Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 30: Chef Gordon

It turns out it was Gordon who saved me from those men. I owe him more than I could ever repay—more than words could ever convey.

"T-thank you so much, Chef Gordon," I say, bowing deeply, my voice trembling with gratitude. My heart feels like it might burst. "If you hadn't been there... I don't even want to think about what could've happened last night."

Gordon smiles warmly, shaking his head as if it were nothing. "No need to thank me. I just did what anyone would've done. Besides," he adds with a chuckle, nodding toward Eris, "if something had happened to you, this one here would've skinned me alive."

I glance at Eris, who's standing nearby, her arms crossed and her expression still simmering with barely contained fury. Though her rage has cooled somewhat, the fire in her eyes hasn't dimmed.

"Those bastards dared to make my girl cry?" Eris growls, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles whiten. "I'm going to make them regret they were ever born. Old man," she snaps, turning to Gordon, "did you catch their IDs? What rank were they?"

Gordon strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm... if I remember correctly, they were D-rank."

"D-rank?" Eris scoffs, her lips curling into a grin that's equal parts dangerous and delighted. "Pathetic. I'll teach them a lesson they'll never forget."

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But something about this doesn't sit right with me. My stomach churns as I remember the ID Eris showed me earlier. Her rank is...

"W-wait a minute!" I blurt out, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. "Eris, please don't do anything reckless! I know you're angry, but... you're only E-rank. Those guys are D-rank—they're supposed to be stronger than you!"

Eris doesn't even flinch. Instead, she looks at me with a smirk that's both reassuring and slightly terrifying, as if the idea of being outranked is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

"Huh? So what?" she says, flipping her hair back with a casual flick of her wrist. "I'm going to break their arms so they'll think twice before messing with you again. Trust me, Felicia. They won't know what hit them."

"Actually," Gordon interjects, his voice calm but firm, "Felicia's right. You shouldn't get involved, Eris. Let me handle this. I'll talk to those two when they show their faces again. And if they don't listen..." He pauses, his tone darkening. "I'll give them a warning they won't soon forget."

Eris's brows furrow, her lips pressing into a thin line as she considers his words. For a moment, it looks like she might argue, but then she relents with a frustrated click of her tongue.

"Tsk... fine," she mutters, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "But you'd better make sure they get what's coming to them."

"I will," Gordon assures her, his voice steady and confident. "You have my word."

I hesitate, my gaze flickering nervously between them. "B-but Chef Gordon," I stammer, "are you really stronger than them?"

Gordon chuckles lightly, the sound warm and reassuring. Without a word, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out an ID card, holding it up for me to see. The glint in his eyes tells me everything I need to know—there's more to this kind old man than meets the eye.

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Name: Gordon Ramsset

Date of Birth: November 8, 1286

Race: Sheep Furren

Hometown: Sablethorn - Zehrak Desert

Adventurer Rank: B

Criminal Record: None

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"So, is that enough proof for you?" Gordon grins, his confidence radiating like the warmth of a hearth.

"Wowwwww!" I exclaim, my eyes wide with awe. "Chef Gordon, you're incredible! Wait... Zehrak Desert? Isn't that where Eris is from?"

"Yup," Eris chimes in, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "The old man's actually a retired adventurer from Zehrakia. He used to fight alongside my father back in the day—they were practically inseparable."

"Ooooh! Really?" I gasp, my curiosity piqued.

"That's right!" Gordon confirms with a hearty chuckle. "I was knee-deep in dungeons, slaying monsters, when one day it hit me—I needed to spend more time with my daughter." He turns to Eris, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "And I've known this little kitty since she was no bigger than a loaf of bread! Eris, you used to be so much more adorable back then."

"Huh? A loaf of what? What are you even talking about, old man?" Eris snaps, her cheeks flushing slightly. I can't help but giggle at her reaction.

It all makes sense now—why Eris calls him "old man" with such fondness. Their bond runs deeper than I realized.

"So rest assured," Gordon says, patting my shoulder with a reassuring hand. "With me around, no one's going to mess with you!"

"Yup," Eris adds, nodding firmly. "He may be old, but he's reliable. If you ever run into trouble, just go to him."

A wave of relief washes over me, and I smile gratefully. "Thank you so much, Chef Gordon!"

The heavy weight of fear that had been pressing down on me begins to lift. Knowing someone as strong and dependable as Gordon is looking out for me makes me feel safe—safer than I've felt in a long time.

But then, Gordon's expression shifts, his tone growing more serious. "Still," he says, his voice lowering slightly, "you need to be careful, Felicia. Especially because... well, you're quite pretty in the eyes of men like those."

"Ah, y-you're right..." I mumble, suddenly feeling self-conscious. My hands instinctively clutch at the hem of my dress. Maybe it's not safe to wear such cute clothes in public. What if I attract more unwanted attention?

"Nah, don't worry about that!" Eris interrupts, flashing me a confident smile. "I'm with you, remember?"

"And don't underestimate Eris," Gordon adds, his tone firm. "She may be E-rank, but she's stronger than she looks. You're in good hands."

I glance at Eris, her bright smile lifting my spirits. "A-alright," I say, nodding slowly. "I trust Eris."

"Hehe," Eris giggles, playfully nudging me with her elbow.

"Actually, wait here for a moment," Gordon says, turning and heading into the back room.

A few minutes later, he returns, holding something in his hands—a weapon.

"Here," he says, handing it to me. "Take this."

It's a messer sword, a sleek, single-edged blade still sheathed in its scabbard. The weight feels perfect in my hands—balanced, sturdy, yet surprisingly light. Slowly, I draw the blade, the metal gleaming as it catches the light.

"Woaaaah!" I gasp, my eyes widening as I take in the intricate wavy patterns etched into the steel.

Is that... Damascus steel?

"It's my old sword," Gordon explains, his voice tinged with pride. "But it's still sharp and strong. I just sharpened it a few days ago. Consider it my apology for what happened."

"T-thank you, Chef Gordon!" I bow deeply, my heart swelling with gratitude. "But... are you sure? It must be incredibly valuable."

"Nah," Eris says with a grin. "He's got a whole arsenal of weapons lying around."

"Exactly," Gordon laughs, waving a hand dismissively. "And besides, I'm a chef now. I don't need a sword to slice vegetables! Better it protect you than collect dust in storage."

My eyes sting with emotion as I bow again. "Thank you... thank you so much for this precious gift!"

"Hehe, I'll teach you some basic sword techniques," Eris says, helping me strap the sword to a baldric that fits snugly across my chest. "With a little practice, you'll be able to defend yourself in no time!"

"Yes!" I nod enthusiastically, a newfound sense of confidence surging through me.

Once the sword is secured, I feel different—stronger, more capable, as if I'm ready to face whatever comes my way.

"So, how are you feeling now? Better?" Eris asks, her voice soft but encouraging.

"Yes, much better!" I reply, nodding firmly.

"Good," Eris says, her smile widening. "Now, shall we head out?"

"Nn!"

With that, we bid Gordon farewell and step outside, the morning light bathing Mistvale in a golden glow. The world feels brighter, safer, and full of possibilities.