However, the rabbits weren't so foolish as to let dodge easily. The second and third paws were already waiting to surround 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 ga was getting ridiculous. How did I beco the prey instead of the hunter? I wanted to cry, but now wasn't the ti to complain.
After dashing a few more tis, I backed away about five ters 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 so 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 together.
I needn't have worried; as soon as they saw Space Distortion deactivate, the four Rabbitoes attacked 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 at lightning speed left with doubts. Could I cast my skill in ti? Failure would an death.
Soul Shackle!
The four rabbits froze mid-air just in front of , 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 flas, 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 lting.
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 ti there was no tallic clash. Just four lifeless bodies on the ground, slashed in half.
Silver lts quickly in a strong fla. If I'm not mistaken, the hellfire breath produces flas over a thousand degrees Celsius. Too bad there's no way to asure it in this world.
I was thrilled to have such a strong companion; with these flas, I'd never have issues facing tal-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 Current Stamina 80-
-Level 7 Attack -> Level 8 Current Attack 80-
-Level 5 Magic -> Level 6 (Level 20) Current Magic 200-
-Level 6 Strength -> Level 7 (Level 21) Current Strength 210-
-Level 7 Defense -> Level 8 Current Defense 80-
-Level 6 Agility -> Level 7 Current Agility 70-
-Level 10 Mana -> Evolution condition t -> Level 1 Mana Spring Current Mana 300/300-
-Level 10 Mana Regeneration -> Evolution condition t -> 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 Elent 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 ti-
-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 -> Level 3 - User becos immortal for 12 seconds.-
-Level 2 Increased Regeneration -> Level 3 -
-Level 2 Increased Vision -> Level 3-
-Level 2 Quick Movent -> 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 achievent-
-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 t-
-Ten souls have been consud. 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 beca blurry. If any bystander were watching, they'd notice my eyes shining with a neon violet color, forever altering my retina.
I felt sothing in grow slightly, and I felt more connected to the nature around . Once my body's situation stabilized, I noticed that all my senses had beco sharper.
Unfamiliar slls and sounds surrounded from all directions. My vision beca 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 mory 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 so sort of god? I can't imagine how all of this could exist in a ga. 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 achievent-
-Soul Knight - Achieve the first soul evolution.-
-10 skill points have been granted-
"Soul Knight, huh? I might as well call myself a Da from now on, haha."
But I have to admit, Soul Knight sounds cool. I wish my brother could see right now…
"Woo!"
A sudden bark snapped 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 cos…
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 ; I'm fine."
Obviously, I lied...
"Woo…"
"Co 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 ntioned rabbits.
"Are you hungry?"
"Woo…"
It buried its nose in my shoulder, as if hiding from embarrassnt.
"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 tis their stats for a period of ti before their soul dissipates. (One-ti 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 mont, 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 … 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 beco 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 , nodding its small head. But sohow… that smile felt fake…
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