Chapter 491

Chapter 491 – Extra: Life in the Forest (Part One)

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About forty-nine chapters ago, this segment was written but not published due to structural considerations. Today, after returning home after a day out, I decided to include this chapter. If you enjoy it, there will be more chapters describing Lolan Hill’s life in the forest.

Time: It was shortly after Lolan Hill had just woken up in the forest, living alone.

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After initially setting up a small house in the red maple forest, Lolan Hill began her new life in this world.

Firstly, she needed to eat. Although her appetite wasn’t large, she still needed food.

Fortunately, there were some fruit trees in this forest that could provide her with some sustenance, though the fruits were mostly unripe and sour.

Thus, finding new sources of food became a pressing matter.

Other than small fish fry in the stream, there weren’t any larger fish to catch. Lolan Hill wasn’t good at fishing, and she didn’t know how to swim, so she was somewhat afraid of water.

As for other animals, aside from the dragonfly she encountered that day, there were only common small animals like squirrels and birds.

She had only encountered one large animal, a light yellow tiger with patterns. At first, it startled Lolan Hill, almost causing her to flee.

However, this tiger did not attack the young lady; instead, it showed great affection towards her. It lay on the ground and exposed its belly, wagging its tail back and forth as if asking the girl to scratch its itch.

Lolan Hill was initially hesitant to approach such a large creature, which stood nearly as tall as she did.

Underneath its fluffy fur, those broad paws could probably snap her bones with a single strike.

But it was really quite cute.

Its fluffy yellow fur with white stripes differed in color from the tigers she remembered from her past life. Normal tigers usually had yellow fur with black stripes, while this one had white stripes, making it less intimidating and more approachable.

[Tiger]

Race: Tiger (Mutant New Breed)

Status: Growth Stage (Healthy)

Sequence: Nature Sequence 2 · Western River Golden Tiger (Evaluation: Excellent Black Iron Grade)

Talent:

[Tiger Might] (Excellent): Has strong deterrent power over weaker creatures, capable of driving away or controlling smaller animals.

Ability:

[Omnivorous] (Average): During evolution, this species gained the ability to digest plant-based foods, making its diet more varied and enhancing its environmental adaptability.

[Resilient Fur] (Excellent): Can withstand most damage from the same rank, also providing excellent cushioning and insulation.

[Potent Strength] (Excellent): Simple yet powerful strength, useful in many situations.

Skills: [Pounce], [Bite], [Iron Tail], [Roar]

Evaluation: It seems very close to you and has no intention of attacking.

Watching the tiger lying on the ground, constantly seeking affection, Lolan Hill finally relaxed and slowly approached it, gently stroking its furry head.

Hmm, it’s so soft.

A comfortable sensation came from her hand, and the tiger closed its eyes, rubbing against her hand.

What, it’s just a big cat, right?

Lolan Hill thought, watching as the tiger licked her hand, bringing a warm, wet feeling.

It tickled a bit.

The girl discreetly pulled her hand back. The tiger then rubbed the air, seeming confused, before opening its eyes innocently at her.

Alright, alright, let me pet it two more times, and then I’m done. I have other things to do.

Muttering to herself, she prepared to pet it once more before leaving.

When Lolan Hill’s hand touched the tiger again, it closed its eyes and rubbed against her, then opened its mouth wide, startling her as she thought it was going to bite her.

But the tiger merely opened its mouth and made no further move. After a moment of hesitation, Lolan Hill realized there were some blood threads inside its mouth. Upon closer inspection, she discovered a bone splinter stuck in its throat.

Why didn’t you say so earlier? I thought I had some special charm.

Lolan Hill felt relieved and carefully examined it, then extended her hand to remove the splinter, turning it slightly before pulling it out.

Hmm, I need to wash my hands later. This tiger probably doesn’t brush its teeth often.

With that done, Lolan Hill stood up, ready to leave when she felt her dress being tugged.

Turning around, she saw the tiger biting the hem of her skirt, tilting its head in a certain direction.

Was it asking her to follow?

Lolan Hill turned around. The tiger walked ahead, called out, and looked back at her.

Fine, fine, let’s go see.

So, one person and one tiger walked through the mountains and forests for about half an hour. The tiger led her into a dense bamboo grove and disappeared.

Looking at the fine serrations on the bamboo leaves, the girl was reluctant to enter. Born in a rural area in her previous life, she knew from childhood memories that bamboo leaves could easily cut skin, especially for children, causing swelling and itching. Sometimes, life in the mountains wasn’t so pleasant.

After a while, the tiger emerged from the bamboo grove, found a clean rock, and spat out something.

In the summer sunlight, several transparent gems refracted colorful light.

[Primal Gem] (Common) * 3

Picking up the gems from the dead leaves, Lolan Hill washed them in a nearby stream before examining them closely.

Currently, she had recently cultivated the Extraordinary Sequence, reaching only Nature Sequence 2 · Fragrant Breeze Arborist. Though she could assist in plant growth, her combat capabilities were still lacking.

Should she use these for battle equipment?

After some thought, she shook her head and abandoned the idea, placing the gems down. These gems couldn’t make anything powerful, and it was better to rely on her own abilities.

Just as she lifted her head to ponder, a fluffy head popped up beside her and rubbed against her arm.

Hmm, it’s the same one again.

Doesn’t it need to hunt for food? Lolan Hill thought, petting the tiger’s head. This oversized ‘cat’ obediently lay beside her and fell asleep.

The purring sound, like an imperial engine, echoed in the ears of the white-dressed girl, but it didn’t scare her; rather, it gave her a sense of security.

She recalled watching a documentary where it was mentioned that tigers or lions were easier to domesticate than cheetahs and lynxes because they were stronger and wouldn’t panic too much in front of humans. As long as they weren’t hungry, they wouldn’t attack people.

Smaller felines, on the other hand, would become more aggressive out of fear and panic.

Listening to the purring, the girl gradually felt drowsy and eventually fell asleep leaning against the soft side.

In the sparse shade of the forest, the white-dressed girl lay on the belly of a giant tiger, her body rising and falling with each breath, her long eyelashes closed in peaceful rest.

In the afternoon.

“Foolish cat, catch that fish,” the silver-haired girl said from atop a rock, directing.

A yellow-and-white striped tiger leaped into the stream, splashing water everywhere, then swam out with a large fish in its mouth.

The soaking wet tiger jumped onto the shore, shaking left and right like a spin dryer, removing the water droplets from its fur.

Lolan Hill had to quickly jump out of the way of the mini-rain, then heard an excited howl. The ‘big cat’ placed the large fish in front of Lolan Hill, holding it down with one paw, its two black eyes looking at the girl, seemingly seeking praise.

“Okay, okay, you’re really something. We’ll have grilled fish tonight,” the girl raised her arm to block the sunlight entering the forest and said helplessly, though a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

(End of Chapter)