[Current Cat population: 4/5
Normal Cats-
Cat: (4) Level 1/10
Coins till next level: 0/400]
Ethan was currently looking at the [Cats] option in the menu that became accessible after the creation of the Cat Base.
He wasn't surprised by what it had shown. Leveling up his units would definitely be a pain in the ass.
About an hour had passed since he summoned his four Cat companions. They all spoke to him with respect and were excited to serve him.
It seemed like the Cats he summoned viewed him as their king. He spent some time asking them questions about the original world they came from and who their original leader was, but they didn't seem to know anything. They were just excited to be there with him.
Ethan also tried to ask the system about it, but it never responded.
The four Cats got along quite well and were pretty friendly. They also spoke to Ethan like they were good friends which brought Ethan a lot of happiness. He was glad to have friends, and even more happy that they weren't intimidated by his "superior" status as their "leader."
———————-
"Should I name you guys? You're all the same species so it could get a bit confusing when addressing you."
Ethan spoke to his new companions. Everyone was currently sitting in a circle and eating some of the fruits he found on the shelves.
"That would be splendid!"
"Yes, please give us some names, Leader!"
The Cats spoke enthusiastically while making messes on their faces from eating the fruits.
Ethan looked at them all and went deep into thought. These were his first companions and wanted them to have nice names.
It turned out that two of them were boys while the other two were girls. Ethan honestly wouldn't be able to tell what gender they were if their voices didn't give it away. Two of them sounded feminine and the other two sounded more masculine. But he asked what their genders were just in case.
Some Cats in the future could sound feminine but actually be guy, but luckily these Cats seem to confidently know their gender.
"I'll name you… Burt, Maya, Nina, and Milo!"
Ethan pointed at each of them individually as he spouted out names. They all quickly nodded in delight, seeming to like their new names.
Maya and Nina, the girls, smiled at each other happily. While Burt and Milo, the boys, cheered and took big bites out of their fruits.
They all kept talking and called each other by their new names.
Ethan was happy. He had known these cats for less than two hours, but he already felt so close with them.
———————-
An entire day had passed since Ethan summoned his companions. They spent an entire day chatting and making plans for exploring.
All five of them now stood at the cave's entrance. Ethan squinted as some sunlight shone into the cave. He had never seen the outside world before, well not in this world.
"Alright everyone! Remember the plan. Stick together and explore the area surrounding our cave. Finding food and water is the priority."
It was a simple plan. Ethan wanted to explore outside and figure out just where they were while also stocking up on food and finding a source of water. Plus he couldn't stay in the cave forever with the limited food and water they had.
"Yes, Leader!"bThe four responded in unison.
'Now let's see what this world has to offer…'
Ethan looked around in curiosity as he was the first to leave the cave.
They seemed to be in a forest. Tall trees surrounded them. A few dark green leaves fell from above and landed in front of the group.
The area seemed quite peaceful.
The sun was up and shining through the thick trees, if felt nice and warm, chirps could be heard nearby, and there was even a faint sound of moving water.
Ethan smiled as he heard the water. They would need plenty of it, especially when his army grew.
"Follow me everyone!"
Ethan started leading the group towards the noise of moving water. He looked around in curiosity as they walked. With his short body, the trees looked even taller. It was also harder to walk through the bushes and uneven terrain thanks to his small body and short legs.
The others also struggled a bit, but did better than Ethan since they were all naturally accustomed to their bodies and it's limitations.
After a fifteen minute walk, the group stumbled upon a small river that Ethan had been hearing. The water seemed to be flowing downward. Ethan's companions all licked their lips as they saw different kinds of fish swimming downstream. The water wasn't very deep so just about every rock and creature in there were clearly visible. The area was also pretty open with the trees not coming too close to the river.
"I'm gonna catch some fish!"
"Man I'm so thirsty!"
Maya bent down carefully and stuck her mouth in the small river, letting the water flow into her mouth endlessly.
Meanwhile, Burt went to a more shallow part of the river and stood at the edge, waiting to pounce on a fish who dared get too close.
Nina stuck her face in the water, using it to wash her face after making a mess earlier thanks to the fruit she ate.
Lastly, Milo drank a few mouthfuls of water before walking around the area with curiosity.
Ethan smiled widely as he watched his companions do their own things. He joined Maya who was still drinking the river water like a glutton.
He took a few sips before looking at her. "Water's nice, right?"
Maya pulled her water soaked face up and nodded with a silly smile. "It's so refreshing and clear!"
Etha chuckled and drank more water. "Good thing we have water so close to the base. It's pretty warm out here."
Maya nodded in agreement.
"I caught one!" Burt suddenly shouted. Ethan looked over and saw the Cat holding a fish in his mouth. Burt quickly bit down and killed the fish, with blood dripping down his mouth and onto the grass.
Ethan wasn't very concerned about Burt's actions. They were animals who fought entire wars and took over planets after all, but it still felt a little uncomfortable to see.
'I'll get over it soon enough. But hey, at least we don't have to cook the fish! We should be able to eat it raw… I think.'
———————-
Two hours had passed while the group enjoyed their time at the river.
Burt kept hunting fish for himself and the group, Maya played in the water after quenching her thirst, Nina took a nap on the soft grass, Milo continued exploring the nearby area, and Ethan watched them all happily while occasionally joining each of them.
Ethan now sat by the river, staring down at his reflection in the water.
"I've been here less than a day… but I'm already so much more happy here than I was back on Earth."
Ethan pondered his new life, wondering what was in store for him and his companions.
"We're being attacked!!"
Ethan's train of thought was broken and his head jolted to the left as he heard the screams of his companion.
Milo was running towards the rest of the group. He seemed panicked as he ran pretty swiftly for a level one Cat.
There was a cut on his cheek, and crimson blood was flowing out of it.
"Stop running!"
Behind Milo, a strange green creature chased after him. It was quite ugly. The creature had green skin, bald head, scrawny body, pointed ears, a simple brown cloth covering his private area, and a worn out knife in his hand that was stained with fresh blood.
It was a creature that wasn't in The Battle Cats. It's a common monster known in many fantasy stories and games.
It was a goblin.
[First Quest received: save Milo and kill the goblin!]