Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: 20 Minutes Before the Gray's Name Battle Begins
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20 minutes before the battle over Gray's name kicked off.
Sapsari loved the park from the moment he arrived.
New scents wafted gently through the air, and the cool, spacious area was perfect for walking.
The most surprising thing was the cats' greetings.
The moment their group entered the park, cats started trailing after them.
[Did the Gray Captain arrive?]
[How have you been, Captain?]
[Great to see you, Captain.]
[How about the captain next to Shadow?]
Greetings poured in.
[How've you been?]
[It's been a while.]
Gray and Shadow exchanged words with the cats in such an affectionate way.
Listening in, Sapsari could feel their tight-knit camaraderie.
'Enviable.'
Sapsari thought the cats, who looked out for each other so well, were truly enviable.
But it wasn't just envy.
Gray and Shadow's cushions were side by side, they ate head to head, and slept together.
Didn't that make him comrades with Gray and Shadow too?
With that thought, even the cats who treated Gray and Shadow with such respect started to feel familiar.
Ears perked up as he listened to their chatter, and then his benefactor's voice slipped right into his ears.
"Sapsari, you can take off the leash here and play freely. Let's walk around."
Just as his benefactor said, dogs were romping about unleashed.
The cats, familiar with the place, dashed off toward the dogs in a flash.
"Kids, no claws out when playing with friends, got it?"
At his benefactor's words, the cats skidded to a halt.
Swish, swish.
Tails held high, they flicked them irritably a couple times before charging toward the dog pack.
Sapsari had seen cats hanging out with dogs all the time at the animal hospital, so he figured that was just how it was and dove into his rehab exercises as his benefactor instructed.
He walked faster than he had back at Alley House or the hospital.
"Ooh, Sapsari! Impressive! Now let's try a slow jog."
It was the first time running since the injury, and Sapsari was thrilled.
Sapsari focused on his rehab, picking up speed as instructed.
But suddenly, sharp yowls from the cats pierced the air.
They were faint, but Sapsari's ears caught them crystal clear.
Just moments ago, those cats had been chatting so sweetly and warmly.
Why the sudden hissing?
Even as he kept up his rehab, Sapsari's attention shifted to the cats.
That's when it happened.
Fierce growls from the dogs rumbled, followed by the cats' shrill screams stabbing into Sapsari's ears.
Sapsari whipped his head around, searching for the cats.
Dogs had Gray and Shadow surrounded.
That's when it happened.
Shadow leaped up, but one dog pinned him down with a front paw!
Rustle!
[How dare you touch my friends!]
Eyes blazing, Sapsari charged at full speed.
Thud thud thud thud.
Like a bullet, he headbutted the attacker going for the cats.
Boom!
He pounced on the fallen dog and pinned it tight with his front paw.
Yelp yelp yelp!
[Wh-what?]
The pinned bully barked in shock, and another bully nearby lunged at Sapsari.
[You punk!]
[You dare mess with my buddy?]
His booming voice shook the playground, terrifying not just the three bullies but every dog playing there.
[Uh, uhhh!]
The startled bullies froze.
They'd never faced anyone this strong before.
Wherever they went, the three of them turned places upside down.
Everyone cowered before them.
The invincible bullies couldn't make sense of this.
They weren't supposed to lose.
Shiver.
One bully shook his head hard left and right, snapping out of it to glare at Sapsari.
[Do you even know who we are...?]
Unable to hold back, the bully let out a savage growl.
Then rustle rustle, he lunged at Sapsari.
Emboldened, another bully charged too.
[Rawr!]
But Sapsari didn't budge.
He just pressed a little harder with the paw pinning the bully Gray.
All with a completely relaxed expression.
Squeeze!
[Agh, ow! That hurts, you jerk!]
The bully Gray screamed.
Flinch.
At his brother's cry, the bullies halted. But they charged again right away.
Grrr!
One at Sapsari's leg.
Woof!
One at his neck.
Seeing it, Sapsari smirked, curling his lip, then hopped lightly.
Whoosh!
Sapsari leaped up and kicked them away with his hind legs.
Thud!
The bullies hit the ground.
Sapsari had subdued them in a flash, like lightning.
Yelp yelp yelp!
The bullies flattened themselves on the ground, trembling.
Overwhelmed by fear of a foe stronger than them, their minds reeled.
[If you've got the guts, come at me!]
Sapsari's charismatic roar rang in the bullies' ears.
[Ughhh!]
[Hic, sniff!]
[...!]
Drool dripping, the bullies shrank even smaller.
Gray and Shadow alternated glances between the bullies and Sapsari.
'Amazing!'
'Impressive.'
As the cats marveled at Sapsari's prowess, his sharp voice rang out.
[You dare touch my friends?]
[N-no, sir. We, uh, we were just saying hi...]
The bully Gray on the ground wriggled up, mumbling an excuse as rep, when Gray stepped forward.
[I'm Gray!]
[Uh, I'm Gray too?]
Zap—Sapsari glared at the bully Gray.
Flinch.
The bully Gray instinctively shrank back. Head bowed low, he mumbled.
[Th-then what about me...?]
What're you gonna do about it!
That's what the bully Gray wanted to say, but he couldn't.
Talking back like that would just get him beaten.
[You're Little Gray!]
[Me? Little...?]
The bully Gray stared at the tiny fluffball in front of him.
Two of his toes together would be bigger than that paw.
[I'm bigger, though?]
Press.
Sapsari's paw pinned the bully Gray.
[Ah, no, that's not it. Yes sir, Gray's the big one. Obviously, yeah yeah.]
[That's right!]
Gray circled the playground once, then shouted loud.
[I'm Gray!]
Sapsari nodded at the bully Gray.
Eyes squeezed shut, the bully Gray yelled.
[I-I'm Little Gray...]
And with that, the Grays' name sorting was done.
Sapsari growled low to the three bullies.
[Behave from now on!]
Scarier than threats like 'Try it again and see' or 'I won't forgive you next time.'
The bullies replied without thinking.
[Yes sir!]
[Loyal!]
[We'll remember!]
***
Sapsari's sudden dash startled Lee Jun.
What was up with the kid?
It was just a split second, but he wondered if maybe he'd spotted his owner.
But no, Sapsari bolted straight to the commotion's heart.
Right toward the rowdy ones who'd been playing nonstop since they entered the playground.
Lee Jun ran after him.
If Sapsari bit another dog, it'd be a mess.
He knew it wasn't likely, but better safe than sorry.
But it wasn't necessary.
Sapsari had given the bullies a proper schooling.
Still, what if they got hurt? Lee Jun approached to check, when a voice called out.
"Y-you rascals! I told you to play nice, didn't I?"
Lee Jun turned to the chasing man and shouted back.
"No one's hurt. Don't worry."
Anyone hurt would've come to him for help. Or at least screamed.
But as Lee Jun neared the center, he only heard chatter.
Meaning no one was injured.
"R-really? That's a relief..."
The man looked puzzled for a sec, then greeted him.
"You're Director Lee Jun, right? Nice to meet you."
Lots of folks recognized and greeted Lee Jun in the park. So he nodded casually.
"Nice to meet you. You're their owner, huh."
"Yeah, sorry. I looked away for a second and... My apologies, Director. Gray and Shadow... they're okay, right?"
Cats were known by everyone who knew.
The bully owner naturally knew Gray and Shadow too.
His bullies had sent those famous cats flying, after all.
Even after Lee Jun said the cats were fine, the owner fretted.
"They're good. No need to worry. But since you're concerned, I'll double-check."
Lee Jun checked the cats.
Just as expected, not a scratch.
"They're fine."
The owner sighed in relief.
"Phew, good."
"You got a scare, huh."
"Yeah. All this because I blinked. Haenguni this Sapsari subdued my kids... Sorry, Director."
The bully owner bowed to Lee Jun and continued.
"My guys started it with Gray and Shadow. Truly sorry."
The bully owner apologized to Lee Jun over and over.
"Ah, that..."
He couldn't say Gray had started it by claiming his name.
Instead, seeing everyone playing nicely now, he replied.
"Guess their greetings got a bit rough."
"I hope so."
"Alright, let's leave the kids to play."
"Yeah."
The two headed to the bench at the playground entrance and sat.
"That Sapsal's yours too, right, Director?"
"Yeah. Sapsari. Name's Sapsari."
Lee Jun gazed fondly at the proudly standing Sapsari.
"Figured. Taking down those bullies in a flash—true wonder dog."
"Sapsari'd love hearing that."
"Hahaha, really? I was planning to visit you about those punks anyway."
"Come anytime."
"Yeah. Soon as I can. Just moved, still unpacking. Was gonna drop by once settled... Haenguni day meeting you here, Director."
"Hahaha, no big deal. Anytime."
"Yeah. And Sapsari solved my headache. Those guys are so wild, that's why I wanted advice."
"High-energy pups. Still young? Look about three..."
"Yeah. One's three, the others two. Phew, one's fine alone, but all three? No idea why they go nuts."
"They've got backup. Seem tight-knit, those three."
"Too tight. Wanna walk 'em one by one for peace. But separate one and the barking... So I bring all three."
The bully owner eyed the distant animals and asked Lee Jun.
"Director, when's Sapsari out next? With him around, punks like mine might behave, haha."
***
[Hey, Little Gray.]
One bully sneered at the newly dubbed Little Gray.
[Quiet down?]
Little Gray growled.
[Heh, serves you right. Gotta carry that tiny one now? Serve Big Gray, huh.]
Thwack!
[Hey!]
Little Gray vented on his brother.
[B-Big Bro! He's hitting me.]
[Your fault!]
Sapsari replied casually.
[N-no, I told him to serve Gray Bro, and he hit me. Still holding a grudge...]
Press! Little Gray pinned the bully and said.
[N-no, sir. Gray's the bro. I'm Little Gray, yep yep.]
"Got it."
At Sapsari's words, the bully Gray swallowed hard, holding back tears.
'Phew, thought I'd get hit again.'
He sighed deeply when Gray called him.
[Little Gray!]
[Yeah?]
The grudge-holding bully Gray grumbled back.
Then Gray toddled over on tiny paws.
[Wh-what?]
Already cowed by Sapsari, the bully Gray flinched back.
[Welcome to Evergreen Park!]
Gray extended a tiny paw.
Bewildered, the bully Gray instinctively offered his.
Tap—the soft paw touched his.
Blink blink.
As the bully Gray and his pals blinked in confusion, cute little taps sounded: tap tap tap.
Surrounding pups and tree-perched cats clashed paws and cheered.
[Welcome.]
[Welcome!]
[Come on in!]
Welcomes echoed from all sides, leaving the bullies flustered.
[F-first time.]
[Wow... Never been welcomed before in my life.]
[They're welcoming us.]
The high-spirited bullies hadn't started as punks.
They just wanted to play with friends.
Go to the park, greet excitedly—dogs scatter.
Amusement park, dash to join—dogs gone.
Pool jump—dogs flee the water.
Repeated letdowns twisted them.
But here, the kids welcomed them.
[Let's have fun together from now on!]
Even invited to play.
'Big Gray, Little Gray—who cares? They're welcoming us.'
Ahem, the bully Gray looked down at the boldly standing cat Gray.
Smaller than half his leg.
But right then, he looked huge.
The bully Gray bowed to Gray. He spoke from the heart.
"Gray Bro, please take care of us."
[Me too, please.]
"What's your name?"
"Ju-hong."
"I'm Kkot-nim. Thanks for the welcome."
That's when it happened.
Lee Jun burst out laughing from afar.
"Puhahaha!"
"What's up?"
The clueless bully owner asked puzzled, and Lee Jun waved it off.
"Nah, nothing."
He thought to himself.
'That guy's name is Kkot-nim?'
Lee Jun eyed the burly bull terrier standing there.
Meanwhile, Shadow spoke to Gray.
[Congrats on keeping the name Vet Bro gave you.]
[Of course! Can't lose a name from Bro!]
[Right. I love the Shadow he gave me.]
Sapsari, eavesdropping nearby, blinked.
He got why Gray and Shadow ditched cool names like Gray and Shadow for these.
Because their benefactor gave them.
Names meaning family.
'I want a name from my benefactor... no, Bro too.'
Sapsari's gaze turned to his benefactor.