I Am the Weakest Cat, but If I Keep Evolving, Can I Become the Strongest? - Episode 45: 2 vs 1

Episode 45: 2 vs 1 

▽ Episode 45: 2 vs 1 

I’ve been at a standstill for half a year. 

The number of Rank VI I’ve defeated is—zero. 

Now that most Rank VI have become inferior to me, if you’re wondering why I can’t hunt them, it’s because of the ecology of this Rank VI zone—there’s no other way to put it. 

It’s an ecosystem constantly alert to other strong beings. 

The first time I killed the Tower Apartment Snake, despite my boss buff, it was likely because I was still just a Rank V and underestimated. 

Now it’s different. 

For example, when I intruded into another Rank VI’s territory. 

Immediately, another Rank VI from a different direction circled around. It was putting me in a pincer-like situation. 

I don’t intend to lose in a one-on-one. 

But if it turns into two-on-one, or if I’m attacked mid-combat, I might get killed. 

At the very least, I can’t afford to do back-to-back battles. 

There are other reasons too. 

Even if I try to observe them, the moment I step into their territory, combat starts. 

And then, other monsters come swarming in. 

If I try scouting from the sky, then this time I end up fighting sky-territory monsters. 

During that, countless attacks come from the ground. And in a panic, I end up teaming up with a giant bat and barely escaping. 

Now what the heck am I supposed to do? 

I might end up being forced to live permanently in this Rank VI zone. 

Constantly exposed to upper-Rank aura… connected to the fact that stray cats have short lifespans, this might really shorten my life… 

Out of options. 

If it comes to this, I’ve no choice but to work hard at multiple-vs-one? 

Every day, I kept thinking about things like that. 

However, today, that worry suddenly faded. 

The reason being—back in the Rank V zone I once took care of… 

I suddenly felt a presence. 

I always say this, but we monsters can somewhat understand the strength of those around us. 

That sense is telling me— 

Apparently, a new Rank VI has been born in the Rank V zone. 

“Nyaa~n” 

It must be the Armor Ogre. 

Because the only one in that field likely to Rank Up is probably the Armor Ogre. 

For the first time in a while, I used [Home Gate] and returned to the Rank V zone. 

▽ 

I was now meeting with the Armor Ogre, who had become a Rank VI. 

But you can no longer call him just an Armor Ogre. 

Armor Ogres are defined by looking like their whole bodies are armored. 

But now, in a word… he’s a small fortress. 

Let’s call him Fortress Ogre. 

Overall, his size has doubled, and just looking up at him makes my neck hurt. 

In body length, he’s probably around six meters. Chunky and rugged. 

Rather than a living creature, it would make more sense to call him inorganic. 

He truly gives off the vibe of a king. 

Though now, he doesn’t really feel like an “Ogre” anymore. 

Even the horns growing from his head—at this point, they’re more like pillars than horns. 

A fortress-like monster and a Dragon-winged kitty stare at each other, facing off. 

It might look like a ridiculous matchup, but we are undeniably monsters. 

If a human saw this, they would probably shudder. 

…Or maybe not. 

Humans defend against invasions from this forest, which even has Rank VII, with just one fortress. 

『Ooooooo』 

“Nyaa~aaan.” 

We came to an agreement. 

Eventually, Fortress Ogre took off his crown and handed it over to another Armor Ogre King. 

That’s how they pass down equipment and produce the next Armor Ogre King. 

A Fortress Ogre who creates weapons via species skill. 

With him following behind me, 

I decided to return once more to the Rank VI zone. 

First, I’ll give Fortress Ogre a territory. 

If he and I team up, most things can be dealt with one way or another. 

Multiple vs one. 

However, we are the multiple, and the one is the enemy. 

The era is about numbers. 

▽ 

This time, the prey I chose was a hairy giant. 

I don’t know much about urban legends or lore, but I suspect this might be the so-called Yeti. 

A three-meter class monster wrapped in cold air. 

That Yeti said nothing. He just sat with knees up, nestled under the shade of a tree. 

His large body curled up against the tree made for a fantastical sight. 

That said, it’s still a wild battle. 

Even if Yeti-san is innocent, this is not judgment—it’s hunting, a territorial dispute. 

No questions asked, I attack. 

Luckily, Yeti-san’s territory borders mine. 

There was no trouble invading. 

Also, I had a few reasons for picking Yeti-san. 

One—He’s probably a pure-stat type. 

I don’t want to fight those specialized in poison, paralysis, speed, or endurance. 

Status effects can kill me. And if someone’s endurance-focused, while I struggle to kill them, another Rank VI might intervene. 

One more—He likely focuses on physical attacks. 

Regarding this, it was because I had considered the newly-ranked Rank VI Fortress Ogre-kun as part of my combat force. 

Fortress Ogre-kun was clearly specialized in defense. He was favorable for this matchup. 

Another one—He seemed to be of the ice attribute. 

Since I had gained the ability to use [Fire Magic], he looked like just the right opponent. 

Based on all this, I attacked Yeti-kun. 

The one who made the first move, surprisingly fast, was Fortress Ogre-kun. 

Because of his huge body, his legs were long. And because he was Rank VI, his physical strength was also extraordinary. 

The strength of a kick is proportional to speed. 

In an instant, he tried to close the distance with the Yeti. 

『What is this』 

The Yeti seemed to notice the attack and stood up. 

With some kind of skill, he manifested a greatsword in his hand. 

*Saa*, the surrounding temperature dropped all at once. 

It seemed like he activated the cold air. 

Because of the extreme temperature change, I started feeling a little drowsy. 

Not paying any attention to such things, Fortress Ogre and the Yeti collided. 

Both clashed their weapons at the same time. 

From the impact, the surrounding trees bent. 

The fact that they didn’t break—it’s as expected of them looking like sacred trees. 

『…Heavy』 

『Muhhn!』 

The one being overpowered was Fortress Ogre. 

*Crrk….CrRk*, in a blade-locking stance, he was being pushed backward. He was scraping the ground. 

His body heat was being stolen by the cold air too. 

That cold, metal halberd had become a deadly weapon even to Fortress Ogre. 

“Nya ([Enchant Fire]).” 

I suddenly applied enchantment to Fortress Ogre. 

Thanks to that, his attack power rose. And Fortress Ogre, who had almost been overwhelmed by the frostbite, made a comeback. 

Even so. 

In terms of pure physical strength, the Ogre lost. 

Eventually, he was blown away. 

And right after he fell onto his back on the ground, the Yeti mounted him and kept punching the Ogre’s face over and over. 

A complete mount, a one-sided pummeling. 

Punch, punch, punch. 

In the midst of all that, the one who spurted bl00d—was the Yeti’s fist. 

『Too hard』 

『Uoooooooohhhhhh!』 

Even while being mounted, the Ogre struggled desperately. 

Guess it’s about time. 

I fully charged [Generator], and also finished the chant for [Thunder Cannon]. 

Now all that’s left is to scorch everything at once. 

The Yeti had noticed my presence too. 

However, he likely never imagined I would fire lightning along with Fortress Ogre-kun. 

Well, I’ve got [Focus], so it’s no problem. 

I cast the spell. 

A fierce thunderclap. Lightning that engulfed even allies. 

Even the Yeti couldn’t resist it and was momentarily paralyzed. 

He even let out a scream. 

Fortress Ogre-kun, who was mounted, remained unscathed thanks to [Focus]. 

While the enemy was stunned, he escaped from beneath and punched the Yeti’s face in return. 

『…Berserk』 

The Yeti muttered. 

The moment I thought about it, a huge amount of steam rose from his body. 

Probably because the frost covering his entire body suddenly melted. 

His whole body was activated. 

His body temperature rose so much that it blew away the surrounding cold air. 

The intelligent light vanished from the Yeti’s eyes. 

What appeared—was a monster far more Ogre-like than Fortress Ogre. 

『AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!』 

I trembled instinctively at that roar. 

As expected of a Rank VI monster. 

He wasn’t going to go down that easily.