SWNOVELXO Chapter 9: Encounter with the Horned Rabbits
Max and the twins finally reached the northern edge of the field, where the trees thickened and the crops gave way to a quieter, shadier area. The sounds of rustling leaves and faint squeaks echoed through the air, making all three of them stop in their tracks.
Max held up a hand, signaling for the twins to stay quiet. "You hear that?" he whispered.
Seria nodded, her green eyes scanning the area. "Yeah. Sounds like… little feet scurrying around."
Lira tilted her head, her sharp gaze locked on the shadows ahead. "That's them. Horned Rabbits for sure."
Max gestured toward a large tree nearby. "Let's get some cover. We don't want to spook them."
The three of them crouched low and moved behind the tree, peeking out from behind it. In the clearing ahead, a group of Horned Rabbits hopped around, nibbling on crops and sniffing the air. Their small, furry bodies were deceptively cute, but the sharp, curved horns on their foreheads gave them an intimidating edge.
Max's golden eyes widened as he observed the scene. "Wow," he muttered. "There's more of them than I thought."
Seria leaned closer, whispering. "How many do you see?"
Max squinted, counting under his breath. "One, two… seven, eight, nine. Looks like nine total. And they're spread out, which could be tricky."
Lira smirked. "Nine of them, huh? That's a decent challenge for a first quest. What do you think, Max? Still confident?"
Max grinned. "Always. But I'm going to need to be careful. They're small, fast, and those horns look like they could do some real damage."
Seria nodded. "They're not just fast. They work together, too. If one of them feels threatened, the others will attack. You'll need to be smart about how you approach this."
Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Alright, here's what I'm thinking. I'll use Tails to keep some of them distracted while Tusk and I focus on taking out a few at a time. Divide and conquer. Thoughts?"
Lira raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. But make sure you don't let them surround you. If they catch you off guard, it's game over."
"Got it," Max said, nodding. "Anything else I should keep in mind?"
Seria smiled slightly. "Just trust your instincts. You've got the skills for this. Show us what a Beast Tamer can do."
Max took a deep breath, his excitement bubbling beneath the surface. He peeked out from behind the tree again, watching the Horned Rabbits as they hopped and sniffed around. They seemed unaware of his presence for now, which gave him an advantage.
"Alright," he said softly. "Time to get to work."
Chapter: Battle with the Horned Rabbits
Max crouched behind the tree, his golden eyes locked onto the Horned Rabbits hopping around the clearing. With a smirk, he raised his hand and muttered, "Skill: Appraisal." A glowing screen appeared in front of him, displaying the details of one of the rabbits.
Name: Horned Rabbit
Type: Beast
Level: 3
Skills:
Horn Charge: A quick and powerful rush attack using their sharp horns.
Quick Step: Increases speed temporarily to evade or reposition.
Description: Despite their cute appearance, Horned Rabbits are aggressive when provoked. Known for their speed and pack tactics, they can overwhelm unprepared adventurers.
Max read the screen carefully and nodded to himself. "Quick and aggressive, just like I thought. But they're only level three, so this shouldn't be too bad." He turned to the twins, who were watching him with curiosity. "Alright, time to put a plan into action."
Max held out his hand, and with a flash of light, Tails appeared on his shoulder. The Forest Tail Monkey chittered excitedly, clearly eager for action. Max patted him on the head. "Alright, Tails, here's the plan. Use your skill, Vine Snare, to trap all the Horned Rabbits. Think you can do it?"
Tails nodded, his twin tails swishing in excitement. Without a word, he leapt into the trees, moving silently as he positioned himself above the clearing. Max watched him go, a proud smile on his face.
Seria leaned closer, her green eyes narrowing. "He really listens to you, doesn't he?"
"Yeah," Max said, his tone full of pride. "We've got a good bond. That's what makes Beast Taming so rewarding. It's all about trust."
Lira smirked. "Well, let's see if that trust pays off. Those rabbits aren't going to sit still for long."
Max chuckled. "Don't worry. Tails has this covered."
The three of them waited quietly as Tails moved into position. The monkey's movements were swift and silent, and within moments, he was perched on a sturdy branch directly above the Horned Rabbits. He looked down at Max, giving a quick nod.
Max grinned and shouted, "Do it, Tails!"
Tails's tails glowed faintly as he activated his skill. "Skill: Vine Snare!" Thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Horned Rabbits before they could react. The rabbits squealed and thrashed, but the vines held firm, immobilizing them.
"Nice work, Tails!" Max called out. He stepped forward, extending his hand. "Skill: Tornado Summon! Go!"
A swirling vortex of wind materialized in the clearing, spinning rapidly as it moved toward the trapped rabbits. The powerful winds pulled the struggling rabbits into the tornado, their squeals blending with the roar of the vortex.
Max's grin widened. "I'm not done yet! Skill: Fireball x9!"
Nine glowing fireballs appeared above Max's head, crackling with energy. He pointed at the tornado and shouted, "Go!" The fireballs shot into the vortex, merging with the wind and transforming it into a fiery inferno. The blazing tornado spun wildly, scorching the trapped rabbits and reducing their thrashing to faint squeaks.
Seria and Lira watched the scene unfold, their expressions a mix of awe and surprise.
"That's… intense," Seria muttered, her eyes wide.
Lira crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "Not bad. Definitely flashy, though. You sure you're not just showing off, Max?"
Max laughed, lowering his hand as the fiery vortex began to dissipate. "Maybe a little. But hey, it worked, didn't it?"
Seria shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll admit, that was impressive. You've got a good handle on your skills."
Max turned to Tails, who dropped down from the tree and landed gracefully on his shoulder. He patted the monkey's head. "Nice job, buddy. Couldn't have done it without you."
Tails chittered happily, clearly pleased with himself. Max looked back at the twins, his golden eyes shining with excitement. "Alright, that's one step closer to finishing this quest. Let's keep moving."
The twins nodded, and the three of them began to make their way through the clearing, the smell of scorched earth lingering in the air.
To beChapter: An Unexpected Encounter
Max was walking alongside the twins, ready to continue their search for more Horned Rabbits, when suddenly a loud rustling came from the bushes nearby. Something burst out at an incredible speed, heading straight for him.
Max's golden eyes widened. "Move, Tails!" he shouted, grabbing the monkey and tossing him toward the twins just as the figure slammed into him.
The impact sent Max skidding across the ground, his back slamming into a nearby tree with a loud thud. He coughed sharply, the air knocked out of him. "Ugh," he groaned, weakly clutching his side.
"Max!" Seria and Lira yelled simultaneously, their voices filled with panic.
Tails landed safely near the twins, chittering frantically as he ran toward Max, his concern evident.
Seria and Lira rushed to his side, kneeling next to him as he coughed again, struggling to catch his breath.
"Max, are you okay?" Seria asked, her voice sharp with worry.
"That looked bad," Lira added, her green eyes darting between Max and the direction of the attack. "What was that thing?"
Max laughed weakly, wincing as he shifted against the tree. "Yeah… I'm alright," he said, his voice hoarse. "That was… unexpected."
Tails chittered louder, hopping onto Max's lap and nuzzling him as if to confirm he was okay. Max smiled, patting the monkey's head. "Thanks, buddy. I'm fine."
He slowly looked up, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the figure standing a few feet away. It was a massive Horned Rabbit, far larger than the others they had encountered. Its horns were longer and sharper, curving slightly backward, and its fur had a faint silvery sheen. The creature's red eyes glared at Max with an unsettling intensity.
"What the…" Max muttered. He raised his hand, summoning a glowing screen. "Skill: Appraisal."
Name: Alpha Horned Rabbit
Type: Beast (Leader)
Level: 14
Skills:
Alpha Charge: A devastating rush attack that deals massive physical damage.
Pack Rally: Temporarily boosts the stats of nearby Horned Rabbits.
Ironhide: Reduces physical damage by 50%.
Description: The leader of a pack of Horned Rabbits. Significantly stronger and faster than its kin, it commands respect through brute force and aggression. Known for its relentless attacks and heightened intelligence.
Max's jaw dropped slightly as he read the stats and description. "No wonder that hit like a truck," he said, still catching his breath. "This thing's no ordinary rabbit."
"An Alpha Horned Rabbit?" Seria asked, her tone serious. "I've heard of them, but I've never seen one before. They're rare."
"And dangerous," Lira added, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon. "What's the plan, Max? Can you handle it?"
Max let out a small laugh, pushing himself up with some effort. "Guess we're about to find out. Tails, you ready?"
The Forest Tail Monkey chittered, hopping off Max's lap and into a defensive stance. His twin tails swished with anticipation.
Max glanced at the twins and gave them a reassuring smile. "Stay close, but let me take the lead. This one's going to be tricky."
The Alpha Horned Rabbit pawed at the ground, its red eyes locked on Max as it prepared to charge again. The atmosphere grew tense as the fight loomed.
To be continued…