687: Stupid Assassin!

Stupid Assassin!

Because Zeke was distracted by his own wild thoughts earlier, when he snapped back to his senses and gave chase, he found that the assassin had managed to draw quite a large distance between them. Let's not mention how the ground was slippery with melted snow and blood, just his short paws alone would not outmatch the assassin's single step! Stupid assassin! Why do you have such long legs?!2

Breathing heavily through his mouth, Zeke finally trotted his way to the front gate of the Imperial Palace. The guards had either been killed or run away for their lives, and no one was crazy enough to go out in this kind of weather. As such, it was very easy for him to lock in on the figure who was making his way down the desolate street.

The snow had grown thicker since the last time Zeke was outside, shrouding the entire world with its ivory curtain. Zeke stared at the vast expanse of snow in front of him and felt his heart ache for the sake of his tender paws. However, if he did not catch up, then he would definitely lose the assassin! By then, how would he log out of the simulation?! 

Zeke's golden eyes blazed. He was certain now. This must be the main obstacle that the King had prepared for him. The King had given up on his attempt on torturing Zeke in the most brutal way, and now he decided to switch to a maddeningly slow torture which would wear down his spirit bit by bit. Well, Zeke admitted that this method seemed to work on him because he already felt like he was going crazy soon!

Gazing at the assassin's back, Zeke took a deep breath and hollered, "Miiiw…!!" Stupid assassin, come back! I am still here!!

Of course, his tiny mewl was instantly drowned by the fierce gale. 

Zeke gritted his teeth, and without giving himself a room for doubt, he rushed out of the gate of the Imperial Palace—

—and plunged head first into the thick layer of snow on the ground. 

In a blink of an eye, his entire kitten body was buried under the snow. Enraged, Zeke swung his limbs wildly before he managed to breach the surface. Stupid body! Stupid simulation! Not only would he file a complaint to the institute once he returned, he would also find the researcher who was responsible for creating the assassin and have a good, good talk with them! 

It took a while for Zeke to get used to maneuvering his way through the snow. He paddled his short and thin paws like he was swimming, all the while tipping his chin up so he would be able to take a breather. Zeke swore that this was the most difficult exercise he had done throughout eighteen years of his life. He had not even expended this much energy when dealing with the assassin his brother had sent! 

However, this little body soon proved to be a huge disadvantage for him. It was scrawny, thin and malnourished. Zeke had not realized it earlier, but the cat was severely famished. He was so hungry that it did not take long for his energy to be drained. His vision started to blur and breathing became a particularly strenuous thing to do. With each breath he took, he felt as if shards of ice were piercing into his lungs. 

So painful… so hungry…

But Zeke was nothing but determined. It was also fortunate that the assassin was not exceptionally fast. With every two or three steps, he would halt for a while before continuing on his way. It was unknown what he was thinking about. From behind, he looked just like a drunkard trying to feel his way through a winding dark alley. 

Gritting his teeth, Zeke opened his mouth and yelled on top of his lungs. "Miiiw—!!" 

When the assassin did not show any signs of stopping, Zeke refused to give up and cried out again and again, each was more desperate than the other. He screamed so loud that his tiny body trembled violently. Once, he almost swallowed a mouthful of snow and choked himself to death. Too bad for him, the stupid assassin did not even pause a bit in his journey. 

Goddamnit, was this man deaf?!

Zeke kept paddling and paddling, chasing after the man's lonely back, until at one point, his paw suddenly tripped on something and he lurched forward. Oh shit! The tiny cat rolled on the ground and stumbled head first into a ditch by the side road. Fortunately, the thick snow had buffered his fall and did not land any injuries whatsoever on his body. However, when Zeke tried to get up again, his vision suddenly darkened and he swayed on the spot.

Oh no…

This body had almost reached its limit. It was too malnourished, spent and chilled. He could no longer feel his limbs, even breathing was so agonizing as if what he took in was not fresh air but blades of knives. 

Well… so be it. Perhaps this was the alternative way to exit the simulator. Zeke knew that he either had to go through the simulation until the end, or die midway in order to leave. However, he also knew that the King was up to no good and thus, he was not interested in following the scenario which had been prepared for him. It was way faster to get into an accident and have someone killed him along the way. This time, he initially also wanted to let the assassin kill him, but it seemed like he would freeze to death first…

Zeke lay on the ground and let the snowflakes pile higher and higher on his body. He had welcomed death so many times that it no longer bothered him. He calmly and serenely waited until this little body breathed its last. However, through his blurred vision, he caught sight of that broad and lonesome back again. Zeke had no idea what possessed him when he called out for the last time, weak and feeble. "...miw."

It was soft, much softer compared to his earlier cries. There was no doubt that the assassin would ignore him once again. 

But much to his surprise, the assassin actually halted in his tracks! His head slowly turned to Zeke's direction as if hearing something.

Zeke's heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be… did this person hear him at long last? A surge of relief overcame him. He could not wait to leave this simulation as soon as possible. It would undoubtedly be faster for the assassin to kill him rather than freezing himself to death! Hence, Zeke mustered the very last drop in his body and cried out, louder this time yet delicate nonetheless. "Miw…"

This time, the assassin indeed heard him!

Zeke was beside himself with joy. For a split second, when the assassin trudged his way to him, he even thought that he had learned what happiness meant. He patiently waited for the assassin to dig him out from the snow and kill him once and for all. However, the death he awaited did not come. Instead, the assassin merely stared at him with blank eyes as though he could not comprehend what he was seeing.

If Zeke had not been dizzy and weak, he would have rolled his eyes. What? Is this your first time seeing a cat buried inside the snow?

When he saw that the assassin was only crouching there, unmoving, Zeke finally forced his feeble body to stand. He obediently nudged his head against the man's hand and offered his neck. And because he was unable to control this body's instinctual action, he also gave the man's finger a little lick.

Come on. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and kill me…

To make it easier for the assassin, he even took the initiative to send his tiny body to the man's hand. Inwardly, he harrumphed in disdain. Where would you find such a good and obedient beta user like me? If you know what's better for you, then go ahead and grant me respite! 

Zeke heaved out a sigh of relief. Finally he could leave this—

"Come with me?" a raspy and barely audible voice whispered to him.

—simulation that had been torturing– wait… what??

His brain turned sluggish for a moment. What did he just hear? Did this person just ask him to— no, impossible. It must be his ears that were playing tricks on him!

Just as he thought that he must be hallucinating from the extreme cold, he sensed the man's fingers curling around him oh so gently and carefully that it caught him off guard. He did not expect such careful demeanor from the assassin who had just killed tens of people back in the Imperial Palace. His tiny body fitted just right into the man's broad palm. Then, amidst his hazy consciousness, he felt himself being lifted and… placed into the man's pocket which smelled badly of blood.

You fucking—

Zeke cursed a thousand times in his heart. Stupid assassin, where the hell are you taking me?!!

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