Chapter Text
Kim Rok Soo was your typical struggling man, old enough to acquire a job and make a decision for his own.
He's used to struggling, anguish, and humiliation, his parents died when he was extremely young and he bears no flashbacks of them, he was mistreated by his uncle almost every day before becoming an orphan; he had become a scholar and managed to graduate; he obtained a job, and afterwards, on a random day, something happened which is the monster apocalypse and he's forced to watch his brothers as well as those he shared bonds with drop dead and abandoning him behind-
He's used and immune to any and all kinds of sorrow and agony.
But absolutely nothing can even shock him to death except for this situation.
He discovered himself with four miniature fuzzy paws.
zZz
“Meow?”
Kim Rok Soo had no anticipation of waking up in a completely new environment and surroundings.
’Where am I?’
“Meow?"
But instead of speaking and allowing his thoughts to flow out of his tongue, he discovered that he wasn't able to do it - but he was able to hear himself wailing in a high-pitched tone which was undoubtedly not his- or Kim Rok Soo's deep voice.
He then discovered himself in a filthy alleyway, several garbage cans, a horizon that appeared to go on everlastingly, and the sun shining so vibrantly on his tiny figure that he had to squint. This new surroundings that he awakened at, he knew it does not at all exist anywhere in South Korea.
Finally, he turned and looked at himself.
“Meow!”
When he tilted his head and saw red paws, he made a noise loudly. When he tilted it even further, he saw four precisely red legs.
Four paws and legs covered with red fur.
FOUR.
That implies that he occupies an animalistic body instead of an average human body!
“Meow!”
‘What exactly did I do to deserve this?’
Kim Rok Soo, who was now standing on four legs and paws, remembered that before waking up in this manner. He remembered reading a novel called 'The Birth of a Hero,' which had a classic storyline wherein the protagonist is powerful and has a courageous character, and he basically goes to save bunch of individuals with the assistance of his allies, by using strength of companionship to overwhelm the villainous and secretive organization.
The main character is a Korean who was mysteriously transferred into another world, fights for decade for his life, eventually finds his second home but has been attacked and killed, and now he seeks vengeance on that organization. The setting is adapted from historical European style with its medieval swordplay and customs, based on what he records and recalls.
Nevertheless, nothing could prepare him for this moment.
With his present state, how could he possibly analyze and organize any thought?
Instead of waking up in his room, he discovers himself in an unknown environment with an oddly shaped body and four paws.
"Meow..." Kim Rok Soo groans, or more precisely, purrs sorrowfully.
But, in order to confirm his current situation and what kind of species he was, he turned around and even though he had already anticipated it, he was distressed to see an extremely shaggy and fluffy tail linked to his ass.
Fantastic, sooo fantastic.
Now, he has had no clue what kind of universe this is or what kind of notion this world has, but his main worry and priority is that he is trapped and transmigrated in a bizarre animalistic form.
Talk about dreaming, this is a total nightmare.
"Meow..." He heard his awful pitch tone once more.
So, while arranging his thoughts, he started to walk awkwardly enough, technically when you're accustomed to walking with only two feet, walking with four feet feels foreign and bizarre, and that's not a great discovery either.
Kim Rok Soo glanced up at the top of the sealed garbage bin and concluded that sitting atop it would be preferable than sitting on the damp and practically filthy ground.
So, upon positioning himself and preparing to leap, measuring the distance, his one paw tapped the ground and executed the motion, he floated or, more specifically, he jumped with all his power to the closed garbage bin.
“Meow!”
‘Great, I did it.’
Now that he was sitting on a flat surface, he began to ponder and arrange his thoughts, calming himself down and plotting his next steps to survive in this environment.
Because there's absolutely no way he'd die as a cat, and he'll make sure to survive anything even if fate decided to turn him into an ant, which hopefully won't happen.
He's suffering in this situation, but worse transforming into an ant? No way.
'Think positively; at the very least, I'm not an ant.'
However, as he sat on the closed trash bin, a bushy red tail appeared, just as he imagined, and when he tried to come close to it, specifically his nose brushed the tail, he received a brittle texture and a bushy and fluffy layer of fur.
Lifting one of his forearms and staring at his paw, instinctually licking it and feeling embarrassed, but his animalistic instinct just urges and forcefully licked his paws, even though it felt awkwardly for a human in a animalistic body, uttering a few meows before he stops, and how relief he was that it doesn't taste as horrible as he anticipated.
He carefully examined the tip of his ears, noting that they were two pointy and bristles furred ears before proceeding to his warmth and rosy nose, brushing his delicate whiskers along the way and momentarily rubbing his fluffy snout.
The gear or his imagination produced an image of himself.
“Meow,”
There's no doubt about it, he's a feline or a cat; the sound he makes supports it; a domesticated cat and an extremely puffy and shaggy cat that garnered a lot of attention were roaming like a stray cat in the alleyway, probably abandoned or never found its way home again.
“Meow.”
There is definitely hope for him to have the descent and lazy life he has always desired if only he could become a helpful and tamed house cat. Kim Rok Soo was conscious of the consequences of a cute appearance on humans and may have utilized it as a weapon for him to be adopted.
Now in this world,
He is at least 99% certain that this is not the world he came from; it was pretty strange. How can this be his world if the sky isn't polluted by smog released by monster onslaught or burning structures?
Furthermore, Kim Rok Soo recorded and memorized everything that was inside Korea, and not even this one alleyway can be discovered in his accurate and trustworthy memories.
“Meow,”
Kim Rok Soo, on the other hand, believed that it's essential to fully understand the environment that this world has, thus by hopping down on the garbage bin and stretching himself slightly, his four legs began to walk out of the stinky alleyway.
zZz
“Bread for sale!”
“Newspaper!”
Kim Rok Soo was surprised to find himself out of that alleyway, which is a very bustling and calm environment where everyone has their own life to live.
Though Kim Rok Soo observed that the clothing and style of the wooden houses here are comparable to European medieval times, he also heard that there is a king and princes in this world, as well as a castle or a palace akin to England in his world.
So, on every tippy toes, he watched and observed his surroundings, continually strolling on the sidewalk and avoiding massive gatherings while he formulated some theories or even hypotheses about the kind of world he now lives in.
He merely requires factual evidence and verification from these people.
“Meow?”
He noticed a bunch of ladies gathered and discussing something that piqued his interest.
"I heard Prince Alberu was going to be Crown Prince of this kingdom!"
"His highness most likely deserves it; he did a lot of good in the Roan Kingdom at such a young age!"
His soul almost got kicked out on this strange body, a very familiar name of a prince and a familiar place stated in a novel he read before waking up in this world.
Alberu Crossman is the heir to the throne of Roan Kingdom, and he is a character from The Birth of a Hero and Kim Rok Soo assumption was completely right.
He was in the world of 'The Birth of a Hero,' a world where fantasy is reality and magic is the source of power and civilization.
"Meow.." Cale meowed,
This is where the impossible things become a reality. The myths of his previous world came to life in this world, resulting in a number of strong individuals that you shouldn't mess with easily.
It appears that the cosmos purposefully brought him here to struggle, and Kim Rok Soo seems to have no idea if this is intentional or if he's just unlucky.
How can a fucking cat withstand such tragedies in this world when he can't even walk on with his newly acquired four legs?
The cat simply sighs or meows deeply.
He continued to walk, his stomach trembling and his strength draining, till he came to a halt when he spotted a bakery shop with a display of exquisite and mouth-watering pastries that even the cat stopped, leaning his paws on the window and his mouth drooling with saliva.
“Meow!”
Damn, he's hungry.
He could see the dirty imprint that his paws had left on the glass, but he didn't really care because a stray cat like him would never receive this dessert.
After all, it requires money for obtaining these pastries.
And a cat like him has no money.
'I would easily accept my fate if I were a cat from a wealthy family with endless money, but damn this world genuinely wants to fuck me by transmigrating me as a stray cat.'
Kim Rok Soo had already experienced this type of suffering, the starvation he faced in order to survive, ignoring the screams of his stomach as he hoped to survive those tragedies and disasters.
The cat becomes determined; he can do this in this situation as well; he simply needs to be less choosy about food and follow the flow of his animalistic survivalist instinct.
Even though it stung to see the desserts fill his stomach, he kept walking till he came to another alleyway.
“Meow”
It is the location of the bakery's shop trash bin where Kim Rok Soo is sure that this is where the bakery's owner or workers put their waste.
That is, there must be foods in there that can help his stomach satisfy its need.
So he adjusted and determined the distance he would jump over, keeping in mind that food was his first priority and that cats can jump very high.
Thud.
He was able to land at the trash bin like a ball that scored three points, additionally Kim Rok Soo doesn't mind that the trash stinks, as long as he can find food it's fine for him.
He repeatedly found expired food items and plastics while digging deeper in the trash bin. Kim Rok Soo refused to eat the food because it contained ants and mosquitoes, reasoning that if he did, he might experience severe stomach pain and not be able to survive.
He thus did not eat it, until his little paws managed to open a container and reveal a treasure that he was eager to find.
‘A decent food!’
Although some would not consider it legitimate food, this food is good for a cat that is starving.
It might be safe to eat a slice of cake that is simply made of bread and has no frosting.
The former human who was transformed into a cat was unsure of how to eat it. He wanted to protect himself from humiliation, but his instinct as a cat was too strong to resist. He licked the cake, and perhaps if he ignores his human pride or dignity, it's not that humiliating after all.
He bit, licked and treasured the taste of it as it got digested to his mouth.
He chewed it, licked it off, and savored the flavor while it was being digested in his mouth.
After devouring the entire slice of cake, he drank some water from the basin next to what he imagined was where raindrops collected; the little cat drank from it and then sat down.
Even if he wasn't full, he was at least no longer hungry.
“Meow.”
‘When I'm still out there and looking for my owner, I can get used to living exactly like this for the meantime.’
He only needs to go for a stroll around the capital, win some people's hearts with his adorable appearance, and forage for food in trash cans. He can live a life like this for the meantime without getting into any fights.
As the night fell, the cat smiled, a new human or creature had been added to this world's population, or perhaps this world's population of felines.
And as for that cat,
He is resting and is confident that everything will be well in the future.
zZz
“Meow!”
‘Forget about surviving peacefully!’
“Bark bark!”
'Forget about surviving in this world when a giant dog is chasing me!'
He's getting a bad exercise first thing in the morning.
A red cat sprinted for his life, not caring that he was running on his four legs uncomfortably, he needed to get away from this dog bastard!
“Meow!“
"Bark, bark!"
He never intended to irritate this damned dog! He swears he only saw some meat on the ground and didn't plan to take it, and now he's being chased!
This meat is now his by the way.He just need to get out of here.
“Meow!”
He turned around to see the large dog chasing him, still chasing furiously and pursuing him.
“Meow!”
'I nearly lost my tail!'
His tail was almost bitten by the dog, but happily, it appears that the world is still with him; it just pulled some of his fur, causing the dog to sneeze.
"Meow meow!” The red cat meowed, as if to say the dog deserved it, and then he saw his escape.
Kim Rok Soo learned that as a red cat, his five senses were heightened and even more keen, but he also gained the ability to jump high.
“Bark bark!“
“Meow!”
The red cat rejoiced inwardly as he spotted a roof he was confident he could jump on.
"Bark, bark!"
'I escape!'
“Meow!”
Kim Rok Soo leapt from the ground to the roof of the house with ease.
With the meat in his jaws, the red cat sat down on the triangular brick roof and began to chew and devour the entire meat, despite his animalistic instinct shouting that this is not good food, he still ate it and left only the bones.
"Meow," the red cat mewls in ecstasy, and despite his best efforts, he begins licking his paws after devouring the meat.
“hmmm… bark," The sound of the dog's whimpering resonated from up here, so the red cat tilted his head and carefully inspected the canine.
It was lying on the ground and appeared to be a stray dog and his supposed to be meal was the meat that he unfortunately stole.
Kim Rok Soo will not sympathize with this dog; he was also surviving in this world as a stray cat, so why should he sympathize with that dog?
“Meow…” The red cat called,
The dog glanced up tiredly, not anticipating anything, but how surprised he was to see a descending bone from heaven, no, from the roof.
"Bark, bark!"
The dog's eyes glistened as it began to chew and gnaw on the bones.
Kim Rok Soo, the red cat, meowed in amusement as he walked across the ceilings or roofs of the houses.
Now that he had his meal, he must fulfill his mission, which is to seek an owner willing to take care of him.
'It would be wonderful if a noble adopted me...'
So the red cat atop the house roof hopped down, stretched and tapped his paws on the ground and mewing.
-
-
–
His act is to appear cute and like a wonderful pet in order to get adopted, the humiliation he will receive won't matter as long as he has an owner that can offer him a shelter.
In any case, he was after the kind hearted individuals who seemed like they would be compassionate toward a helpless creature like him and who appeared to have enough money to care for him.
Yes, in order to be adopted, he must establish the requirements for the individuals who would adopt him.
“What a cute little fellow are you…”
Although that is not what he preferred, he needs to act like a vulnerable and innocent adorable little cat just like one of those Korean idols who do their aegyo, and Kim Rok Soo is about to do it in a cat's body, no regardless of how awkward and stereotypical it is.
'No one would realize I'm a transmigrated man here; in their eyes, I'm just another cat.'
“Meow,”
The first person he approached is a grandmother, acting cute as his eyes gleamed and became larger and hypnotizing as he gazed at the grandmother, he wrapped his tail around the grandmother's knees and brush it from time to time, licking his paws and acting like a whole adorable little pet who's really tamed.
“Aaww, Here's a snack for you…” The grandma said before leaving right away.
“Meow…?” It's a fish from grandma's grocery and the red cat sniffed it with his highly sensitive nose, it's not cooked and still raw, he concluded.
Kim Rok Soo begins eating it despite the fact that it seems odd, and as he had anticipated, it is edible for a cat like him.
“Meow!” He sincerely thanked the grandmother.
‘It's not what I'm asking for but it's still nice.’
-
-
–
Life is cruel, no one is in the proper mind to adopt someone like him.
People merely look at him and brush his fur before bidding farewell, unable to convince anyone to take him home and provide him with warm food and a blanket.
Perhaps it's because of his nasty smell or how dirty he looked; appearance is a factor in looking like a lovely pet, but Kim Rok Soo can't really afford it because he regularly runs and digs around in a garbage bin.
The cat groaned and headed towards his resting place, which is near the bakery's shop; it's the trash can where he discovered his first food since being here.
However,
“Meow!”
Kim Rok Soo flinched as he stared at the alleyway because it wasn't his high-pitched sound but rather a few meows that sounded like they were singing in a choir.
‘Fuck.’
“Meow.” He whimpers,
‘Forget not engaging in a fight! Most likely, these stray cats are here to ambush me! ’
“Meow,” couples of high pitched and scary meowing could be heard.
The cats are staring at him with fire in their eyes, yes cat with ‘s’.
‘There are lots of them…’
The cat that appeared to be the leader descended and began approaching him. He could smell the foul odor of both this cat and the other cats as well.
He takes a step back.
“Hiss!”
He made a menacing noise and bit the fish with his lips open while looking around.
"Meow," The cats appear to be amused by his actions.
There are definitely at least ten cats right here who know how to survive here or how to kill those animals that are similar to them.
'I need to run.'
He can't protect himself from these many cats.
"Meow meow," they said as they followed him, licking their fangs, and Kim Rok Soo swallowed a lump in his throat.
He'd be dead if he hadn't escaped from here.
“Hiss!”
So he just kept making those menacing sounds and taking steps backwards, preparing to flee and never be seen again in this alleyway.
“Meow!”
It ran as fast as it could, and the other cats chased him from behind.
He had learned every shortcut and route in this plaza, so he leapt on every high surface he saw and continued to run, not looking back from behind.
He could hear the footsteps of a pack of cats chasing him. Kim Rok Soo has no idea why he's being chased away, but he just keeps running as if there's no tomorrow.
“Meow!”
However, when he reaches the capital's border or the end of it, the cats appear to be chasing after him, his energy is draining, and he can sense that the other cats will likely be able to seize his tail if this continues.
“Meow!”
The cats appear to be angry as well, Kim Rok Soo didn't think he survived until now with that ambush, it appears that this cat he was transmigrated to was a trackstar, a runner.
Kim Rok Soo had no idea where he was, but he noticed a large area with a tall gate surrounding it, which was a dead end.
‘Shit!’
So Kim Rok Soo came to a halt, and he noticed the other cats losing their breath as they surrounded the unfortunate redhead.
“Meow!" His wailing sounds defensive.
“Meow!” The cats respond so terrifyingly.
'I'm cornered, but it appears that I also have the opportunity to escape from this ambush.'
So, Kim Rok Soo looked up and saw the terrifying tall iron fence, and he encouraged himself that he could accomplish or do the stunt that he's been planning to do.
The other cats appeared to be unaware of his plans, as they surrounded him and the redhead took a step backwards and backwards till he felt the cold barrier against his back.
His red shaggy tail wrapped protectively around him, his reddish brown eyes glowing brighter in the night, and he was determined.
When the cats came to a halt and raised and licked their fangs at him, it seemed as if they thought that they had finally caught the red cat.
"Meow!” They are mistaken, Kim Rok Soo is only getting started.
Cling!
“Meow!”
He feels himself jumping over the ground, and the cat reacts fast as one of the cats scrapes his legs—no, his thighs—but nothing could stop the redhead cat from surviving.
Kim Rok Soo jumped, and his fangs were instantly on the thick metallic gate as he endured the pain.
“Meow!” He exclaimed fiercely.
He climbed and climbed and climbed until he reached the top, not looking back at those awful cats even though he could hear their high pitched meowing and he finally felt he had survived a cat's ambush.
Now that he is at the top, his sharp eyes scan the ground on the other side of the barrier. He notices a sizable territory that appears to belong to a wealthy family, but he can't stop to think about it because he must concentrate on his present situation. He also scans the ground where he will fall because, technically, he is unable to climb down on this gate.
A bushy plant, that is.
“Meow!”
‘Better!’
As a result, Kim Rok Soo leaped without giving it a second thought. He then felt himself being embraced by the plant's soft but itchily texture. Although it doesn't feel like a mattress, he can endure it.
“Meow…”
He had a scratch on his thigh, but he was still alive and had eaten the fish, his body still functioning normally. It's just that he's tired of the the game he's been playing with those scumbags cats.
He was exhausted, so the redhead felt his head becoming lighter and lighter, despite the unpleasant and ticklish stuff, he was slowly being devoured by the darkness.
He was certain that he would survive tomorrow's challenges as well.
So the red cat at last experienced what it was like to be an animal trying to survive.
It's also terrible.
But it's comparable to how humans are continually looking for ways to take advantage of one another and attack a helpless victim for no apparent reason.
Kim Rok Soo was very familiar with it.
zZz
Kim Rok Soo awoke to one of those baby-blue skies, not the kaleidoscopic candy-blue or washed-out grey of frigid mornings. Unlike the gloomy and polluted sky and wind that he frequently sees in his previous world, the clouds were as puffs of bright delight, ready to scatter into the breeze.
"Meow..." says the red cat, blinking to clear the fuzzy images.
He saw a rich garden, a very nature-loving setting, and a large castle once he was in the appropriate frame of mind.
'The family who lives here must be wealthy…'
The trees are dancing beauties in the sunlight that paints on the red cat fur so warmly, each in dresses more spectacular than any designer can craft. They move in perfect sync with one another, choreographed by the wind.
They are the joy of this early summer morning for the red cat, who survived an ambush last night, and he wonders how many shades of green his reddish brown eyes are witnessing because it was so rare for him to see flawlessly a group of trees that had not been damaged by the monster's raid.
The trees raise their arms upwards and outwards into the light, taking in rays as clean as rain, so the red cat stretches his arms up as well, paws outstretched toward the sun and yawn multiple times.
“Meow.”
Now that he's currently on a unfamiliar wealthy place, with a castle on the top of that, Kim Rok Soo set a goal to explore this place while he's also going to seek for his priority, food.
“Meow-”
‘It hurts-’
As a result of the injuries he sustained yesterday, his knees or whatever part of the cat anatomy it is, it hurts.
Kim Rok Soo can only feel sorry for himself as he suffers.
He can still walk, but it will be more difficult for him, and it's uncomfortable to feel the injury while using your four legs to go around.
‘It appears that even in this life, I cannot afford to be scar-free.’
Even though Kim Rok Soo has a new body which is a cat. It still infuriates and disappoints him because he has to live with scars even in this life.
He resumes his journey, simply wandering, with no intention of going to the castle.
There's a maze garden with all types of flowers, and when you get out of there, you'll see the back of the castle, and as the red cat strolls on, he sees the main gate.
It's the gate with at least two guards protecting it, and Kim Rok Soo sneakily hides in one of the bushes as he glances and hears a carriage sound for about twelve meters distant heading ahead to the castle or this territory.
Kim Rok Soo needs to observe and determine who owns this castle and the red cat has some theories, but he needs to see it for himself and see the actual owner of this castle, who is most likely wealthy or involved in political conflicts.
He heard the sound of horses.
So, after the golden and magnificent carriage with the horse stops and enters the gate, the guard promptly assists the person going to disembark from the carriage.
"I admire how royal guards protected this palace for me everyday and it's incredible how you guys can manage to guard this palace even though the heat might hurt your skin, royal guards."
The person who just stepped off the carriage has this bright and shiny blond hair, as if the sunshine forged on it, blue eyes, and the grin that Kim Rok Soo noticed is fake, and just for shitshow or fake socialization.
“It's the least we can do, Prince Alberu.” The guards bow and the cat feel like his palpitations skip a beat.
‘Damn it. It's the crown prince.’
Alberu Crossman, one of the main characters or important characters in the novel, a crown prince of the Roan Kingdom who helped the protagonist a lot and he also developed a hobby to use people by showering them flattery or compliments and using them later on.
Although he often manipulate and used people, it's for the benefit of the kingdom which he treasure the most,
‘And a cat, me, is trespassing the crown prince's palace.’
Though, it doesn't seems like Alberu Crossman is not the crown prince yet,
Then his record flash,
“I heard Prince Alberu would become the Crown Prince of this kingdom!”
“His highness probably deserves it, he did a lot of good things in the Roan Kingdom even at such a young age!”
Kim Rok Soo remembered the gossip of those ladies in the plaza.
‘Alberu in this time is still not granted the title of crown prince, but he will undoubtedly receive it in the near future.’
It appears that the timeline or the time when he transmigrated into this world is the past before the events in the novel occurred, Kim Rok Soo doesn't know what is the exact year but judging from the crown prince's appearance, it appears that he is no longer a child or a teenager, it must be like 2-3 years before the incident in the novel happened.
‘Heh, I'm really shameless, huh? A cat was on the crown prince's property without permission.’
Kim Rok Soo knew that getting caught would mean the end for him, so he adapted to the bushes and took care to hide his tail completely.
The red cat with enhanced five senses can clearly hear the prince say, "If any uproar happens, please go to my office right away."
The guard then returns to their stationery position as the prince enters the palace.
And at last, Kim Rok Soo is able to breathe and gather his thoughts.
‘Now I confirmed who's the owner of this place, it's time to find some food here.’
Kim Rok Soo's eyes sparkled as he realized that the leftovers here are exquisite because, after all, this is the crown prince palace.
The kitchen, he must find the kitchen.
As though the mother's luck was on his side, the air was filled with wonderful aroma, and as a cat with more keen senses than ever, Kim Rok Soo could follow where that aroma was being cooked.
The cat closed his eyes and sniffed the air, searching for the sweet aroma that made his stomach clench. He was also aware that he could only eat the leftovers or the maids or chef would kick him out.
Kim Rok Soo was tiptoeing to an unknown path, but he knew he could trust his instincts, and he hoped that whatever lay ahead would bring good news to him and his starving stomach.
He's alright living here as long as he doesn't attract the attention of the crown prince.
zZz
The sight of professional chefs cooperating to make a dish, servants and maids casually assisting each other to present the meal, and the aroma and appearance of those dishes can take one to a sweet heaven.
But, of course, the red cat is observing from a distance, from the window to be specific; he's perched on top of a large wooden container, allowing him to observe what's going on in the kitchen of this beautiful mansion.
It was even making him hungry, but he couldn't purr here to catch their attention and acquire some food because it would worsen the situation, such as him getting booted or becoming the next ingredient in their recipe.
The red cat flinched at the thought of that.
‘If only admiring these foods from afar can make me full, I would probably be a fatass cat by now.’
Harsh reality indeed, so the cat just sat there, oddly watching the foods being prepared and the noise of each worker.
it's too peaceful, but he never anticipated making eye contact with a maid,he trembled as he felt their eyes make contact through the window, and he realized he was doomed, so he hopped off the wooden container and hid there.
'She didn't notice me, did she?’
But he could hear footfall and the noise of the door opening, and he cringed, hoping that the footsteps were not heading in his direction, but it betrayed him since he could feel the footsteps becoming louder as they got closer to his location.
Kim Rok Soo shut his eyes.
‘I'm doomed.’
“Here, food for you little guy.”
It's a gentle voice of a woman,
He opened his eyes just to see a maid squatting and a plate of soup placed in front of him.
Kim Rok Soo was taken aback at the sudden approach,
“Meow?”
"You're starving, right?” The maid continues as she tries to place her hands on the red cat's fur.
“Meow.”
And, surprisingly, his body responded by not moving, allowing the maid to place his hand on his body that was covered of thick red bristle texture similar to a paint brush, and Kim Rok Soo's fur was being brushed by someone and he felt bad for this maid because he stinks and his body is filthy.
'It felt odd.'
“Meow,”
If he had to sum it up in words, it would be comforting. The woman touched and caressed Kim Rok Soo's fur without saying anything, and when she reached his head, his instinct made him lift his head even higher to feel the warmth of the maid's hands.
‘What was this action called again? Headbutting?’
Even though it's embarrassing, he can't help it.
When the woman finally stopped, it took a while for Kim Rok Soo to even realize that his tail was wagging.
The cat raised his paws and licked them, dodging the maid's softened gaze as she continued to stare at him in an uncomfortable way.
“Meow,”
‘I'm not embarrassed, it's just there's some dirt.’
“You can eat it, just leave the plate here and,”
Before she continued, the woman again laid her hand on his fur.
“If you want to also receive food the next day, just come here.”
“Meow!”
Kim Rok Soo's eyes shone, finally! A source of food!
“Right? Sorry I can't take you in but this is the least thing I can do for you.”
The woman said and there's a smile lingering on her face.
‘No, it's already enough.’
“Tasha-nim! The prince has requested your presence! " A voice said, and the maid in front of him stood up and said good-by.
"See you tomorrow, little guy."
Kim Rok Soo simply meowed in return before beginning to consume the soup on the plate.
The crimson cat eyes glittered brightly.
“Meow!”
'This is the best food I've had since I arrived in this world.'
So, Kim Rok Soo simply licked the food down to his throat, savoring the flavor and even licking the plate.
It's delicious.
For the first time since he arrived, he's full.
The red cat is satisfied,
Although the maid had some weird scent on her, Kim Rok Soo didn't mind it, he was thankful that he would no longer worry about the food.
For the first time since his arrival in this world, the red cat sleeps peacefully.
zZz
The blue haze of the day faded as night fell, revealing the stars.
When the night sky arrived, the red cat who was prowling around the garden welcomed it.
It's been a week since he arrived, and he's honestly okay living here. The maid constantly doesn't mind his figure anytime he's outside of the kitchen, and some workers and the chef are aware of his existence, but thanks to his cute and tamed behavior, they don't complain and instead let him in the kitchen, they're pleased to know that he's just staying still.
Oh also, he became their free-taste guy and the cat is more than happy to oblige.
So now, strolling around the garden maze after he ate his dinner is his habit, watching the million stars up above is definitely his dream as a slacker.
“Meow?”
He is also slowly getting used to this body, though of course he can still suppress some of his animalistic instincts but if it wasn't harmful he just let it run wild.
But now, looking at the top of the tree, he could hear a noise.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
‘A bird?’
The cat looked up and noticed a bird caught on a branch. He could also see that the bird's foot was stuck on the branch, preventing it from flying, all thanks to his eyes' ability to see through even darkness.
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-
–
“Meow,”
He didn't expect to be in this situation; he simply let his intrusive thoughts triumph, and he found himself going up the tree and riding the branch as he approached the stranded bird.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
“Meow,”
‘Chill, it's not my intention to hurt you.’
The bird may have sensed his genuine intentions because it became silent as the cat slowly removed the feet that had become stuck on a limb.
“Chirp!”
Thud.
After a few seconds, the bird's foot is finally okay and it has obtained the ability to fly again, and it looks at him and makes a chirping sound.
“Meow,”
Kim Rok Soo's paws only shooed the bird, but it didn't back down; the cat didn't mind, but what his issue now was about was how to get down.
'It's too high.’
Kim Rok Soo wouldn't be able to get down on the ground without receiving a major injuries, though he also heard some footsteps coming up here which makes him curled up to not get noticed,
“Chirp chirp!”
“Meow!”
‘Leave me alone!’
However he thought that the bird wouldn't cross its line.
But it did.
“MEOWW!”
He fell.
The cat fell.
Because the bird just bite him, making the poor red cat startled and lost it's balance on the branch.
‘Why did I even save that bird!?’
The cat, regrets it as it close its eyes.
However, he also didn't expect that he would land on something oval.
“What-!? Ouch!” A voice, a man groaned.
“What the-?”
“Meow?”
‘Fuck.’
He landed on someone's head, causing the person to land on his butt cheeks on the grass.
The cat curled up, but before he could run away, he felt someone picking him up and removing from his head. The person lifted him by only holding his two legs, and the cat was embarrassed because, thanks to the way the person was carrying him, he appeared to be standing with his own two feet in the air.
“A cat…?”
“Meow?”
'The crown prince! Blonde, shiny, and with blue eyes!’
“Meow!”
The cat tries to escape the prince's grasp but is unsuccessful since the prince is powerful; as a result, the cat is nevertheless still lifted up and placed in an awkward position.
“When did a cat can freely wander on my property?” The prince questioned.
‘I'm sorry? Well I was ambushed and unexpectedly got here.’
“Meow,” The cat particularly sends an expression as if he's telling how stupid the prince is because he's a cat, he can't respond to that question.
‘I'm not a human you know?’
“Ha… it might be my imagination but this cat is looking at me very disrespectfully.” The prince laughed.
However, after hearing such words, Kim Rok Soo the cat changes back to his innocent and cuddly demeanor, which doesn't fool the prince, who is a keen observer.
“Pfft, don't you have any owner?” The prince asked again,
‘Isn't it obvious I can't respond to you in human language?’
“Meow!”
The cat eyes are staring at the prince from head to knees while fiercely throwing his paws at him but because of the distance it didn't reach at all so he seemed like he was throwing a punch in the air and god, Kim Rok Soo expression is telling Alberu that it's obvious from his appearance alone that he doesn't have any owners.
"Of course I understand, but when did a cat like you trespass here?”
The prince carefully examined and scrutinized the cat, although the red cat was desperate to escape, the prince lifted him up, which shocked the cat even more; however, he had a firm grip on the cat.
It's a reddish and incredibly fluffy male cat.
And the prince is surprised to see the cat shrug.
“Ha! This cat appears to be highly intelligent since it appears to understand me; is it true, tiny trespasser?" The prince asked. He might be high, this could be a dream, or he could be stupid, but this pet or stray cat seems to understand him, say shit about him, but his instinct is very accurate when it comes to this kind of thing.
It's similar to evaluating an administrator's reliability.
“Meow?”
The cat reverted to its innocent and helpless normal cat expression, which the prince have seen and chuckled at.
"You appear to be a clever one," Alberu said with a smile.
“Meow?”
Kim Rok Soo is unsure of how he is able to understand this world's language, but how is he supposed to think clearly when he is captivated by this prince?
Additionally, the prince's seems to be debating what he's gonna do with a pitiful cat which is him.
“Did you just fall in the tree?” Alberu Crossman asked the cat as he cast a glance up at the tree before returning his gaze to the cat and grinned a little.
The cat misbehaved and gave him a comedic expression as though it's telling him that it was obvious.
‘Isn't it clear as day? Thanks to the help of a specific nasty bird.’
However, standing in the air or being lifted up with only his two feet as he looked like a human standing was a little bit awkward; he felt exposed and as though he was being displayed.
“This cat… ha you really have an annoyed and disrespectful expression now,” The prince stopped and looked at the cat figure on his grip.
“Do you have a place to stay?” The prince asked stupidly,
“Meow”
'Do you think I have? When I literally looked like a complete mess?’
"Well, I have, would you like to come with me? Mr. Fluffy Stinky Cat, who trespassed on a palace belonging to the future crown prince?” Alberu remarked, avoiding the cat's angry paws when he said the word stinky.
"It's not like you have a choice, of course you're coming with me," Alberu said to the cat with the flash of his shining and blinding smile, and the cat on the other hand, appeared to be mocking him with its stoic and judging gaze.
Alberu just laughed at it.
Kim Rok Soo, on the other hand, can only groan at his fate. He could feel himself being dragged into the same position by being carried as the prince went to his palace, the prince only holding his two legs and the crown prince distanced his hands to himself that held the cat, most likely due to his foul odor and filthy appearance.
The cat was aware of how disgusting he was but there was no need to slap that fact in his face, you know?
The prince appears to be beaming and smirking at him, as if he has discovered a new toy to play with-
“Meow…”
"Don't be depressed, Mister. Fluffy Trespasser red cat.” Alberu tried to console the kitty, but all he got was a frown or an angered expression from the feline.
And then when they finally arrived at the palace,the prince was welcomed by his maids and servants, Alberu commanded and handed the cat to the surprised servants.
“Take care of him and bring him to my bedroom later.”
The prince said with a punchable smile on its face,
“Meow…”
Kim Rok Soo doesn't know what kind of route his life is going to take now but at least he has a proper shelter this time.
Nevertheless, he resisted being the crown prince's pet.
He is only here to amuse and play with the prince momentarily before being dumped because the crown prince no longer needs him.
Though of course, the two species but neither of them is a human, they would develop a bond.
They become each other sanctuary,
However, Alberu occasionally believed that if he hadn't adopted this troublesome yet intellectual cat, he wouldn't have faced these difficulties.
Of course, he had no regrets about adopting this fatass troublesome cat.
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