Leveling Up By Surviving Alone - L.U.B.S.A Chapter 93

But Jung Yaong only backed away, refusing to eat.

“Mmm. It’s delicious, though.”

Cats, by nature, don’t warm up to those who force them into things they dislike.

So Yeonwoo hesitated before offering again.

‘If he’s hungry, he’ll eat on his own.’

Either way, the joy of cooking was matched only by the joy of eating.

And now, an even greater happiness was about to be added to that joy.

—

*– You have consumed [Frostbite Frog (C)] from the Monster Encyclopedia.*

*– Bonus: +10 HP.*

*– Successfully cooked and consumed [Frostbite Frog (C)]!*

*– Cooking Satisfaction: 100%*

*– You may learn one of the Frostbite Frog’s skills.*

“……!”

Yeonwoo stared blankly into the air, even forgetting to hand the “chicken leg” (…) to the Watcher.

Displayed before him were the skills he could learn from the frog.

—

1. *Frog Leap (C) (Active)*

2. *Hibernation (C) (Active)*

3. *Tongue Lash (C+) (Active)*

4. *Ice Swimming (B) (Active)*

The first skill was a frog-like jumping ability—definitely useful.

The others? Not worth considering.

Yeonwoo had no need to hibernate, nor did he plan to shoot out his tongue like a frog.

So, *Frog Leap (C)* was the obvious choice.

Especially in a place like this, full of cliffs and rough terrain, the skill would shine.

But.

But still…!

‘Ice Swimming… How can I resist that name…?’

The name said it all—a skill that allowed swimming through ice.

Just like the Frostbite Frog, Yeonwoo would be able to swim within frozen terrain…!

—

*– You have learned [Ice Swimming (B) (Active)].*

“…I’ve done it now.”

A decision driven by romance over practicality!

But it was also an irresistible one.

Sure, high jumps would be more immediately useful here…

“But Ice Swimming might come in handy too, right?”

—

*– The Watcher hopes you’ll never need it.*

*– Also adds that they’d like to eat before the food gets cold.*

“Ah! Sorry!!”

Yeonwoo gave the frog legs a quick reheat.

They’d dry out a bit, but that was better than serving them cold.

Just as the legs were about to vanish from this dimension—

Rustle rustle.

A suspicious sound made him turn his head.

There, poking out from the snow, was something entirely unexpected.

“……?”

A pair of white ears.

They wiggled upward until an adorable little creature emerged—

Fluffy white fur, ruby-red eyes.

“…A rabbit?”

Piiii!

Sure enough, the name floating above its head confirmed it.

*[Frostfield Snowhare (Juvenile) (C)]*

The term “Juvenile” was unfamiliar, but it likely meant something even younger than a sub-adult.

This tiny creature hopped forward, revealing its full form.

About 40 cm long, with fluffy fur and ears stretching 30 cm. Its long ears twitched incessantly as its eyes locked onto the frog carcass beside Yeonwoo.

The remains of the frog—everything but the legs.

Drool pooled in its mouth.

Yeonwoo picked up the carcass and tossed it over.

“Here, take it.”

No point being stingy with scraps.

Piiii!

The rabbit happily scampered over and clutched it like a treasure, its face radiating joy—until another emotion surfaced in its eyes.

Greed.

Its gaze shifted to the frog legs still in Yeonwoo’s hands.

The ones meant for the Watcher.

Pii. Piiiii!

“Huh? You want these too?”

Pii!

—

*– The Watcher firmly declares those are theirs and refuses to share.*

“Right. These belong to big bro.”

The frog legs promptly vanished from Yeonwoo’s grip.

Piiii!

The rabbit flinched back in shock as the food disappeared into thin air.

Jung Yaong reacted the same way.

The cub, who had been quietly observing, widened his eyes.

Myaa?

What did I just witness?

Regardless, the snowhare, now glaring daggers, lunged at Yeonwoo—who still had the other pair of legs.

Piiiiii!

“Whoa, hey!”

You’re seriously coming after my share now?

After months without it, the closest thing to chicken (…) he’d had in ages—and this brat wanted to steal it?

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Yeonwoo raised a hand and pressed it against the rabbit’s forehead, stopping it mid-charge.

Snow kicked up behind the little furball as it struggled uselessly.

Piiii! Pii! Piiiii!

“Wow, you’re really greedy, huh?”

He gave it a light push.

Plop.

The rabbit landed on its butt—

Piiiiiiiaaaa!

—and immediately charged again, undeterred.

“I said no.”

Yeonwoo reached out again, but this time, the rabbit ducked under his hand—

‘A dodge…? And that’s—’

A right straight.

Too stunned to react, Yeonwoo took the hit.

Whap!

“Ow…?!”

His jaw stung.

Physically, it was nothing, but emotionally? Unacceptable.

This was exactly how it felt to get punched by a kid.

“You little brat—!”

He grabbed the rabbit by its ears and lifted it up.

Piiii! Piiiiii!

“Yowch!”

Its flailing claws nicked his cheek.

“Keep this up, and I will spank you, got it?”

Piiiiiaaak!

“Ugh.”

Yeonwoo set it down.

But not without payback.

Spare the rod, spoil the child, after all.

So he flicked its tiny nose.

Bonk!

Splurt!

Twin streams of blood gushed from its nostrils.

Piiiiiiiiiiii!

“Uh…?”

Too hard?

—

***

Piiii! Pii! Piiiii!

The baby snowhare wailed endlessly.

Yeonwoo considered his options but came up short.

“Ugh… Can’t exactly kill it.”

No way he’d kill it.

It walked upright and seemed intelligent—plus, it was just a kid.

Even if eating monsters made him stronger, this was too young.

So, should he just leave?

‘Why should I?’

Backing down felt like admitting defeat.

Fine. He’d finish eating right in front of it.

This brat needed to learn that life (?) wasn’t fair!

“Mmm~ So tasty~ Sooo tasty~”

Piiiiieeeeek!

And it was delicious—no lie.

—

*– The Watcher closes their eyes and marvels at the clean, chicken-like flavor.*

*– Even admits the subtle umami makes them emotional—though they can’t cry right now.*

Because—

Piiiiiiiaaaaeeeek!

—the rabbit’s screeching was too grating.

Its cries grew louder.

Tears streamed down its face, mixing with the dried blood under its nose.

The once-adorable creature now looked downright hideous.

Yeonwoo didn’t hide his thoughts.

“Ugh. You’re ugly now.”

Piiiiiiik!

Its tantrum reached new heights.

It was like dealing with a spoiled brat.

Yeonwoo gave it a tired look before muttering,

“Ugh. Don’t your parents disapprove of you acting like this?”

Piiiiik!

“Tsk tsk! What kind of upbringing did you even—?”

GrrrrrROOOOOM!

He didn’t finish.

The ground trembled violently as something erupted beneath the wailing baby hare.

Whoosh!

A 180 cm body, 1-meter-long ears—

A very pissed-off rabbit.

*[Frostfield Snowhare (B+)]*

The baby hare immediately leapt toward it.

Piik! Pipipik! Piiiiik!

Groooowl…!

With every squeak, the already-menacing adult hare’s expression darkened further.

Its glare landed on Yeonwoo.

Suddenly feeling like a teacher wrongly accused of corporal punishment, Yeonwoo raised his hands.

“Uh… Sir? This is a misunderstanding. Can we talk?”

Grrroooowl!

Yeonwoo launched into an explanation.

It felt necessary.

Gesturing wildly, he pointed at his cheek—marked by three claw marks.

“Your kid did this, okay?”

The father hare pointed at the blood under its child’s nose.

Groo?

And what about THIS?

As if asking, Isn’t this worse?

Yeonwoo was indignant.

So indignant that he showed off the bruise on his face.

“That brat punched me too!”

His left cheek was slightly swollen.

Grooowl…!

A skeptical grunt.

In response, the baby hare cheerfully cried, Pii!

Groo…!

The father’s eyes grew moist.

Piii!

—

*– The Watcher says the dad looks proud of his son.*

“Seriously…? I’m speechless.”

By now, the frog legs were long gone. Yeonwoo dusted himself off and stood.

“Anyway, I’m leaving. Your kid got a nosebleed, but I got scratched and punched. One flick versus all that? I’m the one at a loss here, sir.”

Not that he expected the rabbit to understand.

He just wanted the last word.

But the father hare seemed to reach a decision too.

Nodding, it hoisted its child onto its back and turned to leave.

The baby hare dangled the frog carcass from its paw as they disappeared into the snow.

“Kid’s got priorities, at least.”