Cat 119: The Arena

Chapter 119: The Arena

[Want to Be Human] Livestream:

“Hahaha! Oh my god, so the kitten asked the NPC for a cloth bag so he could put himself inside. That’s so adorable! Damn, why is he so cute?!”

“This was such a tense moment, and yet the kitten completely dissolved my anxiety—little one, you really got me worried for nothing.”

“How is he this cute and this clever? I’m dying—solving the chase problem with a cloth bag! The other jockeys are still setting traps and he’s already tricked them all; if he doesn’t win first place, who would?”

“I bet Chasing Wind is so confused—there was a live human on his back, and all of a sudden, nothing at all!”

Yan Jiyun hadn’t planned to use the cloth bag as his own hiding place, but those were the rules—if Chinese people excel at anything, it’s finding loopholes in the rules. Desperate times called for desperate measures. There was a cat in the bag, but what did it have to do with Yan Jiyun?

Chasing Wind, sensing the absence of weight on his back, ran even more freely.

He could feel that his rider had become lighter—someone was still there, guiding his path with taps on his flank, but the burden was gone.

Focused and unencumbered, Chasing Wind pressed onward.

It didn’t take long before Yan Jiyun had caught up with the lead group.

From their perspective, Chasing Wind was just a horse without a jockey; even if it was ahead, they didn’t care.

The rules this year stated clearly that a horse crossing the finish line without a rider wouldn’t count toward the standings.

Chasing Wind passed the entire lead group, then overtook the first-place rider himself, galloping off alone into the forest.

Yan Jiyun turned back to glance at the overly confident leader, unable to suppress his amusement.

You never expected this, did you? Chasing Wind does have a jockey—he just happens to be a cat at the moment.

Still, he couldn’t afford to relax. Running in first place wasn’t always a good thing; who knew what the road ahead might hold?

Chasing Wind’s speed through the forest was just as fast as on open ground.

Yan Jiyun clung to the saddle, scanning the path ahead, the noises of insects and birds in the woods now broken only by the drum of Chasing Wind’s hooves.

He neither saw any traps nor heard any monsters.

On high alert, he took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the forest. Not so long ago, it had all been scorched by fire; now, it was healed and gorgeous, breathtaking to behold.

With no competition left, and no monsters lurking, he could finally take in the view.

It felt almost like a pleasure ride: before, riding the leopard had been exhilarating but brief, whereas this time there were 30 full kilometers to savor.

[Want to Be Human] Livestream:

“First-person view—come see the forest through the kitten’s eyes. It’s like a movie. So relaxing; all the worries of the day just melt away.”

“Trust the kitten to bring a healing vibe to his stream. The mountain breeze feels so good on my face, cool and fresh.”

“I wish Chasing Wind could just run like this forever. The freedom of riding wild on horseback—my spirits are soaring, my work stress is gone, this is bliss.”

Chasing Wind leaped across a brook, vaulted a fallen ancient tree trunk, and pushed through a dense curtain of leaves flanking the path.

Yan Jiyun enjoyed the scenery as he listened sharply for danger.

He spotted nameless birds perched in the heights, squirrels leaping from branch to branch, a giant python waiting for prey, and many other creatures.

At last, he saw the flag that marked the edge of Devil’s Forest—thirty kilometers almost done and still no danger encountered.

Maybe the announcer had exaggerated; where was all that supposed danger after all?

He could see the finish line ahead. As he and Chasing Wind broke out of the trees, he used his experience card one last time, took up the reins, and sprinted for the end.

The moment he was back on Chasing Wind, the horse slowed a bit, surprised by the rider’s sudden reappearance.

Yan Jiyun saw the finish line, and Chasing Wind surged forward—victory was theirs!

As they crossed, Yan Jiyun saw the lead group just emerging from the woods.

The NPCs didn’t matter anymore; he and Chasing Wind had won the third race.

Yan Jiyun jumped off the horse, hugging Chasing Wind around the neck. “Good boy! Chasing Wind, that was amazing!”

He was about to ponder how to get the info card when Chasing Wind suddenly vanished and a card dropped into his hands.

The card depicted a pegasus identical to Chasing Wind, caught mid-gallop—majestic, awe-inspiring.

Back at the Rat Gate, the info card had shown a rat dripping with gold and jewels; this one was plain by comparison.

So, was victory hinged on choosing the right horse?

If he hadn’t picked Chasing Wind, maybe he wouldn’t have won at all.

Yan Jiyun stowed the card away in his temporary item bar.

The finish line for the Horse Gate doubled as the entrance to Angel City. There had been no guide in this trial, but it hadn’t been necessary; all that remained was entering Angel City.

As he touched the city gate, a ripple of light swallowed him, and he found himself inside Angel City.

By now, dawn was almost breaking.

He checked his time—less than fourteen hours left before he had to leave, and only two info cards in hand.

He’d lost track of Qi Feng and Chu Mo after entering the Horse Gate; heaven knew what had happened to them.

One thing was odd, though: after leaving the Horse Gate, he’d gone straight to Angel City—not back to the casino.

Did different gates have their own exit protocols?

More importantly, this Angel City wasn’t quite the same as the one he’d first entered.

This version felt more like a medieval setting, with everyday folk on the roads and no hint of the bustling, glitzy nightlife he recalled.

No players in sight. The game’s rules said Angel City was a hub, a link between “sub-dungeons”—it should always be crowded.

Had he stumbled into another gate instead?

At that moment, a gale threatened to knock him off his feet.

Darkness eclipsed the sun—an immense black shadow blotted out the sky.

Stunned, Yan Jiyun took in a pair of gigantic black wings thin as cicada’s, nearly mesmerized.

Before his reflexes could kick in, a shout came from above: “Get out of the way!”

But it was too late to dodge.

Suddenly he was yanked aside and went rolling down the street.

A moment later, the earth shook with the thunderous landing of something huge!

A creature with twin gigantic wings and a bulging belly hurled a man to the ground, then, dark as night, lifted its wings and soared back into the sky, leaving the wounded man behind.

Yan Jiyun’s rescuer was a man in a white robe, concern plain on his face. “Are you all right?”

Yan Jiyun shook his head—dazed, but quickly composed himself. “Where is this?”

The blond, blue-eyed man replied, “This is Angel City. Are you from the countryside? Haven’t you heard—when a black dragon escapes, you shouldn’t be running wild in the streets.”

Yan Jiyun watched as someone rode atop another winged monster; as it shook, its rider tumbled to the ground while the beast soared away. It looked exhilarating—and terrifying.

He turned to his savior. “Is that flying creature a black dragon?”

The blond man nodded, voice gentle. “Yes, it escaped from the arena—very dangerous. You’d best get out of here before you’re hurt.”

Yan Jiyun realized he’d somehow entered the Dragon Gate, though he hadn’t chosen it. How had this happened?

The blond man didn’t linger, going instead to help up his battered companion—a shirtless, muscled man, still sweating from his struggle with the black dragon, grim-faced as though somebody owed him millions.

Yan Jiyun joined them, hoping for more information. “Were you trying to tame the black dragon just now?”

The blond man answered as he helped his partner up. “Of course not. We’re the city guard, here by the emperor’s command to capture the black dragon and return it to the arena.”

Yan Jiyun was skeptical. “How can you catch a dragon—keep it locked up in an arena at that?”

The blond man smiled. “Dragons aren’t so easily caught. The arena’s only managed to hold three—if it were easy, the city would overflow with dragons. Rarity is treasure; that’s why nobles risk so much to watch man versus dragon combat in the arena.”

He offered no explanation for the dragons’ origins.

“Men fighting black dragons?”

He nodded. “Yes—care to watch? Quite a crowd of young men are here today to challenge the dragons. There’s a match on right now. If you hurry, you’ll get a prime seat.”

Who were the contestants, then?

His first thought was Qi Feng and Chu Mo—or perhaps other players.

“Where is the arena?”

The man was every inch the helpful NPC. “We’re heading there now. You can come with us.”

“Great.”

The blond man said no more, turning to his partner.

“Andonis, will that black dragon circle back?”

Yan Jiyun noted the muscled man’s name: Andonis.

“No idea. We nearly had it,” Andonis replied. “Daniel, bring more meat next time, we’ll try to lure it again.”

Yan Jiyun wondered why the Eastern zodiac sign had turned into a Western dragon—this hack job of a game world was chaos.

Led by Andonis and Daniel, Yan Jiyun reached the arena, where a tidal wave of cheers battered his ears.

Daniel said, “Enter from this door to reach the stands—or sign up if you want to take part yourself.”

Andonis snorted. “In his shape, he wouldn’t last a minute in the pit.”

Yan Jiyun had to agree. He wasn’t about to sign up as a gladiator—not that dumb!

Who, then, was Daniel referring to—Qi Feng or Chu Mo?

He followed Daniel’s directions to the stands, finding a packed house, all eyes on the central stage.

“Kill him!” “Go, go, don’t be a coward!”

This was a place built on blood and cruelty, no glory here—only brutality.

A deafening cheer erupted above.

Yan Jiyun scanned the field—and nearly had a stroke: the man facing center stage was his very own shoveler.

He shoved his way to the front.

Qi Feng stood in center ring, his clothes torn to ribbons; opposite him, a brown-haired, green-eyed colossus—at least 2.1 meters tall, dwarfing Qi Feng’s slender build.

Yan Jiyun’s nerves were taut. If he had to stand there himself, he’d have only one outcome—death.

Both men gripped their weapons.

No firearms in the arena—the burly opponent wielded a great sword, Qi Feng brandished twin cross-shaped blades.

Yan Jiyun had studied plenty of weapons in-game; twin cross swords were very medieval, just right for this setting.

How could he help Qi Feng?

The Dragon Gate wasn’t a solo instance. By game logic, there were single-player and online games; it was likely that Qi Feng wasn’t the only player here.

Since Yan Jiyun hadn’t been led by a guide, he hadn’t entered the arena’s holding area immediately.

Just then, the huge man swung at Qi Feng, who blocked with his twin swords.

Even a single exchange left Yan Jiyun feeling the pressure.

He asked a less excitable spectator, “How long have they been at it?”

He could hear both fighters panting now.

“At least half an hour,” came the reply.

That fit—if there were others queued before Qi Feng, he would have waited his turn, and with the current bout at thirty minutes, it matched the time Yan Jiyun spent in the Horse Gate.

Half an hour—an exhausting ordeal.

The one comfort: the strongman was breathing even harder than Qi Feng.

Yan Jiyun couldn’t tear his gaze away: the big man had a huge weight advantage.

Their swords clashed, slowly pushing toward Qi Feng’s throat; a little farther and he’d be cut.

But suddenly, Qi Feng shifted direction, trapping the other sword, then kicked the man’s knee. The big man crumpled as his right knee buckled, stumbling forward. Qi Feng seized the moment, slashed at the man’s sword hand, and then landed a kick to his temple—so quick it was a blur. The brute crashed to the floor, right hand bleeding profusely—a grisly sight.

Yan Jiyun had never seen Qi Feng like this—his face utterly emotionless, like a fighting machine.

Qi Feng raised his right hand and drove a sword into the man’s heart.

A wet, gory sound.

Was the NPC dead?

Yan Jiyun exhaled—the only survivor leaves the arena, or both are executed. In this game, killing to survive was a necessity, not a sin.

Some in the crowd sighed, others cheered.

Victorious, Qi Feng was led away.

Yan Jiyun kept his eyes on the direction they took him; whatever happened, he had to meet and speak with him.

This place was too dangerous.

Each of the Zodiac Gates’ games was more nerve-wracking than the last.

Yan Jiyun dashed for the lower level; he saw Qi Feng led away by guards and furtively followed.

The first floor was like a cellar, dimly lit. Yan Jiyun grabbed a cudgel, found a lone guard, knocked him out, stripped the uniform and put it on—reeking, but necessary.

He moved quickly from shadow to shadow, following until Qi Feng was locked into a damp, dank dungeon.

Guards chained the door and left.

Only then did Yan Jiyun approach. He also heard Chu Mo’s voice somewhere nearby, but not in the same cell.

His priority was meeting Qi Feng.

Other cells were packed with bloodied players, faces the very picture of despair; some even cried uncontrollably.

“I’m so unlucky—if I’d known, I never would have entered the Dragon Gate. You can’t get out without killing three NPCs, waah…”

“Enough whining! Don’t give the NPCs the satisfaction!”

“What do you know? My brain is my edge—not brute strength. How am I supposed to fight these savages? I’m dead meat.”

“Just shut up already. Either find a way out or get in the ring. If you keep crying, I’ll kill you myself just to warm up.”

The “brain player” fell silent, sobbing quietly in the corner.

Yan Jiyun passed quickly by them, going straight to Qi Feng’s cell.

There was Qi Feng, sitting on the straw, trying to rest. Yan Jiyun whispered, “Qi Feng.”

For a moment, Qi Feng’s cold eyes warmed: “How did you get out?”

“I’ll explain later,” Yan Jiyun said. “Are you okay?”

Qi Feng shook his head. “I’m fine. How did you get here?”

A couple minor cuts marred Qi Feng’s arm, but the bleeding had stopped and the wounds weren’t getting worse.

The cell’s lock wasn’t especially sturdy; the guard uniform came with a key. Yan Jiyun opened the door and came inside.

“I just came from the Horse Gate. What happened to you guys?”

Qi Feng explained, “We arrived in the dungeons first. The guards told us we were gladiators. Only three wins gets you out with the info card. So far, no one’s passed or exited—it’s got a very low clearance rate.”

“Can we get out?” Yan Jiyun asked.

“No use. Some tried, but got caught in no time. There’s no way to go out and look for clues.”

“How many fights have you done?”

“Just finished the first. Next is in half an hour. How did you enter? You didn’t start in the dungeon after entering the game.”

“I got the Horse Gate’s info card and landed right in Angel City.”

Qi Feng wasn’t aware the arena was also in Angel City. “This is Angel City?”

Yan Jiyun said mysteriously, “Yeah. Guess what I saw when I got here?”

Qi Feng was amused by his expression and played along: “What?”

Yan Jiyun said seriously, “A dragon. A big, fat, Western dragon with huge wings, jet-black all over.”

Qi Feng was a bit surprised; so the Dragon Gate had real dragons after all. He saw Yan Jiyun had a plan: “So what’s your idea?”

Yan Jiyun outlined his first strategy. “The arena’s too dangerous—we both need to leave.”

Qi Feng looked at the other players. “But we have to win three times to clear it.”

Yan Jiyun voiced his suspicion. “Could be a trick of words. Remember that beautiful guide? She said two wins would suffice, but victory was actually impossible in the second round—it was a trick. Maybe she was hinting we couldn’t get a clue from her at all.”

Qi Feng nodded. “I figured it out—the clue is with the dice. Only you drew the boss’s attention by earning points; we got nothing.”

Yan Jiyun nodded in agreement. “So maybe the Dragon Gate is the same. Three wins aren’t necessary to get the info card.”

“By your logic, that’s likely.” He regarded Yan Jiyun with respect. “So, what’s your plan?”

“I heard Western dragons can breathe fire.”

Fire?

Qi Feng thought of the Devil’s Forest inferno. “You mean to burn down the arena?”

“More or less.” Actually, Yan Jiyun was wondering if he could ride a dragon, since he’d already ridden a horse. “None of the other gates had maps, but this gate has all of Angel City. The arena is just one corner.”

“Could work, but how do we control a dragon?” Qi Feng was skeptical. Dragons weren’t exactly puppies or kittens.

Yan Jiyun raised a brow. “Three years in the game, still no tricks?”

Qi Feng answered honestly, “I’ve never fought a dragon.”

Yan Jiyun: … Hadn’t tried slaying a dragon, then.

Qi Feng caught a flash of mockery and added, “I’ve tamed horses, though.” He had to regain some dignity.

“That’ll do,” Yan Jiyun nodded.

“But taming a horse isn’t the same as taming a dragon. The danger is much higher.” Confidence returning.

“How will we know if we don’t try?”

“Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

“No need.” Yan Jiyun refused. “Let’s split up. You find Chu Mo and the dragons’ holding area. I’ll search outside for the escaped dragon.”

If it’s the Dragon Gate, then it has to be about dragons.

Most importantly, he couldn’t use his experience card anymore—being a cat made dragon hunting much easier.

Just then they heard a player being dragged out by guards—the brainy one, wailing uncontrollably.

Yan Jiyun had roughly two minutes of human form left. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be forced to use another card.

After parting ways with Qi Feng, he ran for it.

Qi Feng, dazed for a second in the cell, realized the newcomer moved fast—maybe they should’ve coordinated a meeting spot.

By the time Yan Jiyun left the dungeon, he had already shifted back into his black cat form.

The scent of the black dragon hit his nose the moment he entered the city. He honed in on it, racing toward the east gate of Angel City.