Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Harsh World of Stray Cats
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Stray cats' lives are tough.
Everywhere had its territories, and powerless cats were constantly chased out.
Even if they were allowed to stay in a territory, that wasn't the end of it.
Weak cats had to wait their turn for food.
Only after the strong cats had filled their bellies and left could they finally eat.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that stray cats' survival came down to strength.
A world where territory and food were determined by power. That was the world of stray cats.
A world utterly merciless to the weak.
It all started with food.
The harsher the environment for finding food, the fiercer the battles over territory became.
And the opposite?
[Eat plenty.]
[Yes, Leader Norangi.]
[You eat some too, Leader Norangi.]
[I'm good. You first.]
Norangi walked slowly, eyeing the bowls piled high with food.
As he walked, he checked every corner.
A short distance away, Gray's eyes sparkled as he watched Norangi.
'He's checking if any comrades missed out on food, meow.'
Just like I used to.
Chomp chomp chomp. Nom nom nom.
[Tasty.]
[Sogeum, eat more.]
[I'm fine. You have more, sis.]
Gray's lips curled up as he watched the cats leisurely eating and looking out for each other.
'Seeing them eat so relaxed is truly a sight.'
Shadow, watching beside Gray, also grinned.
In the past, they had no time to relax in front of food.
Not knowing when they'd eat next, they were desperate just to fill their stomachs.
[Thanks to Big Brother, meow.]
Gray murmured softly.
[True. He's a brother to be grateful for.]
Just then, Norangi leaped up onto a tree. It was a bit away from the tree where Gray and Shadow sat.
Norangi climbed high and scanned all around.
[Isn't that your usual spot?]
[Right, meow. Best view from there, meow.]
[Keeping watch so his subordinates can eat in peace.]
[Exactly, meow.]
Gray nodded without hesitation.
[Hmm, he's doing great, so where'd that rumor come from?]
[Let's watch, meow.]
When one cat climbed the tree, Norangi finally came down to eat. It was late breakfast.
For a while, the park was peaceful.
The well-fed cats settled in comfy spots to groom or nap.
Kittens romped around, leaping on trees and cat towers.
Some shook branches in delight, others scratched the cat tower posts.
A few swiped at leaves with their front paws.
Suddenly, one cat let out a wail.
Nyaaaoong!
Norangi dashed to the sound in an instant.
Gray and Shadow moved too.
One cat was stuck, its front paw caught between branches.
Norangi approached, licked its face a few times, then gripped the trapped paw with his own and maneuvered it carefully.
Gray's eyes gleamed.
'Doing exactly as I taught, meow.'
Living in the park meant occasional minor accidents like this.
Paws getting caught in branches or claws snagging on bark.
Haenguni ones lost claws easily, but sometimes the whole thing ripped out.
That could mean bleeding toes and swelling for days.
Each time it happened to a comrade, Gray felt awful.
But now, no need to worry.
'Big Brother will fix it, meow.'
Thanks to Big Brother, park cats' lives had become much richer.
As Gray smiled thinking of Big Brother, Norangi's lips curled up too.
At the same moment, the stuck cat raised both front paws and grinned wide.
Its paw came free clean and unharmed. The two happily bonked heads.
Following their joy, the pair moved off.
Gray and Shadow trailed them.
No cat noticed Gray and Shadow darting nimbly between trees.
Norangi and the cat stopped at the cat tower hiding house.
The cat slipped inside, and Norangi came down.
[Oh ho, making sure it gets home safe. What a reliable leader?]
[Right, meow.]
Shadow praised Norangi, and Gray replied pleased.
After breakfast, cats sprawled on hiding houses or benches for naps.
They looked utterly content.
Norangi patrolled the benches and hiding houses.
[What's that? On patrol?]
[Yes, meow. Big Brother said to report any sick comrades, meow.]
[I see.]
While everyone rested, Norangi diligently circled the park, checking on the park cats.
Adults mostly lounged, but kittens were different.
Kittens preferred play.
One batted at toys on the cat tower.
Another sniffed flowers in the bed.
Some poked at tall grass.
Each lost in their fun.
Some playfully headbutted.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap tap.
Thud thud.
It didn't take long before they grabbed heads and fought.
Kyaoong!
Nyaong!
Kittens screeched in mock battle.
They were six or seven months old.
Smack. Smack.
Norangi rushed over and smacked their heads.
Then bared his teeth with a kyao!
Kittens stood at attention, nodding vigorously.
[Disciplining them, meow.]
[The park rules Big Brother set?]
Quiet and no fighting.
[Yes, meow.]
Norangi moved again.
Kittens trailed behind.
They reached a weedy patch.
Norangi dug: rustle rustle.
He caught a grasshopper with his paw.
Kittens bounced excitedly.
Then they mimicked, rustling grass.
But no luck.
One kitten mewled pitifully.
A much softer, weaker cry than before.
Norangi was pleased.
His scolding worked.
Norangi taught them grasshopper hunting in more detail.
Soon, kittens hunted like pros.
[Teaching hunting well too.]
Starters with flies and bugs graduate to easy mouse hunts.
[Norangi's the best hunter, meow.]
Inheriting Evergreen Park's top hunter title from Gray, Norangi taught kittens whenever possible.
Norangi patrolled the park edges again.
Near the end, his ears perked.
Gray and Shadow's did too.
All three stared at one spot.
A cat crouched high in a tree, meowing scared.
[Tsk, too scared to come down.]
Norangi knew, leaping up.
He positioned slowly beside it and descended.
The cat imitated perfectly and came down.
If it wobbled, Norangi steadied it.
Even tail for balance—he guided precisely.
[That guy's a natural teacher.]
[Yes, meow. Norangi teaches great, meow.]
All from Gray's methods, but his grin wouldn't fade.
Norangi kept moving tirelessly.
Nimble and alert to sounds.
Cats gazed at him passing, wagged tails, even greeted.
Each showed respect.
Shadow shook his head.
[No idea where that rumor started. From scolding the kittens earlier?]
[Someone eyeing our turf, meow.]
[Hmm, Pine Mushroom Park cats?]
[……?]
Gray started agreeing but stopped.
Sogeum approached Norangi, and they dashed off together.
Surprised, Gray followed.
Norangi and Sogeum stopped at the park entrance.
[Why stand there?]
[Heading out, meow.]
Gray's eyes lit up.
After Gray's traffic accident, Sogeum feared cars terribly.
Scared of roadsides and even car noises.
But knowing Gray got hurt for him, Sogeum endured fear to visit Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
Gray and comrades told him: stay safe in park, no streets.
But Sogeum was alley-born.
His old haunt near Jamongi's neighborhood.
Alley friends visited park, but he missed alleys sometimes.
Wanted to visit benefactor Leader Gray often.
Roads still soaked his pads in sweat.
Norangi must be helping overcome it.
Unlike bold dash, Sogeum froze.
Just licked his nose.
Norangi stepped first.
Sogeum licked furiously, tense, watching ahead.
Norangi nodded; Sogeum inhaled deep, stepped forward.
Norangi advanced another.
Sogeum followed.
Ears flat back, tail tucked tight.
From afar, Gray and Shadow heard gulps of nerves.
Norangi led one step; Sogeum trailed slow.
Painfully slow, but Norangi never complained or frowned.
Just waited patiently.
After steps, honk! Blared.
Sogeum curled ball-like, trembling.
Norangi hugged tight.
Soon Sogeum uncurled. But paws stayed put.
Norangi licked ears, wrapped tail around Sogeum's.
Like holding hands.
Emboldened, Sogeum stepped.
Tails entwined, they walked slow.
At crosswalk, Norangi meowed nyaong.
[Teaching the little one like you said.]
Once, Gray told Shadow crosswalk tips.
Norangi taught Sogeum exactly that.
Special training lasted an hour.
Back safe, Sogeum beamed with confidence.
Gray smiled warmly.
[Good, meow.]
Grateful, Sogeum bowed paws together to Norangi.
Then into his hiding house.
Relaxed, he'd nap till dinner.
Norangi eyed his nearby house, then moved.
For rest, best spot sensing comrades.
Norangi loafed on open bench.
Seemed resting, but ears twitched.
Norangi bolted.
Gray followed.
A cat chomped something.
Norangi smacked its mouth.
Bared teeth, paw forward.
[What's that punk doing?]
[Chewing string, meow.]
[String? What?]
[Yes, meow.]
Indeed, thread ball in mouth.
Norangi pawed the tongue-wrapped ball.
Gray neared to watch.
Norangi fiddled, but stuck.
Cat gulped nervously.
String shortened.
[Danger, meow.]
Gray yelled, dashed.
[Don't swallow spit!]
Shadow shouted, ran.
But opposite direction from Norangi and swallower.
Cats bolted out park to Meongmeong Animal Hospital.