Chapter 233: Trouble For The Kitties!

Kaisen decided it was time to dive back into the game—no, wait, scratch that. Kaisen decided it was time to conquer his new world.

There were far too many things on his to-do list, and while catching up with his friends was tempting, it was definitely safer to do that in the game than in the real world.

The risk of getting hunted down in this world? Yeah, no thanks. His new world was dangerous, sure, but at least there, he had the upper hand—or at least a few tricks up his sleeve.

'People are going to confuse me with Kayden, no doubt. But if they've got even half a brain, they should know I was trapped in that world with them when this whole mess kicked off.'

Kaisen shrugged and swiped his hand over the VR headset, brushing away imaginary dust. His mind was already a million miles away, plotting a thousand different schemes.

'I should get a mask... Oh, wait, I do have a mask, don't I?'

He paused mid-polish, a sinister smile creeping across his lips. He still didn't fully understand what that mask did, but it seemed like now was the perfect time to find out.

'Well, well, well... This could be interesting.'

He had wanted to check in with Kara before heading back, but it seemed she was off on some long mission, tangling with the Authority or something equally dramatic.

She'd even taken the spider drone from his room yesterday. He wasn't sure why, but honestly, he was just glad that creepy thing was out of his hair.

'Well, no time to waste. Let's dive in.'

Kaisen thought, sending a quick message to his friends before sliding the VR headset on. In mere seconds, reality faded away, replaced by the familiar and chaotic landscape of his new world.

'What exactly is this world's name, anyway?'

He mused, just as he spawned mid-air and plummeted onto the rugged, rocky hills of the cat tribe territory, the same spot he'd appeared at yesterday.

'Is this my respawn point or something?'

Not likely.

From the countless forum posts he'd devoured, it was pretty clear: death here was final. Once you died, that was it. No getting kicked back to your own world with a pat on the head and a "nice try."

No, your body would either get buried, eaten, or rot right where it fell. Respawn points were just wishful thinking in this brutal realm.

Thirty kilometers? More like a three-minute jog in his world.

And when he was ready, he took off like a cannonball shot from the gates of hell. Hills and rocks blurred past him, nothing more than smears of color as he zipped by at lightning speed.

Within seconds, he was at the village's wall, coming to an abrupt halt.

Why? Because through the slits in the bamboo wall, he spotted some familiar faces. Ronali and her brother Rony, surrounded by a small group of other young cat tribe members. Trouble was brewing.

A young man was blocking Ronali and her friends' way, flanked by his cronies. Rony, the little spitfire, was trying to punch the guy, but the man had one hand on Rony's forehead, holding him at bay like you would a yapping puppy.

"Give it up, kid. Ronali's mine. Is there anyone in this tribe who could even think about competing with me for your sister's hand?"

the man sneered, a cocky smirk plastered on his face. He had blonde hair, a tail to match, and the arrogance of a cat who's never met a mouse he couldn't catch.

"Shut up, Luke! No way I'm letting my sister marry a bully like you!"

Rony barked back, practically vibrating with rage.

Luke chuckled, taunting.

"Oh yeah? You got someone better lined up? Who's gonna stand up to me, huh?"

"Yeah, I do! And he's gonna beat the living crap out of you!"

Rony's voice rose, fierce and unyielding.

Luke's smirk grew.

"Oh really? And where's this knight in shining armor? I don't see—"

"Release my brother, Luke. He's just a boy. Don't you have any shame, bullying children?"

Ronali cut in, her voice icy enough to freeze lava. She stepped forward, her eyes locking onto Luke's with a gaze that could pierce steel.

The other cat tribe members looked at her with admiration, like she was some legendary warrior who'd just descended from the heavens. Kaisen couldn't help but smirk from his hiding spot.

'This is going to be fun.'