Chapter 14 Ambush
The morning had started so peacefully. The sun filtered through the trees, casting warm, golden light over the camp. It was the kind of day that made you forget the dangers lurking just beyond the horizon. I had been indulging in light-hearted musings about the latest developments in cat fashion.
Since the magic rings resized to fit their wearers, the cats had taken to wearing them in creative ways. The most popular trend was to wear the rings on their tails, like little metallic accents swaying with each step. Others wore them on their paws like armbands, giving off an air of elegance or strength. We joked about how our kingdom of cats would have its own fashion culture someday.
And then chaos erupted.
The first sign was the whistling of arrows cutting through the air. Fireballs followed, blazing through the forest canopy, and the ground shook as armored warriors charged at us from all sides.
I barely managed to dispel the fireballs aimed directly at us, but the onslaught didn’t stop. More spells, more arrows, and then the gleaming steel of swords and spears closing in.
I glanced at my Kaiser system.
[Current KP: 3,849]
[Followers: 38]
The numbers hit me like a punch to the gut. Just yesterday, we had 52 cats. Now, only 38 remained. My hubris had cost us dearly. I had underestimated Felor. The city hadn’t just sent a token force; they’d sent an army—a combined force of adventurers, guards, and mercenaries.
I snapped out of my thoughts and barked orders. “Abandon the wagons! Everyone, split up and move!”
It was the only chance we had.
Fourteen cats rode off on boars, two to each. Sixteen cats mounted horses, four cats to a horse. I sent them fleeing ahead. Their priority was survival. That left 30 cats racing toward safety, their silhouettes disappearing into the dense forest.
Eight of us stayed behind to buy time.
My rear guard consisted of myself, Chunky, Scruffy, Lucky, and four brave volunteers. Chunky, ever the stalwart protector, carried a Magic Bag filled with mana potions and other essentials. His role was simple: keep me supplied and keep me alive.
Lucky took command of a mobile unit, dashing through the trees and engaging the enemy in small, calculated skirmishes. Their job was to confuse and delay the pursuers, attacking from unexpected angles before vanishing into the forest.
Scruffy was scouting the enemy forces, hopefully his bold reconaissance wouldn’t get him killed. Butler had let Scruffy borrow his invisibility ring, so that should mean something.
As for me, I focused on the forest itself. Drawing on my pyromancy, I unleashed flames across the trees, creating a wall of fire that forced our enemies to slow their advance. The heat was intense, the crackling roar of the blaze a constant reminder of the precariousness of our situation.
I had never imagined my life as an outlaw would lead to this—a desperate last stand against overwhelming odds. But I had no time to dwell on regret.
“Chunky!” I shouted.
He was already at my side, offering me a mana potion. “Here, boss. Drink up. You’re burning through your reserves fast.”
I gulped it down, feeling the rush of energy flow through me. “Good. Stay close, but don’t do anything reckless.”
He nodded, his usual playful demeanor replaced with grim determination.
Somewhere ahead, I trusted Daisy, Demo, and Butler to lead the others to safety. They had to make it. They had to.
But for now, we held the line.
I glance on my Kaiser Shop.
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Kaiser Shop - Daily Inventory
[Current KP: 3,849]
Flamebrand Dagger - A small, enchanted dagger that burns with an eternal flame. Increases fire magic potency by 10%. (Cost: 500 KP)
Phantom Cloak - A shimmering cloak that grants the wearer invisibility for up to 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. (Cost: 1,200 KP)
Ironwood Barrier - A portable shield made from enchanted ironwood. Automatically absorbs the first three physical or magical attacks. (Cost: 800 KP)
Ring of Resilience - A sturdy silver ring that passively increases stamina regeneration and resistance to poison. (Cost: 600 KP)
Summoner’s Flute - A magical flute that summons a temporary familiar (lasting 1 hour) to aid in combat or reconnaissance. (Cost: 750 KP)
Forest Walker’s Boots - Light and durable boots that allow the wearer to move silently and leave no tracks in natural terrain. (Cost: 650 KP)
Scroll of Infernal Blast - A single-use scroll that unleashes a powerful firestorm, damaging all enemies within a 20-foot radius. (Cost: 900 KP)
Frostguard Pendant - A pendant that reduces ice damage by 50% and grants immunity to frostbite. (Cost: 700 KP)
Portable Fortress - A small cube that, when activated, unfolds into a temporary shelter large enough for ten people. Lasts for 24 hours. (Cost: 1,500 KP)
Blessing Stone - A rare item that can be consumed to permanently increase one attribute (Strength, Agility, or Magic) by 10%. (Cost: 2,000 KP)
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The air around the hill was heavy with the smell of smoke and tension. I stood at its crest, gazing at the chaos below while ensuring the flames I’d set earlier didn’t encroach upon our position. Scruffy arrived just as the sun dipped lower, his fur slightly singed, but his demeanor as sharp as ever. Among my cats, Scruffy was one of the few who could grasp numbers and strategies beyond instinct.
Scruffy's voice was steady as he reported, “Roughly a hundred and fifty pursuers. Half of them are career soldiers. The rest are mercenaries and adventurers. I spotted a few mages too. I can still handle two invisibility spells if necessary.”
I nodded, impressed by his resilience. Scruffy’s ability to manage the strain of two enchanted rings was a testament to how much he’d grown since our days back in Felor.
Lucky emerged next, her dark fur streaked with dirt but her eyes gleaming with determination. Her small unit followed closely behind, all accounted for.
“We avoided direct combat,” Lucky began, her voice tinged with pride. “Instead, we focused on crippling their horses. I infiltrated their ranks and scratched the mounts with my claws before I was discovered. They gave chase, but I managed to outrun them.”
She had used the deadliest poison we carried—a mixture that could fell a beast ten times her size. If it worked as intended, their horses wouldn’t survive the night.
“Good thinking, Lucky,” I said, offering her a rare smile.
Opening the Kaiser Shop, I selected two pairs of Forest Walker’s Boots, enchanted gear designed to enhance agility and stealth in wooded terrain. I handed them to Lucky, who accepted them with a gleam of anticipation.
“These are for you,” I said. “You’re on assassination duty now. Prioritize their leaders, mages, and anyone who looks like they’re in charge. Scruffy, you’ll support Lucky’s unit and take second in command. Focus on ambushes. Don’t overcommit. If you’re running low on supplies or energy, regroup here.”
Both Lucky and Scruffy nodded, their eyes gleaming with resolve.
“Chunky and I will stay mobile,” I continued. “We’ll spread more fires to disrupt their advance. We’ll leave sections of the forest untouched for you to use as ambush points. Stick to the plan, and don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Scruffy adjusted the rings on his tail and gave me a sharp nod. “Understood.”
Lucky smirked, slipping on the boots. “Leave the leaders to me. They won’t see me coming.”
As they departed, I turned to Chunky, who stood nearby with a Magic Bag slung across his back. His imposing frame and unyielding loyalty made him the perfect partner for this task.
“Let’s move,” I said, my voice low but firm. “We’ve got fires to spread.”
Chunky grunted in agreement, and together, we descended the hill to continue the battle. The forest would be our ally tonight, its shadows and flames serving as our weapons against the overwhelming force bearing down on us.
The air was thick with the smell of charred wood and the distant shouts of the enemy forces. I stood with Chunky as we surveyed the smoldering forest around us. The Blessing Stone I had purchased earlier shimmered faintly in my paws, its warmth seeping into my fur as I felt my magic reserves swell.
[Current KP: 549]
It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep us going for now.
Chunky shadowed me closely, his bulk reassuring in this tense moment. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings while he carried the Magic Bag slung securely over his shoulder. We’d managed to squeeze in some food supplies, enough to sustain us if this battle stretched out for days.
If our pursuers wanted to reach the rest of my cats, they’d have to carve their way through this forest—a gauntlet I intended to make as costly as possible. I tried not to dwell on the possibility of a detached force attempting a flanking maneuver or spare horses being hidden somewhere in their ranks. Speculating about what-ifs would only distract me from the task at hand.
“Chunky,” I said, my voice steady despite the weight of the situation, “any suggestions on how to deal with them?”
Chunky scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful. “We keep playing dirty. The forest is our ally. Fire slows them down, and ambushes pick them off. But we can’t rely on just that. They’ll adapt.”
I nodded. Chunky had a point. “What about their supplies?”
A sly grin spread across his face. “If we can get to their provisions, they’ll have no choice but to retreat or starve. Lucky’s unit might be able to infiltrate their camp again.”
“That’s risky,” I mused, flicking my tail. “But it could work. We’ll need to hit them where it hurts. Any other ideas?”
Chunky’s gaze drifted to the surrounding forest. “Trap the terrain. Fall back slowly and leave hazards in our wake. Pitfalls, tripwires, anything to keep them paranoid and guessing.”
I considered his words carefully. Chunky’s tactical mind was invaluable in moments like these. “We’ll do both. Lucky and Scruffy can focus on their supplies while we set up traps and spread more fire to keep them disoriented. It’ll stretch them thin.”
Chunky gave a firm nod. “Sounds like a plan, boss. Just don’t overdo it with that magic of yours. You’ll need your strength.”
“I’ll manage,” I assured him, though the growing fatigue from casting spells weighed heavily on my mind.
The forest crackled and popped under the relentless sun, its dry foliage providing the perfect tinder for our strategy. Chunky and I moved swiftly through the underbrush, our steps careful as we worked to manipulate the battlefield. Burning swathes of forest wasn’t easy, even with my magic, and each new blaze I started felt like it drained a piece of me.
This was all about scare tactics for now—no direct fights unless absolutely necessary. Chunky and I agreed that fleeing was always the better option, especially given the numbers against us. My main concern was my cats accidentally wandering into the fires I created. That would be a disaster.
Whenever we paused, Chunky dug pitfalls with his massive paws. His strength had grown considerably, and watching him tear through the earth like it was sand reminded me just how much we’d all changed.
The tripwire idea had to be scrapped. It was too complicated, and time wasn’t on our side. Still, I couldn’t help but marvel at the intelligence of my cats. Fantasy elements aside, the felines of this world were sharper and more capable than any I’d known in my past life.
Chunky suddenly froze, his ears twitching. “I can smell a few of them encircling us. What do you want to do?”
“How many?” I asked, conjuring a small flame in my palm.
“A dozen,” he replied, his voice low.
“Which direction?”
Chunky pointed to the northeast, his nose twitching. I turned my attention that way and focused, shaping the flame in my paw into an orb. It grew, pulsating with heat as I readied my spell.
Voices drifted through the trees, their language familiar.
“Comb the area.”
“This patch of forest isn’t on fire.”
“Be careful of ambushes and the black cat.”
“Scouts, anything suspicious?”
“None, sir.”
“I smell something.”
“Smells like… burning?”
Perfect.
I hurled the fireball toward the direction Chunky indicated. It soared through the air, lighting up the shadows before slamming into the ground with a deafening BOOM!
The explosion sent dirt, leaves, and debris flying. Flames licked at the trees, quickly spreading outward. Shouts erupted from the enemy.
“Ambush!”
“Fire magic!”
“Scatter! Find the caster!”
Chunky smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming in the light of the growing blaze. “That’ll keep them busy.”
I nodded, already moving. “Let’s go before they regroup. We’ve got more fires to start.”
Chunky followed, his massive paws thudding against the forest floor. The smell of smoke and burning wood filled the air as we vanished deeper into the chaos we’d created.