Chapter 28: The Young Fox That Bullied the Cat

Once its vital parts were exposed, the big cat felt a shudder of dread, and its fur bristled all over, making its body puff up and appear larger. This was the cat’s natural reaction—a primal instinct of vigilance. Yet Vinigo did not shoot an arrow, merely stared, as a venomous serpent would fix its gaze upon prey, seeming to freeze the very soul of its quarry.

Under this dual pressure, the big cat’s movements became even more distorted. Sophie seized the opportunity, darting forward, her great sword whirling and crashing down. Thankfully, she remembered Honey’s desire to keep it alive; at the last moment, she tilted the blade, striking the cat hard and pinning it to the ground.

Without hesitation, Vinigo reset his role, drew from his belt a net woven of fine metallic threads, threw it over the big cat, and tightened it.

“Big cat, big cat, what’s your name?” Honey ran gleefully to the edge of the net, patting the cat’s head as she asked.

The big cat turned away, ignoring her. So little Honey hopped to the other side and continued patting its face.

“So annoying, Sharpclaw. I’m Cait Sith Sharpclaw!” the cat shouted.

“Big cat, would you be my pet?” Honey asked, blinking innocently.

“Are you an idiot? We’re enemies!” the big cat replied angrily.

“What does that matter?” Honey blinked again, tilting her head in confusion.

“It already has an owner,” Vinigo said lazily, leaning against the wall.

“An alchemical beast,” Sophie added.

“What’s that?” Honey looked at Vinigo, utterly lost.

“It means it was created by alchemy. A powerful alchemist would naturally impose certain bindings on their creation, making betrayal impossible,” Vinigo explained.

“Using exorcism?” Honey asked, head tilted.

“Unlikely. The restriction is etched deep in the soul, not something surface magic like exorcism can affect,” Vinigo replied.

“What should I do, then? Honey really likes this big cat,” Honey said, pouting in distress.

“Idiot, you… like me?” The big cat curled up slightly, its fur spreading out like a mottled ball of fluff. “I’m just an ugly mongrel cat.”

“Probably a stray that’s been hurt by humans, with deep distrust toward people,” Vinigo mused. “Such cats are hard to care for, Honey.”

“Honey likes it anyway,” Honey insisted, lips pursed.

“Even as I am now? You don’t mind?” the big cat asked, agitated.

“What do you mean? Honey only knows big cats like this. I don’t know what you used to look like,” Honey replied, puzzled. “By the way, who’s your owner? Are they fun?”

“Are you really an idiot… I… can’t believe I was moved for a moment just now. How pathetic,” the big cat sighed, slumping back down.

“Come on, big cat!” Honey demanded, pounding its head.

“What for? Idiot!” the big cat roared back.

“Be Honey’s pet!” Honey continued steadfastly, patting its head.

“No…”

Their argument persisted, but Sophie and Vinigo had no interest in joining in. Vinigo stepped forward and tied off the net securely, then sat down with Sophie to rest.

Sophie was exhausted; now that Honey had recovered, Sophie needed to relax, steady her breathing, and replenish water and heat. As for Vinigo, he waited for his role reset to cool down, preparing for his next role construction. He had brought ample disguises, weapons, and gear.

“Come to think of it, I should be able to construct that role now,” Vinigo murmured.

He looked at the clothing in his hands: simple attire, armbands, shorts, and bandages wrapped around wrists and ankles.

Role construction began. He donned the Muay Thai outfit, styled his hair forward into a tapered shape, and built the character he envisioned.

Role selected, analysis complete… construction begins. Adon, construction complete!

Adon was a character from Young Street Fighter, a Muay Thai assassin. His movements were swift, adept at seizing opportunities and striking at enemy weaknesses.

By the standards of Young Street Fighter, Adon was a human trained nearly to the limit, wielding Muay Thai techniques for formidable lethality. This power, however, was only human; in this world, it wasn’t extraordinary.

In truth, Ken from God of War style was stronger, but Vinigo needed Adon’s Muay Thai. The reason was simple: Vinigo understood Muay Thai principles, but God of War style? What even is that—can you eat it?

Still, Adon’s vicious, ruthless fighting style might offend some, so a backup was necessary.

Overly powerful roles were inefficient to construct, and Vinigo wanted a mid-tier strongman… Abel, the man without a past.

Strong, skilled in instinctive wrestling, rough in appearance yet genuinely refined.

But considering their foes were giant rats, ratmen, and half-rat sorcerers, Vinigo could easily choose the best fit.

Muay Thai assassin Adon.

Vinigo glanced to the side; Honey was still lively, and the big cat was engaged in a heated exchange with her.

“Let’s begin. Honey, are you ready?” Vinigo called.

“Almost!” Honey hurriedly pounded the big cat’s head, argued a few rapid words, and dragged the reluctant cat over.

“All set?” Vinigo asked skeptically. “You won’t suddenly try to ambush us, right?”

“Meow, I may be a cat, but I don’t do immoral things,” the big cat sneered.

“Hard to believe a killer cat like you has any reliable morals,” Vinigo sneered back.

“Believe what you want… Wait, when did I surrender, you jerk!” the big cat suddenly realized, crying out.

Honey thumped its head and continued their quiet quarrel.

Vinigo merely smiled, watching the pair without saying a word. Like a group on an outing, they descended the sewer steps.

“Sophie, you cover the rear this time,” Vinigo said. Sophie nodded, no objection.

“Honey, no need for berserk this time. Just use fear to disrupt their formations,” Vinigo instructed. “As for the cat, let it stay put. It’s not much use anyway.”

“A poor provocation…” The big cat squinted, glaring at Vinigo’s neck.

“Fine, since our opponents are all rats,” Vinigo shrugged, “Let’s bet. You and I—who can exterminate rats faster? If you win, I let you go; if you lose, you become Honey’s pet.”

“But my master’s orders…” the big cat hesitated.

“Your master ordered you to protect the Prince of Thieves. These rats aren’t included,” Vinigo replied without pause. “By the way, who is your master?”

“My master is the ruler of Warlord Castle. I was once the chief of the Sharpclaw tribe, defeated and alchemically transformed into this… I cannot betray the loyalty brand etched deep in my soul,” the big cat answered.

“I suppose creatures like you are trivial, but since Honey likes you, I’ll put in some effort—even if alchemical marks aren’t entirely flawless.”

“I wouldn’t know. Magic isn’t my forte,” the big cat replied.

“We’ll leave it at that. Your master probably doesn’t pay much attention to a minor creature like you,” Vinigo said.

The big cat glared, but Vinigo shrugged indifferently and strode ahead.

A horde of ratmen rushed toward them, interspersed with giant rats and half-rat sorcerers. Vinigo shouted and lunged forward.

Muay Thai was fierce and forceful, using every joint as a weapon with utter ruthlessness. Mastered, it created an almost perfect killing machine. In the guise of Adon, Vinigo embodied this deadly artistry.

Elbows like spears, legs like whips—Adon’s killing moves were as agile as a jaguar: swift, merciless, and supremely efficient.

As for the big cat, it too was swift and ruthless.

There were no wasted movements, only the most effective strikes—sharp claws tearing open vital spots, throats or hearts, simple and unadorned, exceptionally clean kills.

“Jaguar Kick!” Vinigo intoned the name of the finishing move, unleashing Adon’s signature leg strike. His powerful heel, like a jaguar’s fang, cleaved the ratman thief before him in two.

The charm of Jaguar Kick lay in its speed and wide attack range; with the right distance, there was little fear of enemy counterattack.

Vinigo also knew Adon’s kick had armor-breaking properties. That was why he chose this moderate role, not the likes of Ryu or Akuma.

Vinigo retracted his leg, standing provocatively as he eyed the big cat. The cat had just withdrawn its bloody claws and looked back with disdain.

He actually lost to that creature… Vinigo sighed.

Indeed, to bully a cat, one needs considerable strength.