Time and Death, Merciless

Cat Teacher didn't want to go out in the first place.

It has been here long enough, almost becoming one with the [Gate of Glory], and has grown accustomed to life in this space.

At the same time, there's a concern that the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

However, they couldn't resist the enthusiastic requests from Ian and the others.

It absolutely refuses to admit that it was the one who longed to get out!

When the cat tiptoed over the door and cautiously stepped through, feeling the warm sunlight outside, its entire body almost froze.

It's not a dream!

It's real!

Looking ahead at that timid figure, constantly trying to poke out with its paws but not daring to step out directly.

"Hey, Cat Teacher, you're blocking the way..."

Ian sighed softly, marveling at how terrifying "institutionalization" was. He stepped forward and uttered a few words as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Then, as if unintentionally, his hand gave a push.

The next moment, Cat Teacher Cat's entire body squeezed out of the doorway and into the real world that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"I'm... I'm out! I'm really out?"

The Cat Teacher trembled slightly, tilted her head back, and shielded her eyes with her paws, seemingly uncomfortable with the slowly rising sunlight.

Behind him, Ian, Uvogin, Nobunaga, Feitan, and others appeared one after another.

It took almost a year.

When they came outside, they found it was still early morning, and they felt somewhat unwell.

Ian didn't give them much time to think.

"Hey, hurry up and eat. I brought this especially for you guys, it'll get cold if you don't eat it soon."

As he spoke, he distributed the special breakfast items to everyone.

Without hesitation, Uvogin and the others took a bite.

They never hesitated for a moment when given food by Ian; they simply ate it.

Anyway, Ian would never lie to them.

"Hey, Cat Teacher, human food may not be as good as the fish from the Gate of Glory, but you should still try some."

Ian distributed breakfast to everyone in turn, and then came to the Cat Teacher who was still in a daze.

The other cat kept its head up, and through its furry paws, Shenwu seemed to see a glimmer of tears.

I cried... I cried...

Well, it is indeed a very exciting thing.

But...

Now is not the time to make you sad, Cat Teacher.

"Waaah!"

Ian stuffed a fist-sized bun into Cat Teacher's mouth.

The other person's red-rimmed cat-like eyes froze for a moment, the sorrowful emotions that had been brewing within them being abruptly interrupted by this sudden movement!

"Time to eat, Cat Teacher!"

"Nothing is more important than the first meal of the morning. As long as you eat well, drink well, and sleep well, you're already better than 99% of cats. Learn to cherish life."

Ian offered direct and straightforward advice to the other party.

Cat Teacher was about to retort, "What do you know!"

Do you know... after nearly 20,000 years without seeing the real sun, breathing in fresh air and having the scents of nature fill your nose is such a precious and rare treat!

But...

Before it could even open its mouth, it was captivated by the delicious flavors bursting in its mouth, its cat eyes widening in surprise.

Is this... is this what humans eat? It tastes delicious!

Cat Teacher's attention shifted to the bun in her mouth. She took a few bites, and her eyes grew brighter with each bite.

The sadness that had been there vanished without a trace.

It chewed very quickly, and after finishing one, Ian would give it another, and after finishing one, he would give it another.

They didn't give Cat Teacher a chance to speak or even think.

Fortunately, Ian bought enough breakfast, all kinds of breakfast, and he stuffed a total of 37 buns into Cat Teacher's bowl.

The other party vigorously waved its furry cat paws and rolled its eyes.

"I'm full, I'm full. I'm a cat, not a pig... I don't need to be fed all the time."

Ian smiled, withdrew his hand, and said with a slight smile.

"It seems that Cat Teacher is no longer sad. How does it feel to be in the real world again?"

The Cat Teacher licked its lips, then rubbed its bulging, white-furred belly with its furry paws, looking quite satisfied.

"Who knows? Although I've grown accustomed to life inside that door, once I set foot on this land, feel the sunlight, and feel the gentle breeze, I can never return to that world."

"This is my true home..."

It gently spread its palms, sat down on the ground, a look of contentment on its face, and let the wind gently caress its soft fur.

Then...

Dead...

A gentle breeze swept by.

Ian saw the Cat Teacher's serene expression.

It's clearly a tabby cat, yet it's so unique that it leaves a very deep impression.

He stood there, frozen in place.

Nearby, Uvogin and the others were still eating and hadn't yet noticed the unexpected situation on Ian's side.

At that moment, a series of thoughts flashed through Ian's mind, like a brainstorming session.

Yes...

Cat Teacher has lived for a full 20,000 years.

Even within the Gate of Glory, its vitality is maintained by the rules that govern it.

However, the moment it steps out of that door and enters the real world, the power of time will descend upon every living being.

Time is fair, yet it is also ruthless.

It ruthlessly destroys one beautiful thing after another, and creates one miracle after another.

"Cat Teacher..."

Ian murmured something.

It's hard to describe how he felt at that moment.

The entire time I spent knowing the other person was less than a few hours.

But to watch helplessly as the other person dies like that.

Perhaps, if I had to describe it, it would be like one day someone suddenly told him that old geezer Netero was dead.

That sense of "absurdity and confusion" left Ian somewhat disconnected at that moment.

"Ian, what's wrong?"

It was only then that Uvogin and the others noticed Ian's unusual behavior.

Eluna frowned slightly. She was very strong and naturally noticed the subtle disharmony in the arena.

One breath... disappeared...

She couldn't help but look up at Ian, and beyond him, she saw the still, furry object.

Could it be...?

Her expression froze at the thought of a certain possibility.

"Hey... Uvogin, Nobunaga, I think... I did something wrong..."

At this moment, Ian remained motionless, his eyes somewhat vacant.

He stared silently at the furry thing in front of him.

The other person's warm body temperature seemed to be gradually cooling down.

At this moment, everyone realized that something was wrong, and they immediately got up and went to Ian's side.

When everyone saw the tabby cat lying on its back, its two paws outstretched, and a peaceful smile on its lips, they were all stunned.

"I... Ian, Cat... Cat Master, what happened to him?"

Of these people, Nobunaga had spent the most time with Cat Teacher. At this moment, he was stunned, completely unable to believe it, and pointed at the other person, his voice trembling.

"Have no idea..."

"I may have made a mistake. I was too arrogant, thinking I could change everything."

"But..."

Ian mumbled, his expression utterly dejected.

He was almost afraid to look at the cat in front of him, as if he had strangled it with his own hands.

How will the other person perceive him?

At that moment, for the first time in the world, Ian felt an emptiness in his heart.