'Open this cage, hurry! How slow can you get!?'

After those two finished their talks they walked away to finalize the deal in a different place.

If that lady hadn't comforted me by saying that someone would pick me up shortly, I would most likely have thrashed inside this cage until things got bloody.

True to her words, a guy dressed in protected gear like that of a surgeon really came. I watched as he put down a pet cage before starting to press the glass window as if he were inputting a passcode.

He repeated that three times which pissed me off.

'Why the hell is your security in my cage that tight!?'

Thankfully, it didn't take long before the part of the glass pane slid, opening a window for my escape.

I didn't wait for his filthy hands to touch me and immediately dashed towards the freedom.

It seemed that he was caught off guard by my sudden action, as I easily slipped through his wide open legs.

I rushed down the large corridor, and the wind was breathing through my fur. I could feel my small heart beating in joy.

I dashed through the cages, leaving the cats who did not know freedom in the dust as I headed towards the exit.

... but, where's the exit?

•••

“I'm going to ask it again, but are you really sure about your purchase?” Miss Jenny asked.

“Yes, and didn't you already scan my card?”

She must be thinking that I was stupid or something harsh for buying that kitten.

However, what she doesn't know is that I'm not wasting money here. The act of buying that cat is more of a bargain than anything!

I really thought that my plan was doomed when she told me about the situation of the shadow cubs, but it seemed that the goddess blessed me with too much luck today.

I might still need to change some part of the plan, but not in a bad way; if I do it right, my chances of success would reach at least 70%. That's 30% higher than my previous plan!

“So when could I get him?”

Miss Jenny smiled thinly as she pushed the papers forward.

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“Someone's getting him out of his vivarium; he'll be here any minute now. But before that, I need you to sign this.”

I took the papers off the table and started reading their contents.

It basically tells me the laws and regulations for keeping a beast with me—things that I mostly knew, but I checked it just to make sure before putting my signature.

“Here.”

Miss Jenny took the papers, stood up, and offered me her hand for a handshake. I stood up too and did just that.

“Thank you for your patronage.”

“Welcome.”

*Knock* *Knock*

She briefly glanced at the door before looking back at me with a smile on her lips.

“Looks like they're here.”

The door turned open, and a black flash immediately rushed towards me—no, towards Miss Jenny instead.

“Woah!?"

She caught it when it landed in her chest, and the figure finally revealed itself.

“Hey, why are you there?” I couldn't help but call him out.

'I'm the one that bought you not her.'

That's right, it's the cat. I could see him make an unbelievable expression for his species as he rubbed his cheeks into Miss Jenny's chest.

”Hey, why is this kitty not caged?” With a sour face, she asked the man standing near the door.

He started scratching the back of his head and apologetically explained. “He wouldn't enter it no matter what I did, so I had no choice but to guide him here.”

The corner of his lips then rose as he added, “I must say that this cat is really intelligent, but a little stupid too.”

“I can see that he's intelligent, but stupid? How so?” I asked, a little bit concerned.

I'm not gonna question the former, as I saw how he acted a while ago.

The way it tried to communicate with me through gestures shows just how smart he is.

They say that high-ranking beasts have intelligence equal to or even greater than humans, so it's not surprising.

However, stupidity... I briefly glanced at that cat, still frolicking with Ms. Jenny.

'Yeah, he does look kind of stupid right now.'

“It's because when I opened its enclosure, it suddenly rushed out. I was caught off guard, as it doesn't usually happen, especially if it's a cub.” His grin tugged into a mocking smile as he continued, “But, just as I was about to panic, I saw it coming back; it probably doesn't know—”

“Naaaa!!!”

His words were interrupted when the kitten suddenly appeared and slapped his cheeks.

'Fast!'

I was barely able to see his actions, but others, especially the man, probably only saw a blur before he found himself falling.

The kitten then haughtily trod towards the open door, but just before he made his exit, he turned to look at me with his golden cat eyes.

”Miss Jenny, I'll be going now.” I made a reserved nod towards her before walking towards the kitten.

My heart is beating with excitement. I feel that greater days are coming for me.

I first thought I'd get a Shadow Caracal cub today, an Adept-rated one at that, for my first companion. However, what I've gotten is something much, much, much better!

I looked at the black-and-white kitten walking by my side, and I could feel my smile almost tearing my lips apart.

'Well, who wouldn't when, at the price of Adept Rated, I was able to buy a Mythic Rated beast.'

It's a dream of many having a mythic beast companion, but their numbers are not that many, and most of them are in the beast lands.

A cub rated to reach that rank is something that, even with money and connection combined, is not easy to get.

I turned my head and looked back at that fiery logo of the lion and his pride.

'They'll probably, no, most likely kill me or something worse if they knew I bought a mythic cub in their store.'

That's why you don't trust those pieces of junk talent appraisal devices. It's about 40% wrong every time.

Only this artifact could be worthy of being called that.

I felt the necklace under my clothes and looked towards the dimming sky.

“Thank you, mother and father.”

•••