I Became a Mountain Tiger in a Fantasy World

< Chapter 1: Can You Pet a Tiger? >

Once, there was a time when I was obsessed with cat videos on YouTube.

Maybe it was because the world was tough and harsh, but just watching them was enough to make me feel good.

Seeing the kittens play made me smile and feel happy, and I thought, “Is this why people keep cats?”

As I watched videos of cats eating well, playing well, and sleeping well, a question arose.

‘Are these guys living better than me…?’

Some people are struggling to pay off student loans, apartment loan interest, maintenance fees, electricity bills, water bills, and living expenses.

“Slurp.”

So, I lived my life just staring at my phone while eating ramen.

[Oh~ You’re eating well! So cute!!]

[Cats save the world♡]

[(10,000 won) I feel healed!]

Those cats make money just by playing, eating, and pooping.

“Ha, life.”

Suddenly, life felt even harsher.

But, I was too old to quit the job I barely managed to get.

So, I started a side job.

Writing web novels.

Honestly, it was more about expressing my desire to escape from a harsh reality than making money.

Of course, there was also the hope that if things went well, I might become a novelist, a dream I once had.

But, did I push myself too hard?

─Drip.

I stared at the blood dripping onto the desk and then slammed my head on the laptop.

In my skewed vision, I saw a fallen water bottle and red liquid mixing with the spilled water.

‘Oh, damn. This isn’t good…’

Fear gripped me as sleepiness suddenly overwhelmed me. Am I going to die like this?

I wanted to live. I really wanted to live.

How could I survive?

I couldn’t move my body, so I just rolled my eyes around. Then, I cursed inwardly.

‘In my next life, let me be born as a cat.’

Please, let me live a life getting petted and enjoying all the perks.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, the Goddess of Light, Sol, was deep in thought.

‘The last one.’

It was about planting a seed of possibility to save the continent of Aiden. She couldn’t handle this task carelessly.

Sol guided the ‘possibility’ to the human who shone the brightest among the wheel of fate.

The last piece to adapt to the continent and become a member of the ‘Hero Party!’

“I choose you!”

Flash! A burst of light enveloped his soul.

At that moment, his soul, full of infinite possibilities, was summoned to the continent of Aiden.

Whether he would become the last piece or fail to seize the opportunity depended on his fate.

‘Will it succeed this time?’

The goddess’s gaze turned to one soul.

* * *

In my next life, I fervently wished to be born as a cat.

Was that why? I stared blankly ahead.

In front of my eyes, there was what people commonly called a ‘status window.’

「You have been chosen by Sol.」
「Realize your potential in this place.」

The radiant text was like graphics from a game system.

Strangely, as soon as I saw the text, I understood its meaning.

This place referred to the Continent of Aiden, and realizing my potential meant that I would be reincarnated.

‘Reincarnation in another world? This is awesome!’

As if someone was directing the scene, as soon as I understood the meaning of the text, the light scattered, and the next text appeared.

Seeing that, I doubted whether this was reincarnation or if I had been transported into a novel or game.

「Choose your race」

What? Is this really a game?

「It is simply taking a form you can most easily accept.」

Ah, I see.

At that moment, various things came to mind.

Dragons breathing fire, elves using bows and magic.

Dwarves hammering on anvils and orcs roaring on vast wastelands.

And humans who embodied all those ‘possibilities.’

I didn’t know why these images came to mind, but instinctively, I knew I had to choose one of them.

“Dragon? Isn’t a dragon the best?”

「Your soul lacks the potential.」

No way. Then why did you even include it as an option?

Feeling deflated, I looked at the other options.

‘None of them are appealing.’

Elves? Their glamorous appearance was nice, but they looked tired just by their appearance.

How much effort would it take to learn magic or archery?

If I lacked talent, I would fall behind. Just thinking about it was awful.

The same went for dwarves.

I skipped them as soon as I saw the lava boiling in their forges.

Yeah, goodbye, hammer.

‘Should I choose orc, since I’m a man?’

Honestly, if a man were to choose a non-human race, wouldn’t it be an orc?

I imagined having a muscular body and roaring on a vast wilderness.

‘…A real man. That’s nice, but.’

Wouldn’t that also be a life full of hardships?

A dragon is definitely the best.

Just lying down and sleeping, with surrounding creatures bringing tributes on their own.

‘I want to live a sweet life too.’

At that moment, a phrase flashed through my mind.

A cat saves the world?

Then please save my tough life too.

“Cat.”

So that’s how I answered.

Actually, the thought of living a sweet life like a cat played a big part in my decision.

But it seemed that choice wasn’t entirely wrong.

As soon as I answered, the fancy status window shuddered as if it had been caught off guard.

The status window stared at me for a while before slowly displaying text.

I don’t know why I felt it was staring, but.

「You hold infinite potential.」
「Are you sure you want to choose a cat?」

Ah, I get it.

Seeing how the text is getting longer, this must be it.

“Cat.”

「Once again, I must remind you that there are many strong animals on the continent besides cats…」

“What? There are a lot of animals?”

Once again, a video played in my mind.

I saw ferocious beasts traversing a grand forest. Among these beasts, the ones that stood out the most were those with large, sharp teeth.

Massive creatures that seemed like they belonged in a fantasy world were fighting each other for survival.

It was a vivid illustration of what a primitive beast’s life was like.

Regardless of potential, even as a ‘hatchling,’ survival in such a place seemed unlikely.

It felt like they were threatening me, saying, ‘Are you sure you don’t want to choose a human?’

I grew more confident in my choice.

“I’ll be a cat.”

To be honest, I was momentarily tempted by the idea of a ‘new life’ in another world.

But…

Frankly, I was sick of struggling desperately just to survive.

That didn’t mean I wanted to throw away the precious opportunity I had just gained.

I noticed earlier that people in this world also kept pets.

Noble young ladies attending the academy seemed to compete over how cute their pets were.

Just from that, I could guess what a dog’s or cat’s life would be like in this world.

‘A noble lady’s pet?’

I imagined being a cat, nestled in their soft arms, taking a nap.

This was a no-brainer.

“Cat.”

The status window, seemingly resolute after my stern answer, scrawled new text.

「Indeed… Do you intend to show greater potential in a harsh environment?」

「Understood.」

As expected of the status window.

It managed to wrap up my petty reasons so nicely.

Oh, by the way.

“Please make me the cutest and strongest breed of cat.”

Just in case, I took out some insurance.

It would be too sad if I died before choosing a master.

But unfortunately, such tricks didn’t seem to work.

「You cannot specify detailed origins. Would you like to choose a different race?」

What? So my appearance would be a random draw?

Does the concept of ‘luck of the draw’ exist even in reincarnation?

Wow, if that’s the case, I can never choose to be human.

I was convinced. If I chose to be human, there was a 99% chance I’d be born as an ugly person in a slum.

That’s just how my luck was.

No wonder I ended up dying of overwork in this era.

“I’ll stick with being a cat.”

I shook off my worries and made my choice without regret.

Now, my miserable life was over.

This time, a happy life as a pampered cat awaited me!

Let me live a sweet life for once!

「With this, you have been granted greater potential than I had planned.」

「But remember, the greater the potential, the higher the possibility of failure.」

A narration continued, making it feel like I had made some grand choice.

For some reason, the system’s text appeared more vividly, and it felt like I could even hear a voice through the text.

「I will be watching you.」

A sweet voice echoed as my vision was filled with radiant light.

And I earnestly shouted,

Please! Let me be a cute, small cat!

‘Did it work?!’

.

.

.

.

At that moment, I didn’t realize.

How presumptuous it was to wish for a cute and small cat life with my luck.

The misconception that all cats are cute and loved.

It didn’t take long to realize that was a mistake.

* * *

Swoosh!

A week after the light filled my vision.

“Purr purr.”

I had indeed become a small creature, no longer human.

“Purr.”

With short, chubby legs and large eyes that took up half of my face, along with an adorably tiny nose.

With soft, perky ears, I looked like I was destined for the cat life I had dreamed of.

Reflected in the river, my appearance wasn’t bad at all.

But.

“Grrr.”

Soon, a low-frequency growl started accompanying my purring.

As I let out this low frequency, animals that didn’t realize I was still just a weak cub ran away in fear.

This was the power of my skill.

“Whoosh─!”

However, there were real beasts that weren’t fazed by such low frequencies.

“Grrr.”

I spat out the meat I was chewing and looked up at the sky.

【Razor Owl Lv.12】

Damn, a double-digit level?

Luckily, it wasn’t night, so its vision would be impaired.

But the fact that it was out during the day meant it was very hungry.

‘Let’s run.’

I quickly climbed down from the tree and hid in the bushes.

As soon as I hid,

Crash!

A pile of stones where I landed flew up with the sound of flapping wings.

“Guruk!”

The owl, having failed its hunt, soared high into the sky, venting its frustration.

I crawled as low as possible through the bushes.

‘Damn it.’

Yeah. The pampered, sweet cat life I had imagined didn’t exist.

Moreover, I wasn’t even a cat.

I was a member of the feline family…

【Weak Siberian Tiger Cub Lv.3】

I had been reincarnated as a tiger.

Isn’t this a scam?

Roar!