Chapter 45: When Fear Becomes Reality

Bo's unease quickly became reality.

Under the stunned stare of his four little eyes, the Cat sitting in the protective array pulled out a bunch of bottles and jars and, as if nothing mattered, began drinking them.

So brazen? In front of him? It's like a picnic?!

What made him feel even more powerless was that, no matter how hard he pulled, the chains binding him could not be snapped.

It wasn't like that just now!

Yes, it wasn't like that earlier.

If the Cat could hear Bo's inner scream, it would definitely raise its tail, lift its head, and answer him with a proud expression.

Why this time, when Bo rushed before them, did he and Xiaohei No. 4 not immediately unleash a trap skill?

Because they were readjusting the potency of their control skill based on the power Bo just displayed.

While increasing control intensity, they also boosted the skill's damage and tweaked the attack plan.

Because he found that this demon spawn's defense wasn't as strong as he imagined.

It couldn't compare to a Frost General blessed by the Titan.

Aside from its speed being so fast that even his cat eyes and skills couldn't capture it, failing to achieve a slow‑motion effect like a PPT, this demon spawn called Bo didn't spread any fear to the Cat.

Hmm…

Actually, the only two things this Bo spreads fear to the Cat with are his face and the sound of his claws scraping the protective shield.

Too fast to target, just make him a stationary target, right?!

Using the upgraded, reinforced, pro‑version chains, the Cats once again firmly tethered Bo in place.

And Bo, true to a demon spawn, let his innate ferocity drive him, upon realizing he couldn't break free of the chains imbued with holy light, to instantly weaken the force attached to his limbs, then violently use the chains to tear his own limbs—and every bound part—apart.

*Pfft*.

The sound of something embedding into flesh, the dark‑red spray on the protective shield, and the hiss of corrosive blood evaporating made the Cat furrow its brow.

That's ruthless.

That's demonic.

The freed Bo, with his snarling face, faced the Cat standing in the defensive array and flashed a taunting grin.

That contemptuous, evil grin seemed to shout:

Your shackles are nothing more than this.

As a low‑tier demon spawn hybrid, even if his limbs split, organs collapse… even if only a lump of tissue remains, he can still survive.

Only… he needs to replenish stamina.

"Yah!"

He opened his massive, spiral‑lined mouth full of sharp fangs and emitted a sharp sound wave.

In an instant, shadows around the cavity surged forth many aggregates like him, resembling clumps of earth.

Amorphous lumps of soil without limbs wailed while crawling toward Bo.

The scattered remnants of Bo on the ground, as if summoned, rapidly reassembled under the influence of the clay.

【Form, demon spawn】

A lower‑rank demon spawn made of corpses, lurking in darkness to prey on weak victims or feed on decay.

Usually serves as nourishment for other demon spawns, gathering around them.

In extremely rare cases, Forms coalesce to form a new demon spawn entity.

With the Cat's resolve, he realized Bo's rapid recovery stemmed not only from absorbing the nourishment "Form" but also from his skill "Demon Devour".

【Demon Devour】: Consumes lower‑level demons under one's control to rapidly heal bodily injuries.

To put it bluntly, when the Cat saw Bo use this skill, it didn't get a throbbing headache of a "white hit"; instead its eyes brightened as if receiving a sudden enlightenment.

He is also a monster; his anatomy can't be understood by normal logic.

Moreover, due to the Magic Path Ultimate Realm, each of his cat hairs contains the power of the Magic Path; he's long been a magic cat steeped in sorcery!

In other words, could he Mimic this skill, first splitting into many Cats, and when he lacks blood, have the Cats merge back into him?

What does this mean!

It means he no longer needs to drink blood medicine!!!

(ΩДΩ)!!!!!!!

Me! Could I be a... genius?!

Because it's a special combat period, to ensure communication efficiency, the Cat and Xiaohei No. 4 established a shared mental channel.

Whatever the Cat thought was instantly transmitted.

After receiving the body's shocked brainwaves, Xiaohei No. 4 also displayed the same surprised expression as the Cat.

Σ(⊙▽⊙「!!!!

Body! Could you be a... genius?!

Restored body and a little HP, Bo looked at the two shocked Cats in the Magic Circle and instantly gaped his huge mouth, letting out a raucous laugh,

"Now you're scared."

"Foolish low‑tier creature, I will show you what pain is!"

【Race: Bo】

【HP: 640000/800000】

【Status Effects】:

【Scorched】: Baked by heavenly fire, struck by the soul‑judging flame, causing sinful souls to constantly feel pain

【Frostbite】: The body frozen by ultimate ice will fall into slowed movement and endless bone‑deep cold torment

【Paralysis】: Ongoing discharge that can numb nerves and senses at any moment

【Purify】【Bleed】【Parasite】……

Expected toxic, corrosive and other negative statuses are ineffective.

Within the knowledge that Cat understands, there is no toxin higher than the one Bu possesses.

Simply constructing magic with the conceptual notion "magic coated in deadly poison!"—even if supported by high‑level magic—does not fully meet Cat's intention.

Of course, this minor issue will be easily resolved after Bu is slain.

In short, after nearly all‑attribute multi‑angle experiments, Cat locked onto Bu's weakness.

Now…… it's time to launch the final assault!

Pulling Pikachu into the group chat within the mental channel, before his brainwaves become active, Cat preemptively issues the mission: m.

Pikachu's control is now yours.

By applying various minor debuffs to reduce Bu's speed to this level, Pikachu's thunder can easily seize him.

It's as easy as a small knife stabbing a butt to open an eye.

Pikachu: (ΩДΩ)

_(: 3」∠❀)_

Obey…… the command! Great King!

I, Pikachu, shall see this through to the end……

Cat & Xiaohei #4: Stop, stop… Act! Faster! Right now!

Heaven knows why this prototype can so deftly launch animated emojis within the mental channel link!

Hastily interrupting his long‑winded flattering speech that even terrified Cat, Cat and Xiaohei #4 each performed a tail swing, pulling Pikachu out of the safety shield.

It's decided—you're it! Pikachu!

Meanwhile, Cat and Xiaohei #4, positioned safely behind, resume taking potions to charge a Bu‑specific attack skill.

Kicked out, Pikachu rubs his soft rear with his short little hands, then presses his hands, lifts the corner of his mouth, and flashes a smile identical to the Dragon King's.

"Bu, is it!"

"Very well, you barely qualify as my opponent."

"I, Pikachu, am the First Majestic Grand General under the Great King, prototype Pikachu, indeed!"

"Come! Let Pikachu experience that so‑called true fear of yours!"

Bu, Cat, #4: ……?

After hearing Pikachu's drawn‑out opening line that made Cat reveal a three‑room, one‑hall layout, Xiaohei #4 instantly creates a small mental connection group.

Xiaohei #4: Hahaha, you taught it?

Cat: ……

Cat: Do you think it's possible?

Xiaohei #4: Ahahaha, rest assured I've already recorded it for you.

Xiaohei #4: First Majestic Grand General under the Great King, ahahaha.

Cat: You're doomed (〃>plate<)

He decided; he must make Witch Miss also feel his current suffering.

Pain, none can escape!

Both the speaker and the opponent who was subjected to trash talk apparently show no awkward self‑awareness.

Bu feels that this yellow big rat called the Majestic Grand General has something to it.

Those cats are just a smokescreen; is he the mastermind behind it?

In Bu's perception, this yellow big rat's strength is overwhelmingly formidable, even surpassing him in level, with all the soaring thunder energy condensed into its tiny body.

It's a worthy opponent!

Bu, shedding his earlier arrogance, squints his four tiny eyes, cautiously watching the rat's movements, daring not to relax at all, yet his mouth stretches comically, sticking out his tongue to mock Pikachu.

But……

It's too late; in his prime he might have relied on the demon's innate high‑level racial buff to duel Pikachu, but now, riddled with debuffs, what can he use to clash with the high‑attack, high‑speed Pikachu!

A spark of electricity flashes on Pikachu's cheek, his limbs plant on the ground, and his tail stands up like an antenna.

Pikachu keeps his mission in mind and does not respond to Bu's provocation.

Meanwhile, Bu, fixated on Pikachu, fails to notice the deathly dagger already clasped around his throat.

Lightning Strike!

Electric Net!

Under the righteous, dragon‑rumbling thunder, a massive Electric Net descends from the sky, tightly enveloping the inescapable Bu.

And within those few seconds, Cat and Xiaohei #4, using HP‑stacked high‑speed fifteen‑stage magic chanting, are ready.

Judgment of the Gods!

Light‑element energy gathers aloft into soaring swords, each bearing blazing holy fire of judgment, descending from the heavens to deliver the final verdict upon this unseen demon race.

【Restraint, Critical Hit, HP-300000】

【Scorch, HP-5000】

【Purify, HP-8000】

The explosions from the attached lightning and flame also deal severe damage; wounds that were previously painless, insignificant to Bu, now become the final straw that overwhelms him.

His flesh is consumed by flame, his tiny eyes filled with resentment and shock, staring intently at the Cat hidden within the Magic Circle, who has kept absolute distance from him the whole time.

He does not understand.

Why would a cat under level 10 embarrass him so, even treating him like a plaything, ending his life in such a humiliating manner?

He does not understand……

There are far too many things that frighten Bo beyond comprehension; in the end his head was devoured by raging flames, turning into a lump of black, stinking scorched earth.

【You have slain the passage guardian 'Bo'】

The appraisal notice announced Bo's death; the toxin that had filled the air lost its source and was gradually cleared by the purification array.

This is Cat, who through personal effort successfully hunted the second monster that can be called a boss.

Unlike that Frost General, this monster does not belong to any 'special event'; it… is experienced!!

【Gained extra experience for over‑level kill: total 666666】

【Affected by the Demon King's innate ability, gained experience: 333333】

【Level increased to lv14】

【Achieved a feat by killing a lv140 enemy with lv9, meeting the trigger condition for the innate skill 【Giant Slayer】】

【Giant Slayer】: When the opponent's level exceeds yours by more than 10, you increase damage by 10% + (level difference × 0.1).

After killing the target, you will loot 10% of the opponent's highest attribute and boost your own.

【Supplement: Your level has risen to lv10, your body is undergoing drastic change, and all your effort and achievements will be converted into experience, attribute points, skills, etc.】

【The gods still watch you, awaiting your next metamorphosis.】

Metamorphosis…?

This is the most crucial stage of the novice period the butler mentioned, the lv10 reckoning?

According to the appraisal, all 'effort and achievements' up to and including lv10 will be converted into extra experience, attribute points, and skill enhancements.

Whoa!

So doesn't that mean the more you do before lv10, the greater the reward?

According to the butler, the next process that can truly be called a 'metamorphosis' won't come until lv100!

Cat didn't even go to collect Bo's corpse, and immediately began scrolling through their own personal panel.

【Personal Information】

【Name: Li Wei】

【Nickname: Xiaohei】

【Gender: Male (uncastrated)】

【Race: Cat】

【Profession: Demon King】

【Profession Level: lv2】

【Secondary Job 1: None】

【Secondary Job 2: None】

【Title: King of Black】

【Ruling Tribe: Pikachu Tribe】

【Population Prosperity: 1 – Pretentious】

"Very motivated, but the population is too sparse; can an endangered species truly be called a tribe?"

【Territory Prosperity: 0 – Empty】

"On the vast wasteland, there is no reason at all for anyone to linger

In fact, there isn't even a single corpse there."

【Ruling Status: 1 – Better than nothing】

"The tribe you govern develops harmoniously and respects you as king

But your fame has not spread beyond the tribe; achievements behind closed doors are meaningless, and a wider world awaits your conquest and trampling."

【Attribute Panel】

【Level: 14】

【EXP: 667/90000】

【HP: 2333】

【MP: 2333333333】

【Constitution: 200】

【Strength: 88】

【Agility: 112】

【Intelligence: 250】

【Innate Abilities】: 【Demon King】 【Magic Path Ultimate Realm】 【Gift of the Gods】 【Shadow】 【No Action No Death】 【Titan Slayer】 【Frost Demon God's Gift】 【Giant Slayer】

【Universal Stone】: Reduces mana cost by 20% when using newly created spells.

【Overgrowth】: When HP falls below 1%, permanently adds 66 to max HP and 1 to Constitution.

"……"

(╯°Д°)╯︵/(. □. \)

Looking at this attribute sheet, Cat, in a fit of anger, tossed out the nearby Xiaohei #4.