Reincarnated as a Haunted House - Part 1 - The Serpent Forest

Hunt of Rugu

Finn and Creambell had just emerged from the frozen lake and entered the snow-covered Serpent Forest. Thankfully, they didn't spot any creatures nearby, but they remained cautious since the forest was known to be home to many dangerous things. Their confidence in dealing with a threat was shaky, considering Finn's frail wooden doll body with limited magical and physical abilities, and Creambell's classification as a Level F pixie fire mage.

Upon entering the forest, Creambell scanned their surroundings and lamented, "I really wish you had pixie abilities." He cast a wistful glance at Finn and then gently touched the translucent antennae on his head. "These antennae allow us to telepathically communicate with other pixies within a certain distance. At my current level, I can reach someone up to 100 meters away. This would have allowed us to search separate areas while staying connected."

Finn expressed his disappointment by lowering his head, clearly sharing Creambell's sentiment.

Creambell sighed, acknowledging the limitation, "Yes, I share your disappointment that we can't split up for better coverage. Our safety depends on sticking together. Now, let's begin our search."

Venturing deeper into the forest, they couldn't shake the constant fear of an impending attack. Fortunately, the winter season provided better visibility in the forest, allowing them to see over longer distances. As far as their eyes could reach, there were no signs of any creatures lurking nearby.

However, as they walk through the thick snow, Creambell suddenly felt something peculiar beneath his foot. He came to a halt, causing Finn to stop and watch him closely. Creambell cautiously stepped on the same peculiar object buried in the snow again, sensing a slight spongy texture. Then, in an unsettling twist, the snow ahead of Creambell started to shift and move. The spongy object he had felt also began to stir beneath his feet.

Soon, they discovered what had been hidden beneath the snow all along. Initially, they saw the creature's white fur as it vigorously shook off the accumulated snow, and then it slowly raised its massive head, revealing its sharp teeth and two imposing horns. The creature resembled a polar bear, but it was larger and had a more menacing presence.

Watching this unfold, Creambell instinctively ran several feet away and concealed himself under the cover of a tree trunk and the snow. His white skin, white hair, and snowy attire allowed him to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Meanwhile, Finn, in a state of panic, looked around frantically before finding refuge near a tree trunk. However, his vivid yellow wooden body and the painted demon face made him conspicuously stand out, easily drawing anyone's attention to him.

As the massive bear finished cleaning its face and returned its front limbs to the ground, transitioning to a four-legged stance, it began to survey its surroundings. Creambell remained hidden, successfully evading the bear's notice. However, it didn't take long for the bear to lock its gaze onto Finn, and with slow, deliberate steps, it started approaching him.

Finn's fear was palpable as he watched the bear drawing closer, his body frozen in place. Desperate to understand the situation better, he summoned his magical abilities and cast an appraisal spell on the bear. The transparent screen appeared right before him displaying the basic details of the bear were displayed.

"White Akuma Bear

Threat Level – C

Description – White Akuma Bears are a formidable subspecies of Akuma Bears indigenous to frigid regions. They are strict carnivores and, when hungry, their olfactory senses become heightened, increasing by a factor of 100. These creatures possess razor-sharp claws comparable to steel blades and exhibit physical strength equivalent to that of 20 water salamanders. Furthermore, they have the capability to enter a bloodlust mode, which magnifies their strength by tenfold, making them exceptionally dangerous in such a state.