Chapter 203: Thunder Frog
Kevin Keane and Francis Grant couldn’t help but widen their eyes, their pupils practically shaking as they stared at the scene before them. They clearly hadn’t expected a Fourth Rank mutated creature to be so spineless.
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd around them.
"It surrendered just like that?"
"What happened to the dignity of a Fourth Rank creature?"
"Am I seeing things? A dog just pinned down a frog?"
"RIBBIT! RIBBIT!"
The Big Pink Frog hopped in place a few times. It turned around, pointing its plump rear end at the crowd, and croaked loudly at the horde of rainbow frogs behind it, seemingly barking out orders. Once finished, it immediately spun back around and stared intently at Kevin and Francis. Its large, bright eyes were brimming with anticipation, looking exactly like a puppy begging for a hug.
Little Sweet Potato spoke up right on cue, its mechanical voice tinged with an inexplicable chirpiness. "It wants a hug too. It wants you two to hold it just like you held Rollo earlier."
Kevin’s expression cracked instantly, his entire face screaming, "I refuse."
Even the usually stern Francis took a startled step back, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably as he shook his head on reflex.
Luna Dawson couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter with a loud PFFT. She had already figured that getting the frogs to yield was entirely possible, but she never imagined it would come with such a bizarre condition.
"It seems our vice-captain is a hit with all species. Just hug it, it’s not like you have anything to lose," Luna teased, blinking and glancing pointedly at Little Sweet Potato on Kevin’s shoulder. Then, she looked at Francis in amusement. "Colonel Grant, it seems it’s taken a fancy to you too."
Jean Sterling, who was standing nearby, was trying so hard to stifle her laughter that she nearly choked. Putting on a deadpan expression, she said, "Colonel Grant, Captain Keane, for the sake of smoothly completing this escort mission, we’ll be counting on you."
Before Francis could even react, Kevin—having heard Luna tell him to do it—put on a foul expression. Without a moment of hesitation, he crouched down, scooped the Big Pink Frog up into his arms, and even bounced it impatiently.
The Big Pink Frog immediately let out a satisfied croak. Its body relaxed completely as it nestled deeper into Kevin’s embrace.
Only then did Kevin set it back down with a dark scowl, looking as if he had just suffered a massive grievance. It was a good thing he had been drinking the spirit spring water long-term, giving him a physique far surpassing that of an ordinary person. Otherwise, there was no guarantee he could have actually lifted such a massive, heavy lump of a frog.
Miraculously, the moment Kevin put the Pink Frog down, the horde of rainbow frogs blocking the road began hopping away into the woods on both sides. The few half-meter-tall frogs even cast a reluctant, lingering glance back at the Big Pink Frog before lazily jumping into the forest. Watching a sea of bouncing, rainbow-colored blobs disappear into the trees was truly a mind-blowing sight.
Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Being able to pass through smoothly without a fight was absolutely the best possible outcome.
Major General Thomas Dalton watched the interaction among the young people ahead of him. The corners of his lips curled into a satisfied smile, a hint of relief in his eyes as he slowly rolled up the car window.
Those who had just been rubbernecking, eagerly waiting to see the Sunset Squad make fools of themselves, couldn’t help but purse their lips, their faces full of disbelief.
"That actually worked?"
"So they just relied on a dog whining a bit and hugging an ugly frog to solve it?"
"This development is way too ridiculous!"
After confirming the road was clear, Francis ordered the accompanying animal legion to return to their respective ranks.
Little Sweet Potato happily hopped onto Rollo’s neck and sat down securely.
Kevin looked down at Luna, his tone full of sulky grievance. "Little Boss."
Luna looked up at him. Her fingertips quietly pinched a Fourth Rank Thunder System Crystal Core from her space, waving it gently in front of his eyes. The corners of her eyes curved in a sweet smile as she coaxed softly, "All your efforts will be rewarded." She needed to quickly dangle this carrot to keep her excellent top-tier worker firmly hooked.
Kevin’s gaze never even landed on the Crystal Core. His mind was entirely filled with the image of Luna’s smiling, curved eyes as she coaxed him. The slight resentment born from feeling wronged vanished into thin air instantly. His voice was soft and gentle as he gave a low response. "Okay."
Francis coughed awkwardly. Thinking back on it, he really shouldn’t have backed away just now.
After everyone resolved the trouble with a sigh of relief, they all hurried back into their vehicles. After all, the heating inside was much stronger, and the sub-zero temperatures outside were still freezing.
Just as Kevin and Luna were getting into the vehicle, the Big Pink Frog kicked off with its hind legs. With lightning speed, it leaped directly into the Marauder.
Kevin was speechless.
Luna was utterly shocked.
Everyone else was completely bewildered.
Hector immediately got out of the RV with Rhonda Dawson and headed toward the Marauder.
It sparked another round of chaos.
It wasn’t until Luna repeatedly assured Francis that she could control the Big Pink Frog that the convoy finally began to move forward slowly again.
Inside the Marauder, they all stared at each other.
Hector leaned in curiously, his large, round eyes wide open. "Uncle Keane, is this frog going to follow you?"
Luna also sized up the Pink Frog with a face full of confusion. "Why is it so fixated on getting a hug from you and Francis? Could it be a female?"
Hearing this, Lynn Shelby immediately lowered his head and frantically typed a search on his wristband. A moment later, he sighed helplessly. "Current data shows that flora and fauna gradually develop independent consciousness after reaching the Fourth Rank. But as for this kind of behavior—seeking out specific people for hugs—no one has ever uploaded any related articles or videos. This is technically a new discovery."
Having said that, he quickly raised his wristband and took a few close-up shots of the Pink Frog. He then uploaded the photo he had sneakily taken earlier of Kevin holding the frog, along with a description of the Pink Frog’s series of bizarre behaviors, straight to the Mutation Forum.
No one expected that these very photos would later cause Francis—who would eventually witness the Pink Frog’s formidable power—to turn completely green with regret, wishing he could time travel back and slap himself in the face.
Why hadn’t he taken the initiative to step forward and hug it back then!
Little Sweet Potato stood steadily on Kevin’s shoulder with its hands on its tiny hips, looking incredibly smug.
Rollo sprawled comfortably on its belly like a roast duck. Lying next to the Pink Frog, it would occasionally stick out its tongue to lick the frog’s belly. The Pink Frog didn’t resist at all, just laying there obediently without moving.
Rhonda was also captivated by this pristine, all-over Barbie-pink frog. She couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke its back. She had treated many small animals in the past and didn’t harbor any natural resistance toward these mutated creatures to begin with.
"It’s so soft, and the color is so pretty," she said softly.
"It’s a female Thunder System frog. It’s unconsciously drawn to both of your mutated cores. We warned her, so she’s not allowed to eat you," Little Sweet Potato spoke up, even smugly waving its two plump little leaves in front of Kevin’s face.
Aaron Palmer’s eyes were practically glued to the Pink Frog. Upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but drop a curse word.
"Are you kidding me?! No wonder she only wanted hugs from those two. Turns out she was just craving a snack!"
Everyone fell utterly silent.
Kevin looked at the Big Pink Frog with a deeply complicated expression, his tone extremely subtle. "Well, thank you for sparing me."
Miles Dawson, who was driving the vehicle steadily while watching the spectacle through the rearview mirror, couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.
Lynn reached out and lightly smacked the back of his head. "Drive properly and focus. Don’t just watch the show."
"I’m twenty-one already! Stop treating me like a kid!" Miles protested in defiance.
Unfortunately, his protest was futile. After all, even the twenty-six-year-old Aaron was still treated and disciplined like a little brother among their group.
Meanwhile, Francis had been bombarding Lynn’s wristband with twenty questions. After Lynn finally replied, informing Francis that he, too, had been targeted by the Pink Frog because of his Thunder System energy—and was almost treated as a snack—the usually composed Francis couldn’t hold back and cursed out loud in his vehicle.