Chapter 156 – Cat Dad Live in a Society
“Speak.”
Taotie was amused as he had already guessed Xiaomao’s intention. As the monster was sealed by Nian, the latter could sense every action or thoughts of Taotie. Thus, he wondered how Xiaomao would cope with Nian’s wrath.
“I’m going to free you, but I hope that you can work as my bodyguard after this, munya!”
Taotie burst into laughter, “So you want me to be your servant in exchange for freedom?”
“Err, that’s not it…”
“That’s quite na?ve thinking. How do you think I got my name?”
Xiaomao wryly smiled and looked at Taotie’s name again.
<strong>Taotie, Seafood-Loving Immortal Fiend, Agent of Calamity, Level 5,555</strong>
“Hmm?”
It changed. Moreover, something was not right.
Xiaomao tilted his head. He was not supposed to see Taotie’s level, but he could see it.
Then, he remembered that the newest add-on skill changed something in him. Xiaomao rechecked the Cathulhu Instinct’s skill description.
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<strong>Cathulhu Instinct – Mastery Max. </strong>
All catopuses are born with Cathulhu Instinct, inherited from their predecessors. They always hear the mysterious whispers of their seniors. Sometimes, they can even see through illusions, hidden karma, and disguised spells with their naked eyes.
After evolution, a cute catopus can transform into a horrifying Cathulhu, who can see through the truth of the universe.
<strong>Skill Type:</strong> Racial Skill, Passive
<strong>Rarity:</strong> Myth
<strong>Effects:</strong>
– Default monster drop rate is fixed to 100% when you participate in the kill.
– Upon killing a red-named player or a player from hostile factions, eject the dead player’s equipment, items, and gold coins in their inventory. Decrease their level by one and increase yours by one.
– Display hidden quest and item information in the description.
– Display hidden levels, modifiers, and hidden titles of immortals and mortals. Cannot display hidden information about gods, sages, and entities.
– Your right eyebrow always twitches whenever a crisis approaches. The rhythm and the severity of twitching reflect the level of incoming danger.
– This skill will be automatically upgraded when you evolve into a cathulhu.
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Xiaomao could finally see the hidden detail of this mysterious skill, but he was displeased as the detail wasn’t accurate.
So far, all players dropped all their equipment and items in their inventory when Xiaomao killed them. However, he never got the level bonus.
Xiaomao didn’t mind that. He believed that the fights didn’t meet the conditions, and the skill effect didn’t activate.
For now, he stopped getting sidetracked as he was in the middle of a conversation.
“Do you love seafood, munya?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course, I love seafood!” Taotie chuckled.
“Do you hate Pangu and Nian, munya?”
“Obviously. They have to pay for backstabbing me! Who asked them to imprison me in the first place? You know, I was minding my own business and chilling in the sea, but that goddamn cat-monster cursed me and abducted me here.”
“So, if you’re free from Nian and Pangu’s curses, what will do you, munya?”
“I’ll kill them. What else? Hahahaha!”
Xiaomao smiled and nodded, “If I tell you that I can free you, what will you do, munya?”
“Are you serious?” Taotie’s complexion turned dark, “I know that you have an item that can erase my karma and free me, but the karma of gods and immortals is not a joke. All gods and immortals will notice your existence, and they will do everything in their power to enslave your soul. Have you ever thought of what it would be like to live in an eternal hell as a slave of an unknown lunatic god?”
Xiaomao gulped. Mu-Nyang never explained the consequences of karma, so he never knew about this. Still, after learning the consequences, Xiaomao was more confident.
‘So that’s why Mu-Nyang gave me that add-on skill. It was a preparation for this.’
Although Xiaomao was aware that he was a chess piece in an unknown game of Mu-Nyang, he followed through with the plan anyway.
“What if I say that no god or immortal can see or read my karma, munya?”
Taotie squinted his eyes. He stopped lazing around and sat up.
Looking straight into the cat’s eyes, the giant monster noticed the seriousness in Xiaomao’s words. He solemnly warned Xiaomao one last time.
“One mistake and your life will end. Are you sure you want to proceed, kid?”
“Yes, munya.”
“To be honest, I won’t lose out on anything, but I don’t want to see a good kid getting destroyed by greed.”
“I might be greedy, but I’m doing this because I’m confident in my abilities, munya!”
“…”
Taotie stared at Xiaomao in silence for a whole minute. Then, he deeply exhaled.
“Fine. Since you’re risking everything to free me, I’ll hang around with you until you reach level 1,000. After that, I’ll take my leave, alright?”
“That’s very generous of you, munya! Sure, that’s a deal!”
Xiaomao was surprised that Taotie was kinder than he had imagined. He had thought that the calamitous fiend was cruel and crazy, but in reality, this old monster was laid-back and reasonable.
He brought out the refined entity crystal and pressed it against Taotie’s nose.
BOOP
It was a light touch, but it was satisfying for Xiaomao. He felt like he had just booped a dog’s nose.
RUMBLE
Taotie’s physique changed. His fur turned green while his pupils shone in red light. He looked to the sky and howled like a wolf.
DING
<You have done something irreversible! Why did you free the mythical fiend?!>
<Your karma has decreased by 100,000!>
<You have earned a new title, WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY!>
<You have earned a new title, The Great Villain!>
Not only did Xiaomao earn a title, but he also triggered a global announcement.
DING
<Player Xiaomao has released the Calamity-Class Monster!>
<Player Xiaomao is now the nemesis of Pangu Church! Followers of Pangu Church may attack or kill Player Xiaomao without incurring a penalty. Anyone who kills Player Xiaomao may visit the local Pangu Church to claim a bounty reward!>
Xiaomao smirked and laughed.
“WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY, MUNYA!”
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<strong>Title: WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY</strong>
Sometimes, we just want to see the world burn. How many of you wish for the world apocalypse, zombie outbreak, World War Three, nuclear winter, or global pandemic? I’m sure you do.
<strong>Effects: </strong>
– You gain double negative karma whenever you commit crimes.
– Criminals respect you.
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<strong>Title: The Great Villain</strong>
This title is awarded to the true madman among the crazies. The only way to get this title is to achieve something that might cause an apocalypse or harm everybody in the world.
<strong>Effects: </strong>
– For every 1,000 negative karma you have, your combat status increases by 1%.
– When besieged by players with positive karma, increase ATK, M.ATK, DEF, and M.DEF by 50 %.>
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Xiaomao had the urge to paint his face as Joker. He laughed and watched Taotie grow bigger.
In less than a minute, the fiend grew 20 meters tall and alarmed everybody in the church. Priests, Paladins, and cultists rushed to the garden and found Xiaomao there.
A beacon of light descended and shone upon Xiaomao. At the same time, another global announcement pinpointed Xiaomao’s location.
DING
<Player Xiaomao is last seen in the garden of Siren City’s Pangu Church!>
<The Pangu Church has placed a bounty on Xiaomao. Current Bounty – 50 Million PACT!>
Xiaomao turned around and jumped on a flying sword, getting ready to bail. As he turned around, his eyes met with a certain old man.
<strong>Archbishop Mimir, the Fallen Wiseman, Apostle of Pangu, Level 6,500</strong>
Mimir raised his brows as if he had noticed something. He revealed a faint smile and kicked the ground.
Before Xiaomao could react, Mimir was already behind him. The old man petted Xiaomao’s head and lightly touched the crystal in Xiaomao’s tentacle arms.
“I see that your karma is special. Allow me to borrow its effect for a moment.”
CLANK
Something inside Mimir let out a weird sound as if a glass was shattered. His complexion gained more color, and the old man regained his youth.
In seconds, the withering old man reverted to a middle-aged archbishop. He retained his full beard, but his hair turned black.
“HAHAHAHA! Who could have thought that my savior would be a Cathulhu’s child?!”
While Mimir burst into laughter, Xiaomao received more notification messages.
DING
<You have done something irreversible yet again! You have broken the curse of Pangu!>
<You are now the sworn enemy of all Pangu worshipers, priests, and followers!>
<All Pangu’s allies and servants hate you with a passion!>
<You are now the sworn enemy of all Mazingers. Current Hatred: 7 Stars!>
<Pangu, Nian, Gods, and immortals are now aware of your existence. They are now searching for your whereabouts.>
DING
<You have earned a new title, Pangu’s Sworn Enemy!>
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<strong>Title: Pangu’s Sworn Enemy</strong>
Nobody can trigger more hatred of Pangu as much as you. Now that you are determined to antagonize the greatest god of this world, you should prepare for his wrath.
However, openly antagonizing Pangu draws the attention of many of Pangu’s haters. Their affinity with you will be higher, and you can make friends with many hidden forces.
<strong>Effects:</strong>
– All Cathulhus, Catopuses, Mermaids, Chaos Demon Gods, Chaos Demon Goddesses, and their friends respect you. Your favorable impression of them can never be lower than 3 stars.
– When you trade or interact with Pangu’s haters, you will always receive special discounts and favorable treatments.