The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 4

The Rabbit and Black Panther’s Symbiotic Relationship 4

I sat on the cushion, facing Evelyn, who knelt with one knee bent, creating a strange standoff. Despite his words, his demeanor was quite polite.

What good is politeness? As the one who called me “emergency rations,” I couldn’t let my guard down. With my ears perked, I was ready to deliver a back kick at any moment.

Perhaps sensing my wariness, Evelyn placed a hand on his chest and spoke first.

“I apologize for the delayed introduction. I am Rudd Evelyn, a subordinate of Ahin-nim [a term of respect], who brought the rabbit-nim [another term of respect] to this mansion.”

Faced with his courteous greeting, I was once again filled with 고민 [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘dilemma’].

Should I reveal that I can understand them or not? But seeing him introduce himself like this, it seemed Evelyn already assumed I could understand him.

“The noble Ahin-nim must have had a profound reason for taking in the rabbit-nim. I am merely following that will. A wondrous animal that understands the common tongue [referring to the continental language]; at first, I thought it might be a divine beast. Though its appearance seems ordinary.”

“…….”

“Though its appearance seems ordinary.”

There was no need to emphasize twice that I looked like an ordinary baby rabbit. His serious expression irritated me, even with such trivial words.

One fortunate thing was that I didn’t sense any immediate threat of being captured or harmed. But still….

‘Why did that black panther, Ahin, bring me here?’

Speak of the devil. No sooner had I wondered this than a salute echoed from outside the bedroom. The sound of the guards’ armor rubbing together felt eerily unsettling.

Soon, the door opened, and the silver-haired man I had encountered earlier entered. His movements were languid, like a predator cornering its prey.

Evelyn carefully picked me up as I was momentarily distracted and bowed.

“You have arrived.”

“Evelyn, why are you here?”

“Weren’t you the one who sent me ahead to attend to the rabbit-nim?”

The slowly shifting red eyes fixed on me in Evelyn’s arms.

“Ah, right.”

‘Ah, right.’ The subtle pause before answering made it clear he had forgotten.

Seemingly curious, Evelyn pushed me forward slightly and asked.

“Ahin-nim, where on earth did you find this one…?”

“I picked it up in the forest bordering the rabbit territory. There were those who crossed the border without permission. Has it been confirmed whether it’s a beastman [a human with animal features]?”

“The physician believes that hypothesis is impossible.”

“Is that so?”

While listening to the explanation, Ahin, who was loosening his cravat, turned his gaze to me again. Unlike Evelyn’s stoicism, his gaze was devoid of any emotion. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“Well, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a beastman or not.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I’m going to eat it tomorrow.”

Terrified by this sudden declaration, I quickly looked up at Evelyn. He said the noble Ahin-nim had a profound reason for taking me in! This is completely different!

Evelyn, who also looked down at me, nodded with a serious face.

“If you’re having it for breakfast, grilling would be best. I’ll inform the chef in advance.”

‘Hey, hey!’

I was betrayed in just a few seconds. He pretended to build a bond with me for the past few hours, but he was the ultimate traitor.

“Oh, it’s already late at night.”

Evelyn, who had placed me on the bed as I turned pale, calmly walked to the terrace and drew the curtains. Swish, the red curtains completely blocked out the dark night sky.

“I will retire now. Have a good rest.”

Don’t retire as you please! Stop there, Evelyn! I growled as best as I could from the bed, but the traitor’s back was only getting further away.

I was still seething until he completely left the bedroom, then I felt a chill run down my spine.

It was because I instinctively sensed danger from the gaze fixed on the back of my head.

Slowly turning my head, I met Ahin’s eyes, which had lost their smile. Instantly, the gruesome scene I witnessed earlier flashed through my mind.

‘Aaaaaaack!’

‘Cough!’

The thick smell of blood that permeated the forest and the heads of the two beastmen rolling on the dirt floor. Just thinking about that sight made me nauseous.

‘…Am I supposed to be alone with that black panther?’

No way. My vision went dark, like the night outside the window.

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