RCNS: Chapter 18

Ryu Takeno shook his head, explaining to Kumoko, "No need. Snakes don't have a sense of taste; I can't taste anything. You eat it; bringing you to this place was asking too much. This is compensation for you."

That was why he envied Kumoko.

He'd been reborn as a Gunerush, gaining immense power but losing his sense of taste. Kumoko had been reborn as a weak Lesser Taratect but retained her sense of taste, able to enjoy delicious food.

No one could say who had gained or lost more.

Ryu Takeno longed to regain his sense of taste. In life, besides survival and reproduction, the enjoyment of food was essential. Eating was a necessary part of life.

Thinking of the delicious food in his past life, he couldn't help but drool.

But with his current cultivation progress, he didn't know when he'd return to human form or regain his sense of taste.

A warm feeling flowed into Kumoko's heart; the catfish tasted even better.

Takeno-kun is a reliable companion.

Kumoko fully immersed herself in eating. The catfish was so delicious; if her fangs could bite through the bones, she'd eat everything.

(?ˉ?ˉ?)Cat~fish~Cat~fish~ What a wonderful monster~

After finishing the catfish, Kumoko lay on the ground, contentedly humming an unknown song.

This was the most satisfying meal she'd had since her rebirth.

Remembering the unpalatable prey she'd eaten before, Kumoko jumped up, declaring with determination, "I've decided! I'm going to hunt more catfish! I never want to eat those awful things again, even if it means risking my life!"

"Alright~"

Ryu Takeno nodded with a mischievous smile; he agreed.

......

But…

"┗(t﹏t)┛Why am I hunting alone?!" Kumoko dodged the Elroe Fire Wyrm's attacks on the shore while Ryu Takeno hid in the magma, watching her fight.

To survive in this place, relying on others wasn't enough; even he couldn't guarantee his safety.

If he and Kumoko were separated, Kumoko, having grown dependent, would be helpless.

Even though Ryu Takeno wouldn't let that happen, accidents could still occur.

Kumoko cried out in pain, but didn't ask Ryu Takeno for help.

She had her pride.

Without arrogance, how could she learn the Arrogance skill?

Kumoko used her natural speed to dodge the Elroe Fire Wyrm's fireballs. As long as it stayed in the magma, she was helpless.

She could only slowly drain the Fire Wyrm's MP, hoping it would come ashore to chase her when it ran out.

Kumoko's combat talent was extremely high; otherwise, she wouldn't have achieved so many come-from-behind victories.

She deliberately avoided using poison, running back and forth near the shore.

It has to take the bait!

The Elroe Fire Wyrm, seeing food within reach, wouldn't let it go. It swam out of the magma, opening its maw to bite Kumoko, trying to swallow the tasty morsel.

Now!

Kumoko had been waiting for this opportunity. She'd deliberately stayed near the shore to lure it. When the large mouth lunged, she synthesized potent poison and jumped away at the last moment.

Let the poison enter its mouth instead of me.

Drink the poison! (Kusuri o nonde!)

However, lacking experience battling large creatures, her poison attack hadn't reached level 10; the poison wasn't strong enough to kill the Fire Wyrm instantly.

The poisoned Fire Wyrm was in pain but still had enough strength to attack Kumoko.

Kumoko wouldn't foolishly stand there to be bitten. With over three hundred speed, twice that of the Fire Wyrm, she had the advantage on land.

I've never lost in a chase!!

She just needed to run until the poison took effect.

Roar—

Unable to catch Kumoko, the Fire Wyrm let out a final roar of frustration and fell, full of resentment.

Yay!!

Kumoko cheered, jumping onto the Fire Wyrm's corpse and striking a pose, acting profound.

"Spiders are weak, but also deadly! Don't underestimate spiders!!"

Unfortunately…

Her cool moment lasted only three seconds before she was targeted by three seahorse-like monsters, their fireballs forcing her to flee.

No! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me!!

"Sigh~"

Ryu Takeno watched Kumoko jump around, shook his head helplessly, swam behind the seahorses, and used a giant tail sweep to knock them onto the shore.

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