Rabbit's Foot

We traveled for a week before the forest started to thin into an open expanse. It was a breathtaking sight. The army of trees I’d spent my life surrounded by parted to reveal an open field of grass that stretched on as far as I could see. The way the breeze blew through the grass to create a moving sea of green was incredible.

This is what Sis saw. The thing that pushed her to go further and see more. It’s beautiful.

Corby and I walked quietly for a while, taking in the scenery, sometimes pausing just to stare at a flower or a bird we’ve never seen before.

It felt like we had crossed the border to Fernia, but I didn’t see any official presence or anything.

I guess no one cares about defending a border to a country with no standing army.

The Awakened Ones stood watch to defend the country, but no one else was ever really dedicated to defense. Having three beings with power just shy of the gods didn’t leave much need for an army. Besides, it was a rare day that someone other than a beastfolk felt like living in the Wild Lands. I still didn’t know why Mr. Bo was there.

Maybe he’s on the run? Should I not have left the twins with him alone?

I shook off the thought as we were interrupted by monsters; it was a common and somewhat tedious occurrence, but having new kinds of monsters to fight was fun, too. These things were a couple of giant fluff balls that tried to launch themselves at us. I was able to dodge out of the way, but Corby was too slow to manage that. Still, it didn’t seem to damage him too much. He let one of them hit and then cleaved it in half after the hit. After a few attempted attacks at me, I managed to land a hit on the other and skewer them. I felt a little bad; it seemed a waste to kill things this cute. But they were hurting Corb, so death was their only option.

Corby managed to take hits in most fights we got into, so my healing skills were always keeping up with my level. Corb seemed to find it easier to let things hit him and just counter-swing instead of trying to dodge. Even as we got more levels, that tactic unnerved me. But it had worked yet again, so I couldn’t scold him too much. Corby also made sure to harvest the little buggers this time; it was a bit more guesswork since we didn’t always know what parts were worthwhile or how to harvest them properly.

Not gonna waste money like that again.

It was a weird thing that Takan’s tips for harvesting had been so useful. Didn’t quite make up for stabbing me, but still.

Corbin still hadn’t gotten over Takan—I hadn’t gotten over his friends, either. But the travel was helping. We cuddled together every night. We basically ended up taking turns comforting each other after nightmares when it was our turn for watch.

We passed through a village on the way to the client. We were tempted to stay in a place with an actual bed, but I didn’t want to waste the money. Food was something we could get from hunting; we did get more water, though. Especially after I’d seen the prices.

“30 coppers for a mango? That’s bonkers!” I exclaimed.

“If you don’t like the price, then beat it, mutt.”

Must resist. Urge. To. Kick……

I looked over and Corby was clearly thinking the same thing. But more murdery. That probably be good.

“Will that be all?” a grumpy human said.

“We’ll still take some water. Even if you are rather rude to people you’ve just met.”

He gave Corby the water and gave both of us a scowl. “Good riddance,” he muttered as we left.

Grandle wasn’t kidding about the humans not liking us. Oh well, there’s bound to be some that do, though.

Still, the old grump had taken us for almost a whole silver just for a refill of our water supply. We got plenty of angry and suspicious glares, but some of the kids just looked at us with simple curiosity. I gave them a smile.

Hey, Crayon, I wonder if they get cold without any fur.

Another surge of mana left. At least nobody attacked us in town, though. I wasn’t sure if that was because they weren’t violent, the guild badges we wore, or Corby carrying around an axe that was as big as he was.

I was also getting better with my voice. I could carry a tune for hours without dropping it, and my magic recovery was high enough that I could whistle out a constant echolocation, and the distance I could project it was getting further bit by bit—20 meters in a cone in front of me right now. It’d be ideal if I could detect things all around me, but it’s hard to try to aim sound behind my head. Experiments revealed that farting was not a very good method of echolocating. Also, Corby kept complaining about the smell

But I also experimented with more than just scouting. I practiced the rumbling thing and could keep something balanced hovering above my head with only a small mana deficit. I also discovered how to use magic for the usual purpose of having a bard class: entertainment. I had been so focused on fighting and adventuring that I hadn’t really explored the standard bard activities before, but now I was able to infuse magic into songs and project emotion and imagery into people’s minds. The imagery was taken from my own mind, and it ate a bunch of mana to do it. I couldn't just make someone feel a particular way, but Corby often had a strong reaction to whatever emotion I was broadcasting.

He’s just wonderful and sensitive like that.

Corby would practice his manic power boost before he went to sleep. The drawback period wasn’t as long as the first time since he wasn’t already wiped out from a big fight, and it was getting shorter as he leveled the skill more. I took a bigger chunk of the watch schedule on days he tried that. Corby tried to protest, but he couldn’t argue against the practicality of training a life-saving skill.

Eventually we found our way to our destination. It was a big building that looked like a bunch of circular buildings mushed together. Each one even had their own pointy roof.

Why would a building need a roof that pointy? Does it stab monsters in the air? That doesn’t seem effective.

Corby knocked on the door. I heard some things being knocked over as the door opened. A large pink demon girl, taller than Allie, stood at the door. She had black sclera and golden eyes that looked startled and apologetic. Her long black hair was all over the place as she stared at us. Her flaming tail flitted back and forth nervously.

Holy crap, she's so cute and gorgeous! Wow wow wow.

I felt a suspicious tickle at the back of my mind.

“Hello, ma’am. We are adventurers coming from Oak Ridge. We have a delivery for you.” Corby was blushing.

Her arms waved frantically as she collected herself.

So hot. I should kiss her. Wait…

I stepped in front of Corby and backed into him, moving both of us away from the super-hot demon lady.

“Are you using some kind of skill on us?” My words had a sharp edge to them.

Her eyes opened in alarm and fear; she put her hands up in protest.

Suddenly, fire started forming in front of us. I was a moment away from attacking when I realized that the fire was forming words.

Sorry! It’s a blessing. Can’t turn it off.

Things clicked into place. I relaxed

“Ohhh, sorry about that. I have a blessing, too. Mine makes people honest. I’m guessing yours makes people horny?”

She nodded repeatedly, still clearly nervous.

“My name is Nymia, and this cutie is Corbin.”

I’m Beakim. Pleasure to meet you.

“Nice to meet you, too, Bea! Your fire magic is super fucking cool.”

She looked rattled and embarrassed. Her words were polite and proper, but she was clearly a ball of nerves and anxiety right now.

My Best Stat is high enough that I shouldn’t worry too much around her. And Corby has managed to bathe me and dress me for like 2 months without trying to jump me. We should be fine. Aura or not, she is hella cute.

Thank you. Her tail was waving frantically.

Corbin attempted to recompose himself. “Could you confirm this is the item you requested and sign the contract?”

She shook her head. Not my package. Professor is inside. I can show you to him.

We followed her in and entered a library where an ancient-looking human was reading. His thick gray beard was so long that I almost mistook him for a beastfolk. He also wore an exceptionally pointy hat.

So that's why all the roofs are pointy. Dude just loves pointy things that go up.

Bea showed him something, but it was hard to read from my angle.

“Ah, the adventurers. May I see the parcel?”

Corbin grabbed the package out of his bag and presented it. The old guy studied for a while then looked up with a smile.

“Splendid. Looks like everything is in order. I shall sign for the completion of the contract.” He mused for a moment.

“Since you are already here, I would like to offer you an additional case. Could I get you to travel to a village called Fieldville? I had ordered another parcel from there, but I have received neither word nor parcel from them in some time. Should you make it there and find no trace of the parcel, I shall consider the case completed nonetheless.”

But you said I could help with that! Bea had the cutest angry pout face as she weaved her magic, her fists clenched as she shook them.

Wait, she’s not using anything to cast?

“I know, but we have two adventures right here. No sense risking your life when we have volunteers more suited to the task. But if you are adamant, you could always join them on their journey. ”

She was clearly taken aback by the idea. She looked at us and hesitated before casting again. I can help! I’ll go with them and show you!

“Perhaps you should probably check with our esteemed adventurers before you declare you’re joining them.” The old dude chuckled.

Bea stiffened, then slowly turned to us, poking her fingers together in embarrassment and giving us a pleading look.

So. Cuuuuuuute.

May I join you, please?

I looked at Corby and we nodded.

“Welcome aboard!” I said.

Name: Nymia

Age: 18

Species: Rabbitfolk Lv. 33

Class 1: Bard Lv. 15

Class 2: Locked

Stats:

Bonk: 61+4

Zoom: 140

Sturdy: 49+4

Senses: 137

Brain: 58

Mana: 73

Willpower: 123+40

Free points remaining: 0

Class Skills

Sound magic Lv. 15

Soundproof Lv. 15

Story Time Lv. 13

Good at Word Stuff Lv. 15

Find stuff Lv. 15

General Skills

Blades Lv 33

Dodge! Lv 33

Barefoot Lv 33

Sneaky Lv 30

Stubbornness Lv 33

Species Skills

Rabbit’s Foot

Enhanced Senses

Forage

Burrow

Cuddles