Leveling Up By Surviving Alone - L.U.B.S.A Chapter 100

 

“Has the master of this place returned?”

Myaooong.

Was that a yes or a no?

Hard to tell.

One thing was certain—this wasn’t the time to leisurely grill meat.

“Hmm, do I have to fight?”

Ji Yeonwoo had never avoided a fight before.

Because his opponents had always been threats from the Beach.

The beach was his territory, and losing it meant having nowhere to fall back to.

But now was different.

Here, Ji Yeonwoo was a wanderer.

He had nothing to protect in the first place.

So, rushing into a fight would only bring him closer to death.

And just now, he had sensed a chilling surge of energy.

His conclusion?

“Let’s run.”

Jung Yaong stayed silent for a while.

But then, as if agreeing with Ji Yeonwoo’s decision, he stretched—like the cat pose in yoga—before suddenly leaping and heading down a path opposite the entrance.

As if he knew another way existed.

Sure enough, there was a zigzagging path where the walls intersected. The angle and position were so cleverly hidden that it was baffling how he hadn’t noticed it sooner.

They entered and climbed.

Surprisingly, the path was wide—wide enough to drag a wild boar through for storage.

Once they reached the top, they found themselves at the peak of the canyon.

From there, they could see the entrance of the cave they had come from on the lower left and a narrow descending path on the lower right.

Myaooong.

Jung Yaong was already far ahead, his tail curled in a question mark as he looked back at Ji Yeonwoo.

Following him might allow them to pass by without running into the rabbits.

Myaooong.

“Got it. You’re telling me to follow.”

Just as he was about to step forward—

“GROOOOAR!”

A deafening roar from the distance stopped Ji Yeonwoo in his tracks.

Even from here, he could clearly see a massive monster and dozens of smaller creatures tangled in battle.

The larger group seemed to be the Snowfield Rabbits, while the other side was likely the master of this place.

Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes narrowed.

“Can’t see clearly from this distance…”

But as he focused, his vision sharpened—like an eye exam chart resolving into clarity.

And the name that appeared was:

[Rift Frost Deer Bear (AA)]

“Ugh… this is tough.”

No wonder the rabbits had given up chasing him to avoid this thing.

But why were they fighting now?

“Well, there must be some deeper reason…”

He suppressed his rising curiosity and forced himself to move on.

But then, he suddenly froze mid-step.

He had just realized what might have caused this conflict.

Geumjjoki…

“She must be there, huh? Tch…”

He tried even harder to ignore it and walked toward Jung Yaong. But—

Thud.

“Ugh…”

The unease lingered.

Should he go or not?

Going meant getting involved.

Not going meant staying out of it—and possibly leaving this place safely.

Ji Yeonwoo made his decision.

His steps quickened.

He didn’t stop again.

His destination was where Jung Yaong waited.

Myaooong~

—

### …!

The standoff continued.

The battle between the Snowfield Rabbits and the Frost Deer Bear was fierce, yet eerily silent.

The elder rabbit gritted his teeth.

Sure, the enemy was strong—but they had seventy on their side!

With seventy of their kin, nothing was frightening!

By any measure, their combat power surpassed the Frost Deer Bear’s.

Even if the hard ground prevented them from using their greatest strength, their numerical advantage remained.

They had hesitated to fight earlier, fearing casualties—but now that they were ready to sacrifice, defeat seemed impossible.

That cunning Frost Deer Bear had to know the balance of power.

Yet, not a trace of fear showed on its face.

Only confidence.

Flick…!

Something was off.

But what?

The Frost Deer Bear’s grin widened as its gaze locked onto one rabbit—a hot-tempered advisor.

Screeeech!

One rabbit, unable to hold back, broke the standoff and lunged.

Its ears, stiff as blades, slashed at the bear’s arm.

The Frost Deer Bear swatted at it like a fly.

CRACK!

Blood sprayed—from both the bear’s hand and the rabbit’s mouth as it was sent flying.

The bear licked its left paw, and the wound sealed instantly.

Meanwhile, the rabbit lay motionless, unconscious but alive.

It wouldn’t be moving anytime soon.

The Frost Deer Bear’s lips curled.

As if to say it could have killed the rabbit but chose not to.

SCREEEEEECH!

The elder rabbit’s teeth clenched.

Snowfield Rabbits had an instinct—they never abandoned their kin.

That instinct had cost them before, but it had also saved them countless times.

The Frost Deer Bear knew this.

And it was exploiting it.

But the rabbits had always overcome such crises.

They would survive this too!

SCREEEEEEEEEECH!

With a near-scream from the elder, the rabbits charged.

Ears rigid, fists clenched, they rushed the giant beast.

Grrrr…

The Frost Deer Bear smirked.

It had hunted and eaten many Snowfield Rabbits before.

Recently, it had even trapped them by playing on their instincts.

It toyed with them before eating them.

And through those “experiments,” it had learned something new.

Their strong camaraderie?

It already knew that.

But now, it realized something else—

When they attacked all at once, their patterns became predictable.

GROWL!

The bear hunched over, its thick fur bristling just as the rabbits’ blade-like ears struck.

Then—its antlers vibrated.

Its fur suddenly stood on end like spikes.

Squeak…!

One rabbit’s eyes widened in horror.

It wanted to dodge—but it was already mid-air.

The others were, too.

All of them wore the same panicked expression.

Their strong sense of unity became their downfall.

STAB-STAB-STAB-STAB!

None escaped.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!

A chorus of pained shrieks echoed.

Grrrr…

The Frost Deer Bear, now resembling a porcupine, slowly rose.

Its spiked fur softened back to normal.

The rabbits impaled on it slid off, collapsing lifelessly.

The bear’s fur was now stained red.

Twenty rabbits—taken out in one move.

SCREEEECH!

The remaining rabbits rushed in—to rescue their fallen.

The bear ignored them.

Squeak… Squeak!

Trembling but determined, the rabbits carried their wounded back.

They thought they were safe.

They didn’t realize the bear was waiting for this moment.

ROOOOOAR!

…!

A crushing pressure froze the rabbits mid-retreat.

Under the moonlight, a massive shadow loomed over them.

They turned—to see the Frost Deer Bear grinning like a demon.

Its icy claws gleamed under the moon.

If those slashed down—how many would survive?

There was no way to block.

Well, there was one.

Even if the aftermath was uncertain, there was a way to save everyone now.

Snowfield Rabbits were fiercely loyal.

And the elder was their acknowledged king.

SCREEEEEECH!

The elder charged.

His cream-colored blade-like ears clashed against the bear’s claws.

CLANG!

He was forced back.

He should’ve retreated.

But he attacked again.

He had to.

Until the others regained their senses—until they could escape—he couldn’t fall back.

Even now, the Frost Deer Bear smiled.

Because luring out the Snowfield Rabbit King had been its plan all along.

Having the king interfere mid-battle would be annoying.

And if it killed him first, the enraged rabbits would be easier to pick off.

The bear deliberately attacked with overwhelming force—

Using strikes the king could dodge, but wouldn’t.

Because retreat wasn’t an option.

Not with his people behind him.

Even if it meant his body was pierced.

THUD!

Gasp…!

The king staggered back, a gaping hole in his stomach, blood pouring out.

Yet, he glanced behind him.

His people were retreating.

That was enough.

SCREEEEEEEEEECH!

Geumjjoki’s shrill cry pierced the air.

Through it, the king shouted:

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!

“RUN!”

He would die—but his son would succeed him.

That fool who got beaten up by a monkey and had a bloody nose…

He’d do fine.

His only regret was not getting revenge.

But aside from that, it had been a good life.

He closed his eyes.

But the next attack never came.

Thud. Thud-thud.

The Frost Deer Bear leaped over the fallen king and stood before the fleeing rabbits.

Almost as if… protecting the king?

No.

The truth was far crueler.

Grrrrrrrr…

It laughed.

Mocked them.

The cunning bear with stag antlers watched the fleeing rabbits and savored their despair.

Squeak… SCREECH!

The king urged them to run, but the rabbits hesitated.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr…

The mocking laughter continued.

Then—the bear stomped.

CRUNCH!

The king’s hind leg was crushed beneath its paw.

Guh…!

The king stifled a scream.

He didn’t want to unsettle his people.

But it backfired.

The Snowfield Rabbits lost all reason and charged.

Just as the bear wanted.

It licked its lips.

It didn’t want a few rabbits—it wanted all of them.

And for good reason.

It was on the verge of evolution.

If it devoured them all, it would grow stronger.

But then—

A murderous intent stabbed into the back of its skull.

It whirled around.

A streak of light, gleaming under the moonlight.

SLASH!

The light was a deep navy blue.