Chapter 36 I was about to meet the Cat Boss, and I had no idea what would happen next.

As we walked toward the Cat Boss’s room, Lyn hummed a playful tune, her tail swaying in rhythm with each lighthearted step. She seemed so excited like she was skipping off to meet an old friend, not the leader of a powerful village. But for me, every step felt like I was marching toward my doom. My belly churned and ached with a gnawing dread that grew heavier and heavier the closer we got. To Lyn, this was her father - a warm, loving presence in her life. To me, he was an unknown force, a mysterious and powerful figure with a name that made me feel smaller than ever. "Cat Boss." It sounded like the name of a legend, someone who could crush a goblin like me without even blinking.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it just grew bigger. My legs felt wobbly, and with every step, my anxiety started to bubble over. Dreadful thoughts swirled in my tiny, nut-sized brain, bouncing around like a cruel echo. What if he hates me? What if he kills me right on the spot? After all, I'm just a miserable goblin - pathetic, dirty, and barely worth the mud under his paws. To him, I’d be nothing more than a disgusting forest creature, something to squash or throw out. I couldn’t even muster the courage to stand up straight.

 I started to lag behind, dragging my feet, though Lyn didn’t seem to notice. Her carefree hums continued, unbothered by the storm of terror brewing inside me. Every now and then, she’d glance back with a smile, completely unaware of the battle going on inside my head.

Finally, we arrived. The large wooden doors, carved with intricate patterns, loomed before us like the gates to some ancient fortress. Two cat people stood guard, their expressions calm but alert. Their eyes briefly flicked over to me, and I swear I almost jumped out of my skin. Lyn, of course, was unbothered. She twirled around playfully, presenting the doors like it was some grand reveal.

"And here we are! My dad’s abode, where the mighty Cat Boss lives."

I let out a pathetic whimper, my stomach twisting into knots. My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest and run to look for safety in the forest. But with no other choice, I shuffled after her, trying to keep my knees from buckling under me.

Lyn gave me a reassuring smile before pushing the doors open. I could feel the weight of the moment sinking in, my entire body trembling like a wet kitten. I was about to meet the Cat Boss, and I had no idea what would happen next. 

As Lyn and I stepped into the room, I immediately felt my legs go weak. The air inside was thick and heavy with a sense of authority and power, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it was rattling my ribs. Lyn, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. With a mischievous grin, she placed her soft hands on my bony goblin shoulders and gave me a gentle but firm shove forward, pushing me into the center of the room.

“Go on,” she whispered playfully behind me, her voice a soft tease, as if we were entering some harmless game. My heart raced as my feet stumbled forward, my panic rising with every step. My eyes darted around the room wildly, searching for some escape, some corner where I could melt into the shadows and disappear forever. My tiny goblin brain was firing on all cylinders, but it was like all the gears were jammed at once. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t move right, and my breaths came out in quick, shallow gasps.

Just as I was about to turn to Lyn and whimper out a pathetic plea for help, I saw him. The Cat Boss.

There was no mistaking it. He was the leader of the cat people, the alpha of this entire village. He stood in front of a massive wooden table, his back turned to us. His posture was solid and unyielding, like a mountain that refused to be moved. Draped over his broad shoulders was a long, flowing cape that almost touched the ground, and on his head sat a large, regal hat with his furry cat ears poking out, twitching slightly as if sensing our presence.

Even from behind, I could tell this was no ordinary leader. His dark fur, thick and matted in places, was a testament to his battle-hardened life. Despite standing on two legs, unlike Lyn, he had an unmistakably feline shape. His muscles rippled beneath his fur. He looked like a giant cat with a humanoid stance, and his presence alone made the room feel smaller.

Then, slowly, he began to turn around. His eyes, sharp as daggers, locked onto me first, and I felt the blood drain from my face. A low, deep growl escaped from his throat, rumbling like distant thunder. His gaze was so intense, so piercing, it was like my skin was burning under it. Every fiber of my being screamed to run, to flee, but my legs were rooted to the spot, trembling uncontrollably. I was sure that one more step from him, and I'd crumble into a useless heap on the floor.

But then, as if some invisible switch flipped, everything changed.

His terrifying demeanor melted away the moment his eyes shifted from me to Lyn. In an instant, the fierce, battle-hardened Cat Boss was gone, replaced by something entirely different. Without warning, he let out an overjoyed yowl and leaped toward Lyn, scooping her up into his massive arms.

“Lyn!” he roared, his deep voice now full of warmth and love as he spun her around like she weighed nothing.

 “My little girl!”

Lyn giggled, kicking her legs playfully as he lifted her into the air.

 "Hi, Snufful! I was out barely a week and you miss me already?"

The Cat Boss, this towering, fearsome figure, was now twirling his daughter around the room like she was still a kitten. His huge paws, once clenched in intimidating fists, now held her close, his rough, battle-worn face nuzzling against her cheek. He purred loudly, the sound rumbling through the room like a soft thunderstorm, and I stood there, completely dumbfounded. My brain, already struggling to process everything, was now in complete overdrive. This was the same Cat Boss who had just scared me senseless? The same figure of power and fear was now cooing over his daughter like she was the most precious thing in the world.

He finally set Lyn down, but not before giving her a few more tight squeezes, his eyes full of pride and adoration.

 "You’ve been gone too long! You know I hate it when you leave the village without telling me!" he grumbled, though it was clear there wasn’t a single shred of anger in his voice. It was all affection.

Lyn laughed, swatting at his arm playfully.

 “I know, I know. But I had to! Besides, look what I found,” she said, nudging me forward again with her foot.

The Cat Boss’s eyes fell on me once more, but this time they weren’t full of the same intensity. Instead, they were more curious than anything else. His gaze softened a little, though I still felt incredibly small under his watch.

“And who’s this little mudball?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but all that came out was a pathetic squeak. Lyn chuckled and draped an arm over my shoulder.

 “This is Hermit, and he’s got a story you’ll want to hear.”

I trembled under his gaze, but to my surprise, the Cat Boss gave a hearty chuckle and ruffled Lyn’s hair.

 “If you say so, little one. But you better tell me everything. I don’t want you getting into trouble with shady goblins!”

I stood there, shaking, my feet rooted to the floor as the Cat Boss’s massive frame loomed over me. Lyn, playful as ever, gave me a little nudge, whispering, “Go on, tell him.” 

But my throat was as dry as sandpaper, and my mind was spinning in a million directions at once. The enormity of the situation weighed down on me like a mountain. I was about to talk to the most powerful cat person in the village, and all I could think about was how much I didn’t want to mess this up.

The Cat Boss leaned against his large wooden table, arms crossed, waiting for me to speak. His intense gaze, though not as terrifying as it was moments ago, still held enough authority to make my knees wobble. Lyn, noticing my hesitance, gave me another playful shove. 

“Come on, Hermit. My dad doesn’t bite... well, not unless you’re a real troublemaker.”

I tried to gulp, but my throat was dry. My voice finally cracked through the silence, barely above a whisper. 

“I... I come from the forest... breeding farms, y-your greatness,” I stammered, struggling to find the right words.

 “I-I was sent by Rakrak, an evil goblin master. He... he wants alliances. H-hatchlings... my kin... they suffer...”

The Cat Boss raised a brow, his ears flicking forward in interest.

 “Rakrak? An evil goblin master, you say. Never heard his name before.” 

He stroked his chin, his claws tapping lightly against his fur as his eyes remained fixed on me. The weight of his gaze felt like a thousand rocks.