Book 2: Chapter 44 — Hunter and Prey

Book 2: Chapter 44 — Hunter and Prey

Bun Bun tore through the corpse of a giant serpent, feasting upon his prey as he drank in its lifeblood. He had been growing stronger, having found many prey to sustain his everlasting hunt and hunger. The life-mother had ordered him to bring corpses to fuel the strange exercise, and Bun Bun had been more than happy to oblige.

Lightning crackled across Bun Bun’s horns as his sharp teeth and claws bit through the thick leathery body of the creature with ease, tearing it apart. Bun Bun’s body had grown as well, he knew this. He was nearly twice the size that he once had been as a simple rabbit, his white fur now a light shade of pink, and his red horns crackling with lightning. There was an agitation that Bun Bun felt inside of himself, one that he understood to be an itch to grow.

This form was starting to feel limiting, his legs, and body too weak for the strength he used. He needed to grow, and he was so close. Thumping his legs onto the ground, he kicked up onto the corpse of the snake, taking a look around the perimeter. Bun Bun’s eyes swirled around the area, trying to see if any other prey remained. With his hunts, Bun Bun had found most monsters quickly flee the area. Those that didn’t, had fallen to him. Now, the forest felt quiet, even the insects did not chirp when he moved through here, and Bun Bun felt a strange sense of emptiness.

Surely there had to be more? Was there nothing beside the life-mother that could beat him here?

Bun Bun did not believe this. Having once been prey, he had seen predators from afar, creatures so grand, even the life-mother would not be capable of beating them. He’d just met one too, after-all.

The memory brought a shudder to Bun Bun. The dragon’s aura had been... unending, vaster than anything Bun Bun had ever experienced. It was a dragon too, just like Bun Bun, but older, stronger, and much more powerful. It had reminded Bun Bun of the time he had been prey. And it had taught him that he still was. That so long as there was a predator above him, he was still the same rabbit that he had always been.

The fear had sparked something, a desire to change. What was the point of it all, if he was still a prey? No, he could not allow that. He needed to grow, stronger than everything he knew, strong enough that nothing could threaten it anymore.

Yes, yes that is what he desired. And for that, he needed to hunt.

Bun Bun swept his eyes around, peering through the forest. Acidic water ran through the grounds, forming a delta of acid that filled the air with a yellow haze, impairing the rabbit’s vision. Bun Bun could smell the blood in the air, not just from his own prey, but from the many hunts that had taken place here.

This place was a hunting ground, and Bun Bun intended to use that. Leaving the giant serpent’s corpse half eaten, Bun Bun jumped off the creature, kicking off air as he moved into the bushes nearby. Finding himself a place high above on one of the branches nearby, he sat down in silence.

The wait had begun.

Rivers of acid trickled down near the serpent’s corpse. The outer skin was thick and resistant, but any acid that touched the insides burned the flesh with a piercing hiss as it released more smoke into the air, blurring vision. Bun Bun kept his eyes and ears peeled, waiting.

He did not have to wait for too long. Something moved nearby, and Bun Bun sank low, flattening himself onto the tree branches as he peered from between the leaves. A creature came closer, glancing around carefully as it began to inspect the corpse.

Looking through the haze, Bun Bun saw the creature and found his disappointment rising. A fox nibbled at the corpse of the serpent, eating small bites from the flesh before it would jump back to look around itself.

That was not enough, not nearly enough. That creature would not be able to help him. Bun Bun was about to rush to the serpent to chase off the fox, when a shadow stirred from the river.

Water splashed, acid raining all over the earth as a giant maw clamped around the fox. A giant leathery monster with a spiked back rose from the river, keeping the fox clamped down in its maw as its sharp teeth tore through the creature within seconds. Bun Bun turned still, simply watching the creature swallow the fox in a single gulp before its eyes turned towards the serpent.

Bun Bun knew this creature. A Deidacroc. He had fought one before with the life-mother, a smaller, younger one, yet the battle had still been difficult. And this one was nearly twice as large.

A strange thrill began to rise in Bun Bun as it watched the deidacroc decimate the serpent’s corpse. That would do. This creature would be enough.

A strange respect filled Bun Bun’s mind, as he saw the giant monster refuse to die despite its injuries. This was a true predator. And he had taken it down.

With a final pull of Mana, Bun Bun crackled with lightning and struck the giant deidacroc.

The creature was blasted back, its body falling into the river, as Bun Bun saw the words of the world fill his mind.

You’ve killed an [Adult Deidacroc - lvl 183 (Epic)]!

Draconian Jackalope has reached level 100!

Evolution point reached. You can evolve now.

Evolution selection given to owner of the Familiar bond.

Bun Bun looked at the words, thumping his legs in victory. A moment later, he sensed the life-mother’s presence, as the world fluctuated around Bun Bun.

Silently, Bun Bun looked up at the life mother, pride filling him as he jumped into the inviting arms.

***

Noah picked up Bun Bun, finding a strange notification appear in front of him.

Your familiar is ready to evolve.

Would you like to evolve Bun Bun?

Yes/No?

Looking at the notification, Noah glanced around. Little swathes of fire burned around the river, alongside other marks of destruction covering the area. He could guess what might have happened here.

“Just what will I do with you, you hungry murder monster,” Noah said, petting Bun Bun on his fluffy head, as he gave him some of his lifeblood to drink. A smile covered his face nonetheless. “Guess we’ll see what kind of murder monster you evolve into huh?”

Turning around, he began to walk back to the Dragon. He’d like its advice, with what Bun Bun’s evolution may have to offer.

The rabbit slept quietly in his arms as they made their way back. The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.