Chapter 54: The Heartbroken Ragdoll Cat
The people who lived here were far from ordinary, and they naturally understood that if one of them fell, they all would.
Just then, another voice emerged from the crowd.
"I can agree to cooperate, but I need more specific details and the source of this information."
The speaker was a refined-looking man in his early thirties, wearing glasses.
"Of course."
Shane Rhodes nodded and explained the whole situation.
"Those people have been watching us for a while now. The reason they’re making their move tonight is because they plan to destroy the community’s power grid."
At his words, everyone’s expressions turned grim.
Although they had tried to be discreet when purchasing supplies, the sheer number of trucks coming in and out of the complex not long ago had likely attracted prying eyes.
After all, most of the city was already experiencing water and power outages, with utilities only available at specific, scheduled times. Their community, however, remained unaffected.
This was for two reasons. First, their community was well-equipped with its own solar power system. Second, they had a large number of players, so no one dared to cause trouble.
While they hadn’t formed an official group, a certain bond naturally existed between neighbors, especially since they all lived in the same complex.
Just as Moira Lynch didn’t want the entire country to descend into chaos, they didn’t want their community to fall into chaos either. It would shatter the peaceful lives they had managed to build.
In the young man’s vision, Shane Rhodes was enveloped in a faint white light. This was his ability—it allowed him to see a person’s emotions and tell if they were lying, all at a glance.
"Alright, I believe you."
Upon hearing this, those who knew about the young man’s talent breathed a collective sigh of relief. It seemed the threat was real.
Seeing that they believed him, Shane Rhodes also let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He wasn’t good at dealing with people. He had already decided that if he couldn’t convince them, he would just focus on protecting his own little corner of the world.
"We still have some time before dark, when they’re supposed to make their move. Let’s all share our abilities so we can coordinate better. I’ll go first. My ability is lightning."
As he spoke, Shane Rhodes conjured a bolt of purple lightning.
The normally intangible bolt crackled in his hand as if it were a solid object.
Shane Rhodes knew that a person’s ability was their trump card, not something to be revealed lightly. To save time, however, he decided to just put his own on the table first.
Besides, there was little point in hiding his ability; it would be obvious the moment a fight started.
Sure enough, seeing Shane Rhodes be so forthright, those who had been hesitant began to introduce their own abilities as well.
"My ability is Thousand-mile Eye."
"I have enhanced speed."
"I can fly."
"I can transform into a beast..."
When it was Moira Lynch’s turn, she said, "I can communicate with animals."
Among the dozens of people, those with Elemental Talents and physical enhancements were the most common, making up about two-thirds of the group. The rest belonged to the Spiritual System or Special Series.
However, it was a known fact that in the early stages, Spiritual System and Special Series Awakeners were generally more support-oriented.
Shane Rhodes had no intention of being the sole commander and hoarding power. Instead, he chose to formulate a plan in discussion with a few others. With everyone level-headed, they made rapid progress and finalized the plan in no time.
Moira Lynch remained silent throughout the discussion. ’I’m not as quick-witted as these people,’ she thought. ’It’s best to leave this sort of thing to them. I’m just in a support role for now, anyway.’
Just then, Kai York walked over to her. He looked a little sheepish as he said, "Uh, you can communicate with animals... Could you do me a favor?"
Moira Lynch’s first reaction was suspicion. ’Is he testing me?’ She thought that right up until he led her to a listless Ragdoll Cat.
With its snow-white fur, fluffy tail, plump body, and a pair of blue eyes, this Ragdoll Cat seemed perfectly sculpted to human aesthetic ideals.
’I considered getting a Ragdoll when I was looking for a cat,’ Moira recalled, ’but I gave up on the idea after hearing their stomachs are sensitive and they get sick easily.’
"Can you ask Pip what’s wrong with him? He’s been listless for the past few days and is only eating half his usual amount of food. He’s lost weight."
Moira Lynch looked at the fat cat. She could see his dejection, alright. But as for him having lost weight... ’Sorry, but I really don’t see it.’
Moira Lynch released her spiritual power and attempted to communicate with the Ragdoll Cat.
She had been practicing this a lot lately, so the process was incredibly smooth. She soon understood the cause of the cat’s distress.
Retracting her spiritual power, Moira Lynch said to Kai York, "This Ragdoll Cat fell for a stray calico he heard meowing. But for some reason, after they saw each other once through a window, the calico left without a backward glance and never came back. He’s heartbroken, so naturally, he’s depressed."
Kai York instantly flew into a rage. "The nerve! How dare a little stray reject my son? Who does she think she is?!"
Seeing the furious Kai York, who looked ready to march out and demand an explanation from the calico, Moira Lynch thought for a moment and decided to tell him the whole truth.
"In the feline world, calicos are considered peerless beauties."
Kai York, not yet grasping the issue, instinctively asked, "So, is my Pip not handsome?"
"Ragdoll Cats are beautiful, but that’s by human standards. In the eyes of other cats, a Ragdoll’s appearance is basically..."
Moira Lynch paused, glanced at the Ragdoll Cat at her feet, and lowered her voice. "...the equivalent of a frumpy butterball."
Kai York froze, glancing at his ethereally beautiful son. ’How is that possible?’ How could his son be a frumpy butterball? This was a purebred, show-quality Ragdoll Cat! What did he have to do with being frumpy or a butterball?
"Human and feline beauty standards are different. The bottom line is, your son is listless because he’s heartbroken. You can either wait for him to get over it on his own, or you can go find him another calico to be his new ’wife.’"
Just then, the Ragdoll Cat on the floor let out a sudden cry.
"MEOW!!!"
"What did he just say?"
Moira Lynch pushed her glasses up her nose. "He says he wants that one and only that one."
By the time the matter of the Ragdoll Cat was settled, the others had finished devising their strategy.
Because Moira Lynch was young and her ability wasn’t combat-oriented, she was assigned to the rear guard.
However, Shane Rhodes didn’t let her stay idle. He tasked her with communicating with all the stray animals in the complex to act as lookouts.
Before the Great Heat, the complex had been home to numerous stray cats and dogs, all of whom were fed by the residents.
Hearing this request, Moira Lynch glanced at the sky outside and asked earnestly, "At these temperatures, how many of those stray cats and dogs do you honestly think are still alive?"