VS Lucky Beast, Part 1

[Something very important to us and Friends alike―― The Four Gods statues believed to be filtering Sandstar Raw. They're buried around the volcano's crater's east, west, south, and north― Uhh, according to the pamphlet, It's right in the middle of the U-3 square. Since the statue of Seiryuu of the East is here, the other three are probably buried here as well.]

Mirai's projection, which appeared before Kaban and Serval not too long ago, appeared to be on the Sandstar Mountain. Crouching on the mountain's surface devoid of vegetation, Mirai set her hand on a solid head sticking out of the ground.

"Oooooh―! Could there be 4 treasures buried there noda?"

"Could the pamphlet refer to this…? Certainly, it does have things like "U" and "3" written here…"

Besides the excited Common Raccoon, Kaban had even more questions, so she took out the pamphlet to confirm what Mirai was talking about. Fennec and Gray Wolf, who were standing behind her, looked over her shoulders.

"The place called U-3… Maybe it's this one here? I wonder what east, west, south, and north mean…"

"Since the Sun rises from the east and sets in the west― …This symbol should be pointing towards the north―"

Common Raccoon was stunned by Kaban and Fennec's conversation.

"Fennec!?"

"Since Arai-san was always running off somewhere―, I've learned the basics of navigation by stars or the Sun―"

"That's amazing, Fennec-san!"

Seeing Fennec being praised by Kaban, Common Raccoon puffed out her chest.

"Fennec is amazing after all noda!"

"I don't get what you're talking about at all…"

"Neither do I…"

"This smells like a riddle…"

Neither Serval, African Wild Dog, nor Giraffe could keep up with the topic. Common Raccoon, thinking about the "treasures" described by Mirai, ran up to the group.

"Uhh, what you're saying is―"

"Arai-san will tell you noda―! After the outbreak has been settled, we will head out to look for treasure noda!"

"Ah, right. I guess that it's about here and here… and from there… here and here would be right."

Kaban showed Common Raccoon the map on the pamphlet, pointing at the place mentioned by Mirai. Common Raccoon followed Kaban's finger for a moment, but started groaning half-way through.

"Gah―! Arai-san won't be able to remember it well noda!" She shouted at her wit's end.

"Huh!? But, why―"

"Kaban, you should use this."

Gray Wolf, who looked at the pamphlet seeming interested in it, handed Kaban her tool she uses to draw manga.

"Using this, you can draw symbols that won't disappear."

"Thank you very much! With this, I can―"

Holding onto the tools handed to her by Gray Wolf, Kaban drew a circle at the spot she pointed at earlier.

"Alright. What're you gonna do here, Common Raccoon-san?"

With her hands fidgeting from excitement, Common Raccoon took the pamphlet from Kaban.

"Oh… Oh…! I get it noda―! Now Arai-san knows where the treasure is noda―! Thank you nanoda―!"

The merry Common Raccoon carefully folded the pamphlet and grabbed Kaban's hand.

"Arai-san will cooperate with Kaban-san to safely look for the treasure noda! Kaban-san, have you figured out how to cure the likes of Campo Flicker noda?"

Right, that's currently the most important part. The Friends, who were immersed in Mirai's speech, have just snapped back. Nodding, Kaban returned Gray Wolf's tools.

"Right, of course I intend to―"

[It is useless.] An inorganic voice interrupted Kaban.

Having finished replaying Mirai's recording, Boss has once again let out an audible beeping sound as its ears and eyes were flickering red.

"Lu-Lucky-san…?"

[Due to the Park's emergency, visitors are advised to take shelter. Danger. Danger.]

Making sounds seemingly without end, Boss started to push against Kaban's leg.

[Protecting a visitor's safety is a duty of a park guide robot like me. Visitors are advised to commence relocation. From here, the nearest emergency escape route is―]

"Lucky-san."

Kaban picked it up with both of her hands and stared intently into the flashing red eyes.

"I'm not a visitor. I've received a lot, and I mean a lot, of help from everyone. Something has happened to the park, so I want to do something for everyone's sake."

The grating sound suddenly stopped.

[...This is a state of emergency like never before. Safety is not guaranteed. I predict damage greater than a cellien attack. Nevertheless, You should―]

"Even then, I… if there's anything I can do, then I'll do it no matter the danger."

Kaban, holding Boss in her hands, was filled with vigor.

"After all, I'm someone from this park."

From below the hat, eyes brimming with certainty peeked out. A quiet sound came out of Boss. The ears and the eyes were no longer flashing red.

[Understood, Kaban. However, try to remain safe as best as you can.]

"Lucky-san…"

Having been gently brought down, Boss gazed at Kaban with its glittering green eyes.

[Kaban has been set as a temporary park guide. Corresponding privileges have been granted.]

In a sign of fear, Friends, who were silently watching the situation between the two, called out to Kaban.

"Kaban-chan, are you alright…? I didn't really get it, but… Boss said that it'll be incredibly dangerous, didn't he?"

"The damage that's predicted to be greater than celliens' attacks… will be considerable." African Wild Dog's words carried weight, since she's been fighting with celliens every day.

"Umm… Since Boss tried to tell you about an escape route, shouldn't you obediently follow it?"

Kaban gazed into the pair of worried heterochronic eyes.

"While yes, unlike everyone else I may be weaker, unable to move as well, or unable to fight. But… But even then, I can't turn my tail when something unthinkable is happening to the park."

Clasping onto her black glove until her nails dig into it, Kaban brought it to her chest.

"My body may be weak… However, I won't let my heart become weak."

Quiet and reserved, but burning with passion.

"...'Nice expression' it is." The moved Gray Wolf reflexively muttered to herself with a tiny laugh.


Hello, this is PoGu. Apologies for the small hiatus, got a bit busy.

Anyway, since FF doesn't like any kind of link anywhere, I'll instead leave directions on how to find the original work.

First method is to search for "「けもの」の本能" and find the link that leads you to a Japanese site called "kakuyomu".

Alternatively, you can go to the kakuyomu site and add "/works/1177354054882921926" to the domain.