Nero's Crew
When was the last time he'd run at full speed?
Probably the physical fitness test from over a decade ago.
"Ssal-i… slow down…."
—Faster! Hurry!
An average person's walking speed was 4 to 5 km/h.
At full sprint, 12 to 16 km/h.
Even Eliud Kipchoge, who shattered the 2-hour wall of the marathon full course—known as the demon's barrier—clocked an official world record of 20.81 km/h.
"Gah… slow…."
—Dad! We gotta go faster! We'll be in big trouble if we're late!
I'm the one who's gonna be in big trouble.
And most medium-sized dogs could hit 24 to 32 km/h.
My desperate howls, lost in the agony, didn't reach Ssal-i's ears.
My darkening vision began to blur with yellow light, gradually turning pure white. Like glimpsing the stairs to heaven.
The leash… can't let go of the leash….
Even as I gagged with a sense of duty to never release the lead, no matter if I passed out.
—What the hell are you doing? Stop right now!
With Ssal-i's fierce howl, I barely managed to halt my feet. And then.
…What the hell is this?
It was chaos.
Not long after Min-hyeok and Ssal-i had left.
—Wheee! Head rush!
—You can do it too if ya practice, kiddo. This skill ain't for anytime—ya gotta catch the wind. Ride the breeze from behind, tweak your wing angle a bit, and….
Il-nam-i was teaching Maeng-maeng-i the flying skill.
—Whatcha sayin'? Fall ain't even here yet—do we gotta prep already?
—Teacher says us warm-blooded critters gotta stock up early for hibernation. Ya forget already?
Seondeo and Nureoguman were chatting about preparing for the winter just months away.
—Warm-blooded? What's that?
—Frogs 'n snakes are cold-blooded. Us that gotta eat plenty before winter sleep—that's warm-blooded. Forgot again?
—Oh, yeah. I knew that.
—Don't play like ya remember. Anyway, scout where acorns 'n tree nuts mostly drop….
That was when the Big Rock animals were enjoying their peaceful time.
Rustle—
—Snacks all gathered here. Mouth-waterin' lineup.
—Kekeke. Told ya they'd all be here. Right, boss?
The rustling from the nearby bushes froze the Big Rock crew in place.
Eight eyes piercing the dark night.
These were the beasts who'd recently risen as outlaws in Saetgang Ecological Park, their blue-green glows marking them.
—Il-nam-i! Grab Maeng-maeng-i 'n Seondeo!
—Eek! Wh-what? Why more demons?
Before Nureoguman, rearing up on hind legs with arms spread wide, could finish, Il-nam-i dove like lightning, snatching Maeng-maeng-i in his beak and Seondeo in his talons, then shot skyward.
—New tiny birdie? Wouldn't even be a mouthful.
—Titmouse kid. Talkin' to you. Come down, groom the bros. Heh?
—Kekeke. Quit it. Kid's gonna cry.
—Looks like it'll drop soon. Open wide. Aah~ come this way.
Nureoguman clenched his stubby fists, facing the four prowling cats.
—D-don't come closer. I won't hold back!
—Ooh, scary. What happened? Nureoguman bulked up while we weren't lookin'?
—Kekeke. Talks big like they say. But looks like one punch'd flatten ya.
—Never had raccoon. Wonder what it tastes like? Huh? Tell me. What flavor are ya?
When Neoro first found Big Rock, he was alone. Next time, with the tabby. Now, orange and blue-striped ones too—four cats total, sauntering closer. Nureoguman's fur puffed up, cold sweat trickling.
Th-they're… way too many…. I couldn't even take one Neoro!
Definite defeat.
But he couldn't just bow his head. Big Rock was their one safe home.
—Big Rock's our turf! Why… why keep messin' with us!
—Yeah? Curious? Take a hit first.
—Today's jab opener. Dodge good.
—D-don't come! Stay back!
—Comin' right now.
Nureoguman swung threateningly at the air, but the cats giggled, tightening the encirclement. When they were in range.
—Move.
Neoro, black fur gleaming, pushed through the three Korean Shorthairs behind him and stepped forward.
—Told ya last time we beat ya. Big Rock's Neoro Crew turf now.
—N-no way! Big Rock's always been ours!
—Always been?
Neoro's streetlamp-yellow eyes fixed on trembling Nureoguman.
—Truth? I didn't wanna take Big Rock. Just don't like you lot.
—Wh-what'd we do! We didn't… agh!
Before Nureoguman finished, Neoro leaped atop Big Rock, his forepaw smacking the raccoon's chin.
Neoro looked down at Nureoguman tumbling below.
—That do-nothin' attitude bugs me. No worries, carefree faces. Makes me sick.
—Wh-what….
—No need to talk more. Kaos, Cheese, Goet-eo. Beat 'em.
—Kehhehe. Waited for that, boss.
—Hey, raccoon. Stay down. Less hurt that way.
Nureoguman scrambled up at the sneering cats.
It was a surprise attack from Neoro, nothing more.
And unbeknownst to Neoro Crew, Nureoguman had trained secretly.
—Come at me! Raccoons're bigger than cats! No surprise hits, and… agh! Hurts! It hurts!
Of course, against seasoned beasts.
Thwack! Thud thud! Thwack!
—G-gentle! Easy! It hurts!
As cats rained paw punches on flattened Nureoguman.
—Stop!
Il-nam-i, who'd placed Maeng-maeng-i and Seondeo on a high branch, dove beak-first at Kaos like a spear.
—Hmph.
But Neoro sprang like a spring from Big Rock, slamming down with weighty forepaw in an arc.
Crack!
Faster speed meant bigger impact.
Il-nam-i convulsed, rolling across the dirt from Neoro's counter.
—Kraaah….
Neoro pinned Il-nam-i's slender neck with cold eyes.
—More I see, weirder it gets. How weaklings like you survived wild. See carefree pups like you, boils my blood.
—Guh… kek….
Neoro pressed harder, Il-nam-i gasping faintly in fading consciousness. Then.
—What the hell are you doing? Stop right now!
A white curly pup charged, snarling fiercely.
…What the hell is this?
Breath to his throat, vision spinning.
Not just poor stamina— the mess before him.
Nureoguman surrounded by three stray Korean Shorthairs, getting pummeled. Il-nam-i pinned by the black Bombay-look cat.
—I said stop!
Before he could think, Ssal-i leaped onto Big Rock, growling. Cats backed off swiftly.
—Damn. Human.
—Dog brought its owner.
—Tch. Slaves gonna slave.
Oddly, their eyes were on Min-hyeok, not Ssal-i.
As the puffed-up shorthairs muttered, the black cat flashed streetlamp-yellow eyes, glaring fiercely at him.
—Disgusting human….
"…What?"
—Let's go, guys.
The black cat turned, leaving baffling words. The shorthairs followed into the bushes.
—Dad! Check on 'em! They can't even talk straight!
"Wait a sec."
He rushed to Il-nam-i and Nureoguman rolling below Big Rock.
"Il-nam-i first."
—Grgh… t-teacher….
"Don't move. No forcing up. Breathing first…."
After checking the war-torn pair, Ssal-i, stamping anxiously, poked his head in.
—Dad! How're Il-nam-i 'n Nureoguman? Can't even speak right!
"They're fine."
—Right?! The kids… Huh? Fine?
He ruffled Ssal-i's surprised head.
"Yeah. Very fine. Il-nam-i's just a slight facial bruise. Nureoguman… weird. Not a single contusion?"
—Eh? No way! Nureoguman got wrecked earlier!
Even during the exam, he was shocked.
Upon arrival, Nureoguman was getting thrashed; Il-nam-i trampled.
—Ahem. Tripped from surprise. Neoro ain't that strong. But Nureoguman's tough. Looked bad, but went easy?
—No! Hit hard! Dodged mostly, so no hurt!
Nureoguman, furred in multicolored cat hairs, bristled, puffing his belly.
—They chickened! What're ya rabbit-punchin' for! Come 'ere!
Seondeo dashed out piggybacking Maeng-maeng-i, unseen till now.
"Seondeo and Maeng-maeng-i too?"
—Bro, don't stop me. Gonna smash 'em good!
He popped a pumpkin seed in late-raging Seondeo's mouth to quiet him, then turned back.
"Glad minimal injuries. But what happened? That black cat—Neoro, right?"
—Yeah. Neoro Crew… grew to four. Few days back, claimed Big Rock theirs….
"Why?"
—Seondeo. Take Maeng-maeng-i to nest first. Scared bad.
—Got it.
Il-nam-i sent Maeng-maeng-i off, then dipped wings for a whisper.
—They came days ago too. Asked if we killed Maeng-maeng-i's family. Got vicious after.
—Beat us bad then! They did it, but denied, cursed, hit, claimed Big Rock theirs!
Nureoguman bounced excitedly.
—Today's proof they're guilty! Hidin' somethin'! Brutally killed Maeng-maeng-i's fam….
"Shh. Got it. Quiet. Maeng-maeng-i'll hear."
Finger to lips, he stopped Nureoguman.
No soundproofing in the nest.
Calmed, Nureoguman shivered faintly.
—Real scary bunch. Heard they're bullyin' other locals too….
Il-nam-i and Nureoguman spilled on Neoro Crew.
Strange. No cat moms around Big Rock—hard to find food….
But their actions made less sense as details piled up. Few strays, no feeders.
…Why stray cats? Cover up killin' Maeng-maeng-i's family? But no major injuries, no eating traces.
Housecats hunt for practice or territory, instinct even without eating.
Wild cats skipping meals after hunt? Rare. Tormenting for fun didn't fit.
But the real head-scratcher.
"Hey. Neoro's tail seemed short, right?"
—Dunno. Didn't notice vs others. Too busy hidin'.
—Cats vary! Worry 'bout neuterin' 'em, not tails!
Mis-saw? Definitely short.
Black cat Neoro differed sharply from typical Bombay.
"Got it. Watch Maeng-maeng-i, rest up. If Neoro Crew returns, Il-nam-i—fly to hospital. I'll come."
—Thanks, teacher.
—Neuter! Catch 'n neuter!