Paths: Changes×Chances

chapter 10

'When animals are small they tend to adapt better to changes in environment, sure it doesn't always happen but this forest isn't all that different from a common forest in the rest of the Federation of Ochima...so why? Why would the animals have suffered so much from human expansion? If they were small they would have done like rats and pigeons, adapted to the city, nothing about the temperature or air of this place is different from what it's like on the surface, and I have seen no particular fruit that might have carried the ecosystem to speak of....if they were small mamals that just suffered deforestation they would have adapted for the most part....' he was lost in thought when suddenly he heard the branch that was sustaining him cracking

Not long after the branch broke, Gon flipped midair and landed gracefully on both feet

Kite got in front of Gon

"Well, it's true, they are pretty hard to spot,"

"Maybe they make huts underground," said Gon, trying to think of where to find the animals

Leorio walked close and took a moment to clean himself up

"Yeah, I haven't seen anything either... Kite, are we going in the right direction?"

Kite took out the GPS he was given by the old man back at the facility. "we are close. If we get to Lake Cla, we should find various groups of large mamals going there to drink."

Gon got curious. "Wait, large? I thought that the animals here were little!"

Kite turned to him. "Why is that? If they were little, they would have adapted to the city like mouses and rats did"

Gon stood dumbfounded for a second, then thrust his finger at Kite. "But you said there were only two small predators! Of course, I assumed the other animals were small as well!"

Kite snorted "well ops...I forgot to mention what small means here."

Leorio got confused "wait what?"

Kite turned to him. "The smallest animal here is two and a half meters long in adulthood."

Killua, Gon, and Leorio commedicaly fell to the ground after hearing that

Killua got up. "You call that small!? That's basically a lion!"

Gon followed up shortly, "So that's why they suffered deforestation do much!"

Kite turned to look at them

"Well obviously small mamals and reptiles usually adapt to city environments and deforestation doesn't necessarily lead them to extinction but the same can't be said for bigger spiecies that need space and greater quantities of food to survive, which sadly humans took away from them"

Leorio got to Kite with a nervous expression and leaned in to wisper something

"And how dangerous are these...bigger animals?"

Kite pushed him away slightly. "Not so much, most of them ignore humans and have learned to trust the people in the facility so they won't be aggressive"

Leorio shrugged. "Phew, that's a relief..."

Alluka started walking again. "So when do we actually get to see them miss-- ehm... I mean... mister Kite?"

"Yeah, sure, just follow me. The lake should be nearby... They should mostly roam that area to have easier access to water."

Killua sat up and started to stand up again, but Gon got in front, Killua looked up at him for a second before Gon offered his hand at him and helped him get up

Killua smiled and accepted Gon's help

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"Why?! Am I not good enough for you!?"
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