VS Lion, Part 2

"―!"

Serval followed through when her fist met Lion's head. Lion didn't even have a chance to make a sound before the perfectly executed ambush violently slammed her to the ground. Serval skillfully landed and jumped back from Lion's slumped body to distance herself.

(She did it…!)

[ah…]

Kaban, who had been watching the sequence of events from the sidelines, let out a sigh of relief. Having begun standing on its tiptoes Boss let out a quiet voice while observing the situation as well.

…After all, Serval succeeded in the only chance that she had. Now they had to siphon all of the Sandstar Raw from Lion before she woke up. Taking out an amulet stone from the pocket of her pants, Kaban headed over to Serval.

However…

"...!?"

When she was about to stand up, she noticed that Serval was still glaring at the collapsed Lion, her hand stretched towards Kaban, palm turned towards her. As if telling her to not come.

(Why…?)

And as Kaban was questioning it…

*GRRRRRRAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUU*

She thought that she was hearing things. She wanted to be just hearing things. That roar filled with hatred without a doubt came from the fallen Lion.

(This… can't…)

Slowly, Lion rose up shaking her head. Even though she had been struck heavily in the back of her head, she was scowling at Serval face to face with fiery shining eyes, her legs firmly digging into the ground.

*GAAAAAAAOOOOOOO*

Baring her fangs, she let out a thundering bellow. It's almost as if no damage was done to her.

Serval and Kaban have been both sent to the pits of despair.

"It was completely… ineffective? …Why?"

[―…Probably, it was due to the mane…]

Boss quietly answered the question that Kaban blurted out.

[...In the case of Lions, besides its trademark purpose of attracting mates, their manes also provide protection to vital parts around the head and neck. Enough that the claws and fangs of other predators do not reach their mark.]

Upon hearing this Kaban remembered something. That back during the battle in the Plains Area Lion had put the balloon on her vital part. As opposed to most other friends who put the balloon on their head, Lion chose her waist, which had less fur.

"That…"

With that, Kaban slumped down to the floor. Boss became silent once again.

(It seems like Kaban-chan has stopped…)

Serval, lowering her posture while facing Lion, gave a sideways glance towards Kaban hiding in the bush. The surprise attack was flawless. However, with how she felt it in her hand, she realized that it was no good. It was as if she had put her hand into a clump of tall grass, absorbing the impact. She could've hurt her neck a little, but from the looks of it, Lion could power through it with anger.

"Ehehe… I got a little ahead of myself…"

Facing Lion, whose body oozed with Sandstar Raw, Serval made a dry smile to ease her fear. She wished that she had received advice from Kaban or Boss beforehand. That's why others say that she's clumsy.

The plan failed, is what it means.

*GAOOO*

While Lion growled, her arms were enveloped in a golden light. All that was left was a direct fair and square fight with a far greater opponent.

Serval enjoyed playing hunt, as well as playing war in the Plains Area. But, obviously she had never hunted for real, and all of her fighting experience was against Celliens. Nonetheless, it couldn't just end there. Together with Kaban and Boss, she will resolve the park's crisis. Together with Kaban and Boss, she will continue her adventure until peace returns to the park.

…She will take Kaban to where Humans live. That's why…

"―...That's why I can't lose!"

Serval's pupils shined, and the beautiful rainbow Sandstar oozed from her hands, contrasting with Lion's Sandstar Raw. Lion was closely listening to her opponents state, but once she saw that, she raised her voice.

With that, both of them started running, kicking up mud.

Hello, this is PoGu. I've found some spare time, so I could translate this chapter way earlier.

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.