Actually, Fusiming hadn’t lied.
Ever since he could remember, his physical regeneration had been freakishly beyond human norms.
This was his inheritance… the innate gift passed down from his father, Fusizhi.
Though Fusiming bore little resemblance to his father, he’d fully inherited Fusizhi’s regenerative prowess.
He’d survived far worse injuries—even post-surgery, his flesh always knitted back perfectly.
So to him, the cuts on his face truly were "no big deal."
Nainai’s disbelief stung.
The quiet boy froze, unsure how to explain.
Seeing her flushed, furious face, he guessed she’d dismissed his words as hot air.
Anything he said now would earn only hollow replies like "Oh sure, sure" or "Yeah, yeah."
Heart sinking, Fusiming fell silent.
…Cat paradise!
Most were clever strays—common leopard cats, orange tabbies, calicos, snowy whites…
But nestled among them were several purebred pets.
One had pale blue eyes, a creamy coat dusted with faint spots, its legs, tail, and face fading into deep ink.
A Siamese!
Beside it sat a sleek black-and-white cat with fishbone stripes along its spine, ringed limbs, and an "M" on its forehead.
A round-faced tabby…
At the center of the feline circle lounged a giant white fluffball, fur so plush it resembled spun cotton.
Even a Ragdoll cat…
These cats—wild-born or abandoned pets—sat side by side without a hint of tension.
Though strays, their coats were clean, not matted with grime.
Dignified. Elegant. Adorable. Beautiful.
All because of the obsidian king at their heart.
This three-eyed, double-tailed black cat was their unshakable core.
They loved him. Revered him.
As Nainai stepped forward, the outer cats bared teeth, hissing warnings:
"Hssss—Meeeow—"
Clearly guarding their weakened sovereign.
At first glance, the black cat seemed unharmed…
But a closer look revealed blood crusting its face.
Thick fluid oozed from its eye sockets, gluing tufts of fur together.
*So much blood…*
*Did this stray cat get hurt too?*
Its gaze locked onto Fusiming—sharp as a cop eyeing a thief.
Fusiming met it calmly, expression blank.
*—Don’t touch her.*
The cat’s eyes spoke.
*—I won’t hurt her.*
Fusiming answered silently.
Their stares clashed midair, sparking invisible tension.
But Nainai, an outsider, saw only confusion.
She glanced between boy and cat, head tilted.
*What’s going on?*
"Hey," she nudged Fusiming’s calf with her toe. "Did you two fight?"
"…"
He nodded mutely.
*Mental nuclear warfare counts as fighting, right?*
*Wait—she’s serious? When? Against a cat?*
Nainai rolled her eyes. "So you gave this kitty its face wounds?"
Her violet eyes dripped scorn. "Bullying a helpless cat? Is that what an ‘Extraordinary Being’—a ‘Scavenger Squad’ member—does?"
"Absolute garbage! So gross!"
Fusiming’s heart ached with injustice.
*Helpless?!*
If this cat unleashed its full **Crimson Sacred Eye**, its tripled killing intent could match a regular **Strong Rank** Extraordinary Being!
Ambushing an unaware target? Its aura would near **Ferocious Rank** levels—enough to scare ordinary people to death.
Even **Weak Rank** supernaturals would freeze in terror.
*If this is ‘helpless,’ regular humans might as well bag themselves and decompose quietly.*
Truth was, the cat’s injury *was* his fault.
He’d used a dirty trick, forcing it to abort its power mid-strike—triggering backlash.
Guilt sealed his lips.
Only a dull glint in his silver eyes, hidden under his bangs, betrayed his hurt.
Nainai ignored it. She turned away, eyes wide at the sea of cats.
*So cute! So pretty!*
Human DNA craved cats—and as a petite girl, she had zero resistance to fluffy softness.
She licked her rose-petal lips, a hungry gleam in her violet eyes.
"Chirp-chirp, kitty~"
"Giggle… So many cats… Where to start?"
Her childish face twisted into a lecherous grin, drool glistening at the corner of her mouth—
Like a pedophile drooling over a little girl.
"MEEEOOOWW—!"
The outer cats recoiled, fur exploding like bottlebrushes.
Their shrieks sounded like tails being stomped.
To them, Nainai was a ten-meter-tall monster with three heads, eight arms, and twenty legs.
"Am I… that scary?" she mumbled, shoulders slumping.
*No way. I’ll pet at least one.*
She crouched, stretching out a small, pale hand.
A warm smile bloomed on her face.
"Chirp~ kitty~"
Her voice dripped honeyed sweetness—a sound that’d melt any man’s heart.
Maybe it worked. Or maybe crouching made her seem less threatening.
The cats’ fur smoothed. Their hisses faded.
*Progress!*
Nainai beamed, chirping "Chirp-chirp-chirp" while staring hopefully at furry faces.
Minutes passed.
Not one cat moved.
Her bright eyes dimmed. She lowered her hand, head drooping.
*Am I… not the animal-charmer type?*
Then—a ripple through the feline ranks.
Cats parted smoothly, clearing a straight path to Nainai.
A low, raspy "Mrrrooww…" reached her ears.
Exhausted. Weak.
Yet layered with unbreakable pride.
The three-eyed black cat limped down the aisle.
Its eyes had stopped bleeding. Its subjects had licked its blood-matted fur clean.
The king had reclaimed his dignity.
Nainai’s mouth fell open in awe.
Gently, the cat lowered its head onto her palm.
"Wah! You’ll let me pet you?" she squealed.
Then her face crumpled with worry.
She brushed damp fur on its cheek, assessing the injury.
No surface wounds—just dried blood from its eyes.
*Is this serious?* She had no idea.
"Does it hurt? Can I help?" she whispered.
She believed cats understood kindness.
"Mrrp…"
The cat shook its head. Its amber eyes, still faintly red-rimmed, glowed with pride.
*—Don’t underestimate a wild thing’s will to live.*
Its injury was **Corruption Essence** backlash—a concussion-like trauma.
Rest would heal it. No vet needed.
Survival demanded this resilience.
"But… should we see a doctor?"
"Are any pet clinics even open now…?"
Its aloofness worried her. She understood cat-speak; it didn’t understand hers.
"Mrrroooww—"
A firm, low growl rejected her offer.
"But—"
"Meeow—"
"Okay…"
Nainai surrendered to its silent refusal.
Its message was clear:
*You may pet me. But my wounds are mine to bear.*
The cat rubbed its chin against her palm.
Stiff whiskers tickled her baby-soft skin like tiny brushes.
