Chapter 401: Cat Spirit from the Cat Kingdom — Cat Princess Nero Cat
Its face was a cat's, it had cat ears on its head, and a cat tail on its backside. It was undeniably a "cat," there was no question about that.
However, its facial features were so exaggerated that no real animal could possess them, its bipedal stance was completely human-like, and combined with its white fleece top, over-the-knee mini-skirt, black leggings, and gray-black long boots, it gave the immediate impression of something that wouldn't look out of place in a claw machine at an amusement park.
That was, provided it didn't move or speak. When it started to speak and move, the nature of the situation changed completely.
"Meow meow meow? Meow meow meow? Why aren't you talking, meow?"
The cat, with curiosity written all over its body, urged them on while darting around The World and Ren Xiaoyao, who was being choked by The World. Although its speed wasn't fast, each darting movement left an afterimage.
When Cheng, who was synchronized with The World, saw this scene, his heart, which had been hanging, died for a moment.
Because this cat was a comedic character.
Cat ARC, also known as Princess Cat or Cat Princess, originated from "Melty Blood / MBAACC." She is a cat spirit residing in the "Cat Kingdom." Her appearance and attire are identical to the True Ancestor Princess "Arcueid Brunestud" from the same world view, but the exact connection between them remains unknown. She leaves the Cat Kingdom out of interest and to pass the time, appearing in the mundane world and causing chaos.
And it is well-known that comedic characters are invincible unless they themselves wish to die. Even if they do die, it's a Schrödinger's Cat situation, and reviving on the spot is merely a thought away.
However, when Cheng Tian noticed a small "Audition" badge pinned to the cat's chest, his dead heart began to beat again.
This cat, in a purely free state, was the most dangerous, as it lacked any human moral constraints and could not be described as simply good or bad. This meant it could do anything.
But if it was an audition contestant selected as a MUGEN entry, then it was as if this lawless character, by its own design, was restricted within the current King of Fighters '97 MUGEN engine. The restrictions that players and fighters had to obey, it too would have to obey. If the energy bar was empty, it couldn't use skills, and if the health bar was empty, it would be considered a loss.
Cheng Tian had no idea why this cat appeared here, nor what exactly it wanted to do. After all, a cat might be rubbing its head against you affectionately one second, and then scratch you with its claws the next.
"Isn't it obvious, meow? These two are clearly fighting over an invitation, meow~"
Just as Cheng Tian was still hesitating whether to make physical contact, a deep baritone voice appeared, with an odd "meow" added as a particle at the end of every sentence.
The smoke arrived before the person.
A bipedal cat, almost identical in size and attire to Cat Princess, but with hair and clothing changed to mostly gray and black, simpler facial features, and a lit cigarette butt, seemingly picked up from somewhere, dangling between its jagged shark teeth, ambled out from around the corner.
And on its chest, without surprise, was an audition badge.
Nero Cat, whose full name is "Nero Arc Chaos," is also called Chaos Cat or Professor Cat. He shares the same origin as Cat Princess, being a member of the "Cat Kingdom" in the "Melty Blood" worldview. Due to the source of his power, he is, in some ways, more chaotic than Cat Princess in every sense.
Yes, since Cat Princess was here, it was perfectly normal for Nero Cat to be here too.
Cheng, whose main body had already pursued them, stopped at the street corner, hesitant about whether he should personally take the risk.
"Invitation!? To snatch, meow?"
Hearing his fellow kin and teammate Nero Cat say this, Cat Princess's eyes visibly lit up.
It wasn't a figure of speech; this cat could truly shoot lasers from its eyes—
It was called, True Ancestor Ray! (In the tone of a super-robot ray attack.mp3)
"Wait a minute, wait a minute~"
But just as Cat Princess was about to use her eyes, Nero Cat directly called for a halt.
Actually, at this moment, both The World and Ren Xiaoyao, whose choked neck had been slightly loosened, could move, but for some unknown reason, a peculiar, unseen force compelled them to watch Nero Cat's elegant performance to its conclusion.
Nero Cat took a deep drag from the cigarette butt, and then secondhand smoke billowed out from the two cat ears on its head, like two small, working chimneys.
"Too early, meow~ If we snatch it directly now, it means we'll face endless audition harassment for the next two days and more. Having our rest time disturbed is really a bummer. I'm on OVERTIME right now~"
"It's offtime, right!"
Cat Princess, who had dispersed the True Ancestor laser from her eyes, slapped Nero Cat's front with the back of her paw in a very Kansai-style manner!
"However... that makes sense, it is indeed too early, meow, it would delay playtime."
The Cat Princess, having finished her retort, accepted Nero Cat's suggestion. She immediately put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, looked up, and said haughtily,
"Be grateful, humans! Cat-sama doesn't want to see blood today! Especially not in such a shabby alley! So I'll mercifully spare you this once!"
"What, are you afraid of being cut into seventeen pieces if you leave the alley?"
But at this moment, a very ill-timed remark forcefully intruded.
And the source, naturally, was Cheng, who had already stepped into the alley, his expression becoming somewhat wild.
Cheng Tian's rationality clearly told him that he should not actively provoke other contestants at this stage, especially this Cat Princess, whose danger level was completely unknown.
But emotions were also at play at the same time.
When the options "fight the Alien Queen" and "watch the Alien Queen kiss the Predator" appeared simultaneously, Cheng Tian would unhesitatingly choose the latter!
Even a hint of hesitation would be disrespectful to the latter!
And more past facts proved one thing: Cheng Tian, deep down, was still a madman.
"Hohoho? Little brother knows quite a lot, meow~"
Hearing Cheng Tian's targeted provocation, Cat Princess first paused slightly, then her large cartoon eyes narrowed. The tail on her backside involuntarily stood up; this was not merely an attack or defense posture, but a physical instinctive reaction brought on by her curiosity being successfully piqued.
Bang!
The World, his Stand, delivered a heavy punch to the neck of Ren Xiaoyao, who had become a backdrop. Along with a sudden drop in his health bar, a dizzying icon also appeared, and the unlucky fellow, forced to watch the show, successfully fainted.
The World's hands flew, and with a rapid barrage of punches, he instantly stripped Ren Xiaoyao of all his clothes, took out the invitation that couldn't be placed in the item bar, and then casually tossed him aside.
"Let's fight! We'll bet on this thing!"
"Meow!"
Watching Cheng Tian, who had recalled his Stand, present the invitation, Cat Princess answered directly with her glowing eyes.
Cat Princess's scorching True Ancestor Ray fiercely struck Cheng Tian's Heart Barrier!