NOVEL WEB Chapter 27 - Wait! Stop!
< Chapter 27: Wait! Stop! >
Plip plip plip!
When scouting an unfamiliar area, miniaturization was definitely the best fit. However, in a cave where sounds echoed like this, it wasn’t entirely safe even if I was miniaturized.
“Grr.”
Nevertheless, I entered the cave boldly and confidently. It was a stark contrast to Eryllion, who had reduced his brightness to the minimum and wrapped himself entirely in leaves.
There were two reasons for my confidence.
Firstly, unlike when I was human, I could secure my vision even in the dark cave.
A tiger’s night vision is six times better than a human’s. Thus, I could clearly see inside the cave with just the tiny bit of light seeping from deep within. That thing emitting light from the innermost part was probably the essence.
And the second reason for my confidence was related to a new skill I had acquired.
【Long-Tongued Camelax Lv.8】
– Characteristics: [Camouflage]
– Skills: [Camouflage], [Tongue Constriction Lv.2], [Swallowing Lv.1]
I encountered this information about the chameleon monster during one of my subjugation tasks. I was startled by its tongue suddenly wrapping around Eryllion from within the bushes. That nasty chameleon!
Eryllion almost ended up in its stomach, but thanks to my excellent reflexes, I was able to prevent any mishap. His expression at that moment was priceless…
Anyway, through that incident, I learned about the existence of Camelax,
「Using [Camouflage Lv.1]!」
and confidently acquired its skill! I take this opportunity to thank Eryllion, who became bait for me to learn this skill. He was a good bait. Rest assured, he is still alive.
“…Fer!”
“Grr.”
Camouflage is a pretty useless ability unless you stay still like a chameleon. However, there was another reason I wanted this ability.
「The effect of [Ambush Lv.2] enhances the effectiveness of camouflage!」
I could fully utilize the chameleon’s camouflage ability to its maximum potential. I could now blend into the cave rocks while moving.
Tsk tsk tsk.
My black spots and brown fur turned dark gray. With the effect of ambush I acquired upon transforming into a night tiger, my presence was further diminished, making my already small footsteps nearly inaudible.
If miniaturization was added on top of that effect? I was now an assassin tiger!
Creep creep.
Have you ever seen a tiger crawling inside a cave in search of prey? If its eyes were red, run immediately. That body was me!
“Fer….”
Immersed in my chameleon-like stealth, I was carefully moving my paws with a creak when Eryllion gently tugged at my tail. Snapping back to my senses and looking ahead, I faintly saw the outline of a monster guarding the essence from a distance.
‘Wait. That’s a monster?’
Moving cautiously to avoid waking the cave bats, I checked the creature’s information.
【Bloodsucking Bloodbite Lv.32】
– Characteristics: [Bloodsucking], [Night Vision], [Vibration Detection]
– Skills: [Bloodsucking Lv.3], [Bloody Nail Lv.2], [Shredding Lv.2], [Camouflage]
As expected, the monster guarding the essence was a named one. And it was a gigantic bat, as big as a bear!
No wonder it was hard to see. It also had a camouflage skill. With its grayish wings covering its body and hanging from the ceiling, I had mistaken it for a large stalactite.
Even the status window isn’t omnipotent. If I don’t recognize it, its name doesn’t show up. I thanked Eryllion once again and observed the creature’s movements.
‘Level 32. This won’t be easy.’
I felt it as I reached level 20. The difference between level 10 and level 20 was significantly noticeable. Level 30 was probably a much greater leap from level 20.
Still, the positive aspect was that I could see its skills. A worthy opponent. If I fought well, I could end the battle with minimal loss.
Having finished my preparations, I checked the essence one last time.
【Small Essence of the Small Forest】
– An herb containing the spirit of a small forest.
It was indeed mysterious to find such an herb growing in a cave. Now, should I really go?
Hunting is this challenging. But thorough preparation is the fundamental attitude of a hunter.
「Using ‘Shadow Leap’.」
Aware of the bat’s vibration detection, I decided to leap across space instantly. Without giving it time to detect, I swiftly closed in.
As I approached its rear, I took action.
Tap.
「You have obtained ‘Small Essence’.」
Yes, I looted the chest first! Now, let’s eat the essence and fleeeee!!
Of course not. I stored the essence in subspace and observed Bloodbite’s movements.
“Screech?”
The creature flapped its wings and cried like a bird, having its essence stolen. It slowly turned and spotted me standing there with glowing eyes, then began to charge with a roar.
“Grr!”
The reason I didn’t ambush the creature immediately after securing the essence was because I wanted to see if it could evolve like Brother Beak.
【Bloodsucking Bloodbite Lv.32】
Hmm, it doesn’t seem like it. There’s no message about being a guardian of essence either. In that case…
Wait!!
“Grr!”
“Screech?”
As I extended my paw holding the essence, the creature, which had been charging bravely, hesitated and trembled. It seemed to recognize the value of the essence. In that case, how about this?
“Slurp.”
“Screech?! Screech?!”
I swallowed the small essence right in front of the bloodsucking bat. A clear and pure energy spread rapidly through my mouth. The look of shock on the bat’s face doubled the refreshing feeling.
“Grr!”
Your essence is amazing!
「Level up!」
「The essence of the small forest has imbued your body!」
Since it was a monster’s essence, its effect was immediate. Crack, crack! My muscles and bones, which had reached level 30, grew, and my claws gleamed even sharper.
“Grr.”
Feeling the primal energy filling my entire body, I glared with gleaming eyes. I was starving. A deep urge surged within me to hunt and tear apart the prey in front of me.
“Roar!!”
Normally, I would have resisted, but I decided not to fight this wild instinct.
【Bloodsucking Bloodbite Lv.32】
– Condition: [Fear]
When I consumed the essence and released my miniaturization, the bloodsucking bat froze solid. It was the moment the monster realized its fate upon meeting a true predator.
Boom!
I sprang from the ground. Even with a slight push of my feet, my body instantly reached close proximity to Bloodbite.
With glowing red eyes, I raised my paw. But Bloodbite, were you always this small?
“Roar!!”
Splurt!
Bright red blood splattered along the dark cave walls where the essence had disappeared.
Crunch, crunch!
The sound of something being torn and chewed echoed as a ferocious beast, dripping blood from its mouth, let out a savage roar.
“Roar!!”
“Screech, screech! Screech!”
Startled by the roar, the bats all flew out of the cave, and I slowly walked to the waterfall inside the cave and looked at my reflection.
‘Hmm, what a sight.’
So this is what it feels like to be consumed by wild instincts?
Splish splash!
After washing my mouth in the cold lake water, I shook off the moisture from my body and looked at my reflection again.
A tiger. Now, even to anyone who saw me, a ferocious beast was reflected in the lake.
Forget about getting petted; just making eye contact with me would make them wet their pants.
I looked at that face and thought, brushing my hair back with a paw and tilting my head 45 degrees.
‘…Hmm, I look kind of good like this?’
With thick lines and sharp eyes, I looked quite impressive, I thought. What a pity. If there were tigers on this continent, I would have been a superstar!
“Grr!”
I spoke jokingly, but it was a bit surprising. Oh damn. I almost thought I had become a complete beast! It seemed I really needed to seal this wild nature except in emergencies.
“Fer!”
“Grr!”
When I reverted to my miniaturized state, Eryllion, who had been watching from a distance, finally approached timidly. The fact that he didn’t run away upon seeing me made him a great friend.
At that moment, Eryllion, who seemed to be pondering something, started singing like he did when we escaped the underground prison.
「Your mind is cleared with the anthem of the ‘Exiled Prince’!」
Wait? Was this guy a supporter all along? I soothed my tired body and mind with Eryllion’s anthem and walked toward Bloodbite’s corpse. There were still things to do!
“Chomp chomp chomp!”
Unfortunately, I couldn’t acquire any skills from Bloodbite. Tigers have fangs too; can’t I get some bloodsucking skill? What a shame.
“Grr.”
“Fer fer.”
While Eryllion and I were resting, gazing at the waterfall.
「The spirit of the ‘Small Essence’ has fully settled in your body.」
「’Potential’ reacts to the spirit!」
With these words, the spirit within my body began to resonate with my ‘skills’. And I was able to gain an unexpected reward.
「‘Ambush’ resonates with ‘Camouflage’.」
「Potential opens a new path. You have acquired the advanced skill [Stealth Lv.1]!」
The synergy between ambush and camouflage had been replaced with the skill ‘Stealth’.
“Grr!”
After quickly confirming the effects of stealth, I nodded. Now it was time to hunt down Teravore!