Chapter 52: Side Story: Rumi (2)

Generally, weight class differences are an insurmountable wall.

Even in combat sports where people who claim to “throw a punch or two” gather, there’s a reason why competitors are divided by weight class.

“Chu-chu!”

“Thud!”

Setting aside the scientific debate of whether bears actually make “chu-chu” sounds when they cry.

What unfolded before my eyes was.

A great leap that defied weight class.

With a single punch from tiny Rumi (Level 50, fully equipped), the bear’s massive belly jiggled and it was pushed back smoothly.

But the bear wasn’t going to take it lying down, so it retaliated with a sincere, anger-filled swipe of its paw!

“Chu-bu-bu……?”

Wow.

So even a bear’s eyes can show panic, huh?

Rumi effortlessly blocked the seemingly powerful attack with her forearm, then swiftly shifted her stance and delivered a shoulder strike, bam!!

“Bwuooook……!”

Watching the slender Rumi, who looked even more delicate than the bear’s forearm, dominate the bear with pure physical strength was a terrifying sight that sent shivers down my spine.

Even with level and gear advantages.

How could anyone not be amazed at such a miraculous scene of overcoming physical disparities?

“Bark!”

Ah, crap.

Instead of an exclamation of awe, all that came out was a dog’s bark.

After a few more exchanges.

“Boom……”

The bear finally couldn’t hold on and collapsed.

It was completely knocked out.

“That was nothing, woof!”

Rumi turned her back on the fallen bear and smiled brightly at me.

Her smile was truly refreshing.

After that, we went through several more episodes.

As if rewriting history—

Rumi faced defeats or encountered various monsters and beastmen warriors in the Great Forest, engaging in skirmishes.

The peaceful, stroll-loving Rumi was no more.

Only the battle-hardened warrior Rumi, painted with violence and conflict, remained………….

Before we knew it, the once tiny Rumi had grown tall and had fully evolved into her current form.

I, too, had grown from a little pup to the size of a large dog, reaching up to Rumi’s waist.

And now, the stage was a very familiar place.

A rather cramped area, not quite the training grounds of Darangkkum Meadow.

“The Hound Clan, quite famous in the Great Forest. I, Ranggeomho, will accept your challenge.”

“Hmph, you’ve got an overly confident male with you. I’ll break your pride right here.”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Renatel and Enya appeared simultaneously.

“Master, are those the same as the warrior friend and their lover from our house, woof?”

Rumi, her ears perked up, looked down at me and asked.

“Woof!”

I immediately understood Rumi’s intention and nodded.

At that moment.

Rumi’s demeanor changed completely.

“I went easy on you at the tower, but not here, woof!”

Despite being in a 1:2 disadvantage, Rumi charged forward without hesitation and landed the first blow.

She dodged sharp sword strikes and spear thrusts aimed at her vitals, not allowing even a single scratch on her clothes, and began to dominate the battlefield.

Renatel, struck in the abdomen by Rumi’s full-powered punch, flew back and tumbled, crashing into the wall in an undignified heap.

“What do you mean by ‘male’?”

Not a warrior friend, but just an enemy. And a kidnapper at that.

Enya was beaten mercilessly, like a dog on a hot day.

“Bark! Bark bark!”

It was so pitiful that even I barked, urging Rumi to stop hitting them.

Finally, Rumi, now a true loyal hound, stopped her violent actions and smiled brightly, her cheeks stained with blood, her chest painted red.

Cute and pretty.

That’s all that matters.

“Woof!”

Rumi flew over to me and gently patted my head.

As for the two defeated.

“……I admit defeat.”

“You have the qualifications. Move forward.”

They spoke solemnly, even with their faces bruised and battered.

“Boom……”

I’m already worried about what will happen when we return.

Will I be able to hold back my laughter when I see Renatel’s face?

It’s going to be a level MAX difficulty in laughter suppression……

***

[Rumi’s Legend: The Miracle of the Great Forest – Episode 91

[Rumi, who brought the Wolf Clan to their knees, now had to earn the recognition of the Cat Clan. Arriving at the Cat Clan’s city, ‘Nekopia,’ Rumi was challenged to prove her strength in the arena.]

“Meow! Win, meow!”

“Don’t lose to some mutt, meow!”

With the episode update, the setting changed once again to the center of the arena.

The atmosphere was as heated as an ancient colosseum.

The audience was filled entirely with Cat Clan members.

And between Rumi and me stood a massive wall.

“Master! Are you there, woof?!”

“Bark! Bark!”

I barked to reassure her of my safety, and from beyond the wall, I heard a sigh of relief.

I wanted to communicate more, but.

《Introducing the new challengers! How far can these insignificant mutts go? Introducing Rumi of the Hound Clan and her male companion, Ruru!》

With the announcer’s booming introduction, the arena erupted in cheers.

Soon, we couldn’t hear each other’s voices.

《Facing them is the champion of the Cat Clan! Layla! And her tiger, Petra!》

The cheers were even more intense than when we appeared.

“Layla! Crush that mutt’s pride!”

“Petra will definitely win, meow!”

I had a bad feeling about this.

《This duel will not only test the master’s skill but also the combat prowess of their companion! Will the challengers leave the arena in one piece? Let the battle begin!》

Thud.

“Krrrr……”

“Bark……?”

Suddenly, I found myself face-to-face with a tiger.

“Master! Rumi will come save you soon, woof! Just hold on a little longer, woof!”

Rumi’s voice echoed urgently from the separated space.

My thoughts accelerated at an unprecedented speed.

I pushed myself to the limit, immersing myself in the mindset of a dog.

“Whimper……!”

Plan.

Act cute!

“Ahem!”

Hwaaak!

Failed!

“Bang, bang!”

Even a young pup knows not to mess with a tiger.

No matter how clueless a young pup is, it knows better than to provoke a tiger several times its size.

Using my now-familiar quadrupedal movement.

I desperately ran, and ran!

“Don’t run away, meow! Fight back, meow!”

Jeers poured from the audience.

“Bark!”

I condensed all my curses into a single syllable, spinning around until my paws were sweating.

Luckily, the tiger was underestimating me.

Before it could deliver a devastating punch (ouch), it seemed to be cornering me to play with me.

What a despicable lucky bastard.

Well, then.

I can go rabid too!

“Grrr!”

With a fierce growl.

Boom!

“Gasp!”

Suddenly, the wall shattered, and the tiger was sent flying into the air before crashing to the ground.

“……?”

Could it be.

Have I awakened a superpower?

Have I finally unlocked my full potential?

However…..

My vision…………

My body is losing strength………

With great power comes great responsibility, they say………

***

“Master is in danger………!”

Rumi was in a panic.

Even though she was in Ruru’s form, Master was Master.

She could recognize him by his scent.

But now, Master was on the other side of this massive wall…………!!

“What are you looking at, little mutt? Your opponent is over here, meow!”

Rumi sent the cat woman who approached her flying with a single punch and assessed the height of the wall.

Jumping over was impossible.

Then.

“I didn’t want to show this side of me, woof….….”

Rumi’s complex.

When she focused to unleash her full strength, her hands would transform into something resembling a dog’s front paws.

Among the Hound Clan she had met, no one had such a transformation.

She had fled the Great Forest because of the uncomfortable stares from her own kind.

Surely, humans would dislike it too.

So she hid it.

No matter how dangerous the situation, Rumi restrained herself.

Because she feared being hated for it.

But now.

“Bark!”

“Master……!”

Perhaps the shock of sending a Cat Clan member flying was too much, but in the sudden silence, Master’s voice stood out.

He sounded anxious.

The kind Master.

The one she thought was her destiny from the moment they met.

The one who left marks every day…………!

Rumi’s eyes turned a deeper shade of red.

From her fingertips to her hands, and then her arms, they were quickly covered in animal fur.

She heightened her senses, sniffing.

She sharpened her hearing, perking her ears.

She located Master.

He was spinning around on the other side, though she couldn’t see what was happening.

And she pinpointed the tiger threatening Master.

From her shoulder to her elbow, and then her fist, she extended naturally.

Boom!

Rumi’s fist struck the tall, thick wall.

Crack.

Crack crack.

Crash.

The cracks turned into fissures, and soon the wall crumbled, leaving a massive hole.

Through the gap, she saw.

“Master!”

A tiger that seemed to be knocked out.

And Master, who was also dizzily spinning with swirls above his head.