Chapter Eight: The Eavesdropping Mouse

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Why is it that the protagonists in other novels always have such powerful trump cards, while his feels so useless? This isn’t fair, heavens! At least grant him some life-saving ability. Since he’s been shown this world overrun by demons and given the key to enter it, why not also provide some protection while he walks through it? Is he really supposed to rely solely on his body’s self-healing to survive this? Honestly, passively taking hits is just not his style.

Hmm? Thinking of his healing power, he suddenly remembered the black notebook he had long neglected—so far, it only contained sketches of two demons. Even in this tense moment in the small forest, Xiao Xiao inexplicably recalled the memory of another demon he had seen here before. That demon was far kinder than the one before him now. His eyes gleamed with golden light as the black notebook slowly floated before him, its pages rustling until it stopped on one.

“...Eared Rat?” Xiao Xiao gazed at the yellowed page where a vivid figure was drawn in bright vermilion. Suddenly, he seemed to see that proud demon glance sideways; its beast-like vertical pupils glowed scarlet, its gaze sharp as a blade, full of menace. Instinctively, Xiao Xiao closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he was stunned. Before him stood the very Eared Rat! Its small body crouched low, limbs gripping the ground, head held high, facing the much larger demon with no fear. A low rumble rolled out of its throat like distant thunder, shaking the very air itself.

For the first time, the demon perched in the branches shifted its gaze away from Xiao Xiao.

“Hoo~” The “Bee” emitted a piercing shriek, flapping its wings, the needle at its tail gleaming coldly with a bloodthirsty light.

The two demons, one large and one small, locked in a fierce stalemate.

Xiao Xiao, having escaped the eye of the storm, finally took a shallow breath and blinked his sore eyes, carefully observing the “battlefield” without drawing attention.

The sudden appearance of the Eared Rat was undoubtedly great news for Xiao Xiao, especially since it seemed to be on his side. The tense situation left him no room for overthinking; he simply worried whether the Eared Rat could actually stand against the “Bee.”

The size difference was significant.

Xiao Xiao felt deeply anxious but powerless. Moreover, he wasn’t even sure if the Eared Rat’s confrontation with the “Bee” was because of him. What if the Eared Rat turned on him next? That would be a major problem.

The best outcome would be for both demons to severely injure each other.

Or... since the Eared Rat had crossed paths with him several times and hadn’t seriously harmed him—ignoring that library incident—and hadn’t hurt the girl who accidentally saw it, perhaps this demon was friendly to humans?

If that were true, he naturally hoped the Eared Rat would win.

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...

Only when freed from the intense stare of the demons did Xiao Xiao realize how eerily still the little forest had become, as if even the air had frozen.

The surrounding trees were withered and desolate.

Yellowed, dry leaves exuded a scent of decay.

The pale moonlight added a lifeless gloom, casting strange and eerie shadows.

The Eared Rat’s silver-gray fur shimmered brightly, as if about to burst into flames.

Two pairs of blood-red eyes locked in confrontation.

One pair round pupils filled with deathly malice.

The other vertical pupils fierce with pride and cruelty.

...

“Hoo~” The demon in the tree dove down, whipping up a cold, blade-like wind. The sharp silver needles at its tail glowed red as they flew forward in an instant.

The Eared Rat showed no fear; its tiny body seemed engulfed in blazing silver flames. It dodged the “Bee”’s stinger and fiercely swung its massive, fluffy tail.

...

Xiao Xiao watched as the two, previously locked in tension, collided at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.

“Bang~”

“Clang~”

“Rumble~”

Leaves scattered, trees toppled, a sensation of earth-shaking power filled the air.

Xiao Xiao froze, afraid to accidentally step into the demons’ fighting range.

He tried to open his eyes wide, but the battle was so fast and blurry that tears welled up, and all he could see was a vague shadow.

Refusing to give up, he followed the shadow’s movements intently.

A golden light began to flicker in his eyes, like a lively fish circling his pupils before fading away, leaving only a faint glow.

Suddenly, his vision sharpened.

He had no time for surprise.

Joyfully, he focused all his attention on the demons ahead.

...

Though small, the Eared Rat did not betray its usual arrogant demeanor. Facing the “Bee” head-on, it was no pushover.

Thanks to its agile body, it dodged the opponent’s tail strikes and retaliated with a powerful swipe of its huge tail.

The Eared Rat’s tail, soft and fluffy in appearance, was in fact a deadly weapon capable of breaking stones and snapping wood.

Moreover, this tail could change size and length at will, making it nearly impossible for opponents—or demons—to defend against.

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This neutralized the advantage of the “Bee”’s wings.

...

“Whoosh~ whoosh~” The fiercely striking tail whipped through the air, producing sharp cracking sounds. It attacked the darting “Bee” with crushing force, the angles unpredictable and the movements agile, combining strength and speed—it was practically a bug in the system, Xiao Xiao thought with admiration.

So much for judging demons by their appearance. It seemed the Eared Rat had the upper hand.

...

“Hoo~” The Eared Rat’s tail suddenly curved, then struck with a swift lash. The “Bee” failed to dodge and let out a high-pitched, agonized scream soaked in hatred and madness.

A massive shockwave spread out, causing violent ripples in the air. Where it passed, tree trunks shattered and leaves exploded into fragments.

Xiao Xiao couldn’t evade in time. His head felt as if struck hard by a giant hammer. A piercing pain swept through him, like a saw cutting and swirling inside his brain. The world spun around him, his legs nearly giving out. He staggered, grabbing a nearby tree for support while pounding his throbbing skull desperately.

Pain—so much pain!

Veins bulged on his forehead, teeth clenched tightly. He gasped for air like a fish out of water, hoping to ease the agony, but it was useless. His throat felt scorched and dry.

He wanted to roll on the ground from the pain. “Huh~ huh~” hoarse, strained breaths escaped his throat.

At this moment, he could no longer focus on the two demons battling fiercely before him.

If the pain continued, he’d die without the demons even needing to finish him.

But Xiao Xiao’s fingers dug into the bark, drawing blood. What a joke! How could he be defeated by mere headache? He just had to endure. He refused to believe this power had no expiration.

Just hold on, just get through this time!

Biting his lips, a metallic taste spread in his mouth.

Between his lowered brows, a thread of golden light flickered in his eyes, growing ever brighter.

The pain in his head gradually lessened.

...

“Phew~” Xiao Xiao slid down the tree trunk, sweat beading on his eyelashes reflecting a streak of golden light.

Yet he was oblivious, simply grateful the nightmare had ended.

His whole body was weak and sore, drained of all strength.

He bowed his head, chest heaving violently. His throat and mouth tasted of blood’s iron rust mixed with sweetness, making him even thirstier. Pressing his lips together, a sharp sting reminded him of the bite wound.

His lips were cracked and peeling.

He looked utterly miserable, but the feeling of having survived a catastrophe was indescribably wonderful.

“Huh~ huh~” his cracked, hoarse voice broke intermittently, rough and unpleasant, yet filled with an unmistakable joy.