Chapter 6

Boar

'So the first order of business today is making a new den. My siblings and I already know why, now we need to learn how, preferrably from someone who knows. And the best way to learn is by doing, while directed by one with experience.'

'Alright son, but can you tell me how you learned to mindspeak?¹telepathy It should be impossible for any Beast below Tier 1.'

'Once I figure out how I do it I can tell you. But my guess would be using harmonic alpha waves in the same fashion as a 2-way radio. Or it might be connected to having a [Dragon's Eye]. Or with how I had reincarnated.'

'. . What is a radio?'

'Complicated.'

'And why would you have a Dragon's Eye?'

'Also complicated, but with terms you can understand.'

. . .

'Alright . . Everyone, let's go. Time to make a new home, in case we have to abandon this one.'

We set out to the northwest, Papa came out with us this time, walking for about half an hour before coming to another group of those huge trees. Papa searched around for a couple of minutes without even going near the huge trees. Eventually he settled on an oak growing in the shadow of a redwood and directed us to dig out a hole under one of its prominent roots. With a second hole at the root of the redwood itself, and a third under a nearby copse of birch trees, the type with paper for its bark.

'Now kits, be sure to connect all 3 tunnels together. This way even if one or two of the exits are found and blocked, you can still use the third to escape.'

The six of us little foxies took turns to dig the 3 tunnels toward a common center, taking up the whole morning. But before we could finish, we got hungry. Time to forage and/or hunt.

I'm taking point on this expedition. Partially to train my skills, also my higher strength will protect the little ones. Yeah they're the same size as me, that's not the point.

I found a few grazing spots. Each time we all got a mouthful before moving on to explore.

After about an hour of searching, I stumble on some fresh tracks. How do I know they're fresh? The nose knows!

Not recognizing the scent as I haven't had a chance in this lifetime, with this schnoz, to meet whatever aminal has such a scent to it.

I turn back to my parents and slightly nod my head then turn back to the trail slowly, quietly stalk forward. With my Eye now open.

All the birds ahead of us either go silent or fly off to safer pastures. I should train to suppress the aura a bit more.

Actually a lot more.

With the reduced background noise I can just make out some grunting sounds. A pig? No, not in a wild forest. A wild boar is much more likely. And from my human memories much more tasty. Hopefully it's busy rooting ²digging out around/under a tree root for edible root crops like yams or yummy, yummy truffles so it won't notice us.

It's way too much for a normal fox, but I was never normal, so it's a good test for my current ability. I think I should try it without any of my Specials, just to see if I can, so I close my Eye again.

First I creep closer, as much as I think I can get away with . .

No nearby bushes or grasses to hide with, so I'll circle around behind and to his left with a big maple tree between . .

Check if he's still distracted . . yup, and POUNCE!

He hears me coming but it's too late to turn and face me. His only choices are dodge or take the hit. He turns, a bit faster than I expected, but not fast enough. I rake my claws one across the back, other bouncing off his skull.

Thick-skinned and hard-headed are usually not compliments, but when they're literal they can be useful traits to have.

Having soared past him, I bounce off the tree he was rooting under and catch him in the flank, my jaws just barely reaching his neck. Bite!

Unfortunately for me he's still thick-skinned, so while my efforts with my low level and tiny body are enough to hurt, it's not enough to easily take him down.

Now he starts thrashing about like a steer in a rodeo.

Although I'm not strong enough to kill him with my current self, he can't throw me with his current self.

So after about half a minute of this low-budget roller coaster, he bolts off. With me still latched on.

You might be wondering how could a Level 3 Beast fail to kill a no-Level, regular beast? By not having the jaw size to properly savage through the vitals in its neck.

Well, this was a bust. Live & Learn. Now it's time to end this.

But before I could do anything more, we burst into a small clearing. And I can feel a powerful presence here.

I drop off the boar's neck and look around.

On the right side of the clearing is a young bear cub.

And on the left is a HUGE bear, with stone protruding from its fur in many places.

I drop down in prostration as best a fox can, while using a Barrier to lift the boar by its spine.

'Apologies, I did not know this was your territory.'

SQUEEEE!! SQUEEE!!