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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Hunting the Emperor
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Once I'd made up my mind, all that was left was to act.
I spent the next two days observing and analyzing the cat's routine.
After meticulous study, I reached a single conclusion.
'That thing's a total emperor.'
No doubt about it—the ship's captain didn't have it half as cushy.
Over the past six days, I'd watched the crew, and most of them lived below average. Take their meals, for instance: artificial meat, genetically modified grains—cheap stuff with no real merits beyond the price tag.
'Meanwhile, that cat lucked out with its owner and scarfs down meat every day.'
Freshly butchered raw meat, at that.
This ship had an agricultural sector for farming and livestock, meant to supply high-end cuisine for the upper echelons or visiting VIPs from outside. And yet, they were feeding that precious meat to a mere cat.
'Which goes to show Kisaragi Eugene's no ordinary civilian.'
Probably a Prime Capital noble from Mars or a top-tier Noble Capital exec from a Mega Corp. Both were core ruling classes of the Mega Corps, wielding planetary-level influence.
'Annoying bunch.'
They had sky-high pride and never forgot a grudge. Even the tiniest slight, they'd repay a hundredfold later. I'd struggled plenty with them back in the game.
Even if I'd killed someone else instead of Kisaragi Eugene and escaped the ship, she wouldn't forget me. She'd hunt me down somehow and kill me.
'One more reason she has to die.'
Setting aside her status, the real issue was how to take out that cat.
"Meow."
The cat yawned lazily, mouth gaping wide. Sprawled on its luxury cushion, it embodied peak idleness.
This was Kisaragi Eugene's bedroom.
I was in the ventilation duct connected to the wall near the bedroom floor. I'd been watching the lazy beast through the grate for a while now, and its sloth was sigh-inducing.
'Looks dull, so killing it shouldn't be hard.'
Cats might be domesticated, but they hadn't lost their wild instincts like dogs had. They were natural-born hunters.
So I'd figured it'd be a tough matchup for a mere hatchling like me. Sure, I'd win a fight, but it'd come at the cost of serious bleeding.
But seeing it up close, that worry was unfounded. Looking at its fat belly, I didn't think it'd put up a fight—I just thought it'd taste good.
'Problem is, it's too damn lazy.'
It spent most of the day on that cushion. Only moving for meals or walks with its owner.
'Can't kill it right here, though.'
Amusingly, this room had tighter security than the cargo bay.
The vent I was in looked identical to others at a glance.
But with my Super Sense, I could tell the bedroom's owner was paranoid-level obsessive about security. Laser sensors dotted everywhere, watching for intruders.
If I entered the room? The AI would instantly alert the guards outside to a stranger.
'And I'd be done for.'
No need for guns—even a guard's kick would burst my guts.
'Stuck here.'
The cat itself seemed easy, but getting to it was trickier than expected. Irritated, I flicked my tail hard without thinking.
'Shit!'
The tail smacked the vent wall, making a noise. The cat's ears perked up.
"Mrow?"
It bolted upright and charged straight toward me. Pretty agile for a fat cat.
Its body slammed the grate, triggering the laser sensors.
I felt the guards outside tense up. No time to stick around.
I glared at the cat clawing the grate and retreated. Guards burst in right after I left.
"What? What got in?"
"Tch, cat's throwing another fit."
"Again?"
"Ugh, that damn thing!"
Leaving their grumbling behind, I returned to my nest.
'Me, making a mistake like that.'
I'd nearly gotten myself killed. Smacking my tail in frustration—what a rookie error.
Was the cozy nest dulling my edge? Comfort making me sloppy?
'Drew its attention with my tail... wait.'
Mid-self-recrimination, an idea sparked.
Fragments of inspiration fired off randomly. I pieced them together like a puzzle.
'Bored cat, stimulation, guards' reaction.'
Three key elements.
Finally, I had a plan to take it down.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Cat Kaiser was killing time on his cushion as usual.
When he learned he'd have to leave home for a stinking metal hunk, he couldn't believe it.
He'd sternly scolded his food provider, Kisaragi Eugene, but she just looked apologetic and ignored him.
Kaiser was deeply disappointed, but his suffering didn't end there. The bed was uncomfortable, and the food was garbage.
He'd lived on premium beef and fresh-caught fish his whole life; the ship's slop was unbearable.
He'd even fasted a full day, he—the glutton.
Only because his owner begged on her knees did he deign to eat the subpar meat.
Soon enough, he'd adapted perfectly, his initial resistance forgotten. Ship life, with its unchanging routine, suited his lazy nature.
Kaiser stretched amid the boredom. He hated moving, but he wasn't lacking cat curiosity.
Wonder if something fun'll happen.
Then, a rustling reached his ears.
Looking up, it came from beyond the vent where wind whispered. Not long ago, something weird had emerged from there, piquing his interest.
Kaiser rose slowly. Last time, he'd rushed and missed the mystery thing.
This time, he'd be careful. Approaching the vent entrance, he spotted a small object.
A half-smashed cockroach, twitching futilely.
Seeing it stirred Kaiser's dormant predator instincts. Without thinking, he pounced.
Front paw pulverized the bug. A unfamiliar thrill washed over him.
It was fun. His tiny brain filled with desire for more toys.
Through the grate, another roach appeared. He deflated— he'd pawed the grate before; it hadn't budged.
Regretfully, he tapped it. Shockingly, it toppled forward.
Elated, he crawled into the vent after the bug.
"Hey, it's going off again."
"Cat, probably. Annoying—let's check later."
"Yeah, where's it gonna go with us guarding?"
Being a cat, Kaiser didn't understand the guards' chatter.
Even if he did, the bugs had him too engrossed to care.
Following scattered roaches, light appeared ahead. It led to an open corridor.
"Mrow?"
Glancing around, he'd never been here. Should he turn back? But another roach overrode reason.
Behind the corpse loomed a dark maw contrasting the corridor's glow. Fearlessly, Kaiser leaped in.
It was the cargo bay.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'Here it comes.'
I lurked atop a container, peering down. The dumb cat followed the roaches into the cargo bay without a second thought.
'Not entirely dumb?'
It was just instinct.
For animals, instinct was absolute.
Even domesticated, its wild genes lingered—hunter, predator DNA.
"Meow."
It neared the container. I readied my ambush.
Blood pumped faster from tension. My thick, flexible tail-tail begged to strike.
Leg muscles tensed, body lowered—combat ready.
Meanwhile, my faithful Super Sense calculated the perfect strike timing.
Aemorph vision pierced the dim bay, locking on the cat. Analyzing muscles, bones, habits, I noted its right eye had weaker vision.
"Mrow?"
It turned left. Its poor right eye missed me in the shadows.
Now!
Legs propelled me airborne. No wings—too noisy. Gravity sufficed.
Distance closed fast.
Its ears twitched at the whoosh. Head snapped my way, pupils dilating. Body tensed in alarm.
Too late.
My tail speared its flank like an assassin's dart. Paralysis venom, lethal to adults, flooded its veins. Its tiny body couldn't resist; heart stopped seconds later.
Hunt successful.
I planted a foot on the motionless trophy and let out a small roar.
The predator's victory cry echoed; the bay's denizens trembled in fear and awe.
'Alright. Time to eat.'
Ceremony done, onto the reward. I bit into the cat corpse.
'Whoa?!'
A texture worlds apart from roaches or calorie bars hit my brain.
Warm mammalian blood flooded first, sweet. Before savoring, chewy muscle and umami fat assaulted my taste buds.
Shivers down my spine—pure shock.
Roaches, spiders, calorie bars? Amateur hour.
This was what 'delicious' meant.
Legs quaking, I bit again.
'Insane.'
No illusion. I could eat cat meat till I died and be happy. Words failed to capture its glory.
I devoured mindlessly.
The bigger cat vanished in under five minutes.
'Smack.'
Bones crunched, blood licked clean. Sated, I understood Aemorphs' meat obsession.
'It's fucking delicious.'
The taste swore for me.
Even sans gene essence goal, it'd be worth hunting.
Licking blood and flesh from my forelegs, a text box appeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Predation Effect activated! Successfully acquired gene essence of 'Wild Instinct'. Stolen 'Wild Instinct' biological trait from 'Cat'. Apply 'Wild Instinct'?
'Oh?'
Post-meal bliss, plus gene essence? From my first cat kill, no less.
'Wild Instinct, huh. New one.'
First time eating cat, so no prior knowledge. Whatever the effect, better to have it. I accepted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Wild Instinct' trait applied. Can fuse with existing 'Super Sense' trait. 'Wild Instinct' and 'Super Sense' traits fuse. Evolved into 'Predator Sense' trait! Predator Sense: 'Super Sense' trait enhanced. Using possessed information, detect nearby future threats in advance.
*P.S.: A master hunter reads the path ahead.
'Holy shit?'
I stared at the text box, speechless.