Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The 'Secret Deal' with the Regular Customer Begins!
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I took a step toward where the cat had disappeared.
The forest was full of trees big and small, so I worried I might lose track of it if I chased too carelessly.
But the trail of bloodstains stretching off into the distance served as my guide.
Following the blood, I soon spotted a makeshift nest pieced together from leaves and branches.
There, curled up in a ball, the cat was licking the wound on its back.
Shh-shh—
Twitch—!
Shh-shh-shh—
Twitch—!
Every time its tongue touched the spot, a wave of pain must have hit, because the cat's body kept flinching.
"...Over there."
I called out carefully, and the cat, caught off guard, bristled its tail straight up into a defensive stance.
Kyaaak—!
Its eyes flashed with ferocity, saliva dripping from between its bared fangs.
One wrong move now, and it looked ready to tear my throat out.
Even knowing my necklace and bracelet would protect me, I couldn't help shrinking back a little.
"Tch, I came to heal you..."
I spoke again, even more cautiously, and its guard seemed to ease slightly—the tail it had raised high began to lower bit by bit.
Not missing the opening, I spoke once more.
"...Can I heal you?"
The cat narrowed its eyes and glared at me, its face full of distrust.
"As if a lowly human could do something like that."
It bristled its fur again into a defensive posture, but it didn't bare its teeth or show killing intent like before.
I stopped in place and carefully drew up my mana.
A warm glow spread from my fingertips, floating gently toward the cat's wound.
Paaat—
The light finally reached the cat's lower back and began seeping into the blood-soaked gash.
The mangled flesh twitched.
The split skin stitched itself together, little by little. Slowly.
Before long, the deep gouge had healed completely, without a trace.
"Nyaaang...?"
The cat's yellow eyes blinked.
Incredulous, it twisted its head around to look at its own back.
"Phew, looks like it works on animals too. Good thing."
Done.
I had a ton of stuff to do now, so the moment I confirmed the wound was fully healed, I turned to leave.
Right then, a gruff voice shot out from behind.
"...Human. What do you want."
I glanced back at the cat.
"Want? Nothing?"
The cat hauled its bulk upright, waddling a bit, then slowly raised its chin.
"As the master of this place, I owe you repayment for the help."
"Huh? You own this place?"
I asked back, and it bobbed its head smugly, full of swagger.
A thought suddenly hit me.
Oh right. Cats are territorial animals.
It was claiming this whole area as its turf, like it was the big boss around here.
"I'm not a cat! I'm a civet!"
Had it read my mind again? It snapped in a huff.
"Yeah, yeah. But I don't need any repayment. I'm busy, so later."
I turned to slip out of its nest.
Rustle—
Leaves crunching came from behind.
I peeked back. The massive cat was awkwardly glancing around, following me with stiff steps.
"Why are you following me?"
"I'm not following. I just happen to be heading that way too."
I chuckled and nodded.
Pretending to be uninterested, then slyly closing the distance—it was so very cat.
But now wasn't the time to play around with a cat.
That said... where the heck is the Harnella flower?
From yesterday to today.
I'd scoured the forest nonstop, but not a single Harnella flower in sight.
No way that one I saw was the last...?
I'd been too hasty, driven by curiosity about its fatigue recovery effect.
Should've cultivated it just in case.
I'd already used Rare Gatherable Detection today, so I couldn't borrow the weapon's power for a while.
Even if I could use it again, no guarantee it'd find the Harnella flower.
"Haa..."
How long to search this whole forest...
I let out a deep sigh.
Then—scratch-scratch—clawing at a tree from behind.
I whipped around reflexively. There was the cat, in an elegant pose, scraping at the tree bark.
It had been scratching leisurely.
Our eyes met, and it casually dropped its gaze downward.
Where its eyes fell: three Harnella flowers, the ones I'd been hunting all day yesterday and today.
"Whoa!"
I bolted straight for them, no hesitation.
"Did you find these for me?"
I beamed at the cat, grinning ear to ear.
It sat primly with its front paws together, pointedly looking away.
"...Hmph. I don't even know what that is."
Its face was the picture of indifference as it whipped its head aside.
But its tail—swish-swish—wagging huge betrayed its true feelings.
"You know, you're actually an amazing cat after all? Thanks... I've been looking for these flowers since yesterday."
I spoke from the heart, and its ears twitched.
"...Th-that's nothing anyone could do."
Gruff words, but the tail was wagging twice as fast now.
And it seemed to love being called amazing.
It hadn't even bristled at "cat" this time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At that moment.
A dead silence hung over the area near Chrog's house, not a breath of wind.
A group in identical disguises—black masks, hats, and such—melted into the shadows, holding their breath as they watched the fence from afar.
"Target appears to be out."
A short, clipped radio transmission echoed.
Then silence fell again.
In the suffocating quiet, one man drew a tablet-sized device from his belt.
A hologram lit up blue: 'P.R. Lumina Bell Project Failure Report.'
Today's objective marked dead center in the document.
Confirming the target's identity once more, he pocketed the device and spoke.
"We absolutely cannot fail."
A low, thin voice whispered back from beside him.
"Fail what?"
The man didn't even glance her way, replying curtly.
"We have to take her out in one shot."
A sudden doubt crossed his mind.
...Was there a woman on today's op?
Only then did he turn toward the voice.
Blood-red eyes glimmered softly, close enough their noses nearly touched.
The woman tilted her head, peering at him with what seemed pure curiosity.
"Take out what?"
Breath brushing his skin.
A cool, hushed voice.
She'd closed in without a whisper of presence.
As the man took in her face, realization dawned.
Rank 1. Head of Full Moon.
Classified psychopath.
A woman who could kill without a shred of emotion.
And she was right there, eyes gleaming.
"I hate being ignored."
Full Moon's leader curled her lips in a pretty smile.
But her eyes weren't smiling at all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On the way back from the forest, heading home.
As the entrance came into view, I spotted people bustling in the yard.
Team uniforms in black and red.
A familiar emblem on their backs.
Why are Full Moon staff here...?
I blinked in disbelief, entering the yard with a dazed look.
The cleaning staff bowed in unison.
"Hello, Healer!"
"Uh... hello. But what's going on in my yard...?"
One Full Moon staffer replied politely.
"By the Leader's orders. We'll be tidying the yard regularly from now on."
"What!? No, you don't have to..."
I'd been too busy lately to clean, and it must've bugged the neighbors.
But sending people to do it personally...
"...Okay, unavoidable today, but I'll handle it from now on."
Feeling awkward, I ducked inside, wanting to offer something.
Nothing handy—then I spotted leftover cookies from yesterday's cafe sales.
"You all worked hard today! These are homemade cookies—try some!"
I held them out. A few staff reached tentatively, then hesitated.
"Th-this is... um..."
"Er... are these really cookies?"
Once they took them, I bowed again and went back inside.
Grabbed the shape-shifting potion, washed and dried the Harnella petals.
Finished prepping for cafe business in a flurry, then opened the door.
Creeeak—
My heart dropped the instant I opened it.
Someone stood at the entrance.
The silent visitor fixed her red eyes on my cheek, as always.
"Ah, if you're here, ring the bell or something..."
I muttered awkwardly to hide my surprise.
That moment—cool, cold fingertips seized both my cheeks.
"This bounce, this feel. I missed it so much."
"Kyaaack...! It hurts!"
After kneading my cheeks thoroughly, she finally smiled, satisfied, curling her lips prettily.
"Got my reward."
She turned casually, as if nothing happened, heading to the staff in the yard.
I clutched my stinging cheeks, staring blankly at her back.
She's... totally nuts...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lunchtime had long passed, but the Management Bureau ladies who came daily hadn't shown.
Skipping today...?
I rubbed my still-tender cheek.
Then a huge cheer erupted from the customers.
"The Queen...!"
"The Queen's here!"
Cute Pristine-inspired dolls sat on their tables, one each.
How did they even make those...?
When did it start?
Before I knew it, our cafe spirits had built a fandom.
First came Pristine, the overwhelming fan favorite among them.
Sculpted-beauty looks.
Elegant poise.
Her signature skirt-lift during service? A huge draw for fans.
"Hi? You're so pretty today too."
"Is this her being cute? Oh man, too adorable..."
Next, the one plumped up cute from customer snacks.
- Piing♡
- Piiing—♡
Unlike Pristine's restrained efficiency—serve and float off.
This one's fawning, aegyo-heavy service felt pro-idol level.
No surprise it hogged the love, as the most people-loving spirit.
And last, Lumina Spirit.
- Pip.
Today too, it spread five fingers at me, demanding purified water, oblivious to customers' feelings.
One thing on its mind.
Just scoring purified water.
"You skipping work now to just beg for purified water?"
- Pii...
It drooped its wings at my words, face screaming utter reluctance as it grabbed flower tea and flew off.
"Kukukuku, that 'I hate work' face is gold."
"This one's got that funny charm."
Seemed it had its own niche fans too.
Smiling warmly at the happy customers, I spotted a new arrival and jumped up.
They're here...!
Finally, my Management Bureau 'secret deal' customers arrived!
"Boss... got Harnella tea today...?"
"I'm dying here... if no flower tea today, might as well die..."
They looked extra drained today.
"Perfect timing—I restocked flower tea ingredients. One sec!"
I flashed a bright smile and turned to prepare.
Then a choked sob from behind.
"Haa, so sick of it all. When the hell do we even awaken...?"
"Give up. If not by now, maybe never..."
...Now's the time!
I half-turned, whispering low enough other tables wouldn't hear.
"Ladies, do you really want to awaken?"
They answered like it was obvious.
"Of course... I'd sell my soul at this point."
"Tired of being treated like failures just for desk jobs at the Bureau..."
"Honestly, we're just... alive 'cause we haven't died yet."
Finally. At last.
"...Then, what if you could awaken right now? Would you believe me?"
The 'secret deal' with my regulars had begun.