The girl's body, except for her head, was covered in snow-white fur, with cat ears atop her head. She was unmistakably a member of the Fur Tribe.
The Fur Tribe, orcs from the giant elephant Zou, were rare in the outside world. To the Celestial Dragons, they were prized collectibles.
Her fur appeared neat, but dense scars hid beneath.
Sensing someone approach, her fur bristled like a frightened cat's—a Fur Tribe trait mirroring their animal instincts.
Seeing Oran, her fur relaxed slightly. His prior wound treatment had earned her tentative trust.
"What's wrong, Kate? These dried fish should be edible for you."
The Fur Tribe avoided furry mammal meat due to their nature. Unlike Shaq, a shark-man who ate fish without issue, forcing Kate to eat such meat was akin to forcing a human to eat human flesh.
This caused the whip marks on her body. The Celestial Dragons wanted to see her eat forbidden food, but despite brutal beatings, she refused. Bored, they marked her for elimination as prey.
To the Celestial Dragons, her fur was no different from a housecat's. A disobedient cat was disposable.
"Are you familiar with the Fur Tribe?"
"A bit. If I offend you, let me know."
Oran knew some Fur Tribe details, but even without that, he doubted a cat would refuse fish.
"No, you're just… different from other humans."
To the Fur Tribe, humans were hairless monkey-furred kin. Kate once believed this until her family left Zou a year ago, only to be captured by Celestial Dragon slave hunters, shattering her view.
Zou was safer, but Kate's congenital heart condition required medical care unavailable there, prompting her family to seek a doctor.
Tragically, her father attempted escape on a full-moon night, using the Fur Tribe's Moon Lion ability, which granted immense power but risked berserk rage.
He failed, lost control, and died of exhaustion. Soon after, her mother, overwhelmed, took her own life.
Kate endured, partly by luck. The Celestial Dragons wanted an obedient cat and didn't let her starve.
Yet revenge burned in her heart, fueled by memories of their cruel smiles.
Though Ginny's age, Kate lacked her cheer. Ginny, sold into slavery young, had no parental memories, while Kate had known a happy family.
"I recognize humanity's diversity. People vary. If you're unlucky, human evil can scar you. But I don't consider Celestial Dragons human."
"So, am I human, cat, or monster to you?"
Kate maintained a defensive posture, her cat instincts shielding her vulnerable abdomen. Her guard remained up, but her eyes held faint hope.
Oran recognized that look from the war orphans he supported in Piltover's orphanage, an investment often at a loss.
Some called it a show, but Oran didn't care. In Valoran, he acted on his means, repaying the kindness that once saved him.
"Scientifically, I'd classify the Fur Tribe as a human offshoot, like you view humans as hairless monkey-furred kin.
But practically, Kate, the body is a shell. The soul defines us. Beyond appearances, we're equal, with diverse talents."
"Cat" was the Celestial Dragons' label; "monster," her fellow slaves'. Moon Lion required training her father hadn't mastered, and his uncontrolled use cost his life.
Fear of the unknown made others wary of Kate, dreading her potential rampage or Celestial Dragon retribution.
Slavery could break anyone quickly. A year of trauma had pushed Kate to extremes.
Unlike Xiong, who escaped in chains, Kate broke her thumb, freed herself, killed a guard, and fled. Oran had bandaged her hand and made a splint.
"Soul of the Stars, you're a good person—a different human. Sadly, good people don't last."
"Why the grim talk? And what's with that title?"
Oran noted everyone—Xiong, Shaq, now Kate—called him a good person. Her phrase intrigued him.
"Sidereal Auran, isn't that your name? My dad studied stars, so I know some terms.
He was good, too, and died. So did Mom.
But don't worry. My parents taught me to repay favors. The full moon's in three days. I won't live long, but if you're not as unlucky as other good people, I can save you once. After that, you're on your own.
If you escape, help me."
Kate wasn't as silent as Xiong claimed. Her questions seemed to seek confirmation.
She knew her heart condition limited her time for revenge. Her tribe's tradition of repaying debts drove her decision.
A natural fighting race, the Fur Tribe, with Moon Lion's power, could let her seek vengeance or protect others before joining her family in death.
Seeing Kate, young yet acting mature, delivering her "last words," Oran stuffed dried fish in her mouth.
"Hold on. You misunderstood. I'm an alchemist, and my principle is equal exchange.
Life is priceless, only traded for life. Your talents are vital for our escape.
Trust my plan, and I'll get you out alive. I'll show you how a 'good person' acts."
Discovering Kate's rare Fur Tribe abilities, Oran adjusted his plan. Her innate skills would be crucial.
"Ahem! Meow, I don't want to be good! Good people get bullied; bad ones thrive. If I survive, I'll be the worst villain!"
After spitting out the fish, Kate restrained her hunger but declared her "dream."
"The world's top villain?"
"Exactly."
"How?"
"Meow will kill all bad guys! That'll make me the worst!"