《Lord of the Cats》 1 The Paws of Fate Chapter 1The Paws of Fate I¡¯ve always admired cats. They were fluffy, aloof, lazy, temperamental, mischievous, and about a dozen other things that made them endlessly fascinating. Depending on the breed¡ªor maybe just their mood¡ªthey could have completely different personalities. I envied that freedom, their ability to just be. Free. Proud. And so very dignified. On days when my body felt like a prison, I¡¯d scroll through endless cat pictures on my phone, lazing in my wheelchair like a low-budget sphinx. Cats didn¡¯t worry about deadlines, doctor visits, or allergies¡ªthough ironically, my love for them came with a heavy dose of irony. My allergies made sure I couldn¡¯t have one, no matter how much I wanted to. That, and my health issues, meant the closest I¡¯d ever get was dreaming about them. And dream I did. Sometimes I¡¯d stare out the window, picturing myself as a sleek black cat prowling rooftops, or a pampered tabby basking in a sunbeam. Occasionally, I¡¯d even imitate them¡ªstretching languidly, batting at loose threads, or doing a perfectly unnecessary yawn. It was fun. If I had to die¡ªand let¡¯s face it, my body wasn¡¯t exactly winning awards for longevity¡ªI wouldn¡¯t mind coming back as a cat. Turns out, fate has a pretty twisted sense of humor. The truck came out of nowhere. I¡¯ll spare you the details, but let¡¯s just say it was quick, loud, and everything people say about that ¡°light at the end of the tunnel¡± was true. When I woke up, I wasn¡¯t me anymore. I was a kitten. Not just any kitten, though. I was one of seven, nestled in a dark corner of the cold streets of some city by a lake. Felor, they called it. Not that I knew that right away¡ªI had other problems. Hunger, the chill of the wind, and the overwhelming realization that my new family consisted of me, six squirming siblings, and a very ginger, very determined cat mom. ¡°Oh, my little kittens,¡± she purred¡ªor said, in whatever passed for cat language. ¡°¡°Grow strong, my little ones. Soon, we shall dominate the world!¡± Wait, what? Okay. That was... unexpected. I blinked at her, but she just nudged me closer, her purrs resonating like the rumble of an engine. Was this some kind of joke? Was shejoking? Or had it always been true that cats were secretly plotting to rule the world? Regardless, there I was. A ginger kitten with an equally ginger mom in a cold, unforgiving city. Life as a human hadn¡¯t exactly been kind, but as a cat? Let¡¯s just say things weren¡¯t looking much better. Life was awesome. At least, at first. As a kitten, I could run, play, and jump wherever I pleased. The world was a vast, unpredictable playground, and every day felt like a new adventure. Sure, not every day was awesome, but most days were worth it. Mom made sure of that. She was tough, clever, and fiercely ginger, with a personality as sharp as her claws. From the moment we could stumble after her, she taught us how to survive on the streets. ¡°Life isn¡¯t fair,¡± she¡¯d say in her purring drawl. ¡°But you can make it fairer if you¡¯re smart enough to take advantage of others.¡± And she showed us how. She taught us how to weaponize our cuteness, pulling at the heartstrings of humans who would toss us scraps. She taught us how to sniff out weakness in other creatures¡ªpigeons with a limp, rats that strayed too far from their pack. And she taught us the art of the ambush, crouching low, waiting, striking at the perfect moment. It was exhilarating, this balance of cunning and instinct. Among my six siblings, I grew up to be the strongest. Even as a kitten, I proved myself formidable. I always snagged the best spots during feedings and snagged the fattest mice on our hunts. Mom¡¯s milk kept me strong, and my knack for charming humans earned me extra treats when I needed them. But, like I said, not every day was awesome. The first winter was brutal. One of my siblings¡ªa scrappy runt we called Twitch¡ªdidn¡¯t make it. The cold seeped into our bones, and despite Mom¡¯s efforts to keep us warm, Twitch grew weaker and weaker until one day he just didn¡¯t wake up. Spring brought a new kind of danger. Rats the size of small dogs roamed the alleys, their red eyes gleaming in the dark. One of them got my brother, Stripe. I tried to help, clawing and hissing, but it was too late. Stripe¡¯s cries echoed long after the rat dragged him into the shadows.Stolen novel; please report. Illness claimed another. Starvation took one more. And the last two¡ªmy bold, adventurous sisters¡ªwere killed by stray goblins. Yes, goblins. By the time the first year ended, our litter of seven had dwindled to one. Me. Mom took it all in stride, her eyes gleaming with an almost indifferent resolve. ¡°Life is cruel,¡± she told me one night as we curled together for warmth. ¡°The strong survive, and the weak... well, they make the strong stronger.¡± Her callousness should¡¯ve stung, but I understood. It was just the way things were. The second year, Mom herself fell. She didn¡¯t return from a hunt, and when I finally found her, it was clear she¡¯d met something she couldn¡¯t outsmart or outrun. I didn¡¯t stick around to figure out what¡ªit didn¡¯t seem wise. By then, I had already pieced together the truth. This wasn¡¯t just any world. It was a fantasyworld. The signs were all there: the goblins, the strange magical creatures lurking in the shadows, the glimmering runes I occasionally saw etched into human tools. At first, I was thrilled. I¡¯d read enough books and watched enough movies in my past life to know what that meant. Adventure! Magic! Possibilities! But fantasy didn¡¯t mean fair. This world wasn¡¯t some whimsical fairy tale. It was brutal and unrelenting, a place where creatures like me were far down the food chain. No amount of cuteness or cunning could change that. I was a small, fluffy creature in a world of claws, teeth, and magic. And if I wanted to survive, I¡¯d have to be more than clever. I¡¯d have to be ruthless. It was a sad development to be alone, but what else could I do except move on? I had learned quickly that survival wasn¡¯t a matter of sentiment but strength. To gain that strength, I needed knowledge. The first step was obvious: learn the language of the sentient races in this world. Not that the Cat Tongue was inferior, mind you¡ªfar from it. I am a proud feline, after all. But in a world dominated by humanoids, understanding their Common Tongue was essential. I frequented bars, inns, and bustling marketplaces where humans, elves, and other humanoid races gathered. Observing them from shadowed corners, eavesdropping on their conversations, I absorbed their words. Immersion worked wonders, even if it took months of painstaking effort. By the time I hit seven months old, I could understand the basics of how these creatures spoke. Their language was clunky compared to the elegance of purring and hissing, but it got the job done. It was during these observations that I learned about Adventurers. The name alone made me cringe. Could it get any more clich¨¦? Adventurers, as it turned out, were the kind of people who accepted quests to slay monsters, gather herbs, or recover lost trinkets. They congregated at places like Felor¡¯s Adventurer¡¯s Guild¡ªa rundown building that saw a steady flow of adventurers coming and going despite its dilapidated state. I kept my distance from the Guild. My feline friends had warned me about the dangers. One particularly chilling story told of an adventurer who had caught a cat, butchered it, and turned it into soup. This wasn¡¯t just a fantasy world; it was a medievalfantasy world, where barbarism lurked in every corner. Still, curiosity got the better of me. At seven months old, I decided to risk it and observe the Adventurer¡¯s Guild for myself. ¡°Hey, Kai¡­ we shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± came a soft purr from behind me. It was Lucky, my childhood friend and a black cat of the same age. She was a scrappy little thing, sharp-eyed and quick-witted. ¡°That¡¯s Kaiserto you,¡± I corrected, puffing out my chest. No, it wasn¡¯t the name my Cat Mom had given me. Feline naming conventions were... well, spontaneous at best. Cats called themselves whatever they wanted, and other cats referred to them however they pleased. But I had taken it upon myself to give myself a proper name. Lucky purred with amusement. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m sticking with Kai. Forever. Unless you give me a reason to change my mind¡­ like having my babies.¡± ¡°Blegh!¡± I flicked my tail dramatically. ¡°I am on a quest for powah! I will raise all of feline kind to the apex, and I shall proclaim myself King! No¡ªtoo low. Emperor!¡± Lucky snorted. ¡°Why stop there? Why not call yourself God?¡± ¡°Bah, we aregods already!¡± ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind,¡± she muttered, though her whiskers twitched in amusement. Our conversation, spoken entirely in Cat Tongue¡ªpurrs, hisses, and subtle shifts of body language¡ªearned a few odd looks from bystanders. They couldn¡¯t understand a word we were saying, of course, but they could sense the intensity of our discussion. Ignoring the stares, I crept into the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, Lucky trailing behind me. The inside was as rustic as I had imagined. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, and the smell of ale and roasted meat hung thick in the air. Adventurers gathered at tables, laughing and sharing stories, while others lined up at the counter to speak with the clerk. It was everything I had expected of a medieval fantasy setting. I leapt onto one of the beams above, settling into the shadows to observe. Lucky followed, her paws light and silent against the wood. Below us, the adventurers were a lively bunch. A dwarf banged his tankard on the table, demanding another round of ale. An elf leaned back in her chair, recounting a tale of her latest hunt. At the counter, a burly man argued with the clerk over the price of a health potion. ¡°This place is a mess,¡± Lucky muttered beside me, her green eyes scanning the room. ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± I whispered back, my tail swishing. Lucky tilted her head. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For learning,¡± I said simply. If I was going to rise to power in this world, I needed to understand it first. And what better place to start than here, where adventurers gathered, plotted, and traded their secrets? ¡°Just don¡¯t get caught,¡± Lucky warned. ¡°I like my fur on my body, not in someone¡¯s soup.¡± ¡°Relax,¡± I said, grinning. ¡°What could possibly go wrong?¡± Her ears flattened. ¡°You just jinxed it.¡± Maybe I had, but I wasn¡¯t going to let fear stop me. This was just the beginning. 2 A Purr-fect Plan Chapter 2 A Purr-fect Plan I observed them from my perch, the adventurers below clustering in their own cliques. Each group was as distinct as the fur patterns on my siblings had been, from loud, ale-swilling brutes to silent, calculating types who nursed their drinks like secrets. Their conversations blended into a low hum, punctuated by laughter, shouts, and the occasional clink of tankards. ¡°What are you even here for? Seriously?¡± Lucky¡¯s voice was a soft purr beside me, her tail swishing impatiently. ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet,¡± I admitted, eyes narrowing as I studied the room. ¡°But obviously¡­ knowledge. Maybe there¡¯s an Exp system invisible to our eyes, and we can level up. Maybe if we kill some goblins, we¡¯d grow in strength.¡± Lucky blinked at me, her green eyes flat with skepticism. ¡°I don¡¯t understand half of what you¡¯re saying, but sure¡­ whatever¡­¡± If we had opposable thumbs, I would have taken a different approach entirely. I¡¯d be down there right now, learning swordsmanship, wearing boots, and hunting goblins for loot and experience. But no, we were cats. Tiny, clawed, and woefully unarmed. If we had thumbs, I might even try building a gun¡ªthough judging by the gnome with the stylish revolver on his waist and the boastful dwarf who carried a canon, the dwarves and gnomes were way ahead of me on that front. Not to mention my gunpowder knowledge was¡­ well, half-assed at best. Lucky let out a long, exaggerated sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. I¡¯m bored. I want to play.¡± I ignored her, ears twitching as I honed in on snippets of conversation below. There had to be something useful in this sea of noise. Some rule, some opportunity that even the lowliest creature could exploit to rise in status and gain power. One group caught my attention first: ¡°What? The Fairy of Wishes is a myth! If you catch the Fairy Queen, you get three wishes! I call bullshit!¡± I flicked my tail dismissively. Too unreliable. Another voice rose from a different table. ¡°There¡¯s a knight tournament in the next city over. The reward is knighthood and a piece of powerful equipment.¡± I wrinkled my nose. No way I could use humanoid equipment. Another group was more animated. ¡°There¡¯s a recently confirmed wyvern¡¯s nest south of here. That means dragons¡ªand treasure, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Treasure? What use did I have for treasure? And I felt like wyverns and dragons were way out of my league. Then, finally, a voice cut through the chatter, drawing my full attention. ¡°Someone¡¯s auctioning a Golden Apple¡­ here in Felor!¡± ¡°Shush, pipe down,¡± hissed another. ¡°This is a merchant city. It¡¯s not unexpected for something like that to show up.¡± ¡°What¡¯s a Golden Apple?¡± ¡°Tsk, newbies¡­ it¡¯s the Golden Apple. Rumored to change someone¡¯s fate, awaken hidden talents, and worth a lord¡¯s entire fortune. Hell, even kings would pay a fortune for one.¡± ¡°No way!¡± ¡°And it¡¯s going to be auctioned?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why so many distinguished guests are appearing in Felor recently.¡± I felt a jolt of excitement. This was it¡ªa golden opportunity, literally! The Golden Apple sounded like the kind of power boost I needed. And if I couldn¡¯t buy it¡­ well, there were other ways to acquire things. ¡°This calls for a heist!¡± I declared, my tail flicking with determination. Lucky tilted her head. ¡°What? You called for me?¡± ¡°No~!¡± I hissed, rolling my eyes. Lucky stretched lazily, her claws catching the beam beneath us. ¡°You¡¯re seriously going to try and steal some shiny fruit from the most important auction in the city? You¡¯re insane.¡± ¡°Insane? No. Inspired.¡± I grinned, the beginnings of a plan forming in my mind. ¡°Just watch, Lucky. This Golden Apple is going to be mine.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°And when you get caught, I¡¯ll be sure to write a ballad about your short-lived career as a master thief.¡± I ignored her. I didn¡¯t need her approval. All I needed was a plan. And maybe a bit of luck. Or, in this case, a Lucky. It was time to draw in the charm. I had a plan, but to pull it off, I needed Lucky on my side. And Lucky¡­ well, she had the hots for me. Not that I was complaining. It was flattering, sure, but I had bigger priorities. Right? Yeah¡­ bigger priorities. Definitely.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. I turned to her, channeling every ounce of feline charisma I could muster. In my past life, I¡¯d played a lot of games across various genres. While I didn¡¯t have any shiny achievement, my Fine Arts degree had taught me a thing or two about storytelling and performance. Time to summon a bit of theater. ¡°Lucky,¡± I said, my tone dripping with mock seriousness, ¡°tell me¡ªhave you ever gone hungry?¡± Her ears perked up in confusion. ¡°Where is this¡­ going?¡± ¡°Just answer the question,¡± I insisted, giving her my most earnest gaze. She tilted her head. ¡°I mean, yeah, of course. Everyone has.¡± ¡°Right, right,¡± I said, nodding sagely. ¡°But tell me, Lucky¡ªwho is the one cat in all of Felor that has never gone hungry? At least in the past month or so¡­¡± She hesitated, her green eyes narrowing suspiciously. ¡°M-me?¡± ¡°Why?¡± I asked, leaning in slightly. ¡°Y-you?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± I puffed out my chest, tail swishing with satisfaction. ¡°So, you owe me a lot, right? Like, big time?¡± Lucky blinked rapidly. ¡°Yeah, I guess?¡± ¡°And we¡¯re like family, right?¡± I pressed, my voice softening into something conspiratorial. ¡°Yeah,¡± she agreed, though her tone wavered. ¡°Family will do anything for each other, right?¡± ¡°N-no?¡± Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched. ¡°I mean¡­ my elder brother once kicked me off a ledge. One time.¡± ¡°Am I your elder brother?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Does your brother feed you?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Do I feed you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I let the silence hang for a moment, my gaze steady. Then I dropped the hammer. ¡°If I fail this heist, get caught, and end up turned into soup or fed to alligators, who will feed you then?¡± Lucky froze, her ears flattening. ¡°Y-you¡¯re being dramatic.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± I said, raising a paw for emphasis. ¡°If I¡¯m gone, you¡¯re back to scavenging scraps in alleys, fighting rats twice your size, and dodging wild goblins who see you as a snack.¡± She swallowed hard, glancing away. ¡°I¡­ guess that¡¯s true.¡± I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. ¡°Lucky, this isn¡¯t just about me. This is about us. If we pull this off, we won¡¯t have to live like this anymore. We¡¯ll have power. Status. Food¡ªendless food! We could even build a proper pride, rule the streets, maybe the whole city!¡± Lucky¡¯s tail flicked uncertainly. ¡°You make it sound so easy¡­¡± ¡°Because it will be easy,¡± I said, flashing her a confident grin. ¡°With you by my side, how can we fail?¡± Her eyes darted back to me, her resolve wavering. ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered, her voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. But if we get caught, I¡¯m blaming you for everything.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± I said, purring triumphantly. She groaned, batting at my tail. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡± ¡°Impossibly charming,¡± I corrected, already turning my attention back to the task at hand. With Lucky on board, the heist was one step closer to reality. Now all I had to do was figure out how to steal the Golden Apple without getting turned into soup. Easy, right? We left the Guild under the cover of night, slipping through the shadows like the stealthy cats we were. The air was crisp, the city alive with the hum of distant voices and the occasional shout. I could hear Lucky¡¯s light paws following closely behind me as I expertly parkoured along the rooftops. A leap here, a quick scamper there, and soon we were at our hideout¡ªmy hideout, really. It was on the top of a high building, tucked away behind wooden partitions and hidden behind a few cracked spaces and small windows. The perfect place for a pair of cats to lay low and plan their next move. The floor was littered with trinkets, some shiny, some not, and food¡ªlots of food. Most of it was stuff we had scavenged, or in the case of a few things, stolen. In one corner sat the Magic Bag we had stolen from a certain wizard. It was filled with food, enough to last us through the cold months. The best part? The food inside didn¡¯t spoil easily, making it perfect for long-term storage. I sat on my haunches, tail flicking in excitement as I turned to Lucky, who was still pacing nervously. ¡°This is the plan¡­¡± I began, eyes gleaming with ambition. ¡°We bring in more cats.¡± Lucky stopped dead in her tracks and blinked at me. ¡°What? You want to start a cat gang? That¡¯s stupid¡­ They¡¯ll just steal the Golden Apple right under your whiskers.¡± I grinned. ¡°Not if we bribe them.¡± She looked horrified. ¡°Bribe them? They¡¯d rather have a full belly than something fancy like that Apple. You¡¯re asking for trouble.¡± I shrugged, tail curling with excitement. ¡°Strays don¡¯t appreciate much in terms of quality, but they do appreciate quantity. And I¡¯m offering them plenty of food. You know how much they love that.¡± ¡°No! No way!¡± Lucky hissed, her fur bristling. ¡°It¡¯s almost winter, Kai. You¡¯re going to kill us all. If we feed them, we¡¯ll go hungry. Have you forgotten how cold it gets?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be a drama queen,¡± I replied, rolling my eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll leave enough for you to survive, okay?¡± She wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°And what about you, huh? What if you starve?¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯ll take the risk. It¡¯s my burden to bear,¡± I said, puffing out my chest. ¡°Someone¡¯s got to make the sacrifice, Lucky.¡± She narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°What¡¯s the word? Are you being a misogynist right now?¡± I blinked. ¡°What? Nooo~! I don¡¯t even know what that word means. All I know is it¡¯s offensive to males. Besides, this is a risk I¡¯m willing to take for a simple reason. It¡¯s going to be me who eats that Golden Apple, and you wouldn¡¯t get anything out of this heist!¡± Lucky¡¯s tail twitched, but she didn¡¯t seem as angry now. Instead, her eyes gleamed with a mischievous light. ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise me your affection?¡± I froze, not expecting that question. ¡°I did.¡± ¡°And you promised to have my babies, didn¡¯t you?¡± she said, her voice a teasing purr. I jumped back in surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re gaslighting me!¡± She just blinked innocently. ¡°No?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± I insisted, my whiskers twitching in annoyance. ¡°You¡¯re tricking me!¡± She smirked, her eyes full of satisfaction. ¡°See? You promised.¡± ¡°No! No, I didn¡¯t!¡± I mewed, suddenly defensive. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what that means. I was just trying to make sure you¡¯re on my side for this heist!¡± Lucky¡¯s purring grew louder as she circled around me. ¡°Well, I guess you¡¯ll just have to make good on your promises then, won¡¯t you?¡± I rolled my eyes, my tail flicking in exasperation. ¡°I swear, Lucky¡­ You¡¯re impossible.¡± But in that moment, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a little bit of pride. If I was going to pull this off, I needed her. And maybe, just maybe, she¡¯d get a little more than just food out of this whole ordeal. Not babies¡­ Never babies¡­ I¡¯m not ready to be anyone¡¯s daddy yet¡­ ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said with a sigh, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. We¡¯re going to pull this off, Lucky. And I¡¯m not going to let anything¡ªanything¡ªget in our way.¡± Lucky just purred, satisfied. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡± 3 The Gathering of the Cats Chapter 3 The Gathering of the Cats The first light of morning had just begun to stretch across the sky, casting a soft, golden hue over the hidden alleyway. Cats of all shapes and sizes were gathered, their fur matted with the grime of the streets but their eyes sharp and full of expectation. I sat atop a crate, surveying my lovely visitors with a sense of pride. This was my gathering, my army of felines. Felor had a total of 53 cats, including me and Lucky. How did I know that? Well, I¡¯d gone to great lengths to conduct a census, of course. I even learned their names. If they didn¡¯t have one, I gave them one. Everyone had a role in my little empire, and names were important. One of the more dramatic cats stepped forward, a black-and-white with an air of superiority. ¡°I am the Great Demon Cat of the Western River!¡± he proclaimed in a voice that could only be described as chunni. ¡°Tell us, Kaiser of the Sun, why have you gathered us in this unholy alley?¡± I rolled my eyes, my tail flicking with annoyance. ¡°Shut up, you chunni cat! I told you your name is Demo, okay?¡± The Great Demon Cat¡ªDemo¡ªhuffed in indignation but stayed silent. Good. A massive gray cat with a powerful build stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. ¡°Speak, Kaiser¡­ You are wasting our precious time! You promised us free food and that we¡¯d hear Lucky-tan sing.¡± Ah, Big-C. Or as I liked to call him, Chunky. I flicked my tail and gave him a look of mock concern. ¡°She¡¯ll show, be patient.¡± The crowd of cats murmured in agreement, their eyes gleaming with a mix of impatience and curiosity. ¡°Aye,¡± they chorused. ¡°Where is Lucky-tan anyway?¡± ¡°This better not be a scam!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re abusing Lucky-tan, we¡¯ll kill you!¡± ¡°Let me sniff Lucky-tan!¡± I narrowed my eyes, scanning the crowd. ¡°Who said that?¡± The chatter died down as I glared at them, but the murmurs of discontent were still there. I knew what was going on. Lucky had become something of a star among the cats. It was the song, I knew it. A few months ago, I¡¯d taught Lucky the lyrics to a song, ¡®Meow-meow-meow.¡¯ I¡¯d even gone so far as to teach her how to act cute and dance in a way that would appeal to both humans and cats. It was adorable¡ªadorkable, even. Not in a lusty way, mind you, but in a cute and admirable way. The song was a huge hit, and I had to admit, Lucky had a charm to her that was irresistible. I wasn¡¯t surprised that the cats were now calling for her performance. They wanted their Lucky-tan. I raised my paw, signaling for silence. ¡°Okay, okay! Pipe down! If you lot behave, I¡¯ll talk to her and get her to sing a song after this. But you have to listen first!¡± The crowd grew quieter, their eyes still on me, expectant. I smiled to myself. This was working better than I¡¯d hoped. The cats, so prideful and stubborn, were now wrapped around my paw¡ªfiguratively speaking, of course. Lucky would sing, and they would follow my lead. It was all part of the plan. ¡°Now,¡± I said, settling into my perch with authority, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about what comes next. The Golden Apple isn¡¯t going to steal itself.¡± ¡°Golden Apple?¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Apple what?¡± ¡°Managed to snag an apple once, it was fruity.¡± Of course, it was fruity, you idiot. It was an apple. ¡°Not really filling.¡± ¡°I heard it tastes good during summer.¡± ¡°What? Does Kaiser want an apple?¡± ¡°He should just steal it himself.¡± ¡°Where is Lucky-tan!?¡± ¡°I want to smell Lucky-tan!¡± ¡°Shut up, pervert!¡± ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that dude already married?¡± ¡°We are cats. We live freely.¡± ¡°And don¡¯t pay child support.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Dumbass.¡± I sighed. This was getting out of hand. Maybe I had been too ambitious. I should¡¯ve known. These cats, my so-called allies, were a mess. Bickering over apples, over Lucky-tan, over whatever the hell came to their minds. I shook my head, deciding to take a more direct approach. ¡°Alright, listen up!¡± I meowed, standing tall on my crate. ¡°I want a certain Golden Apple. In order to steal it, I need your help! You don¡¯t have to steal it for me, but if you promise to cooperate, each of you will get a share of my hoard!¡± The cats fell silent, some tilting their heads in confusion. The chatter had stopped, and they were listening now. I continued, ¡°As you know, I have plenty of food. You all know this, because you¡¯ve tried to steal from me too many times, but always failed.¡± I gave them a pointed look. A few cats grumbled under their breath, clearly irritated by my sharp words. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal,¡± I went on, my voice steady and commanding. ¡°You¡¯ll be paid upfront with food the size of your head. After the job is done, you¡¯ll get twice that. And for the top contributor¡ª¡± I let the words hang in the air, ¡°you¡¯ll get triple your downpayment in food.¡± A murmur of interest rippled through the crowd, but there were still a few skeptics. ¡°Even if the heist fails,¡± I added, ¡°you¡¯ll still keep your downpayment. Because I¡¯m nice like that.¡± There were a few cats who were still grumbling, clearly not sure if they wanted in. I could hear some whispering to each other, muttering things like, ¡°Who¡¯s gonna screw this up?¡± and ¡°Why should we trust him?¡± I flicked my tail, annoyed but keeping my cool. ¡°Those of you who don¡¯t want in, feel free to leave. But if you do stay, you¡¯re in it for the long haul.¡± That shut them up. Some of them shifted nervously, others just stared at me. The tension in the alleyway thickened, and I could feel the eyes of every cat on me, weighing the offer. After a long pause, one of the bolder cats stepped forward¡ªa scruffy tabby with a scar across his nose. ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± he said with a snarl. ¡°I could use a bigger hoard.¡± I nodded, pleased. ¡°Good. Who else?¡± One by one, the other cats started to speak up, all agreeing to join in the heist. Some were reluctant, but the promise of food was too tempting to pass up. The chatter and discontent had quieted, and now there was a strange, eager energy in the air. Lucky was still nowhere to be found, but I was used to her disappearing. She¡¯d come when she was ready, probably practicing her song or doing something else to get more attention. But for now, I had a group of cats to manage, and I needed to keep their focus. ¡°Alright, we¡¯re in business,¡± I said, feeling a rush of excitement. ¡°We¡¯ll start planning the heist tomorrow. Everyone get some rest tonight. It¡¯s gonna be a long, rewarding day.¡± And with that, I gave the crowd one last look before slipping off my crate, tail high and pride swelling in my chest. This was happening. We were going to get that Golden Apple, and nothing was going to stop us. ¡°Now, like I promised¡­ Welcome, Lucky, the pop star of feline kind!¡± I called out, raising a paw in dramatic flair. The crowd of cats went silent, eagerly waiting for what was to come. Then, from her perch on the balcony, Lucky dropped down in a graceful arc, landing lightly on the ground with a soft thud. She flicked her tail and straightened, her eyes sparkling with mischievous energy. She was ready. And then, with no hesitation, Lucky began to sing. ¡°Meow-meow-meow, meow-meow-meow~¡± Her voice rang out, a melodic blend of purrs and meows, perfectly in tune. It was clear she was giving it her all. To any other creature, the sight of a cat singing like a pop star might have seemed absurd. But to us, the cats of Felor, it was nothing short of mesmerizing. Who said cats couldn¡¯t appreciate music? We were aristocracy in our own right¡ªrefined and dignified. We had the right to indulge in the finer things, and Lucky¡¯s performance was nothing short of art. The crowd of felines watched in rapt attention, their eyes gleaming with admiration. Some of them even swayed slightly to the rhythm, tail tips twitching in time with the beat. Lucky¡¯s voice was perfect¡ªclear, sharp, and melodic, echoing through the alleyway. Her paws moved gracefully as she sang, making every movement look as though it were part of the performance. It was adorable, captivating, and oddly beautiful in its own feline way. The audience of cats, my loyal gang of strays, were absolutely entranced. They meowed along in unison, some even adding their own little notes to the song. There was something so deeply magical about the whole scene¡ªso out of place in the gritty, rough world of Felor. But it was our world, and Lucky was its star. And then, something unexpected happened. A figure stepped out from the shadows at the edge of the alley. A human, barely more than a boy, with wide eyes and a curious expression. He had been watching us from a distance, and I had only just noticed him. His robes marked him as an apprentice mage, but what really caught my attention was the look on his face. He wasn¡¯t horrified, like I¡¯d expected. No, he was fascinated. His eyes were glued to Lucky, following her every movement with awe. The apprentice mage watched for a few more moments, taking in the strange spectacle. He then scribbled something down in a small notebook, his hands trembling slightly. I had no idea what he was thinking, but it was clear that this wasn¡¯t just a casual encounter for him. ¡°Lucky, that was amazing!¡± I called out once she finished her song, her last note trailing off into a perfect, soft purr. She flicked her tail and gave me a look of playful annoyance. ¡°You sure know how to build up an audience, Kai. They better appreciate my talent.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Of course, they do. Who wouldn¡¯t?¡± The mage, still lurking in the shadows, seemed to take this moment to slip away, disappearing down the alley as quietly as he¡¯d appeared. I didn¡¯t think much of it at the time. He was just another curious onlooker, no different from the rest of Felor¡¯s population. But I was wrong. Unbeknownst to us, that apprentice mage would spread the tale of Lucky¡¯s performance. And from that day on, rumors began to swirl around Felor about a mysterious Cult of Cats. The story went that a shapeshifting witch, capable of commanding felines, had appeared in the city and was gathering an army of cats for some grand, unknown purpose. The rumors grew more fantastical with each retelling, and soon, whispers of the Cult of Cats were spreading through taverns, markets, and even the guilds. Some said we were planning to overthrow the human rulers of Felor. Others believed we were preparing for some mystical ritual. And a few even claimed we were a group of ancient, sentient beings in disguise, pulling the strings of the world from the shadows. As for me? I didn¡¯t know what the apprentice mage had made of the whole thing. But I did know one thing for sure: I had bigger plans in mind. The Golden Apple was still on the table, and I wasn¡¯t about to let anything¡ªwhether rumors or rival gangs¡ªstand in my way. But for now, I basked in the glow of Lucky¡¯s success, knowing full well that, unbeknownst to most, our little performance had sparked something much larger than we could ever imagine. 4 Preparing for the Heist Chapter 4 Preparing for the Heist The auction was only a few days away, and time wasn¡¯t on my side. If everything went smoothly, I¡¯d snag the Golden Apple before it even reached the auction floor. I wasn¡¯t about to let it slip into the hands of some fat merchant or greedy noble. That meant dividing and conquering¡ªor in this case, delegating. Out of the 51 cats under my leadership, I¡¯d formed four squads, each with a specific mission. Squad A, led by Scruffy the tabby, was tasked with tracking the origins of the Golden Apple. Where had it come from? Who had it now? Scruffy¡¯s crew was reliable, their rough street smarts making them excellent at sniffing out secrets. Squad B, with the ever-intimidating Chunky at the helm, was assigned to spy on the Ironworks Merchant Guild, the ones hosting the auction. Their business dealings, security details, and any vulnerabilities were fair game. Chunky had a no-nonsense attitude that kept his squad focused. Squad C, under Demo the Chunni, had the juiciest job: eavesdropping on the Thieves¡¯ Guild. If anyone was planning to steal the Golden Apple before I did, it¡¯d be those sneaky bastards. Demo¡¯s flair for drama and his tendency to overthink everything actually made him a great infiltrator. Finally, Squad D, led by Daisy¡ªsharp, charming, and a fellow ginger¡ªwas snooping around the entertainment district and merchant caravans. Daisy¡¯s charisma could extract information from anyone, be they a tipsy bard or a boastful caravan guard. I trusted my squad leaders, even if their subordinates were a chaotic mess. Meanwhile, Lucky, our new recruit Butler, and I had a different mission: stealing another Magic Bag from a mage. The one we already had was invaluable, but if we were going to pull off this heist, we¡¯d need a second one. This job wasn¡¯t just about strategy¡ªit was about survival. And while mages were dangerous, their gear was always worth the risk. Butler, our tuxedo recruit, was practically vibrating with nervous energy as he trailed behind me and Lucky. ¡°Whoa, thank you, boss, for taking me in!¡± I turned to him, raising a brow. ¡°That¡¯s Your Majesty to you, dumbass.¡± Lucky snickered, but her laughter was short-lived as she narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°Kaiser, you¡¯re not cheating on me, are you? I saw you flirting with Daisy earlier. What was that about?¡± I sighed, rolling my eyes. ¡°No one¡¯s flirting, dummy. Daisy¡¯s all business. Can we focus, please?¡± She didn¡¯t look convinced but dropped the subject as we neared the mage¡¯s workshop. I kept my voice low as I reminded them of the stakes. ¡°Remember, stealing from mages is deadlier than stealing from adventurers. We could be turned into frogs, roasted alive by a fireball, or worse¡ªdissected for some creepy experiment.¡± Butler froze mid-step, his fur standing on end. His wide eyes darted between me and Lucky. ¡°W-Wait, dissected? For real?¡± Lucky nudged him gently, her voice soothing. ¡°Don¡¯t let him scare you. Mages are less violent than adventurers. If things go south, just act cute and buy us some time. We¡¯ll create a distraction and get you out of there.¡± Or leave him behind. I smirked to myself, keeping that part unsaid. Butler was young, naive, and easy to manipulate. He¡¯d either rise to the occasion or learn the hard way. Either outcome worked for me. The mage¡¯s workshop came into view¡ªa modest, ivy-covered building tucked into the corner of a quiet street. Smoke curled lazily from its chimney, and the faint hum of magical wards buzzed in the air. We crouched low on the rooftop of the building opposite our target, peering through the workshop window. Inside, a pale young man sat hunched over a desk, scribbling furiously into a journal. In his other hand, a wand hovered in the air, casting cleaning spells that swept dust from the shelves and rearranged books. ¡°There¡¯s our mark,¡± I whispered, my tail flicking with anticipation. ¡°What we¡¯ve got here is a virgin apprentice mage. No girlfriend, no social life, and a hobby of writing novels. In other words, his biggest weakness is females.¡± Lucky raised an eyebrow at me. ¡°And you know this how?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯ve been one,¡± I deadpanned. Butler tilted his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been¡­ a mage?¡± ¡°No, dumbass. A virgin loner. Pay attention.¡± I pointed a paw toward the workshop. ¡°Here¡¯s the plan: I¡¯ll distract him using my refined ventriloquism skills and mastery of the Common Tongue. I¡¯ll create a commotion at the front door, get him irritated enough to come shoo me away. That¡¯s when you two sneak in through the window and search for the Magic Bag.¡± Lucky nodded, her ears twitching in understanding. Butler, on the other hand, looked lost. ¡°Butler, you follow Lucky¡¯s lead,¡± I continued, ignoring his confused expression. ¡°The shelves are packed with magic scrolls. Stuff as many of them as you can into the Magic Bag. This place is basically a scroll depository. It¡¯s got wards against humans and other sentient races, but not against cats. I¡¯ve tested it myself, so I know we¡¯re good.¡± Butler hesitated. ¡°Uh¡­ what¡¯s a ward?¡± Lucky blinked at him. ¡°Is it food?¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. I slapped a paw over my face. ¡°No! It¡¯s a magical barrier or protection. Never mind, just follow the plan. Move quickly, move quietly, and don¡¯t screw up. Got it?¡± Butler nodded vigorously, his black-and-white fur puffing up in excitement. ¡°Got it, boss!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Your Majesty,¡± I corrected, then flicked my tail toward the workshop. ¡°All right, let¡¯s do this.¡± I made my way to the workshop¡¯s front door, keeping low and silent. Lucky and Butler stayed hidden on the rooftop, waiting for their cue. Once I was in position, I cleared my throat and began my performance. ¡°Oi! Open up, you pale, broomstick-waving weirdo!¡± I yelled, projecting my voice with precision. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve hoarding all those scrolls while the rest of us suffer!¡± Of course, what came from my throat were meows and purrs. To be fair, my Common Tongue wasn¡¯t that bad¡­ just heavily accented¡­with feline. Inside, the apprentice froze, his quill pausing mid-stroke. He glanced toward the door, confused, before shaking his head and returning to his work. Oh, so he was ignoring me? I could fix that. I amped up the insults. ¡°I know you¡¯re in there, scribbling away at your terrible novels! What are they about, huh? Let me guess¡ªsome tragic hero with no friends? Or maybe it¡¯s a romance where the protagonist finally gets a girlfriend. Ha! Like that¡¯d ever happen!¡± That got his attention. The wand dropped from the air as he slammed his quill onto the desk. ¡°Who¡¯s out there?!¡± he shouted, storming toward the door. I smirked. Hook, line, and sinker. As the door creaked open, I darted to the side, staying out of sight but close enough to keep the act going. ¡°Took you long enough! What¡¯s the matter, mage boy? Too busy fantasizing to face reality?¡± ¡°Show yourself!¡± he growled, stepping out onto the porch. Perfect. With him distracted, Lucky and Butler slipped through the window, their movements swift and silent. Inside the workshop, Lucky took the lead, her eyes scanning the shelves. The Magic Bag hung on a hook by the desk, its enchanted surface glimmering faintly. ¡°There it is,¡± she whispered, motioning for Butler to grab it. Butler hesitated, his ears flattening. ¡°What if it¡¯s trapped?¡± Lucky rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not. Kaiser said the wards don¡¯t work on us. Just grab it.¡± Reluctantly, Butler swiped the bag off the hook and opened it. The interior was impossibly vast, just as Kaiser had described. He began stuffing scrolls inside, his paws moving clumsily but efficiently. Lucky kept watch, her ears swiveling toward every creak and groan of the old building. ¡°Hurry up,¡± she hissed. ¡°We don¡¯t have all day.¡± Meanwhile, outside, the apprentice was growing increasingly agitated. ¡°I swear, if this is some street urchin playing a prank, I¡¯ll¡ª¡± ¡°Street urchin?!¡± I interrupted, my voice dripping with mock offense. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m a highly respected individual! I have a following! I¡¯m Kaiser, the ruler of all I survey!¡± The apprentice looked around, bewildered. ¡°Where are you?!¡± ¡°Right here!¡± I called, throwing my voice to the opposite side of the yard. He spun around, wand raised, his frustration mounting. ¡°Come out, or I¡¯ll¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ll what? Wave your stick at me? Ooooh, scary!¡± He muttered something under his breath, and a spark of magic shot from his wand, fizzling harmlessly against a nearby wall. I grinned. The more worked up he got, the less attention he¡¯d pay to his workshop. Inside, Butler stuffed the last scroll into the Magic Bag and gave Lucky a nod. ¡°Got it,¡± he whispered. Lucky flicked her tail. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s move.¡± The two cats slipped back out the window, leaving no trace of their presence. I waited until I saw them signal from the rooftop before making my exit. ¡°Well, it¡¯s been fun, mage boy,¡± I called, backing into the shadows. ¡°But I¡¯ve got better things to do. See you never!¡± The apprentice whirled around, his face red with frustration, but by the time he reached the yard, I was already gone. ¡­ Back on the rooftop, Lucky handed me the Magic Bag with a smug grin. ¡°Mission accomplished, Your Majesty.¡± I took it, my own grin spreading wide. ¡°Good work, team. Let¡¯s get out of here before he figures out what¡¯s missing.¡± With the bag secured and the apprentice none the wiser, we disappeared into the night, one step closer to our ultimate prize. After a job well done, I dismissed Butler with a flick of my tail. The kid had done his part, though he was as green as spring grass. Lucky and I returned to our hideout under the cover of night, the Magic Bag slung over my back. Once inside, I emptied the bag¡¯s contents onto the floor. A cascade of scrolls spilled out, their seals marked with various insignias. I crouched over the pile, inspecting each one. Lucky perched nearby, her tail flicking lazily. ¡°What are we looking at?¡± ¡°Categories,¡± I replied. ¡°I don¡¯t know letters, but I know symbols. These seals have patterns¡ªdifferent pictures. See?¡± I nudged a scroll with my paw, pointing out the flame-like emblem stamped into the wax. Beside it lay another with a wave, another with a jagged lightning bolt, and one more with what looked like a snowflake. Lucky leaned closer, her golden eyes narrowing. ¡°Huh. So¡­ what do they do?¡± I grinned. ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± We crept down to a secluded part of the riverbank, far from prying eyes. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the water. I placed one of the scrolls with the flame insignia on the ground and unrolled it with my paw. ¡°All right, let¡¯s see what this does.¡± Lucky took a step back. ¡°If you blow us up, I¡¯m haunting you.¡± ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve got this.¡± I bit the edge of the scroll and tugged it open. Instantly, the air crackled with energy. The symbols on the parchment glowed red, and with a sudden whoosh, a ball of fire shot out, soaring over the river before sizzling into the water. Lucky¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Whoa.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Not bad, huh? Let¡¯s try another.¡± Next up was a scroll with the wave emblem. I unrolled it, and a jet of water burst forth, spraying across the river like a geyser. Lucky yelped as a stray splash hit her face. ¡°Hey!¡± she snapped, shaking her fur dry. ¡°Oops,¡± I said, though I was grinning. The snowflake scroll produced a blast of ice that froze part of the river¡¯s surface, and the lightning bolt scroll sent a crackling arc of electricity skittering across the water. We tested a few more, though it wasn¡¯t exactly easy. Without opposable thumbs, handling the scrolls was a clumsy affair. Lucky accidentally set one off while holding it upside down, nearly zapping herself in the process. By the end of our experiment, we had the scrolls sorted into four neat piles: fire, water, ice, and lightning. Lucky stared at the piles, her eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°This is amazing! We could take down the dogs with this. Imagine¡ªroasted dog, frozen dog, steamed dog, fried dog! We¡¯d feast for weeks!¡± I wrinkled my nose. ¡°Gross. I¡¯m not eating a dog. Pigeons, maybe. They¡¯re easier to catch and don¡¯t bark at you.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine, but what¡¯s the plan then? If we¡¯re not using these for dinner, what are they for?¡± I sat back, my tail curling around my paws. ¡°These aren¡¯t for petty squabbles or hunting. They¡¯re tools, Lucky. Tools for the bigger picture. Let¡¯s head back to the hideout and figure out how to use them strategically.¡± Lucky huffed but followed as I led the way back. My mind was already racing with possibilities. The Golden Apple heist was getting closer, and these scrolls were going to be our secret weapon. 5 The Final Plan Chapter 5 The Final Plan It was almost time. Every squad had delivered their findings, and I couldn¡¯t have been prouder¡ªor more anxious. The reward I promised had motivated them beyond my expectations. Turns out, cats were surprisingly industrious when you dangle a life of laziness in front of them. We gathered on a rooftop beneath the looming tower of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, the heart of Felor¡¯s chaos for the coming auction. The night air was cool, the stars faint against the glow of the city below. On my left, Lucky lounged with her usual smirk, tail flicking lazily. On my right, Butler sat nervously, his tuxedo fur bristling. ¡°Should I b-be here?¡± he stammered, glancing at the squad leaders like they might pounce on him at any moment. ¡°Of course, dumbass,¡± I replied, flicking his ear with my tail. ¡°You¡¯re part of this now. Own it.¡± Scruffy, leader of Squad A, wasted no time diving into his report. The wiry tabby¡¯s voice was sharp and precise. ¡°The Golden Apple was retrieved by a group of Adventurers from another city. They¡¯re here to sell it for a fortune. It¡¯s being stored in the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, under the protection of knights disguised as guild members.¡± That earned a few mutters from the group. I nodded, gesturing for the next leader to speak. Big-C, or Chunky as I liked to call him, stepped forward. His massive frame seemed to command respect¡ªor at least, attention. ¡°The Ironworks Merchant Guild has been hosting big shots from all over. Empire representatives, Allied Kingdom envoys, the Church, Elven Council, Dwarven Royalty, and a ton of Adventurer Clans. Security will be tighter than a sardine tin during the auction.¡± Chunky¡¯s savvy surprised me. I¡¯d underestimated the big guy, but he¡¯d clearly been paying attention to the world beyond Felor. Demo, the chunni gray tabby who led Squad C, piped up next. His voice carried a theatrical edge, as if he were narrating a grand saga. ¡°The Thieves¡¯ Guild isn¡¯t after the Golden Apple. Instead, they¡¯ve been hired by the Ironworks Guild to protect it. They¡¯re also on the lookout for rival thieves from outside the city.¡± That earned a collective hiss of frustration from the gathered cats. Thieves guarding treasure? It felt like the universe was mocking me. Finally, Daisy, the sly ginger leading Squad D, stepped forward with a smug tilt to her head. ¡°My girls overheard something interesting. The auction is tomorrow, but the Golden Apple isn¡¯t in the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. It¡¯s a decoy. The real treasure is hidden elsewhere.¡± Her words landed like a thunderclap. Scruffy bristled, his fur standing on end. ¡°No way! The Guild¡¯s security is tighter than it¡¯s ever been. Why would they do that for a decoy?¡± Demo shrugged, his tone dramatic as ever. ¡°Because they always do that. It¡¯s the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. Showmanship and misdirection are part of their game.¡± Chunky¡¯s deep voice cut through the rising tension. ¡°If Daisy¡¯s right, then the only chance we have is during the auction itself.¡± Scruffy¡¯s tail lashed angrily. ¡°I don¡¯t like our chances. The auction will be swarming with guards, Adventurers, and gods know who else.¡± ¡°Neither do I,¡± I admitted frankly. The weight of their gazes fell on me. This was the moment to solidify the plan¡ªor watch it crumble. Hmmm¡­ this was quite a pinch. ¡°We¡¯re dealing with layers of deception,¡± I continued. ¡°The Guild, the Ironworks, the Thieves¡ªthey¡¯re all playing games to keep the Golden Apple out of reach. But we¡¯re not playing their game. We¡¯re playing ours.¡± Lucky leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. ¡°So what¡¯s the move, Kaiser?¡± Yep¡­ I could only go so far for motivational speeches. It should be possible, but the losses would be immense. ¡°Butler, what is it?¡± I asked, catching the nervous twitch in the tuxedo cat¡¯s tail. He hesitated, glancing around at the gathered cats before speaking. ¡°Maybe the thieves hired by the Ironworks are guarding the real deal. You know, the Golden Apple.¡± Demo¡¯s ears perked up, his dramatic streak briefly giving way to actual thought. ¡°That could work. I had one of my boys tail a bunch of thieves. They¡¯ve been hanging around an abandoned mansion. At first, I thought it was just another hideout, but now¡­¡± Scruffy, ever the skeptic, cut in. ¡°Wait, the mansion with the gargoyles?¡± Demo blinked. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one. How¡¯d you know?¡± Scruffy¡¯s whiskers twitched. ¡°I overheard some adventurers talking about taking a job there. They looked battle-hardened, like real tough types. If they¡¯re heading to the mansion, it¡¯s no ordinary hideout.¡± Lucky turned to me, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. ¡°What do you think, Kai? Should we try our luck with the mansion?¡± Chunky, always the realist, rumbled his opinion. ¡°In my unbiased view, committing to the auction would be suicidal. The Golden Apple will attract some of the most powerful people around¡ªknights, mages, adventurers, maybe even assassins. If we go there, we¡¯ll be crushed.¡± Daisy flicked her tail, her disdain for human priorities clear. ¡°Humans are so weird. It¡¯s just an apple. Why all the fuss?¡± Lucky smirked, her voice teasing. ¡°Kai¡¯s weird too, then. He¡¯s just as obsessed.¡± I ignored her jab, my mind already racing through possibilities. Both paths had risks. The auction was a fortress of guards and power, but the mansion wasn¡¯t much better. If it really was a hideout for the thieves guarding the Golden Apple, it could be crawling with traps, wards, and the kind of humans who didn¡¯t hesitate to kill. But that¡¯s what made it worth it.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°I¡¯ve decided,¡± I said, my voice cutting through the chatter. ¡°We¡¯re going to rob the mansion tonight. We¡¯ll show them what feline kind is made of!¡± The rooftop erupted into cheers and yowls of agreement, even Butler managing a hesitant ¡°Y-yeah!¡± amidst the chaos. Lucky sidled up to me, her voice low. ¡°You sure about this, Kai? It¡¯s gonna be dangerous.¡± I smirked. ¡°When isn¡¯t it? Besides, they¡¯ll never see us coming. We¡¯re cats, remember?¡± She grinned, her confidence matching mine. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s make it count.¡± I raised my voice just enough to command the attention of the gathered cats. ¡°First, we scout the premises. Preferably, we¡¯ll make our move sharp at midnight.¡± Scruffy, ever the know-it-all, nodded. ¡°I know the place. It¡¯s crawling with dogs.¡± Chunky chimed in, his voice gruff. ¡°A gang of dogs owns it. Their leader¡¯s called Big-D. Real nasty piece of work, from what I¡¯ve heard.¡± Dogs. Great. They were the bane of any cat¡¯s existence¡ªloud, slobbery, and just dumb enough to be dangerous in a fight. This Big-D character would need dealing with if we were going to pull this off. ¡°Alright,¡± I said. ¡°Let¡¯s move. Scruffy, lead the way.¡± Scruffy darted off, and we followed. The city rooftops became our playground as we parkoured through Felor¡¯s winding streets. Scruffy moved with confidence, his paws barely making a sound on the tiles. Lucky was right behind him, her movements smooth and practiced. I kept pace, glancing back occasionally to check on the others. Chunky was a surprise. For a cat of his size, he was shockingly agile, his powerful legs launching him across gaps that even I hesitated to jump. He landed each time with a soft thud, his bulk absorbing the impact. Butler, on the other hand, was struggling. He was at the rear, his leaps hesitant and his landings noisy. His tuxedo coat gleamed under the moonlight, making him an easy target if anyone was watching. ¡°Butler, pick up the pace!¡± I hissed over my shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± he panted, his tail twitching nervously. Scruffy glanced back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Should¡¯ve left the kid behind, Kaiser. He¡¯s gonna get us caught.¡± By cat years, I¡¯m barely a kid too¡­ welll, a young adult probably. ¡°He¡¯s here for a reason,¡± I snapped. ¡°Focus on the mission.¡± We finally reached the outskirts of the mansion. It loomed ahead, its dark silhouette framed by the eerie glow of the moon. Gargoyle statues lined the roof, their stone eyes seeming to watch us as we crouched on a nearby building. The air was thick with the smell of wet fur and stale meat. Dogs. Lots of them. Scruffy¡¯s ears flattened against his head. ¡°Told you. The place reeks of mutts.¡± Chunky sniffed the air, his nose wrinkling. ¡°Big-D¡¯s gang, alright. Smells like trouble.¡± I scanned the area, taking in the mansion¡¯s layout. The front gate was guarded by two large dogs, their ears perked and their noses twitching. More were scattered across the grounds, some lounging, others patrolling. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, my voice low. ¡°We need a way in without alerting them. Suggestions?¡± Lucky tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing. ¡°There¡¯s a broken window on the east side. I spotted it on the way here. It¡¯s small, but we can squeeze through.¡± Chunky grunted. ¡°Not all of us. I¡¯ll have to find another way.¡± Scruffy flicked his tail. ¡°There¡¯s a tree near the north wall. It¡¯s close enough to jump onto the roof if you¡¯re brave enough.¡± We circled the abandoned manor carefully, keeping to the shadows as we counted the number of thieves and noted where the adventurers were stationed. The place was crawling with activity¡ªguards patrolling, dogs barking, and faint lights flickering through the cracked windows. We took our time, planning meticulously, because rushing in would only end in disaster. I perched on a low wall with Lucky beside me, and the other leaders gathered around. ¡°This is going to be difficult,¡± I said, my tail flicking with agitation. ¡°We don¡¯t know the exact location of the prize, and we¡¯re running out of time. We¡¯ve only got tonight. By tomorrow morning, the Golden Apple will be on its way to the Auction House.¡± Daisy stretched lazily, though her tone was anything but relaxed. ¡°How about classic highway robbery? Jump them during transit.¡± I narrowed my eyes, considering. ¡°Tempting. But how do we know we¡¯re ambushing the right courier?¡± Demo¡¯s ears perked up as he chimed in. ¡°They¡¯ll probably use multiple couriers to confuse thieves. That¡¯s what the Thieves¡¯ Guild usually does. In Cat Terms, they¡¯d be playing hide the mouse.¡± Lucky, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly spoke up, her voice cold and determined. ¡°We wipe them out.¡± Every cat froze. The others stared at her with wide eyes, a mix of hesitation and disbelief. It was an are-you-crazy kind of look. The thing was¡­ she wasn¡¯t wrong. With the magic scrolls we had, it was technically possible. But it was also a huge risk. I sighed. ¡°Bloodthirsty, but too flashy. It would draw way too much attention. If we cause a massacre, every adventurer and thief in the city will be hunting us by dawn.¡± Yep, cats being labelled barbaric and heretic races would be problematic for us. Scruffy shifted uneasily, his tail curling around his paws. ¡°Is it possible to make a deal with Big-D? My old man told me stories about how the pigeons and cats had a peace treaty back in the day, you know?¡± Chunky snorted. ¡°Not dogs. These guys are fiercely loyal to their masters. They¡¯d rather maul you than give you a chance to steal from them.¡± I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, my claws lightly scraping against the stone. ¡°Still, we might be able to use that loyalty against them. If we can cause enough chaos to distract the dogs and their handlers, we could slip in unnoticed. But we¡¯ll need a solid plan.¡± Lucky tilted her head, her golden eyes glinting in the moonlight. ¡°Chaos, huh? Like¡­ a fire?¡± Daisy¡¯s ears twitched, and she smirked. ¡°A small one. Enough to spook the humans and send the dogs into a frenzy. It could work.¡± Demo nodded. ¡°I could have my boys create a diversion. We¡¯re good at causing trouble.¡± Scruffy added, ¡°While the humans are distracted, we can focus on finding the Apple. If we¡¯re quick, we¡¯ll be in and out before they know what hit them.¡± I scratched my chin more softly, thinking hard. The situation called for a plan that was equal parts cunning and chaotic. Finally, I raised my voice, ¡°Alright, listen up. Who here speaks dog?¡± Scruffy and Chunky raised their paws, their tails twitching with mild uncertainty. ¡°Good,¡± I said. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal. We¡¯re sticking with the same squad configurations: A, B, C, and D. Now, Butler, remember the hidden stash by third alleyway we showed you a while back?¡± Butler nodded, his ears perking up. ¡°Yeah, the one with the food?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the one,¡± I said, my grin turning sharp. ¡°It¡¯s smeared with a quick-acting paralytic poison. You¡¯ll be with Scruffy on this mission. Scruffy, you and your squad will head over to Big-D¡¯s gang. Negotiate with them, offer the food as a peace offering, and act like a bunch of jerks. Agitate them. Demand they hand over the Golden Apple. If they attack you, retreat immediately.¡± Scruffy blinked, then tilted his head. ¡°Retreat?¡± ¡°Yes, retreat,¡± I said, smirking. ¡°And by ¡®retreat,¡¯ I mean leave the poisoned food behind. Let them think they¡¯ve chased you off, but don¡¯t stick around for the aftermath. Got it?¡± Scruffy nodded slowly, his ears flicking with understanding. ¡°Next, Squad B and Squad C,¡± I continued, looking at Chunky and Demo. ¡°You two will work with Lucky. Your job is to rain chaos from a vantage point, preferably by the window side. Use the magic scrolls liberally¡ªdon¡¯t hold back. Hit them with everything we¡¯ve got. That should distract both the thieves and the adventurers long enough for us to move in.¡± Lucky smirked, her eyes glinting with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re giving me free rein with the scrolls? Oh, this is going to be fun.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it,¡± I warned, though I doubted she¡¯d listen. ¡°You¡¯re in charge of Squads B and C. Make it flashy, but not too obvious that it¡¯s us behind it.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Lucky said, her tail flicking with anticipation. ¡°And finally,¡± I said, turning to Daisy, ¡°Squad D will act with me to infiltrate from the opposite side. While the others cause a ruckus, we¡¯ll sneak in and grab the Apple. Quiet and efficient. That¡¯s the goal.¡± Daisy gave me a sly grin. ¡°Sounds like a plan, boss.¡± I looked around at the gathered leaders. ¡°Alright, gather your squads. We¡¯ll meet back here in two hours to execute the plan.¡± Demo tilted his head, confusion evident in his expression. ¡°What¡¯s an hour?¡± I sighed, realizing my mistake. Judging by the blank looks of the others, none of them knew what I meant. ¡°Fine,¡± I said, rolling my eyes. ¡°Just gather your squads and wait in hidden locations where the dogs can¡¯t sniff you out. Leaders, come back here when the moon has moved... about a paw-length in the sky.¡± That seemed to do the trick, as the cats nodded in understanding. With that, the leaders dispersed to rally their squads, leaving me to sit back and refine the details of our chaotic little operation. If all went well, by dawn, the Golden Apple would be ours. 6 The Golden Gamble Chapter 6 The Golden Gamble Why was I so sure the dogs would eat the food Scruffy brought them? Simple. Animalkind didn¡¯t understand the concept of storing food for later like ants or squirrels did. I was an exception. Most strays in this city stuffed themselves silly before winter and hibernated in cozy nooks, hoping for the best. Birds seemed to get it with their constant gathering, but the likes of dogs, cats, raccoons, and kangaroos? Not a chance. They lived for the now, and that was their weakness. Daisy, crouched beside me under the shrubbery, flicked her tail impatiently. ¡°Should we move now, boss?¡± I gave her a sharp look. ¡°How many times do I have to say it? Refer to me as Your Majesty or Kaiser.¡± Then, with a sigh, I added, ¡°No, not yet. We wait for the signal.¡± The plan hinged on patience. It would take time for the dogs to eat the poisoned food and for the quick-acting paralytic to kick in. Rushing in now would ruin everything. I adjusted the two rings on my tail, the weight of them uncomfortable but necessary. One was gold, enchanted with invisibility magic. It let me vanish once a day, as long as no one touched me or hit me too hard. The other, a silver ring, boosted my agility, dexterity, and strength. Handy, sure, but they both drained my stamina over time. Wearing two at once was like running a race with weights strapped to your legs, but I¡¯d trained myself to handle it. Tonight, I needed every edge I could get. ¡°Are you all ready?¡± I asked, my voice low but commanding. ¡°Smear your claws with the poison. You know the drill.¡± The cats stirred, struggling to open the small vials I¡¯d given them. Their lack of opposable thumbs was showing, but eventually, the soft pops of corks being removed reached my ears. Daisy, her claws now gleaming with the oily substance, turned to me. ¡°Done. We¡¯re moving top to bottom, right?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Then, finally, the signal came¡ªa bolt of fire streaked through the air, slamming into the far side of the abandoned manor. Chunky, Demo, and Lucky were doing their part, unleashing chaos with the magic scrolls. ¡°Let¡¯s move!¡± I hissed. We darted out of the bushes, staying low and quiet as we approached the building. My heart pounded as we crept closer. The faint sounds of barking and shouting came from the other side. The dogs were distracted, the thieves and adventurers likely scrambling to figure out what was happening. Our team slipped through a broken window on the opposite side of the manor. Inside, the air was thick with the musty scent of old wood and dust. The flickering light of a single torch cast eerie shadows on the walls. ¡°Daisy,¡± I whispered, ¡°take two cats and check the west wing. Look for anything resembling a vault or hidden chamber.¡± She nodded, her sleek ginger fur blending into the shadows as she disappeared down the corridor with her squad. The rest of us moved deeper into the manor, our pawsteps silent on the creaky floorboards. My senses were on high alert, every sound and movement amplified in the tense quiet. ¡°Over here,¡± one of Daisy¡¯s cats whispered, her voice barely audible. I followed the sound, finding them near a heavy wooden door. It was slightly ajar, revealing a staircase spiraling downward.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°This has to be it,¡± I muttered. We descended cautiously, the air growing colder with each step. At the bottom, we found a room lined with shelves filled with trinkets, scrolls, and treasures. But in the center, on a pedestal surrounded by faintly glowing runes, sat our prize¡ªthe Golden Apple. ¡°There it is,¡± Daisy breathed. ¡°Stay sharp,¡± I warned. ¡°This is too easy.¡± I activated the invisibility ring, feeling the familiar tingle as my form vanished. Slowly, I approached the pedestal, my eyes scanning for traps. The runes hummed faintly, and I knew better than to touch the apple directly. Instead, I pulled a cloth from my satchel and carefully wrapped it around the fruit. The moment the apple left the pedestal, the runes flared, and a deafening alarm rang out. ¡°Move!¡± I shouted. Daisy and the others bolted for the stairs, but our escape route was already blocked. A group of thieves and adventurers burst into the room, weapons drawn. My mind raced. ¡°Daisy, protect the apple! Claw them when you can and fight for time!¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°No arguments! Go!¡± I leapt forward, claws out, and swiped at the nearest adventurer, using the silver ring¡¯s strength boost to knock him off balance. The room erupted into chaos as the others joined the fray. I stared at the Golden Apple as Daisy kicked it across the floor, the glow of its enchantments tantalizing and surreal. My paws itched to grab it, my teeth ready to sink into its flesh. This apple wasn¡¯t just a treasure¡ªit was a ticket to something greater. But first, we had to deal with the problem in front of us. The thieves and adventurers, stunned by the sight of a pack of cats storming their hideout, were scattered and shouting. ¡°What the hell? Are these cats?¡± ¡°That ginger has the Golden Apple!¡± ¡°Get her!¡± ¡°Oh shit, this cat has incredible strength!¡± ¡°Damn thieving cats!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll slash you!¡± Perfect. Their confusion gave us the edge we needed. Daisy, despite her smaller size, was playing an impressive game of keep-away with the Golden Apple. She kicked it like a soccer ball, batting it back and forth between her and her squad. The thieves and adventurers lunged after her, only to be met with scratches and bites as her team pounced on them with synchronized fury. Meanwhile, I had my own role to play. I darted around, clawing at the ones who aimed for killing blows. My goal was simple: make myself the bigger threat. It worked. They cursed and turned their weapons on me, giving Daisy and the others the space they needed to keep the apple moving. The basement was spacious but chaotic. Shelves toppled, treasures clattered to the floor, and the air filled with growls, shouts, and the occasional magical crackle from upstairs. The manor shook violently at one point¡ªprobably Lucky and the squads outside unleashing their barrage of scrolls. I counted eight opponents in total down here. The rest were likely outside, trying to fend off the magic storm. One thief, his face pale and sweaty, stumbled forward and collapsed, his fingers twitching. The poison was working. A dwarf and a gnome charged at me next. The dwarf swung his axe with surprising speed, but I ducked under it, my enhanced agility from the silver ring saving me. The gnome tripped over his own feet as the paralysis took hold, his face planting into the dusty floor. A female elf spun around, her bow half-drawn, but she staggered into a shelf and collapsed, her limbs locking up as the poison coursed through her veins. One by one, they dropped, their larger builds working against them as the paralytic spread faster in their bloodstreams. I grinned, flicking my tail. ¡°Grab that magic bag!¡± I shouted. ¡°Stuff it with everything you can find!¡± Daisy and her team leapt into action, their movements quick and efficient as they snatched up the glowing satchels. I counted four magic bags in total¡ªeach one capable of holding far more than it appeared. What a haul. Daisy padded over, the Golden Apple rolling at her feet. ¡°Here¡¯s your apple,¡± she said, her voice steady despite the chaos. I stared at it, my mouth watering. The stories about this fruit were legendary. It could awaken power, grant immortality, or change fate itself. I didn¡¯t know what it would do for me, but I was ready to find out. ¡°This is it,¡± I murmured, picking up the apple with my paws. My reflection shimmered in its golden surface, a perfect little cat face framed by glowing light. Daisy tilted her head. ¡°You¡¯re really going to eat it?¡± I salivated, my heart racing. ¡°Of course I am. To awaken, to rise, to prove that my existence as a cat is a miracle! This is my second life, and I¡¯ll make it worth something.¡± The others watched, wide-eyed, as I raised the apple to my mouth. ¡°Hehehe~! Time to dig in!¡± With a single bite, the apple¡¯s sweetness flooded my senses. Warmth spread through my body, electric and alive. My vision blurred, the world around me spinning as power surged through my veins. This was it. My moment of transformation. My destiny. 7 The Apple of Power Chapter 7 The Apple of Power I stared at the core of the Golden Apple, glistening in its final glory. My claws cradled it for a moment before I opened my mouth wide and devoured it in one decisive bite. The sweet, otherworldly taste burst across my tongue, and I couldn¡¯t help but let out a manic laugh. ¡°Mwahahahaha~!¡± Power coursed through me¡ªa tingling, electric sensation that ran from my tail to my whiskers. My muscles felt taut, my mind sharp as a claw, and my vision clearer than it had ever been. This¡­ this was better than I thought. And then it happened. A strange shimmer danced before my eyes, forming glowing words in the air: [Kaiser System Activated] I blinked. Once. Twice. This wasn¡¯t a hallucination. It was real. The miraculous Golden Apple wasn¡¯t just some magical fruit; it had awakened something extraordinary within me. A system. The shimmering display shifted, revealing information in clean, glowing letters: [Kaiser System] [Kaiser Shop] I read it twice, my fur prickling with excitement. This wasn¡¯t just a power¡ªit was convenience wrapped in a miracle. It was almost as if the Golden Apple understood my ambition, my desire to rise above this cursed second life as a stray cat. Of course, there was a catch. My current follower count? Just two. Lucky and Butler. Despite commanding a small army of cats, it seemed the system only recognized those truly loyal to me. Still, this was a start. With this system, I could change my fate. ¡°Boss?¡± Daisy¡¯s voice snapped me out of my reverie. She was panting slightly, her claws smeared with the quick-acting paralysis poison. Around us, the adventurers and thieves were strewn across the floor, twitching or completely unconscious. The Golden Apple¡¯s core was no longer in sight¡ªit was inside me now, feeding my growing strength. ¡°What now?¡± she asked, her green eyes glinting with a mixture of awe and curiosity. I stretched, flexing my newfound energy. ¡°Now? We take everything we can. Every last magic bag, every scroll, every trinket. Load it all up!¡± Daisy didn¡¯t hesitate. She barked orders to her squad, and they began rifling through the thieves¡¯ stash. Meanwhile, I turned my attention inward, pulling up the Kaiser System again. [Current KP: 2] [Followers: 2] Not much, but it was a start. I swiped my paw in the air instinctively, and the Kaiser Shop appeared before me:
  1. Invisibility Cloak (3000KP)
  2. Summon Feral Pigeons (1000KP)
  3. Trapmaster¡¯s Toolkit (2000KP)
  4. Kaiser Crown - Basic (5000KP)
  5. Night Vision Upgrade (2000KP)
  6. Golden Apple Seed (10000KP)
  7. Pheromone Spray - Distract Dogs (100KP)
  8. Stealth Boots - Cat Size (3000KP)
  9. Scroll of Feline Dominion (4000KP)
  10. Emergency Healing Herb (1000KP)
I didn¡¯t forget for a second¡ªwe were still in enemy territory. No matter how good the haul or how victorious we felt, one wrong move could flip the entire situation. The basement was cleared, the four Magic Bags stuffed with treasure, and the cats were already scrambling to escape. I snapped back to attention. ¡°It¡¯s time to beat it! Spread the word and retreat!¡± I ordered. ¡°Copy that, boss,¡± Daisy responded quickly, her voice sharp with urgency. I twitched an ear. ¡°I told you to address me as Kaiser, right?¡± I called after her, but Daisy was already darting through the basement exit, as diligent and headstrong as ever. No respect for titles¡ªyet. I¡¯d let it slide this time. I followed close behind, weaving between the fallen adventurers and thieves. Some were slumped against walls, paralyzed, their eyes twitching in confusion as if trying to process how a band of cats had outsmarted them. A few of the dogs were also sprawled out on the cold floor, snoring heavily, their jaws slack. That vial of paralytic poison had worked wonders. The memory flashed in my mind as I leaped over an unconscious gnome: the Grand Alchemist¡¯s lab. A glorious place. The man had been careless with his locks, and I had waltzed right in a few months back, swiping a stash of his experimental vials. At the time, I didn¡¯t know exactly what I¡¯d stolen, but I¡¯d always been a firm believer in preparation. Who knew when a potion or poison could come in handy? Apparently, tonight was the night. The Grand Alchemist would probably tear his beard out if he knew his precious work had been used to incapacitate an entire manor full of adventurers, thieves, and guard dogs¡­ by cats. Mwahaha. I couldn¡¯t stop a smug grin from spreading across my face. Truly, I was a genius.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Daisy, status?¡± I hissed as we reached the upper floors. ¡°Squads B and C are already outside,¡± she called back over her shoulder, her tail whipping through the air. ¡°A and D are clearing the last rooms. We¡¯ll be out in less than a minute.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I skidded to a halt for just a second, pausing to glance down a hallway. Through a cracked door, I spotted two adventurers sprawled near an overturned table, their swords inches away from their limp hands. They wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Still, I didn¡¯t trust the paralysis to last forever. I moved on, sticking close to the walls as the manor groaned and shook faintly. The spells outside were still raining down. Lucky and the others were definitely making good on my orders to use every scroll we had. The distraction had been more effective than I¡¯d hoped. Boom! The building quivered under the force of another firebolt¡­ or maybe fireball? Dust fell from the ceiling. I heard faint yelling outside. ¡°Lucky better not blow up the whole place,¡± I muttered. That lady had a tendency to get overzealous. Ahead of me, Daisy kicked open a half-closed door and leapt through. I followed, landing silently beside her. This was one of the side exits we¡¯d scouted earlier¡ªour way out. ¡°Move!¡± I ordered. The other cats poured out, streaking through the darkness like shadows. Daisy paused, looking back at me. ¡°Kaiser, you coming?¡± I didn¡¯t respond right away. I could feel the weight of the Magic Bags against my back, swaying with every step. Four bags, four times the treasure, and most importantly¡­ the heist f a lifetime. My tail flicked as I remembered its taste¡ªthe sweetness, the power, the promise of what was to come. The Kaiser System was real. It had shown itself to me, its words etched into my mind. The thought of it gave me a jolt of exhilaration that no amount of treasure ever could. This was only the beginning. ¡°Kaiser!¡± Daisy hissed, snapping me back to reality. I shook my head. No time to get lost in thought. ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡± I darted through the door after her. The night air hit me like a cold splash of water. Outside, the other squads were already scattering, disappearing into alleys and shadows like trained operatives. In the distance, I could see flashes of light¡ªspells still being flung from Lucky and the others. ¡°Signal Lucky to fall back!¡± I called to Daisy. She nodded, her eyes narrowing as she let out a series of sharp meows that echoed into the night. Moments later, the flashes of light stopped. The manor fell into eerie silence, broken only by the faint groans of the wind and distant shouting from confused thieves. I grinned. ¡°Mission accomplished.¡± Daisy gave me a look. ¡°And the Golden Apple? Did it¡­ work?¡± I smirked. ¡°Oh, it worked.¡± The power tingling in my limbs was proof enough. I could still feel it¡ªlike an ember waiting to become a wildfire. My future as Kaiser was no longer a dream. It was real. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± I ordered. ¡°Back to the hideout. We¡¯ll count our spoils there.¡± With that, we melted into the night, the stolen treasures clinking softly in our bags. I stopped in a darkened alley, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon, and swung the bags down onto the ground with a satisfying thud. The cats gathered around, their eyes gleaming with curiosity and greed. ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± I said, holding my tail high like a banner. ¡°We split these. All four will be distributed among the squads.¡± I paused, scanning the group. ¡°Daisy, Demo, Scruffy, and Chunky¡ªtake a bag each. You¡¯re in charge of carrying them back. Work in teams of three to avoid suspicion. I don¡¯t want any of you getting caught with these treasures.¡± A chorus of ¡°Got it¡± and ¡°Yes, Kaiser¡± echoed back at me. I passed the Magic Bags to the leaders, each one struggling slightly under the weight. Magic Bags might be enchanted, but they were still hefty when full of loot. ¡°Scatter,¡± I ordered, ¡°and make sure no one tails you. If you see anyone suspicious, lose them in the alleys.¡± The cats didn¡¯t need telling twice. In an instant, they split into their respective squads and disappeared into the darkness, vanishing like smoke into the city¡¯s labyrinthine streets. I lingered with Daisy a moment longer, ensuring the last group was clear. ¡°We were promised food with this heist, correct?¡± Daisy asked, her tone casual but pointed. I let out a low chuckle, swishing my tail. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Be patient. We¡¯ll have a feast after this. I don¡¯t break promises.¡± Satisfied, she bounded off with her team, the bag slung between them like a prize. Lucky and I took a more careful route back to the hideout. A few quick turns, a leap over a crumbling wall, and a stroll through some quiet alleys brought us to our secret base¡ªa crumbling building tucked between two larger structures, nearly invisible unless you knew what to look for. The moment I stepped inside, I noticed something odd. The place was¡­ cleaner. Suspiciously clean. I narrowed my eyes and flicked my gaze at Lucky, who had a smug expression on her face. ¡°You cleaned?¡± I asked, incredulous. Lucky shrugged, dragging one of the Magic Bags behind her. ¡°Figured we¡¯d have company. Didn¡¯t want anyone saying the hideout looked like a rat¡¯s nest.¡± She wasn¡¯t wrong. The usual piles of broken furniture, dust, and junk were gone, leaving a surprisingly tidy floor and enough space for the bags. Still, it didn¡¯t matter. After tonight, this place was compromised. I wasn¡¯t stupid¡ªword would spread about a gang of cats pulling off a heist like this. We¡¯d need to move. On the rooftop, the squad leaders were already waiting. Daisy sat primly, grooming her paw. Demo was lounging lazily against a brick ledge, while Scruffy paced back and forth, too jittery to sit still. Chunky, on the other hand, was lying flat on his back, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. ¡°You look like you ran a marathon,¡± I quipped, eyeing Chunky. Chunky rolled onto his side, his tail flicking lazily. ¡°You try carrying a Magic Bag with this build. It¡¯s harder than it looks.¡± Lucky snickered from behind me, and I couldn¡¯t help but let out a low chuckle myself. Chunky might not have the speed or grace of the others, but when it came to strength, no one could beat him. But then again, Chunky was fairly good with his parkour skills, so maybe it was a matter of endurance. ¡°It¡¯s a success,¡± Lucky announced, cutting through the banter. ¡°So what now, Kaiser?¡± I grinned, savoring the moment. ¡°As promised, we¡¯re going to have a feast. Anyone here know a good place where we can party without anyone interrupting us?¡± Demo lifted his head lazily, his ears twitching. ¡°There¡¯s a campground by the riverside. Just a few alleyways from here. It¡¯s quiet, and no one goes there at night.¡± Scruffy perked up. ¡°I know that place. It¡¯s open, lots of space, and there¡¯s a stream nearby.¡± Perfect. ¡°Good,¡± I said, flicking my tail decisively. ¡°Then that¡¯s where we¡¯ll go. Bring the bags and whatever food we¡¯ve stashed here. Tonight, we celebrate.¡± Chunky groaned as he pulled himself to his paws. ¡°I swear, if I have to carry another bag, I¡¯m eating half the feast myself.¡± ¡°Quit complaining,¡± Demo teased. ¡°You¡¯re built for this.¡± The hideout buzzed with energy as the cats prepared to move. Lucky dragged her bag toward the exit while Scruffy and Daisy barked orders to their teams. Chunky grumbled under his breath but still hoisted his Magic Bag without complaint, his broad frame making it look almost easy. I stood back for a moment, watching them work. My gang. My followers. They trusted me to lead them, and I had delivered. The Golden Apple was mine, the heist a success, and now I had something no other cat¡ªor creature¡ªhad: the Kaiser System. But for tonight, it wasn¡¯t about schemes or ambition. It was about victory. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said, my voice cutting through the chatter. ¡°The riverside awaits.¡± The cats cheered softly¡ªquiet enough not to draw attention, but loud enough to let their excitement ring out. With the bags and supplies in tow, we slipped out into the night, a shadowy procession of victorious thieves. Tonight, we would feast. Tomorrow¡­ the world would learn the name Kaiser. 8 The Feast of Thieves Chapter 8 The Feast of Thieves The stream¡¯s gentle babble was the only sound that broke the quiet of the night, save for the rustling of paws and muffled chatter as the cats set up camp. We¡¯d made it to the riverside without a hitch, and now it was time to enjoy the spoils. I perched on a smooth rock a little away from the group, my tail flicking lazily as I watched Lucky, Butler, and the Squad Leaders distribute the food. It wasn¡¯t long before the carefully gathered stash I¡¯d hoarded for winter vanished into eager paws and hungry mouths. A little pang shot through me¡ªmonths of sneaking, swiping, and stashing, all gone in a matter of minutes. But seeing the gang¡¯s faces, hearing their laughter and contented mews¡­ I sighed. It was worth it. Lucky caught my eye and grinned, a chunk of bread clamped between her teeth. She padded over, dropping it in front of me like an offering. ¡°Now, now, you¡¯ll get your share, Kaiser. Don¡¯t look so sulky. We¡¯re celebrating, aren¡¯t we?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sulky,¡± I muttered, though I didn¡¯t bother to hide the twitch of my whiskers. Lucky rolled her eyes and returned to her post, where she¡¯d been bossing the other cats around with her usual flair. A sudden blur of gray fur shot toward me, and Demo came to a skidding halt in front of my perch, his eyes wide and expectant. ¡°Hey!¡± he called up to me, barely containing his excitement. ¡°You said the best contributor tonight gets three times the reward, right?¡± I stretched lazily, savoring the moment before answering. ¡°Yeah, I did.¡± Demo¡¯s ears perked up, and his tail wagged like an overeager pup. ¡°So? Who is it? Me, right? I took down three of those adventurers with my squad! You saw it!¡± I grinned down at him. ¡°It¡¯s Lucky.¡± The wagging stopped. Demo¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°What?! That¡¯s unfair! It¡¯s favoritism!¡± I flicked my tail, smirking. ¡°Suck it.¡± Demo spluttered, clearly searching for a comeback but finding nothing. He stomped off in a huff, grumbling to himself about injustice and rigged systems. I chuckled under my breath, settling back into my spot. From my perch, I could see everything. The riverside had turned into a miniature festival of cats, sprawled out around piles of bread and meat. Most of the food was the dry, crusty kind¡ªthe sort you¡¯d expect a thief to hoard. But it didn¡¯t matter to them. They devoured it like it was the finest cuisine in the world. A group of cats who¡¯d developed a taste for cooked food had even built a small campfire. How they managed to do that, I had no idea, but there they were¡ªpaws carefully turning scraps of meat on makeshift skewers. Smoke curled lazily into the air, carrying the mouthwatering scent of charred food with it. Daisy sat nearby, gnawing on a piece of bread while directing a few younger cats on how to toast their portions. Chunky, of course, was sprawled out next to a pile of food, chewing noisily on a hunk of meat like it owed him money. Scruffy was still pacing¡ªhe couldn¡¯t sit still even when eating¡ªbut his tail flicked happily, betraying his mood. This was my gang. My followers. My cats. I took a moment to savor the sight. It wasn¡¯t every day we got to live like this. Full bellies, warm fires, no threats breathing down our necks. For a stray, nights like these were the stuff of dreams. Lucky padded back over, a smug look on her face as she dropped a particularly juicy piece of meat at my paws. ¡°Three times the reward, huh? I¡¯ll take this as part of it.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t push it,¡± I said, but I snatched the meat up anyway, savoring the salty flavor. Lucky just laughed and wandered off again, her tail high. I let my gaze wander to the Magic Bags sitting in the middle of the camp. Four bags. Four symbols of our success. And one of them was mine. Wait, it was six bags now¡­ with the original Magic Bags we had. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk. This heist had been a gamble, but it paid off in spades. The Golden Apple was mine, and the power it brought with it was still humming beneath my fur. The Kaiser System. My ticket to something bigger. For now, though, I pushed the thoughts aside. I¡¯d figure out how to use it later.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°Hey, Kaiser!¡± Daisy called, waving a piece of toasted bread in the air. ¡°Come eat with us! You¡¯re not too good to sit with your own gang, are you?¡± The others chimed in, their voices full of cheer. ¡°Yeah, come on!¡± ¡°Get off your rock!¡± ¡°Share the spoils, Kaiser!¡± I snorted, but the corner of my mouth curled up. ¡°Fine, fine. Keep your fur on.¡± I hopped down from my perch and strolled toward them, the firelight reflecting in their eager eyes. As I sat among my cats¡ªmy crew¡ªI realized something. This wasn¡¯t just a gang anymore. This was a family. And I was their Kaiser. The riverside camp was alive with noise and laughter, and for once, I let myself be pulled into it. The food was¡­ decent. Mostly bread, a little stale, but there was enough meat to keep things interesting. I ate my fill while walking around, inspecting my gang like the benevolent ruler I was. The firelight flickered in their eyes, and for a moment, everything felt right. This was what victory tasted like¡ªbread crumbs, smoked meat, and the occasional meow of joy. Once I¡¯d stuffed myself, I retreated back to my perch, finally ready to indulge in something I¡¯d been itching to examine. The [Kaiser System]. I let the screen come up in my mind¡¯s eye. By isekai standards, it was pretty straightforward. Clean interface, clear options, no annoying tutorials or mascot characters screaming in my ear. It revolved around my followers. The more I had, the more Kaiser Points¡ªor KP¡ªI¡¯d earn daily. KP was the currency I¡¯d need to unlock skills, abilities, or items from the Kaiser Shop. Simple enough. I browsed the shop again, just in case. Still expensive. Nothing under 1000 KP. ¡°Figures,¡± I muttered. My current KP count sat at a miserable 2. I wasn¡¯t even close to affording a healing potion, let alone something game-changing like enchanted gear or fancy magic spells. I tried poking around for any other features, but the System didn¡¯t seem to offer much else yet. That was, until something caught my eye¡ªa tiny tab sitting quietly in the corner of the interface. [Kaiser Gacha] I froze, my ears perking up. ¡°Gacha?¡± My tail flicked. Every instinct in me screamed gambling trap, but curiosity had already sunk its claws into me. I tapped the tab, and the interface shifted. [Kaiser Gacha: Test Your Luck!] Cost per Pull: 1000 KP I sighed. ¡°Of course it¡¯s 1000.¡± My miserable KP count stared back at me, mocking my ambitions. Still, as I was about to close it in disappointment, I noticed something else. [First-Time Bonus: One Free Pull with Guaranteed Quality!] A free pull. Guaranteed quality. My whiskers twitched. This was it. The universe was giving me a chance, and who was I to turn down a freebie? I tapped the button. The screen shifted again, and suddenly, a virtual lootbox¡ªone only I could see¡ªbounced into existence before me. It hovered there, glowing faintly, waiting for my command. The cats around me were too busy feasting to notice me sitting stock still, eyes glued to the invisible spectacle. I took a deep breath and muttered, ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see what I get.¡± I tapped it. The lootbox quivered, then exploded into motes of golden light, scattering in all directions. My heart pounded in my chest as words began to materialize in front of me. [Thank you for using Kaiser Gacha!] [Congratulations!] [Gained: Pyromancy] I blinked. Pyromancy? Before I could process what that even meant, a tingling sensation spread through my paws. Heat. Real heat. I looked down and nearly fell off my perch. Flames flickered to life from my paws. Actual flames. I was on fire. My fur stood on end as panic surged through me. I scrambled backward, flailing my paws in a futile attempt to put the flames out. ¡°W-What the¡ª?! Someone get this off me!¡± The cats around me noticed immediately. ¡°Look! Kaiser¡¯s on fire!¡± ¡°Douse him! Quick!¡± ¡°Aah~! Run! He¡¯s gonna explode!¡± ¡°Why is the boss burning?!¡± Lucky¡¯s voice cut through the chaos like a knife. ¡°I¡¯ll save you, Kai!¡± ¡°No, wait! It¡¯s not¡ª¡± Before I could finish, Lucky darted to one of the Magic Bags, rifling through it like a cat possessed. My eyes widened in horror as she pulled out a scroll, her claws tearing it open. ¡°Lucky, don¡¯t¡ª!¡± Too late. A jet of water exploded from the scroll, hitting me like a tidal wave. I was blasted off my perch, my world spinning as the freezing water knocked the air out of me. I tumbled through the grass, landing in a soggy, shivering heap. For a moment, there was silence. Then¡­ ¡°He¡¯s out!¡± ¡°Lucky saved him!¡± I groaned, coughing up water. ¡°I wasn¡¯t dying, you idiots¡­¡± Lucky trotted over, her fur puffed up with pride. ¡°Don¡¯t thank me, Kaiser. I did what had to be done.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t thank you,¡± I muttered, dragging myself to my feet. My fur was soaked, my pride bruised, and my newfound flames completely extinguished. I shot her a glare. ¡°Do you have any idea what you just did?!¡± Lucky tilted her head innocently. ¡°Saved your life?¡± I sighed, shaking water from my ears. The other cats started to gather around, clearly more curious than concerned now that the ¡°danger¡± had passed. ¡°Boss, what was that?¡± Scruffy asked, his eyes wide. ¡°That was magic, right? Like real magic?¡± ¡°Of course it was magic,¡± I grumbled, flicking my tail. ¡°It¡¯s called Pyromancy.¡± The crowd gasped in awe. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t deny the flicker of pride swelling in my chest. Pyromancy. I had fire magic now. Real, honest-to-goodness fire magic. I turned my paw over, summoning a small flicker of flame just to test it. The orange light danced on my fur, illuminating the cats¡¯ astonished faces. ¡°Kaiser can use magic¡­¡± Daisy whispered, her voice full of reverence. ¡°Kaiser¡¯s invincible!¡± Demo cheered, already back to his usual loud self. ¡°Long live Kaiser!¡± someone yelled from the back. I smirked, letting the flame fade away before Lucky could hit me with another water spout. My fur was still soaked, but it didn¡¯t matter. I had Pyromancy. Awesome¡­ 9 Thieving Cats Chapter 9 Thieving Cats Drying myself with pyromancy turned out to be far easier than I expected. A controlled flame flickered across my fur, evaporating the water without leaving so much as a singed whisker. It was strange, this new power of mine¡ªinstinctive yet foreign. Still, I couldn¡¯t deny it was useful. And fun. I snuffed out the flame with a flick of my paw and straightened up. The camp was still buzzing from the feast. Cats sprawled out with full bellies, others bickered over scraps, and a few groomed themselves contentedly by the dwindling fire. It was an idyllic scene, really. But I couldn¡¯t let them enjoy it for too long. Time was running out. I stood on a nearby crate, raising my paw to call their attention. ¡°Listen up!¡± The camp fell silent. All eyes turned toward me, some groggy from overeating, others curious. I scanned their faces¡ªmy cats, my loyal followers¡ªbefore I took a deep breath. ¡°I have an announcement to make.¡± The cats straightened, ears perked and tails flicking. They knew I wasn¡¯t the type to gather them for small talk. Good. ¡°First,¡± I said, ¡°I want to apologize.¡± A ripple of confusion passed through the crowd. Apologize? From me? I was Kaiser, the one who always had a plan, the one who always came out on top. But this was calculated. A monarch who knew when to admit fault was a monarch worth following. ¡°I¡¯ve put you all in great danger,¡± I continued, my tone steady. ¡°This heist¡­ the Golden Apple¡­ I tricked you into it. I made it sound simple, but the truth is, we¡¯re in deeper trouble than you realize.¡± Scruffy piped up from the crowd, his gruff voice carrying over the murmurs. ¡°What do you mean, great danger?¡± Nice assist, Scruffy. I gave him a small nod of approval before I turned back to the others. ¡°The Golden Apple isn¡¯t just some valuable trinket. It¡¯s miraculous. It grants power beyond imagination. Magic.¡± To emphasize my point, I raised my paw and summoned an ember¡ªsmall, yet bright enough to draw gasps from the crowd. The flame flickered, about an inch long, dancing like a living thing in my grasp. A few cats recoiled; others stared in awe, their jaws hanging open. It finally registered to them how big this was. ¡°This is pyromancy,¡± I said, letting the ember glow brighter. ¡°Magic. I gained this power because I ate the Golden Apple. And we stole it.¡± For a moment, there was silence. Then Demo blurted out, ¡°So what? We can just outrun them, right? We¡¯re cats. Fast, nimble¡­ untrackable.¡± I smirked. ¡°You think so?¡± I turned to Chunky, who was sitting near the back. ¡°What do you think, Chunky?¡± Chunky shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Demo¡¯s wrong. The elves have excellent hunting and tracking skills. They¡¯ll catch up to us sooner or later, no matter how fast we run.¡± The other cats murmured nervously. I could see the fear spreading like wildfire. Good. Fear was useful. Fear meant they¡¯d listen. ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, my voice cutting through the noise. ¡°Running isn¡¯t enough. Staying here isn¡¯t an option. The Felor Guards will figure out what happened soon, and when they do, they¡¯ll put a bounty on us. We¡¯ll be hunted like vermin.¡± Daisy, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan, Kaiser?¡± Ah, perfect. Time to dangle the carrot. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I said, letting my voice drop into a tone of calm reassurance. ¡°I have a plan.¡± The cats leaned in, their eyes fixed on me, desperate for answers. ¡°We move to another city.¡± The words hung in the air like a bomb. For a moment, no one spoke. Then¡ª ¡°What?!¡± ¡°Leave the city?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s insane!¡± The camp exploded into chaos. Cats yowled and hissed, their panic rippling through the crowd. A few were already talking about splitting off, going back to their old lives. I expected this. Change was hard, and cats were creatures of habit. But I wasn¡¯t about to let them scatter. ¡°Quiet!¡± I roared, my voice booming with authority. The ember in my paw flared again, casting shadows across their startled faces. ¡°Do you think staying here is safer? Do you want to wait for the Felor Guards to find us, drag us off, and throw us in chains?¡± No. Forget chains. ¡°Do you want to be turned into a soup?!¡± That shut them up. ¡°Listen, the only chance we have of survival is to leave Felor and search for a different city¡­ The farther we are from Felor, the safer we will become¡­¡± Sadly, my words only provoked them. As expected, doubts erupted among the cats the moment I finished speaking. ¡°How are we going to do that?¡± ¡°Winter is almost upon us!¡± The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be finding sleeping spots at this point?¡± ¡°And what about the monsters between cities?¡± ¡°I hate goblins¡­ they smell¡­¡± ¡°You smell, dumbass.¡± ¡°But seriously, to another city?¡± Their chatter spiraled into chaos, tails swishing and ears flicking nervously. I watched them, perched high above on my crate, waiting for just the right moment. Timing was everything when you were leading a group like this. Too soon, and I¡¯d lose their attention; too late, and panic would fester. I raised my voice, loud and clear. ¡°Enough!¡± The crowd hushed, dozens of eyes turning toward me. I stood tall, one paw held high for emphasis. ¡°I have a plan!¡± That got their attention. A plan was exactly what they wanted to hear¡ªwhat they needed to hear. I had to sell this like our lives depended on it. Because, well, they did. ¡°You¡¯ve seen what we can do together,¡± I said, sweeping my gaze across them. ¡°With teamwork and the right tools, we pulled off the impossible tonight. We defeated adventurers, guards, dogs¡ªand walked away with treasures no cat has ever dreamed of. If we can do that, we can survive a journey.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± one of the smaller cats muttered, ears flattened. ¡°Winter¡¯s coming. It¡¯s freezing out there¡­¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± I cut in, a glint of excitement in my eyes. ¡°Which is why we won¡¯t stay here. We¡¯ll go to a place without winter!¡± The camp fell silent. Every cat stared at me, blinking, as if I¡¯d just sprouted a second head. Without winter? It was so absurd that half of them looked ready to laugh. The other half looked plain confused. Daisy tilted her head. ¡°What do you mean, a place without winter? Everywhere has winter.¡± I smirked, waving a paw. ¡°That¡¯s not true. You just haven¡¯t seen the world beyond Felor. I have.¡± Okay, technically, I hadn¡¯t been there, but I¡¯d seen a map. I knew enough to spin a convincing tale. ¡°Felor sits in the northern part of the world. The further south you go, the warmer it gets. No snow, no frost, no freezing winds. Just sunshine and food year-round.¡± They blinked at me, tails twitching in confusion. Of course they didn¡¯t get it. Explaining geography to cats was like explaining algebra to a brick wall. Scruffy squinted at me. ¡°But isn¡¯t Felor close to the equa¡­ the equato-thingy? Why¡¯s it so cold here then?¡± ¡°Close isn¡¯t there,¡± I said quickly, dismissing his point with a wave of my paw. ¡°The south is warmer. Trust me. And if we move now, we can get there before winter really sets in.¡± A ripple of doubt still lingered in the air. I could feel it, see it in their faces. They weren¡¯t entirely convinced yet. Fine. Time to sweeten the deal. ¡°Besides,¡± I added, holding up my paw as an ember flickered to life, ¡°I have this.¡± The tiny flame danced, casting an orange glow across the crowd. A few cats gasped. Others shuffled backward instinctively. They were quite wary and doubtfull of the flames now. ¡°This is pyromancy,¡± I said, my voice steady and confident. ¡°With this power, I can keep us warm. I can light fires when it¡¯s cold. I can fend off monsters. Winter won¡¯t stand a chance against us.¡± The ember flared slightly, and I snuffed it out with a dramatic flick of my paw. The silence that followed was thick, but this time, it wasn¡¯t doubt¡ªit was awe. I could see it in their eyes now. That tiny spark of belief, of hope. Chunky finally spoke, his deep voice breaking the silence. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re saying we¡¯d survive the trip? Even with monsters and the cold?¡± I met his gaze and nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll survive. Not just survive¡ªthrive. We¡¯ll build something better than this scavenger life. A kingdom where we¡¯re safe, warm, and fed. Isn¡¯t that worth fighting for?¡± Lucky stepped forward, her golden fur catching the last light of the fire. ¡°I¡¯m with Kaiser,¡± she said firmly. ¡°He¡¯s right. We¡¯ve already come this far. Why stop now?¡± Butler nodded beside her. ¡°We have nothing to lose. Better to fight for something than freeze in some alley.¡± The murmurs spread through the crowd, but this time they were different¡ªless anxious, more determined. Slowly, the other cats began to nod, one by one. Even Demo, grumbling as usual, muttered, ¡°Fine. But if we run into goblins, I¡¯m not fighting them. I hate goblins.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± I said, suppressing a grin. I turned to Lucky, Butler, and the other squad leaders. ¡°We leave at dawn. Gather what supplies we have left¡ªfood, blankets, anything that¡¯ll help us on the road. We¡¯re heading south.¡± They nodded and scattered to organize the others. The camp buzzed with renewed energy as cats began to pack up what little remained of our supplies. I climbed back onto my crate, looking out at the ragtag group I¡¯d managed to rally. A bunch of strays, thieves, and misfits¡ªbut they were mine. My loyal subjects, whether they realized it or not. The Golden Apple had given me a gift¡ªpower and the chance to dream bigger than ever before. No more alleyways. No more scraps. We were going to build something better. I flicked my paw, and a tiny flame appeared once more, its light reflecting in my eyes. ¡°South, huh?¡± I muttered to myself, grinning. ¡°Let¡¯s see what this world has to offer.¡± Winter could try to stop me. Monsters could stand in my way. But I was Kaiser. And nothing would keep me from my throne. I raised my voice, commanding attention over the low murmurs of the gathered cats. ¡°Who here speaks horse?¡± For a moment, silence hung in the air, and then Butler raised a paw. ¡°I can.¡± Excellent. ¡°You¡¯re with Daisy and her Squad D,¡± I said, pointing at the both of them. ¡°Secure us some horses. Negotiate with them. We¡¯ll need at least four horse wagons.¡± Butler and Daisy exchanged a glance witha flicker of understanding passing between them. Without a word, they bolted off into the shadows, Squad D trailing close behind. They¡¯d handle it. Butler had a knack for getting things done, and Daisy¡­ well, Daisy was persistent if nothing else. Turning back to the chaos of the camp, I signaled for Lucky. She didn¡¯t need words to know what I wanted. With a flick of her tail, she began sorting through the mountain of stolen goods we¡¯d piled up. Magic knick-knacks and trinkets spilled onto the ground as she worked, separating the junk from the essentials. We had six Magic Bags now, and we couldn¡¯t afford to waste them. Four were emptied, the loot crammed into the remaining two bags. Those two would carry the most valuable items¡ªartifacts, potions, and whatever else we couldn¡¯t leave behind. I turned to Scruffy, Demo, and Chunky, who were lounging nearby, half-listening to the commotion. They perked up when I called their names. ¡°We¡¯re on thief duty,¡± I announced, my voice sharp and commanding. ¡°Squads A, B, and C will each carry a Magic Bag. Our mission is simple: we¡¯re going to rob Felor of its food. The granary, the farm, the bakery¡ªeverything! Spare no one! This is for survival, for our future.¡± Demo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You mean¡­ just take everything? In broad daylight?¡± It was still night, duh~? I meant¡­ I get what Demo menat figuratively. ¡°Yes,¡± I said firmly. ¡°Speed is key. No need to be stealthy. If you¡¯re caught, you¡¯re on your own¡ªno one¡¯s coming back for you.¡± Chunky frowned, his whiskers twitching. ¡°That¡¯s harsh, Kaiser.¡± ¡°It¡¯s reality,¡± I shot back. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game. If you want to eat tomorrow, you¡¯ll do what needs to be done. Got it?¡± Scruffy nodded, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by something more serious. ¡°Got it.¡± Demo grumbled but didn¡¯t argue further. Chunky let out a heavy sigh, but even he couldn¡¯t deny the truth of my words. I took a deep breath, letting the weight of my words settle over the group. ¡°This is for survival. For our future. So now, my cats¡­ move forth and let¡¯s be thieving cats!¡± The camp erupted into motion, the squads dispersing into the city like shadows. I watched them go, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. This was the riskiest move I¡¯d made yet, but it was necessary. Lucky returned to my side, her golden fur shimmering in the moonlight. ¡°They¡¯ll pull it off,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°We¡¯ve trained for this.¡± I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. ¡°They¡¯d better. Everything depends on it.¡± This was it¡ªthe turning point. Either we¡¯d leave Felor with enough supplies to survive the winter¡­ or we¡¯d leave behind those who couldn¡¯t keep up. 10 The Whiskered Uprising Chapter 10 The Whiskered Uprising Historians would come to call it The Whiskered Uprising, the night when all of feline kind descended into an unprecedented thieving frenzy. Tales of that chaotic evening spread far and wide, weaving their way into the annals of history and folklore. Speculations abounded: some whispered of a powerful druid or a masterful beast tamer orchestrating the chaos. Others claimed an archmage had intervened, casting unseen spells to confound and distract. More devout scholars suggested the Divines themselves had intervened, incensed by mortal arrogance in seeking to consume the Golden Apple. Yet the truth was far stranger than any fiction. At the epicenter of the pandemonium was the Grand Merchant Alfonso. Known for his lean, refined features and an air of sophistication, Alfonso had a reputation as a benevolent, kind-hearted merchant. That reputation, however, could not have been further from the truth. Beneath the facade lay a ruthless businessman who valued his treasures above all else. Alfonso stood amidst the ruins of his once-grand manor, his sharp eyes darting across the chaos. Flames licked the walls, casting eerie shadows over the disheveled thugs who scrambled to quench the fire with buckets of water. His face, usually composed and calculating, was contorted with rage. "What the hell!? Cats? Cats!? You¡¯re telling me cats stole my treasure?" The merchant¡¯s furious voice echoed through the charred halls. In front of him knelt the leader of Iron Wall, a well-known A-rank adventuring party. The burly man, known for his unshakable composure in the face of danger, now bowed his head in shame. "Y-Yes, sir," the adventurer stammered. "They came out of nowhere¡ªdozens of them. We were overwhelmed¡ª" SLAP! Alfonso¡¯s hand cracked across the adventurer''s face, sending him reeling. "You¡¯re supposed to be the Iron Wall! A bloody A-rank party, and you let a bunch of strays outwit you?" Behind the adventurer, his party members shifted uncomfortably, their gazes glued to the floor. None dared speak. Alfonso paced back and forth, muttering curses under his breath. "My treasures... My Golden Apple! Gone because of a pack of flea-bitten vermin! This can¡¯t be real. No, no, this is a nightmare!" His voice rose to a near-hysterical pitch as he spun on his heel, pointing a trembling finger at the adventurers. "Find them! I don¡¯t care if you have to scour every alley, every rooftop, every damned shrub! Bring me those cats, or so help me, I¡¯ll see to it you¡¯re blacklisted across Felor!" The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances. It wasn¡¯t just the shame of their failure weighing on them; it was the absurdity of the situation. They were seasoned warriors, trained to face goblins, trolls, and even wyverns¡ªand yet they¡¯d been undone by a gang of organized cats. In the background, the cries of Alfonso¡¯s hired thugs added to the cacophony. They scrambled to salvage what little remained of the merchant''s stolen hoard, but it was clear the damage was done. One of the thugs stumbled into the room, his face pale. "Sir... the granary... the bakery... even the farms. They''re being hit too. It¡¯s the cats¡ªthey¡¯re everywhere!" Alfonso¡¯s eye twitched. "Everywhere?" The thug nodded, his voice trembling. "Yes, sir. It¡¯s like... it¡¯s like they¡¯re working together. They¡¯re even stealing from other merchants. It¡¯s chaos out there!" Alfonso sank into a chair, his head in his hands. This wasn¡¯t just a theft; it was an organized assault. His empire, built on wealth and reputation, was crumbling before his eyes¡ªall because of cats. Outside, the city of Felor descended further into disarray. Cats darted through the streets, their small forms slipping through cracks and shadows. They raided granaries, bakeries, and food stalls with precision, their movements almost military in their coordination. Fires burned in several parts of the city as panicked citizens tried to fend off the furry invaders. "Guards!" Alfonso bellowed, his voice cracking with desperation. "Call the guards! This is a fucking invasion!" Just hours earlier, he had been at the pinnacle of bliss. Surrounded by the finest courtesans in Felor, sipping imported wine, and reveling in the anticipation of the Golden Apple auction¡ªan event that would cement his status as the wealthiest merchant in all the realms. The room had been alive with laughter and indulgence, the epitome of luxury. And then a thug had burst in, face pale as death, stammering the unthinkable: The Golden Apple had been stolen. By cats. Now, Alfonso¡¯s night had spiraled into chaos. His face was a mask of barely-contained rage, his handsome features twisted in disbelief. He turned on the elf in the Iron Wall adventurer party, who stood near the door, her arms crossed and her expression bored. "You! The elf!" Alfonso snapped, pointing a trembling finger at her. "Go! Tell the guards we¡¯re under attack!" The elf, a striking woman with silver hair and sharp green eyes, raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "How dare you? You¡¯ve humiliated our leader and you expect me to do your bidding?" "Don¡¯t question me, woman!" Alfonso snarled, slamming a goblet onto the table, the wine spilling like blood across the polished wood. "Do as I say!" With a sigh, the elf pushed off the wall and disappeared through the doorway, her lithe form vanishing into the chaos beyond. No sooner had she gone than another figure stumbled through the door. Alfonso recognized him immediately¡ªAlvarez, the so-called Master Thief he had hired to safeguard his treasure.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "You!" Alfonso shouted, rounding on him. "This is your fault! You swore to me you¡¯d handle it! That you knew how thieves think! What is this then? What is this!?" Alvarez, a wiry man with a face weathered by years of skulking in shadows, threw up his hands in exasperation. "And what exactly did you want me to do, Alfonso? Sprout wings and fly after them? My reputation¡¯s in tatters, just like yours!" "Don¡¯t you dare pass the blame onto me," Alfonso growled, advancing on Alvarez with clenched fists. "You¡¯re the so-called master of this craft. You said my manors were secure. Wards, eyes, traps¡ªyou said nothing could get past them!" "Nothing human could!" Alvarez shot back, his voice rising. "Your defenses weren¡¯t primed for cats! Do you know what those furry little bastards did? They used quick-acting paralytic poison! What was I supposed to do against that?" Alfonso froze, his rage momentarily giving way to confusion. "Poison? What poison?" Alvarez took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, you don¡¯t know? Let me enlighten you, Grand Merchant. The poison they used¡ªit¡¯s your poison. Made by your alchemists. Manufactured and distributed under your name!" How did Alvarez knew that? Well, he was a Master Thief and distinguishing poisons were up in his alley. The accusation hit Alfonso like a punch to the gut. He staggered back, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process what he¡¯d just heard. "That... that¡¯s impossible," he stammered. "Is it?" Alvarez sneered. "Because I recognize the stuff. It¡¯s your signature blend. Quick to act, nearly undetectable, and damn near impossible to cure without the right antidote. You¡¯ve been selling it for years, Alfonso. And now, it¡¯s come back to bite you¡ªliterally." Alfonso¡¯s hands trembled as he sank into a nearby chair. His mind raced, replaying every decision, every deal that had led him to this moment. Could it be true? Had his own greed¡ªhis own empire¡ªbeen the weapon used against him? "No," he muttered, shaking his head. "This isn¡¯t my fault. It can¡¯t be. This... this is sabotage! Someone¡¯s trying to ruin me!" "Sure," Alvarez said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Blame it on sabotage. Blame it on the Divines if it helps you sleep at night. But the fact remains¡ªyour treasure¡¯s gone, your reputation¡¯s in ruins, and the entire city is crawling with those damn cats. So tell me, Alfonso, what are you going to do about it?" Alfonso¡¯s eyes burned with fury as he rose to his feet. "What am I going to do? I¡¯m going to hunt them down. Every last one of them. I don¡¯t care if I have to burn this city to the ground. Those cursed cats will pay." A few hours later¡­ Alfonso paced the ruined hall, his fine silk robes dragging through soot and shattered glass. His manor was in shambles, the scent of burnt wood mingling with the acrid tang of his humiliation. Every step was a reminder of his failure. He barely registered the thugs and servants scrambling to salvage what little remained. The doors creaked open, and a guard stepped inside. Alfonso recognized him immediately¡ªLuiz, the Commander of Felor¡¯s City Guard. Luiz¡¯s armor was scuffed, his face streaked with soot, and his expression grim. Alfonso strode forward, desperation etched into his face. "Luiz, please tell me you caught them!" Luiz hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Can¡¯t do anything about that anymore," he said, his tone defeated. "They escaped." Alfonso froze. "Escaped? How? Through the sewers? Do I need to hire more of those incompetent adventurers?" The guard commander sighed. "No, you misunderstand. They¡¯re not in the city anymore." Alfonso blinked, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "What? How is that possible?" Luiz adjusted his helm, his shoulders slumping as if bracing for another wave of the merchant¡¯s fury. "They stole horses." Alfonso¡¯s jaw dropped. "Horses? But the gates were closed! And there are walls¡ªhigh walls! There¡¯s no way those mangy beasts could¡¯ve smuggled their way out!" Luiz¡¯s expression darkened further. "They didn¡¯t smuggle, Alfonso. They broke through. They had... magic scrolls. Lots of them. Fire magic to bombard the gates and water magic to extinguish the flames after." For a moment, Alfonso said nothing, his eyes darting wildly as he processed the information. He glanced toward his ruined manor, the estate now teetering on the brink of collapse. The walls bore scorch marks from fire spells, and pools of water still seeped through the cracked stone floors. "What the hell," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. Luiz cleared his throat. "It¡¯s worse than you think. Reports are coming in from all over the city. They used those same magic scrolls to raid the granary, the farms, and the bakery. And there¡¯s more¡ª" "More?" Alfonso interrupted, his voice rising. The commander nodded grimly. "A depository of magic scrolls was robbed a few days ago. The cats were probably behind it. It explains how they had such an arsenal." Alfonso staggered back, gripping the edge of a table for support. His mind raced. How had it come to this? Cats¡ªmere animals¡ªhad orchestrated the most audacious heist in Felor¡¯s history, leaving him humiliated and his city in chaos. Luiz gave him a sympathetic look. "I wish you good luck, Alfonso. You¡¯ll need it. I imagine the esteemed guests from other lands won¡¯t be... ecstatic about this development." Alfonso glared at him, his fury barely contained. "This isn¡¯t over, Luiz. Not by a long shot. I¡¯ll track them down. I¡¯ll make those cursed beasts pay!" The next morning, the city of Felor awoke to chaos. Rumors of the previous night¡¯s debacle spread like wildfire, weaving tales of feline thieves and a grand heist that left even the wealthiest merchant in ruins. For Alfonso, the nightmare hadn¡¯t ended when the sun rose. He sat slumped at his desk in the remains of his once-lavish study. The room, like his reputation, was in tatters. His trembling hands sifted through piles of documents¡ªaccount ledgers, debt notices, and urgent messages from his financiers. The numbers were clear, yet Alfonso refused to believe them. "This can¡¯t be right," he muttered, his voice hollow. "There must be a mistake." A clerk, pale and sweating, stood nervously nearby. "There¡¯s no mistake, sir. Your accounts are... depleted." Alfonso slammed his fist on the desk, sending a quill clattering to the floor. "How? How!? I had enough wealth to buy Felor twice over!" The clerk hesitated, clearly fearing Alfonso¡¯s wrath. "Between the stolen Golden Apple, the destruction of your estate, and the mass theft of supplies across the city... your debts have overtaken your assets. The creditors are already calling in their loans." Alfonso stared at the man, his expression blank. "Loans?" "Yes, sir. To finance the auction, you borrowed heavily, assuming the Golden Apple¡¯s sale would cover the costs and more. Without it..." The clerk trailed off, wringing his hands. Alfonso¡¯s face twisted with rage. "You mean to tell me I¡¯m bankrupt because of a bunch of cats?" The clerk flinched but said nothing. The door to the study creaked open, and Luiz, the Guard Commander, stepped inside. His face was grim, but there was a flicker of pity in his eyes. "Alfonso, it¡¯s over. The creditors are seizing your assets. Your warehouses, your trade caravans, even your ships in the harbor¡ªthey¡¯re all being claimed as we speak." Alfonso shot to his feet. "No! I won¡¯t allow it! I built this empire with my own hands!" Luiz shook his head. "And it¡¯s crumbling, Alfonso. The guests from other lands are demanding compensation for their wasted journeys. Your name is mud in Felor now. People are already calling last night ¡®The Whiskered Uprising.¡¯ You¡¯ll be a joke for generations." Alfonso¡¯s knees buckled, and he collapsed back into his chair. He stared at the floor, his mind racing with futile schemes to salvage what was left. But deep down, he knew it was hopeless. "Leave me," he croaked, his voice barely audible. The clerk and Luiz exchanged a glance but obeyed, stepping out of the ruined study and closing the door behind them. Alfonso sat alone in the silence, the weight of his downfall pressing down on him. His empire, his reputation, his future¡ªgone in a single night, stolen by creatures he had once dismissed as vermin. As the morning light filtered through the broken windows, Alfonso whispered to himself, "This isn¡¯t over. Not yet." But even he didn¡¯t believe it. 11 Horse Politics? Chapter 11 Horse Politics? The horses were surprisingly cooperative, and for that, I had Butler to thank. Without him, I doubted this little convoy of ours would have made it more than a few miles outside Felor before descending into chaos. Four wagons, pulled by equally demanding and eccentric horses, made good progress through the night. Despite the bumpy ride, I helped the cats create torches with my newfound pyromancy. While they didn¡¯t have hands, their ingenuity was remarkable; they managed to attach the torches to the wagons using twine and sticks. For an extra layer of safety, I conjured small motes of light that floated like fireflies, illuminating the road ahead. It was exhausting at first, but as the night wore on, I found the effort becoming more manageable. In the lead wagon, most of the cat leaders gathered around me, their eyes full of expectation. "Who here has experience traveling between cities?" I asked, breaking the silence. Daisy yawned delicately before replying, "I do." "Then your advice will be crucial. For now, rest while you can. I¡¯ll stay awake with Butler to make sure we keep ahead of any pursuers." "Awww..." Butler groaned dramatically. Lucky, ever the pragmatist, stretched out. "In that case, I¡¯ll take you up on that offer. Good night." Chunky and his trusted crew huddled together in a fluffy pile, with Demo reluctantly joining them after some coaxing. Scruffy, on the other hand, remained vigilant, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness. Daisy, true to form, curled up elegantly on her own, hissing at any cat who dared approach her. I sighed and turned to Butler. "How are the horses holding up?" Butler scratched his ear awkwardly. "Uuuh... you said to offer them anything, right? Well, you asked for it." My stomach sank. "What now?" "They all want wives," Butler replied, completely deadpan. I blinked. "Wait, what? All of them?" So, these horses were all guys, huh? Butler nodded. "Yup. Oh, and one of them also wants a personal comb, two of them want armor because they dream of becoming warriors, and the last one wants to eat meat." I grimaced. "The last guy... He knows he¡¯s a horse, right?" "Don¡¯t ask me," Butler muttered, his tail flicking. I rubbed my face with a paw. This was... a lot to unpack. My initial plan of possibly raising horses as livestock for future use was officially out the window. How could I treat them as livestock when they were clearly sentient and demanding ridiculous things like combs and armor? That would be no different than slavery, and I wasn¡¯t about to stoop that low. "Okay," I said, finally. "We¡¯ll fulfill their demands. Somehow." Butler¡¯s whiskers twitched with amusement. "They also said they want the freedom to go their separate ways whenever they like." "Of course, they did," I muttered. "But," Butler continued, "the ones who want armor promised to serve you for two years if you deliver. The others agreed to one month of service. If you don¡¯t deliver, though..." I frowned. "What happens if we don¡¯t deliver?" "They¡¯ll fight us to the death," Butler said cheerfully. "Especially the meat-eating one. He seemed very enthusiastic about that part." I stared at him, then at the horses ahead of us. Bunch of crazy beasts. I¡¯d always known horses weren¡¯t to be trusted, but this confirmed it. "And the deadlines?" I asked, resigned. "The armor-loving ones said you have until the end of their service to deliver their reward. The others gave you a one-month deadline."If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "How generous of them," I muttered sarcastically. These weren¡¯t ordinary horses¡ªthey were medieval fantasy horses, far stronger and sturdier than the ones I knew back home. If a fight broke out, it wouldn¡¯t be pretty. As much as I hated the idea of bending to their demands, I couldn¡¯t risk losing even one cat in a skirmish with these beasts. "Fine," I said at last. "We¡¯ll comply. For now." Butler tilted his head. "What about the one who wants meat?" I groaned. "We¡¯ll cross that bridge when we get to it." The convoy of wagons continued through the night, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road filling the quiet. Scruffy, ever the vigilant one, broke the silence as he perched next to me on the lead wagon. ¡°So, are you going to equip us?¡± he asked suddenly, his sharp green eyes fixed on me. I blinked, confused. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The rings,¡± Scruffy clarified, his tail flicking toward my own, where the shiny bands were still looped securely. ¡°They looked like interesting weapons. We cats don¡¯t exactly like weapons, but we could use them as accessories. Maybe even to improve growth.¡± I looked down at my tail, the rings catching the faint glow of the torches and the motes of light I¡¯d conjured earlier. The thought hadn¡¯t occurred to me, but Scruffy had a point. The rings could potentially give us an edge. I flicked my tail, letting the rings slide off into my paw, and handed them to Scruffy. ¡°I like the idea. But be careful. They drain stamina quickly¡ªmore than you¡¯d expect. If we¡¯re going to distribute them, we need to test how they work on us first.¡± Scruffy nodded, slipping one of the rings¡ªa simple, stat-enhancing band¡ªonto his paw. At first, he seemed fine. He stretched experimentally, his movements fluid and confident. ¡°This feels¡­ good. Like I¡¯m stronger, faster.¡± Encouraged, he slid on the second ring, the one imbued with invisibility. Almost immediately, Scruffy¡¯s posture sagged. His breaths came in short, rapid bursts, and his muscles visibly tensed. He looked as though he was carrying a weight far heavier than his small frame could handle. ¡°Scruffy, stop!¡± I said sharply. Scruffy grimaced, pulling the second ring off with a shaky paw. As soon as it left him, he collapsed onto his side, panting heavily. ¡°You weren¡¯t kidding about the stamina drain,¡± he wheezed. ¡°Wearing one is fine, but two? That¡¯s... too much.¡± I nodded, picking up the invisibility ring. ¡°Then we¡¯ll keep it simple. Each cat gets one ring, and we¡¯ll prioritize those who can make the most use of them.¡± Scruffy slipped the stat-enhancing ring back on, his breathing stabilizing as he adjusted to its effects. ¡°This one¡¯s good. It¡¯s subtle, but I can feel the difference.¡± I examined the invisibility ring in my paw, its surface smooth and almost warm to the touch. It was tempting to keep it for myself, but Lucky came to mind. She was our best scout¡ªagile, resourceful, and stealthy even without magic. With this ring, she¡¯d be nearly unstoppable. ¡°I¡¯ll hold onto this one for now,¡± I said, slipping the invisibility ring into a small pouch tied around my neck. ¡°But I might give it to Lucky later.¡± Scruffy nodded, still adjusting to his newfound strength. ¡°Good call. But if we¡¯re going to use these rings, we need to find more of them. Equipping just a few of us won¡¯t be enough.¡± I sighed. He wasn¡¯t wrong. The rings were a game-changer, but they were also a reminder of how underprepared we were. If we wanted to survive¡ªand thrive¡ªin this world, we¡¯d need every advantage we could get. For now, though, the convoy pressed on, the rings a small but significant step toward securing our future. The convoy moved at a steady but laborious pace. With only a single horse pulling each wagon, the animals often needed to stop and rest. None of us complained¡ªif anything, the cats seemed to welcome the breaks. It gave us time to stretch our legs and check the wagons for any damage or loose cargo. After several pit stops, though, it became clear we couldn¡¯t keep pushing through the night. The horses were visibly tired, their heads hanging low and breaths heavy. Butler, ever the diplomat, confirmed their unspoken demands for a proper rest. ¡°We should stop here,¡± I said, loud enough for the cats in the other wagons to hear. ¡°Let¡¯s make camp.¡± The other cats woke as we unlatched the horses and let them roam within a safe perimeter. Daisy took charge of assigning night watch duty, organizing rotations with military-like efficiency. Even in her half-awake state, she managed to keep the others in line. Once the shifts were sorted, I turned my attention to the campfire. Out of habit, I decided to make one¡ªthis time better than my previous attempts. ¡°Dig a pit,¡± I instructed, gesturing to a clear spot in the center of our makeshift camp. ¡°I want the fire contained.¡± A few of the more industrious cats got to work, their paws and claws scraping at the dirt with surprising speed. I stood over them, directing where to pile the dirt and how deep to dig. In truth, I had no idea what I was doing. My knowledge of campfires came from scattered memories of online survival videos. Something about pits and rocks around the fire, I thought. ¡°Make it wide enough for the wood,¡± I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. Once the pit was ready, a handful of volunteers set off to gather fuel. They returned with an assortment of twigs, dried leaves, and anything else that looked flammable. I knelt by the pit and summoned a small flame with my paw. The fire roared to life faster than I expected, casting a warm glow over the camp. The cats watched in quiet awe as I carefully adjusted the fire¡¯s intensity with my pyromancy, making sure it was strong enough to last the night but not so large that it drew unwanted attention. ¡°Good work, everyone,¡± I said, sitting back and letting out a satisfied sigh. The cats began settling down in a loose circle around the fire. Some used their improvised cloaks as makeshift blankets, while others simply curled up where they sat. The firelight danced across their fur, casting flickering shadows that stretched and shifted with the night. Despite the chaos of the past day, a sense of calm settled over the camp. The crackle of the fire and the soft rustle of the leaves above were the only sounds as one by one, the cats drifted off to sleep. I stayed awake a little longer, watching the flames and listening to the quiet breathing of my companions. For the first time in what felt like forever, we were safe¡ªat least for now. 12 Snowfall Chapter 12 Snowfall The convoy moved steadily, covering good ground as the days passed. With every mile, the cats seemed to grow more confident, bolstered not only by our progress but by the newfound strength granted by the magical rings we had discovered in the Magic Bags. The rings were clearly meant for mass distribution, likely for an army, given their uniform design and functionality. Simple silver bands enchanted to enhance the wearer¡¯s physical abilities. It didn¡¯t take long to see the effects. Each cat wearing a ring could now leap farther, strike harder, and endure longer than ever before. Of course, we had to be cautious with their distribution. I insisted that each cat only wear a single ring, at least until they proved they could handle the strain. Even with their enhanced strength, the magic sapped their stamina if they pushed too hard. It was a delicate balance, and I couldn¡¯t afford to lose anyone to exhaustion or worse. Lucky was one of the exceptions. She proudly wore two rings: a silver one to boost her stats and a gold one that granted her invisibility. Watching her vanish and reappear at will was a sight that never failed to awe the others. As for me, I claimed a black ring with a ruby set into it. It looked far more ornate than the others, and while I wasn¡¯t entirely sure of its specific enchantment, I could feel my fire magic burn hotter and brighter whenever I wore it. The rings weren¡¯t just tools¡ªthey were transformative. The cats were changing, both physically and mentally. Encounters with wolves, wild goblins, and other ambushers along the way became opportunities for training. Each skirmish honed their reflexes, tested their courage, and pushed their limits. At first, they had been hesitant, relying on their speed and cunning to avoid direct confrontations. But now, armed with the power of the rings, they began to stand their ground. The once timid cats were growing into a combative force, and it was thrilling to see. Conversations around the campfire or during our rest stops were filled with boasts and discussions about their newfound abilities. ¡°I took down that goblin with a single swipe!¡± Scruffy bragged, flexing his claws dramatically. ¡°Yeah, after I distracted it,¡± Chunky retorted, his tail flicking with mock annoyance. Daisy who was ever the perfectionist, remained focused on strategy. ¡°Strength is one thing, but precision is what wins battles. All of you should practice your aim and timing.¡± Despite her stern demeanor, even Daisy couldn¡¯t hide her pride in their progress. As we traveled, the lands around us began to change. The dense forests gave way to rolling hills, and the chill in the air grew sharper with each passing night. But the cats didn¡¯t seem to mind. If anything, their spirits were higher than ever, bolstered by the knowledge that they were growing stronger every day. I watched them with a mix of pride and trepidation. They were no longer just a ragtag group of thieves¡ªthey were becoming something more. What that ¡°more¡± would ultimately mean, I wasn¡¯t sure. But one thing was certain: we were no longer prey in this world. The first flurry of snowflakes drifted from the sky, soft and delicate, as if winter itself were testing the waters before fully arriving. Demo¡¯s ears twitched as he stared upward, his whiskers trembling with unease. ¡°Uuuh¡­ it¡¯s snowing, guys. Winter¡¯s here¡­¡± he muttered, his voice tinged with worry. The other cats paused, their eyes following the snowflakes as they settled onto their fur and the ground around them. Trepidation rippled through the group like a gust of icy wind. Winter meant more than just cold¡ªit meant danger, scarcity, and survival against the odds. Despite the unease brewing among my people, I kept my focus on the goal. The snow wasn¡¯t an obstacle¡ªit was an opportunity. ¡°We push forward,¡± I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. The cats exchanged hesitant glances, but they obeyed. The convoy picked up its pace, the wagons creaking as the horses snorted and trudged through the increasingly frosty terrain. Before the snow began, we had been careful to cover our tracks, always mindful of the possibility that trackers from Felor might still be on our trail. The effort had slowed us down, forcing us to take detours and double back to throw off any pursuers. But now, with the snow blanketing the ground, nature itself would hide our passage. ¡°Finally, something working in our favor,¡± Lucky said, flicking her tail as she walked alongside the lead wagon. Scruffy, always the cautious one, chimed in, ¡°Yeah, but snow¡¯s a double-edged sword. It hides us, sure, but it also makes it harder to spot danger ahead.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. The falling snow muffled sounds, and the white landscape could easily hide ambushes. But we didn¡¯t have the luxury of slowing down. ¡°We¡¯ll stay vigilant,¡± I replied. ¡°But we¡¯re not stopping. This snow gives us the chance to gain ground, and we¡¯re taking it.¡± The cats nodded, their initial hesitation giving way to determination.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. The horses, to their credit, pressed on without complaint, their breath visible in the cold air as they pulled the wagons through the snow. Butler stayed close to them, offering words of encouragement in his peculiar horse-tongue, and whatever he said seemed to work. We pushed forward with renewed urgency, the wagons creaking and the cats occasionally slipping on the icy patches. The snowfall grew heavier, the flakes thickening and swirling around us, but the convoy pressed on. And then¡­ tragedy struck¡­ The moment we heard the guttural roar echoing through the snowy landscape, I knew we were in trouble. The frost troll crashed into view, a towering, fur-covered monster with ice crystals glinting on its tough hide. Its glowing blue eyes scanned our convoy, and it let out a snarl that sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°Scatter! Don¡¯t let it hit you!¡± I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos. The cats didn¡¯t hesitate. They darted in all directions, their small, nimble bodies disappearing into the snow. I zigzagged to avoid the troll¡¯s massive swings, hurling firebolts to disrupt its frost abilities. Each strike of my flames left a scorch mark on its hide, but its incredible healing factor quickly erased the damage. The frost troll roared again, summoning a chilling wave of frost magic. Ice spikes shot from the ground, narrowly missing Demo as he rolled to safety. The perimeter of cats tightened, but they knew better than to engage directly. Their job was to distract and support, not to get crushed underfoot. The horses had bolted at the first sign of danger¡ªsmart animals. It left us with no choice. This was a one-on-one fight, and I was the only one with the firepower to take this thing down. I clenched my fists, well paws, I mean figuratively clenched them, feeling the power of my fire ring surge through me. Any more rings, and I¡¯d collapse from exhaustion. This fight was mine and mine alone. I spared a glance at my Kaiser system, hoping for a miracle. [Current KP: 1093] [Followers: 52] Weeks of stocking up KP brought me to this moment. The troll charged again, and I barely dodged its icy fist, my paws skidding on the slick ground. ¡°Buy me some time!¡± I yelled to the others. The cats obeyed, throwing whatever they could find¡ªrocks, branches, even snowballs¡ªto keep the troll¡¯s attention divided. It wasn¡¯t much, but it gave me a precious few seconds to consult the Kaiser Shop. (Accessing Kaiser Shop¡­) The system blinked to life, and a list of items scrolled before my eyes:
  1. Inferno Orb¨C Summons a powerful firestorm for 30 seconds. (700 KP)
  2. Healing Salve¨C Restores minor wounds and boosts stamina. (200 KP)
  3. Trollbane Potion¨C Temporarily nullifies a troll¡¯s healing factor. (600 KP)
  4. Fireproof Cloak¨C Reduces fire magic recoil by 50%. (500 KP)
  5. Phoenix Feather¨C Revives a fallen ally once. (800 KP)
  6. Elemental Shackles¨C Temporarily binds a magical creature. (900 KP)
  7. Magic Arrows¨C A bundle of enchanted arrows. (300 KP)
  8. Flamefang Dagger¨C Inflicts fire damage with every strike. (400 KP)
  9. Frostward Amulet¨C Reduces frost magic damage. (300 KP)
  10. Portable Forge¨C Creates weapons or tools on the spot. (1000 KP)
My eyes darted across the list as the troll roared again, charging through the barrage of distractions. I had no time to waste. ¡°Trollbane Potion!¡± I mentally commanded, and the system confirmed the purchase. [-600 KP] [Remaining KP: 493] A vial materialized in my paw, glowing with a strange orange hue. Without hesitation, I tossed it with all of my cat might at the troll¡¯s feet. The vial shattered, releasing a fiery mist that clung to the beast¡¯s body. The troll staggered, roaring in confusion as its burns stopped regenerating. This was my chance. ¡°Lucky, Scruffy, Demo¡ªkeep it distracted!¡± I shouted. The three darted around the troll, their silver rings amplifying their speed and agility. Meanwhile, I gathered every ounce of strength I had and focused it into my fire magic. A massive firebolt, larger than any I¡¯d ever conjured before, formed in my paws. My ruby ring glowed fiercely, amplifying the spell to its limits. ¡°Eat this!¡± I roared, hurling the firebolt directly at the troll¡¯s chest. The explosion lit up the snowy night, flames consuming the troll as it let out one final, earth-shaking roar. When the fire dissipated, the beast crumpled to the ground, its body smoldering. Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing. ¡°We did it,¡± Scruffy said, his voice a mix of awe and exhaustion. I sank to my hind legs, the toll of the fight catching up to me. But we had won. Against all odds, we had survived. In all my quadruped life, that was the most excitement I¡¯d ever experienced. Even more so than the heist back in Felor. Sure, both were life-and-death situations, but this time, I had actively fought and slaughtered a monster in front of us. The adrenaline rush, the sense of triumph¡ªit was intoxicating. The frost troll¡¯s massive, charred body lay crumpled on the snow-covered ground, steam rising from its smoldering wounds. The cats gathered around me, their faces a mix of awe and exhaustion. ¡°Anyone here knows what parts of a troll are useful?¡± I asked, breaking the silence. Lucky tilted her head. ¡°Can we even butcher it? Look at that thing¡ªit¡¯s huge!¡± Chunky stepped forward, eyeing the troll thoughtfully. ¡°How about we stuff it in a Magic Bag and deal with it later when we can figure it out?¡± Daisy gave an approving nod. ¡°Smart. No point in wasting time here.¡± Demo yawned loudly. ¡°So¡­ back to traveling?¡± Scruffy stretched, his tail flicking. ¡°Yep. But I swear, the next city we get to better have lakes or rivers. I¡¯m craving fish.¡± Butler perked up at the mention of fish. ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t we rob a ton of fish back in Felor? Surely we still have some left.¡± Chunky sighed and shook his head. ¡°Our fish supply was the first to go. Everyone wanted a taste. So¡­ no.¡± Daisy chimed in. ¡°FYI, our grain supply remains untouched, by the way. Guess nobody¡¯s desperate enough to start munching on raw oats yet.¡± The group exchanged tired laughs, the tension from the fight melting away. I motioned to Butler. ¡°Get the troll in the Magic Bag, then. No sense in leaving it here to rot. Maybe we can trade it or use it later.¡± Butler saluted with a paw, and with the help of Demo and Chunky, they awkwardly maneuvered the troll¡¯s massive body into one of the oversized Magic Bags. It took some effort¡ªgrunting, pushing, and a lot of slipping on the icy ground¡ªbut eventually, the troll disappeared into the enchanted storage. ¡°Done,¡± Butler said, dusting his paws. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s move,¡± I said, glancing at the horizon. The snow was still falling lightly, covering our tracks. It was a small blessing, but we couldn¡¯t afford to linger. The horses were waiting, and we needed to put as much distance between us and Felor as possible. As we got back on the wagons, the cats settled into their usual banter. Despite the cold and the exhaustion, morale seemed higher than ever. Victory had a way of doing that. I climbed onto the lead wagon, the black ring on my paw still glowing faintly. The warmth from my fire magic kept the chill at bay, but I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging thought at the back of my mind: how much further could we push ourselves before winter truly hit its peak? For now, though, we were alive. And that was enough. 13 Meow Direction Chapter 13 Meow Direction Demo¡¯s voice rang out from the rear of the wagon, his black-and-white fur ruffling in the breeze. ¡°Holy shit, did we just outrun winter?¡± The other cats turned to marvel at the sight. Behind us lay a pristine blanket of snow, its icy grip still clinging to the hills we¡¯d just descended. Ahead of us, however, stretched fields of green grass and dirt paths untouched by frost. The stark contrast was surreal, like stepping from one season into another. ¡°It¡¯s warmer,¡± Lucky noted, her bottle-green eyes squinting toward the horizon. ¡°I can feel it.¡± The cats chattered excitedly, their spirits lifting as the wagons rumbled forward. It had been roughly nine weeks since we¡¯d fled Felor. The grueling journey, fraught with danger and uncertainty, now felt like it might finally be worth it. I glanced at the Kaiser System. [Current KP: 2,679] [Followers: 52] The numbers brought a flicker of pride, but I pushed it aside. No time to indulge. The KP needed to be saved for emergencies, not squandered on whims. ¡°We¡¯re not there yet,¡± I said, raising my voice to carry over the creaking wheels and the murmurs of the cats. ¡°We¡¯re still some parts away from the city. Stay alert.¡± Scruffy, ever the vigilant one, nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead scout position.¡± He hopped off the wagon gracefully, padding ahead to scan the path for any signs of trouble. Daisy, reclining elegantly on her perch, stretched lazily. ¡°I don¡¯t trust this weather. Feels too good to be true.¡± Chunky snorted. ¡°What, you think the grass is gonna attack us? Relax, we earned this break.¡± ¡°Relaxing gets you killed,¡± Daisy snapped back, her claws unsheathing briefly before she sheathed them again. ¡°Enough,¡± I interjected, my tone firm. ¡°Chunky, keep an eye on the wagons. Daisy, help Scruffy if needed. Everyone else, stay sharp. This isn¡¯t the time to get complacent.¡± Butler, who had been quietly observing the horses, chimed in. ¡°The horses are happier too. They¡¯re not complaining about the cold anymore.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s one less problem,¡± I muttered. The wagons pressed on, the sound of wheels crunching dirt replacing the muffled crunch of snow from before. The landscape ahead was dotted with sparse trees, their leaves still green, swaying gently in the breeze. ¡°Keep moving,¡± I said, more to myself than anyone else. ¡°We¡¯re not safe yet.¡± A kind of rhythm had settled among the cats as we journeyed. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it worked. Squads A, B, C, and D rotated in cycles when it came to fighting, ensuring no one got too worn out. Lucky still made a habit of failing spectacularly at flirting with me. She was relentless. Funny cat. Scruffy and a handful of others, who I could only describe as "weirdos," seemed to enjoy reconnaissance. They scouted ahead, sniffing out danger and potential resources. Some time back, we¡¯d caught several boars about two feet tall. Scruffy had turned six of them into a makeshift cavalry unit. Imagine it: cats on boars¡­ Apparently, Butler had been the key to this strange alliance. The smooth-talking feline had negotiated a deal with the boars: they would serve us in exchange for grain. Watching Scruffy ride a boar into a fight was something else entirely. It was absurd and terrifying at the same time. Lucky, meanwhile, had made impressive strides in her stealth training. She¡¯d figured out how to go invisible at will, no longer reliant on her golden ring. She claimed she¡¯d achieved this by practicing and studying the ring¡¯s effects. Now, she was passing on her knowledge to Butler, who seemed eager to learn the "arts of stealth." Demo had unlocked frost magic, a surprising development even for him. He said it must¡¯ve been the constant exposure to winter frost, awakening some latent ability within him. He wasn¡¯t great at controlling it yet, but he was improving with each attempt. Chunky¡¯s natural strength and speed continued to grow. His bulk had always been his advantage, but now he was moving with a surprising agility that made him even more formidable. And then there was Daisy. She¡¯d become the most enigmatic of all. She claimed she could hear the wind talk to her. At first, I dismissed it as another one of her quirks, but she¡¯d proven herself more than once. She was now steering our convoy, insisting that the wind was guiding us to the nearest city. I¡¯d had a different direction in mind, but Daisy¡¯s confidence was hard to ignore. She¡¯d backed her claim by reminding us of her past experiences traveling. And to her credit, she hadn¡¯t been wrong yet.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Trust me,¡± Daisy said, her voice calm but firm as she adjusted the lead horse¡¯s reins. ¡°The city is this way. The wind says so.¡± I nodded, deciding to let her take the lead. If nothing else, Daisy had earned that much. So the big mystery was¡­ how in the world were my cats becoming stronger? It wasn¡¯t just a little improvement, either. It looked like my earlier theory¡ªthat killing stuff made you stronger¡ªhad some truth to it. Maybe this world operated on some kind of tabletop RPG logic? Nah, I wouldn¡¯t know. The point was, after fighting goblins, beasts, and other creatures we wouldn¡¯t normally encounter in the city, my cats were showing signs of growth you¡¯d never expect from everyday strays. On average, a single cat was now capable of winning a fight against two goblins even when outnumbered. It was insane. If this was a game, then somewhere along the way, we must¡¯ve done something monumental to gain a massive amount of experience points. My thoughts drifted back to Felor. The heist, which had escalated into a full-blown raid, had to be the answer. That night, we didn¡¯t just steal food and treasure; we disrupted an entire city, leaving it in chaos. But then, why hadn¡¯t we seen any adventurers or bounty hunters on our tail? It had been weeks, and so far, nothing. I couldn¡¯t tell if I was being overly paranoid or if something more significant was at play. What if Felor hadn¡¯t sent anyone after us because they couldn¡¯t? The damage we¡¯d done might¡¯ve been worse than I imagined. Or maybe they were waiting, planning a trap in the next city we¡¯d enter. That brought me to my next concern: what kind of approach should we take in the next city? Surely, our infamy had spread. The stories of the Whiskered Uprising had likely grown into tales of mythical proportions by now. The cats who stole the Golden Apple and raided an entire city? Yeah, people would be on edge. Would we go in quietly, blending in as best we could, or would we march in boldly, making a statement? I wasn¡¯t sure. The former seemed safer, but with the way my cats were evolving, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if we were becoming more than just survivors. For now, though, we had to focus on staying ahead of the winter and finding the next city. Whether it welcomed us or not¡­ well, that was a problem for future me. The bonfire crackled and roared, casting warm, flickering light over the gathered cats. They lounged around it in a rough circle, tails flicking lazily, their eyes reflecting the firelight. It was a scene of camaraderie, but tonight, I had something important to discuss. Clearing my throat for dramatic effect, I began, ¡°There is a crucial matter we need to address.¡± The chatter died down, and all eyes turned to me. I rose to my full feline height, puffed out my chest, and launched into my speech. ¡°We¡¯ve come a long way, survived the world at large, and left our marks in history as the first felines to triumph over the bipeds. We are awesome!¡± The crowd erupted in cheers. ¡°Awesome!¡± ¡°Woohoo~!¡± ¡°Orgies~!¡± ¡°...What the fuck?¡± ¡°Who said that?¡± ¡°Some decency, please!¡± I blinked, momentarily thrown off. ¡°Right¡­ Anyway!¡± I raised my voice to regain their attention. ¡°Now comes our next challenge. What are we to do when we arrive in the next city?¡± Scruffy chimed in first. ¡°Take over the streets.¡± Dem shouted, ¡°Plunder them!¡± Chunky offered, ¡°Broker a deal with the local gangs.¡± Daisy added, ¡°I¡¯d say we join the biggest gang and take them from the inside.¡± I waved a paw dismissively at Demo. ¡°We¡¯ll skip the plundering for now, Demo. If you want to die, do it on your own time.¡± Lucky¡¯s voice piped up, confident as always. ¡°I have a suggestion. How about we build a separate base of operations some distance away from the city to fall back into for emergencies? Something like a bandit¡¯s den?¡± The idea caught my attention, and the murmurs around the fire suggested it caught theirs, too. I nodded slowly, mulling it over. ¡°A fallback point¡­ That¡¯s actually a solid plan. A place to regroup if things go south. What do you all think?¡± Chunky grunted in agreement. ¡°Makes sense. Cities are dangerous. Having a safe spot outside the walls could save us.¡± Daisy flicked her tail thoughtfully. ¡°It would also give us a neutral ground to negotiate or hide loot.¡± Scruffy looked less enthusiastic. ¡°It¡¯s not as fun as taking over the streets, but fine. As long as we can still control something in the city.¡± I nodded. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. We¡¯ll scout for a good location when we get close to the city. Somewhere hidden, defensible, and far enough away that no one stumbles on it accidentally.¡± Demo groaned dramatically. ¡°Fine, but I call dibs on naming the place!¡± ¡°Duly noted,¡± I said with a sigh. A cat¡¯s sense of home was different from other species. We liked being untethered. Home, to us, was wherever we wanted it to be. No fences, no walls¡ªjust freedom. Still, Lucky¡¯s idea of building a base stuck with me. It was practical, and honestly, a little exciting. I glanced at my crew. ¡°I like Lucky¡¯s idea,¡± I announced, earning a flick of her tail and a satisfied grin. ¡°Daisy, can you talk to the wind and tell us where there¡¯s a nice place we could build a base?¡± Daisy¡¯s ears twitched, her usual elegant demeanor unshaken. ¡°That isn¡¯t exactly how it works,¡± she replied smoothly, ¡°but I will try to commune with nature.¡± Before I could respond, Demo¡¯s voice cut through the air. ¡°Awww¡­ I want to meet new cats¡­ This place has a bunch of fuglies.¡± Chunky wasted no time. With a loud pounce, he pinned Demo to the ground, muffling his complaints with a hefty dose of fluff. Demo¡¯s muffled protests of, ¡°Mffufwuwuf¡­¡± were ignored by everyone, including me. My focus was elsewhere. Building a base, huh? The idea was growing on me. It sounded fun, almost like a game. A place we could call ours, hidden away, but with access to the nearest city. I wouldn¡¯t pass up on the opportunities cities offered, though. They were hubs for potential recruits. I smiled to myself, the beginnings of a plan forming in my mind. A base for security, a city for expansion, and eventually... a kingdom of cats. The thought of it made my tail flick with anticipation. I turned to the others. ¡°For now, we¡¯ll focus on building a base. Once that¡¯s done, we¡¯ll send scouts to the nearest city. It¡¯s time to grow our ranks. A kingdom of cats¡­¡± I let the words hang in the air, their weight sinking in. Scruffy, who had been grooming his paw, perked up. ¡°A kingdom? I like the sound of that.¡± Chunky let go of Demo, who sat up and shook himself indignantly. ¡°Yeah, but who¡¯s the king?¡± All eyes turned to me. I puffed out my chest, smirking. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± The camp erupted in a mix of cheers and teasing remarks, but deep down, I knew they were on board. This wasn¡¯t just about survival anymore. It was about something bigger. And I was ready to lead them there. 14 Unlikely Ambush Chapter 14 Ambush The morning had started so peacefully. The sun filtered through the trees, casting warm, golden light over the camp. It was the kind of day that made you forget the dangers lurking just beyond the horizon. I had been indulging in light-hearted musings about the latest developments in cat fashion. Since the magic rings resized to fit their wearers, the cats had taken to wearing them in creative ways. The most popular trend was to wear the rings on their tails, like little metallic accents swaying with each step. Others wore them on their paws like armbands, giving off an air of elegance or strength. We joked about how our kingdom of cats would have its own fashion culture someday. And then chaos erupted. The first sign was the whistling of arrows cutting through the air. Fireballs followed, blazing through the forest canopy, and the ground shook as armored warriors charged at us from all sides. I barely managed to dispel the fireballs aimed directly at us, but the onslaught didn¡¯t stop. More spells, more arrows, and then the gleaming steel of swords and spears closing in. I glanced at my Kaiser system. [Current KP: 3,849] [Followers: 38] The numbers hit me like a punch to the gut. Just yesterday, we had 52 cats. Now, only 38 remained. My hubris had cost us dearly. I had underestimated Felor. The city hadn¡¯t just sent a token force; they¡¯d sent an army¡ªa combined force of adventurers, guards, and mercenaries. I snapped out of my thoughts and barked orders. ¡°Abandon the wagons! Everyone, split up and move!¡± It was the only chance we had. Fourteen cats rode off on boars, two to each. Sixteen cats mounted horses, four cats to a horse. I sent them fleeing ahead. Their priority was survival. That left 30 cats racing toward safety, their silhouettes disappearing into the dense forest. Eight of us stayed behind to buy time. My rear guard consisted of myself, Chunky, Scruffy, Lucky, and four brave volunteers. Chunky, ever the stalwart protector, carried a Magic Bag filled with mana potions and other essentials. His role was simple: keep me supplied and keep me alive. Lucky took command of a mobile unit, dashing through the trees and engaging the enemy in small, calculated skirmishes. Their job was to confuse and delay the pursuers, attacking from unexpected angles before vanishing into the forest. Scruffy was scouting the enemy forces, hopefully his bold reconaissance wouldn¡¯t get him killed. Butler had let Scruffy borrow his invisibility ring, so that should mean something. As for me, I focused on the forest itself. Drawing on my pyromancy, I unleashed flames across the trees, creating a wall of fire that forced our enemies to slow their advance. The heat was intense, the crackling roar of the blaze a constant reminder of the precariousness of our situation. I had never imagined my life as an outlaw would lead to this¡ªa desperate last stand against overwhelming odds. But I had no time to dwell on regret. ¡°Chunky!¡± I shouted. He was already at my side, offering me a mana potion. ¡°Here, boss. Drink up. You¡¯re burning through your reserves fast.¡± I gulped it down, feeling the rush of energy flow through me. ¡°Good. Stay close, but don¡¯t do anything reckless.¡± He nodded, his usual playful demeanor replaced with grim determination. Somewhere ahead, I trusted Daisy, Demo, and Butler to lead the others to safety. They had to make it. They had to. But for now, we held the line. I glance on my Kaiser Shop. - Kaiser Shop - Daily Inventory [Current KP: 3,849] Flamebrand Dagger - A small, enchanted dagger that burns with an eternal flame. Increases fire magic potency by 10%. (Cost: 500 KP) Phantom Cloak - A shimmering cloak that grants the wearer invisibility for up to 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. (Cost: 1,200 KP) Ironwood Barrier - A portable shield made from enchanted ironwood. Automatically absorbs the first three physical or magical attacks. (Cost: 800 KP) Ring of Resilience - A sturdy silver ring that passively increases stamina regeneration and resistance to poison. (Cost: 600 KP) Summoner¡¯s Flute - A magical flute that summons a temporary familiar (lasting 1 hour) to aid in combat or reconnaissance. (Cost: 750 KP) Forest Walker¡¯s Boots - Light and durable boots that allow the wearer to move silently and leave no tracks in natural terrain. (Cost: 650 KP) Scroll of Infernal Blast - A single-use scroll that unleashes a powerful firestorm, damaging all enemies within a 20-foot radius. (Cost: 900 KP) Frostguard Pendant - A pendant that reduces ice damage by 50% and grants immunity to frostbite. (Cost: 700 KP) Portable Fortress - A small cube that, when activated, unfolds into a temporary shelter large enough for ten people. Lasts for 24 hours. (Cost: 1,500 KP) Blessing Stone - A rare item that can be consumed to permanently increase one attribute (Strength, Agility, or Magic) by 10%. (Cost: 2,000 KP)If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. - The air around the hill was heavy with the smell of smoke and tension. I stood at its crest, gazing at the chaos below while ensuring the flames I¡¯d set earlier didn¡¯t encroach upon our position. Scruffy arrived just as the sun dipped lower, his fur slightly singed, but his demeanor as sharp as ever. Among my cats, Scruffy was one of the few who could grasp numbers and strategies beyond instinct. Scruffy''s voice was steady as he reported, ¡°Roughly a hundred and fifty pursuers. Half of them are career soldiers. The rest are mercenaries and adventurers. I spotted a few mages too. I can still handle two invisibility spells if necessary.¡± I nodded, impressed by his resilience. Scruffy¡¯s ability to manage the strain of two enchanted rings was a testament to how much he¡¯d grown since our days back in Felor. Lucky emerged next, her dark fur streaked with dirt but her eyes gleaming with determination. Her small unit followed closely behind, all accounted for. ¡°We avoided direct combat,¡± Lucky began, her voice tinged with pride. ¡°Instead, we focused on crippling their horses. I infiltrated their ranks and scratched the mounts with my claws before I was discovered. They gave chase, but I managed to outrun them.¡± She had used the deadliest poison we carried¡ªa mixture that could fell a beast ten times her size. If it worked as intended, their horses wouldn¡¯t survive the night. ¡°Good thinking, Lucky,¡± I said, offering her a rare smile. Opening the Kaiser Shop, I selected two pairs of Forest Walker¡¯s Boots, enchanted gear designed to enhance agility and stealth in wooded terrain. I handed them to Lucky, who accepted them with a gleam of anticipation. ¡°These are for you,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯re on assassination duty now. Prioritize their leaders, mages, and anyone who looks like they¡¯re in charge. Scruffy, you¡¯ll support Lucky¡¯s unit and take second in command. Focus on ambushes. Don¡¯t overcommit. If you¡¯re running low on supplies or energy, regroup here.¡± Both Lucky and Scruffy nodded, their eyes gleaming with resolve. ¡°Chunky and I will stay mobile,¡± I continued. ¡°We¡¯ll spread more fires to disrupt their advance. We¡¯ll leave sections of the forest untouched for you to use as ambush points. Stick to the plan, and don¡¯t take unnecessary risks.¡± Scruffy adjusted the rings on his tail and gave me a sharp nod. ¡°Understood.¡± Lucky smirked, slipping on the boots. ¡°Leave the leaders to me. They won¡¯t see me coming.¡± As they departed, I turned to Chunky, who stood nearby with a Magic Bag slung across his back. His imposing frame and unyielding loyalty made him the perfect partner for this task. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± I said, my voice low but firm. ¡°We¡¯ve got fires to spread.¡± Chunky grunted in agreement, and together, we descended the hill to continue the battle. The forest would be our ally tonight, its shadows and flames serving as our weapons against the overwhelming force bearing down on us. The air was thick with the smell of charred wood and the distant shouts of the enemy forces. I stood with Chunky as we surveyed the smoldering forest around us. The Blessing Stone I had purchased earlier shimmered faintly in my paws, its warmth seeping into my fur as I felt my magic reserves swell. [Current KP: 549] It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to keep us going for now. Chunky shadowed me closely, his bulk reassuring in this tense moment. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings while he carried the Magic Bag slung securely over his shoulder. We¡¯d managed to squeeze in some food supplies, enough to sustain us if this battle stretched out for days. If our pursuers wanted to reach the rest of my cats, they¡¯d have to carve their way through this forest¡ªa gauntlet I intended to make as costly as possible. I tried not to dwell on the possibility of a detached force attempting a flanking maneuver or spare horses being hidden somewhere in their ranks. Speculating about what-ifs would only distract me from the task at hand. ¡°Chunky,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the weight of the situation, ¡°any suggestions on how to deal with them?¡± Chunky scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful. ¡°We keep playing dirty. The forest is our ally. Fire slows them down, and ambushes pick them off. But we can¡¯t rely on just that. They¡¯ll adapt.¡± I nodded. Chunky had a point. ¡°What about their supplies?¡± A sly grin spread across his face. ¡°If we can get to their provisions, they¡¯ll have no choice but to retreat or starve. Lucky¡¯s unit might be able to infiltrate their camp again.¡± ¡°That¡¯s risky,¡± I mused, flicking my tail. ¡°But it could work. We¡¯ll need to hit them where it hurts. Any other ideas?¡± Chunky¡¯s gaze drifted to the surrounding forest. ¡°Trap the terrain. Fall back slowly and leave hazards in our wake. Pitfalls, tripwires, anything to keep them paranoid and guessing.¡± I considered his words carefully. Chunky¡¯s tactical mind was invaluable in moments like these. ¡°We¡¯ll do both. Lucky and Scruffy can focus on their supplies while we set up traps and spread more fire to keep them disoriented. It¡¯ll stretch them thin.¡± Chunky gave a firm nod. ¡°Sounds like a plan, boss. Just don¡¯t overdo it with that magic of yours. You¡¯ll need your strength.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll manage,¡± I assured him, though the growing fatigue from casting spells weighed heavily on my mind. The forest crackled and popped under the relentless sun, its dry foliage providing the perfect tinder for our strategy. Chunky and I moved swiftly through the underbrush, our steps careful as we worked to manipulate the battlefield. Burning swathes of forest wasn¡¯t easy, even with my magic, and each new blaze I started felt like it drained a piece of me. This was all about scare tactics for now¡ªno direct fights unless absolutely necessary. Chunky and I agreed that fleeing was always the better option, especially given the numbers against us. My main concern was my cats accidentally wandering into the fires I created. That would be a disaster. Whenever we paused, Chunky dug pitfalls with his massive paws. His strength had grown considerably, and watching him tear through the earth like it was sand reminded me just how much we¡¯d all changed. The tripwire idea had to be scrapped. It was too complicated, and time wasn¡¯t on our side. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the intelligence of my cats. Fantasy elements aside, the felines of this world were sharper and more capable than any I¡¯d known in my past life. Chunky suddenly froze, his ears twitching. ¡°I can smell a few of them encircling us. What do you want to do?¡± ¡°How many?¡± I asked, conjuring a small flame in my palm. ¡°A dozen,¡± he replied, his voice low. ¡°Which direction?¡± Chunky pointed to the northeast, his nose twitching. I turned my attention that way and focused, shaping the flame in my paw into an orb. It grew, pulsating with heat as I readied my spell. Voices drifted through the trees, their language familiar. ¡°Comb the area.¡± ¡°This patch of forest isn¡¯t on fire.¡± ¡°Be careful of ambushes and the black cat.¡± ¡°Scouts, anything suspicious?¡± ¡°None, sir.¡± ¡°I smell something.¡± ¡°Smells like¡­ burning?¡± Perfect. I hurled the fireball toward the direction Chunky indicated. It soared through the air, lighting up the shadows before slamming into the ground with a deafening BOOM! The explosion sent dirt, leaves, and debris flying. Flames licked at the trees, quickly spreading outward. Shouts erupted from the enemy. ¡°Ambush!¡± ¡°Fire magic!¡± ¡°Scatter! Find the caster!¡± Chunky smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming in the light of the growing blaze. ¡°That¡¯ll keep them busy.¡± I nodded, already moving. ¡°Let¡¯s go before they regroup. We¡¯ve got more fires to start.¡± Chunky followed, his massive paws thudding against the forest floor. The smell of smoke and burning wood filled the air as we vanished deeper into the chaos we¡¯d created. 15 The Pursuing Army Chapter 15 The Pursuing Army Luiz Amoro Martinez stood just outside the burning forest, his frustration mounting with every passing moment. The acrid scent of smoke filled the air, mixing with the tense murmurs of his dwindling force. The flickering flames cast long shadows over the soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers¡ªa force that had started at 160 strong but now numbered closer to 140. He ran a hand through his dark hair, his once-pristine armor smudged with soot and dirt. ¡°We¡¯ve assembled this much force,¡± he muttered to himself, then louder, addressing his captains, ¡°so why in the world are we still stuck here?¡± The men exchanged uneasy glances, but no one answered. Luiz¡¯s thoughts wandered as he stared into the inferno before him. This wasn¡¯t how his life was supposed to go. Two years ago, he¡¯d been a rising star in the Order of the Silver Blade, a knight with a promising future. Then came The Whiskered Uprising. It had started as a ridiculous rumor¡ªa gang of cats orchestrating a heist in Felor. No one took it seriously until the chaos unfolded. A robbery that had turned into a raid, a camp by the river, a food storage facility emptied, and a daring escape through the city gates on horse-drawn wagons. It had all happened so quickly, so absurdly, that the city¡¯s defenses were left scrambling. By the time Luiz had pieced together a response, the cats were long gone, leaving a trail of humiliation in their wake. What had the debacle cost him? Everything. His knighthood, his fianc¨¦e, his reputation. The sting of his disgrace was made only slightly bearable by the karmic justice dealt to Alfonso, the merchant whose greed had exacerbated the entire situation. Found dead in an alley, riddled with stab wounds and laced with poison¡ªLuiz had no doubt the Grand Alchemist, whom Alfonso had blackmailed, was behind it. ¡°Karma,¡± Luiz muttered bitterly. A captain approached him, breaking his reverie. ¡°Sir, the scouts report heavy losses. The forest fires are spreading faster than anticipated, and our forces are struggling to maintain cohesion. They say the enemy is using hit-and-run tactics¡ªambushes and traps. We¡¯ve lost another ten in the last hour.¡± Luiz clenched his jaw. Ten more gone. Dammit. ¡°Have we identified the leader yet?¡± Luiz demanded. ¡°No, sir. The reports are conflicting. Some claim it¡¯s a ginger cat wielding magic, others say it¡¯s a larger feline coordinating the attacks. There¡¯s also talk of poison being used¡ªseveral of the horses we brought are already dead.¡± Luiz cursed under his breath. The enemy was unlike anything he had ever faced¡ªorganized, intelligent, and utterly unorthodox. ¡°Send the scouts again. I want a full report on the terrain ahead,¡± Luiz ordered. ¡°And tell the men to prepare for a push at dawn. If we stay here any longer, we¡¯ll be sitting ducks.¡± The captain saluted and hurried off, leaving Luiz to his thoughts. When Luiz Amoro Martinez was assigned to lead a 160-strong combined force of soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries, his initial reaction had been to refuse. But rejecting an order from his lordship was not an option, not unless he wanted to forfeit his life or worse. So, with gritted teeth and mounting dread, Luiz accepted the role, fully aware of the stakes. The situation only worsened when Felor¡¯s Adventurer Guild Master, enraged by the humiliation of the recent heist, elevated the pursuit of the cats into an official quest. This meant mercenaries and adventurers from outside Felor had flocked to join the hunt, many of them pompous individuals eager to show off their skills. Their presence prompted Luiz¡¯s lord to double the soldiers initially assigned to him, inflating his modest squad of forty into an unwieldy force of 160. Failure wasn¡¯t just an option¡ªit was a death sentence.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Now, deep in the night, Luiz stood outside the burning forest, surrounded by chaos. His men were restless, their morale faltering as they grappled with the absurdity of their enemy: a band of cats. And not just any cats¡ªcats who had outmaneuvered, outsmarted, and outfought every attempt to corner them. As Luiz reviewed the situation, Alvin of Iron Wall sauntered up to him. The adventurer¡¯s reputation as an A-rank preceded him, but Luiz knew the truth. Alvin¡¯s rank was more a product of nepotism than merit, the result of being the Guild Master¡¯s illegitimate son. His party of genuine A-rank adventurers had disbanded long ago, leaving Alvin desperate to prove himself once more. The man was stout and broad-shouldered, his polished armor gleaming even in the dim light of the campfires. But his demeanor exuded arrogance rather than competence. ¡°It¡¯s been only a few minutes since we launched the attack,¡± Alvin said, his tone dripping with disdain. ¡°And we¡¯re already on the back foot. Tell me, Sir Martinez, will you take responsibility for this failure? Oh, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he added with a mocking smirk. ¡°You¡¯re not a knight anymore, are you? Why don¡¯t you let someone capable¡ªlike me¡ªtake command of this force?¡± Luiz bristled at the insult but kept his composure. He had learned long ago that reacting to provocation only gave men like Alvin more power. ¡°If you have a strategy that doesn¡¯t involve running headlong into a trap, I¡¯m all ears,¡± Luiz replied evenly. Alvin crossed his arms, his smirk widening. ¡°It¡¯s simple. We charge through the forest, burn it all down, and flush those furballs out. We¡¯ve wasted enough time already.¡± Luiz shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what they want us to do. The cats are using the fire and terrain to their advantage. Charging in would only result in more casualties.¡± ¡°And doing nothing will result in what? A stalemate?¡± Alvin countered, his voice rising. ¡°Face it, Martinez. You¡¯re out of your depth. Let me take over before this turns into a massacre.¡± The adventurer had done little to earn the respect his title supposedly commanded, and Luiz¡¯s patience was wearing thin. The camp was tense, the air heavy with the smell of smoke from the burning forest. Soldiers whispered nervously about the strange and cunning enemy they faced, but Luiz had no time for their fears. ¡°It feels like just yesterday,¡± Luiz began, his voice laced with disdain, ¡°that you were being slapped around by Alfonso. Do you remember that, Alvin? I do. I also remember your miserable failure to protect the one item that caused this entire debacle.¡± He stepped closer, his piercing gaze fixed on the adventurer. ¡°Your career as an adventurer is already ruined. Some ¡®Iron Wall¡¯ you are.¡± Alvin bristled, his broad shoulders stiffening as he tried to meet Luiz¡¯s glare. ¡°Watch your tone, Martinez,¡± he snapped, but his voice wavered. Luiz opened his mouth to continue, but the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted him. A scout burst in between them, his face flushed from running. ¡°Sir! We have confirmation of the enemy forces¡¯ leader!¡± Alvin scoffed loudly. ¡°What is this? Are we treating them like an army now?¡± ¡°Go on,¡± Luiz ordered, ignoring Alvin¡¯s outburst. The scout nodded, catching his breath before continuing. ¡°It¡¯s a ginger cat, sir. A pyromancer! We¡¯ve received word that this cat was seen spreading the fires.¡± Alvin let out a sharp laugh. ¡°A pyromancer? A cat spreading fire? This just gets better and better. How exactly do you know this, scout?¡± The scout hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°Uh¡­ There¡¯s a druid among the adventurers in our forces. They have the ability to communicate with animals. We managed to recover a cat from the initial attack and had the druid interrogate it.¡± Luiz¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he turned sharply toward Alvin. ¡°You had a druid in your forces this entire time, and you didn¡¯t tell me?¡± Alvin threw up his hands defensively. ¡°They¡¯re just mages, right? What difference does it make? Don¡¯t yell at me, you bastard!¡± ¡°Just mages?¡± Luiz hissed, his voice low but cutting. ¡°That ¡®just a mage¡¯ might have saved us time, lives, and resources if you had the sense to utilize them properly. But no, you were too busy posturing to bother mentioning them.¡± Alvin¡¯s face reddened, but he said nothing, his jaw clenched tight. Luiz turned back to the scout, dismissing Alvin from his thoughts. ¡°Where is this druid now?¡± ¡°They¡¯re tending to the wounded on the east side of camp, sir,¡± the scout replied. ¡°Good. Bring them to me immediately,¡± Luiz commanded. ¡°I want a full account of what they¡¯ve learned. And make sure the men know: this ginger cat isn¡¯t just a nuisance. It¡¯s a tactician. If we don¡¯t treat it as such, we¡¯ll continue losing ground.¡± The scout saluted and ran off, leaving Luiz to deal with Alvin¡¯s simmering glare. ¡°You¡¯re not going to let me live this down, are you?¡± Alvin muttered. ¡°Not until you prove you¡¯re worth even half of your reputation,¡± Luiz shot back. ¡°And if you step out of line again, I¡¯ll see to it that you answer for it¡ªnot just to me, but to the Guild Master as well.¡± Alvin said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line as Luiz strode off toward the east side of camp. Luiz¡¯s mind churned with the implications of what the scout had revealed. A pyromancer ginger cat¡ªabsurd as it sounded, it explained the fires and the enemy¡¯s coordination. After all, magic casters had always been known as thinkers¡­ This wasn¡¯t just a matter of hunting down rogue animals. This was war, and Luiz had no intention of losing it. 16 Skirmish Chapter 16 Skirmish I knew I¡¯d been underestimating this fantasy world and everything it could throw at me. Of course, I would. It was inevitable¡ªmy subconscious just wasn¡¯t registering threats the way it should. Escaping Felor unscathed, fighting wild beasts and goblins, triumphing every time¡ªit had all given me a false sense of security. Even winter couldn¡¯t slow me down; we outran it. I fought a frost troll and won. How could I not start growing an ego? It wasn¡¯t just a human flaw¡ªit was a sentient one. Success after success, no matter how dangerous or grueling, chipped away at the caution I should¡¯ve been holding on to. Now, here I was, running through the forest, spreading fire like a madman. My breaths were shallow, my chest heaving as exhaustion gnawed at my strength. Every spell I cast felt like a punch to my gut. My magic wasn¡¯t just draining¡ªit was hurting me, and I knew I couldn¡¯t keep this up forever. Every patch of forest we cleared and blackened, we retreated, only to move deeper and spread the fire further. The flames consumed everything, their roar drowning out the sounds of the night. ¡°How long?¡± I managed to ask, my voice hoarse. Chunky padded alongside me, his fur smudged with soot. ¡°It has been a day, boss,¡± he replied, his tone steady despite the chaos around us. I paused for a moment, catching my breath and taking in his words. Boss. It hit me then. Chunky, and the other cats too, had always called me by my name¡ªKaiser. When had that changed? When had they started seeing me as their leader, not just their companion? The realization should have been comforting, but it only added to the weight on my shoulders. ¡°It is almost dawn,¡± Chunky continued. ¡°We should regroup with the others and make our escape.¡± I nodded, wiping the sweat from my brow. The forest was still burning, but the fire was no longer under my control. It had taken on a life of its own, devouring the dry underbrush and leaping from tree to tree. The sky above was painted a deep orange, the smoke blotting out the stars. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said, my voice firmer now. ¡°AAAHAGH~!¡± The scream tore through the forest, unmistakably human. Chunky¡¯s traps had done their job. Somewhere behind us, one of the soldiers had stepped into a pitfall lined with jagged daggers. The sound of pain echoed in the burning woods, but we didn¡¯t stop. There was no time to gloat, no time to care. We had to move. Chunky and I raced toward the rendezvous point where Lucky¡¯s unit was supposed to regroup. The air was thick with smoke, and every breath burned my lungs. The flames we had spread earlier had turned the forest into a chaotic and unforgiving battlefield. When we arrived at the clearing, only Scruffy was there, his fur matted with soot and dirt. ¡°Scruffy,¡± I called out, my voice hoarse. ¡°Where¡¯s Lucky? Where¡¯s the rest of the unit?¡± Scruffy¡¯s ears twitched, and he padded closer, his expression grim. ¡°We got separated,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯re getting desperate, using their mages to clear the area. Thankfully, they don¡¯t have a water mage. Instead, they¡¯re using earth and fire mages to keep the forest fire from spreading.¡± I cursed under my breath. The enemy wasn¡¯t just reacting anymore¡ªthey were adapting. ¡°How were you separated from the others?¡± I asked, glancing at the Kaiser System for answers. [Followers: 36] Two cats gone. When had that happened? Scruffy shook his head. ¡°Lucky¡¯s fine. We tried to attack their supply chain like you ordered, but it was a trap.¡± Damn it. Outplayed. These bipeds were finally taking us seriously. ¡°The others?¡± I pressed, my heart sinking. Scruffy¡¯s tail flicked anxiously. ¡°We¡¯re severely outnumbered. Two of our cats fell in battle. Mary got hit by a stray arrow. Lucky refused to leave her behind, insisted on saving her. Felipe volunteered to lead the enemies away from the injured.¡± Felipe. I glanced at the system again. He wasn¡¯t marked as dead. His fate was unknown, which meant there was still hope. But hope wasn¡¯t something I could afford right now. ¡°Lucky, why?¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Why be so righteous? You should¡¯ve left Mary behind.¡± The logical part of me knew that sacrifices were inevitable in war, but that didn¡¯t make it any easier to accept. Scruffy¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts. ¡°What¡¯s the plan, Kaiser?¡± I straightened, forcing myself to focus. ¡°Lead us to Lucky,¡± I said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s a retreating battle from now on. We regroup, we retreat, and we survive.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Our party of three moved swiftly through the smoldering remains of the forest, Scruffy leading the way. The air was heavy with the stench of smoke and charred wood, and every step felt like we were traversing the aftermath of a battlefield. ¡°How¡¯s your invisibility ring holding up?¡± I asked Scruffy, keeping my voice low but firm. He glanced back, his expression as calm as ever despite the chaos around us. ¡°I¡¯ve got two more spells left,¡± he replied. ¡°The ring recharged at dawn.¡± Good. We¡¯d need every trick we had to survive what was coming. As we pushed forward, a massive burning tree lay across our path, its fiery branches crackling ominously. It was a barrier, one that could easily stall us if we didn¡¯t act fast. ¡°Let me have a go at it!¡± Chunky declared, his deep voice rumbling with enthusiasm. Before I could respond, Chunky launched himself at the fallen tree. His powerful body collided with the wood, shattering it into two smoldering halves. He stood amidst the debris, his fur singed but his pride intact. ¡°Path¡¯s clear,¡± he grunted, flicking a bit of ash off his ear. ¡°Nice work,¡± I said, motioning for us to move. We pierced through the burning section of the forest, the oppressive heat giving way to a greener, untouched expanse. For a moment, the sight of fresh grass and unburned trees was a relief¡ªuntil we saw what waited for us. A ragtag group of seven stood before us, their weapons drawn and their eyes filled with murderous intent. Soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries, united in their hatred for us. I quickly took stock of their lineup. ¡°I am Alvin of Iron Wall! Face me, vermin!¡± His voice echoed across the clearing, his bravado almost laughable if it weren¡¯t for the sheer tension of the moment. I switched to Cat Tongue, my words sharp and commanding. ¡°Chunky, take on the Alvin guy! Scruffy, prioritize the casters!¡± Both of them nodded, their eyes narrowing as they prepared to charge. The gnome loosed an arrow, and I dodged to the side, my paws skidding on the soft grass. Alvin raised his shield, his stance solid as Chunky barreled toward him like a wrecking ball. ¡°Get wrecked,¡± I muttered, my tail lashing as I darted toward the archer. I summoned a ring of fire around myself, the searing flames crackling in defiance. The two spearmen hesitated, their eyes wide with fear as I dashed under their raised weapons. Fire magic was powerful, but it demanded relentless focus. Even the slightest distraction could shatter my control, and in this chaotic battlefield, distractions were everywhere. The dwarf caster raised his staff, a chunk of earth forming midair as he prepared to hurl it at me. Before he could complete his spell, Scruffy appeared from nowhere, his claws slicing clean through the dwarf¡¯s throat. The caster crumpled to the ground, his staff rolling away uselessly. It helped that the dwarf had been a small fella to begin with. The two spearmen retreated, their resolve shaken. I seized the moment, unleashing two firebolts that crackled through the air toward them. They dodged, but the flames forced them to keep their distance. Suddenly, three arrows whistled toward me. I zigzagged across the clearing, narrowly avoiding each one. The gnome archer was quick, his aim deadly, but he wasn¡¯t prepared for my retaliation. I cast a fireball directly at him, only to watch it dissipate against a shimmering forcefield. From the corner of my eye, I caught the robed human woman muttering an incantation, her hands glowing faintly. A cleric, then. Scruffy lunged at her, his claws poised for a kill, but the dual-wielding orc intercepted him with a swing of her blades. Scruffy growled, retreating into the shadows and vanishing from sight. I turned my attention back to the so-called Alvin, who was charging toward me with his shield raised. From my peripheral vision, I saw Chunky arc through the air, his massive body aiming for the man, but Alvin ignored him, pouncing straight at me instead. I dodged left, narrowly avoiding a shield bash that sent clumps of earth flying. His sword came next, a blur of steel that I barely leapt out of the way of. Two spears thrust at me from opposite directions. One grazed my side, a sharp sting that drew blood, but I twisted in time to avoid the other. Gritting my teeth, I took a deep breath and cloaked myself in flames, the heat radiating outward in a brilliant inferno. The spearmen hesitated but didn¡¯t back down. Instead, my display of power seemed to embolden them, their confidence swelling as they relied on their reach. Big mistake. I watched their movements carefully, tracking the paths of their spears. When one lunged, I sprang into the air, using the shaft of his weapon as a springboard. From there, I pounced onto the other spear, my claws gripping the wood just long enough to launch myself toward the orc woman. She didn¡¯t see me coming. I unleashed a torrent of flames at full power, engulfing her in a searing blaze. ¡°AAAAAAAGH~!¡± Her screams filled the clearing before she collapsed, her charred form crumpling to the ground. The human cleric woman scrambled to escape, panic etched across her face. Before she could get far, Chunky tackled her from behind, the force of his massive body snapping her legs with a sickening crack. She screamed, but her cries were cut short as Chunky bounced back and crushed her skull with a brutal strike. Another scream followed, this one from the gnome archer. His small body fell limp as blood sprayed from his slit throat. Scruffy emerged briefly from the greenery, his movements swift and precise before vanishing once more into the shadows. The battlefield was ours, but the fight wasn¡¯t over. My breath came in ragged gasps, my magic reserves running low, but I couldn¡¯t stop now. This was survival. Three of them were left: Alvin of Iron Wall, still clutching his shield and sword, and the two spearmen, their faces pale with terror but their grips steady. I licked my paw briefly, an instinctive gesture that almost made me laugh at the absurdity of the moment. Then I straightened, my tail swishing behind me as I stepped forward. ¡°Now comes your turn~!¡± I declared, my voice carrying the unmistakable cadence of human tongue, though it was layered with the rolling growl of my cat accent. The two spearmen exchanged uneasy glances. One of them, a younger man with a shaky grip, took a step back. Alvin, however, snarled, his lips curling into a sneer. ¡°You think you¡¯re clever, don¡¯t you, vermin?¡± Alvin spat, slamming his sword against his shield. The clang echoed through the clearing, a desperate attempt to rally his courage¡ªor perhaps his companions¡¯. ¡°You¡¯ll regret underestimating me!¡± I tilted my head, amused by his bravado. ¡°Underestimate you? No, no~! I simply don¡¯t care about you enough to waste my fire.¡± That earned a laugh from Chunky, who stood to my right, his massive form towering over even Alvin. Scruffy remained unseen, but I could feel his presence lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, how could I scare these fools to death? 17 Lance the Soldier Chapter 17 Lance the Soldier Alvin of Iron Wall stood with his back pressed against the two career soldiers Luiz had sent to accompany him. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and sweat poured down his face, mixing with the grime and soot that clung to his skin. His shield arm ached, the weight of his so-called title bearing down on him. They called him the Iron Wall because of his skill with the shield, but it was a name that now felt like a cruel joke. A shield could only protect what was in front of him¡ªhis back was as vulnerable as any other man¡¯s. He cursed himself for not being able to hire proper A-rank adventurers for this excursion, even with his father¡¯s influence. But those connections could only stretch so far, and the adventurers he had managed to secure¡ªthough B-ranks¡ªwere nowhere to be found. The reality was sinking in now. His party was dead. The spearmen behind him were the only reason he wasn¡¯t entirely alone. He tightened his grip on his sword, raising it in a defensive posture, trying to appear composed. But he wasn¡¯t composed. He was terrified. That orange cat had spoken. It had talked. It wasn¡¯t just the shock of hearing a cat¡¯s voice¡ªit was the malice behind it. The intelligence in its gaze. Alvin¡¯s instincts screamed at him to run, but he forced his feet to stay rooted. If he bolted now, he¡¯d be as good as dead. The spearmen weren¡¯t as disciplined. One of them, a younger man who looked barely out of training, turned and broke into a sprint. ¡°Stay put!¡± Alvin shouted, his voice cracking. ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± But the soldier didn¡¯t listen. He dashed into the open, only to be intercepted by a gray blur. The gray massive cat tackled the man with enough force to knock him flat. The spearman screamed, but it was cut short as the tabby, Scruffy, materialized from the shadows and slit his throat with precision. The second spearman, older and more experienced, hesitated for only a moment before following his comrade¡¯s example. Unlike the first, he managed to outrun the pursuing cats, disappearing into the burning forest. Alvin was alone now. He cursed his luck, his father, and his own cowardice. He should have run when the spearmen did. And then he met the gaze of the orange cat. Its amber eyes burned with a focused hatred, locking onto him with predatory intent. It didn¡¯t need to speak for Alvin to understand¡ªthis creature wanted him dead. The cat began to stalk forward, its movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment. Alvin¡¯s hands trembled as he raised his shield, trying to hide behind it like a child hiding from a nightmare. ¡°Stay back!¡± Alvin shouted, his voice rising to a near-squeal. ¡°I¡¯m warning you!¡± The orange cat didn¡¯t stop. Alvin¡¯s mind raced. His shield wouldn¡¯t protect him from the fireballs it had unleashed earlier. He couldn¡¯t run¡ªthe gray and tabby were still out there. He was trapped. The cat leaped. Alvin swung his sword wildly, but the orange blur twisted midair, avoiding the blade entirely. Its claws raked across his shield, the force of the impact knocking him off balance. He stumbled backward, his heel catching on a root, and fell hard onto his back. His sword clattered from his grasp, leaving him defenseless. The orange cat landed gracefully, its gaze never wavering. It approached him slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the moment. ¡°Wait!¡± Alvin begged, his voice breaking. ¡°Please, I can pay you! I have gold¡ªconnections¡ªanything you want!¡± The cat tilted its head, as if considering the offer. Then it bared its teeth in what could only be described as a smile. ¡°No deal,¡± it said in a low, guttural tone. And then the flames came.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. For Alvin of Iron Wall, his last memories had been pain¡ªsearing, unrelenting, and final. But for Lance, it was relief. Lance had always been an unremarkable soldier in the grand schemes of Felor¡¯s army. He had spent decades as a footsoldier, never advancing in rank, not for lack of effort but for lack of talent or connections. Despite his modest career, he had always been damn good with a spear, his skill honed through years of disciplined training and survival. Now, all of that seemed meaningless. The burning forest behind him, the fire devil and its monstrous feline minions, the screams of his comrades¡ªall of it had shaken him to his core. Lance ran like a madman, his heart pounding as loudly as the roar of the flames. His spear, his trusted companion for so many years, became dead weight in his hands. He let it go, the polished wood clattering against the forest floor, and focused solely on escaping the hellish scene. His breath came in ragged gasps, his legs burned with exhaustion, but he didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t stop. The image of that orange demon-cat with its burning eyes and fiery claws haunted his every step. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lance stumbled out of the forest and into the clearing where Luiz had set up a temporary encampment. The camp was a chaotic mixture of soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries, all weary from the battle and struggling to regroup. Supplies of food and potions were stacked haphazardly in the center, and the air buzzed with tension. Lance collapsed to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear. A few soldiers rushed to his side, helping him to his feet and offering him water, but he waved them off. ¡°I need to see the commander,¡± Lance rasped. ¡°Now.¡± Moments later, Lance stood before Luiz Amoro Martinez. The commander¡¯s soot-streaked face was a mask of grim determination, his eyes scanning Lance with a mixture of suspicion and concern. ¡°What happened out there?¡± Luiz demanded, his voice sharp. Lance swallowed hard, his throat dry despite the water he¡¯d been given. ¡°They¡¯re dead,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Alvin¡­ the others¡­ all of them. The fire devil got them.¡± ¡°Fire devil?¡± Luiz¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s a cat,¡± Lance explained, his voice growing steadier as he recounted the events. ¡°An orange one. It spoke¡ªused magic. Fire everywhere. And there were others¡ªgray and tabby cats. They¡­ they¡¯re not normal, sir. They fight like soldiers. No, better than soldiers.¡± Luiz¡¯s jaw tightened, his mind racing. ¡°And the others? Alvin¡¯s men?¡± Lance shook his head. ¡°Gone. Dead or scattered. I saw them, torn apart by those beasts. The other ran, but I don¡¯t know if he made it. Alvin¡­¡± He hesitated, the memory of the Iron Wall¡¯s final moments flashing through his mind. ¡°He didn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± Luiz exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. He turned to one of his captains. ¡°Double the perimeter guards. We need to secure this position and protect the supplies.¡± The captain saluted and hurried off, leaving Luiz to face Lance once more. ¡°You did well to make it back,¡± Luiz said, his tone softer now. ¡°Rest and recover. We¡¯ll need every man we can get.¡± Lance¡¯s breathing was still uneven, his mind a whirlwind of fear and urgency as he processed the chaos he had just escaped. But amidst the haze, a sudden clarity gripped him, and his eyes widened in realization. ¡°No!¡± he blurted, his voice breaking through the din of the camp. ¡°Sir Luiz, we can¡¯t stay here!¡± Luiz Amoro Martinez, who had just begun to turn away to address his captains, froze mid-step and turned back to Lance, his expression a mix of irritation and curiosity. ¡°What are you talking about, soldier?¡± Luiz asked, his voice sharp but measured. ¡°If we make camp here as it is, they¡¯ll escape!¡± Lance exclaimed, his words tumbling out in a rush. ¡°The cats¡ªthose devils¡ªthey have too few numbers! If we give them time, they¡¯ll slip away, regroup, and strike again when we¡¯re vulnerable. We must attack them now, with everything we have! It¡¯s the only way to corner them!¡± Luiz¡¯s eyes narrowed, his arms crossing over his chest. ¡°And how do you know this? You just said their leader is some kind of fire-wielding demon. Charging in blindly could be suicide.¡± Lance shook his head emphatically. ¡°I saw it with my own eyes, sir! There weren¡¯t many of them. A few dozen at most! And so much fewer than that in reality. They rely on tactics and ambushes, but they can¡¯t stand against overwhelming numbers. If we press them now, we can end this once and for all.¡± Luiz studied Lance for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The other soldiers and adventurers nearby had fallen silent, their attention focused on the exchange. ¡°Sir Luiz,¡± Lance continued, his voice steadying as he found his resolve. ¡°You¡¯re an admirable knight. One of the best Felor ever had. And because of what those cats did¡ªbecause of that heist¡ªyou lost your post, your reputation, everything. This is our chance to end this madness and restore your honor. Don¡¯t let them slip away. Not now.¡± The weight of Lance¡¯s words hung in the air, and for a moment, Luiz said nothing. Then, slowly, he uncrossed his arms and let out a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re certain of their numbers?¡± Luiz asked. Lance nodded. ¡°Positive, sir. They¡¯ve been whittling us down with traps and ambushes, but they¡¯re stretched thin. They¡¯ve lost some of their own, too. If we hit them hard now, they won¡¯t be able to recover.¡± Luiz turned his gaze toward the burning forest, the flickering flames reflected in his eyes. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This was his chance¡ªnot just to end the Whiskered Uprising, but to reclaim the respect and honor he had lost. ¡°Gather the captains,¡± Luiz ordered, his voice firm and resolute. ¡°We¡¯ll prepare an assault immediately. I want every able-bodied man ready to move within the hour. No one rests until this is over.¡± The camp erupted into activity as soldiers and adventurers scrambled to follow Luiz¡¯s orders. Lance watched the scene unfold, a mixture of relief and apprehension washing over him. He had done his part, but the battle ahead would be unlike any they had faced before. As Luiz walked away, barking orders and rallying his forces, Lance couldn¡¯t help but glance back toward the forest. The image of the orange fire devil was seared into his mind, and he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they were about to face something far more dangerous than any of them realized. Lance regretted speaking out of turn just then¡­ It wasn¡¯t his fault the soldier in him was just ingrained that much. 18 Regroup & Retreat Chapter 18 Regroup & Retreat It was insane, alright? We were outnumbered twenty to one, maybe more. And yet, somehow, we were the ones giving our enemies hell. It wasn¡¯t arrogance, I swear. It was just the truth. I managed to regroup with Lucky by a small pond nestled within the charred edges of the forest. The scene was grim but oddly serene¡ªthe water reflected the chaos of the distant fires, and Lucky was nursing Mary, her small form curled protectively around the injured cat. ¡°Chunky, get a potion,¡± I ordered, and without hesitation, Chunky retrieved a few healing potions we had left. He uncorked it with surprising finesse for someone with paws and gently poured it into Mary¡¯s mouth. Mary let out a soft groan as the potion worked its magic. She was a delicate white cat with black spots dotting her fur like ink splashes. Her breathing steadied, and Lucky let out a sigh of relief. Just in time, Felipe returned, his orange fur streaked with dirt and his white underbelly damp from who knows what. His thick accent made him sound perpetually winded, but his sharp eyes told me he wasn¡¯t one to be underestimated. ¡°We should regroup with the others,¡± Felipe said, his voice clipped but clear. ¡°High ground. Trees. Parkour if we must.¡± I nodded, already considering the terrain. Felipe was right. The high ground was our best shot. These bipedals might be persistent, but they couldn¡¯t match us in the trees. I mean, come on¡ªdid they have our lithe bodies? Our unmatched grace? Our ability to climb trees like it was second nature? No. No, they did not. ¡°Elves might give us trouble,¡± Scruffy added, narrowing his eyes. ¡°True,¡± I admitted, ¡°but even they wouldn¡¯t catch us. And the rest of them? Please. Scruffy outmaneuvered a dwarf and a gnome in a single strike. We¡¯ve got this.¡± Lucky, who had been listening silently while tending to Mary, finally spoke. ¡°They¡¯ll make a final push,¡± she said, her tone grave. ¡°They know they can¡¯t let us regroup. If we¡¯re to retreat, it has to be now.¡± She wasn¡¯t wrong. These humans weren¡¯t stupid. Stubborn, sure, but not stupid. They¡¯d push us hard, hoping to corner us before we slipped away. I growled softly, annoyed by the inevitability of it all. ¡°We stick to the trees,¡± I said. ¡°No stragglers, no heroes. We stay together and keep moving. We don¡¯t fight unless we¡¯re forced to.¡± Everyone nodded, even Chunky, who looked like he wanted to crush a few more skulls before leaving. Then, as if on cue, the sky above us darkened¡ªnot from clouds, but from a rain of arrows. ¡°Scatter!¡± I shouted, and we bolted in every direction. Thankfully, the forest canopy offered some protection. Arrows thunked into tree trunks and bushes, but our small, agile bodies made us hard targets. I darted through the underbrush, weaving between trees and leaping over roots. Lucky carried Mary on her back, her movements fluid and unyielding. Chunky barreled through the foliage like a furry wrecking ball, while Felipe took to the trees, his orange and white form blending seamlessly with the dappled light. Despite the chaos, a part of me felt a thrill. This was what we were made for¡ªoutmaneuvering larger, slower opponents. Still, the arrows kept coming, and I knew we couldn¡¯t keep this up forever. We had to get to the high ground. It was our only chance. So we ran like hell¡­ Wait¡­ ¡°Hey, where¡¯s Scruffy?¡± I called out, my ears swiveling as I scanned the forest for the tabby. Before anyone could answer, a familiar figure swung down from the trees like some feline Tarzan, landing with a roll on the dirt before darting off again to climb higher. Scruffy came to a halt just long enough to pant, ¡°I overheard them sayin¡¯ they¡¯d invest their full force, Kaiser!¡± Chunky growled, his thick tail thumping against the ground. ¡°Boss, if we manage to lose them long enough, they might lose interest in us.¡± Lucky snorted, shifting Mary on her back as she glared at Chunky. ¡°I don¡¯t think hide and seek will do us much good.¡± She was right. These bipedals were too stubborn, too relentless. They¡¯d chase us to the ends of the forest if we gave them the chance. I sighed, tail flicking as I formulated a plan. ¡°Chunky, get Mary off Lucky and take a detour. Lucky, grab the Magic Bag from Chunky. Felipe, you follow Chunky. The three of you will stay low and stick to the shadows while the rest of us go high.¡± Chunky gave a quick nod and gently hoisted Mary onto his back. Lucky grabbed the Magic Bag from him with a deft flick of her paw. ¡°What about you?¡± Felipe asked, his accent thick with concern. I smirked. ¡°Scruffy, Lucky, you¡¯re with me. We¡¯ll be the decoys. Change off carrying the Magic Bag every so often to keep moving at full speed. No stopping.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. They all nodded, and with that, we split. As my group dashed forward, I summoned flames to my tails, letting the fire trail behind us like a blazing comet. The heat scorched the air, and the crackling of the flames echoed through the forest. I laughed in the Common Tongue, trying to sound as menacing as possible. ¡°Mwahahahaha~! Mere mortals dare challenge my majesty! I shall burn this forest to teach you the futility of your actions!¡± I knew my Cat Accent probably mangled the words into something far less intimidating, but hey, the point was the spectacle. Lucky shot me a look, half-amused, half-exasperated. ¡°Really, Kai? You¡¯re leaning into this whole pyromaniac thing now?¡± ¡°Hey, if we¡¯re going to be chased by an army, we might as well have some fun with it,¡± I quipped, leaping over a fallen log as flames roared behind us. Scruffy just rolled his eyes and muttered, ¡°They¡¯ll be too busy trying to put out the fires to bother chasing us properly. Good thinking, I guess.¡± I grinned. ¡°Exactly.¡± The forest was alive with chaos. Smoke billowed into the sky, obscuring the sunlight, while the heat of the flames licked at the trees. Our pursuers¡¯ shouts echoed in the distance, but they sounded disoriented. Good. The fire was working. As we zigzagged through the trees, I glanced back at Lucky and Scruffy. They were keeping pace, their movements fluid and precise. ¡°We¡¯re not stopping until we hit the high ground!¡± I called out, the flames on my tails burning brighter. This forest was our battlefield, and I¡¯d make sure we turned it into their worst nightmare. ¡°Follow me,¡± Scruffy called out, his tone brisk and focused. We followed his lead, bounding through the forest like only cats could. Scruffy¡¯s path was swift and precise¡ªhe darted onto a slanted wooden platform attached to a tree, then sprang onto a cluster of boulders. From there, he scaled a short tree that bent under his weight but held steady enough for him to leap onto another tree. Soon, we were on high ground, moving like shadows in the canopy. Lucky let out a laugh, her voice light despite the tension. ¡°Haha~! Almost reminds you of Felor¡¯s roofs, right?¡± I grinned, catching up to her. ¡°I do, I do!¡± Scruffy glanced back at me. ¡°Ah, should we run straight or what?¡± ¡°Straight!¡± I answered without hesitation. ¡°There¡¯s a giant guy¡ª¡± Scruffy started, but he didn¡¯t get to finish. A massive wooden log swung through the air, crashing into the path ahead of us. I barely managed to roll over it, twisting mid-motion to get a better look at our attacker. ¡°That¡¯s a troll, isn¡¯t it? Why is it so tall!?¡± I shouted, my heart racing. The frost troll we¡¯d fought before had been maybe two or three meters tall. This one was at least three times that size. Its body was covered in patches of bark and leaves, as if the forest itself had fused with its flesh. Its breath reeked of decay and rot, a stench that made my fur bristle. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I leapt onto its massive shoulder, my claws sinking into the rough bark-like skin for balance. Summoning flames to my paws, I sprayed fire directly into its face. The troll roared in fury, its massive hand swiping at me like I was nothing more than a fly. I didn¡¯t have time to dodge. The slap sent me flying, and though I twisted in the air to reduce the impact, the landing still knocked the wind out of me. Pain shot through my body as I skidded to a halt. ¡°Boss!¡± Scruffy was already by my side, the Magic Bag slung over his back. He quickly pulled out a healing potion and held it to my mouth. ¡°Drink this.¡± I gulped it down, the bitter liquid sliding down my throat. The pain dulled almost immediately, though I still felt sore. Scruffy looked up at the troll, his voice grim. ¡°I think that¡¯s how an adult troll should look like. What we fought before must¡¯ve been a juvenile.¡± Lucky, meanwhile, was a blur of motion. She flickered in and out of visibility, darting around the troll¡¯s legs and slicing at its ankles whenever she had the chance. The beast swatted at her, but she was too quick, always vanishing just before its massive hands could grab her. The fire I¡¯d spread through the trees earlier was growing larger, the heat intensifying around us. Smoke curled into the sky, thick and suffocating. ¡°Damn,¡± I muttered, staring up at the towering creature. ¡°That troll¡¯s big and ugly.¡± Lucky let out a huff as she appeared beside me for a moment, catching her breath. ¡°Big and ugly doesn¡¯t even cover it. What¡¯s the plan, Kaiser?¡± I grinned, despite the situation. ¡°Same as always. Burn it down.¡± The troll let out another earth-shaking roar, its glowing eyes locked onto us. Time to see if this oversized monster could handle the heat. ¡°Full power, fire lance a hundred times over!¡± I roared, summoning my strength. The first lance of fire came easily, its form sleek and deadly as it hovered before me. Then another. And another. Each new lance burned hotter than the last, but with every one I conjured, my head throbbed harder, my stomach churned, and my vision blurred. By the time I hit double digits, I felt like puking. I fumbled for a magic potion from the Magic Bag, chugging it down without pause. The energy flooded back into me, and I pushed harder, conjuring more lances until the strain became unbearable. My body trembled, blood dripped from my nose and eyes, and my mind screamed at me to stop. But I didn¡¯t. The troll, towering and monstrous, finally stopped swatting at Lucky like she was a buzzing gnat. Its glowing eyes locked onto me, and it roared with enough force to shake the trees. Fine, you ugly bastard. You want me? Come get me. With the last ounce of my focus, I merged the fire lances into a single mass, rotating them faster and faster until they fused into a gigantic sphere of flame. The ball swirled and crackled with destructive energy, its three-meter radius pulsating like a miniature sun. ¡°Lucky, run!¡± I shouted, my voice raw. The troll charged, its tree-sized club swinging in my direction. Scruffy darted out of nowhere, grabbing me with his teeth and hoisting me onto his back. ¡°Hold on, boss!¡± he yelled through clenched jaws, climbing a tree like his life depended on it. Lucky was already sprinting through the forest, leaping from branch to branch with incredible agility. The troll hurled its club at the flaming sphere. The log collided with the fireball, only to ignite and disintegrate into ashes within seconds. The creature froze, realizing its mistake too late. The swirling inferno surged forward, unstoppable. The troll turned to flee, its massive frame lumbering awkwardly, but the fireball slammed into it with a deafening explosion. Flames engulfed the creature, consuming everything in their path. Scruffy climbed higher, carrying me to safety as I clung to him, exhausted but elated. I craned my neck to watch the destruction below, laughing like a madcat. ¡°I killed it! I killed it!¡± I shouted, triumphant. Lucky¡¯s voice rang out from a nearby tree. ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate too early, idiot!¡± I blinked and turned back to the inferno. My laughter died in my throat. Through the flames, the troll emerged. Its massive frame was scorched and blackened, one of its arms missing entirely, but it was still very much alive. It let out a guttural roar, this time of pain and rage, as its charred skin began to scab and regrow before my eyes. Ah, of course. Trolls had ridiculous healing factors, didn¡¯t they? ¡°...Screw my life,¡± I muttered, watching as the monstrosity turned its burning gaze back to me. 19 Bluff of a Lifetime Chapter 19 Bluff of a Lifetime Lucky facepalmed, shaking her head as she perched on a nearby branch. ¡°Now the troll is on fire¡ªliterally and figuratively.¡± I couldn¡¯t help myself. ¡°Come on, Lucky! Don¡¯t be such a troll!¡± Scruffy groaned from his spot on the tree trunk. ¡°Guys, I think this isn¡¯t the time for bad puns.¡± I waved a paw dismissively. ¡°Gimme magic potions! I¡¯ll burn that thing to ash!¡± Scruffy¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°We¡¯re out of potions.¡± Oh. ¡°Ah¡­ crap. What about poison? Lucky, go and kill that thing!¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Lucky snapped indignantly. Scruffy interjected, ¡°When I said we were out of potions, I meant everything. We¡¯ve still got food, though.¡± I sighed dramatically, slumping against Scruffy¡¯s back. ¡°Might as well have our last supper, then.¡± Lucky snorted. ¡°It¡¯s not even supper.¡± Before I could retort, a silver flash cut through the air. The troll froze mid-step, its head sliding clean off its shoulders. The massive body toppled over with a ground-shaking crash. From the opposite side of the clearing stepped an armored knight, his sword gleaming and his entourage of soldiers following close behind. The knight stopped, planting his sword in the ground with a flourish. ¡°I am Luiz Amoro Martinez,¡± he declared, his voice dripping with self-importance. ¡°And I¡¯ve come for your life, Cat!¡± Well, this was awkward. Scruffy was clinging to the tree trunk in a hilariously uncomfortable position, and I was awkwardly hugging him from behind. If it weren¡¯t for the Magic Bag wedged between us, it would¡¯ve looked¡­ compromising. I cleared my throat, speaking in my best Common Tongue. ¡°There is no talking cat here!¡± Luiz tilted his head, his triumphant smirk faltering. ¡°Uuuh¡­¡± Lucky, still in Cat Tongue, muttered, ¡°Are you high from catnip right now?¡± Before I could respond, a robed figure from Luiz¡¯s posse spoke up. ¡°The ginger cat is likely the pyromancer. I sense severe magic exhaustion¡­ and possibly an overdose on magic potions.¡± Another soldier raised a bow, aiming directly at us. Scruffy yelped and scrambled behind the tree just as an arrow whizzed past, narrowly missing us. I peeked out from behind the trunk, my tail puffed up in alarm. ¡°Hey! Hey! Truce! Truce!¡± I called out in Common Tongue, waving a paw. The knight¡¯s expression shifted to one of confusion, then frustration. ¡°What sort of game are you playing, Cat?!¡± I forced a nervous laugh, my mind racing. ¡°I mean, we can talk this out, right? No need for violence!¡± Lucky groaned from her perch. ¡°Kaiser, you¡¯re going to get us killed.¡± Scruffy hissed, ¡°You think?!¡± And yet, despite the imminent danger, all I could think was how absurdly embarrassing this situation had become. ¡°Any ideas?¡± I asked, trying not to sound as panicked as I felt. Scruffy clung to the tree trunk like his life depended on it¡ªwhich it probably did. ¡°Nope,¡± he grumbled. I sighed and addressed the shiny knight. ¡°How about we call it a tie, eh?¡± Knight Luiz didn¡¯t look amused. ¡°Archers, kill that cat.¡± Three archers from his posse immediately broke off, flanking us to get a better shot. ¡°Scruffy, move it!¡± I hissed. ¡°I am moving! I am moving!¡± Scruffy yelped as he scrambled up the tree, the Magic Bag swaying dangerously on his back.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Arrows whizzed past me, some close enough to ruffle my fur. ¡°Move it faster, Scruffy!¡± I yelled, clutching the bark for dear life. Lucky¡¯s voice came from above, snickering despite the chaos. ¡°Hey, Kai, maybe you should bribe them!¡± I groaned. ¡°Hey! Hey! Luiz guy!¡± I shouted in Common Tongue. ¡°How about we bribe you?¡± Luiz sneered, not even pretending to consider it. ¡°No need. We¡¯ll just retrieve that Magic Bag you have with you.¡± Okay, dude. You were really leaving me no choice. Time to go all in. I took a deep breath, summoning all the drama I could muster. ¡°Do you really want to fight me?¡± I growled, letting my voice drip with menace. ¡°I swear¡­ you are going to regret it. Do you think the cats of Felor uniting under me is a coincidence?¡± Luiz frowned but didn¡¯t respond, so I pressed on. ¡°The new age is coming,¡± I continued, my voice rising. ¡°Think about it. Even if you fight and succeed, are you willing to pay the cost of being a kingslayer?¡± ¡°Kingslayer?¡± Luiz scoffed. ¡°You shall die today, Cat!¡± I puffed out my chest, glaring down at him from my perch. ¡°My loyal subjects will swear vengeance in my name! Vengeance on Felor if necessary! You should have heard how vengeful cats can get!¡± ¡°Archers!¡± Luiz barked, ignoring my words. I panicked. Time for the big guns. ¡°Accept my offering, and we shall part ways peacefully!¡± I bellowed. ¡°While I lack the magic right now, don¡¯t think for one second I am harmless. I¡¯ll pay with my life if just to smite you with my flames, human!¡± The archers hesitated, glancing at Luiz. The knight¡¯s eyes narrowed as he assessed me, clearly debating whether I was bluffing or insane. ¡°Scruffy, keep moving,¡± I whispered, barely daring to breathe. ¡°Already on it,¡± Scruffy muttered, scaling higher. Lucky perched beside me, whispering, ¡°Nice speech. Think it worked?¡± I gulped. ¡°Not a clue.¡± Luiz¡¯s glare burned into me. His sword gleamed in the fading sunlight. And then he barked a single word: ¡°Advance!¡± Ah, crap. ¡°You should be dead by now,¡± I called down to Luiz, my tail flicking with feigned confidence. ¡°I shoot lasers from my eyes, you know?¡± Luiz didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Your prattling is getting annoying.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah?¡± I shot back, smirking. ¡°Your momma¡¯s a whore!¡± Scruffy groaned. ¡°What¡¯s taunting him gonna do?¡± Apparently, it did something. Luiz raised his massive sword, took one heavy step forward, and¡ªCRACK¡ªhe chopped through the trunk of our tree like it was nothing. ¡°Scruffy!¡± I yowled as the tree tilted dangerously. Scruffy yelped, leaping clumsily to the next tree over. ¡°Hey, Kaiser! Still got noodle legs, or what? I¡¯ll drop you, damn it! I¡¯ll drop you!¡± ¡°Hey, stop switching between calling me boss and Kaiser!¡± I snapped as I scrambled for a foothold. ¡°Priorities, man! Priorities!¡± Scruffy yelled back, gripping the bark for dear life. I huffed, muttering to myself. ¡°Sorry, I think I¡¯m high on potions or something¡­¡± Lucky¡¯s voice cut through the chaos from a nearby branch. ¡°Might as well lean into the bluff! I¡¯ll show them what we cats can do!¡± Before I could respond, Lucky sprang into action. She flickered into invisibility midair, reappeared on an archer¡¯s shoulder, and slit their throat with a vicious swipe of her claws. The archer toppled before the others even had time to react. Lucky leapt again, dodging arrows with impossible grace, landing on another archer. This time, she gouged their eyes out before finishing them off. The archer cried in pain as they clawed their face for some imagined enemy. A third archer didn¡¯t stand a chance as she slashed their throat and disappeared into thin air. I couldn¡¯t help myself¡ªI laughed like a maniac. ¡°Mwahahahaha~! Did you see that? That¡¯s just one of my warriors! I have much more talented cats than her. And guess what? She¡¯s the most brutal of my pride. If I die, she¡¯ll use my death to unite every cat under her rule and avenge me just to prove a point!¡± Luiz glared up at me, his sword gleaming. ¡°You burned almost an entire forest to hold us back, you pyromaniac savage.¡± Scruffy muttered, ¡°You¡¯re not very convincing¡­ Where¡¯d all that eloquence of yours go?¡± I sighed, gripping the tree tightly as I tried to balance. ¡°I swear, it¡¯s the potions in my veins making me act like this. And anyway, it¡¯s not that easy speaking in Common Tongue, duh¡­¡± Scruffy groaned. ¡°Great. Our leader¡¯s high on potions and bad ideas.¡± Luiz raised his sword again, clearly done with my antics. ¡°Cats or no cats, you die today!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I muttered, feeling the adrenaline kick in. ¡°Come and get me, shiny boy.¡± I tried to flip Luiz the bird, only to remember, Oh yeah, paws. ¡°No longer noodle legs! We run!¡± I shouted, letting go of Scruffy¡¯s scruff. I landed on a branch with a solid thud and broke into a sprint. Scruffy followed close behind, his claws scrambling for traction, while Lucky reappeared beside me with a flick of her tail. ¡°After them!¡± Luiz¡¯s shout echoed through the forest. ¡°Hahaha~! Just like I planned!¡± I yelled back, grinning. ¡°With my prattling, I bought enough time to rest my body!¡± Lucky didn¡¯t miss a beat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You didn¡¯t plan anything, doofus! Get your head in the game, or I¡¯ll have you my babies!¡± Scruffy groaned, ¡°Priorities, damn it!¡± Lucky chuckled. ¡°No, no, you misunderstand, Scruffy. It¡¯s a threat that usually works on him.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, shut up¡­ I know,¡± I muttered, focusing on my breathing as I pushed myself to recover mana. My body protested with every step, my reserves tapped dry, and my lungs burning. Scruffy glanced back, his ears twitching. ¡°Pursuers¡­ Two humans, one elf, and a gnome. Those are some tree climbers they¡¯ve got.¡± Before I could respond, Lucky leapt ahead in a single bound. Her claws flashed as she parried two daggers aimed straight for my head. ¡°Thanks, Lucky!¡± I panted, skidding to a stop. I summoned a fireball, feeling the strain ripple through me like a thousand needles. It was going to be my last one for now¡ªI could feel it in my bones. ¡°Scruffy, Lucky! We go hide and seek!¡± Under the cover of the exploding fireball, we dove lower, scrambling down the trees. The fiery blast lit up the forest, sending heatwaves through the air as leaves and branches crackled and fell. We darted into the thickets, pressing ourselves low into the underbrush. I held my breath, the faint scent of burnt wood mingling with the earthy smell of damp soil. ¡°Quiet,¡± I whispered, feeling the tension in the air. Above us, the sound of boots on bark and hushed voices told us our pursuers were still searching. 20 The Long Journey Chapter 20 The Long Journey Luiz stared at the forest clearing, his sword still drawn and glinting faintly in the flickering firelight. His hand trembled, not from fear, but from the weight of the decision before him. He had thought about this moment for a long time. If he killed the ginger cat standing defiantly in front of him, the shame tied to his name would vanish. But his knighthood? That wouldn¡¯t come back. Luiz sighed and sheathed his sword, the weight of his decision settling over him. ¡°What is your name, Cat?¡± Luiz asked, his voice steady but curious. The ginger cat tilted its head, its awkward reply heavy with a feline accent, ¡°I am Kaiser, Lord of the Cats, and soon I will conquer the world!¡± Luiz raised an eyebrow. Ambition, or an overinflated ego? Maybe both. But after what he had witnessed, he couldn¡¯t deny that the cat might have the ability to back it up. The cat in front of him¡ªthis pyromaniac menace¡ªwas no ordinary creature. It had the audacity to call itself Kaiser, Lord of the Cats, and had demonstrated time and again why it deserved the title. Luiz had fought many foes in his life, but this one was different. A champion. Champions like this cat appeared rarely, carving their marks into history as heroes or villains. And this one? Its story was just beginning. If Luiz struck it down now, the rebellion it led might crumble, or perhaps another cat would rise to take its place. Either way, the immediate threat would be gone. But if he let it go¡­ If he let it go and it wreaked havoc in other territories, what would that make him? Luiz Amoro Martinez: the knight who couldn¡¯t outwit a cat? ¡°I will let you go,¡± Luiz said firmly, ¡°but you must swear in your name to never return to Felor. And that Magic Bag¡ªleave it with me.¡± The cat blinked, seemingly surprised by the offer. Then, with an exaggerated nod, it replied, ¡°Wow, neat. Okay!¡± Before Luiz could second-guess himself, Kaiser and his feline entourage vanished into the trees with a series of nimble leaps. Moments later, the Magic Bag landed at Luiz¡¯s feet. He caught it, examining the enchanted item briefly before securing it at his side. This would be enough proof they¡¯ve fought the brigand cats. Lance stepped forward, his face etched with doubt. ¡°Sir Luiz, is that wise? Letting them go like this?¡± Luiz exhaled slowly, watching the forest where the cats had disappeared. ¡°It will be fine. The troll¡¯s body and the dead cats we¡¯ve slain will be enough to defend my honor back home. No one will care about some ¡®leader¡¯ of the cats that no one can confirm had even existed.¡± Lance hesitated, then nodded, signaling the soldiers to begin their grim task. They moved to the massive troll¡¯s body, hacking it apart for proof of their triumph. Others gathered the lifeless bodies of the cats who had fallen in battle. Luiz turned his gaze skyward, the smoke from the burning forest mingling with the evening air. Whatever chaos this Kaiser brought in the future, it would be someone else¡¯s problem. For now, Luiz¡¯s honor was restored, and his duty was complete. Woohee~! We escaped! I couldn¡¯t help the grin spreading across my face as we leaped from tree to tree, leaving Luiz and his posse far behind. ¡°Did you see what I just did there?¡± I called out, puffing up my chest in pride. Lucky, running alongside me, gave me a flat look. ¡°Yeah, you got lucky.¡± I scoffed, flicking my tail dramatically. ¡°I¡¯m Kaiser, damn it! I don¡¯t get lucky!¡± Scruffy, bounding behind us, snorted. ¡°Seriously?¡± ¡°Just kidding,¡± I muttered with a sheepish grin. Yep, I totally got lucky back there.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. We pounced from one branch to another, the forest canopy thinning as the hours passed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity¡ªprobably two hours¡ªwe caught up with Chunky, Felipe, and Mary. They were lounging near a small stream, looking worse for wear but alive. Mary, who had been in rough shape earlier, was now standing, albeit wobbly. Chunky sat protectively by her side, his usual calm demeanor intact. Felipe was busy cleaning his orange fur, grumbling something about dirt ruining his shine. I landed in front of them, swishing my tail. ¡°So nice of you to wait for us. Hopefully, Daisy left some markers or something so we can follow her trail.¡± As if on cue, a white cat burst out of a nearby bush, startling Felipe, who yelped and jumped three feet into the air. The white cat grinned, her bright eyes sparkling. ¡°Heya there, bosses! Name¡¯s Jam. Lady Daisy left me to help guide you. We just need to head straight from here.¡± ¡°Jam, huh?¡± I tilted my head, sizing her up. She was lean and quick, with an energy that reminded me of an overexcited kitten. ¡°You¡¯re with Daisy¡¯s crew?¡± Jam nodded eagerly. ¡°Sure am! She¡¯s waiting for us at the next checkpoint. Said you¡¯d probably be dragging your tails after that mess with the humans.¡± ¡°Dragging our tails?¡± Lucky muttered, offended. ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Scruffy added, looking insulted. I waved them off. ¡°Relax, you two. Let¡¯s just be grateful Daisy left someone to guide us. Lead the way, Jam.¡± With that, Jam turned and darted off into the underbrush, her white coat blending in with the faint mist settling over the forest floor. We followed close behind, moving quickly but cautiously. As we ran, I couldn¡¯t help but glance at my crew. We were battered and exhausted, but we were alive. For now, that was enough. The travel had been long and circuitous. Jam led the way with an uncanny knack for spotting the subtle markers Daisy had left behind¡ªsmall scratches on bark, carefully placed stones, and the occasional tuft of fur tied to a low branch. I wouldn¡¯t have noticed them if my life depended on it, but Jam breezed through like she¡¯d been born for it. A week passed before we finally reached the rest of the cats. They¡¯d made camp at the foot of a towering mountain, nestled in a cozy clearing surrounded by tall pines. The smell of fresh water and the distant chatter of birds made it feel almost peaceful. Almost. The horses grazing nearby neighed nervously at the sight of us. I scanned the camp, but something was off. ¡°Where are the boars?¡± I muttered. Before anyone could answer, a tuxedo cat dropped from the tree canopy above, landing in front of me with practiced grace. ¡°Kaiser!¡± Butler called, his voice as sharp as ever. ¡°Butler!¡± I shouted back, a grin spreading across my face. Without thinking, I charged forward, tackling him to the ground and slamming him into the dirt. ¡°Ugh, come on!¡± Butler groaned, wriggling under me. Lucky rolled her eyes, flicking her tail in annoyance. ¡°Where are Daisy and Demo?¡± Butler dusted himself off as I finally let him up. ¡°They¡¯re up in the mountains. Took the boars with them to clear out a goblin settlement.¡± Scruffy stretched lazily, his tone dry. ¡°Hard at work, huh?¡± Chunky nodded. ¡°So, where are we setting up our base?¡± ¡°Not the goblin settlement,¡± I said immediately, shaking my head. Butler chuckled. ¡°Nah, we¡¯ll need to get past the valley the goblins were guarding first. Daisy took only the most able cats with her. The rest stayed here to recover. Some are still injured, so the focus has been on resting and regrouping.¡± ¡°How¡¯s our health potion supply?¡± I asked, my voice steady but concerned. Butler¡¯s ears flattened slightly. ¡°Running low. We prioritized healing those who needed it most and left the others to recover naturally. If we don¡¯t find more soon, we¡¯ll have to ration even tighter.¡± I frowned, glancing at my crew. Everyone looked tired, even Jam, whose earlier enthusiasm had dimmed after days of travel. ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally, squaring my shoulders. ¡°Let¡¯s get settled and see what we¡¯re working with. Once we regroup, we¡¯ll figure out how to restock and support Daisy and Demo.¡± Butler nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll be ready when you are, Kaiser.¡± Three hours after we arrived, Daisy and Demo returned, bringing a dozen cats and the boars with them. Seeing them alive and well lifted a weight off my chest I hadn¡¯t even realized I¡¯d been carrying. Daisy, with her ginger coat and white highlights, stood proud as ever. Demo, on the other hand, with his white fur patched randomly with black, looked like he¡¯d been dragged through a bush backward. Demo grinned when he saw me. ¡°Oh man, still alive?¡± ¡°Shut up, Demo,¡± I shot back, rolling my eyes. We wasted no time getting a feast going. It wasn¡¯t exactly smart¡ªour food supplies took a serious hit¡ªbut we were alive, damn it, and that was worth celebrating. Lucky, always the diva, decided to put on a show. She sang in Cat Tongue, her voice clear and melodic, giving the performance of a lifetime. I had to admit, she was getting better and better. We ate until we couldn¡¯t move, laughed until our sides hurt, and for a while, it felt like all the struggles of the past weeks were behind us. A few cats got rowdy, and¡ªugh¡ªsome even started making love right there in the camp. Gross. Lucky almost had me too. She cornered me with that mischievous glint in her eye, but lucky for her, I¡¯m too smart to fall for it. No way was I ready to be anyone¡¯s daddy. Things got wilder as the night went on. Someone¡ªdon¡¯t ask me who¡ªproduced a barrel of beer. I didn¡¯t even question where it came from; I just went with it. Cats were hammered left and right, and at some point, even one of the horses got drunk. Have you ever seen a drunk horse? Let me tell you, it¡¯s not something you forget. Of course, Scruffy had to snitch on me, spilling the beans that the whole beer fiasco was Demo¡¯s idea. That good-for-nothing cat! Demo just grinned and raised his cup with his clumsy paws, clearly proud of himself of having done it. By the time I finally passed out, sprawled on the ground with a half-empty plate of fish next to me, I couldn¡¯t help but think that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªwe¡¯d earned this little slice of chaos. 21 The Promised Land Chapter 21 The Promised Land Morning came, and with it, the hangovers and the groans of regret. But we were alive, and it was time to move. We packed up what we had left, including the five Magic Bags that had survived our journey¡ªthough giving one up to Luiz still stung. Daisy, ever the trailblazer, took the lead. Her tail flicked with excitement as she glanced back at me. ¡°You won¡¯t regret this, Kaiser. I¡¯m telling you, the wind¡­ it¡¯s like it¡¯s talking to me.¡± ¡°Right, the wind,¡± I muttered, skeptical but too tired to argue. Still, I trusted Daisy. She hadn¡¯t let us down yet. The trek through the valley was uneventful, though the sheer scale of it was humbling. Towering cliffs framed our path, and the occasional gust of wind whistled through the narrow gaps. It felt like the valley itself was alive, guiding us forward. And then we saw it. Emerging from the valley, we stood on elevated terrain, and before us stretched a sight that stole my breath away. A massive lake glistened under the morning sun, its surface reflecting the sky like a mirror. Surrounding it was a vast expanse of land, lush and untouched, easily twice the size of Felor. I blinked, unable to process what I was seeing. ¡°Wow¡­ Daisy, you¡¯ve done it.¡± Daisy grinned, her eyes shining with pride. ¡°Told you. The wind never lies.¡± The cats behind us murmured in awe, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Even Lucky, who rarely handed out compliments, nodded approvingly. ¡°This¡­ this could be it,¡± I said, more to myself than anyone else. ¡°Our new home.¡± Scruffy sidled up next to me, his usual smirk replaced by something softer. ¡°Yeah, Kaiser. This place? It¡¯s perfect.¡± The cats began to spread out, exploring the area with cautious enthusiasm. The air was crisp, the grass soft underfoot, and the scent of fresh water was invigorating. Daisy came up beside me, her tail brushing against mine. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯ve earned yourself a promotion,¡± I said with a grin. ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s everything we¡¯ve been fighting for.¡± She laughed, flicking her ear at me. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that, Kaiser.¡± As I stood there, overlooking the land that could be our future, I felt something I hadn¡¯t in a long time: hope. For the first time, it felt like we weren¡¯t just surviving¡ªwe were building something. Demo¡¯s voice broke through the serene awe of our discovery, bringing me crashing back to reality. ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡­ we¡¯re not seriously living here, right? I mean, we¡¯ll still go to cities, yeah?¡± I turned to look at him, his expression a mix of skepticism and discomfort. That was when it hit me¡ªthese cats weren¡¯t exactly pioneers. They¡¯d only agreed to this excursion because staying in Felor had become a death sentence. I sighed. My grand vision of a kingdom nestled here in this perfect spot wasn¡¯t something they shared. Yet. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the plan. Half of us will stay here to start setting things up. The other half can head to the cities to recruit more cats. We need numbers if we¡¯re going to make this work.¡± Demo perked up immediately, his tail flicking. ¡°Whoo! Recruitment mission, huh? Okay, who¡¯s in? Raise your paws!¡± To my dismay, every single cat raised their paw. Except Lucky. And me. Lucky glanced at me, then at the sea of raised paws, and, with a theatrical sigh, raised his paw too. I stared at him, deadpan. ¡°Seriously?¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying, the city life calls to us, Kaiser,¡± Lucky said with a shrug. ¡°We¡¯re cats, you know? Alleyways, rooftops, garbage bins. It¡¯s in our blood.¡± I pinched the bridge of my nose¡ªor I would have if I had fingers. ¡°Alright, fine. How about this? We cycle the numbers. Everyone gets a turn between staying here and going to the cities. Sound fair?¡± The cats murmured amongst themselves, nodding reluctantly. I knew they¡¯d agreed because they thought the cities would always remain the priority, that this lake would just be a fallback spot. But I had other plans. ¡°This place is going to be our base of operations. When things get too hot in the cities, we¡¯ll retreat here. But make no mistake¡ªthis is going to be our stronghold. Our sanctuary. Our future.¡± I didn¡¯t say it outright, but I wasn¡¯t going to let this place be just some hideout. I¡¯d turn it into our kingdom, one stone, one tree, one pawprint at a time. Demo gave me a skeptical look, but he didn¡¯t argue. The rest of the cats, distracted by the promise of rotating city missions, seemed appeased. Lucky sidled up beside me, her voice low. ¡°You¡¯re not letting this go, are you?¡± I grinned. ¡°Not a chance. This place is perfect. They¡¯ll come around eventually. And if they don¡¯t, I¡¯ll just have to make it so amazing they can¡¯t resist.¡± Lucky smirked. ¡°You¡¯re stubborn, Kaiser. But I guess that¡¯s why we¡¯re still here.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Damn right. Now, let¡¯s get to work.¡± The first steps of building our kingdom wouldn¡¯t be easy, but I wasn¡¯t backing down. This was our land, and I¡¯d make it a home worth fighting for¡ªeven if it meant dragging these city-loving furballs into the future by the scruff of their necks.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I cleared my throat and addressed the cats around me. ¡°Okay, listen up! Squad A, led by Scruffy, and Squad B, led by Chunky, will set up bases in the nearest city and focus on recruitment. Here¡¯s how it¡¯ll work: After 30 days, Squad A will return home and be replaced by Squad C. After another 30 days, Squad B will return home and be replaced by Squad D. We¡¯ll keep cycling like that. No objections?¡± The cats exchanged glances but said nothing. Silence was as good as a yes in my book. ¡°Good. The remaining cats will stay here to work on building stuff.¡± Lucky raised a paw, her tone skeptical. ¡°Uuuh¡­ and how exactly do we do that? We¡¯re cats, Kaiser. Not¡­ I don¡¯t know, dwarves?¡± It hit me hard. Cats weren¡¯t exactly built for construction. I knew that of course¡­ I guessed too much enthusiasm could hurt too¡­ ¡°Alright, this is going to take some serious creativity.¡± Scruffy tilted his head. ¡°You¡¯re talking to yourself again, boss.¡± I crossed my paws and smirked. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out. The rings we¡¯ve got enhance our strength and stamina, so we¡¯re not just regular cats anymore. We¡¯ll manage. First priority is housing.¡± Chunky raised his tail. ¡°What about us in the cities?¡± ¡°Your current highest priority is setting up a proper base there and recruiting more cats. Keep it lowkey, and don¡¯t draw too much attention to yourselves. We¡¯re still fugitives, remember?¡± Chunky nodded, though he didn¡¯t look thrilled. ¡°This phase is going to take a lot of trial and error. I ask all of you to be patient. We¡¯re building something big here, something that¡¯ll last. Got it?¡± A few reluctant nods followed, but most of the cats seemed skeptical. I couldn¡¯t blame them. This wasn¡¯t exactly in our nature. Scruffy sighed. ¡°Alright, boss. We¡¯ll do it your way.¡± ¡°Damn right you will. Now, let¡¯s get to work.¡± With that, the groups dispersed. Squad A and Squad B prepared for their missions to the cities, while the rest of us started brainstorming ways to build shelter. I wasn¡¯t entirely sure how we¡¯d pull this off, but I wasn¡¯t going to let that stop me. This was going to be our kingdom, and I¡¯d make it happen¡ªeven if it meant teaching a bunch of cats how to build. After the squads left to prepare for their missions, I plopped down on a smooth patch of rock overlooking the lake. The air was cool, the breeze refreshing, but my mind was restless. This whole "building a kingdom" thing was daunting, and I needed a miracle¡ªor at least a good idea. That¡¯s when I remembered. ¡°Oh crap, I haven¡¯t checked the Kaiser Shop in forever!¡± Excitement bubbled in my chest as I opened the interface in my mind. The familiar glow of the shop menu appeared before my eyes, and I nearly lost my fur when I saw what was being offered. ¡°Oh wow, that¡¯s perfect!¡± Kaiser Shop - Daily Inventory CurrentKP: 585 Tailblade Dagger - A lightweight dagger designed to be worn on the tail, perfect for swift, agile attacks. (Cost: 450 KP) Shadowstep Cloak - Grants temporary stealth, allowing the wearer to vanish for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes. (Cost: 500 KP) Ironclaw Gauntlets - Durable gauntlets that enhance claw strength, increasing melee attack power by 15%. (Cost: 400 KP) Ring of Fleetness - A small gold ring that passively boosts speed by 10%. (Cost: 350 KP) Blueprint: Tree Canopy Outpost - Instructions for building a sturdy shelter high in the trees, ideal for scouting and defense. (Cost: 300 KP) Feral Pendant - Increases physical attack damage by 20% when health drops below 50%. (Cost: 500 KP) Scroll of Ember Barrage - A one-time-use scroll that rains small fireballs on enemies in a 15-foot radius. (Cost: 450 KP) Blueprint: Underground Den - Plans for creating a hidden underground lair with basic defensive measures. (Cost: 350 KP) Windcatcher Earrings - Stylish earrings that increase agility and grant a minor jump boost. (Cost: 300 KP) Stoneshield Charm - A charm that activates a protective stone barrier when health is critically low. Single use. (Cost: 550 KP) I stared at the screen, completely blown away. ¡°This shop is nuts.¡± Then reality hit me like a slap to the face. ¡°Ugh¡­ I don¡¯t have enough KP for any of this.¡± I could afford a blueprint though. I sighed and slumped down on the rock. The shop was teasing me with all these incredible tools, but I was flat broke. Well, not entirely broke¡ªI had some KP, but not nearly enough for the things I really wanted. ¡°Great. Just great.¡± Hmmm¡­ I had no idea how the Kaiser System¡¯s economics worked, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that some of the items were way cheaper than when I first started using it. Maybe I was just imagining things. Or maybe¡­ nah, it didn¡¯t matter. Whoa~ What was this? A little notification blinked in the corner of my vision. I mentally clicked on it, and suddenly a message popped up: [Congratulations for surviving this far!] I had an inkling suspicion my Kaiser System was either alive or connected to some kind of cosmic higher power. What else could explain this nonsense? [Quest System Activated!] [You will receive a number of Daily Quests each day.] Okay, this was new. I squinted as the details rolled out in front of me. [Daily Quest: (1) Walk 3000 steps. (2) Kill one creature. (3) Eat fish. ] [Reward: 100 KP.] Alright. That could wait for now, I guess. But the gears in my mind were already turning. If I could figure out how to generate quests or manipulate them, I might be able to abuse this system and rake in KP like nobody¡¯s business. There was more, though. I scrolled through the updates. [New Updates!] [The Kaiser Gacha is now open!] [100 KP for a pull.] [Good luck!] Suspicious. So very suspicious. My instincts told me not to trust it, but curiosity got the better of me. I decided to give it a shot. One pull wouldn¡¯t hurt, right? Big mistake. [Thank you for using Kaiser Gacha!] [You won¡­ a rock!] A rock. A literal, worthless rock appeared in front of me. I stared at it, then kicked it into the bushes in frustration. "Well, that was a waste of KP." Shaking off the regret, I turned back to the shop. The Blueprint: Tree Canopy Outpost caught my eye. It seemed practical, and at 300 KP, it wouldn¡¯t drain me completely. I bought it. The moment I confirmed the purchase, a rolled-up blueprint materialized in front of me. Curious, I grabbed it and unrolled it. Before I could even study it, the thing disintegrated into motes of light and shot straight into my head. ¡°Whoa¡­¡± Knowledge of the blueprint flooded my brain. It was like I¡¯d spent hours studying architectural plans, and now I just knew how to build the outpost. Convenient, but also a little unsettling. I turned to the others, clapping my paws for attention. No sound came out of my clapping, cuz I¡¯m a cat. Force of habit. ¡°Alright, listen up! You, you, you, and you¡ªfollow me. We¡¯re building an outpost or something.¡± The selected cats exchanged uncertain glances but didn¡¯t argue. Authority radiated from me, after all. ¡°The rest of you,¡± I continued, pointing at the rest of the crew, ¡°explore the lakeside, the mountains, and the forest. Secure the area, mark anything useful, and report back. We need to know what we¡¯re working with here, okay?¡± A chorus of affirmative meows and nods answered me. With that, I led my small team toward the perfect spot to begin construction. My kingdom-building journey had just begun, and if this blueprint was any indication, I was about to make history. 22 Pawradigm Peaks Chapter 22 Pawradigm Peaks It had been two months since we settled here in Pawradigm Peaks. Two long, grueling months filled with debates, chaos, and near-murder over what to name the place. Personally, I was rooting for Felidae Reach¡ªa strong, regal name, if you ask me. But no. Chunky championed Clawhold Keep because he thought it sounded ¡°tough.¡± Butler pushed for Whiskerhaven because it sounded ¡°cozy.¡± And then there was Lucky with her obnoxiously long-winded suggestion: Paw-Roar-Dine Peaks. Lucky, being the conniving manipulator she was, promised to sing once a week if her name won. The cats, of course, sold out faster than a fish market on a feast day. Idiots. After her victory, she ¡°revised¡± the name to Pawradigm Peaks because apparently, the original was just a placeholder for her ¡°artistic vision.¡± She even tried to explain the word ¡°paradigm¡± to everyone. Half the cats dozed off. The other half ran away or nodded along for the sake of those weekly performances. I swear, Lucky was born to be a politician. So, how was Pawradigm Peaks¡ª¡°Paw¡± for short¡ªshaping up? Not bad, actually. At least, not for a place that started as a wild patch of land. I managed to construct two open towers at the entrance of our budding village. They were crude, sure, but they did their job. Three other towers were hidden deeper inside the settlement, serving as vantage points and storage for emergency supplies. The surrounding mountains provided natural defense, and the valley served as the only viable entrance. It was a tactician¡¯s dream, really. The cats? Well, they were... trying. Some were learning engineering and deriving knowledge through the magical blueprints I shared, though most were still stuck in the trial-and-error phase. The biggest success story so far was the treehouses. They were a massive hit. The moment a cat claimed a tree, they built a home faster than you could say ¡°catnip.¡± A few ambitious ones even tried planting their own trees or scavenging from the forest. The funniest disaster? That would be Chunky. A month ago, he won a Lumberjack Skill Book from me during a betting game when he stopped by Paw for resupply. Naturally, he decided to put his newfound skills to the test. He chopped down a tree and built himself a treehouse on one of his off days. A week later, his treehouse toppled over and smashed into Demo¡¯s semi-spherical clay house. I¡¯ll never forget Demo¡¯s scream. Or the look of betrayal on his face. I sighed, perched on one of the towers, overlooking the budding village. Houses¡ªif you could call them that¡ªdotted the landscape. Some were carved from logs, others built from clay, and a few, like Lucky¡¯s, were fashioned from a mix of leaves and whatever scraps she could charm other cats into donating. We were still very much in the ¡°gather and experiment¡± phase. But it wasn¡¯t all bad. The cats were slowly learning. We had food, shelter, and some semblance of order. I had plans to introduce smithing soon, though the idea of cats working with molten metal made me nervous. For now, I¡¯d settle for progress¡ªhowever chaotic and ridiculous it might be. This was Pawradigm Peaks. It was messy, unpredictable, and full of cats who couldn¡¯t tell the difference between a hammer and a rock. But it was home. I referred to my Kaiser Shop for inspiration. Kaiser Shop - Daily Inventory [Current KP: 1,305]
  1. Blueprint: Catapult Tower(300 KP)
  2. Skill Book: Blacksmithing Basics(400 KP)
  3. Feline Armor Set - Light Leather(150 KP)
  4. Magical Tail Whip(350 KP)
  5. Blueprint: Underground Storage Bunker(250 KP)
  6. Skill Book: Advanced Engineering(500 KP)
  7. Feline Claw Extenders(200 KP)
  8. Magical Water Purifier(300 KP)
  9. Blueprint: Suspended Bridge(180 KP)
  10. Skill Book: Animal Husbandry(250 KP)
The biggest boon I could ask for was the Skill Books. These were split into three categories: technical, magical, and special. I categorized them based on what they could do or suspected what they could do¡­ They were pretty much self-explanatory. ¡°Sheesh¡­ I hope some awesom Skill Book finally shows up¡­¡± You¡¯d think the magical blueprints that could transfer knowledge were overpowered already, but wait until you heard about these Skill Books. They were like divine artifacts. Open one, and bam¡ªinstantaneous knowledge download. Of course, it wasn¡¯t as miraculous as it sounded. While the knowledge transfer was immediate, it still took time and effort to actualize it. Training and practice were non-negotiable. Take my recent experience with the Engineering Skill Book. Sure, I now knew concepts like planes, cars, cement, and a hundred other things. But could I build them? Ha! No way. Without experimentation and dedicated study, those concepts were just fancy trivia in my brain. It wasn¡¯t like my Fine Arts degree could help much. Maybe if I drew out blueprints, it would speed things up, but... lack of opposable thumbs really threw a wrench in that idea. So, like the genius I was, I delegated the thinking to other cats. Let them handle the technicalities while I ruled and played king. Mwahahaha~!Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Not that my degree would¡¯ve helped build skyscrapers anyway. Sure, I had the vague idea of slapping some charred painting on the walls, but knowing me, I¡¯d probably set Pawradigm Peaks on fire. Better not risk it. I looked over the settlement, feeling a little too proud of myself. The boars were running around, snorting and playing like overgrown puppies. The horses were grazing peacefully on the other side. Oh, right¡ªthe horses. I recalled our deal with them. One wanted a comb. Easy. Another wanted human meat. That was... less easy, but we made it work. Some human bandits had tried to settle here a while back, thinking they could push us around. We slaughtered them, obviously. The horse got his human meat, and the bandits got their comeuppance. Win-win. The deal with the horses was still active, but there were a few loose ends. Two of them had requested armor. That was still pending. I¡¯d get to it... eventually. I was lost in thought, planning my next steps, when Lucky snuck up on me and pounced. ¡°Gotcha, Kai!¡± she said, pinning me down with that mischievous grin of hers. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°Lucky!¡± I yelped, wriggling under her paws. ¡°I¡¯m thinking about important leader stuff! You wouldn¡¯t understand!¡± ¡°Oh, leader stuff, huh?¡± she teased, her tail flicking. ¡°You mean lounging around and watching us do all the work?¡± I glared at her. ¡°Hey! Delegation is a skill!¡± Lucky just laughed and rolled off me, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Sure it is, Your Majesty.¡± I grumbled under my breath, but I couldn¡¯t stay mad at her. After all, this kingdom wasn¡¯t going to build itself, and I needed all the help I could get¡ªeven if it came with teasing. Lucky stared at me, her emerald eyes glinting with that teasing light that always made me uneasy. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you building a house yet?¡± she asked, her tail flicking lazily. I shrugged, trying to look casual. ¡°I¡¯m fine with living here and stuff.¡± ¡°Here and stuff?¡± she repeated mockingly. Then, with a grin that sent alarm bells ringing in my head, she added, ¡°Let¡¯s go to my place and have sexy time. Mary¡¯s two months pregnant already. Come a week or two, she¡¯ll have a litter of kittens.¡± My fur bristled, and I felt a bead of sweat roll down my metaphorical brow. That was... a touchy subject. I had a vision for this kingdom, a monarchy where my legacy could thrive. Objectively, having children early had its advantages¡ªit secured the line, after all. But emotionally? Complicated didn¡¯t even begin to describe it. I was still a human inside this feline body. My aesthetics, my sense of attraction, were stubbornly rooted in my human preferences. Sure, I adored cats, practically worshipped them, but that adoration was more about admiration than attraction. Idolization, not... whatever this was. The thought of getting into some furry sexy action now? My brain might actually implode. I couldn¡¯t do it¡ªnot yet, maybe not ever. It was selfish, but I needed time to sort through this mess in my head. And then there was the bigger picture. If kittens were inevitable¡ªand in a growing community, they definitely were¡ªI needed to introduce some rules. Fatherhood, child support, marriage... these concepts were alien to cats, but if we were going to build a proper society, they had to become part of the norm. Living with my Cat Mom had taught me just how tough it was for feline mothers to raise a family. Out of her seven kittens, I was the only one who survived. That kind of loss was something I couldn¡¯t let happen here. Most importantly, though, was marriage. I couldn¡¯t allow polygamy to run rampant in a small, isolated community like this. Inbreeding would become a real risk. For the sake of the future, I had to establish rules¡ªsooner rather than later. Lucky¡¯s tail brushed against my jaw, soft and deliberate, pulling me out of my thoughts. She was cozying up to me, her purring growing louder as she got closer. And then, with the grace only a cat could manage, she angled her bum in my face. ¡°Lucky,¡± I said warningly, my voice cracking. She let out a soft purr, playful and persistent, before pouncing on me. I bolted. ¡°Lucky!¡± I yelled, running as fast as my legs could carry me. ¡°I¡¯m gonna come and getcha~!¡± she sang behind me, her voice full of laughter. This was my life now. King of cats, ruler of Pawradigm Peaks, future builder of a monarchy¡ªand still running for my life from an overly affectionate Lucky. ¡°Aaaaah!¡± Two hours later, I was hiding in the pub. Yes, we had a pub now. Some of the cats who¡¯d developed a taste for beer after our initial barrel of booze decided it was the greatest thing since sliced bread¡ªor whatever the feline equivalent of that was. Naturally, Demo and Scruffy teamed up to make it happen. It was a miracle they hadn¡¯t burned the place down yet. I was crammed inside an empty beer barrel, crouching in the dark, praying to whatever deity looked after cats that Lucky wouldn¡¯t find me. The lid creaked open, and my heart leaped into my throat. I held my breath, ready to bolt, but to my heartfelt relief, it wasn¡¯t Lucky. ¡°Boss?¡± Scruffy peered inside, his head tilted in confusion. ¡°What are you doing in there?¡± ¡°Hiding,¡± I whispered, as if that would keep Lucky from hearing me. Scruffy raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is it Lucky?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± I replied, the word coming out more like a squeak. He snorted, a mix of amusement and disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t understand your obsession with running away from her.¡± I shot him a look, narrowing my eyes. ¡°She wants to pop my cherry!¡± Wait. Did that metaphor even apply to me? Was it the boy who got their cherries popped, or the girl? Was there a cat version of this? Scruffy¡¯s whiskers twitched as he stared at me. ¡°Oh, she just wants to eat cherries? We¡¯ve got some of those in the back. Goes great with distilled liquor.¡± ¡°No!¡± I hissed, but before I could explain, a familiar voice echoed through the pub. ¡°Is Kaiser here!? Where is he!?¡± Lucky¡¯s tone was laced with frustration and, to my growing terror, determination. ¡°I swear I¡¯m gonna choke that cat!¡± I gulped, the sound loud in the silence of the barrel. Scruffy glanced back toward the door, then down at me, his expression torn between sympathy and entertainment. ¡°Good luck, boss,¡± he whispered, closing the lid with a soft thunk. Great. Just great.