Catgirls And Dungeons

Since the release of Fantasy Impact in 2020, gacha games have taken the world by storm. It was a breathtaking open-world experience, capturing the hearts of millions with its stunning visuals, captivating soundtrack, and its beautifully designed characters.

The game offered an impressive array of waifus to summon. From the cutest anime lolies to the hottest mommy milkers, from the most sexy, unholy succubi to the most divine priestess, it truly has them all.

It wasn't just diehard otakus who fell under its spell; people from all walks of life found themselves unexpectedly drawn into it, collecting waifus and stuck in the hell of artifact grind.

Now, four years later, Fantasy Impact still remains untouchable at the top, despite the flood of so-called "Fantasy Impact killers." It boasts the highest concurrent player count, generates the most revenue, and continues to dominate the genre.

For players like me, the magic still hasn't faded.

Even though I've long since stopped spending money (yeah, thanks to the ongoing global recession!) my love for the game remains. There's something timeless about it, a thrill that keeps me logging in day after day, keeps me coming back, like a moth to a flame…

Or—

A cat to a laser pointer.

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"Whoa, dude, how many Fate Gems do you even have here? You're not rolling for LingXi?!"

Mark stares at the screen of smartphone, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Mark is my 25-year-old gym buddy and a fellow gacha addict. Two years ago, I convinced him to try Fantasy Impact. 

Big mistake.

Now, he's more obsessed than I am.

Today, after our usual post-workout walk home, the conversation drifts to the game as always. Turns out, Mark has just obliterated half his paycheck on LingXi, the game's newest character. Not only did he max her out, but he also snagged her exclusive weapon, maxed it refinement also. 

That's right.

Everything – maxed.

Half his salary – gone in a flash.

But does he look regretful now? 

Nope! He's even grinning like he just won the lottery!

And honestly? I get it.

LingXi is just chef's kiss perfection. She's a dragon goddess with, uh, generous proportions, a silky, seductive voice, and hugeeee damage. Her demo trailer even included a freaking tail massaging scene, and some feet action!

If it were me a few years ago, when I still had money to throw around, I'd definitely have rolled for one or two copies, maybe even grabbed her weapon.

But… times have changed.

Now, as a proud, disciplined, free-to-play player, I have to be smart with my resources. That means saving every last Fate Gem for the one waifu who truly matters!

Purraphina!.

And so –

"Nope!" I shake my head. "I told you, I'm saving for my wife, Purraphina!"

"Ehh?" Mark sighs, shaking his head. "Catgirls over meta, huh?"

"Yup!" I puff out my chest like a man of conviction.

Of course.

Not only catgirls over meta, but catgirls over everything!

Purraphina is a limited S-rank character, and while she's not meta-breaking, nor does she have a place in any meta team now, I don't freaking care.

She's adorable, sassy, and has a backstory so sad that it can emotionally wreck anyone! Sure, she's a little noisy and constantly picking fights, but that's just part of her charm. She's impossible not to love.

And of course, she's a catgirl.

A tiny, loli catgirl who swings a giant iron sword like it's a toothpick.

And if that wasn't enough?

She purrs when you pat her head.

Come on. How am I supposed to resist that?!

Not to mention, from the moment I started playing, I had made a sacred vow that I would collect every catgirl in the game, no matter what. Because I'm a catgirl connoisseur now, the collector of catgirls!

I lost the 50/50 on her last banner, though. And it hurt. Like, soul-crushingly hurt.

But this time?

I'm ready.

I'm freaking ready.

I've saved up enough Fate Gems to guarantee a copy of her and her signature weapon. I haven't spent a single pull in two whole patches. Now, I'm fully prepared.

Two more weeks. That's all I have to wait.

Soon, Purraphina will finally be mine.

——————————-

As we continue walking, our conversation drifts to other topics while the city buzzes around us in the fading light. The sun sets, bathing the world in a soft, orange glow. 

But just as we approach an intersection, something suddenly catches my eye.

"…Wait… what? A cosplayer?"

Across the street, I see her, a lone cosplayer standing on the other side of the road.

Oh my… she's gorgeous!

She's wearing a black gothic-style dress, adorned with white cross stitches and red ruffled trim along the hem and sleeves. The dress has a short, flared skirt with a layered design, paired with black high-heeled shoes. Meanwhile, her short white hair frames a striking face.

And the best part? She's a catgirl! My heart skips a beat, then another, as if it's pounding in time with my shock.

Yet something feels… off.

I don't recognize her.

How can that be? A catgirl I don't know? Impossible!

Is she from a new game? A character I haven't heard of? How could I have missed something like this?

I turn to my friend Mark, who stands beside me.

"Mark, do you know who that catgirl is? What game or anime is she from?" I ask.

Mark tilts his head, a confused look on his face.

"Huh? What catgirl? What are you talking about?"

"Her! The catgirl! Don't you see the cosplayer standing right there?" I point directly at her, but Mark just shakes his head, his brow furrowing in bewilderment.

"What? I don't see anyone." He squints in the direction I'm indicating. "Hey, are you messing with me? There's no one there."

"What?!" I exclaim, blinking rapidly as my gaze darts back to where she stands. How can he not see her? There's no one else on that side of the road!

My mind reels.

Am I going crazy?

"Bro, are you okay? You're not hallucinating or something, right? Did you eat something weird?" Mark asks.

I turn back to the figure, blinking repeatedly as I try to clear my head. But no matter how many times I look, she's still there, undeniable.

Could it be truly… a hallucination?

Sure, we're in Canada, but I haven't touched anything since graduating college and landing my first job. There's no way this is a hallucination, right?

My heart races, pounding in my chest like a relentless drum. I see her clearly, yet Mark insists he sees nothing.

Is he the crazy one? 

Or am I?

"Bro," Mark begins again, "I really think you should see a doctor. I know a good psychiatrist I can refer you to if—"

But before he can finish, my attention snaps back to the cosplaying catgirl. She's crossing the road.

My blood runs cold.

Wait...

What?

Why is she crossing right now? 

And why isn't she watching for oncoming cars?

A truck speeds straight toward her!!!

!!!

Without thinking, my body reacts on pure instinct! Something inside me snaps, and I run as fast as I can. Hallucination? Schizophrenia? None of that matters now!

There's a real person in front of me, about to be hit by a truck!

I have to do something!

But… in the end, I'm not fast enough.

The truck barrels forward, colliding with both me and the catgirl. A shattering pain rips through me. A blinding, all-consuming agony, and then… nothing.

A deep, suffocating void engulfs me.

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Character image: Mysterious catgirl cosplayer 

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