I Became a Mountain Tiger in a Fantasy World

< Chapter 4: Subjugation, the Leader >

I focused my eyes and observed the owl.

【Razor Owl Lv. 12】

A creature with a double-digit level.

It looked dangerous.

To verify the difference between single and double-digit levels, I turned my gaze.

【Little Sparrow Lv. 2】

– Trait: [Flight]

A tiny bird, perfectly fitting the description of a sparrow.

【Dig Rat Lv. 4】

– Trait: [Miner]

A rat resembling the mole-like monster, Dark Digger.

Animals that were almost embarrassing to call monsters generally had single-digit levels.

Moreover, their ‘traits’ or ‘skills’ were accurately listed below their names.

Among them, the sparrow seemed the weakest.

【Little Sparrow Lv. 2】

– Trait: [Flight]

– Skill: [Acceleration Lv. 1]

– Status: Fearful.

Even detailed ‘status’ information was listed.

The detailed information listed under the name was the difference between double-digit and single-digit monsters.

“Does this mean I can’t yet understand what kind of creature the Razor Owl is?”

The status window was clearly indicating.

The Razor Owl was stronger than me right now.

So, it was telling me to back off!

“Ah, understood!”

Ordinarily, the best course of action would be to avert my eyes and wait for an opportunity.

If this place wasn’t the wild, and if I had no urgent reason to grow stronger quickly.

I certainly would have done that.

However, after being attacked by moles and hunting rabbits over the past few days, I had realized one thing clearly.

The creatures here were unusually strong.

The only beings I could hunt were limited to rabbits, and even that wasn’t smooth sailing if an intruder appeared, like now.

Moreover,

“Growl!”

The Razor Owl was even clever.

While running automated hunting using me, a weaker creature, it persistently observed me.

“Why?”

To kill me if it sensed something suspicious.

I was sure this bastard would ambush me someday while I was hunting.

If it realized I was growing stronger quickly, it would attack immediately.

Therefore.

“Today is your death day, you bastard!”

I opened my eyes humbly and gathered strength in my hind legs.

If you only looked at my expression, it was like Puss in Boots blinking and bowing its head.

“Gruk?!”

But this merciless owl exuded a fierce aura even at the sight of Puss in Boots.

It quickly realized that my posture was a crouch preparing for a leap.

It was perceptive.

But you, bird, dare to come down to the ground?

There’s a limit to underestimating a tiger cub!

“Growl!”

I let out a low growl and pushed off the ground with my hind legs.

The combo I practiced while hunting rabbits.

In truth, it was all to be used here.

My actions, combined with ‘Sensitivity,’ had already far surpassed the level of 2.

Bang!

“Gruk!!”

He strongly pushed off the ground and shot forward like an arrow, attacking the creature directly.

However, the Razor Owl wasn’t a pushover; it immediately swung its wings and slashed its claws.

Seeing that my infrasound attack didn’t faze it, it seemed the level difference made it ineffective.

I pushed through, continuing my charge despite being slashed by its claws.

“Ouch! Damn it, this filthy newbie killer!”

“Raaaargh!”

“Krooook! Kroooo!”

In an instant, the Razor Owl and I tangled up, creating a chaotic mess.

I was just a Level 2 tiger cub, but surprisingly, I could compete evenly with the Razor Owl.

After all, a bird’s strength lay in the acceleration from gliding, delivering a single powerful blow.

Though its claws were sharp and its beak was hard, continuous ground combat was a different story!

“Raaaargh!”

“Grrrrk!”

Enduring the claws that tore at my body, I braced my hind legs and pushed hard.

As I firmly planted my feet, the delicate muscles hidden under my chubby baby fat were revealed.

*Crack!*

This technique was inspired by a boxing manga that left a deep impression on me, a scene that stirred a man’s heart.

To those who love boxing, witness this tiger reenact it!

I bit the base of the wing of the creature trying to fly away.

Using the firmly planted center of gravity, I rotated my body.

By now, the sound of an accelerating airplane should have been ringing in my ears.

And the steam rising from my fist that had crashed down to the ground, heating up with each passing moment, was a bonus.

My waist muscles rotated powerfully, adding rotational force to the punch rising diagonally from below.

With all my might, I struck the Razor Owl with a centrifugal punch.

「[Smash Lv.1] has been acquired!」

Yes, this was the Tiger Smash! You bastard!!

*Bang!*

My finishing smash struck the base of the Razor Owl’s wing precisely.

The target was supposed to be its jaw, but my arms were too short… anyway!

“Screeee!”

The Razor Owl let out a shriek and began to thrash wildly after being hit in the wing.

Thanks to that, I, completely exhausted, crashed to the ground helplessly, while the bird, flapping its wings,─

Wobbled and failed to take off, eventually falling down.

“Screee!”

Lying limp, I looked at its bent wing with a satisfied smile.

You didn’t see this coming, did you? Serves you right!

“Kroooook!!”

The Razor Owl, utterly enraged, approached me with gleaming eyes.

Seeing its claws, sharper than my elder brother mole’s, I thought this might be the moment I bid farewell to life.

In truth, my actions were as good as insane.

I was now utterly exhausted, and while the Razor Owl had lost a wing, it still had enough strength to take my life.

“Grrowl─!”

But foolish owl.

Didn’t you wonder why I attacked you despite the risk of injury?

As I mentioned earlier, the creatures here are unusually strong.

And at the same time, incredibly cunning.

The Razor Owl preys on weaklings like me, engaging in automatic hunting.

It could do so because this was its territory.

However, this was the wild.

To reign as the strongest in the wild, one must always withstand challenges from the second-in-command.

And those second-in-command would never miss the chance when the strong weakened.

“Screech–!!”

It happened in an instant.

Something shot down from the sky with a loud bang and struck the Razor Owl’s face.

“Kreee!”

With the first ambush, one of the Razor Owl’s eyes burst.

And then followed a series of blows.

Pow! Pow, pow, slash!

The creature, circling in the air, burst the remaining eye of the Razor Owl and then landed on its back to finish it off with its beak.

“Kreee!”

Thud!

Oh, shit.

I let out an exclamation of admiration at the terrifying sight.

It was strong.

The creature that attacked the Razor Owl was undoubtedly a stronger predator than the Razor Owl itself.

‘No. Then why had it been sparing it until now?’

“Screech.”

This wasn’t what I had expected.

I was genuinely scared, but I pretended otherwise and faced the creature boldly.

After all, there was no way to escape.

The Razor Owl, now a corpse, crumbled down, revealing the creature.

[Savage Talon (Savage Beak) Lv.9]

Damn.

I nearly fainted as soon as I saw its name.

‘Named?!’

Not just a Savage Talon, but with the name ‘Savage Beak.’

The Savage Beak, with blood dripping from its beak, glared down at me.

‘No. Teacher.’

I realized once again that such a thing was flying around the sky.

The reason I had survived until now was simply that I was really weak.

I couldn’t live with the humiliation of being a baby tiger.

Seeing how strong a level 9 creature was, it seemed that level wasn’t everything in this world.

‘Is it a higher rank or something?’

Maybe it had evolved from a Savage Talon.

Now I had two choices.

Either lower my eyes and beg for mercy or challenge it again.

Of course, choosing the latter would definitely mean death.

“Grrr!”

So my choice was this.

“Growl!”

Number three. Pretending to be really strong.

It was clear that only I could see the status window.

If the Savage Beak had a status window, the Razor Owl would have already been a pulp.

Of course, there was one basis for this.

「Level has increased!」

「Level has increased!」

「Level has increased!」

Perhaps acknowledging my role in breaking the Razor Owl’s wings, my level increased by 3, making it 5.

「You have hunted the leader of a small area! Karma obtained!」

「Hunting the leader has raised your rank.」

I also received unexpected rewards.

Rank increase.

It was a much more useful and intuitive benefit than I thought.

「‘Ravager’s Beak’ shows a slight fondness towards you.」

Oh!

This was a genuinely useful change.

I quickly made my judgment.

Ravager’s Beak.

This guy seems to lack awareness compared to his abilities, doesn’t he?

If that’s the case, this fledgling tiger will become your leader.

“Grr!”

I proudly straightened my shoulders and nodded my head.

As if I had anticipated all of this.

「‘Ravager’s Beak’ is impressed by your strategy.」

Haha!

He’s a friend who knows something, huh?

“Kreeeeeeeeee!”

He suddenly let out a high-pitched, sweet cry.

And then,

Plop.

He cut off a portion of the Razor Owl’s meat and offered it to me.

「‘Ravager’s Beak’ acknowledges your contribution.」

Flap!

He nodded towards me and then flew off with the Razor Owl’s corpse.

No.

“Kreeeeeeeeee!”

Circling the sky once and crying out, it seemed as if he was saying, “Farewell, friend!”

“Grr!”

That’s right.

You are the king of the skies, Ravager’s Beak.

I am the king of the land, Baby Tiger!

Hmm, why is that? Is there a problem?

【Weak Siberian Baby Tiger Lv.5】

– Traits: [Potential], [Clue of Evolution], [Sensitivity]
– Skills: [Ultra-low Frequency Lv.2], [Predation Lv.1], [Leg Strengthening Lv.1], [Smash Lv.1]
– Condition: Satisfied

I looked at the status window and shook my head.

The status window must be malfunctioning.

I am not a weak Siberian baby tiger, I am a strategist tiger.

Roar!

I happily munched on the Razor Owl’s meat.

「You have devoured a leader, Karma increased!」

「Discovered the advanced skill of ‘Sharpen Claws’! Acquired [Razor Claws Lv.1]!」

What?

Oh my, how can this be!

As expected, it was a boss mob?

The process was tough, but the reward was no joke.

The advanced technique of the claw sharpening I had so desperately longed for!

There was a reason why ‘Razor’ was in the name!

And my happiness didn’t end there.

「Reached Level 5, you can now ‘Grow’.」

「Do you wish to ‘Grow’?」

“Grr!!”

Of course!!!!