‘Without food or water, hiding in here will only keep me safe for so long!’
Susu wrapped her paws around her head, completely torn up inside.
She let out a low rumble.
Since there was nothing else to do right now, she decided to follow his lead.
Just like the Black Panther, she rested her head on her outstretched front paws and continued their staring contest.
After a few moments of staring, however, she actually thought of a solution.
She needed to eat and drink, and so did the Brother Leopard resting outside with his eyes closed.
‘So, how long can he really wait out there?!’
‘As soon as the Black Panther gets up to hunt, I can use that chance to make a break for it!!’
At this thought, Susu cheered up.
She stopped wasting her energy on the Black Panther and simply shut her eyes, deciding to conserve her strength for the great escape plan to come.
The length of a day in this world was not the same as the one she was familiar with.
Based on Susu’s estimations, a full day-and-night cycle here was four or even five times longer than what she knew before.
And now, the long night had only just begun.
Bright moonlight filtered through the gaps in the forest canopy, casting mottled shadows on the quiet jungle floor.
It quickly dispelled the thin mist that had been lingering in the woods, making everything clear and distinct.
Some nocturnal animals and insects began to emerge from their hiding places to start their activities.
Susu would never forget her first night after arriving in this world.
Back then, she had just escaped the pursuit of a Fierce Tiger and fled alone into this vast, endless primeval jungle.
Before long, night had fallen.
She had huddled in the mud, not daring to move a muscle.
She was terrified that the slightest movement would alert the enormous, foraging insects outside, turning her into their next meal!
Although she had slowly gotten used to it, even building herself a small den in a tree hollow, this instinctive vigilance for danger meant she had never truly slept well at night.
But now, with the Black Panther standing guard outside, Susu, for once, didn’t feel the usual fear and anxiety.
Instead, she felt remarkably at ease and closed her eyes for a good night’s sleep.
But when she woke up again, the Black Panther who had been standing guard outside seemed to be…
‘Gone?!’
This realization sent a thrill of excitement through Susu.
She cautiously straightened up, first giving her limbs a comfortable stretch and flexing her paws.
Only then did she carefully poke her head out of the tree hollow.
She looked all around and listened patiently.
When she detected nothing out of the ordinary, she tentatively crawled halfway out.
Susu didn’t dare make any sudden moves.
She was terrified that the Black Panther was hiding in some corner, spying on her, just waiting for her to show herself before pouncing to capture her on the spot!
But Susu remained frozen in that position for several minutes without detecting anything unusual.
Only then did she finally relax completely.
She moved her body, which had gone stiff with tension, and climbed all the way out of the tree hollow.
‘Ah, the air out here really is fresh!’
She squinted in satisfaction and took a deep breath, her mood instantly lifting.
No smog, no pollution—everything here radiated a unique closeness and beauty that came from nature itself.
Of course, if it weren’t for that faint scent of blood wafting over, everything would be…
Wait!
‘The smell of blood?!’
Susu’s heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes flew open as she whipped her head around.
Sure enough, not far from where she stood, Brother Leopard was holding an unknown prey—only slightly smaller than his own body—in his mouth.
His gaze was sharp and bright, fixed on her with a hint of amusement.