Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 11: The Forest Cat’s Nemesis

After riding on Luke’s back for about ten minutes through the forest, a sound of wings flapping echoed from above the trees.

“That must be it.”

“Hmm…? Is that… a crow?”

Its body was about a meter long, covered in all-black feathers and with dark eyes. Its sharp beak looked like it could open a hole if pecked.

“That’s definitely a Giant Crow. It’s a coward, only preying on those much weaker than itself.”

“Is that why the Forest Cats are targeted?”

“Probably.”

Indeed, this was a troubling situation.

(Now that I think about it, I’ve read somewhere that crows are natural enemies of cats.)

Especially for stray cats, territorial disputes often arise. They might get their food stolen, and in the worst case, their kittens could be taken away. It’s no wonder they hide and stop coming out.

“Luke, can you take down the Giant Crow?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious?”

With a quick nod to Taichi’s reply, Luke leapt high into the air while still carrying Taichi on his back.

“Don’t fall!”

“Wait, what?!”

While it was incredibly helpful that Luke was willing to fight, Taichi really wished he’d be set down in a safe place first! But now that the battle was underway, all he could do was cling desperately to Luke’s back to avoid falling.

“Cawww!”

“Hmph, don’t think a mere bird like you can defeat me!”

The Giant Crow hovered in the air and launched an attack with its wings. Luke dodged skillfully, leaping from branch to branch.

It was a battle between Luke on the ground and the Giant Crow in the sky. Taichi had anticipated a long and drawn-out fight, but the outcome was surprisingly quick. Luke jumped high and slashed through the Giant Crow’s wings with his sharp claws!

“Kuaaaa!”

“Hmph, it’s your fault for only preying on the weak and not honing your own strength!”

Taichi widened his eyes as he witnessed Luke dispatch the Giant Crow so easily.

(That was a fleeting battle…)

Well, it was certainly better than a prolonged fight filled with anxiety.

“The materials from the Giant Crow should sell well, so be sure to take them back.”

“Oh, right.”

Although Luke had defeated it effortlessly, that didn’t mean the Giant Crow was weak; Luke was just exceptional.

After storing the Giant Crow in his magical bag, Taichi was about to start searching for the Forest Cat when suddenly, he heard rustling in the grass behind him.

“Another crow?!”

Startled by the sudden noise, Taichi jumped up and quickly hid behind Luke.

“You don’t need to hide; protecting you is no trouble at all.”

“I know, I know, handsome! But we’re in a forest with monsters, so cut me some slack!!”

Unlike the people of this world, Taichi was still getting accustomed to the monsters.

Keeping his guard up, he focused on the rustling grass when, suddenly, he spotted… a pair of ears peeking out.

“…Huh?”

(Wait, those ears might be…?)

Taichi’s hopes began to rise. The next thing he saw was a long tail.

(Whoa!)

“It’s a fluffy… cat…!”

“Meow.”

With a small meow, a Forest Cat peeked out from the grass.

“How cute…!”

“Nya…”

The Forest Cat that appeared was very small, about 20 centimeters in length. It looked weak, devoid of energy, and clearly emaciated.

Its soft sepia fur was complemented by a few pink strands at its rear. It had what looked like a floral crown made of plants adorning its head—truly an adorable Forest Cat.

“Miau…”

“It seems quite weak. Perhaps the Giant Crow has been lurking around, preventing it from leaving its nest for a long time?”

Luke speculated that the Forest Cat was weak from lack of food and water.

“If that’s the case, it needs food! What should I give it? Milk? Or… ugh, I should have used my shopping skill to buy a lot of Nyaal! I’m such an idiot!!”

“You could just give it some of the cookies we serve at the café.”

“Oh, good idea!!”

As Taichi panicked, Luke immediately offered a helpful suggestion.

“I have some in my bag!”

Taichi pulled out some “Rabbit Cookies” from his magical bag.

These treats, made using his Tamer skill, were delicious for familiars and humans alike.

He offered one of the Rabbit Cookies to the Forest Cat, which sniffed it curiously. Then, unable to resist the delightful aroma, it began to munch on the cookie.