Deep in the quiet, shadowy forest, a sudden rustling interrupted everyone's discussion.
The unexpected sound of shifting vegetation instantly put every member of the search party on edge.
Tsukasa, Hyoga, and the others turned in unison, their gazes locking onto the source of the noise deep in the forest as their hands instinctively clenched.
Everyone held their breath and stared into the dark woods.
They had expected some lurking, ferocious beast, but a small black shape suddenly darted out of the bushes, bounding swiftly into view.
The moment they saw what it was, everyone's tension melted away.
It was only a wild boar piglet.
The little creature had a round body covered in a thin layer of black fuzz, with bright black eyes that looked both innocent and lively.
It grunted constantly as it rooted at the ground with its snout. Soft and oddly adorable, it had none of an adult boar's savage ferocity.
Li Xiang immediately perked up.
She instinctively slowed her steps, crouched gently, and beckoned kindly to the little boar.
"Come here, little one. I've got something for you to eat."
With that, she took some jerky out of her pocket and placed it on the ground.
"Come here. Pspsps."
"That doesn't seem quite right?"
Wait, was "pspsps" how you called a pig?
Yuzuriha's heart tightened at the sight, and she hurriedly warned her, "Wait, Li Xiang! Be careful!"
But her warning came a moment too late.
Without even turning her head, Li Xiang waved confidently, her tone relaxed and casual.
"Don't worry. It definitely won't-"
Before she could finish, a muffled thud rang out.
The little creature suddenly gathered its strength and charged, its tiny body slamming straight into Li Xiang with a force far beyond its size.
The impact was so powerful and sudden that