Chapter 69: An Introduction to Rabbit-kin Beast-people

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"Ah! Y-Yes, there is the Ghoul Tribe to the west, the Squirrel-kin Tribe to the southwest, and the Racoon-kin Village to the northwest… I think the Squirrel-kin should be the nearest… These are all the ones I remember that are beastmen or demons. Ghouls are a strong tribe of demon warriors, so I suspect that they might come in handy if we can manage to obtain their support... Squirrel-kin and Racoon-kin are good with magic, I've heard that there are some talented spiritualists, peko" said Pekorina.

"Alright, let's get going then," said Ervas.

"Eh? T-That fast?"

"Time is gold after all, if there are brainwashed monsters lurking around these people's villages, it is better to hurry and quickly secure their safety," said Veronica.

"Y-You two are very compromised in saving them all… but isn't it… a bit impossible?" asked Pekorina.

"It might be, but we won't be able to sleep well if we don't try," said Veronica.

"I have been gifted with abilities and powers that I can use to do things that I never thought possible. I will use them to protect you and your people." Said Ervas.

"I see… I'm sorry for doubting you, it's just… it is strange to see people genuinely driven to help others without any compensation," said Pekorina.

"Compensation? What compensation is there other than the happiness of our people?" said Veronica.

"There isn't anything more blissful than that," said Ervas.

Pekorina's heart began to beat faster than ever, her fallen rabbit ears suddenly popped up. She was driven and moved by Veronica and Ervas. She even felt as if her body had become lighter and stronger.

Without realizing this, Pekorina was already following these figures.

"Alright! Leave it to me…! I do not know why but my entire body feels revitalized, peko! I might have been going into circles… but if I use my smell a bit more…"

"There is no need, we will be traveling through the air," said Ervas.

In front of Pekorina, Veronica's armor body began to shapeshift, turning itself into liquid metal.

"…Eh?! Miss V-Veronica?"

Veronica expanded her body while spending large amounts of Mana, which Ervas shared from his large pool.

Her body then took the shape of a gothic-styled carriage made entirely out of metal. She lacked horses though.

"I thought that a carriage would be more fitting in this world than a car, isn't it?" asked Veronica.

"Yes, you look quite awesome. I have to admit it," said Ervas, giving Veronica his thumbs up.

Then, Veronica opened the doors of the carriage as she greeted Pekorina with her phantom form, which was shaped as her human appearance, wearing a simple white dress.

"The seats are made out of metal though, so they're quite tough," she said.

"Ah… P-Perhaps you do have a chance of helping everyone…" muttered Pekorina, getting in with the rest of the party.

"Don't worry, Pekorina, you will get used to it!" laughed Jason.

"Gubo!" said Aqua.

"Gishi!" added Charlotte.

Pekorina glanced through the glassless windows of the carriage as the phantasmagoric metallic vehicle, which was, in fact, Veronica's armor, flew through the air using the No-Attribute Spell, 'Flight'.

"W-We are really flying through the sky, pekoo!"

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[Intelligent Race Explanation]

[Rabbit-kin Beast-people]

One of the many subspecies of Beast-people in the world of Kritias. Just as all of the ones that share the 'beast-people' race title, they were born from a large part of Kelsus's corpse, alongside a sizable part of Anir. In percentages, it could be considered that they might be 30% Anir and 70% Kelsus.

Due to having been born from a greater part from within Kelsus', the Great Dark God corpse, they inherited traits similar to monsters, such as being gifted with natural superhuman strength, good vision at night, special skills often seen on monsters, strong and burly bodies, sharp claws or fangs, animal ears, tails, and fur, or even horns of all shapes and sizes.

However, because many subspecies are based on different animal species created by Anir's corpse, each subspecies often has a special trait unique to them.

Between subspecies, Rodent-type, or Lagomorph-type Beast-people have smaller bodies but slim and flexible limbs, with greater Agility stat than many other subspecies.

Rabbit-kin is rather special, as they are more connected to nature, becoming shamans or spiritualist. However, they often never see their full potential as Rabbit-kin are not suitable for combat neither are warriors by nature. They are gatherers of plants, insects, mushrooms, and fruits, and often hunt Rank 1 or 2 monsters.

The tribe where Pekorina belonged to was specialized in gathering and also in harvesting tuberculous plants, they also had small cattle animals such as chicken or ducks.

Although they have the traits of herbivorous rabbits, they are capable of consuming meat simply fine and consider themselves omnivorous. However, they prefer white meat over red meat and like the flavor of boiled or fried eggs.

Rabbit-kin skin color often varies from region to region, but Pekorina's tribe were all chocolate-skinned, and had silvery-white hair and fur, with eye colors varying from emerald, yellow or blue.

Also, in the Human Continent, due to discrimination from humans, elves or dwarves, beast-people often live away from civilization, and usually do not have access to Job-Changing Crystals, so many of them had never experienced a Job change in their lives, only developing their available skills and physique through hunting or doing different tasks.

However, even without being able to change jobs, they are more suited to live in the wild than humans and are often stronger than simple human civilians.

Nonetheless, it is important to consider that Rabbit-kin often does not like violence, so they would choose to run away rather than to fight against a human that tried to provoke them or was trying to hunt them down. Due to this, it is rare to find a Rabbit-kin tribe with more than a few capable hunters.

Although they do not possess Ranks, Rabbit-kin could be considered, at the base, to be as strong as Rank 2 monsters. Where experienced hunters could be as strong as Rank 3 monsters, with a very experienced hunter with an offensive Skill at level 4 or above being comparable to a Rank 4 monster.

In the very unlikely case where a tribe of Rabbit-kin was to possess such an experienced hunter, a large group of E-Class adventurers would be needed to be dispatched to successfully exterminate such tribe, or a D-Class leading a group of E-Class could also be enough.

Rabbit-kin is often hunted down due to the preciousness of their fur, which they grow in their legs, arms, tails, or ears. The hair that grows in their heads is also quite precious and has similar properties to their fur.

Their flesh and organs can also be used as materials for alchemy or even as food… though most people, even those that see beast-people as monsters would not dare to eat their meat.

Rabbit-kin has strong beliefs in spirits of nature, and also worship the Moon Rabbit Goddess Ophelia, who is also considered to be one of their Heroes.

Ophelia was one of the beast-kin that fought in the first Ragnarök between gods, fighting in the Dark Gods side. Due to her Heroic efforts, the Dark Goddess Nymera raised her mortal soul into divinity by giving it a small piece of her divine authority.

There are many myths and legends about these 'Heroic Gods' that are representants of different beast-people subspecies, which are worshiped alongside the gods that helped them raise into godhood and become subordinates to them.

In the Rabbit-kin case, alongside Ophelia, they also worship Nymera, The Goddess of The Moon and the Night.

Pekorina's tribe was deeply religious, but Pekorina did not like to pray to the goddesses that much, as they would never manifest anyways.

Amongst human societies, there are also false origin stories about Rabbit-kin beastmen, which are said to have originated from a Horned Rabbit monster that raised its Rank until it became as strong as a god, and then had children with the 'despicable' Dark Gods, which ended in the birth of the Rabbit-kin beast-people.

Of course, this whole story is completely false and only made to defame this humble and adorable race of people.

However, this rabbit monster that is talked about in the story is real, as it is a tamed monster of Ophelia, the Moon Rabbit Goddess. It was one of her companions that fought in the Ragnarök and were so strong that it was considered by the Dark and Bright Gods to be a demi-god.

The Bright Gods still have nightmares about a giant horned rabbit rampaging their armies and impaling heroes after heroes with its long horn.

If Horned Rabbits had a society or civilization, they would most likely worship this rabbit, as it was once a simple Rank 1 Horned Rabbit when it first met Ophelia.

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