Chapter 40: Cat, you don

Looting is a pleasant process, especially when the loot is packaged as a golden treasure chest.

Cat politely washed its face with its paw, then rubbed its paw with the snow on the ground, and then, full of anticipation, pressed the paw onto the treasure chest.

【Opened 'Frost Demon General's Relic' Treasure Chest】

"……"

The unabashed name made Cat twitch the corner of its mouth in speechlessness.

Hopefully someday no one will open a treasure chest like 'Relic of the Black King'.

Amen.

While Cat was ranting, the reward from the treasure chest arrived.

【'World Truth' Fragment*1】

Along with the popup window from 'Appraisal', Cat's mind was instantly flooded with a lot of possibly useful knowledge.

The reward lives up to the name 'Fragment', with its scattered, chaotic content, even lacking a beginning or an end.

Species encyclopedia, world origin, summit of the gods…

All of those seem, at a glance, to contain enough material to write several papers, yet in reality Cat only gleaned a few sentences.

A cat with obsessive‑compulsive tendencies like him is practically being driven to death.

Isn't this forcing Cat to collect all the fragments?

Moreover, what makes Cat want to smash a wall is the lingering impact that flashes in its mind together with the fragments.

No beginning, no ending; the vision is like footage from a hovering, wobbling unmanned drone.

A giant…

She appears to be a female giant, snarling angrily while climbing a massive mountain.

Below are howling waves, above are raging thunder.

From the towering peak downwards, countless knights riding pegasi and clad in golden armor thrust long spears at her.

Angry thunder, accompanied by descending raging flames, bombarded her.

At that moment, the image abruptly stopped.

If Cat weren't of such high caliber, having endured countless PV hype trials, now he would probably just grab Xiaohei No. 10086 and clear every grindable dungeon for him.

Calm down, Cat, you don't want to drink that much blood medicine anymore, right?

You also don't want to capsize in a ditch out of anger and let others loot 'Xiaohei's Relic', right?

Mm, right, stay calm, keep opening rewards.

Exactly, just like that.

You're awesome!

After a brief mental hypnosis, Cat simply buried its head in the snow pile, giving itself a wave of physical cooling.

Alright, this time it's truly calm.

No wonder the giant blessed by the Frost Demon God finds this icy arena somewhat impressive.

Even with a thirteenth‑level cold‑resistance buff, Cat, while performing a Mimic ostrich‑like act, still felt the bone‑chilling cold.

He does not dare imagine what the naked Xiaohei No. 3 fragments have endured.

【Frost Demon General's Collection】

True to its name, it is the collection the previously boastful giant gathered in life.

The giant's tendency to hoard treasure is not as maddened as a dragon's.

Perhaps due to its big‑eyed, crude aesthetic, this massive giant collection looks to Cat like a rough Northeastern big‑pot stew.

In terms of value it's certainly priceless, but aesthetically… looking out, it's a bleak expanse of gray, prompting Cat to simply remark plainly,

"Ah… this potato stew is truly rotten and flavorful.

Pah pah pah, it's prosperity!"

You see, it's because the giant's collection isn't sparkling enough that Cat's mind is filled with soup‑soaked potatoes.

Stepping forward, Cat used its tail to roll up a vase painted with a strange pattern.

Appraisal…

【In the Eastern Alliance, it might sell for 3w, but a special group in the Western Alliance might snap it up for an equivalent 10w】

o(ﾟДﾟ)っ!

This… this…

10 w!

Referencing Witch Miss's habit of shopping on high‑end commercial streets, Cat's purchasing power after Magic Power Revival with the new currency isn't much different from its previous Soft Girl Coin price.

He glanced at the vase on his tail, then at the small mound in front of him the size of a giant's head, and Cat's eyes turned from cat pupils into gold‑coin shapes.

Got… got rich!!

In ecstatic frenzy, Cat plunged into the sea of gold coins, counting each steadfastly as the first loot of wealth.

5 w!

Huh! Only 7k, better give it to your prototype.

Among this pile of collections, Cat discovered a necklace inside a box secured with a magical lock.

At first glance, Cat was drawn to the necklace's sparkling appearance.

Its petite, exquisite design is completely different from the previous odd antique.

【Akua's Blood】

【A crystal formed from the blood of the water god Akua, bearing the god's blessing】

【Fusion (Degradation): Investigation‑type magical skills below 10th level cannot view one's own level or attribute panel】

【Water Song (Degraded)】: Restores 10% of one's own HP when injured (once per day, 0/1 times)

【Prayer (Degraded)】: While equipped, slowly increases Intelligence and Luck

Although the above blessings have been greatly weakened, this crystal, bright even on gloomy snowy days, makes Cat feel it is definitely the best local specialty to give Witch Miss as a gift!

When Witch Miss becomes stronger later, the degraded buffs on it can be compensated with blood medicine, while the rare raw materials and the design resembling Cat's nail are things no amount of HP can buy.

When Xingxu and the others eventually reach great mastery, the nails he casually files off could serve as a divine medicine catalyst, right?

Title 【Titan Slayer】

Damage against Giant species and Titan species increased by 20%;

Constitution permanently increased by 10%

Your ruthless slaying of the Frost General's heroic deeds will be widely spread

You have become more like the Demon King.

Innate skill 'Demon King' level raised to lv2

Experience gained is only 50% of the usual.

When battling the Hero, all attributes are reduced by 35%;

When battling any being other than the Hero, all attributes increase by 35%;

90% immunity to physical and magical attacks from monsters;

Against opponents whose level exceeds yours, attributes increase by 1% per level difference.

Can possess a vast personal territory (not yet unlocked).

"Growth ability, affected by Demon King profession level"

The Frost Demon's blessing has transferred to you; you have a new understanding of Eternal Winter.

"…"

And so on.

If he didn't misread, the Demon King's level increased, which instead made his attribute reduction against the Hero greater?

Are you kidding me!

Demon King!! Wake up, Demon King!!

Are you so afraid of the Hero?

Now Cat suddenly understands everything.

Why does the Demon King keep sending his generals one by one to attack the Hero?

It's not that you don't want to personally slay the Hero; it's because you're too much of a Demon King and have been weakened so you can't face the Hero!

Ugh!!

Thinking of Witch Miss's "Awakening as Hero" mission, Cat almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

May I ask, when Hero fights Hero, what buffs are there?

May I ask, is it still possible to raise Witch Miss's affection now so she becomes an excellent employee under the Demon King?

……

I can only say that among these buffs, the one that pleases Cat the most is still the title 【Titan Slayer】.

Simple and handy; it'll definitely be useful when adventuring in dungeons later.

Moreover, the Titan species…

This race, which sounds divine at first hearing, will surely be encountered often during future "Trials" that collect World Truth Fragments.

Having a targeted buff is truly advantageous!

After tallying the haul from start to finish, Cat stroked his chin and thought,

"Seems… not giving this experience isn't a loss?"

Of course, if there were any buffs, energy, or attribute increases, that would be even better.

Cat, feeling self‑satisfied, greedily thought,

Because the creation of the first unit into a life form was overly successful, Pikachu only received 5% of the experience back into its own pocket, the remaining 95% was deducted by Pikachu itself.

However, since Cat also wants to level up, and higher levels benefit him, Cat turned a blind eye.

As long as Pikachu grows stronger and reproduces diligently, there will always be a harvest season.

Moreover, at 5% per Pikachu, if he mass‑produces a Pikachu every three months, there will eventually be a day… right?

Ugh!

Damn, meow, how far will this world's harassment of the Demon King go?

Now Cat somewhat understands how the Colorless King's insane curse evolved.

You can't just grab a fat sheep and walk away unscathed, can you?

He wishes even a dead fat sheep could generate experience for him!

Heaven knows how humble the Demon King's desire for a bit of experience is; with Cat chopping one strike at a time, who knows when it will end.

There's also the chance of encountering a situation like just now, where after chopping there's no experience gained.

【○･`Д´･○】

Growing angrier, Cat decided not to spare even the Frost General's corpse and the palace ruins.

Squeeze!

Squeeze them all!

Who says a corpse can't create value!

He doesn't believe it!

Anyway, frozen like this, even stewing with the upper layers and fire sea creatures for a while may not melt it, let alone rot; Cat thinks he has plenty of time to study its value.

Just after Cat dragged the Frost General's corpse and the palace wreckage into the 'Shadow', a prompt panel appeared before him.

Terms: Cat, Frost General (title/rank – include), palace (common word – exclude), 'shadow' (common word – exclude), prompt panel (common).

【Will occupying this land also synchronize the space territory?】

Space Territory

Meow?

The space territory I never knew how to open is suddenly bubbling up here?

Space Territory

"Yes."

Since Cat didn't know how to use it unsynced, he simply nodded and chose to sync.

Cat

【Has become the new Dungeon Master】

【Has marked this dungeon as the Black Demon King's territory】

【Monsters under the Black Demon King within the territory gain a 5% all-attribute boost, while those under other demon kings will desperately try to work overtime】

Terms: Black Demon King (title/rank – include), dungeon (common word – exclude).

Within the territory, monsters under the Black Demon King gain a 5% boost to all attributes, while monsters belonging to other demon kings desperately launch a counterattack.

Terms: Black Demon King (already), other demon kings (generic – exclude), monster (common – exclude), all-attribute boost (generic – exclude).

Territory?

Power?

Damn, did I really become an experience pack?

From now on, this dungeon must be off-limits to humans, with monsters under soft confinement, meow!!!

Dungeon

Looking at this Frost Giant, the chance of it blowing its own underwear off is almost certain; it's about to die—would it be worth it to let others farm the Magic Path Ultimate Realm?

Frost Giant

He hasn't had his fun yet; he can't accept anyone having more fun than him.

This is no longer a matter of dying with eyes closed!

I've been rained on, so I also want to break other people's umbrellas.

With this mindset, Cat has already started thinking about enhancing and arming the first layer.

Enhancement, Armament First Layer

Anyway, a diligent dungeon is technically a filthy thing of the gods; as long as the divine fire endures, the dungeon persists, and the mindless monsters it spawns never die. Leveling can be done even behind closed doors, so right now we need to tightly seal this dungeon.

Dungeon Boss

According to the Dungeon Boss's settings, as soon as someone reaches the deepest level of this dungeon, he, as the owner, must go to the dungeon to battle.

Dungeon Boss

This battle went smoothly, but what if he runs into a stubborn kid?

Stubborn Kid

This time, the armed dungeon became its final solid harbor and its survival; after these goals overlapped, its priority naturally rose, even surpassing the breeding of those creatures.

Creature

Goal 1: Eliminate the notion of humans subjugating this dungeon.

Method: Increase the difficulty of layers 1, 2, 3, and other human-accessible levels.

Method: Increase the difficulty of the human‑clearable layers (first, second, third, etc.).

Goal 2: Prevent humans from mobilizing strong forces to encircle this dungeon.

Objective 2: Prevent humans from mobilizing strong warriors to besiege this dungeon.

Method: Increase strength without increasing the number of deaths, perhaps even reduce them.

Method: Increase intensity without increasing the death count, and even aim to reduce it.

Terms: Strength (generic).

How should I put it... should we station the electric creature on the frontier?

No, those few electric creatures aren't enough, and if we were to...

Hmm...

Again exclude.

Hmm… none.

While pondering, Cat looked at the corpses and wreckage scattered on the ground and suddenly had a bold idea.

He flicked his tail, pointed a claw, and announced to the soldiers originally under the Frost General,

He flicked his tail, pointed his claw, and announced to the soldiers originally under the Frost General,

"Yo, from today on, you have a new name: Xiao Fei!"

"Yo, from today you have a new name; you are called Xiao Fei!"

Because Cat's trial method was so unique that the Frost General didn't unleash any skills and didn't mobilize the soldiers he enslaved on this layer, Cat now has a large supply of high-quality raw materials—ample arms and legs, guaranteed quality.

Because Cat's trial method was overly unique, the Frost General didn't use a single skill, nor did he mobilize the soldiers he had enslaved on this level; consequently, Cat acquired a large amount of high‑quality 'raw material' here—plenty of intact limbs and guaranteed quality.

Because they were once Super Soldiers, Cat wants to modify them without even needing a magic infusion step.

He only needs to edit a small magic circle he requires, then copy-paste it onto each corpse...

Terms: Super Soldier (descriptor – exclude), Cat.

He only needs to slightly edit the magic circle he needs, then copy and paste it onto each corpse…

Now, this group of death troops that should have been controlled by the Frost General has become the first-layer guards arranged by Cat.

Now, the undead army that should have been controlled by the Frost General has become the first‑layer guard arranged by Cat.

Terms: Frost General, first layer (generic), guard (generic).

"Hmm~ As expected of me."

Cat looked at his masterpiece and gave a sly smile.

【Xiao Fei, Undead Kind】

【Xiao Fei, Undead Kind

Terms: Xiao Fei (name), Undead Kind (beast classification – include).

It hides in shadows, soil, rice fields, weeds, and other cover, disguising itself as a scarecrow.

Terms: Scarecrow (generic).

Xiao Fei hides in the dark, then suddenly emerges to unleash a ninth-rank mental spell on enemies, causing them to fall into fear.

Terms: Xiao Fei, ninth rank (generic).

If counterattacked, Xiao Fei will siphon nearby enemies' magic and life to replenish its own consumption;

Excess magic will coalesce into Murder Crows; the powerful Xiao Fei will lead the Murder Crow flock to hunt actively

Excess magical power condenses into murder crows, and the powerful Xiao Fei will lead the murder crow flock to actively hunt.

When an enemy's HP drops to 1%, Xiao Fei will deliberately let the prey escape;

When the enemy's health drops to 1%, Xiao Fei will voluntarily let the prey escape.

Xiao Fei

When the enemy mounts a death‑defying, unyielding resistance, Xiaofei will call for rescue through the Killer Crow, and will brutally slay the enemy and eat the corpse.