Before long, the Leopard God returned with the little mushroom in its mouth. Its tail swayed back and forth, and it looked quite pleased.
Listening closely, Su Ming could hear it humming some African folk song it had learned who knew where, making strange "hurrulu, hurrulu" sounds.
"I asked about it for you, Simba."
"Don't say that name!"
The Leopard God set the mushroom on the ground and was about to explain what had happened when Su Ming immediately cut it off, even covering his ears with his hands.
The big cat narrowed its eyes and gave a very human-like shrug. "Fine. Anyway, I found out about this thing for you. A group of Mutants went to South Africa a few years ago and got these mushrooms from a local tribe. As for anything more, that mongoose didn't know. It only saw this much."
"Mutants... Thanks."
Su Ming let out a sigh of relief, took out some snacks and set them on the tree branch for the Leopard God, then jumped down from the tree himself.
As long as it hadn't said the name, it was fine. But this place was too dangerous. Unless absolutely necessary, he should come here less often in the future.
The Leopard God jumped onto the branch, skillfully sliced open a packet of Spicy Strips with its claws, and licked at them with its long, barbed tongue. "All right, go handle your business. I'm going to rest."
Su Ming waved goodbye. When he closed his eyes and opened them again, he was lying in a nest of grass, with a piercing alarm ringing in his ears.
From somewhere nearby came the faint sound of someone mourning, crying out in Wakandan: "Heart-Shaped Herb! My Heart-Shaped Herb!"
Su Ming stroked his chin. He had only plucked a