Chapter: The Snow Bunny's Hunger
Zhang Wei's body trembled faintly as the last remnants of the battle faded from his veins.
The overwhelming pressure from the opposing core had nearly crushed him—no, it should have crushed him. Every inch of his meridians ached, his muscles screamed in protest, and even his breathing came out uneven and strained.
He swallowed hard.
A sharp sting spread across his lips—he had bitten down too hard without realizing it.
"…Tch."
His voice was hoarse.
Step.
Step.
Each movement felt unbearably heavy as he walked out of the entrance. His figure was slightly hunched, as though the invisible weight of the battle still clung to his back.
Yet beneath that exhaustion…
Something had changed.
Something fundamental.
Something he could not explain.
His eyes narrowed faintly.
A strange sensation brushed against his awareness. Slowly, he raised a hand toward his hair—
And froze.
At the edges of his dark strands, faint colors shimmered.
Soft.
Delicate.
Like fragments of a rainbow caught in moonlight.
"…What…?"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
But it wasn't just his appearance.
It was deeper than that.
Much deeper.
Zhang Wei's expression stiffened.
He could feel it.
His emotions.
They were no longer buried deep within him like before—locked away behind restraint and silence. Now, they floated closer to the surface, fragile… exposed.
Anyone could read them.
That alone made his chest tighten.
The Snow Bunny…
It wasn't a violent creature. It wasn't ferocious or domineering. It was gentle, curious—full of life.
Soft.
Pure.
Everything he wasn't.
And yet…
Now, it lived within him.
Zhang Wei clenched his fists slightly.
His thoughts felt lighter—yet harder to control.
The things he once suppressed so easily now surfaced without permission, brushing against his mind like playful whispers.
"…This isn't good."
Grrrrr…
The sound broke the silence.
Zhang Wei froze.
His stomach growled again—louder this time.
Hunger.
But not ordinary hunger.
It was deep.
Instinctual.
Primitive.
"I'm… hungry?"
He frowned.
That alone wasn't strange.
What was strange…
Was that he had no idea what he wanted to eat.
Not meat.
Not grains.
Nothing familiar.
It was as if his body rejected everything he once knew.
"What's going on with me…?"
His voice was low.
Lost.
—
Not far away, Zhang Mi stood with Sang Sang, silently observing.
"Mother…"
"There is no need to worry," Zhang Mi said calmly. "Snow Bunnies are harmless creatures. But do not mistake that for weakness."
Her gaze softened slightly.
"They are strong in their own way."
Sang Sang frowned. "Still… why him?"
Zhang Mi paused.
"The Snow Bunny chooses based on the heart."
"…The heart?"
"Perhaps…" she said slowly, "your brother is pure."
Even she did not fully believe her own words.
—
Elsewhere, Elder Mi's voice echoed quietly.
"His heart is too pure—free from desire."
The clan leader frowned. "Impossible."
Elder Mi's gaze remained fixed on Zhang Wei.
"How can someone like that exist… after everything he has suffered?"
There was only one desire within Zhang Wei.
Simple.
Clear.
"To be a good figure for his child."
Elder Mi shook his head.
"…Nonsense."
—
Back at the entrance—
Zhang Wei suddenly froze.
His nose twitched.
Once.
Twice.
"…Hm?"
A scent.
Faint—
But irresistible.
His pupils shrank.
His body leaned forward slightly, like a small animal catching a trail.
"…There."
And then—
He vanished.
"Little brother!"
Sang Sang panicked.
But Zhang Mi held her back.
"He's not in danger."
"…Then what is he doing?!"
Zhang Mi's eyes narrowed.
"…He's following instinct."
—
Zhang Wei moved through the night like a streak of cold wind.
His steps were light.
Unnaturally light.
At one point, he slipped slightly—
Then hopped to regain balance.
He paused.
Looked down.
Then hopped again.
A flicker of confusion crossed his face.
"…Weird."
But—
It felt good.
Light.
Free.
For a moment, all his burdens disappeared.
He shook his head.
"…Focus."
His nose twitched again.
Stronger.
Closer.
His eyes sharpened.
"…Found it."
—
A small farm appeared ahead.
Quiet.
Neatly arranged.
Zhang Wei didn't slow down.
He jumped over the fence—
And landed right in the middle of the field.
—
Silence.
—
His nose twitched again.
Then—
His eyes lit up.
"…This."
Without hesitation—
He dropped to his knees.
And started digging.
—
Dirt flew everywhere.
No technique.
No hesitation.
Just—
Dig.
Dig.
Dig.
His hands moved rapidly, almost excited.
"Mm."
His fingers touched something.
He froze—
Then quickly pulled it out.
A carrot.
Fresh.
Cool.
Perfect.
Zhang Wei stared at it.
His eyes sparkled.
Without thinking—
He bit into it.
Crunch.
—
His body froze.
Then—
Relaxed.
"…Sweet."
Another bite.
Crunch.
The energy within the carrot spread through him—cool, pure, far more satisfying than frost.
"…This is good."
Another bite.
And another.
Completely absorbed.
—
Above, Sang Sang stared blankly.
"…He's digging."
Zhang Mi said nothing.
Below, Zhang Wei had already moved on.
Second carrot.
Third.
Fourth.
Soon—
He was digging with both hands.
Like a rabbit.
—
"…This is the Snow Bunny instinct," Zhang Mi muttered.
—
"Ahem."
A dry cough echoed.
Both women turned.
Elder Mi stood at the edge of the farm.
His expression—
Dark.
Very dark.
His gaze swept across the field.
Ruined rows.
Scattered soil.
Holes everywhere.
And at the center—
Zhang Wei, crouched, cheeks puffed as he chewed happily.
Crunch.
Elder Mi's eye twitched.
"…My farm."
Another crunch.
"…My carrots."
Zhang Wei paused.
Slowly turned.
Their eyes met.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Dirt covered his face.
His clothes.
Even his hair.
"…Oh."
A pause.
"…Sorry?"
—
Elder Mi closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
"…Get out."
Zhang Wei didn't move.
Instead, he looked at the carrot in his hand.
Then at the ground.
Then back.
"…Can I take this one?"
—
"…OUT!!!"
—
Above, Sang Sang turned away, trying not to laugh.
Zhang Mi covered her face briefly.
For the first time—
She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved…
Or deeply concerned.
—
Below—
Zhang Wei quietly held onto the carrot.
And for once—
Despite everything—
He looked…
At peace.