Ch. 3 To Survive As A Cat (1)

[Didn’t you know? Well, I suppose you wouldn’t.]

“Myaaag!” (Of course not!)

[You were a stray, weak in a group but good on your own. During the times you felt lonely, however, you would cry. You had an insatiable curiosity, but didn’t have much to sustain your whimsical moods. Despite your strong artistic disposition, most don’t seem to understand you, and while you’re affectionate towards the people you let close, you appear crazy otherwise. Is that right?]

I wished I could strangle the bird, but I opened my eyes and remembered that I was facing an angel of death. Even if it was giving me a new chance of freedom, to talk about my past life like that…

Anyway.

“Yayaaan?” (So I have fur?)

[Because you’re a cat.]

“Myaaa?” [Tail?]

[It’s functioning. You’re certainly fine. You can go to the human world right away. Good, good.]

I took stock of my four paws, the thin black hairs covering my body, and my improved vision and full flexibility. Oh my god! I really was a cat. And obviously meowing.

“Miyaaaag!” (What the hell!)

How could I have died and become a cat? How was I turned into this?! I trembled and yowled in consternation at this bizarre experience, but the bird spoke in a more relaxed manner.

[When you become more familiar with the body, you can even speak human words. Such is the skill of the otherworld!]

“Myag myag! Niyaang, nya nya nya! Nyang!” (I’m not doing it now! How does a cat speak human? The vocal organs are different in the first place!)

[I can understand what you’re saying.]

“Kyaak!” (You charlatan!)

[Perhaps you’re more nervous since you became a cat? Well, don’t worry too much. While you look like a cat from the outside, the vessel is undoubtedly of otherworldly make. We use them to spy on the human world. It’s natural that humans don’t understand the principle.]

Vessel? I remembered the crow from earlier, and connected it to the image of a black cat.

“Myamyag…mya mya mya mya mya?” (Is it because of the angels of death that the crow and black cat are unlucky?)

[That’s correct. If we wear it and are nearby, someone is sure to die.]

“Myaag?!” (And you gave it to me?)

[That’s why we wear white ones these days. It’s the new style after humans started to treat black creatures with ill intent.]

The small white bird gave a graceful flap of its wings. What kind of sins were inflicted on those poor innocent crows and black cats?

[Oh, and the nice thing is that when you accumulate enough energy, you can transform into a human. So what do you think? Is it the right feature for you?]

“N-nyaang?” (H-human?)

[Yes, you need to collect a certain amount of energy to do so. The vessel is fundamentally modeled after yokai, so you will need to obtain yin energy.]

“Mya mya?” (How do I get it?)

[The easiest way is to absorb moonlight every night. With that…you can turn into a human for a day with a month’s worth of moonlight. The vessel is a little outdated, so it’s not very efficient. In contrast, with this bird’s body, it probably takes about fifteen days?]

I was astonished that there was such technology from the otherworld. I calmed my mind, and concluded that this vessel was not so bad, as long as my soul was safe and I could turn into a human. Perhaps then I could visit my mother.

Recharging by moonlight…It was a concept I didn’t fully understand, but it was better than my soul wandering around naked.

[Nya…nyayang.] (Thank you.)

[…I’m sorry that it came to this.]

[Nya…] (I…)

I had given up hope when I thought death was inevitable, but now I could live as a human at least one day a month. A seed of gratitude nestled in me.

My mind was still somewhat numb from all this information, so I studied my body, flexing my paws and extending my claws. The angel of death continued to speak.

[That will keep you alive for about a year. In the meantime, I will rebuild your human body, so bear with me…]

“Nyanyang…?” (Just like the original?)

[Of course. Your new body will be created exactly as it was. And the cat’s body will transform into the shape that your human soul remembers.]

“Yaaong, niyaang nyanyanyang nya?” (So, is there anything I have to watch out for?)

[Hmmm. Perhaps other demons or angels of death. But the other angels of death will only see you as a cat, and you will be completely camouflaged among them. Although once you go straight to the human world, you’ll have to stay there for a year.]

After a brief pause, the bird tilted its head, its black eyes shining.

[I will be very busy rebuilding your body. Try to adapt yourself to the human world in the meantime.]

It returned to its businesslike tone. I wondered what was going to happen next, but I shut my mouth and nodded. I still couldn’t believe I was a cat.

[And while you are in that body, I cannot sense your energy. It is intended to hide your identity completely. It is because of these safety features that I gave you this vessel.]

“Yaang? Niyaang! ” (What? Then what should I do when you need to find me!)

[We’ll set up a meeting time in a year.]

I wanted to cry. Because I was in the body of a cat, however, I couldn’t make facial expressions.

“Myaa…” (I see…)

[There’s no cause for worry. As long as you’re in there, there won’t be much danger. The vessel is designed to be the armor for an emissary and has the power to protect the soul.]

The angel of death added a few more notes. Although the vessel could repel bad luck, large accidents should be avoided. I could live without eating, but I would still experience hunger and excrete waste if I ate. Academics and doctors absolutely had to be avoided. My physical capabilities were now far superior, making it easier to wander around…

I lost track of how long I listened to the angel of death drone on about the details when finally—

[Let’s go now.]

“Nya?”

[To the human world.]

The bird’s tone turned urgent. I watched it as it flew over my head and then settled between my ears. I wondered what would happen next, when suddenly, a white light appeared over my head and spread over my body, and a strong wind blew.