Chapter 40: Echo Bats
The continuous "wumo wumo" sounds persisted, growing louder and faster since Chisui did not respond. Even the echoes became hurried.
As if that weren’t enough, one black hole after another appeared on the moss-covered mountain walls around them.
From these black holes swarmed countless bats.
Their dark green skin and exaggeratedly large ears were unlike anything Chisui remembered, making them all the more terrifying.
As they drew nearer, a wave of despair welled up in Chisui’s heart.
Lolo spread her arms to shield her, but her trembling figure betrayed her fear.
Chisui forced a crooked smile, intending to mock the other’s flustered anger, but found she had no strength to do so.
She reached out, pulled Lolo into her arms, curled up, and shut her eyes tightly.
Inwardly, Chisui lamented how brief this life span had turned out to be.
Just as she resigned herself to the expected agony, the bats halted less than half a meter away.
After a long wait without any movement, Chisui cautiously opened one eye to survey the scene.
“Wumo wumo wumo!”
“Wumo wumo!”
“Wumo wumo!”
The voice returned, but this time the echoes seemed right beside her ears, enveloping Chisui in ripples of sound.
The “wumo” called from all directions, leaving no space untouched.
Slowly, Chisui raised her hands to cover her ears tightly.
So noisy!
She had been careless, never imagining the enemy would resort to surround-sound insults out of anger.
Luckily, she couldn’t understand them. Now, Chisui finally had a chance to glance at the open page before her.
[Echo Bats]
Size: Typically between 20 to 50 centimeters
Description: A small, gregarious magical creature naturally afraid of sunlight. They usually gather in large groups inside damp, dark caves or underground tunnels. Their large ears atop their heads better capture surrounding sound waves. If you suddenly hear echoes in narrow, dim places, don’t be afraid; this is likely just the echo bats releasing sounds. Look up, and you might see them swarming.
Who wants to see them swarming!
Chisui clamped her hands over her ears, grinding her teeth in silent complaint.
She lost track of how long the echoes lasted; gradually, both she and Lolo grew numb amid the ceaseless noise.
Perhaps the speaker grew tired of yelling, as Chisui even heard the sound of it drinking water, the swallowing echoed faithfully by the echo bats.
If the timing had been right, Chisui might have burst out laughing.
Finally, during its second drink, a huge opening appeared in the mountain wall, and the surrounding bats quieted down.
Under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, the owner of the voice stepped out, just as Chisui had hoped.
No glowing moss lit the cave entrance; it was so dim that outlines were barely visible.
Only when the figure drew near did Chisui make out its appearance.
Only now did she understand what Mr. Shi meant about someone resembling a crying mushroom.
Though called “very human-like,” it more closely matched Chisui’s image of an elf: pointed ears, delicate and refined features. Even clothed in tattered garments, it was still beautiful. However, it was short, no more than half Chisui’s height. The large purple mushroom cap on its head was nearly half its size, giving it a top-heavy appearance.
The little mushroom person stopped some distance away and pointed a finger at the flying Lolo.
“Wumo wumo!”
Then it pointed at Chisui.
“Wumo wumo!”
The two exchanged glances, and Chisui guessed, “Is it asking us to apologize?”
The little mushroom person nodded, continuing to point while uttering a stream of “wumo” sounds.
Having heard too much of that noise, Chisui quickly interrupted, apologizing briskly, “Sorry. The house is quite sturdy; I just used too much force.”
Lolo turned away, saying, “I won’t apologize. It’s just ugly.”
“Wumo wumo wumo!!!”
The little mushroom person nearly jumped up, gesturing forcefully, and the bats around readied themselves.
Chisui hurriedly covered Lolo’s mouth, fearing it would say something to infuriate the mushroom person further. Lately, she had become all too accustomed to this gesture.
“No, no, no. I think it’s very beautiful. The houses are magnificent and splendid. The craftsmen who built them must possess unparalleled skill. Just looking at them makes me feel that living inside would be a true happiness.”
Determined to avoid more noise, Chisui threw a flurry of compliments at the little mushroom person.
“Wumo~” The mushroom person lowered its hands and crossed them behind its back.
Its anger seemed to dissipate instantly; Chisui even noticed a faint blush on its face.
So easy to please?
Chisui cautiously praised again: “The houses are arranged in an elegant, staggered pattern. From afar, they look like a picturesque landscape.”
“Wumo~”
The mushroom’s tone lengthened, and it instinctively cupped its face with one hand.
Chisui understood.
“And the colors of the houses blend perfectly with the surrounding moss. I’ve never seen such stunning architecture on the surface.”
Now it held both cheeks in its hands.
For some reason, Chisui had the odd impression that Wumo was standing right before her.
They would probably get along well.
Seeing the little mushroom person calm, Chisui asked directly, “It was my fault for trespassing, but my companions just accompanied me. It’s all my responsibility. How are they now?”
The earlier compliments had clearly pleased the mushroom person, who merely called twice toward the open cave.
Soon, four mushrooms—a large one and three small ones—were brought out, surrounded by a cluster of long, slender creatures.
The mushrooms were transparent, allowing a clear view of the sleeping beings inside.
Taking the four mushrooms and tearing them open with effort, Chisui heard Wumo’s snoring.
Chisui:...
Both vexed and amused, she pinched its nose.
“Who, who! Who won’t let me eat meat!”
“I will.”
Chisui crossed her arms over her chest, expressionless, staring at the newly awakened little hedgehog.
“Hehe, Chisui, is it dawn? Time for breakfast?”
Taking a deep breath, Chisui, too weary for words, grabbed it by the scruff and tossed it aside.
After handling all this, Chisui finally had time to examine the creatures that had brought the mushrooms.
They were earthworms as thick as arms.
She wanted to get closer, but the earthworms were wary. After placing down the mushrooms, they quickly retreated into the cave, denying Chisui any chance to approach.
“Are these your pets?”
The little mushroom person shook its head and looked up, saying, “Wumo wumo wumo.”
Good, she didn’t understand.
Just as Chisui sighed and prepared to give up on verbal communication, Wumo rubbed its bottom and hopped out.
“She said these are her partners, not pets.”
!?