Ch 21
Chapter 21: Groundhog
The one who saved the groundhog from the hungry eyes of the little snake sub-beast was Ye Ze.
As an insightful psychic, Ye Ze had long noticed the changes in the earth.
However, strangely, even after using plant roots to explore the soil several times, apart from some holes dug by animals and the feedback that the fields had become more suitable for plant growth, Ye Ze didn’t find any other abnormalities.
At this time, a groundhog that actively approached the little snake sub-beast seemed a bit out of the ordinary.
After the little snake sub-beast shared today’s joy with Ye Ze with a joyful face, the groundhog held in midair by the little snake sub-beast seemed to understand their words. It suddenly snapped out of its stupor and started kicking its legs frantically with a series of squeaks.
Its appearance was like that of an angry teenage girl who had just found out the truth after being deceived by a scumbag.
“Bravo, Nuo Nuo,” Ye Ze praised without hesitation, patting the little snake sub-beast’s head. Then, he pinched the back of the groundhog’s neck and lifted it up to prevent its claws from accidentally hurting the little snake sub-beast in its excitement.
There was still no special energy reaction. Except for being slightly softer and looking a bit prettier, it was completely an ordinary groundhog.
But the problem was that the appraisal system of the interdimensional mall had tagged it with a string of incomprehensible question marks.
It was the first time Ye Ze had encountered such a situation. He became even more cautious about this groundhog of unknown origin.
The groundhog seemed to have deliberately sought out the little snake sub-beast. Even facing the possibility of being eaten, it only protested indignantly without showing any aggression or malice towards the little snake sub-beast.
Thinking of the little snake sub-beast’s mysterious background and the suggestive advice from Dr. Crane, Ye Ze decided to temporarily keep it.
—Just that additional protective measures would need to be taken for the little snake sub-beast.
“Nuo Nuo,” Ye Ze negotiated with the little snake sub-beast who was solely focused on food, “look, this groundhog is so lively and quite personable. How about we keep it for a few days and see? It might turn out to be an interesting pet.”
The concept of pets was nonexistent for the little snake sub-beast, who had only just managed to sustain himself. His immediate reaction upon hearing Ye Ze’s proposal was concern about his share of food being taken away. [He didn’t really want to keep it QAQ]
“…” The groundhog fell into a silent doubt about its existence.
How could it, the noble spirit of the earth, have fallen to the point of being despised by humans like this!
Indeed, it would be better to reboot the world of the lost communicator! Otherwise, it would suffer from all the worldly troubles!
The practical remarks of the little snake sub-beast were completely within Ye Ze’s expectations, but he still couldn’t help but smile when he heard them. Especially after seeing the expression of the cunning groundhog, lifeless and devoid of joy.
“Hey,” Ye Ze waved his wrist, shaking the groundhog suspended in midair, “what ability do you have to let us keep you?”
The groundhog raised its head, met Ye Ze’s playful smile, ears perked up, and it became furious, “Squeak squeak squeak!”
As the noble spirit of the heavens and the earth, I can endure being questioned about eating too much, but you absolutely cannot question my abilities!
…Wait a minute, does the first part even make sense?
The groundhog’s paw, which was gesturing wildly, suddenly froze in midair, then drooped down, returning to its previous lifeless state.
Arguing with this outsider who clearly guessed something was really foolish for the distinguished groundhog!
“Squeak.” The groundhog glared at Ye Ze with pent-up anger. Thinking of the communicator that was hard to come by, it reluctantly pointed a small paw outside the cave.
If it weren’t for your decent treatment of the communicator, I would have buried you alive. You disrespectful scoundrel to the spirits!
Ye Ze raised an eyebrow, ignoring the resentful malice emanating from the groundhog.
The frankness of this strange groundhog was indeed unexpected.
“Come on, Nuo Nuo, let’s go watch the little groundhog’s performance together,” Ye Ze casually carried the groundhog while gently holding the hand of the little snake sub-beast, “If it can satisfy Nuo Nuo — look, it even took the initiative to come to Nuo Nuo, isn’t it fate? — we’ll reluctantly take it in.”
Ye Ze continued confidently, “If Nuo Nuo isn’t satisfied, we’ll have roasted mouse meat for dinner tonight. The kind with cumin and chili powder.”
The little snake sub-beast, who had been curiously peeking around, turned his gaze to the groundhog.
He had seen many small-sized beasts before. But as Ye Ze said, encountering one with such intelligence was a first for him.
However, upon hearing Ye Ze’s lunch arrangements, the groundhog was promptly forgotten. He happily imagined a lavish and delicious lunch.
The groundhog’s gaze gradually turned fierce. It seriously considered how likely it would be chased out by the communicator if it were to bite this fake beastman.
After reaching the conclusion that it had a 100% chance of ending up on the grill, the groundhog deflated.
Aren’t the communicators supposed to be the closest beings to the world spirits throughout history?! What kind of mutated species are these partners in front of it! [Groundhog crying]
Under the oppression of cruel reality, the groundhog had to submit. With its small paws aimed at a patch of land, it made mysterious gestures in the air. After withdrawing its paws, it wore a proud expression of “letting you see something new.”
The area of land near the cave was moved by an invisible force. As the soil loosened, it visibly became more fertile, yet it wouldn’t harm the plants growing within it.
It could be imagined that if farming were done in such soil, not only would the effort be halved, but the quality of the vegetables obtained would also be greatly enhanced.
The little snake sub-beast stared at the two clearly contrasting vegetable gardens, eyes wide with amazement, unable to utter a word.
It seemed to be a land-related ability.
But it could save them a lot of trouble.
Ye Ze wore a satisfied smile.
“Nuo Nuo, how about it, do you want to keep it?”
“Yes!” The little snake sub-beast answered decisively. Looking at the groundhog with bright eyes, it seemed as if countless foods were beckoning to him.
Groundhog: “…”
Why isn’t it happy? Is my existence just a soil-turning machine?!
No, wait. Who did you just call a little mouse?!
The groundhog was a groundhog that became more courageous as it was defeated.
Since being rejected by the little snake sub-beast on the first day, it diligently followed behind the little snake sub-beast every time.
When the little snake sub-beast was farming, it turned the soil; when the little snake sub-beast was watering, it dug channels; when the little snake sub-beast was weeding… oh, there were no weeds in the field where a wood element ability user was watching.
In any case, it was a diligent groundhog, resolutely not living off others.
Even when the little snake sub-beast was cooking, it could still watch as the fire added dry grass to the wood-fired stove. Truly a devoted groundhog.
Finally, amidst the little snake sub-beast’s repeated astonished exclamations, the groundhog, through its own strong labor, acquired a new name: Grey.
Groundhog: “…Squeak squeak!”
Grey, the groundhog, clapped its front paws and cheered.
If it weren’t for its wooden expression, it would have been quite a sensible pet groundhog.
The little snake sub-beast was completely unaware of this and was amused by Grey’s cheering.
Ye Ze turned his head and chuckled.
Audibly.
Grey the groundhog gave Ye Ze a stare filled with daggers.
Damage dealt x0.00.
Ye Ze took out slices of strawberry mille-feuille from the snack cabinet and placed them in front of the little snake sub-beast as an afternoon tea snack. He even, for the first time, gave a piece to Grey the groundhog.
This little mouse turned out to be quite valuable.
At least the little snake sub-beast seemed much livelier than before.
Grey, enticed by the delicious food, lost its angry stare skill, lowered its resistance by 99 points, and entered into a mode of voracious eating.
After a peaceful and pleasant afternoon tea, the little snake sub-beast sat in a chair, weaving straw dolls while digesting.
Having experienced the allure of exotic cuisine from another world for the first time, Grey the groundhog ate until its belly was full. It lay down in the newly acquired custom-made wicker chair, basking in the sun and rubbing its furry belly.
Meanwhile, Ye Ze stood under a fruit tree, deep in meditation.
The abundant energy of the primitive world could sustain Ye Ze’s cultivation even without zombie crystals. Moreover, the environment here provided conditions for the study of higher-level techniques.
In recent times, Ye Ze had been integrating the two. Occasionally, he would go out and test his skills on the surrounding monsters. As a result, the area near the Black Snake Tribe had entered the safest and most peaceful period in its history.
Grey the groundhog rolled its eyes like dark grapes, observing the little snake sub-beast who hadn’t noticed it and Ye Ze who was too preoccupied to pay attention. It then stealthily snuck into the cave.
Inside the cave were two large white eggs, usually taken care of by the little snake sub-beast. They were the groundhog’s number one enemies in this place!
Climbing to the top of the egg incubator, the groundhog faced the two white eggs, rubbing its paws together, feeling jealous: what else do they need eggs for when they already have it? They definitely shouldn’t be allowed to hatch here!
With both paws, the groundhog pressed against one of the eggs, attempting to push it out of the incubator and hide it elsewhere.
Outside the cave, the little snake sub-beast finished digesting its food and considerately didn’t disturb Ye Ze. Feeling refreshed, it stood up energetically, stretched, and prepared for the afternoon’s work.
“Grey. Grey?” The little snake sub-beast looked around in confusion, not finding any trace of its little tail. Blinking perplexedly, it decided to go into the cave to look for it.
Just as it arrived at the entrance of the cave, it came face to face with the groundhog pushing the eggs on the table.
Little snake sub-beast: “!”
Groundhog: “!!”
“Squeak!” Caught red-handed, the groundhog’s fur stood on end, and it pushed the slightly pried goose egg back into its slot.
*Crack!*
The goose egg shook in the slightly larger slot, making a sound of cracking.
Just as the groundhog was about to pretend nothing had happened and hide its paws behind its back:
Little snake sub-beast, witnessing the entire “murder” process: “!”
“Squeak—!” It wasn’t me! It’s not my fault! I didn’t plan this!
The groundhog screamed in shock.
“Wow! Ye Ze, Grey broke the goose egg!” QAQ
The little snake sub-beast stood frozen in place, tears welling up in its eyes with a sense of grievance.
Hearing the earth-shattering noise from inside, Ye Ze hurried over. He looked at the goose egg in the incubator and then at the countdown displayed above, feeling both angry and amused.
What a little fool. He had forgotten what he taught again.
“Alright, Nuo Nuo, don’t be sad. The goose egg didn’t die, it’s about to hatch.”
Little snake sub-beast: q…?