I'm a Catgirl (Ch 21) (Patreon)

As I shout my irritation to the sky, I can't help but wonder how I came to this situation. Lost and surrounded by random thugs.

After leaving the guild, I wandered around looking for the Lady's Boutique. When I couldn't find it I asked some random guy for directions. He said to go down an alley, then take the first right, then left, then right. Or was it Left, right, right?

Ugh. Either way I got lost and ended up in a dead end. I half expected some scummy looking people to wait at the start of the alley, but nobody was there. It wasn't until I'd left and gotten to an intersection of alleys that the scummy looking people appeared!

Seriously, are they new to this or something? Considering that each group that emerged from an alley had a couple with new-looking daggers, I don't think so. Guess they're just amateurs then. Might have connections to a bigger group though...

"Hey! Are ya listening!?" Oh, it seems like the apparent leader is shouting at me. What did he say?

"What was that? I was thinking about something."

His face turns red, and as he sputters I take in his appearance. Bald, skinny, and not that tall, barely taller than me even. His face kind of looks squashed, like if he fell on it alot as a baby and it gave up on staying the same. He's outfitted in some tattered leather armor... I think? It might just be some strong-looking material.

The others are dressed even worse than him. Their clothes are literal patchworks, I can't even tell what their original color might have been between the rainbow of stained colors. Even with the patches, their clothes still have tears in them.

Oh wait, wasn't there something I was supposed to pay attention to? I turn my gaze back on the supposed leader and see that his face is red and he's glaring at me.

"...Sorry, one more time?" A vein pops out on his forehead. Cool! It's pretty hard to make someone that mad, but, uh. Well, this time it was an accident.

"Ya sure yer paying ehttention now? Happen again an aye'll jus’ run ya through!" I manage to keep a giggle from coming out once I hear his accent, but only just. Wonder what he was saying that was so important that he didn't just attack?

"Yep, I'm listening!" I rapidly nod my head and stare at him with enough intensity that he takes a step back. Realizing what he'd just done, the man manages to reach new levels of anger as a second vein pops out on the other side of his forehead.

Gritting his jaw, he powers through and hisses out his words. As he does I notice that he's missing a couple of teeth as well.

"Yer on ar turf, which means that yer'll have ta pay a toll ta pass through. Wither it be with money or... services is up ter you." His eyes trail down my body as he speaks, a lustful glam in his eyes.

Welp. There are three ways this can go down:

One; I pay a small amount and everyone goes on their way. Zero chance of that happening for several reasons.

Two; I pay and they try to have their way with me anyways. Judging by the way they're dressed and ambushed me, I'd label this way more likely than number one.

Three; One side attacks the other and I start killing. The one that's most probably about to happen since I'm not giving away my coins.

Now, I could use earth magic and just drop all of them into a pit, cover it up and call it a day, but where would be the fun in that?

...

Ok, I could imagine their screams of panic freaking out random pedestrians being a little funny. Just a little! Though if it ended up with people considering this area haunted I could have some more fun...

I shake my head to dispel the crazy thoughts. Bad! No cruel and unusual killing! Unless they deserve it. Or I decide to give in to temptation. Do they deserve it?

…

Maybe? Am I going to give in to temptation?

…

Maybe.

"And if I refuse?"

He grins, a sadistic grin promising pain. "Well, then we get ta do this da fun way." He pauses as a thought seems to hit him. "Actally, how bout we go da fun way anyway! I don' like ya."

I sigh. "What's with this? What kind of thugs don't even stick with their threats? You are a disappointment to the thug life!"

Even while the groups follow their leader, everyone pauses at my words, confusion clear on their faces. And so I take advantage of the opening.

I jump towards him, using earth magic to help launch myself with more force than I would otherwise be able to get. Extend the claws on my right hand and swing as I pass next to him.

I land a bit behind him, arm stretched in front of me, and he stares at the spot I was just a moment ago. Before he can turn around, I speak. "Omae wa mou shindeiru."

The confused thug says nothing, but suddenly feels something damp soaking through his clothes. He looks down, and sees his shirt soaked in blood.

He reaches a hand up and touches his chest, pulling it away bloody. He tries to say something but only a gurgle escapes through the tear in his throat. Then he finally tips forward as his consciousness leaves him.

There's silence from everyone as the man bleeds out, shock clear on their faces. Each has their own thoughts on what happened, but if they were to hear my thoughts theirs would all be the same.

Oh. My. Soahc! That was awesome! Did that look as cool as I think it did? I can't believe I managed to pull that off! Talks about beginner's luck! Is my pose good? It would suck if a crappy pose ruined the awesomeness of this moment.

After a few moments of silence from the thugs and me praising myself, I finally hear the sound I've been waiting for.

Congratulations! You have slain: Taka, Human Unclassed L.V 8.

XP gained: 200

Huh, lower than I expected. Guess you get lower exp when someone doesn't have a class.

Oh well. If these thugs decide to attack me, I should still get enough to go up several levels. Maybe I could even hit ten and get my class.

I straighten and turn to the section of the group the leader came with. They flinch back as they see my smile, promising them that I enjoyed killing their leader. And that I would enjoy killing them as well.

"Now then," I say as I flick some blood off my hand, "who wants to go next?"