Chapter 236 – Madness

Chapter 236 – Madness

 

Wind swept his face with a spray of salty water. Kai sat on the prow of the Ylena, gripping the railing as if his life depended on it. His guts twisted each time he glanced at the endless blue expanse. Only the thin coastline on the horizon prevented him from panicking.

There is no danger.

Hallowed Intuition remained silent, the strongest beasts Mana Observer could detect were innocuous red coral sharks. He still couldn’t help feeling exposed and vulnerable. The open sea meant certain death. Years of habit and horrific sights had ingrained that knowledge deeper than reason.

Get a hold of yourself. I’m not going to fear the freaking ocean.

Eldritch tentacles weren’t going to drag him to the dark depths to devour his flesh, mind and soul. The Shallow Sea was one of the safest stretches of water on Elydes. But it seemed with each passing day, his mind found more and more foolish reasons to complicate his life.

I could swim alongside the ship till my brain gets over this stupidity…

He had been fine when he arrived at the submerged site. Blessed Swimmer strengthened his danger sense and bestowed an innate tranquility while he was underwater. It was subtle, but without any actual threat, he could indulge in the sensation.

Will the crew complain if I jump in?

People continued to stare even after Flynn had fixed his hair and bought him a new wardrobe. Kai had to admit the blue outfit with silver buttons looked good on him. His old clothes were three sizes too small, thankfully Flynn had also kept his Alchemy and Enchanting equipment.

I’ll need to upgrade them when Reishi sails back to the archipelago. Now… to dive or not to dive?

Before Kai could decide whether to tell the sailors to not jump after him, Flynn leaned on the railing beside him. “We’ll make landfall in Old Port and reach Sylspring by morning.” He smiled at the shimmering waves, glancing at him. “It must have been a while since you boarded a ship.”

“Yeah.” The underlying worry was obvious. Kai pried his fingers off the rails, but he couldn’t hide where his nails had chipped the black paint of the ship. He simply needed time to adapt. “I’m just enjoying the sun.”

“Mmmh…” Flynn didn’t let anything slip from his face, and when he spoke up, the question wasn’t what Kai expected. “Are you sure Hobbes is fine? I still think we should have carried him on board.”

Yatei have mercy, that cat let you touch his silky fur once, and he already owns you.

“Hobbes got on the ship before us. He’s enjoying snooping around.” The silver furball was sampling the supplies of salted fish in the ship’s cargo hold. His Majesty still preferred it fresh, but he wasn’t beyond indulging in the food of peasants for a change.

It was rare for Hobbes to take the initiative to share his experiences through the partner skill. The cat had held a grudge for over a month the last time Kai shut down the bond, though His Majesty didn’t have any qualms about ignoring him.

I must be the mature one.

Leading by example, Kai sent an acknowledgment mixed with praise for the valiant discovery and regal taste. Warm contentment spread through the link before Hobbes hurriedly cut the connection with a wave of panic.

Uh… is he looking for my approval, or does he just need somebody to stroke his ego?

“What if a sailor or another passenger sees him?” Flynn lowered his tone. “You can tell at a glance he isn’t an ordinary pet, they might try to catch him, or worse.”

Oh, boy. He really has you tied to his little paw…

“Have you ever tried to catch a Space cat?” Kai stared at the foaming waves that crashed on the prow of the ship, demanding his body to relax. “I have. It’d be easier to grab a fly with chopsticks.”

That’s enough for now.

Flynn furrowed his brow. “What are chopsticks? You know, it doesn’t matter. What if someone on board has a trapping skill? Or Hobbes gets tired? Or takes a nap?”

“I’ve seen a pack of grown Lightning Hawks fail to brush his fur. There is no danger. You know Hobbes is an awakened beast, right…?”

“Yes, but he’s so tiny and soft.” Flynn waved with his hands to illustrate the inoffensive size.

Kai sighed at the smitten fool. “Strength isn’t his talent, but he advanced to Yellow just before we left the Sanctuary. And I’m not sure if he has reached full maturity.”

“Hobbes is a yellow be— beast?” His friend stammered. The realization that he had snuggled with a murder kitten sank in, his expression paling. “How? I didn’t perceive anything. Hunch would have warned me if he were a threat.”

“Spatial travel isn’t his only specialty. There wouldn’t be much point in sneaking around if he couldn’t make himself look inconspicuous.” Kai patted his shoulder, making sure Flynn didn’t topple over the railing. “Don’t worry, Hobbes considers himself above the rough means of violence. You should have seen the fit he threw last time blood got on his coat.”

“How—”

“Meow.” Hobbes paraded between them, tail straight like a fluffy banner. Despite their bond being closed, Kai got the distinct impression the furball knew they were talking about him.

Speak of the devil and he shall be summoned.

Looking for cuddles after the snack, the traitorous cat wove around his leg before heading for Flynn. His friend stood straight like a block of wood, chewing his lip, though he didn’t flinch back. Cautiously, he bent to rub a hand through the lustrous silver fur. “You’re not going to claw my eyes out, right?”

“Meeeoow?” Hobbes flopped onto the wooden boards of the ship’s deck, pawing the air. Two adorable violet eyes stared up with innocent confusion and a hint of sadness.

The fool immediately fell for the act, crouching to give him belly rubs. “Sorry for such a silly question. I know, I know, Kai’s the violent one. Of course, you wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

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Hey! I only answered your question.

“When I said Hobbes doesn’t like fighting, I didn’t mean he was completely harmless.”

“Don’t try to besmirch the name of this blameless kitten.” Flynn scowled, holding the devious feline in his arms. “How did you even manage to befriend him with your rough and scary demeanor?”

How did I ever think having a familiar was a good idea? I should have picked a taming skill instead of a partner bond…

“That kitten was more than eager to beg and act adorable when he was hungry.”

“Is that the truth, Hobbes? Did you sell yourself to this guy to fill your belly?” Flynn scratched the purring cat and raised a disapproving gaze at Kai. “How could you take advantage of this naive little baby?”

“That’s not what happened.”

 

~ ~ ~

 

“Where is it?”

I had more left.

Kai rummaged through the hollow hole he called his home. Despite the clutter of moldy pelts, engraved bones and other failed pieces of enchantments, the cave measured no more than two meters across. It didn’t take long to confirm he hadn’t misplaced his homemade jerky and bubble fruits.

Dammit.

Four months of constant fear and exhaustion. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that he misremembered something, only that it had taken this long. Even when the murmurs abated long enough to close his eyes, he only managed short breaks of fitful sleep. The danger was ever present, whispering in the back of his mind.

He didn’t dare tune out the only skill keeping him alive. A bloody tapestry of runes covered every wall of the cave to cloak him from the outside. His shell of rock prevented insects and beasts from burrowing inside—for the most part—but there were plenty of behemoths capable of breaking through.

“It’s fine. I’m not losing it.” Kai paced the cramped space in two strides, hands raking through his hair. “I just forgot how much I ate. It happens to everybody.”

It just never happened to me before. I must still have something…

He grinned at the silver band on his finger. For a moment he dared hope, but no, the only edible things stored were the strange mana fruits he picked. Those were just as likely to kill him as to satiate his hunger.

There was no other solution: he needed to head out and gather more food. Simple. Just dodge birds of prey and wyrmlings circling in the sky, the stone snakes camouflaged on the rocky ground and whatever other calamity the Sanctuary decided to throw at him.