Reborn As A Beastman With A System

Chapter 13: Little White Rabbit!

"Sir Chief, the expansion of our dragon rat breeding pits is not beyond our capabilities," Kodiak began, his voice steadier now, a hint of resolve threading through his words as he broached the subject he'd been mulling over.

Logan, seated upon his rugged throne carved from ancient wood, regarded Kodiak with a measured gaze. "Proceed, Kodiak. What do you propose?" His voice was as calm as the night sky, betraying none of the turmoil that the request might bring.

"The heart of our tribe's sustenance, the supply of meat, cannot linger in uncertainty," Kodiak continued, aware of the gravity of his next words. "Master Chief, our current infrastructure requires us to sustain 100,000 dragon rats daily, a task demanding the strength and time of forty to fifty of our brethren.

Should we venture into adding the number of breeding pits, it is manpower that we shall find ourselves in dire need of."

He paused, the weight of leadership evident in his eyes. Under his command were a little over seventy breeders, many of whom bore the marks of time or the naivety of youth, barely seven or eight years into their form.

"With plans to erect twenty additional breeding pits, we press against the very limits of our capabilities. Beyond this, our ranks would be stretched too thin, unable to sustain any further expansions without additional hands."

The implication hung in the air, clear and undeniable.

"It is a matter of resources, then?" Logan queried, his voice betraying a hint of foreknowledge of the plea to come.

"Indeed, sir. A reinforcement of at least fifty beastmen would be necessary to meet the demands of expansion," Kodiak stated, his tone firm. "Preferably those of younger vigour."

Logan offered a wry chuckle, his eyes momentarily flickering with amusement. "Young beastmen, Kodiak? As if such assets could be spared from the frontlines or the craft halls where their strength and skill contribute to the tribe's armoury and sustenance."

Kodiak sighed, a grudging acceptance in his gesture. "Any assistance, young or otherwise, would be invaluable. We need the numbers, Chief, lest the project and our food security are jeopardized."

"I understand the stakes, Kodiak, and I shall endeavour to address this shortfall. However, today is not solely for discussions of duty and need." Logan's tone softened, a rare smile curving his lips as he turned fully towards Kodiak, an air of anticipation surrounding his next words. "I've brought you a gift, a token of my appreciation for your unwavering service."

Kodiak's eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued. A gift? From Logan, such gestures were rare and invariably significant.

Kodiak's eyes widened in sheer astonishment, his seasoned warrior facade momentarily slipping away to reveal a child-like wonder. There, cradled in Logan' hands, was a creature so foreign yet mesmerizingly beautiful—a small animal with long, delicate ears, fur as white as snow, and eyes that glimmered with a ruby-red hue.

"Could this truly be? And how...?" Kodiak's voice faltered, his gaze fixed on the mysterious creature and then on Logan, his mind racing with questions and disbelief. Such an animal was beyond his vast experiences.

And then it dawned on him, a possibility that seemed as fantastical as the creature before his eyes. Logan might be in possession of a space artefact, a magical artefact of legend, capable of storing living beings and even entire swathes of land within its confined dimensions. The mere thought that such wonders were within the chief's reach was staggering.

Unaware of the storm of thoughts swirling in Kodiak's head, Logan couldn't suppress a chuckle, finding amusement in the other's astonishment. "This little one," he said, gently stroking the animal's back, causing it to nuzzle closer into his palm, "is known as a Little White Rabbit. A rare find from the depths of ancient ruins."

The revelation struck Kodiak with the force of a thunderclap. A Little White Rabbit, plucked from the annals of history and now, miraculously, in front of him. Logan' intention was clear: this rabbit was not just a gift but a new venture, an opportunity to explore the breeding of a creature rumoured to be more delectable than any dragon rat.

Logan' eyes sparkled with anticipation, not just for the potential Kodiak could unlock with this new species but for the culinary delights it promised. The thought of dishes such as spicy rabbit, salt and pepper rabbit legs, and braised rabbit meat had him almost salivating.

"Ancient animal... A Little White Rabbit?" Kodiak echoed, his initial shock transforming into intrigue and excitement. To be entrusted with such a unique and precious gift, to pioneer its breeding, it was an honour and a challenge he was eager to embrace.

"Indeed," Logan said, extending his hands towards Kodiak, the rabbit perched gently atop his open palm. "She's yours now, to care for, to breed. Who knows? Perhaps this small creature will herald a new era for our tribe."

The gravity and promise held within that moment were not lost on Kodiak as he carefully took the rabbit into his own hands, a sense of new beginnings and possibilities blossoming in his heart.

As Logan delicately lifted the rabbit by its ears, presenting it to Kodiak with an air of ceremony, Kodiak found himself besieged by a sudden surge of nervousness. His hands hovered hesitantly in the air, the responsibility of handling such a delicate creature weighing heavily on him.

"What's the matter?" Logan asked, his voice laced with a gentle chiding. "She's as gentle as a morning breeze, much like our dragon rats. Fond of burrowing and with a palate for greens." Without further ado, he placed the rabbit into Kodiak's unprepared arms, the action swift and decisive.

Cradling the little white rabbit, Kodiak explored its soft fur and delicate features with a mix of awe and trepidation. "It's truly gentle," he remarked, his initial apprehension melting away into wonder and gratitude. "This is a magnificent gift, Chief. To possess such an ancient creature is a rare honor."

Logan smirked slightly, his gaze sharp. "Hold your thanks, Kodiak. This gift comes with expectations."

Kodiak's heart sank a notch. "Expectations, Sir Chief?" he questioned, his joy dimming under the weight of impending duties.

"Breeding," Logan stated simply, his finger lightly grazing the rabbit's fur. "These creatures share much with our dragon rats—habitats, diets, even reproductive cycles. They breed prolifically, offering a litter of ten each month."

Kodiak's mind raced. The implications of such a breeding cycle were vast, potentially revolutionizing their food supply if managed correctly. "You're suggesting we undertake large-scale breeding?"

"Exactly," Logan confirmed, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"But, do you have more of these rabbits? For breeding, we'd need at least a pair," Kodiak pointed out, the logistics of such an endeavor already forming in his mind.

Logan nodded, unfazed. "More are ready. Your breeding pits are about to become even busier."

Kodiak felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The task ahead was daunting yet filled with potential. "This... presents a unique challenge, Chief."

Logan' smile widened. "And it's one I trust you to navigate, Kodiak. This is not just about breeding rabbits. It's about expanding our horizons, about ensuring our tribe's prosperity. You'll find a way, as you always do I believe in you."

Kodiak, now holding the rabbit more confidently, understood the unspoken contract between them.

"Should you wish to see our warrens teeming with little white rabbits, then I'm afraid the workforce you've allocated falls short. We'd need at least thirty additional hands to manage such an undertaking effectively," Kodiak conveyed, understanding all too well that refusal was not an option. He needed to navigate this request delicately.

"Thirty more, you say?" There was a mix of incredulity and bemusement in Logan's voice. "You truly have the audacity of a lion, Kodiak. Considering I've only got a maximum of 400 rabbits to start with, to suggest an expansion that demands such a significant increase in manpower...," he trailed off, fixing Kodiak with a look that was part skepticism, part challenge.

Kodiak, caught in the gravity of Logan's gaze, could only muster a weak, "Uh..." His intention hadn't been to overreach. He had genuinely calculated the needs for the ambitious expansion Logan envisioned.

Logan sighed, a momentary flicker of contemplation crossing his features. "Well, the precise number of additional hands we'll require remains to be seen. I shall need to ponder this further. Rest assured, the moment a decision is reached, you will be the first to know."

"It's important that we expedite this process," Logan continued, his voice adopting a grave tone. "As soon as we've bolstered our ranks, we must immediately set to work on enlarging the breeding pits. Time is of the essence."

"Understood, Chief!" Kodiak replied, his voice resonating with newfound determination.

With a final glance towards the horizon, where twilight began to blend into night, Logan announced his departure. "The day grows late, and I find myself in need for food," he mused aloud, the thought of his austere daily fare doing little to appease his hunger.

"There's no need for formalities," Logan called over his shoulder, sensing Kodiak's intention to accompany him.

Kodiak stood there, a silent sentinel, as he watched Logan's retreating figure. "You might just be the greatest leader our tribe has ever known," he whispered into the dusk, admiration lacing his words.

Though Logan's request for more breeding pits posed a significant challenge, Kodiak couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Here was a chief whose every decree was with the tribe's welfare in mind, wise, strategic, and ambitious. Logan was the epitome of the leader Kodiak had always aspired to serve under