Chapter 376 Tragic History Between Cat Boss and Hermit

Suzuka straightened her posture, her tone shifting into something firm and serious as she addressed the imposing figure before her. 

 "I am Helen, an adventurer and the rightful owner of these lands. I am also the ruler of Luminesia, a town that is growing day by day, where all friendly races are welcome to live and thrive under my protection."

Her lips curled into a playful grin, her tone lightening as she gestured toward the trembling goblin at her side. 

"And this here is Hermit, one of my trusted companions and one of the founding members of Luminesia. Don’t let his shaking knees fool you—he's got a good head on his shoulders. Most of the time."

Suzuka gave Hermit a teasing nudge, though his ashen expression and stiff posture remained unchanged. She sighed inwardly but kept her confident exterior intact as she turned her attention back to Cat Boss.

 "We’ve come to discuss something important, and I believe it’s in both our interests to have this conversation."

Cat Boss's piercing gaze locked onto Hermit, his voice dropping to a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers through the air. He ignored Suzuka entirely, his attention fixed solely on the trembling goblin.

"Hermit? Do my ears deceive me, or did I truly hear this wretched creature’s name spoken aloud?" he snarled, stepping closer, his sheer presence towering and suffocating. 

"Your face... it’s even more miserable than the last time I laid eyes on it. How is it that a pathetic being like you still draws breath? I was certain your bones were rotting in some forgotten swamp by now, claimed by the filth you crawled from."

Cat Boss loomed over Hermit, his scarred face twisting into something between disdain and incredulity. 

"But no. Here you stand. Weak, trembling, pathetic... and yet, still alive. How unexpected."

Suzuka's yellow eyes burned crimson, her fury igniting like wildfire as she stepped forward, her voice booming with authority and rage. An aura of menace radiated from her, swirling like an ominous mist, sending shivers through the air. Cat Boss guards instinctively reacted, their fur puffing up in alarm, ears pinned back as they caught the sharp scent of her adrenaline spiking. Their hands instinctively moved to their weapons, claws itching for a fight, though none dared make the first move.

"Ow, ow, ow, OW! Furball!" Suzuka roared, her fists clenched tightly as she stared down Cat Boss, unshaken by his imposing size.

 "Let’s get one thing very clear, right here, right now! You do not speak to him with disrespect! I don’t care what history you two have or what grudge you’re dragging around—he is one of my founders. My second-in-command. He sits next to me. If you show him disrespect, you might as well spit in my face, and that is not something you want to do. So, unless you’re ready to lose those claws you’re so proud of, I suggest you sheet them real quick before I decide to trim them down myself!"

As Suzuka’s voice thundered through the tent, Hermit snaped out of his frozen terror. He stumbled forward, his knees weak, and clutched desperately at her thigh as though she were the only thing tethering him to safety.

“Master! Master, please! Calm! Calm down, please—I’m begging you! I-I deserve his hate... and more. I do!”

 His wide, teary eyes darted between Suzuka and the imposing Cat Boss, his green skin now ashen with fear.

“Don’t—don’t get mad because of me! Do not... do not get in trouble with them because of me. Please, master, I’m not worth it!” 

His fingers clung tightly to her, his trembling form practically folding in on itself as he shrank beneath the weight of the moment. Tears threatened to spill from his bulging eyes as he continued, his voice barely a whisper now, “I’m just... I’m just a stupid, worthless goblin. Please... let him say what he wants. Don’t fight... don’t fight for me.”

Suzuka’s gaze didn’t soften as she looked down at the trembling Hermit clutching her thigh. Her voice, though a touch calmer, was still firm and unwavering as she addressed him.

“This isn’t just about you, Hermit. It’s about your whole kin. You’re their leader, whether you like it or not. If someone can’t respect you, then how can I expect them to respect the rest of your people? Think for once—if they disrespect you, Hermit, it’ll spill over to every goblin that sets foot in my town. And I’ve got strict rules about that kind of thing. No conflict. No picking fights. You don’t like it? You’re free to leave.”

She folded her arms, her voice growing sharper as she leaned forward slightly toward the Cat Boss.

 “So, if he disrespects you, it’s only a matter of time before that disrespect spreads to all your kin. And I won’t stand for that kind of division in Luminesia. My town will be a place where all races can live. I’m standing up for you because it’s not just about you. It’s about making sure your kin are treated fairly. If they’re not, then all of this—this dream of a town we’re building—it’ll fall apart.”

She looked back at the Cat Boss, her piercing gaze locking onto his. 

“So, you’d better make up your mind, furball. Either we settle this with some damn respect, or you can count yourself out of this deal.”

"Strong one... Helen," he began, "You misunderstand me. I do not harbor hatred for his kind. I know well the horrors they endure—enslaved, bred as tools, food even, stripped of dignity. 

No, my kin do not hate the goblins who were born into misery. We know well that they are victims of evil goblins. That the true evil does not lie in those like Hermit, but in the ones who enslave them—who breed them to be tools, servants, disposable slaves. The emotions we hold for them are... pity and disgust. But not disgust for who they are, but for what has been done to them."

His gaze flicked down to Hermit, who was still gripping Suzuka’s thigh with trembling hands.

He sighed, "There was a time when we even sheltered some, gave them a home. But that was long ago. I am merely surprised that he has survived this long. Being, well..." 

He hesitated, glancing back at Suzuka. 

"You must know how he is. I assume you've spent quite some time with him—enough that he even became one of the founders of your town."

The Cat Boss let out a slow exhale, his broad shoulders rising and falling as he allowed himself a moment of reflection. His sharp, golden eyes lingered on Hermit, who still clung to Suzuka’s thigh like a frightened child seeking protection from a storm. A storm that had long passed yet still raged inside of him.

“But I must confess,” the Cat Boss continued, his voice steady but carrying the weight of old wounds, “there was a time when I wanted him dead.”

Hermit flinched, his grip tightening, his small fingers digging into Suzuka’s skin. His breath came in short, panicked gasps, his wide eyes darting to the exit as if to flee.

“But,” the Cat Boss went on, his expression calm, his tone almost tired, “I have relinquished that thought by now. Looking back to that cursed day… deep down, I knew it was not his fault. But I was consumed by rage—blinded, unable to see reason. My claws itched for vengeance, and my heart demanded blood to answer for...”

His ears twitched, and his tail swayed behind him, restless, before he finally let out a deep sigh.

“But after long years... I have forgiven him.”

At those words, Hermit’s knees nearly buckled beneath him. His breath hitched, and his trembling form grew eerily still. He looked up at the Cat Boss, his wide, terrified eyes flickering with something else—confusion, disbelief, and something that almost resembled relief.

Suzuka blinked, her fiery glare vanishing in an instant as if it had never been there. She straightened up, rolling her shoulders before letting out an awkward chuckle.

“Oh. Okay then. Sorry for shouting,” she said casually, rubbing the back of her head. 

Her red eyes shifted back to their usual yellow glow, and the oppressive aura that had filled the tent dissipated as fast as it had appeared. The cat-folk around them subtly relaxed, their fur settling, though some still eyed her warily.

“And, uh… sorry for calling you a furball.” 

She cleared her throat, glancing away for a second before looking back at the Cat Boss.

 “My bad.”

“No offense taken,” he murmured, his voice deep and strained.

 “Furball… my beloved daughter, Lyn… used to call me that.”

His gaze lifted, golden eyes glistening with unshed tears. He swallowed hard, willing them away, refusing to let even a single drop fall.

Hermit convulsed as the name reached his ears, his small goblin body trembling as though he had been struck with a brick. His breath hitched, his eyes wide with something between shock and sorrow. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came—only a small, broken gasp.

The Cat Boss exhaled sharply through his nose, his broad chest rising and falling as he clenched his fists, sharp claws digging into his palms.

 "You remind me of her," Cat Boss continued, “Not in appearance, of course, but the way you act… She was brave, short-tempered, always spoke her mind without hesitation. And she stood up for others, just like you did for that goblin clinging to your leg.”

His gaze lingered on Hermit for a moment before he turned his back to them. With a rough swipe of his hand, he wiped his face, dragging his palm across his fur. When he turned to face them again, his expression was calm—though the lingering sadness in his golden eyes couldn’t be fully concealed.

“I’m sorry. We got off-topic. Let’s begin anew. What is it that you approached us?”