VS Lion, Part 1

…They couldn't stop fidgeting.

Having a bad feeling about it, Serval gritted her teeth. She glanced to her side at Kaban, she had the same pale expression as Serval.

The King of animals. Kaban recalled Boss teaching her lions were called that due to their overwhelming and absolute power and appearance. Certainly, if you're talking about before her final showdown with Moose, she was easy to get along with, and was a great leader of her pack ― In that sense, she could be called the king of animals.

*GRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr*

Within the tempesting rain a growl resounded from the depths of Lion's throat, the girl's bloodlust and intimidating aura stronger than any other Friend in Instinctive Frenzy that they've encountered. This time she showcased the different, original meaning of the king of animals. When the growl reached her ears, Kaban held her breath in panic as she felt chills running through her whole body.

[...]

Lion's hand was clasping a Lucky Beast. They were remains just like the one from earlier, perhaps this one was from the Plains Area? Its entire body minced by claws, its eyes stopped emitting any light. Unfortunately, it was already too late for it.

*Chomp*

Lion raised the Lucky Beast and emphatically gnawed at its body. Making unpleasant creaking sounds, she ate it like a Japari Bun. She easily bit off a piece with her sharp fangs and powerful jaw. Sandstar Raw oozed out of Lion's fangs, which took Serval's breath away. Trying to bite down on now exposed metal, Lion made an uncomfortable expression, and spit out what used to be a Lucky Beast.

"...! Hah… Haah…!"

While underneath Serval's hand, which was still pinning her down, Kaban's breathing was disordered from extreme fear and tension.

(Scary… So scary…!)

Her body became even colder with the rain taking away her body heat. Seeing Kaban shivering, Serval put her free hand on the other's shoulder. Warmth spread where they were in contact. That faint heat made Kaban's fear dissipate, calming her nerves.

(We're still safe…)

Having made sure of Lion's state through the gap in the bush, Serval took her hand off of Kaban's mouth. She brought her index finger to her lips, signaled with her eyes to kaban, and slowly and carefully lowered her posture. It was to take advantage of the rain masking their smell and sounds to get by unnoticed.

However―

*Grrrrrrr…*

Having sniffed around inhaling deeply, Lion growled and started looking around. While she was still not sure where it was, it was clear that she noticed another presence. That surprised Serval, and while wondering how it could happen, she put her hand on her bandaged arm.

It smelled of blood.

With her carnivorous instincts being heightened, she was sensitive to that smell. An injured animal was an ideal prey after all. Serval somewhat understood how Sandstar Raw could reawaken the same carnivorous instinct.

(What should I do…?)

Serval put the blame wholly on herself for having Kaban end up in this predicament. She racked her brain for a solution, even when she wasn't good at thinking. Stealthily getting away was impossible. Lion would know where they went through the smell of blood. In that case, maybe they should do a mad dash? Although Lion had tremendous power, Serval knew that she had little stamina. Perhaps they could outrun her?

But what if they actually couldn't? Although Kaban and Boss were light enough to carry while running, her speed would end up dropping. In that case, would they be able to reach the Library without getting caught? Besides, leading Lion to the Library where everyone is would be dangerous.

The only option left was―

"..."

Serval glanced towards Kaban for a fleeting moment. Her face turned pallid pale, and she was going through the same thought process. She had to be trying with all her might to come up with a good solution like always. However, for what Serval blamed herself, Kaban had left her bag back at the Library. Neither could she repel Lion with a paper plane or fire like she did Brown Bear or Eurasian Eagle-Owl, nor could she use any other tool. Because of that, her expression as she thought it over became gloomy, and her anxiety was showing through.

In that case, Serval figured that she had to do it.

"...?"

Realizing that she was being stared at, Kaban stopped her train of thought and raised her eyes. Serval, having taken a deep breath, put on a forced smile, stuck out her thumb upwards, and whispered.

"...You two stay hidden."

"―"

Before Kaban could respond, Serval quickly and stealthily got on a tree without Lion noticing, and made it to the top in one go. Trying to avoid shaking the branches as much as she could, she hid herself among the leaves and moved along branches between trees. Confirming Lion's position from above, Serval made her way to another tree. Aiming for a thick branch, Serval gently pressed her hand on her branch checking its flexibility. It was moderately flexible. Situating herself on the branch, Serval held her breath waiting for an opportune moment.

And it was the moment when Lion was passing by.

(Serval-chan…!)

Kaban reached her hand out towards the empty sky and quietly clenched her fist. She couldn't stop it. It wasn't until now that she figured out what Serval was thinking.

―She had the intention of fighting. With Lion, the king of animals steeped with instinct.

Indeed, it would've been difficult for them to escape in their state. While trying to come up with a countermeasure, Kaban was fervently lamenting that she had left bag behind. Perhaps you could've seen her anxiety showing on her face. Which was why Serval became so reckless. She was trying to overcome the situation in Kaban's stead, who couldn't do anything.

(I beg you… Don't fail…!)

crossing her fingers, Kaban made a sincere prayer. Most likey, Serval had only one chance. Making her apologies in advance, Serval decided on an ambush, and if she was able to knock Lion unconscious, she would be able to turn her back with her protective stone.

If that were to fail―

No, she won't fail. She'll be fine, definitely.

Lion, trying to find where the smell that tickled her instincts came from, was walking around the perimeter. Her line of sight was focused on the foliage on the ground, and she didn't expect for someone to be hiding in the trees. Gradually, she drew closer to the tree in which Serval was waiting. Serval gulped, and slowly bent her legs in preparation to jump.

Utilizing the branch's flexibility, rather than upwards, Serval will launch at an downward angle, careening her fist at Lion like a shooting star. Although Serval had yet to actually do anything, and that she felt a bit guilty about it, she figured that it'll be fine if she apologizes after Lion's sanity gets restored afterwards. Currently, she had to fight Lion with all she had, for Kaban's as well as Lion's sake.

―Lion had come right underneath Serval.

(Now!)

Bending forward, Serval put strength into her legs and kicked off the branch. With her powerful legs extrapolated further by the flexibility of the branch Serval sprang at Lion aiming at her head. She gathered the power of Wild Release into her right fist. The power was further increased by the descent. With the weight of her whole being, it turned from a neko punch to a Serval Punch.

―She struck the unprepared Lion right in the back of her head.

Hello, this is PoGu. I'm now back to work after a short break.

We're now entering the longest arc in the series. Strap in, we'll be here for a while.