If the Yuan-Chu in her true form was so noble, then the little yellow chick sheltered beneath the mother hen's wings was so tiny and adorable.
Yet her little eyes were filled with panic and unease.
Sandplain Chickens were a relatively populous species on the Ember Sandplain, but their frailty had relegated them to the bottom of the food chain on this land where they grew.
Just like now, flocks of Sandplain Chickens were fleeing in all directions, desperately searching for cover.
The reason was simple: Rock Feather Vile Vultures—a species higher up the Sandplain Chicken food chain—were circling above the sandplain, preparing to hunt.
Watching the chicks scatter below, the flock of Rock Feather Vile Vultures let out eerie laughter.
The game of hawk and chick had begun.
Vulture language: "You're all hiding, right? If you are, we're coming to find you now~"
As the vultures called out, flocks of Rock Feather Vile Vultures dove down. Their rocky feathers flapped, whipping up massive sandstorms, while sparse vegetation and weathered stones shattered one after another.
One hidden Sandplain Chicken after another was found, contributing a bucket of chicken to the Rock Feather Vile Vultures' feast!
Sandplain Chickens continuously became meals on the Rock Feather Vile Vultures' plates.
Fortunately, the grass where the little yellow chick and her mother hid had not been discovered for the time being.
The sounds outside—the Rock Feather Vile Vultures tearing into the flesh of their kind, crunching through bones, and the shrill cries of captured chickens—made the little yellow chick tremble uncontrollably.
Her mother kept softly comforting her.
Just when the little yellow chick and her mother thought they had escaped disaster...
"Hehe, found you~"
A rocky feather swept past, and the little yellow chick and her mother ultimately failed to escape their pursuer's search.