to pounce.
"Seriously?!" I groaned, landing on shaky legs. "For fuck's sake how are you still standing?"
The ferret lunged again, this time faster than before. I barely managed to sidestep its attack, but its claws raked across my side, leaving a shallow gash. Blood flowed from my sides tainting my fur red.
[No Name]
[HP: 15/19.]
I yelped, the sharp pain jolting me into action. My instincts screamed at me to run, to get away from this thing, but I couldn't. If I turned my back on it, I was dead. I had to stand my ground.
The ferret circled me, its green eyes glinting with predatory hunger. It was playing with me now, savoring the thrill of the hunt. My legs trembled beneath me, exhaustion creeping into every muscle, but I refused to give up.
"You better wish that I don't die today," I muttered through gritted teeth, crouching low. "Not today."
----------------------------
The ferret pounced again, its claws outstretched, but this time I was ready. I activated [Bounce] and launched myself toward a nearby tree, ricocheting off its trunk and back toward the ferret. My momentum carried me forward, and I twisted mid-air to deliver a powerful [Kick] to its ribs.
THUD.
[Ferret]
[HP: 18/30.]
The ferret skidded across the ground, yowling in pain, but it wasn't done yet. It scrambled to its feet, its scarred body trembling with effort as it growled low in its throat.
I didn't wait for it to recover. Using [Bounce], I ricocheted between the trees, building up speed and momentum. The strain on my legs was excruciating, but I didn't care. I couldn't afford to hold back—not against this thing.
The ferret lunged at me again, but this time, I was faster. I twisted mid-air and delivered another [Kick] to its head, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my paw.
CRACK.
[Ferret]
[HP: 12/30.]
The ferret staggered, its movements growing sluggish. Blood dripped from its snout and sides, staining the forest floor. But even now, it refused to back down. Its glowing green eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mixture of rage and desperation.
"Why won't you just die already?!" I shouted, panting heavily.
The ferret lunged one final time, its claws aiming for my throat. Time seemed to slow as [Danger Sense] flared in my mind, warning me of the imminent attack. My muscles tensed, and I activated [Bounce] one last time, launching myself straight into the air.
This time, I didn't aim for its head or body. I aimed for its exposed neck.
I twisted mid-air and delivered a devastating [Kick] to its throat, feeling the impact reverberate through my leg.
CRUNCH.
[Ferret]
[HP: 0/30.]
The ferret crumpled to the ground, its body twitching once before going still. Blood pooled beneath it, staining the forest floor in a dark, sticky mess.
I collapsed onto the ground, my legs trembling with exhaustion. My breathing was ragged, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. The taste of blood and dirt filled my mouth, and my fur was matted with sweat and gore.
But I'd done it. I'd won.
[Defeated Ferret.]
[Obtained 20 EXP.]
[Level Progress: 23/40 EXP.]
"Twenty EXP," I muttered, staring up at the canopy of trees above me. "All that work... for twenty EXP."
My body ached, my muscles screaming in protest as I forced myself to sit up. The ferret's lifeless body lay a few feet away, its scarred form twisted at an unnatural angle. It had been a fierce opponent—stronger, faster, and more experienced than me. But in the end, it hadn't been enough.
I glanced down at my paws, still trembling from the fight. The memory of the final blow replayed in my mind, the sickening crunch of bone echoing in my ears.
"I'm not cut out for this," I muttered, wiping the blood off my fur. "I'm a rabbit, damn it. A prey animal. I'm not supposed to be fighting predators."
But even as I said the words, a part of me felt... different. Stronger. The orb in my chest pulsed faintly, and I felt a strange warmth spreading through my body. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there. Something was changing.
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As I limped back toward my puddle, the orb's pulsing grew stronger. It wasn't painful—just... strange. Like a second heartbeat, steady and rhythmic. My mind buzzed with half-formed thoughts and images, flashes of things I couldn't quite understand.
"What... is this?" I whispered, clutching my chest. The orb didn't answer, of course, but I could feel its presence, humming faintly in the back of my mind.
The forest seemed quieter than usual as I made my way back to my burrow. Even the squirrels were silent, their beady eyes watching me from the safety of their trees. Papa Squirrel chirped once, a low, cautious sound, but he didn't come down to greet me.
"Yeah, yeah, I know I look like crap," I muttered, collapsing onto the soft grass near the puddle. "Rough morning, okay? Cut me some slack."
The water rippled as I leaned down to drink, my reflection staring back at me. My fur was a mess, matted with blood and dirt, and my eyes looked sharper, and more intense than before. The orb pulsed again, and for a brief moment, my reflection seemed... different. Stronger. Wilder.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
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I didn't have time to ponder the question. [Danger Sense] buzzed faintly in the back of my mind—not the sharp alarm of an imminent threat, but the low, persistent hum that meant something was out there. Watching.
My ears twitched as I scanned the forest, my muscles tensing despite my exhaustion. And then I saw it.
A shadow. Tall. Humanoid. Watching me from the edge of the clearing.
The orb in my chest pulsed sharply, and for a brief moment, I felt a strange connection to it. It felt like it wasn't just watching me—it was waiting.
"What... are you?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
The shadow didn't answer. It tilted its head, its movements slow and deliberate, and then it disappeared into the trees without a sound, leaving me alone with the sinking realization that the forest wasn't done with me yet.