In the cat den in Iowa Valley, Landen watched his pet, Big Cat, groan feebly, his heart aching.
When Landen had first encountered Big Cat near Abadi in Hindukush, she had already been pregnant. Yet unlike ordinary beasts, she had felt almost no wariness toward him.
After she was brought to Iowa, Big Cat became Landen's full-time pet and Magic Pattern Tiger's little sister. Every day, she followed Landen and Magic Pattern Tiger around, acting cute. Not only did she win Landen's affection, she also brought him and Magic Pattern Tiger closer.
Before Magic Pattern Tiger took the Ratman tribe, Big Cat's pregnancy had progressed normally. Aside from being a little larger than an ordinary beast, there had been nothing unusual about her. But after that, her belly grew bigger every day, until it had finally reached its current size.
Kaiyi patted his shoulder and stroked Magic-Patterned Tiger before continuing, "Landen, don't hesitate any longer. If you don't do something now, I'm afraid neither the mother nor the babies will survive."
"Aw..." Big Cat let out another feeble sound. Her eyes seemed to tell Landen to do whatever it took to deliver the babies, and not worry about her.
Behind the four beasts, the leopard woman Hoyerwa murmured, "You should hurry and fetch Mentor Rosef. Given the situation, he may be the only one who can save her!"
"Why?" Landen heard the leopard woman and asked without thinking.
The four beasts and Kaiyi moved aside, making room for Hoyerwa to face Landen.
Under the gaze of three High-level Magic Beasts, Hoyerwa spoke timidly. "My lord, in our Beastmen tribes, having a Magic Beast on the verge of reaching High-Rank as our leader is already considered a blessing from the Magic Beast God. If that great beast takes a particular liking