Kapitel 44: Chapter 3.15 - Black Cat POV
That human— that human died.
Once again, in front of my eyes— eaten alive by the snake.
And here I was again— being carried away without being able to do anything.
"Grawr…!"
THUD!
Even if I fell to the ground, I felt nothing.
There's no pain.
As I look, I find the leopard collapsing on the ground, not moving anymore.
Just like that time.
It's my fault.
If I hadn't attacked the human or offer myself to the snake that time— they probably would've survived.
Ever since I was born, I've spent years running away from both my own kin and the white snakes.
What was the meaning for me to be born?
What was the meaning for only me to live on?
The moment the old white snake dies, my heart died along with it.
Those years while living like a stray cat, living on without a purpose.
But I was wrong.
I was just afraid of death.
That's why I blinded myself and give myself a reason to live on.
By getting revenge against my best friend.
I need to grow stronger.
Even if those humans were there to stop me, I still need to grow stronger.
If I don't, I will rot away.
The moment I sense one of those powerful humans are gone from the island, I realize that there might be a day that they would leave this place. When that moment comes, it will be the day for my revenge— so I did everything I could just to make the wolves do things for me, even though they were living so peacefully.
While meeting the alpha of the wolves for the first time, I threaten the lives of his pack just so he could work for me.
I interrupted their peaceful life.
Just like how the snake interrupted mine.
I felt disgusted by my own behavior.
However, I don't remember there's such a strong-looking wolf living in this forest before.
He could probably kill me just like that, just like I hope for.
However, even though he's stronger than me, he's still willing to follow my orders.
I wondered why.
While discussing to the wolves on my revenge on the snake, it's been a while I have been talking.
Are my words stuttering…?
Is my language fluent…?
I felt nervous.
Yet, I felt alive.
Though they are not my family, but while discussing the plan with them made me felt alive.
Unlike the other wolves, their alpha is entirely different.
Smarter, stronger.
Not only that, he even taught me the language that humans use so that one day I could come to understand them.
Every time he talks, I could always recognize the faint smell of humans from him.
He told me not all humans are good, but at the same time, not all humans are bad. And the one living on this island are all good humans.
I understood that he loves humans.
If there's a chance, I should talk with either one of the humans.
But my language is not fluent yet, so I tend to practice with the wolf.
One day, he told me that he's a contracted beast, and what is a contracted beast.
A wolf as gigantic and powerful as he is, is willing to serve under a human.
To become a contracted beast, all the human needs is to give me a name.
A name is something to represent 'me.'
It's also proof that the human loves me enough to give me a name.
I wondered why, I started to grow interested in humans.
On a certain day, I even went to the human's territory for the first time.
However, I'm watching them from afar with my magic.
Four humans… and a— pink creature…?
I wondered what she is…?
Sometimes a cat, sometimes a fox, and sometimes a wolf…?
No matter what she is… the humans love her for whatever she is, just like a family. Especially the human boy.
Though except the boy, the others had such terrifying rich mana…
I wondered whether I could join and live together with them?
Did the alpha of the wolves tell me about humans, just so he could remind me about the warmth of a family?
Such a busybody he is.
Ever since then, I have never returned back to that place.
Because I know once I go there, I could never have the heart to take revenge.
Five days ago, I no longer sensed the mana of the two strongest humans.
Though there is one time they were gone for a whole year, yet it's the first time they left their children behind.
Maybe, something happened to them.
It doesn't matter.
I will take this chance to gather the wolves and destroy the snake once and for all. She doesn't move and think well during cold weather.
However, the leopards are with her.
It won't be easy.
Because I know, when the time comes, the alpha of the wolves will never help me kill the snake.
He wants me to kill the snake myself.
Not a problem.
After all these years, I have grown stronger.
However, the alpha of the wolves didn't look like he's in condition today.
The human scent he had on him is strong today.
He seems… sad.
I wondered what happened to him.
While we were halfway discussing our strategy, something disturbed our meeting.
This mana… the lions?
Did they not realize?
What were they doing here in the wolf's territory?
When one of the wolves went to scout and reported back— I then found out that the lions are hunting a human.
A human is here?
Why is it that I did not feel his mana presence…? Could it be that human boy…?
No matter.
He couldn't possibly survive against the lions, and I'm sure the alpha of the wolves would go to his rescue.
That's why, I patiently waited.
But the strange thing is, the alpha of the wolves did not act.
Why? Don't you like humans…?
Why are you sitting here, ignoring him…?
… That's not like you.
Is this… what she feels…? Is that… how my best friend feels…?
Watching as one changes… being unable to do anything for them.
I… want to do something for that human.
At least, let me see the human one last time before I decide to take my revenge against the snake.
By saying they are disrupting our meeting as an excuse, I ordered the wolves to get rid of the lions.
The wolves head out first, while then I followed behind, while watching at that human from afar as he talks to the alpha of the wolves.
I'm able to understand them clearly, thanks to my daily talk with the wolf.
It's that human boy.
That pink creature's master.
However, even facing the alpha of the wolves, that human boy did not show any hints of fear, even if he threatens him.
In fact, he seems delighted.
Such a weird human.
Watching the alpha of the wolves talking to him reignited my curiosity about him.
Why not, I try to converse with him…?
Why not I try to call him…?
"Nya, nya."
He looks at me and flashes at me with a light.
Ah… I'm scared.
What will be his opinion on me…?
Maybe I should help him— I will help you get rid of the lions.
"You aren't allowed to spare their lives, human child. You must take at least one of their life."
Somehow, as I said that— the alpha of the wolves stares at me.
I know, I know.
I know I'm helping him— so stop staring at me with that surprised look.
"Watch your attitude, nya." I told the wolf. "Is this how you were supposed to talk to me, nya?"
"Forgive my behaviour." He replied.
When I realized, the human is staring at me.
Our eyes met.
"Nya…?"
I find myself inadvertently leaking my voice. I might as well converse with him.
"You seemed eager to touch me, human. Very well, I will let you touch me if you aren't afraid of death—"
"Gladly…!"
"—NYAA…!!?"
He didn't hesitate to touch me nor hesitate to put me on his arms.
He puts just enough space for me to put my legs on his arms.
He didn't hesitate to stroke me on my head.
This is— too comforting.
"Nya, you have skills, human. If it were a little bit uncomfortable, I would've killed you, nya."
"I can't die yet. I need to go back to my family."
Hearing his reply made me terrified.
"………………………"
Aren't you scared of me?
Aren't I ugly?
I'm just an ugly cat with a dangerous curse.
Yet— I want to be a part of your family.
With my telepathy, I ask the lions.
I can't believe they went into his territory just to aim for food.
I was angry.
I want to destroy them entirely.
However, I don't have a reason to do so.
That's why, I will let him decide.
"The reason the lion barged into your territory because it was lazy to hunt, nya. It's aiming for the food you have, nya."
…Telling him this didn't make him angry.
I wondered why.
Your parents are gone, and your life is threatened, why won't you get angry…?
"So… what are you going to do, nya?"
What are you thinking…?
"Offer one of your child to be the sacrifice, and I will spare the rest of you."
Why…? I don't understand the purpose of this. Isn't killing all of them is the best way to do so…?
However, I still tell the lions his message.
The alpha of the lions heard my message and selected the weakest-looking cub he has.
Yet— his mother protects him, even if her face is mangled, and the cub chose to fight until he could no longer fight.
And here my parents died protecting me… while these lions are letting one of their family dying in front of their eyes…
"Hey, cat." The human suddenly calls me.
"What is it, human?"
"Can I take these two…?"
Is this your decision, human?
"These two, nya? It would be better if the rest of them dies instead."
I'm disappointed in you.
"Yes. I want them dead except these two."
His answer stuns me with a surprise.
Except these two, the other lions… dead?
"Gladly, nya."
"Wait…!"
The alpha of the wolves suddenly interrupts me.
"Can I kill them instead…!?"
"Nya!"
Angered by him, I turn his bad luck into misfortune.
It was then a tree collapses, falling in his direction.
"OWOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Yet by merely howling, he cleanly snaps the tree into two.
Why are you stopping me from killing them?! Don't you dare stop me!
"This is a warning, nya!"
"My apologies."
He then looks at me with a serious look.
"As the leader of my pack, I can't tolerate such a cowardly act— please let me kill them in your stead." He said to me.
He… wants to kill the lions in my stead…? Just so… I could talk with this human…?
"Gladly, nya."
"OWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"
For some reason, the alpha of the wolves looks happy when he heard my reply. So happy that he howls.
But that also makes the lions put on their guards.
"That idiot, nya."
Watching the wolves as they slaughter the lions, I find my gaze slowly shifting to the human.
"What makes you change your mind, human?"
"I didn't change my mind."
I'm curious about what he is thinking.
"…If that lion decided to offer itself or protect its child right from the start— I would've spared them instead."
"………………………"
Ah… Maybe…
If it's him… Maybe I could…
"I've decided, nya. Put me down."
Staring at him for one last time… I decided to give it a go.
"Do you want to give me a name, human?"
Hearing this, he looks surprised.
"Y-You want me to name you…? B-But, what capabilities do I have to name a magical beast as powerful as you?"
"You don't, nya. You are weak."
"Ugh……"
"That's why, nya, I will protect you."
If I have him as my master… I think I would die from happiness.
However, he hesitates to give me a reply.
…I know.
I know it's just my selfish desire.
No one would want an ugly, stray cat with a dangerous curse like me.
"…I understand, nya." I told him.
With that, I turn away from him.
"W-Wait…!"
Why…? Why did you call for me…?
Please… don't say 'come with me.'
I will hesitate.
I need to stand strong on my ground.
"My family, my friends…… were dead because of my 'curse'. Even the magical beasts wouldn't want to have anything to do with me, nya."
"T-Then— you can come with me…!"
Why— Why would you say that to me…? I don't want sympathy… I don't deserve your sympathy.
"If you sincerely want me to come with you… you wouldn't hesitate, nya. I don't need sympathy, nya."
"I……"
Don't.
Please don't say anything anymore.
Please go away.
But for some reason, he's unaffected by my bad luck.
"…Nya."
That's why I turn the bad luck on his surrounding into misfortune, where a tree collapsed and fell in front of him.
…Goodbye.
"One day— I will come and get you!!"
No…!
"Don't refuse me by then—"
"GROARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!"
"Look out, human!!!!!"
WHAM!!!!!!
"………!"
What happened…!?
"W-Where is the human…!?" I asked the wolf.
SNAP!
As the alpha of the wolves breaks the lion's neck with his jaw, he lowers his head.
Then I could hear the sound of water splashing from afar.
No…!
He's already full of injuries… there's no way he could possibly survive…!
"…What will you do…?" He asks me.
… It's fine.
It's fine, then.
I can finally close my heart after all these years.
"Have some sleep. Tomorrow morning, we will destroy the rest of the humans." I then replied.
"…Understood."
When I return back to my territory while lying on the ground… that human's scent on me…
…breaks me down once again in my sleep.
……………………………
I find myself waking up late than usual the next day.
My body feels so tired.
But other than that— I feel empty.
I called the wolves later on, commanding them to invade the human's territory.
While waiting for their return, I take a nap once again.
……………………………
When I thought I had gone into sleep, but then a sudden strong mana presence gave me a fright, waking me up.
What is with this ridiculous mana pressure I'm feeling…?
It came from the beach.
Which then afterward, it moves and stops. I believe it's stopping at the human's territory.
It can't be— did the human's parents returned…?
If they ask about the death of the human boy… what should I tell them…!?
There's no time. I need to speed up the process.
Before the human finds out, I must destroy the snake as soon as possible.
After a while, the alpha of the wolves brought me news regarding the mana I'm feeling.
"An injured human is washed to the beach? Why would they help a stranger…?"
"Because they are humans." He replied.
I don't understand what he meant by that.
"The only human left requested me to find some herbs to heal him."
It is probably the human girl.
"Don't help."
"I already did."
"Why?"
"Because my daughter is in her hands."
"You… left your daughter to them on purpose."
I had no idea what is he thinking.
However, there's a faint smell of the humans coming from him.
Including the human boy.
…Perhaps the smell from yesterday is still lingering on him.
"Because I'm looking for the pink creature."
Pink creature…?
Sometimes a cat, sometimes a fox, sometimes a wolf…?
"For what reason?"
"For you to start the war with a good reason."
"How?"
"By blaming her death to the snake."
"Very well." I said.
I kind of regretted after agreeing with him. The pink creature is harder to find than I thought.
Not being able to sense the strongest mana on this island is truly terrifying. How could that creature hide her mana so well…?
After days of search, there's still no sign of that pink creature.
How is this possible…?
The wolf didn't show up either.
I know he's nearby, yet he didn't come to visit me as he usually did. The rest of his kin, too. They aren't with me.
Why…?
Are they planning something else…?
I'm losing my patience.
There's no reason for me to wait.
Today's a good day for me to attack.
I will head out at dusk.
Yet there is no one here to stop me.
Very well. Once I step in… there's no turning back.
I daringly step into the leopard's territory, where I was greeted by my old friend.
The Queen of the Snow Leopards.
I don't have a grudge against her, but she seems to hate me.
"…Köttur." (…Cat.)
"Ég vil sjá kvikindið." (I want to see the snake.)
"Aldrei." (Never.)
"Vertu gestur minn." (Be my guest.)
With my ability, her elite guards had a hard time aiming their attacks on me, even if they work together.
The more they rely on their ice projectiles, the more they easily friendly fire.
Even if they result in close combat, my small build could easily slip through their fangs and claws. I could easily counter them with my claws.
For some reason, the Queen of the Snow Leopards did not attack at all.
She's watching from behind her leap.
She looks sad.
"Nya!"
S-SNAP!!!
With my ability, the trees around them break down and fall, scattering their position and clearing a way for me.
"Hörfa!!!" She ordered her guards.
Very well, leave.
I don't want you to get involved.
As I proceed deeper into the snake's territory, the leopards nearby did not attack. They knew they aren't a match for me, even if I'm small.
Far away, I saw the snake's body.
The snake grew bigger.
She wasn't this big years ago when we were little.
She looks— JUST AS BIG AS HIM!
A-AHHHH—
Every time I was reminded of him— my head hurts. It felt like getting cracked open.
I WILL KILL YOU— I WILL KILL YOU…!!!
Yet— just before my sneak attack, I heard a familiar voice.
"……!"
WHY IS HE HERE!?
WHY IS HE HERE TALKING TO THE SNAKE!?
W-WHY!?
DID YOU BETRAYED ME, WOLF!?
"NYA!!!"
BROOOOM!!!!!!!!!!
The lightning had missed.
The trees stole away its aim. It breaks down and burns with flames.
The hotter her surrounding is, the stronger she is.
But no matter.
If one is not enough, I will summon a few more lightning.
"Köttur!" (Cat!)
Ah…
The snake noticed me.
However, that's weird.
I did not see the wolf around after the lightning.
Did my desperation for revenge gave me hallucination…?
It seems I have finally reached my limit.
Looks like today will be a good day to die.
"Í DAG ER DAGURINN SEM þÚ DEYRÐ, SNÁKUR!" (TODAY IS THE DAY YOU DIE, SNAKE!)
Z— Z— Z— Z— ZZT— BOOM!!!!!!!
Five lightning rains down; however, each of them missed by hitting the nearby trees, causing them to burn.
The smoke is suffocating.
I got a little numb from getting contacted a little with the lightning.
I feel like getting closer to death.
Just like that time.
I'm happy.
However, the snake did not attack.
She looks terrified.
I'm so happy.
Yes… Just stay, don't move. I will make sure to give you a proper death.
"HISS—"
WHAM!!!
"N-Nya…!?"
She slams me with her tail to the ground.
It hurts.
Her tail… is so fast and powerful.
A couple of bones seems to be broken.
This is nothing.
I learned healing magic from that wolf.
There's no way you could take me down that easily.
"ER þAÐ EINA SEM þÚ HEFUR FENGIÐ!?" (IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT!?)
WHAM!!!
I slammed my paw on her body.
"N……!"
Her scales are still as hard as ever. I can overcome this with my strengthening magic.
"HISS…!!!"
She's spitting poison from her fangs…?
As it touches the tree, it rots and withers in a matter of seconds.
Her poison… is even deadlier than her father's…!
"SHAA…!!!"
Acid from her mouth…?
The trees are melting.
All of them are just normal attacks. She's not using her magic either.
Don't mind if I do…!
"Nya…!"
BAM!
"SHAA…!?"
I leap and slam my claws onto her body.
My claws dug into her skin and peeled off her scales.
She's bleeding.
However, her wounds closed off in just a few seconds.
…Then, I wasn't mistaken.
The wolf taught her that, didn't he?
THE WOLF TAUGHT HER THAT!!!
BAM!!!
"……!"
Once again, I was slammed to the ground by her tail.
It's such a nuisance—
BAM!!!
She slams me again.
BAM!!!
Again.
WHAM!!!
Again.
But she didn't show any signs to kill.
Until you decide to kill me for real… let's exhaust ourselves till death, shall we…?
WHAP!!!
I smack her tail away with my paw, leaping away from the hole.
"NYA!!!"
BOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't see her all of a sudden. It seems that she dodged the lightning.
Doesn't matter. I could hear you just fine.
"HISS—"
"Nya!"
As she tries to attack me from behind, I jump and stepped on her body with my paw while adding strengthening magic to boost my power.
WHAM!!!
"—SHAA!!?"
The power surprised me.
It's powerful enough to even crack the ground— even the trees collapsed from the strong wind pressure.
Even if the snake could heal… I'm sure the pain is unbearable.
“Gefðu það upp, snákur.” (Give it up, snake.)
"Af hverju— af hverju ertu að gera þetta…!?" (Why— why are you doing this…!?)
…You know what I want, snake.
“Ég hef beðið í mörg ár bara eftir deginum í dag! Ég drep þig sama hvað það þarf!”
(I have been waiting for many years just for today! I will kill you no matter what!)
"…………………"
Not replying…? Fine.
"Deyja." (Die.)
WHAM!!!
“HISSHAAA…!!?”
At the exact same spot, I stomped her with the exact power.
The ground below her body is crushed.
But yet— the snake closes her eyes.
Why…?
Why aren't you fighting back…?
Why do you look like you are ready to die…?
Struggle…!
Fight back…!
BAM!!!
"NYA!!?"
I suddenly find myself to be slammed on a tree, with my body lifelessly falling to the ground.
It hurts.
…I hesitated to kill her, even if I had my chance.
"SHAA—"
The snake is just like me… we are hesitant to kill each other, aren't we…?
No, there's no reason for her to kill me.
She still sees me as a friend, not an enemy.
That's not good. I need to kill my heart.
If I don't, I can't move on.
But to where could I move on?
I don't have an answer.
…My wounds are almost closing, and so is the snake.
Fighting each other… collapsing, and healing.
Over and over.
This… feels so pointless.
How long should I go on with this…?
If… I approach them during that time… would they accept a good for nothing Cat like me…?
Will I live as happily just as they are…?
However, it's too late.
That human boy is dead— NYA…!?
What's with that blinding light coming from that spot…!!?
"……!"
I couldn't believe my eyes.
A wolf… a rabbit… a human girl and— that human.
"Why… are you here… human…?"
N-No…! That can't be— impossible.
He's— he's dead!!!
I must be seeing things.
I must be.
I will get rid of this cursed hallucination…!
"Nya!"
My claw dug into his skin.
The resistance I felt feel so surreal.
As I tried to pull my paw out from his body— it made it even worse; his flesh and blood were torn out by my claw.
When I look at my paw… I find my body to be struggling within.
"N-Nya…! Nya…!!!"
I— hurt him.
With this claw of mine.
The human… that I once wish to be.
He would never want me anymore.
Never.
"HISSSSSSS—"
The snake suddenly wakes up, raising her body high up so she could look at me.
Just like that day— the way she looks at me is just like her father.
Are you going to kill me now…?
That's right— kill me.
Kill me and end everything once and for all.
"HISS—"
THUD!
"Nya…?"
That human— pushed me away…?
The snake then takes him whole in my place, in front of my eyes.
As she closes her mouth—
"G-Gyaahhhh…!!!!!!!!!"
I heard a horrible scream.
As blood spills out from the snake's mouth.
“Nya… N-NYAAAA…!!!!!!!!!!”
I find myself to be screaming. I'm trying to scream stop, but I didn't get it right.
This time— he's dead for real.
The same way, just like how my parents died.
"Grawr…!"
That human— that human died.
Once again, in front of my eyes— eaten alive by the snake.
And here I was again— being carried away without being able to do anything.
……………………
"Köttur…" (Cat…)
This voice— the Queen of Snow Leopard…?
She's the one who carried me…?
Why did she save me…? Isn't she with the snake…?
…No. Maybe I was wrong.
Among the three of us, I always knew she's the smartest one. That's why she's leading the leopards now.
She saved me with a reason. But…
“Ég… hélt að þú hataðir mig.” (I… thought you hated me.)
I didn't face her.
All I did is to continue to lie on the ground, while replying to her voice.
“Já, ég hata þig. Vegna… þess að þú sagðir mér aldrei hvar þú jarðaðir móður mina.”
(Yes, I hate you. Because… you never told me where you buried my mother.)
"……?"
I was dumbfounded for a moment.
"Hvar jarðaðir þú móður mina!?" (Where did you bury my mother!?)
Her tone turns heavy.
She's serious.
"Tala…!" (Speak…!)
Why is she asking me…?
“Hvað hefur þetta að gera með mig? Var hún ekki dáið í baráttunni gegn kvikindið?”
(What does this have to do with me? Was she not killed in the battle against the snake…?)
“Manstu ekki? Hún bar þig bara eins og hvernig ég gerði, Köttur.”
(Don't you remember? She carried you just like I did, cat.)
…I can tell that she's trying her best to stay calm.
After all, her parents loved her just as how my parents loved me.
The loss of her parents… to help a good for nothing like me—
"Það er ekki hún sem bar mig." (She's not the one who carried me.)
"Það gæti aðeins verið hún." (It could only be her.)
No— it's not her…!
“Þú ert eigingirni eins og alltaf, köttur.” (You are as selfish as ever, cat.)
"……!"
Hearing this, I mustered my strength and got up.
I find her standing in front, looking down at me.
“Foreldrar okkar dóu þennan dag. Þú ert ekki sú eina sem breyst munaðarlaus, köttur.”
(Our parents died that day. You are not the only one who has become an orphan, cat.)
"I KNOW…!"
I find myself speaking the human's language all of a sudden.
While hearing that, her eyes widen with surprise.
Perhaps she finds it surprising to hear me speaking in human's language.
"You— are sane…!?"
"!?"
Hearing her reply with the human's language made me surprised. What she said to me made me even surprised.
"What do you mean I'm sane, leopard! I'm always sane!"
"Then why are you always trying to kill my lady…!?"
"If I don't— I can never move forward nya…!"
At that moment, I saw the leopard's claws peeking out from her paws.
"You still have us…!"
WHAP!
The leopard smacks her paw on top of me.
However, I'm completely unfazed.
…Because she's the weakest of us all.
"…Do you know…… for how long the snake and I have waited for you to return…?" She said to me with a sad look.
"…I know."
"Then, why…?"
"…The snake ate the human I loved."
"You— want to be together with that human…?"
"If I'm with him… I know I can definitely forget about the pain. But it's already too late— IT'S TOO LATE."
"No, it's not, cat. I’m still alive."
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein