68 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed
Chapter 68: The Liberated Slaves Become Obsessed Monopoly is truly a delightful concept. It grants the power to manipulate a specific market at one's whim. Even if prices are raised, consumers have no choice but to remain silent because the goods they desire are exclusive to your establishment. The cat café embodied this idea perfectly; it was a novel space where one could indulge in a bit of lazy idleness by simply watching cats laze around—a true healing space. Others might imitate it in the future, but that time isn’t now. Therefore, it's essential to take advantage of its popularity while it lasts. I never expected that merely managing a successful café would guarantee passing Yuhwa’s test. Thus, the concept of a dog café was devised. I arranged for a proxy owner to rent a building across from the cat café and carefully selected stray dogs, especially the adorable ones, to bring in anonymously. It was crucial to keep my identity as the owner unknown to avoid stirring resentment among the cat enthusiasts. The dog café’s structure resembled that of the cat café, except it offered a backyard where one could frolic with the dogs instead of massage services. All that was left was to commence business. “Dog café? Isn't it just like the cat café?” “You don't understand. Unlike the finicky cats, dogs eagerly respond to even a bit of good care.” “Well... it's true, no matter how many treats we offered, the cats never reacted much. Maybe we should check it out once?” A couple, regular visitors of the cat café, decided to enter the dog café that day while conversing in the street. Watching them from the window, the cat people gnashed their teeth in anger. “How could they abandon us for those foolish dogs? It’s betrayal! They shouldn't even think of coming back to our café!” “Seriously... people just don’t have any taste. Our cat people are a superior species, way better than those dogs that wag their tails at anyone.” Each time they lost a customer, the cat people were left in shock, though it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for them since customers ended up spending more on their care. "Could I have a word with you?" Seira checked for anyone else around and pulled me to the back of the café, her eyes darting nervously. “You’re behind this dog café too, aren’t you?” "Indeed. It’s hard to pass the test with just a single café." “But why a dog café? Expanding with a different business might attract a broader clientele, wouldn’t it?” “In general, yes.” I had many ideas planned out. But time was scarce. With people now aware of what a ‘café with anthropomorphic beings’ offered, it would help introduce the charm of other anthropomorphic beings without creating an entirely new concept. But my target was something else entirely. There was a reason it had to be dogs. “Nothing draws attention quite like inciting rivalry.” *** The following day, an article about it appeared in Bestia's newspaper. [Cat People VS. Dog Tribe: Which is the Superior Creature? Find the full results at the Sixth District Café] Which species is superior? This debate has been ongoing since before Bestia's establishment as a beast kingdom when tribes lived in groups based on species. Land beasts over sea beasts. Carnivores over herbivores. And surely, the flying creatures ruling the skies are the most superior. Even as Bestia grew and time passed, the embers of discord still smoldered, ever ready to blaze anew if there was enough tinder. Such as now. In one café. A gentleman with a mustache and a lady with a fan were engrossed in a heated debate. Their topic of discussion was the hotly debated dog tribe versus cat people. “Dogs have always been the quintessential companions. Family members who’ve stayed by humanity's side.” “Nobles surely resonate with the cat people. Their elegant grace, their dignified demeanor—it’s almost as if they symbolize nobility itself.” “You lack vision. Look at dogs, warmly wagging their tails to greet people, staying faithfully at their post until their owner returns.” “Cats would do the same…” The gentleman firmly shook his head. “We call such cats ‘dog-like.’ Ultimately, cats are merely inferior versions of dogs. And what about their shedding?” “Dogs shed too, don’t they? Those promiscuous dogs wag their tails at anyone, like downright courtesans.” “There’s a limit to outrageous remarks!” The gentleman, unable to contain his temper, stood abruptly, causing the glass on the table to crash and shatter. “Oh dear! Why are you losing your cool over a mere discussion? You’re so excitable, just like dogs.” “Mm... Could someone clean this up?” “Are you hurt at all?” “No problem. Sorry for causing a scene.” A dog tribe attendant approached, cleaned up the broken glass, and swept the floor before retreating with a smile. Watching her, the gentleman couldn't help but smile contently. “See how courteous they are. Unlike cat people…” “Had it been a cat person, they would have swiftly caught the glass before it even fell.” “What?” “They would then calm you down with a soft white paw massage." "...A dog would have prepared a feast fit to break the table legs for you.” “If it were a cat person, they would feed it to you by hand. Cat people are superior. Thanks, no rebuttals accepted, rebut and you’ll reincarnate into three generations of Cerberus lineage.” “Why, you foolish woman?!” The debate over the superiority between dog and cat people within Bestia had become a hot topic. However, what started as a skirmish between these two factions soon escalated. For instance, the argument was no longer about dogs and cats but rather a battle between the canine and feline families. Bestia Royal Palace. Princess Hilde of the beast kingdom lay sprawled on the sofa as if decorum was someone else's concern. After a leisurely yawn, she couldn't resist the urge to speak. "Bandi, have you heard about the hot debate happening in the kingdom lately?" Bandi, the raccoon beast who was working, was startled and replied in a small voice. "Yes? Yes... It was about whether the dog tribe or the cat people are superior..." "Isn't it typical to fuss over pointless debates? The answer has been clear from the start. Obviously, the feline group..." "Right. All beast folk are equal." "What?" "Pardon?" Hilde and Bandi’s gazes met in the air. "All beast folk are equal, but above this equality stands the feline group, Bandi." "But..." "But? Is this cute little raccoon talking back to her princess?" Hilde’s lips curled into a sly smile as she slowly approached Bandi. Thud. "Eek?!" Hilde slammed the table. The table shattered with a crunch. “Are you implying that I, and the Lioness royal family, are no different from those insignificant things on the ground?” “I have committed a grave offense, Princess!” “Oh, look at this? You don't deny it outright?” Bandi quivered as she lay prostrate on the floor, and Hilde looked down at her with her head held high. "Repeat after me. Word for word." "Re... repeat after you." "Cats are superior to all other species." "Cats are superior... to all other species..." “Dogs are inferior to cats.” “Dogs are inferior to...” Bandi clenched her teeth, trembling with frustration. “Take this!” With a poof! Smoke burst out, and all that was left in Bandi's place was a solitary leaf. It was the escape magic often used by raccoons. Hilde let out a chuckle. How cute—running away rather than listening to the princess? Well, since they usually got along—or at least, Hilde found her amusing—there would be no severe punishment. But when she comes back, she'd have her perform some tricks as atonement. Maybe walking on her hands or rolling around. However, first things first. Hilde stretched out to relieve her drowsy body. "Perhaps I should go see what rascal caused this mess." *** Following the article’s publication, the shop was flooded with an unprecedented number of customers. Whether a human managed the establishment or a crimson fox was present mattered little. What truly mattered was determining who was superior and upholding the pride of their species. The cat faction and the dog faction growled at each other across a path they treated as a border. I instructed the staff to distribute cool beverages to those who were particularly heated. “Mmm! It feels sweeter because it was handed out by a cat person!” “All you're tasting is fur, isn't it? Aren’t you chewing on fur in your mouth?” The atmosphere grew heated. The noisier it got, the better for me. Such a commotion would certainly reach even Yuhwa of Tensang Roo. Business is thriving, and passing the test is virtually guaranteed. “Master.” “Hmm?” Rin, sitting on my lap and observing the situation, tilted her head to look up at me. “Does Master prefer woofers or meowers?” “Me? Hmm...” To be honest, I like both. Dog tribe members gain additional abilities when assigned guarding duties, and cat people possess unique business skills, such as the current massage. It depends on how you use them in the situation. Rin fixed me with a serious stare as if the answer was of utmost importance. Unable to resist a chuckle, I replied. “I like foxes the most.” Her face lit up with joy in real-time. “I like Master the best too!” Rin wagged her three tails and wrapped them around my waist. “So you're a two-fox household.” Seira, watching with cold eyes, murmured to herself. Then she sighed, looking into the distance, her eyes widening. "What?" "Why? Did another fox arrive?" I jokingly commented, but her expression remained grave. She wasn't in the mood for humor. It's rare to see Seira so flustered. Out of curiosity, I followed her gaze. A woman with a mane of black hair, like a lion's, was striding toward us. Her eyes, with golden irises and vertical black pupils, were striking. 'Why is that lunatic here?' Hilde-whatever-Lioness. The would-be tyrant of Bestia. Vigilante 2024.09.28 11:32 신고 Somehow it feels just about right and slides down smoothly. shtmvl 2024.09.28 12:21 신고 Hair flying everywhere, oh no. Desk10 2024.11.07 00:24 신고 This time, it's fun in a different way. Management, haha! tokieu 2024.11.07 23:24 신고 As expected, this conquest strategy is taking a while. Only logged-in members can post comments. 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