VS Lion, Part 9
…
Immediately after Boss' transmission to the Library.
"Truth be told, taking a look at those gathered here, a lot of us have lowered combat prowess. Even if we were all to contribute, the odds of making it worse are high."
Common Raccoon visibly hung her head after hearing Professor's blunt words while discussing tactics.
"The two who could face off against Lion are the battle-experienced hunter African Wild Dog, and the naturally quite capable Gray Wolf."
"Then, the two of us will—"
"I'd love that too, but that'd leave the rest vulnerable." Professor turned down Gray Wolf's hasty proposition. "We cannot disregard the risk of my Assistant or other frenzied Friends ambushing us. I can't gauge how big of a threat the rest of us can handle. —As much as they may be struggling, only one of us will go help her." She eyed everyone, leaving a chance for any objections, before continuing. "We're most likely the closest to understanding and resolving what happened to the park. If we were to be defeated, then no one else would be able to gather the clues to stop this incident. I want everyone to understand that the future of the park hangs on the life of each and every one of us. We need to take action while sacrificing the least we can."
That choice appeared cold-hearted. However, it was a choice unswayed by emotions and taking the future into account. Everyone realized that she doesn't call herself the island's head for nothing.
"Then…"
"I'll go. …Or rather, let me go."
Before Gray Wolf could move, African Wild Dog stood up. Professor and Gray Wolf watched her in silence. African Wild Dog collected Kaban's bag and spoke again.
"…I was… Unable to protect my dear friends, with whom I've overcome many challenges. I… Couldn't do anything…"
Within a single day, she had lost both Brown Bear and Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey. The girl who was unable to do anything even when she witnessed those two lose themselves right in front of her, had been concealing her torment fueled by helplessness.
"—I don't want to lose any more of my important friends because I couldn't do anything."
Carrying the bag, African Wild Dog's eyes shone from Wild Release, just like when that Lucky Beast was transmitting Boss' message. Seeing that, Gray Wolf closed her eyes and took a very deep breath.
"…Fine. I'll leave it to you."
"…If I don't return for a long time, then—"
"Leave it. I'm not listening any more."
The heterochromatic eyes were looking straight ahead.
"You have to return. With Kaban and the others, of course."
Someone had started pushing against African Wild Dog's back, making her stumble forward.
"In that case, go there at once noda! Honestly, Arai-san wants to go too, but… Arai-san knows that she lacks the strength noda. That's why… Arai-san begs you noda!"
Continuing to be pushed by Common Raccoon, African Wild Dog went outside the Library.
"Now then, go noda! —East is that way nanoda!"
"Sorry, Arai-san~. East is that way~"
Fennec, who had just went through the door, indicated with her thumb, which was in the completely opposite direction from which Common Raccoon was pointing at.
"I ask you that you keep them safe~"
Albeit her tone of voice was relaxed and devoid of tension, her expression was serious. African Wild Dog performed a single big nod and ran off with the wind, undeterred by the falling rain.
…
"Right here!"
Having gotten behind Lion, Moose raised her voice. Lion turned her head while letting out a roar.
"TERYAAAAAH!"
Taking advantage of Lion turning her back towards her, African Wild Dog delivered a powerful blow to her side.
"Gah…!"
Even when unable to breathe, Lion twisted her body to go after African Wild Dog, but in that moment Moose struck with her weapon.
"Wonderfull, African Wild Dog! You're well synchronized with my movements! I'd certainly take you in as my companion!"
"Save it, there's no way that I can leave my beloved team behind!"
African Wild Dog moved while taking Moose's handling of her weapon and her calm footwork into consideration. Lion was at a complete mercy of the coordinated assault so smooth that it was hard to believe it was their first time working together.
"Grrrrrr! Gah!"
When fighting with just Moose, Lion would occasionally peek at Kaban and Serval, making sure that they're still there, but ever since African Wild Dog joined in, she was not afforded such luxury. Her eyes were fixed on Moose and African Wild Dog now, as if she forgot about her prey and was fully focused on eradicating her two foes.
"…Kaban-chan, we should…"
"Yeah…!"
Once the duo had realized this, they began moving quietly. Retreating slowly, they vanished into the thicket.
African Wild Dog, who had been awaiting this moment, was relieved. The two had been able to retreat. That was great. Now they had to figure out how to deal with Lion—
She never let her guard down even when deep in thought. It was at that time.
"…"
Lion fell down to her knees for the second time after taking a stab from Moose. Exhaustion must've set in.
—An immediate attack while she's in that state was in order. Understanding the intent of Moose's eye signal, African Wild Dog took up a stance for a rushdown, synchronizing with Moose. However, the two were stopped in their tracks.
"Haaah… Ghaaaah… GrrrrrrrrrAAaAAaaAAAHHHH…!"
Lion planted not just her knees, but also both of her hands into the ground. Curling her hands to the point that her claws dug into her palm, she let out a roar.
"GRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAH!"
Crawling on her fours, Lion let out thunderous roars while Sandstar Raw overflowed from her. That figure was that of a beast.
"That's—"
They did not have a good feeling about Lion's change. Lion kicked off the ground in her four-legged stance, charging in. With the Friend form taking the skeletal structure of a Human, the animals have received the ability to walk bipedally. It was definitely not made for crawling on all fours. Despite that, Lion's movement was absolutely swift.
"Woah!"
African Wild Dog barely avoided getting tackled. Quickly changing her direction in spite of the slippery mud, Lion spread her arms and legs wide, taking up a low posture.
"Humph!"
Moose swung her weapon as if to scoop up the ground. The pointed ends of the antlers caught some mud and sent it flying towards Lion. Lion ducked her head, taking it with her hair. She let out an annoyed howl after shaking her face.
"Have you finally forgotten how to use your hands…?" Moose muttered to herself having witnessed Lion's state change from one that would block it with her arms just a moment ago.
Lion roared madly and once again charged while skillfully moving her limbs.
"She's coming!"
Lion was rushing towards African Wild Dog, who put up her guard. As they thought, she was fast.
"Is that her serious mode or what…!?" African Wild Dog had muttered to herself while assuming a lower defensive stance.
Though, in the moment when Lion was about to get African Wild Dog—
"…GRUUOH!"
Lion had suddenly crouched before momentarily changing her direction, springing towards Moose.
"So that's where you were aiming…!"
Seeing as Lion had raised her arms overhead, Moose raised her weapon in a similar manner to intercept. Defending against the arms, Moose gazed at Lion.
The arms, which were blocked by the weapon, were still curled up like a feline's. Miserable thoughts went through Moose's head as she witnessed Lion forget how to use her Human hands and slowly lose her mind of a Friend since the time they were friends.
—The girls had realized that using them wasn't particularly her plan.
"—"
African Wild Dog shouted something. Moose did hear it, but she was too transfixed on the sharp fangs peeking out of Lion's wide-open mouth.
"Damn it… You've never ever used an attack such as this in any of our duels…"
A comment leaked past Moose's lips, disconnected from her regretful smile. Lion's fangs were embedded deep, deep, deep into Moose's shoulder.
Hello, this is PoGu. Jeez, my progress feels somewhat slow not gonna lie.
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.
