“I won’t give her back to you, Mira,” Kai said as he rested the club against the ground and stared at her without blinking.
Mira adjusted her spear with a firm flick of her wrist and slightly raised her chin.
“So you already know my name, human,” Mira replied, showing her fangs in a short smile.
Kai felt several gazes digging into him. They were waiting to see if he would hesitate.
“Prepare,” Mira shouted as she lowered two fingers in a sharp gesture.
The catgirls lowered their bodies at the same time. Cws out. Tails stiff. No one spoke.
[System][Active Mission: Conquer the feline cn][Reward: EXP sufficient to reach Level 5]
Perfect.
Three moved toward Ivark. Two went for Katherine. Mira came straight at him.
Kai smiled faintly and adjusted his grip on the club.
If the leader falls first, the rest won’t know what to do.
Skill: Body Reinforcement[Defense increased]
Mira didn’t wait. The spear shot toward his neck.
Kai deflected the first strike and the second. They didn’t exchange many blows. Mira tried to keep distance. Kai broke it.
He stepped in.
Short strike to the arm. Shoulder shove.Knee to thigh.
Mira lost her bance for a second.
That was enough.
Kai shoved her to the ground with his body weight before she could roll away. The spear fell to the side.
“Shit,” Mira muttered.
Mira tried to get up.
Kai twisted her arm and pinned her against the dirt.
“Don’t move,” Kai said as he pulled a rope from his belt and tightened it firmly.
Mira tensed, searching for an angle to break free.
Kai tightened more.
“I told you not to,” Kai added as he finished the knot and stood up.
He took a deep breath. His shoulder burned, but it wasn’t serious.
He turned his head toward the rest.
Ivark had blood on his arm and side, but he was still steady. One catgirl y at his feet. The other two were no longer pressing him the same way—it was like watching a wolf fight three dogs.
Sira had freed herself and was standing a few steps away, not intervening. She looked at Mira. Then at Kai.
She wasn’t helping anyone.
She’s waiting.
Possibly for a new leader.
A rough sound made him turn.
Katherine was stepping back. The two warriors were pushing her with short strikes.
“You’re still the weak one of the cn,” one of the catgirls said as she advanced and shoved her shoulder.
Kai felt the impulse to move instantly.
Katherine tried to counterattack, but received another cut. She stepped back.
Two against one.
That’s enough.
Kai advanced without announcing himself. The club descended once.
The strike was clean.
The first fell without a sound.
The second turned toward him—but hesitated for half a second.
Katherine lunged at her before she could react.
They fell to the ground.
Rolled among leaves.
Katherine took a scratch to the neck and responded with a headbutt. The other lost coordination.
Katherine grabbed a stone and struck.
Once.
Then again.
The body stopped resisting.
Brief silence.
Kai looked around.
Ivark kept the others at distance.
Sira remained still.
Mira was tied.
The entire vilge had seen their leader fall.
Kai walked until he stood in front of Mira.
She lifted her head from the ground.
“This isn’t over,” Mira said, looking at him with resentment.
Kai observed her for a second.
Still defiant.
Good.
He slightly turned his head toward Katherine without removing his foot from where he stood.
“Get up, Katherine. It’s time for your revenge,” Kai said while keeping his gaze fixed on Mira.
Katherine stood up with the stone she had used before.
Kai gnced at Ivark to help him, but the catgirls were no longer fighting. They had backed away with wounds.
Ivark was waiting for an order.
Sira finally broke the silence.
“As you are the new leader, I will follow you,” Sira said naturally as she stepped forward.
Kai blinked.
That fast?
Was that all?
“Why didn’t you fight, Sira?” Kai asked, keeping distance.
Sira tilted her head slightly.
“The battle was already lost. I only follow the strongest. And now that’s you, Kai,” Sira said in a melodic tone, without lowering her gaze.
Loyalty out of convenience.
Useful.
Katherine was now close to him. Her tail brushed his leg.
“What is the next step, master?” Katherine asked with a trembling voice.
“Revenge. And dominate this vilge,” Kai replied.
A faint smile formed on Katherine’s face.
“That’s how you speak, new master,” Sira added, crossing her arms.
Kai stepped toward the center of the vilge.
“All catgirls of this vilge, look at me!” Kai raised his voice.
Instantly they all looked at him. Five in total. None spoke.
Ivark sat down to treat his wounds, but did not take his eyes off the scene.
“Today, revenge will be carried out for what was done to Katherine,” Kai said firmly.
Establish order.
The catgirls’ faces tightened.
“For that, there will be only one loss in this vilge,” Kai added.
I hope this doesn’t backfire.
“And what loss will that be?” Sira asked, her white ears rising.
Katherine stepped closer again. Her tail touched his leg.
“In revenge for what happened to Katherine, the only one who will bear the consequence is the leader, Mira,” Kai decred.
Mira growled, trying to force the rope in her mouth.
Kai knelt and removed the dagger from Mira’s waist.
“Take it, Katherine,” Kai said, extending it toward her.
Katherine’s hand trembled.
“I… don’t think… I can do it, master,” she said without looking at him.
“Yes, you can. Do it. Take revenge for the beating they gave you,” Kai said without softening his voice.
Katherine walked toward Mira.
Mira tried to make sounds, but couldn’t.
Total silence.
Katherine stabbed.
Once.
Again.
And again.
Kai watched.
He did not look away.
“Katherine, I think that’s enough,” Kai said when her movements stopped being precise.
Katherine dropped the dagger and pressed her face into Kai’s chest. She began to cry.
Kai held her—but did not fully embrace her.
[System][Mission Completed: Conquer the feline cn][Reward: You have reached Level 5][New Skill Acquired: Attack Increase][Level 5 — Current XP: 55/204]
New skill. Not spectacur. But useful.
[System][Congratutions: Tribal Zone Cleared][2 New Zones Generated — Open the map to discover them]
