The morning mist still hung over the plains when a sudden clamor broke the stillness.

Footsteps thundered down the dirt road—dozens of them—accompanied by the ragged gasps of men running for their lives.

"What's gotten into them?" one of the guards muttered.

Standing by the roadside, Liyi Yi narrowed her emerald eyes and turned toward the sound. A group of hunters was racing toward Amestris City, their faces pale and drenched in sweat, as if death itself had been chasing them.

Something was wrong.

"Gather everyone," Liyi Yi said sharply, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "We're going into the city. Now."

"Yes, ma'am!" Her retainers scattered, urgency breaking their calm composure.

As the others moved, Liyi Yi remained still for a moment, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Carson… you better come back safe," she murmured under her breath.

Her heart felt heavy. Carson had led the hunting team out the day before, saying they'd go farther this time. They hadn't returned overnight.

On a ridge outside the city walls, three beastfolk watched the commotion from above.

"What's the situation down there?" growled the lion-headed orc, his golden mane bristling in the wind.

The wolf-headed orc shaded his eyes, his gravelly voice hoarse. "Looks like the city's under alert. Everyone's running in. Refugees maybe?"

"Are we heading in too?" he asked.

The lion-headed orc shook his head. "Not yet. We'd draw too much attention looking like this."

The bear-headed orc, scratching the back of his thick neck, tilted his head. "Could be a beast tide. You think it's reached this far?"

"Impossible," the lion-headed orc snapped. "The Wandry Forest is a good distance away. A beast tide wouldn't make it out this far."

"Maybe," the bear-headed one muttered. He wasn't convinced.

"Wait," the wolf-headed orc murmured, pointing toward the city walls. "The three chiefs of Amestris are out there. All three of them."

"What?" The lion-headed orc squinted, his eyes narrowing.

Indeed, at the front line of the city walls stood three figures, unmistakable even at a distance.

The first on the left was Bone Liergu, the Tier Seven Awakened they'd met two nights ago—his skeletal armor gleaming like ivory under the pale morning light.

The middle figure was far smaller, wrapped head to toe in white bandages. Not even an inch of skin was visible. The air around him carried a cold, eerie stillness. That was Shroud-Flying Corpse, one of Amestris City's three chiefs.

And to the right stood a being that looked almost human, save for the black hair cascading down to his heels—front and back—concealing nearly his whole body. Only half a face was visible, and that half looked like it had long since forgotten what warmth felt like.

That was Dorian, known as the Black Hair Demon, the third of Amestris's great leaders.

The bear-headed orc frowned. "So something big really is happening. Only one of the city's four heads isn't here. The other three came out in person."

The wolf-headed orc licked his dry lips nervously. "Maybe we should get inside too. Whatever's coming, we'll be safer behind walls."

The lion-headed orc hesitated, his tail flicking with tension. After a moment, he exhaled through his nose. "Fine. Let's move."

The three vaulted down the hill, their cloaks flaring as they charged toward Amestris.

On the city wall, Nijisha stood with her cloak hood pulled low. Every soldier and awakened standing beside her was dressed for battle. From her vantage, she could see the trembling treeline in the distance.

"Why would an ancient wild beast attack the city?" she muttered. "Doesn't it sense Lord City Lord's aura?"

Her thoughts tangled between fear and relief.

Fear, because if the ancient beast truly came for Amestris, the city could be reduced to dust.

Relief, because it meant she wouldn't have to hand Yanlu over just yet. The longer this chaos lasted, the longer Yanlu would live.

Around her, soldiers whispered among themselves.

"Maybe the creature felt provoked by the Lord's presence," said one.

"Could be. Remember last time? That wild brute charged straight at us and got slaughtered by Master Bonegun. We ate like kings for a week."

"Yeah," another added, voice trembling with excitement. "If the chiefs are coming out again, this beast must be something fierce."

"Hah. Whatever it is, it's coming here to die. Get your knives ready—I'm eating good tonight."

Their laughter echoed faintly against the stone walls, brittle and nervous.

At the city gate, Carson and his hunting team finally arrived, their boots pounding against the dirt. Despite the panic around them, Carson's face was oddly calm—determined, not afraid.

"Carson, here!"

A familiar voice cut through the noise.

He turned. There she was—Liyi Yi—standing by the gate with a few of her retainers. He waved, quickened his steps, and broke through the crowd.

"Everyone's safe?" Liyi Yi asked, scanning his team.

"Safe, yes," Carson replied with a rueful shake of his head. "But we didn't bring back a single kill. Not even a rabbit out there."

Liyi Yi sighed with relief. "As long as you're all alive, that's what matters."

Carson hesitated, his eyes darting around. "Young mistress… I think I know what's going on."

"Oh?" she said, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You do?"

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "It's almost the same as what happened at Tenth Floor City."

Liyi Yi's eyes widened. "You mean Black Tortoise City?"

Carson nodded. "It's not far from here. If I'm right, they'll be here soon."

"So you're saying…" She glanced around at the chaos in the streets, people shouting, horses neighing, carts overturning. "Everyone's panicking over nothing?"

"Maybe," Carson said. "But if Black Tortoise is coming for trade, it's fine. If not…"

He didn't finish. He didn't need to.

"I hope it's just trade," Liyi Yi whispered. "Amestris isn't Tenth Floor City. If things go wrong, blood will spill before words are spoken."

Not far from where they stood, another scene was unfolding—a noisy, ridiculous one.

"Well, well," sneered the lion-headed orc, his mane puffing up like a furious flame. "If it isn't you two again. Got the guts to show your faces here?"

Across from him stood two young women—Carmilla, one hand on her hip, her crimson cloak fluttering, and beside her, Mia, the cool, aloof cat-eared girl who seemed perpetually unimpressed.

"You three can stand here, but we can't?" Carmilla shot back, her voice dripping with disdain.

She wasn't afraid of the orcs—Amestris had rules, after all. And even if the city was in chaos, she doubted these three would dare start a fight here.

"Ugh, they reek," Mia said softly, taking a deliberate step back.

"What did you say?!" The lion-headed orc's eyes blazed with fury. His claws unsheathed with a metallic snikt as he bared his fangs. "You rotten little—!"

"Calm down," muttered the wolf-headed orc, catching his companion by the arm. "Not here. You'll get yourself killed before you even scratch her."

The lion-headed orc trembled with rage, his muscles bulging. "Damn it! Damn it!" he growled, glaring daggers at Mia.

She turned her head away, her expression pure disgust. "Pathetic."

That single word broke him.

"Don't hold me back!" he roared, thrashing against the wolf-headed orc's grip. "I'll tear that smug face apart!"

"Suit yourself," the wolf-head muttered and let go.

The lion-headed orc lunged forward—only to stop dead two steps away. His claws hovered uselessly in the air. Mia hadn't even moved, but a shadow spread under her feet like a living thing, whispering around his ankles.

He froze.

Slowly, he turned his head toward his companions.

The wolf-head shrugged innocently, as if to say, You told me not to stop you.

The bear-headed orc turned away, shoulders trembling violently.

"Don't laugh," hissed the wolf-head under his breath.

"I—I'm trying," the bear-head wheezed, tears welling in his small eyes. "I can't—pfft—help it!"

Then came the inevitable snort. Followed by helpless, booming laughter.

The bear-headed orc doubled over, clutching his belly.

"Hold it together!" the wolf-head whispered, kicking his friend lightly.

"I'm already trying!" the bear-head wheezed between laughs.

The lion-headed orc, cheeks burning, forced his claws back in and stood tall as if nothing had happened.

"Hmph. I'm in a good mood today," he muttered. "You're lucky."

"Pfft—hahaha!" Carmilla couldn't hold back any longer. She burst out laughing, hands on her knees. "Oh, gods, he really called himself good-tempered! Big kitty's about to explode!"

"Don't laugh so loud," Mia said, retracting the shadow beneath her feet.

But even she couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Though… it was funny."

Carmilla wiped her tears, still giggling. "Big cat! That's perfect."

The lion-headed orc froze mid-step. Big… cat?

His fur stood on end.

He was a proud warrior of the Lionkin tribes—feared, respected, deadly in battle.

And these two human girls had just called him a big cat.

His fists trembled, and for a second, he looked ready to explode again. But then his eyes darted toward his companions—the wolf-head pretending to study the clouds, and the bear-head still shaking from laughter.

The lion-headed orc inhaled slowly.

He exhaled even slower.

Then, stiff as a statue, he turned away.

He would remember this.

He would definitely remember this.

Because as the saying goes—

Even a tiger, when it hides its claws, is mistaken for a house cat.

And one day soon, they'd learn just how wrong they were.

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