NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8 – Bird of Prey
Lalala... Which direction?
Recently I found a path that was likely used by a primitive civilization. I had camped around here for days but unfortunately I hadn't seen a single person passing by.
Screeeeech!
What, what, what where?
Was I too careless? I was sure I hid more than well camouflaged. I wasn't green skinned for nothing. Still I couldn't fool myself when I just got snatched up by a pair of razor sharp talons. My wings were torn. It was a sad scene.
It must have been the wings. Stupid wings, why can't you be green too?
Screech!
"Ow, ow, ow! I get it, I get it, okay? Don't need to brag about it."
I wasn't bleeding or anything but the talons had dug into my abdomen.
[Level 17 Winged Beast;
Species: Fa-Lonta;
Physical: N/A;
Spiritual: N/A;
Traits: Sharp Eyes;
Abilities: N/A;
Description: A type of winged beast that preys on weak critters.]
It was basically a falcon. The only thing that seriously damaged me was the description. It wasn't critical damage or anything but it was a serious blow.
Weak critter? Me? You're bullying the weak? No, I can't allow that. You know there's a saying, "what goes around comes around"?
"You better watch your back. This is your last warning, you know?" I screamed from beneath while I was being carried farther and farther away from my clones.
Goodbye seedling that I abandoned, grow up well and avenge me!
I could already see the bird nest up ahead.
This is it for me, isn't it. God, are you expecting? Please, I'm kidding.
Bang!
Owieee! Or not?
I was somehow released from the clutches of the eagle's talons, crashing toward its nest. As for the eagle, it was actually falling with me, a hole in the head. A head shot? Whoever did that must have been a sharpshooter of the highest caliber.
"Serves you right!" I stuck my tongue out at the unresponsive bird of prey that had lost all its will. That was silly of me.
I tried my hardest to flap my torn wings before I could crash land. They weren't completely useless just yet. I had somehow just barely landed next to the nest. It was miracle! As for that eagle, it had fallen all the way below the tree.
Thump.
It was nice knowing you, jerk. Amen.
Chirp. Chirp.
Chirp.
"Oh hello there cuties," I waved at the two baby birds gazing at me with anticipation, not the good kind, "would you like to be my food? Yes? no?"
Chirp?
Chirp. Chirp.
"I don't speak bird but I'll give you a third option. Join my empire! You'll be proud citizens. I'll even give you executive positions, how about it?"
Chirp!
"Why am I talking to birds?"
Have I gone nuts? Nawh, I only grow strawberries here.
[Evolution Paths Available.]
Eh? What timing is this? Don't tell me you plan to turn me into a bird? It's too late, much too late, I've already chosen to be a tactical plant. It's my destiny! But, I'm a generous plant, let's see what you have to offer.
[Strawberry Imp (greater)] or [Strawberry Trickster] or [Strawberry Smoothie].
God, where did you come up with these ideas? I get the first one. Indeed, the second one is acceptable. But how do you explain the third choice to me? Are you making fun of me? I'm not becoming anyone's smoothie! Idea rejected.
In the end, I decided to evolve into a Strawberry Trickster, whatever that was. Being an imp wasn't fun anymore. I didn't want the possibility of becoming bigger either because of all the dangerous predators around.
[Level 21 Fey (Plant);
Species: Strawberry Trickster
Physical: 3/5;
Spiritual: 60/65;
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm, Supply Chain, Strawberry Substitution;
Description: A tricky plant fey that likes to toy with their foes.]
Ohoho? The new stats now had numerical figures.
These numbers were useless by themselves. I needed someone to compare with.
Shuffle.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
That wasn't me. The sounds of crunching leaves were noises made by the shooter as he walked over to retrieve the falcon remains.
It was a guy in camouflaged gear from head to toes. He had sunglasses and a cigar hanging from his mouth like a badass. Just those two features were enough for me to place him in the mafia group in my mind. As if that wasn't enough, he had a uncanny smile with a black mustache that screamed "I'm the boss man".
Why are you even smiling? Is the cigar that good?
"Shhh..." I hushed the two baby falcons.
Chirp.
What a rebel, that'll be a black mark on your resume. I shook my head at the two of them.
Apparently that chirp was enough to earn a glance from that man below.
[Level 9 Mortal;
Species: Human;
Spiritual: 7/7;
Traits: Ruthless, Canny;
Abilities: Harbinger, Hunter;
Description: A common mortal.]
Oh crap, those traits and that ability. Is he setting my death flag? God, this isn't funny. I can't even get back to my plant body.
When I peeked to see what he was doing, I accidentally met his eyes, his real eyes without those sunglasses. I might as well peeked into an abyss. That seriously startled me to no ends.
Oh crap, oh crap!
"You green fey, get down here or I'm coming up. I know you speak."
What to do? What to do!?
I didn't want to get shredded from limb to limb. I didn't know what "ruthless" did but I knew what it meant. The strawberry empire plan would have to be put on hold for now.
Since I didn't want to anger that man I answered, "what would you do with me?"
"I said, get down here. Or I'll smoke your brain out," he spoke with a nasty and demanding tone. Then he cranked his rifle with a clunk.
Looks like there's no escape.
"My wings are broken. I'm not suicidal enough to jump down."
"Tsk, shitty fey. You're messing with the wrong guy here."
Before my eyes, he literally leaped up onto the tree.
Squish.
Nooo...! My fellow citizen!
One of his foot crushed a baby bird, the one that I deemed a rebel. The other baby froze due to shock and proceeded to faint.
"You killed a baby bird! How could you!"
"I only needed one," he stared me down with his rifle pointing me at point blank range, "what says you?"
He was the type I could never get along with. If he didn't get what he wanted, he would resort to violence even if I didn't even do anything wrong. This was the worst.
"I'm a plant! I don't know what you want!" I cried out in retaliation.
Bang!
