I woke up again to the sound of a can lid being pried open, a faint fishy smell wafting on the cool breeze.
...I pushed myself up to a sitting position, looking at the black and white blob licking the canned food. This guy... he's the one who saved me?
The wound that should have been fatal was gone without a trace. 0"0
"I'm not sharing with you," he squinted at me, then placed his paw on the can, declaring ownership.
He's possessive of his food, huh. I've never talked to a cat before. Now, I'm not sure if I should speak cat or human. Or should I just meow briefly first?
...I decided after a moment, and let out a short meow.
"Thank you... for saving my life," I bowed my head to the stray cat in front of me. He looked like a dust-covered doll, with a scar on his left eye that gave him the look of a master. He was more reliable than any prayer skill.
He silently lowered his head, picked up a mackerel, and plopped it onto the snack wrapper in front of me, perfectly.
"Eat something to fill your stomach, little warrior, then we can talk," he said in a stern voice, lowering his head to continue licking his food without even looking up.
...So cool~
I looked at the canned fish in front of me, sniffed it, then took a small bite.
Since being reborn as a cat, I feel like I've been using my nose more. Uh... how should I put it? I've started to really focus on using my nose. This fish smells quite rancid. I chewed while listening to the system narrate about fish in tomato sauce.
...Skill unlock condition. This phrase came back to my mind. Right, it seems like the system notified me of something earlier.
[System: If desired, you can review it again.]
...Bring it on.
[Skill unlock condition met. Flip Skill unlocked.]
According to the skill details, this increases the ability to flip in mid-air, helping to reduce impact from falls. How should I put it? It's good, like, good for a cat.
So, I decided to lower my head and continue eating the fish quietly, letting it pass.
***
Four hours earlier, in the Divine Realm.
Shelly was walking with slumped shoulders out of the Office of Monitoring and Protection from Other Worlds.
"It's cold today, huh," she rubbed her hands on her upper arms, exhaling cold air.
"Oh, isn't that Lady Satan? It's been so long since we last met. I miss you so much!"
...That cheerful voice. Shelly turned to see the buxom blonde goddess, Seraphim. Why did she have to run into her now?
"Are you going home?" she said with a smiling face. Her smile was charming, as expected of someone born into a minor divine family.
"Uh, I'm going back now. See you later," Shelly cut her off with a wave, but a slender hand grabbed her wrist.
"Wait, senior. You don't have to be so distant. It's Fim, your little Fim, remember?" she said sadly.
...Here we go.
"We've worked so hard, haven't we? I haven't had a break since I was assigned. At least, let's go for a drink tonight, please?" Seraphim clasped her hands over Shelly's, her eyes sparkling.
...If I accept the invitation, I'll have less time to go home, shower, and watch series. What should I do? I'm short on cash right now. I want to find free delicious food too. But what if I don't make it back in time to fight the boss?
"Hey, Seraphim, me, just one more glass, please! What is this? Why is there a mountain here?" She stared at Seraphim's chest, squeezing it hard. All ten fingers disappeared into the flesh.
"Please don't squeeze, senior," Seraphim's face flushed. She covered her chest, shielding it from the lustful gazes of the young gods in the bar, who were all looking with the same expression.
"Very good! *hic*" She picked up a glass and chugged it, then stepped onto the table, leaving Seraphim sitting with her head down on the sofa.
"Oh, senior," she mumbled.
"Listen, everyone! So what if you're a god? So what if you're a demon? They use us like we're heartless objects, don't they?" she strained her voice, sending a fierce look at Seraphim.
"Yes... I guess so," she avoided eye contact, speaking hesitantly.
"Very good! *hic*" She picked up another glass and chugged it dry. "Ahhh~ So refreshing. To hell with other worlds, to hell with complaints. Let's just have fun today!"
"Whooo!" Everyone in the bar cheered amidst the flickering lights from the crystals on the ceiling.
"Senior, are you alright?" Seraphim looked at Shelly, who was completely drunk, slumping down onto the curb.
"Still fine! *hic*"
"I don't think you can call this 'fine' in this state," Feraphim mumbled, sitting down beside her and reaching out to tuck Shelly's hair behind her ear. The female demon rested her head on Feraphim's shoulder, mumbling incoherently.
Ding..!""""""A notification sound came from the pocket of her winter coat.
"How annoying, this is outside of work hours," she grumbled, pulling her smartphone out of her winter coat pocket.
"What is it...?" Shelly turned the screen for her to see. Seraphim froze for a moment, then rubbed her eyes and looked at the screen again. "Request for Extra Skill: Prayer."
"That silly cat got something strange," she smiled at the corner of her mouth.
"Indeed."
***
I finished eating the fish... The taste wasn't much different from ordinary canned fish, but it seemed I gained a buff that allowed me to hold my breath longer.
I sat waiting for P'Somphong to finish eating. Many questions were swirling in my head, both about those strange crystals and the sentient beings. Just thinking about the Arachnids made me shudder, and they were only B-level, yet they beat me up so badly.
...It seems if I'm careless, forget about traveling, I won't even survive.
I glanced at the cow-patterned cat. He was using his paw to push an empty can away from him. As I was lost in thought, it seemed this master was ready for a conversation.
"You have something to ask me, don't you... Speak," he began, lying on his side and using his claw to pick at his teeth.
"Who are you and why did you help me?"
"Heh, who am I, you ask...? If I told you, you'd be cold."
"If it's ice, no thanks," I quickly interrupted.
"Who would tell such a stale joke?" He cleared his throat... He was really going to play along, wasn't he? "I am a stray cat, wandering the martial world in search of something important that has been lost."
"Your name is?"
"Somphong," he said flatly, stretching up slightly, a proud, smug smile on his face.
......
"J-just that?" Somphong nodded. Everything went silent for a moment between the cats. There was only the sound of water dripping from a crack and the smacking sound from the black and white lump in front of me.
"That's all. I told you, you're still stunned too. Still so inexperienced, haha!" He slapped his belly, laughing loudly.
I shook my head, dismissing the thought of his name, and focused on the important thing he was looking for.
"If it's not too presumptuous, Master, may I know what you are searching for?" I said respectfully.
"Indeed. Actually, it's not a secret. It's a scripture written by humans. I've been wandering the martial world searching for it for many years," he sighed before saying, "but there's still no sign of it."
...If even a master says it's difficult, it must be truly rare. It must be a rare item or a super rare skill.
"I thank you very much for saving my life and even healing my wounds completely. I can never repay this debt, so-"
"Stop, martial artist. I do not seek fame or praise from you." He raised his paw to stop me, gently touching my shoulder. It made me feel even more at ease.
"As expected of a martial artist. I am deeply touched. I never thought I would find a friend in a place like this. If you are ever in danger, I promise to rush to your aid immediately."
"Someone like you helping me? No need, just..." He raised his paw to cover his mouth and cleared his throat, leaning his lips close to my ear. His whisper was faint, the swirling wind hitting my ear and echoing deep in my senses.
"Do you happen to have about two hundred?"
-"F***," I thought aloud.
My heart pounded. I started to breathe with difficulty. Something inside me was overflowing... Was it because we refused? The immense pressure, and those emotionless, piercing eyes.
[Warning: Abnormal energy detected in the body. Analysis initiated.]
Yes/No
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Next chapter
"Are you still not sober? It's your turn today," I grumbled, opening the bathroom door, looking at Shelly who had been shouting into the toilet for a while.
"Not yet. Just get to the point. I'm going to...!?" She covered her mouth.
"Sigh, I wish I could meet Seraphim... Anyway, that's it. So, let's start. Look at the camera." Shelly looked at the camera, raising her fist above her head, looking exhausted.
"Next Chapter: Oh, I'm so excited! Let me touch your face with my paw, meow!" she said in a dry voice. "Water, I need water."
..."o.o"S"""