They all call me Great Master

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According to the records, when one hears the crisp and tender meow, it signifies that the most crucial part of the "Orange Cat" is complete.

What's left?

Eat the Golden Acorn that has blended various base materials.

And then?

Feel the changes that the "Orange Cat" has brought to oneself.

Arthur didn't hesitate and directly took the Golden Acorn out of the iron pot.

From its appearance, it was smaller by several sizes than when it had just been thrown in, and its shape had become round, with a pale gold color.

It looked a bit like a golden date.

The scent was also somewhat similar, with the unique aroma of dates.

After observing for a few seconds, Arthur directly tossed the greatly changed Golden Acorn into his mouth.

The texture was a bit doughy but filled with an oily broth. Upon taking a bite, although it wasn't as crisp as a date in the imagination, without pits, a satisfying sensation arose when chewed heartily. The savory flavor was just right, at least far less than 50 grams of salt would be.

The savory oils combined with the soft texture...

"Stewed steamed bun in an iron pot!"

Arthur's eyes brightened, his throat moved up and down, and he swallowed all the food in his mouth.

Although by the standards of the 'Mystic Side,' this transformed Golden Acorn should be referred to as 'Ritual Object,' the appearance and taste, especially the latter, made it hard for Arthur to call it a 'Ritual Object.'

In the end, he chose to refer to it as 'Food.'

After all, whose home-cooked stewed steamed buns could be 'Ritual Objects'? It's not like they went to Harbin where even the frozen pears are artfully plated.

Is it delicious?

"Delicious!"

Arthur answered without any hesitation.

It certainly wasn't lip service but the most genuine feeling of Arthur at the moment. Aside from the iron pot stewed cornbread, what else could compete with a stewed steamed bun in an iron pot?

Even if stewed dishes could be mixed with rice, they would still fall short.

Arthur's response was instinctive.

But after he spoke, the young 'Spirit Medium' became alert, and then his vision changed—

First, he saw Pendragon eating cat food, meowing cheerily as if expressing its deliciousness, then curling up and falling asleep after it was full.

Then, he saw Pendragon eating dried fish, two bites for each piece, excitedly declaring its deliciousness before curling up and sleeping after the meal.

Next, he saw Pendragon eating the 'Police Chief's biscuits, gobbling them down as if a bulldozer, finishing half a bowl in one go, then curling up in the 'Police Chief's cat nest and sleeping.

About dozens of scenes passed by, all about eating until full, then sleeping upon waking up.

'Why does it feel like watching a glutton?' Arthur thought subconsciously as he watched Pendragon in the scenes.

Then, more scenes appeared, and Arthur saw fragments of Pendragon's days as a stray: either stealing other cats' food or on his way to do so.

Once he got robust, he started gathering other cats to take over territories from cats of other streets.

Just like a snowball effect, he quickly took over the district with the most abundant food.

Seeing this, Arthur's mouth curled up slightly.

'Truly my cat!' He assessed, but then a scene appeared that made the young 'Spirit Medium's eyes narrow.

The vagabond!

That crazy, crazy man who 'taught' him swordsmanship.

He...

Was feeding Pendragon.

The man happened upon Pendragon, plump and round, in a small alley behind West Mok Avenue; although rounded, it didn't stop Pendragon from continuing to seek food.

Or rather, Pendragon's added cuteness from being plump made people feed him unconsciously.

The ragged vagabond was just like that.

Moreover, while feeding the little cat, he would unwittingly pour out his heart.

His words contained everything, including the so-called 'Swift Bird Swordsmanship' breathing method, meditation method, many secret techniques, and also many unknown secrets of the 'Mystic Side.'

However, the haphazard narration often made Arthur frown.

But one thing, the vagabond very firmly described.

It was about the Countess of South Los.

'Such a unique charm!'

That's how he referred to the Countess of South Los.

Afterward, he said one more thing.

'I never expected! Never expected!

It would be like this!'

Just as Arthur continued to listen, the other's speech became jumbled again, and through Pendragon's perspective, the beggar was very elusive, with bizarre occurrences frequently happening around him. Without doing anything, hands would extend out from the walls, and sometimes, while simply lying there basking in the sun, his shadow would rise on its own and strangle the beggar's neck.

This had startled Pendragon several times.

But Pendragon quickly got used to it.

'No wonder you remained so calm despite encountering so many killers and smelling the scent of blood; so this was the reason!'

Arthur had already found it strange that Pendragon was so unfazed.

In his opinion, cats should be very sensitive creatures.

Yet, Pendragon seemed somewhat dull, not causing a fuss or making a scene, eating the cat food when fed, and sleeping after he had his fill.

This once made Arthur worry whether his cat was mentally ill.

Fortunately, that was not the case.

'Then after the broken leg, covered in injuries...'

As Arthur contemplated, the scene shifted. Pendragon saw a doll holding a long kitchen knife, bearing some resemblance to 'Anna.'

However, unlike 'Anna,' this doll was really moving on its own.

The doll appeared alone in front of Pendragon.

It sliced at Pendragon, knife after knife.

Pan fought back, but to the other, Pan's strength was like trying to stop a car with outstretched arms.

With a single slash, its hind leg was almost completely severed.

Even though he knew what happened later, Arthur's eyes still narrowed slightly, with a chilling intensity rising in his gaze.

He, remembered that doll.

Pendragon was tormented to the brink of death.

That 'beggar' appeared once more.

'Useless.'

Leaving behind just that remark, the beggar turned and left, leaving Pendragon to wait for death in the alley, just like any other stray cat.

'Very good!'

Arthur silently appraised in his heart.

He, remembered that beggar once again.

Afterward, the scene froze.

Everything came to a halt.

But not the heart.

On the contrary, Arthur's heart started beating even more vigorously and powerfully.

Thump, thump, thump!

Each throb was like the beating of a war drum.

Each thump pumped a large volume of blood throughout his body.

And the speed was increasing.

The heart was about to burst!

He was about to face death!

Arthur felt this clearly, but what was clearer was that crisp, youthful meow.

Meow~

The heart about to explode calmed down, and although death still lingered, everything that had stopped remained so, yet in a trance, during this lingering death, Arthur found something extraordinary within this halt—

Light!

Orange light!

These bits of orange light began to gather, clinging onto him, entering his heart, and with the heart's pounding, spread throughout his body.

In front of Arthur's eyes, text began to appear one by one.

[Orange Cat, assessment in progress...]

[Base material assessment passed...]

[Spirituality assessment passed...]

[Willpower assessment passed...]

[Orange Cat, complete!]

...

A sense of relief spread throughout his body, and Arthur felt as though he were soaking in a bath.

This comfort made Arthur want to close his eyes uncontrollably.

But in the next moment, the young 'Spirit Medium' suddenly opened his eyes wide—

No, something's wrong!