Chapter 23: Appraising the Witch Miss's Time

You fought a human opponent of equal strength and won.

You gained a small amount of experience.

Because of the innate skill Demon King, the experience you gain is 50%.

EXP +10

You fought a human opponent stronger than you and won.

You gained precious experience.

Because of the innate skill Demon King, the experience you gain is 50%.

EXP +15

Unlike Witch Miss, who felt surprise and joy at seeing her own level up, Cat's mindset, as his level rose and he witnessed Witch Miss's level rise, gradually collapsed and became perverted.

We agreed to both be level‑1 noobs, and whoever leveled up first would be the dog—but how did someone end up going further and further down the path of being a dog??

When he was level 1, Witch Miss was already level 2.

He finally reached level 2 with difficulty, only to find that Witch Miss was already almost level 4.

Clearly, in his appraisal, the so‑called divine decree for Witch Miss reads: 'You fought a magic beast weaker than you, but you, who survived, gained a small amount of precious experience.'

Result??

Why is everyone's 'small amount' different?

How come Witch Miss can boost her experience just by making the loser eat dust, while he, as a perfect victor, can only stare helplessly?!

Heh heh, today there's yet another excuse for slaying a god!

He sighed, and Cat gave up trying to argue with this established fact.

If he wants to level up smoothly and fundamentally raise his limit, Cat thinks he still needs to get some extra tutoring.

For example, hunting those who have fallen into darkness, or seeking the treasure of the Pirate King.

While Witch Miss returned to the basement to continue honing her skills with the Sword Saint, Cat lay alone in the courtyard, blowing in the cool evening breeze as he pondered his future development.

Witch Miss's path ahead is already quite clear.

Steadily increasing his strength, quietly honing his martial skills, and openly displaying his extraordinary magical talent.

He strives to pass every future exam with the highest score, aiming for the Eastern Alliance's top academy.

Besides that, in terms of mindset adjustment, Cat found that Witch Miss's bottom line is very easy to break.

Even if mindset issues can't be changed overnight, he can gradually make her accustomed to it through subtle influence, letting her lie flat.

He continues to strengthen the so‑called 'shameless' plan, similar to a progressive exposure‑style education; someday Witch Miss will completely change and face life positively!

(๑′ᴗ‵๑) Simply perfect.

So… what about his own plan?

Cat is truly experiencing for the first time what it means for the Demon King debuff to slow his leveling.

Lie flat?

No, no, no, that's completely against his original intention.

Besides, this is a world of Purgatory difficulty!

The fact that he receives such a great benefit out of the blue means he will face unprecedented severe challenges in the future.

Although he curses the heavens every day, he believes the strict god who sent him here will not let him have an easy time.

Even if leveling is slow, he must find a way to protect himself besides relying on his vast magical power.

As he pondered, Cat's thoughts drifted back to the battle he had just fought with Witch Miss.

Known, his mimic monster gains experience for him.

Known, the existence of artificial life is not an insurmountable problem once magic is available.

Known, his current predicament is that he is a glass cannon—one touch and he shatters.

Known, summoner or necromancer is a righteous profession that doesn't need to rely on numbers to overcome the few.

So……

Can he try to use his own magic to construct an artificial magical life form?

First step: create an AI that can act autonomously according to a set procedure.

Second step: create an AI that can act autonomously according to a set procedure and is upgradable.

Third step: create a magical beast with a certain degree of self‑awareness capable of active thought, upgradable but under his control.

Fourth step: mass production, thereby beginning the road of capitalist upgrading!

As a programmer with a little talent but no people skills, thus getting fired by his company, the moment he thought of this brilliant idea, a series of phased small goals popped into his mind.

The saying 'all roads lead to Rome'—while developing new magic, especially when editing the system for Witch Miss, he discovered that the combination of magical text in this world's magic is very similar to Java's structure.

Although unpleasant memories surfaced, his familiarity with constructing magic made him feel somewhat sentimental.

Knowledge learned is never wasted.

That's great.

o(╥﹏╥)o

Possibly influenced by Witch Miss, Cat feels his emotions have become much richer lately.

His mindset shifted from the previously invulnerable 'I'm trash and I'm proud!' to gradually becoming younger, and his actions became far more proactive.

Once Cat had the plan in mind, he prepared to start the experiment, while also checking just where his current creative limits lie.

The Pokémon just now were acting according to his commands—in other words, they were mere puppets on strings.

Now he wants to infuse the Pokémon with a soul!

Magic construction—body shape—organ structure—lightning‑attribute magic—fire‑attribute magic—earth‑attribute magic……

This time Cat spent a lot of time building a more perfect body for the electric rat.

Thanks to the experiment just conducted to restore the fluffy state, valuable experience was left for this time's process of building from the skeleton and adding muscle blocks.

Now, the most important step begins, infusing the soul.

Before, when Cat was still human, they fortunately joined an advanced game team.

Their task is to shape NPCs with unique personalities and backstories within the open map.

The company's higher-ups have high hopes for this game; although funds are limited, he hopes that every NPC can have uniqueness and independent thinking ability, thereby bringing more options and playability to players.

Looking at this boss full of ideals but lacking money, Cat knew this was a bitter pill.

But for their own wages, the teams still painstakingly typed away.

Although the project was eventually cancelled, and he was also eventually laid off, he nevertheless gained experience in writing programs.

This time…… is a brand-new magic editing!

Come on! Programming Cat!

Hope this initial unit isn't too artificially stupid and has fewer runtime bugs!

Magic editing is far more friendly than computer editing; many things that are hard to achieve simply in scientific fields are, for magic, at most a matter of a single line of text.

For example, the simplest flight command, dialogue translation.

In the two hours that Witch Miss seriously trained, Cat's Initial Unit Pikachu was already completed!

Now, he is no ordinary Pikachu! He is a Pikachu filled with wisdom-programs!

"Pikachu, 100,000 volts!"

At the moment Cat issued the command, the Pikachu with the program already written instantly followed Cat's command.

"Pika——chu!!!!"

Consistent with the anime's casting prelude and voice pack, bright yellow lightning shot up from Pikachu's body and then precisely struck Cat lying beside it.

【You have suffered a magic attack】

【The low magic energy cannot cause you harm】

【You have absorbed the electric-attribute magic energy from the 'Initial Unit Pikachu'】

"……"

"No, it's fine."

"It's the first time."

"It's inevitable to have a few bugs."

Just as Cat felt frustrated about the bug that appeared right after testing, another major bug in his life popped up.

"Waaah! Cat! Is this your gift to me?"

"So cute!"

(*╹▽╹*)!!!!

Just out of the bath, Witch Miss, looking through the glass window, saw the golden electric rat lying beside Cat.

Thus, Witch Miss, who cared nothing for her image and completely did not treat Cat as a person, directly pushed the window and leapt down from the second floor in her bathrobe.

"How…… hateful witch! She actually employed such despicable magic!"

"Even as strong as he is, he can't resist it!"

"Ah! I've been charmed!"

Aside from porn movies, where have you ever seen such a Cat? He sharply inhaled a breath of cold air and silently noted this grudge that can only be admired from afar.

Although he looks malnourished at first glance, I never expected him to be so…… so magnificent.

Even though Cat had made preparations, upon seeing the actual thing, he was still somewhat surprised.

Moreover, are all the beautiful girls in the magic world White Tigers?

(face with blushing cheeks)

He doesn't believe it unless he gets to sample it!

"Thank you, Cat~~~~"

"As expected, you treat me the best!!"

"I knew you wouldn't bear to not give me fluff~~~"

When Cat turned around presenting his butt to Witch Miss, she, accustomed to backstabbing, lunged forward and directly hugged Cat in her arms.

Today's medicinal bath even added some rose petals as the main flavoring.

It seems the Sword Saint, unable to level up, was so bored that he even developed a practical advanced version of the medicinal bath.

While ensuring effectiveness, it also possesses beauty and deliciousness.

"Hehe, Cat, don't be mad at me! Even if I have yellow fluff, I still like you more~"

Although I feel Witch Miss's remarks sound like something a scumbag woman would say, considering her closeness to me, Cat still decided to forgive her.

As for the issue of using the intelligent electric rat, Cat decided to continue testing it in tomorrow's battle against Witch Miss.

Now is the time to appraise Witch Miss.

Ah, no……

Now is…… is…… break time.

Yes, he's tired.

Moreover, the Initial Unit Pikachu can currently only be said to be in the initial testing stage; there's no need to rush this moment and a half.

Only after most of the bugs are fixed will it be time for them to be officially deployed into the dungeon.

With one cat hanging one Pikachu, experience gain would be absurdly slow, but…… what about one cat hanging a group of Pikachu?!

Hmph!

If this multiplies, even Cat wouldn't dare imagine how great it would be!

Even a mosquito's leg, no matter how tiny, is still meat!

As a Demon King, an evil Demon King, he would never be distracted by a witch… No, he wouldn't be impatient at all, and he wouldn't let go of this trivial gain!

φ(>ω<*)

Newcomers entering the dungeon for the first time, huh! Feel the chill because of Pikachu's presence!

……

Unlike Cat's agitation after grief, today Witch Miss has been constantly excited.

When she lies in bed at night, she repeatedly checks the attribute panel she has already browsed many times while soaking in the bath, giggling and clutching the blanket while rolling wildly on the bed.

In Cat's words, who has been so disturbed that he can only be forced to sleep on a chair,

this kid goes crazy with excitement looking at his own backstage data.

After watching Witch Miss roll again and almost fall off the bed, Cat, unable to bear it, cast a hypnosis spell on Witch Miss that theoretically has only a 1% hit rate.

Sniff~ Sniff~ Sniff

In the previous second, Witch Miss was ready to scream to release her excitement, but in the next second she fell asleep.

The world fell silent.

Finally relieved, Cat jumped down from the chair, crawled back to the bedside, curled into the blanket, and rested on the pillow to enjoy sleep.

Although he understands Witch Miss's excitement and knows how long she has been awaiting this day, jealousy transforms him; he cannot stand seeing Witch Miss flaunt her level‑up at this moment.

╭(╯^╰)╮！！！

Revengeful Cat, after glancing once more at Witch Miss's data before sleep, thought maliciously in his heart.

Tomorrow he must discuss Witch Miss's level‑up data with that Old Dog, and make him increase training intensity!

But to be fair, hehe, she truly is a fine daughter he has taught.

These numbers are really nice!

【Name: Bai Yan】

【Attribute Panel】

【Level: lv5】

【EXP: 1200/1500】

【HP: 2500】

【MP: 3750】

【Constitution: 28】

【Strength: 124】

【Agility: 270】

【Intelligence: 122】

【Acquired Skills】:

West Wind Sword Art lv3; Modified Foam lv3; Modified Fireball lv3; Eight Extremities Fist lv2; Azure Thunder lv2; Sleet Step lv2; Bouncy Bomb lv1; Booming Sparks lv1; Water Constant Form lv1; Small Fireball lv1; Illumination Technique lv2; Sprouting lv1

Hmm~ not bad, not bad.

Come up with another plan, give her a recovery, a remote lewd physical damage skill, and then we can safely let her solo the dungeon.

(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

I'm worthy!

Looking at Witch Miss's attribute panel, Cat feels a strong sense of cultivation achievement.

Hehe! My daughter is really strong!

I raised her!

Thinking that way, Cat glanced again at Witch Miss's attribute panel and joyfully rolled on the bed.

As Cat's rolling became more frequent, a 'pop' sound was heard,

it was Witch Miss's slap on Cat's face.

"Little Cat! Stop making noise! I'm sleeping, we'll play tomorrow."

……

At this moment, the world fell silent.

Only the occasional insect chirping from the courtyard outside could be heard.

In today's battle, Cat was completely defeated; it was Witch Miss's total victory.

￥￥￥￥￥￥

The next day, Witch Miss still got up early, did morning training, and ate breakfast.

Now, due to daily heavy consumption, she has become accustomed to eating a normal portion of breakfast.

Her stomach, which was almost starved, is gradually returning to normal, and as her level rises, it tends toward becoming a big‑eater.

Sword Saint is very pleased with Witch Miss's change, yet remains somewhat calm.

Because in his view, the first step to becoming an excellent swordsman is eating.

Eating a lot and well gives the strength to grow and train.

Thus lately, the forced training at home includes not only Witch Miss and Cat, but also the poor cook.

Although the Butler's day is busy, the white‑haired old man stubbornly insists on personally escorting Witch Miss to and from school every day.

Today, through the rearview mirror he keenly noticed that Witch Miss, while still waiting in the car until the students at the school gate almost disappear before pushing the door to go to school, now shows a face far less tense and uneasy than before.

She seems to be enjoying this waiting and the loneliness of going to school alone.

Miss, you truly have the bearing of a stronger person now!

If circumstances didn't forbid it, the old butler would be weeping profusely.

The Cat, who was carried off the carriage by Witch Miss, recalled the old butler's gaze just now and silently let out a sigh.

So, whether there is a gap between adolescent delusion and the bearing of the strong, the Cat cannot draw any useful conclusion from Witch Miss and the old butler.

So, its growth couldn't match Witch Miss's; was it defeated by the soul of adolescent delusion!

In order to crush Witch Miss in the three stats of level, strength, and agility, the Cat has even begun to adopt a bit of theological thinking.

Adhering to the idea of "if you can't beat them, join them," and feeling the early‑morning breeze, the Cat struck a pose that was both mature and carefree,

Ah, today's wind is truly bleak! — jojo‑faced Cat

The moment the Cat entered the school gate, it was already trying to stack buffs.

Although this is of no real use for its level‑up.

Moreover, because its expression was too solemn, Witch Miss thought the Cat was car‑sick, dragged it into a small grove, tormented it for nearly ten minutes before releasing it.

Alas~~~~