I stared at the notification floating in my vision, its faint glow casting a strange light over the walls of my burrow. My entire body felt frozen, the gravity of the decision before me pressing down like the weight of a mountain.

[Maximum Level Reached. Evolution Possible.]

[Proceed: Yes/No?]

For a long moment, I couldn’t breathe. Evolve? Change? Was I ready for that? Did I even have a choice? My instincts screamed at me to press "Yes," to move forward, to grow stronger so I wouldn’t end up as some predator’s midnight snack ever again. But the thought of what came next filled me with dread.

“What happens if I press yes?” I muttered aloud, staring at my trembling paws.

“What happens if I don’t?”

The orb in my chest pulsed faintly in response, like a heartbeat in sync with my own. It wasn’t exactly reassuring. If anything, it felt like it was urging me forward, whispering, you can’t stop now. You’ve already started.

“Yeah, no pressure, right?” I muttered, my ears twitching nervously.

“Right?”

The forest around me remained unnervingly silent. No rustling leaves, no chittering squirrels, no distant howls. Just the suffocating quiet of the unknown pressing in on all sides. I couldn’t stay here forever. Not in this state. I had to do something.

My eyes flicked back to the notification. [Proceed: Yes/No?]

I raised a paw, hesitating for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, I took a deep breath and muttered,

“Screw it. What’s the worst that could happen?”

My paw hovered in the air for just a moment longer before I mentally willed the answer.

[Yes.]

The instant I chose "Yes," the world around me seemed to blur. The walls of my burrow shimmered like heat waves, bending and twisting into strange, unrecognizable shapes. My body went stiff, my muscles locking up as a wave of energy exploded outward from the orb in my chest. It wasn’t pain—not exactly. It was more like… pressure. Like my entire being was being unraveled and re-stitched together all at once.

My vision swam as a new notification blinked into view.

[Preparing Evolution Path…]

[Analyzing Species Data…]

“Wait, what? Analyzing? What are you analyzing?!”

I shouted, my voice echoing unnaturally in the shimmering void.

Then came the choices.

[Choose Your Evolution Path:]

[Lesser Horned Rabbit]: A more aggressive and physically durable form. Notable for its sharp, protruding horns and enhanced combat abilities. Often described as battle-hungry.

[Greater Rabbit]: Physically bigger and stronger than the base rabbit form. Notable for its incredible reflexes and heavy hits. Intimidates their enemy with their large frame.

[Red-Eyed Lop]: A rabbit that’s able to influence the mind of its enemy. This form grants an increase in mental strength and agility.

[Lesser Mana Rabbit]: A path for those attuned to magic. This form grants an expanded mana pool and the ability to manipulate basic magical elements.

[Hidden]: Additional Requirements needed.

I stared at the options, my brain stalling. Horns? Magic? Influence? Was this real? Was I actually about to pick how I evolved? And why were some of these paths locked? My eyes lingered on "Hidden," and a cold shiver ran down my spine. The orb in my chest pulsed faintly, as though it has a faint recognition of what lies beyond it.

“Yeah, no thanks,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“I don’t even know what that means, also “Additional Requirement needed” Do you want me to say it again Orby?”

I read through the remaining options again, trying to make sense of what would be the smartest choice.

“Let me see, can I get some more information?”

The instant that I thought of it, the orb pulsated and the descriptions for each evolution choice expanded.

“Nice, now we’re talking, let’s see, first let’s read about [Greater Rabbit].”

[Greater Rabbit]

[Description]

Biological Traits of the Greater Rabbit

1. Size and Appearance

* The Greater Rabbit grows to roughly twice the size of an average rabbit, standing at about 3 feet tall when on its hind legs. Its muscular frame gives it a more imposing silhouette, and its fur becomes denser, providing better protection from both environmental elements and minor physical attacks.

* Its ears are longer and more sensitive, capable of picking up distant sounds with extraordinary clarity. The inner lining of the ears has a subtle, iridescent sheen, a trait that might hint at further magical potential in future evolutions.

* The eyes take on a sharper, more predatory glint, with a faint glow in low-light conditions, improving its ability to navigate in darkness and sense danger.

* The claws and hind legs become more developed, allowing for stronger kicks, faster digging, and the ability to briefly cling to surfaces for stability during combat.

2. Physical Abilities

* Enhanced Agility: The Greater Rabbit is much faster and more agile than its base form, capable of executing rapid direction changes mid-jump. Its [Bounce] ability becomes more powerful, with greater propulsion and control in mid-air.

* Increased Strength: Its legs develop significant muscular power, allowing it to leap higher, kick harder, and carry heavier loads.

* Improved Durability: The thicker fur and tougher skin provide resistance to minor slashes and bites, giving it better odds in physical confrontations.

* Enhanced Senses: Its heightened hearing, sharper vision, and improved scent detection make it a master of detecting predators and prey alike. These abilities also tie into the [Danger Sense] skill, amplifying its effectiveness.

3. Intelligence and Awareness

* The Greater Rabbit experiences a notable boost in cognitive function. It becomes more capable of strategic thinking and planning during combat and survival situations.

* It starts recognizing patterns in enemy movements and can assess the strength of opponents more effectively.

* This intelligence extends to environmental awareness, making it skilled at identifying hidden dangers, tracking creatures, and understanding the behavior of predators.

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Behavioral Traits of the Greater Rabbit

1. Survival Instincts

* The Greater Rabbit develops a heightened sense of territorial awareness. It becomes more proactive in defending its home and resources, challenging weaker predators or rival creatures that encroach on its domain.

* Its territorial instincts also extend to nearby creatures that it considers allies. This means the Greater Rabbit may defend others in exchange for food or alliances.

2. Combat Style

* The Greater Rabbit fights with a mix of agility and brute force. It relies on quick movements to evade attacks and land devastating kicks and strikes.

* Its hind legs can deliver bone-crushing blows, while its claws, though not as strong as those of predators, can still deal damage in a pinch.

* With its enhanced strength and intelligence, it learns to weaponize its environment—using rocks, branches, or terrain to outmaneuver or harm enemies.

3. Curiosity and Exploration

* As its intelligence grows, so does its curiosity. The Greater Rabbit becomes more willing to explore its surroundings and investigate unusual phenomena. This might lead it to discover new resources, hidden dangers, or opportunities for growth.

* Its growing awareness of its abilities and the world around it marks the beginning of a more adventurous mindset, hinting at its eventual rise beyond mere survival.

----------------------------------------

“This looks…good?”

Well, it’s basically just a bigger version of a normal rabbit but with enhanced feet. Let’s see, since I mainly fight by kicking, I think this would actually be beneficial for my survival since my main method of attacking enemies is my feet and the rapid directional changes in midair are a great addition to my abilities.

Although it looks great it looks kinda plain also which means boring. Do I just wanna become a bigger rabbit?! Well, no of course not. If the other choices don’t satisfy me then I’ll think of it then, but for now let’s see the others.

Let’s check [Lesser Horned Rabbit]

[Lesser Horned Rabbit]

[Description]

Biological Traits of the Lesser Horned Rabbit

1. Size and Build

* The Lesser Horned Rabbit is only slightly larger than its unevolved counterpart, standing about 1.5 times the size of a normal rabbit. Its body remains agile and compact, built for quick movements and rapid escapes.

* Its fur tends to be darker and more mottled, helping it blend into rocky or forested environments, offering better camouflage against predators.

2. Horns

* The defining feature of the Lesser Horned Rabbit is the development of a sharp, bony horn protruding from the center of the rabbit’s forehead. This horn is composed of keratin, the horn is about 5 to 7 inches long and resembles the structure of a young rhinoceros' horn, rough and sharp.

* While not sturdy enough to take on larger predators head-on, the horn is an effective defense mechanism for smaller creatures and can be used to deter attackers in close quarters.

* The horn also serves as a mating display and a status symbol among others of its kind, with larger and more polished horns being a sign of strength and fitness.

3. Eyes and Senses

* Its eyes are sharper, offering better vision in low light, allowing it to navigate and detect threats more effectively in dense forests or at night.

* Its ears have also developed to pick up on a broader range of frequencies, making it particularly alert to the movements of predators or rivals.

4. Legs and Movement

* The Lesser Horned Rabbit has slightly more muscular hind legs, allowing it to leap higher and farther than a normal rabbit. This enhanced mobility not only aids in escaping predators but also allows it to traverse rocky or uneven terrain more efficiently.

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Behavioral Traits of the Lesser Horned Rabbit

1. Habitat and Range

* Lesser Horned Rabbits are typically found in rocky forests, dense shrublands, and hilly grasslands. Their environments often offer plenty of cover and vertical terrain that allow them to utilize their improved jumping skills for both mobility and survival.

* They tend to avoid wide-open areas like plains, as their camouflage and agility are less effective in such exposed environments.

2. Diet

* As herbivores, Lesser Horned Rabbits feed on a variety of grasses, shrubs, and roots. However, they have also developed a liking for tougher plants, using their horns to scrape bark from trees or dig out particularly stubborn roots.

3. Social Behavior

* Territorial Nature: Unlike their unevolved counterparts, Lesser Horned Rabbits are mildly territorial. A dominant individual may claim a small patch of land as its own, particularly if the area has an abundance of food or cover.

* Mating Displays: During mating seasons, males will often display their horns by ramming them against rocks or trees, creating distinct sounds to attract females or warn off rivals. Actual combat between males is rare but can occur when two claimants desire the same mate or territory.

* Small Groups: They are more independent than unevolved rabbits, often seen in small groups or alone, rather than in large warrens. Groups are usually made up of related individuals, such as siblings or mothers with their young.

4. Defense Mechanisms

* When threatened, Lesser Horned Rabbits will attempt to flee first, utilizing [Enhanced Leap] to escape to higher ground or dense foliage.

* If cornered or unable to escape, they will charge their attackers with [Horn Jab], aiming for soft or vulnerable spots. While they are still prey animals, these defensive measures give them a better chance of survival than unevolved rabbits.

5. Predators

* Despite their increased capabilities, Lesser Horned Rabbits are still targeted by predators such as foxes, ferrets, and larger raptors. Their horn makes them less attractive targets, but they remain vulnerable to larger, more determined hunters.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Now that’s more like it, it looks cooler than the previous one. The addition of the horn is a plus, I think that I’ll be able to deal more damage rather than just kicking my enemies with my hind legs.

If that’s the case, then that would be really useful in the long run for my survival. Besides, now I can make skewers mwehehehehe. That sounds so stupid not gonna lie.

Now moving on, time for the [Lesser Mana Rabbit]

[Lesser Mana Rabbit]

[Description]

Biological Traits of the Lesser Mana Rabbit

1. Size and Physical Appearance

* The Lesser Mana Rabbit is slightly larger than an average rabbit, about 1.5 times the size of a normal rabbit. Its fur is softer, often appearing faintly luminescent under moonlight or in the presence of mana-rich environments.

* Their fur coloration varies based on their environment:

* Forest dwellers have pale green or earthy hues to blend into foliage.

* Mountain variants exhibit grays and silvers, with faint glowing patterns along their backs resembling veins of mana.

* Desert-dwelling Lesser Mana Rabbits have light brown or golden fur with faintly shimmering highlights.

* Their eyes glow faintly when they are actively channeling mana, often taking on vibrant hues like blue, green, or violet.

2. Mana Reservoir

* Internally, the Lesser Mana Rabbit possesses a small mana reservoir, a unique organ located near its heart. This organ allows the rabbit to absorb ambient mana from its surroundings and store it. While their mana pool is small compared to magical humanoids, it’s sufficient to fuel their basic survival abilities.

* The reservoir also glows faintly during moments of stress or heightened magical activity, acting as a visual cue for their mana usage.

3. Enhanced Legs

* Their legs are slightly more muscular and flexible than those of regular rabbits, allowing them to leap further and with greater control. This is both a physical adaptation and a result of their ability to enhance their jumps with minor bursts of mana.

4. Sensitive Ears

* The Lesser Mana Rabbit's ears are highly sensitive to mana fluctuations, acting like natural detectors. If mana in the environment surges or if a predator with magical capabilities is nearby, their ears twitch and stand erect, alerting them to danger.

5. Physical Durability

* While they are still fragile compared to larger creatures, Lesser Mana Rabbits are slightly more durable than their non-magical counterparts. Their muscles and bones are subtly reinforced by mana, making them harder to injure through blunt force.

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Behavioral Traits of the Lesser Mana Rabbit

1. Skittish but Smart

* Like ordinary rabbits, Lesser Mana Rabbits are inherently skittish and rely on speed and agility to escape predators. However, their intelligence is slightly higher due to their exposure to mana, allowing them to:

* Learn and adapt to threats more quickly.

* Recognize patterns in predator behavior.

* Use the environment tactically to escape danger, such as leading predators into magical traps or obstacles.

2. Mana Foraging

* In addition to consuming regular vegetation, Lesser Mana Rabbits instinctively seek out plants, fungi, and water sources rich in mana. Mana-infused herbs like Glowing Grass and Arcane Blossoms are their primary food sources.

* When food is scarce, they can survive on pure ambient mana in the environment, though this weakens them over time.

3. Territorial Awareness

* Lesser Mana Rabbits are territorial creatures but in an indirect way. They don’t actively fight to claim land but will subtly “mark” their preferred areas by leaving faint magical imprints (small traces of mana left behind when they hop or forage). Other mana-sensitive creatures recognize these imprints and often avoid overlapping territories.

4. Herd Mentality

* Lesser Mana Rabbits are semi-social creatures, often forming small herds of 5-10 individuals. Herds provide a collective advantage by pooling their sensitivity to mana to detect predators.

* The alpha of the herd is usually the rabbit with the largest mana reservoir or the most efficient mana usage in evasion and speed.

5. Nocturnal Activity

* These rabbits are primarily nocturnal, as mana levels in the environment tend to peak during nighttime due to fewer magical disturbances (like humanoid activity). This also helps them avoid daytime predators.

It looks kinda interesting, does it mean that I’ll be able to use magic when I pick this? Yes? Well looks like it.

Seeing that they might have the ability to use magic, fighting through means other than close combat opens up. This would really help me with my survivability since it seems that I’ll be able to do some hit-and-run tactics instead of going head-to-head against my enemies like I always did.

It’s a good choice for sure, besides, I’ll also finally be able to use magic, watch me throw a fireball at their balls.

Let’s see, now for the final one the [Red-Eyed Lop]

[Red-Eyed Lop]

[Description]

Biological Traits of the Red-Eyed Lop

1. Physical Appearance

* Fur Coloration: The Red-Eyed Lop has soft, fluffy fur with a sleek, almost iridescent sheen to blend into dim lighting or its natural environment. The fur is typically a mix of smoky gray, deep brown, or midnight black, making it harder for predators to spot. In rare cases, some Red-Eyed Lops have pure white fur.

* Eyes: The defining feature of the Red-Eyed Lop is its deep crimson eyes that shimmer faintly under moonlight or dim conditions. The red hue is unnaturally vibrant, making them appear otherworldly to creatures. When activated, its skill causes its eyes to glow, enhancing its ability to affect enemies psychologically.

* Ears: The lop ears are long and hang down the sides of its face. These ears are highly sensitive, able to detect even the faintest vibrations in the ground, giving the Red-Eyed Lop an edge when hunting or avoiding predators.

2. Size and Build

* The Red-Eyed Lop is slightly larger than a standard rabbit, with a more muscular frame, making it capable of strong bursts of speed or powerful, precise leaps.

* Its hind legs are dense with muscle, built for both fleeing and launching devastating kicks if cornered. Its claws, though small, are sharper than usual for digging or close-range combat.

3. Unique Adaptations

* Eye Adaptation:

* The red eyes of the Red-Eyed Lop through adaptation through time developed its red eyes to produce an intimidating effect. The coloration is linked to enhanced visual acuity, allowing it to see clearly in low light or at night, making it an efficient nocturnal predator.

* The glow effect when the skill is activated is caused by a bio-photonic layer in the eyes, which emits faint light and hypnotic patterns that confuse or intimidate enemies.

* Sensory Enhancement:

* The Red-Eyed Lop has a heightened sense of smell and hearing, helping it detect predators or prey from greater distances.

* Its ears can pick up low-frequency sound waves, such as the rustle of a distant predator or the heartbeat of a nearby creature.

4. Defensive Traits

* Camouflage: The dark fur colors combined with the muted sheen allow the Red-Eyed Lop to blend into shadowy environments, helping it evade predators.

* Enhanced Reflexes: Its nervous system is wired for split-second decisions, allowing it to react faster to ambushes or attacks.

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Behavioral Traits of the Red-Eyed Lop in the Wild

1. Solitary but Observant

* The Red-Eyed Lop is a largely solitary creature, often preferring to avoid densely populated areas unless seeking shelter or mates. It spends most of its time foraging for food while maintaining constant vigilance for threats.

2. Psychological Warfare

* Unlike most rabbits that rely solely on physical escape mechanisms, the Red-Eyed Lop employs psychological tactics to dissuade predators.

* If approached by a predator, it will often fix its glowing red eyes on the enemy, activating its eye-based skill to instill hesitation or fear. This allows it to escape while the predator is momentarily stunned or disoriented.

3. Territorial Instincts

* While generally nomadic, a Red-Eyed Lop will defend its immediate surroundings if it feels cornered or if the environment is a particularly abundant food source. It will use its eye skill to intimidate and its sharp claws and powerful kicks to fight off intruders.

4. Nocturnal and Opportunistic

* The Red-Eyed Lop is primarily active during dusk and night, using its enhanced night vision to forage for food while evading diurnal predators.

* It is opportunistic in its diet, eating grass, roots, and occasionally insects or small creatures if necessary. This adaptability makes it resilient in harsher environments.

5. Ambush Evader

* When pursued, the Red-Eyed Lop doesn’t run in predictable patterns like a standard rabbit. Instead, it uses erratic, high-speed leaps combined with its psychological skill to confuse predators.

6. Hypnotic Behavior

* If hunting smaller prey (e.g., rodents or insects), it can use its glowing eyes to lure them into a stupor before attacking. This rare predatory behavior sets it apart from herbivorous rabbits.

Now this is an interesting one, could I say that it’s a rabbit that manipulates its enemies? It’s quite tempting considering that it seems really cool not gonna lie. If possible, I could confuse my enemy and push it off a cliff, now that’s a nice idea. Or maybe make them kill themselves…. Well, that’s an idea for sure. A nasty one, but an idea.

Now let’s try seeing what’s [Hidden]

[Hidden]

[Description]

[Unable to view]

[Requirements are not met]

[Additional Requirements needed]

No luck huh, Oh well. I’m satisfied with my range of choices now, so it doesn’t matter actually.

“Okay, think. I’m small, squishy, and everything in this forest wants to kill me. Do I want to become a bigger rabbit, a rabbit with horns, a rabbit that can do magic, or a rabbit that can confuse them?”

My ears twitched as I weighed the pros and cons.

A Lesser Horned Rabbit sounded useful. With extra durability and horns, I’d be harder to kill in close combat. But did I really want to go around headbutting everything like a pissed-off goat? Greater Rabbit sounded great, especially considering how much I relied on [Bounce] and dodging to survive. But something about Lesser Mana Rabbit called to me. The idea of manipulating magic, of having something other than just my legs and teeth to fight back… was tempting.

But still, the moment I saw it, the moment I read what it is. It called to me.

“Manipulation,” I muttered. “Let’s go with Red-Eyed Lop.”

What’s my reason? Well, the reason is… cause it sounds so cool that’s what! Do I even need to explain myself?!

I focused on the Red-Eyed Lop, willing the system to select it. The moment I made my choice, a new notification appeared.

[Confirmed: Red-Eyed Lop.]

[Beginning Evolution Process…]

“Oh crap,” I whispered as the shimmering void around me began to pulse and shift.

The Pain and the Power

The moment the evolution process began, I understood why so many creatures in this world never made it past their first evolution. Seeing that I still haven’t seen a single magical creature in my vicinity, assuming that I’m not the only one who can evolve. It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was excruciating. My entire body felt like it was being stretched, reshaped, torn apart, and rebuilt. My fur bristled as waves of heat and cold coursed through me, my muscles spasming uncontrollably.

The orb in my chest burned like a miniature sun, its rhythm growing louder and faster until it felt like my entire body was vibrating in time with it. My vision blurred, colors and shapes blending together into an incomprehensible swirl.

“This sucks,” I gasped, gritting my teeth—or at least, I thought I still had teeth. It was hard to tell when my entire body felt like it was melting and reforming at the same time. “This really, really sucks!”

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the pain stopped.

I collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily as the world slowly came back into focus. My body felt… different. Lighter. Stronger. The air around me felt charged, tingling faintly against my fur. And the orb in my chest? It was still there, but its pulse had softened, its presence less overwhelming.

A new notification appeared.

[Congratulations! You have evolved into a Red-Eyed Lop.]

[New Skills Unlocked: Hypnotic Gaze Level 1, Blood Sight Level 1.]

[Level Up! [Bounce] Level 3 → 4]

[Level Up! [Danger Sense] Level 1 → 2]

[Level Up! [Kick] Level 3 → 4]

[Stats Increased.]

[Level Reset: 0/30 EXP.]

[Status Updated.]

[No Name]

[Red-Eyed Lop]

[Level 0 [0/30 EXP]]

[HP: 25/25]

[Mana: 30/30]

[Active Skills: Bounce Level 4, Danger Sense Level 2, Kick Level 4, Hypnotic Gaze Level 1]

[Passive Skills: Blood Sight Level 1]

I blinked at the updated status, my mind racing as I tried to process the changes. My HP and mana had both increased significantly, and the new skills…

“Hypnotic Gaze? Blood Sight?” I muttered, testing the words.

“What even are those?”

As if on cue, while I was looking outside of my burrow, my vision suddenly shifted and began to see some weird red vague shape on the bushes outside as if it seemed to be in the shape of a caterpillar. I tried to focus my eyes more on the figure since I was quite curious about it and suddenly I was hit with a hot sensation.

“Ouch!”

It seems that focusing on it came with a price, but I was also surprised to see that when I focused my eyes it seems that the shape became clearer and became fine lines, I wonder what it means? Well, I have to explore it later, I guess.

Hmm, can I turn it off? Seems not. I guess this is what the eyes of a normal Red-Eyed Lop usually see.

I also felt a sensation in my mind, it’s kind of like hmmmm, how can I actually describe this feeling? Well, it’s kind of having my mind fortified? If that’s the right word for it. I can’t actually explain…NO! If you can’t understand it then you’re just dumb then. It’s your fault, not mine! Hmph!

“Whoa,”

I whispered, glancing down at my paws. They tingled faintly, and a soft red light formed in the shape of my paws. I guess it seems that my eyes have some heat-seeking function now? Like one of those radars, I supposed. Let’s try focusing my eyes again then.

“Oh shit, shit, shit, shit!” I yelped, hurriedly closing my eyes.

I saw lines on my paws like a vein. My eyes felt hot to the point that it feels like it’s about to burst. I guess it seems like I won’t be able to use this skill much. Even then, what is the point of seeing their veins? What’s the use of it? Not a single clue from my end.

“Hypnotic Gaze… Damn, that’s cool!”

Am I able to hypnotize them to give me their grass?! What about I hypnotize them to gather carrots for me? I’ll be stinky fucking rich! Eating carrots won’t be a dream anymore. Grandpa Rabbit, I’ll be able to fulfill your dreams for you, and I’ll be able to eat carrots on behalf of our family, Grandpa! Ancestor! I'll be able to fulfill the dreams of our family!

Well, that was dramatic, but finally, finally…

As the adrenaline from the evolution began to fade, a new feeling settled over me—excitement. For the first time since waking up in this world, I didn’t feel completely helpless. I was still small, still vulnerable in a lot of ways, but now… now I had options. I wasn’t just a rabbit anymore. I was something more.

But with that excitement came a sense of unease. The orb in my chest pulsed faintly, its presence a constant reminder that my journey was far from over. Whatever had been watching me before, whatever shadows lingered in this forest… they weren’t going to stop just because I’d evolved. If anything, I had a feeling that things were only going to get more dangerous from here.

“Well,” I muttered, stretching my new and improved legs.

“Bring it on. I’m ready for whatever this world throws at me.”

Or at least, that’s what I told myself.

As I stared out at the darkened forest, a faint rustling sound reached my ears, followed by the soft hum of [Danger Sense]. My heart skipped a beat as I crouched low, preparing for whatever was coming. But this time, the [Danger Sense] was just a false alarm, the humming stopped suddenly.

I’ve always felt uneasy whenever [Danger Sense] finds something, but this time I’ll be ready, I wanna be ready.

Tomorrow let’s test my skills.