Chapter 21: A Troubling Discovery

After dealing with the alchemical automaton, Votila followed Mulee Hua back to town.

Votila hadn’t gleaned much useful information about the automaton. His only findings were a metal tag inscribed with ‘Subject 101’ and a drop of processed dragon’s blood.

As for the automaton itself—its origin, its creator—Votila remained completely ignorant.

On the way home, a question gnawed at Votila: why had Mulee Hua, after being terrified by the dragon’s intimidation, still rushed to his aid without hesitation?

However, Votila chose not to ask directly. Bringing up his own foolish actions would only invite awkwardness.

Dragging his weary body home, Votila craved nothing more than a hearty meal, followed by a blissful, uninterrupted sleep.

First and foremost, however, sustenance was paramount!

With that thought, Votila turned his gaze to his ‘poop-scooper,’ Mulee Hua. “Meow~!”

“Ugh… Nana…” Mulee Hua gently lifted the kitten from her shoulder and set them on the floor.

Votila noticed the girl’s complexion was alarmingly pale. She looked utterly fatigued.

“Nana, Gasla… you two play for a bit. I’m a little tired… I’m going up to rest.” With those words, Mulee Hua stumbled up the stairs. A moment later, Votila heard the sound of a door closing.

‘Ugh… what’s wrong with this girl? Why is she so listless after coming home?’

Votila glanced at Gasla, who tilted their head, looking back at Votila.

Votila stared earnestly at Gasla, who, in turn, gazed back with a silly grin, tongue lolling out.

Votila looked at Gasla with hopeful expectation, while Gasla stared back, drooling foolishly.

‘Hey, buddy! Can you cook?!’ Votila almost blurted out. But then he realized saying it aloud would truly make him sound like an idiot.

So, how would the dinner problem be solved? The black cat fell into deep contemplation.

***

Two minutes later…

The black cat excitedly gestured to Gasla: “Brother! Let’s go hunting! I saw so many pheasants and wild rabbits in the woods!”

Gasla gazed at Votila with a silly smile. Seeing the black cat excitedly gesticulating, Gasla also felt immensely happy. They stretched out their crimson tongue, giving the black cat’s face a loud, sloppy lick.

Votila: ‘…I treat you like a brother, and you poison me like this!’

Votila, deceased!

“Woof woof?”

***

Several hours later.

The black cat lay sprawled in the living room, paws in the air, resembling the character for ‘wood’, staring boredly at the ceiling. Gasla also lay on the floor, their spirit low, eyes half-closed.

‘So hungry… so, so hungry! I haven’t eaten anything since morning.’

‘And after such an intense battle at noon, I really need to replenish my energy.’

‘The poop-scooper said there would be extra food tonight. But why hasn’t she come down since going up to rest? How long is she going to be lazy?’

Votila weakly climbed to their feet and waved a paw at Gasla. “Hey, hey! Silly dog, can you go urge that girl to come down?”

Gasla didn’t move, only emitting a low whimper.

“Hey, hey! Don’t be so lazy! You’re the one who wants extra food, so why don’t you go wake her up?”

“Awoo.” Gasla tucked their face under a chair, no longer looking at Votila.

Votila: ‘…Fine, I’ll go then.’

Votila reluctantly got up and went upstairs.

Arriving at the room door, Votila found it tightly shut. Slightly exasperated, they lifted a paw and squeezed through the small pet door. This greatly displeased Votila.

Upon entering the room, Votila immediately saw the girl lying on the bed. They jumped onto the bed, meowing at her.

“Wake up! Lazy girl, if you don’t get up soon, it’ll be dark.”

The girl didn’t respond, her long golden hair fanned out naturally on the bed. Votila could hear her even, light breathing.

‘What’s wrong with this girl? Why isn’t she responding?’

Votila jumped onto the girl’s chest, discovering her face was terrifyingly pale.

They kneaded her chest—no reaction.

They patted her face—no reaction.

They licked her neck—no reaction.

The girl’s brows remained tightly furrowed, and her lips were turning purple.

Votila tried various methods, but the girl remained unconscious.

‘This situation… something serious has happened!’

Votila pressed a paw to the girl’s forehead, finding her body temperature to be significantly lower than usual.

“Hey, hey! Girl! Poop-scooper! Don’t scare me!” Votila vigorously patted the girl’s face.

‘This is bad! Really bad! Gasla! Something’s happened! Something big has happened!’ Votila cried out loudly, meowing.

“Woof! Woof!” Several barks rang out. In a moment, with a loud crash, the door was slammed open. The black-and-white hound forcefully barged in.

Seeing the unconscious girl, Gasla let out a low whimper, desperately licking her face.

‘What do I do?! What do I do?! What do I do?!’ Votila raised their paws, tugging at their ears, frantically trying to think of a way to wake the girl.

The girl’s eyes remained tightly shut.

“Awoo!!” Gasla let out a low growl, ran to the bookshelf in the room, bit a book out, and dropped it in front of Votila. “Awoo! Awoo!”

‘Stupid dog! Why are you throwing a book at me now? What good is this book? The important thing is to save her quickly!’

“Awoo awoo!” Gasla howled softly, extending a paw to flip open the book. They pressed their paw on a specific page, barking loudly at Votila. “Woof! Woof!”

‘Is this guy trying to tell me something?’

Votila frowned and shifted their gaze to the book. On the page, several words were highlighted with lines: ‘Mana Imbalance Syndrome’.