After tracking the limping Mad Horned Rabbit for what felt like an eternity, Vincent finally spotted their warren. It sprawled at the base of a small hill, with several burrow entrances dotting the slope. His eyes narrowed as he studied the scene. Near one of the holes, a group of Mad Horned Rabbits was dragging a lifeless fawn.
"This really is a different world…" he muttered, staring at the carnivorous rabbits in disbelief.
Despite their differences, the Mad Horned Rabbits shared a few traits with their Earthly counterparts: they were nocturnal, sluggish under sunlight, and territorial. But they also feared the unknown. Vincent knew his actions would need to be swift and precise to avoid startling them—one wrong move, and they might escape.
He glanced down at the Mad Horned Rabbit tied to the stick he carried. The creature wriggled with a ferocity that would've been impressive if it weren't so pathetic. Its squeals were muffled by a gag he'd fashioned earlier.
"Look, buddy," Vincent said, setting the stick down in a bush, "it's not personal. You're just the unlucky star of tonight's show."
Satisfied with his hiding spot, he scanned the area for anything useful. His hands itched to dive into his storage for tools, but the rules of his current situation forbade it.
After several minutes of searching, Vincent stumbled upon a clearing that seemed ripped from a painting. A field of vibrant flowers stretched out before him, their colors glowing softly in the sunlight. For a moment, he forgot the grim task ahead.
"It's… pretty," he muttered without thinking. The sight reminded him of his younger sister, Marina, who, despite her otaku tendencies, had always adored flowers and beautiful landscapes.
"She'd love this," he thought, snapping a quick photo with his phone. A tri-colored bee landed on a purple flower just as he clicked the picture.
"Flower Bee," he muttered, instantly recognizing the creature. Known for their vibrant colors and passive nature, Flower Bees were usually harmless—unless you disturbed their queen. Then they'd chase you with the determination of a caffeine-fueled Karen.
As the thought struck him, a dangerous grin spread across Vincent's face.
"I might be crazy," he muttered, "but this just might work."
A moment later he reached a massive tree.
The Flower Bees' hive was embedded in the trunk of a massive tree, its branches sprawling out like the arms of a giant. Vincent craned his neck to take in its full height.
"Of course it's enormous," he sighed.
"Why can't anything in this world be normal-sized? Just once, I'd like to see something I can punch without needing a step ladder."
Despite his grumbling, he couldn't deny the opportunity was perfect. He watched the bees buzzing in and out of a hole near the middle of the trunk, waiting for a lull in their activity.
When the coast was clear, Vincent began his ascent, muttering as he climbed.
"If anyone's watching this, I swear I'm not insane. Just... resourceful."
The climb was grueling, but he finally reached the hive. Inside, rows of honeycombs gleamed in the dim light, arranged so neatly they looked like the work of a perfectionist librarian.
Vincent didn't linger. His senses, sharpened even without origin energy, quickly located the queen. She stood out immediately—a larger, multicolored bee that exuded an aura of authority.
"Found you," Vincent whispered, his grin widening.
Flower Bee Queen, Tier 1 (3★)
Even without using his Heaven Eyes, the queen's aura made its level clear. While Astralis primals were generally weaker than those on the Origin World, he knew better than to underestimate her.
Before the queen could react, Vincent grabbed her, ignoring her furious buzzing and swift attempts to sting him. He yanked out her stinger, effectively disarming her.
"Sorry, Your Majesty. Can't have you poking holes in my plans."
The hive erupted in chaos. Worker bees swarmed toward him, their buzzing like the roar of an angry mob. Vincent wasted no time, leaping from the hive with the queen firmly in hand.
"Hehe, that's right! Follow me, you little maniacs!" he thought, sprinting back toward the warren.
The plan unfolded perfectly. As Vincent approached the Mad Horned Rabbits' territory, the swarm of Flower Bees followed, their fury laser-focused on recovering their queen.
When he reached the warren, Vincent hurled the injured queen into one of the burrow entrances. The bees, as expected, swarmed inside without a second thought.
"Time for Act Two," Vincent muttered, grinning as he grabbed the rocks he'd prepared earlier. He sealed most of the entrances, leaving only one open as an escape route.
The first Mad Horned Rabbit burst out of the hole, its body riddled with stingers. Vincent moved quickly, disabling it with a sharp jab to its limbs.
"Sorry, buddy. You're not going anywhere."
More rabbits followed, each one panicked and disoriented. Vincent worked methodically, crippling them one by one.
"499… and 500," he counted, finally stabbing the last rabbit's limb to immobilize it. His muscles ached, and his stomach growled loudly in protest.
Vincent glanced at the growing pile of captives beside him.
"I wonder what they taste like…" he muttered absently, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of retreating bees. He watched as they dragged their injured queen away, buzzing furiously.
Just as he relaxed, a loud squeal pierced the air. Emerging from the warren was a massive red-skinned rabbit with two horns.
"Well, that's new," Vincent thought, frowning. The creature's size and demeanor marked it as a leader—or perhaps the "big boss" of the warren.
The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit squealed angrily at the carnage, scanning its surroundings. It didn't take long for it to notice the mountain of its fallen kin.
Seizing the moment, Vincent charged from the bushes, wielding two horn-shaped weapons. But just as he was about to strike, the rabbit's ears twitched, and it spun to deflect his attack with a powerful kick.
"Fast!" Vincent muttered, backflipping to create distance. The creature's sharp claws glowed crimson, and it lunged at him with alarming speed.
Slash!
The rabbit's claws sliced through his weapons, leaving a small cut on his arm. Vincent retreated, inspecting the wound.
"This… is the first time I've been injured since coming to this world," he thought, his lips curving into a smile. He should've been angry. Instead, he felt energized.
"Am I enjoying this?" he wondered, laughing softly.
"Wait… am I a masochist?"
The rabbit glared at him, its crimson claws gleaming dangerously.
"Well," Vincent muttered, raising his fists. "Let's find out."