STOMACHS WITH NOTHING INSIDE

"Nobody won in the manner you did, really," Sean said, chewing on a fried fish, comfortably sitting at the dining table in his room, with Lirzod and Hundred playing as guests. "The struggle of a live fish must have triggered the sleeping instincts of the six gourmet saints. They've always tasted dead fish, so they weren't able to hold themselves from attacking that 'living' gunfish. It's funny how you won because the fish survived your spear strike. Either way, a win is a win as long as no rules are broken."

Lirzod didn't say anything. Even though he took whatever risks he could and came out as a winner, he was still being judged instead of getting praised. It wasn't just Sean, but most of the audience had crudely remarked him for winning it in the manner he did. Because of the demotivating comments people had made, Lirzod soon lost the thrill and the joy of winning. Currently, he seemed okay because he was trying to control his emotions and set his expectations low.

"Mm?" Sean looked at the food items placed before Lirzod. "You haven't touched dried meat yet."

"Is there a problem?" asked Lirzod while sipping sugarcane juice.

"Not really. I was just wondering why you didn't even sniff it," he said and glanced at Hundred, "when your friend has finished three full plates already."

Hundred scratched his cheek with an embarrassed look, and he couldn't speak.

"I'm not that interested in dried meat, which doesn't even need a sniff," said Lirzod.

"What?" both Sean and Hundred were surprised. "You don't like dried meat? Why?" both of them asked simultaneously.

"I don't like dried meat…" Lirzod sipped some more sugarcane juice before looking at them both once at a time, raising the tension in the room, "because I don't."

"Huh?" Sean and Hundred's faces warped into that of weasels. They felt like they lost some brain cells from trying to get their heads around what Lirzod had just said.

"At least have some chicken," exhorted Sean.

"I don't have a problem with that," Lirzod's hand reached out for a chicken breast. As he brought it closer to his mouth, his hand stopped in midair. He pressed his lips and then put the meat back on the platter.

"Mm? What's wrong?" Sean was baffled. "You didn't like this one's smell, too?"

"That's not it…" Lirzod said and grinned as he pointed his finger at his mouth. "With four missing teeth, it's hard to rip a chunk off of it."

"O-Oh, yeah. You're right," Sean cleared his throat. "Pardon me for not considering that. Otherwise, I'd have imported some veggies from Stray Park and would have made very many curries instead of meat dishes. After boiling them well and fully getting rid of the disease-causing germs, of course."

"Meat would've been fine, too, if they were made into meatballs," Hundred opined.

Sean was a little surprised. "Yes."

Everyone then resumed with whatever they were having before. Lirzod, too, continued taking in more of the sugarcane juice.

"Actually, there's this thing I've been meaning to ask you," Lirzod hesitantly voiced his mind.

"Go on. I'm in a good mood," Sean said and even smiled. "The food also tastes good."

"I… I was just wondering why you put so many cats behind closed doors."

Sean's brow jerked a bit, for he guessed where the conversation was going. The smile was still settled on his face.

"Can't you free the wounded or the unhealthy cats?" Lirzod continued, "Why keep them congested in that cat home? You even put a reward for those who capture and bring the cats back to the test hall. Why go that far and take their freedom away?"

"First of all, I didn't put them there. I'm just following the rules," Sean said and whistled. Moments later, his cat, Gray, came running out of nowhere and jumped onto his shoulder. Sean tossed it a small fish bone, and it began to crunch on it. "And we used the back-up cats to run the deck tests for now, but then, it will take some time for the cats to be imported to this deck, so we had no other choice but to depend on others to bring those escapees back to us. You see, I like cats. More than you can imagine, I don't like seeing them get hurt. "

"Oh, I get it now. You became the commander of this deck to help the cats, huh," Lirzod seemed to have come to a conclusion.

"Uh, well, partly, yes," Sean replied, looking a bit out of place. "Since I've become the commander, I've brought some new rules. One such rule is that no cat should be used more than a hundred times in Cat Conflict. Previously, that number was at 300, and most cats couldn't even last that long. I think I've taken a big step forward by doing what I did."

"How do you keep track of the number? You don't even use tags."

"Actually, every cat is given a PIN. Permanent identification number," he lifted Gray's head, and on its chin was a number: 4K9618125. "The assistant referee keeps track of their conflict count."

Lirzod stayed silent, but his expression showed that he wasn't that pleased.

"You don't seem convinced. You should know that we don't even train these cats, for they come to us, having already received training from the beastmasters. They are the kind of people who train the cats so carefully that they won't even hurt their fur. After all, if they were to abuse the cats, then they would never be willing to stand in a ring surrounded by humans and another of the same kind chasing after them. In fact, the beastmasters somehow strengthen the spirit of these animals to an extent that they won't fear facing not just humans but even tigers," he glanced at Gray once. "Otherwise, an ordinary cat, a justbeast, can't ever dare swing its claws at humans much less elephants unless it's gone bat-shit crazy. That's why fierce cats like Bruiser, who always thrive on their chaotic spirit, often stand out."

Four trainees of the drill hall, who were standing behind Sean all this while, didn't look to be feeling alright. They couldn't digest that their master was going out of his way to explain trivial things to a guy who was partly responsible for the mishappening in the test hall. However, they didn't know that it was Lirzod who had given so much gold for the welfare of the cat home. The amount Lirzod had donated was not a joke, for an ordinary family could happily live many generations with that.

"Isn't mixing so much water in milk when feeding those cats is also a form of abuse?" Lirzod asked, startling Sean and Hundred. "If you can't properly feed that many cats, then you can at least reduce the number you keep in the cat home."

Sean wasn't expecting Lirzod to be so straightforward and blunt, especially when talking to him, the commander of the twelfth deck. "It's not as easy as you think," he replied patiently. "There's always a demand for deck tests. Having more cats is necessary for many reasons. As for the milk, well, if we have more in the purse than what we already have, we would obviously spend it for the bellies of those felines, for sure. But with all the existing rules, it's anything but easy to perfectly care for the cats."

Lirzod didn't look happy. He felt like he was battling a similar thing like his mother did in Helenia. Faceless Clan was known for making their cattle overwork, so the domestic animals didn't look all that healthy. Though they were freed every year and set loose in fields for a few weeks, that little time wouldn't be enough for them to fully recover, and then the following year, they'd be made to work overtime again. At least, his clansmen fed their animals decently and didn't adulterate their diet as the assistant referee did in the cattle home. Still, making their cattle work too much wasn't to some people's liking. His mother, Valli, had always tried to change the ways of the clan, especially the way they treated the cattle, and she was still trying. Lirzod remembered the time when Valli was barking at all the three clan heads that there would be a special place in hell reserved for those who abuse the animals and that the clan must change its ways. Though a temporary change had come soon afterward, it didn't last long, and the clansmen went back to their old ways. Now, even though the clan heads were wishing people to change, it wasn't so easy anymore. It was as if the clan heads pushed themselves into a corner.

"How about this?" Lirzod continued speaking, "Since the cat home isn't fully built yet, don't you think it's a perfect opportunity to make some modifications?"

"I'm listening."

"Why put all cats in the same room? Make different rooms, and put the wounded and unhealthy ones in a separate room. That makes your job easier to handle them, right? You can give special care to those that need it. And one more thing is… you can make an emergency exit for the cats. You know, I heard that the cats inside got killed many times in the past because they couldn't escape in time." Lirzod, at the moment, remembered how Hardy stomped on them, and yet Sean didn't put the brothers in the cells of the drill hall.

Sean didn't look all that comfortable anymore. "Well, both your suggestions totally spoil the idea behind an entry choosing one cat from among as many cats as possible. Of course, we won't let them choose cats that can't properly move, but still, we need the number in the room."

"C'mon, it's not like I'm asking you to put half in one room, and a half in the other," Lirzod persuaded. "As for the emergency exit, at least make it so that it can easily open when trouble knocks on the door. It may be a bit pricey, but money can't weigh a life, right? I'm only asking you to consider giving them a way to save their own lives in times of trouble."

Sean stretched his lips and looked to be in two minds. He glanced at the cat. "What do you say, Gray?"

"Meow, meow, meow," replied Gray and then licked Sean's cheek.

"Is that so?" he sighed and looked at Lirzod. "There are no particular rules saying that all cats should be kept in one place. As a commander, I have the freedom to design the cat home as I see fit. So, I'll see to it that one or two connecting rooms will be built. As for the emergency exit, it'll take some time, but I'll look into it."

"Great. Thank you," Lirzod picked up a tiny dried fish off the platter and tossed it at Gray, who caught it in haste, surprising others in the room, especially Sean and the trainees. After all, Gray wouldn't take food from just anybody. So many trainees had tried to tame Gray in many ways so they could get closer to their master, but they all failed, for Gray never showed much interest in them.

"Your cat is good," Lirzod said and giggled. "I remember breaking the fight between him and Bruiser. I thought it'd have gotten caught up in the fire, but thankfully, it didn't."

"Gray is greater than most cats in terms of character," replied Sean, in a bit of a prideful tone. "He probably thought that it was time to teach Bruiser a lesson."

A few seconds of silence passed.

Sean put up a pleasant smile for more than one reason.

"Talking about rules," Lirzod continued, "what about the one I've asked of you?"

Sean's smile dimmed a little. "I like your boldness, but don't you think this isn't the right time for having that type of conversation?"

"Why not?" Lirzod glanced at Hundred. "Tell him."

Hundred's shoulders jerked. "T-Tell what?"

"What else? About how we should climb the ship quickly."

"O-Oh, yeah," Hundred hesitantly looked at Sean. "Spending extra days on this deck is a good thing, but we wish to see many other decks as well. So..."

Sean began to chew on the meat slowly, making Hundred uncomfortable. "Your problem isn't new. Every entry wants to climb the decks in the beginning. I can totally understand that and don't have a problem with that, but…" He narrowed his eyes. "What I do have a problem with is that you guys want to change a rule on my deck but don't have the time to stay here." He flipped the fork in his hand and dug it into the wooden table. "It's like you want to stand in an election but don't want to do campaigning. What do you take the system for? What do you take me for?" he coldly looked at Lirzod but a couple of seconds later, he took a breath. "I guess you are fourteen only in number. With you who proposed this rule absent, how do you expect to get enough votes?"

"Who said I will be absent?" Lirzod replied quickly. "I will come to vote."

"Just showing up wouldn't get you votes," Sean didn't shy away from expressing himself through his expressions. "You have to go from door to door on this deck and tell people your side of the story. If you can't convince enough minds, the new rule won't get passed."

"D-Door to door?" Lirzod's mouth widened, and he looked at Hundred.

(You got this on yourself!) Hundred glanced back with displeasure.

"If you are willing to spend the time and effort, then I'll arrange the voting in a week."

"A week?" Lirzod felt like his heart dropped a bit.

"What? You think you can tour this deck by tomorrow?"

"No, it won't take that long. Let's arrange the voting today."

"What?" Sean had a bewildered look. "What are you talking about? This isn't a joke. Nobody can go from door to door in a day."

"I'm not joking," Lirzod said, standing up.

"Where are you going?" Sean couldn't help but ask.

Lirzod began to walk away. "If it can be done today, why wait for tomorrow? I'll go deal with the promotion. You take care of arranging the voting in 12 hours' time."

"12 hours? You wouldn't cover enough doors in that time," Sean also stood. "For your information, you need at least ten-thousand vote participation to change any of the copper rules!"

"Ten thousand votes, huh…" Lirzod smiled. "That shouldn't be a problem. Let's go, Hundred."

As both Lirzod and Hundred walked out, Sean had puzzlement written all over his face. He sat back in his seat and took a breath, "I don't know where his confidence is coming from, but getting ten thousand votes isn't as easy as sipping sugarcane juice." He paused for a moment and then glanced at Gray. "Money can't compare with a life, huh. I can't put a price on you because I know you, but then…" he looked at all the meat on the table, "it's not hard at all to put a price tag on every item on this table. Alas, the human heart may very well be the haziest thing out there." He leaked out a burdened breath out of his mouth.

Meanwhile, outside on the street, Hundred hurriedly scolded Lirzod, "You shouldn't have left like that. You don't get to enter a commander's room every day, especially not that of Sean Phuller."

"We've already stayed long enough," Lirzod patted on Hundred's belly. "Look how big it has swollen."

Hundred embarrassingly rubbed his belly. "W-We did, but… Whew, I'm kind of glad that even though you've asked him for many things, you didn't ask him why even make the cats fight us in the first place."

"Why do you say that?" Lirzod asked out of intrigue.

"Well, think of it like this... If you can't even catch cats inside a ring, you think you can take on real monsters that wouldn't think twice to kill and fill their bellies with us?"

"Mm," Lirzod faintly nodded. "I guess you have a point. The cats weren't really being beaten in the ring, so having Cat Conflict might not be a bad thing overall, given that the cats aren't playing on stomachs with nothing inside."

"Anyway, you have better things to worry about."

"Like what?"

"Like how in the world you are going to get ten thousand people to come for voting!" Hundred almost stood on his toes. "Even if you spend a minute for every door, you wouldn't have the required number."

"Of course, but that is only if we go door by door."

"Hm? You mean you want to hire people? I don't think that's a good idea."

"Not people but animals."

"Animals?" Hundred was surprised. "You mean to use the Seal Service?"

Lirzod nodded.

"Are you stupid?" Hundred barked. "A delivery on the same deck costs a silver, which means it'll take 100 gold to have seals cover just ten thousand rooms!"

"Eh? H-Hundred gold!" Lirzod's jaw slackened, and his eyes popped out of his sockets.

"Yeah!" Hundred folded his arms. "Don't tell me, this is the reason you were so confident before the commander just now?"

Lirzod hesitantly nodded.

Hundred shook his head. "How could you not even consider the money needed for such a task?"

"My bad," Lirzod's lower lip covered the upper lip. "I totally forgot about the money."

Hundred sighed. "Seriously, hundred gold… that's like twenty million faces! How could you not count such an amount into your equation? With that much money in pockets, nine out of ten people would live out their lives like kings in their villages!"

Lirzod's shoulders slumped further. "Is there nothing we can do?"

"I don't know. If we had more time, then we could've done better," Hundred said, "but you can't build a kingdom in one day."

"But I'm not building a kingdom, only a tiny piece of it."

"Tiny piece or not, it's still too much to be done in a day."

"I thought I could make this deck a somewhat better place for Leggy and other cats like him," Lirzod said, but then his mouth downturned. "Now Leggy's probably dead, but if we don't want another cat to suffer like Leggy, then I thought bringing in a new rule would be the best way. However, it seems like it's going to be much harder than I thought."

Hundred raised his brows. "Who the heck is Leggy?"

"Leggy's a legless cat I met in the hall, I mean not literally legless," Lirzod said, looking a bit dull, "but it doesn't really matter anymore—" the bag in Hundred's hand fell in his eyes. "What's in that bag? Did you bring food out of the commander's room?"

"What? No! This is our reward!"

"Oh, that's the ten kilos of tuna, huh. I totally forgot about that." Lirzod embarrassingly said. "My bad."

"Give me one good reason as to why you doubted me?" Hundred leaned over Lirzod and gave an icy look.

Lirzod laughed. "I didn't doubt you. I was just asking."

"Yeah, that's called doubting. Hmph, I get it. We're not best buddies." Hundred straightened his spine. "I don't care about the reason, but I don't like being doubted. So don't repeat it for no reason." He handed the meat packet.

"I'll keep that in mind," Lirzod took the packet and held it loosely.

A couple of seconds passed.

"So, what curry are you going to make with that?" Hundred asked, gulping the saliva in his mouth silently.

"We're not making any curry out of this," Lirzod said, puzzling Hundred. "I think these ten kilos of meat will get us our ten thousand votes."

"What? How?"

"Haha, why don't I just show you?" Lirzod looked around and saw a spotty-faced man who was sitting at the side of the street, his back rested against the wall, and there was a dead rat in front of him. Lirzod quickly walked up to him. "Hey, mister, do you have a minute?"

"A minute? Maybe," the spotty-faced man glanced up at Lirzod but then looked back at the rat as if he was wondering whether or not to eat it. Given his dirt-covered face, it was obvious that he didn't bath recently.

"Great," Lirzod bent his spine and said, "there's going to be voting in twelve hours for a rule change on this deck. Can you attend it and vote for me?"

"You're leaning on my lunch," the spotty-faced man coldly said.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Lirzod backed away a bit and continued, "What do you say? Interested in participating in that?"

"No."

Hundred shook his head. (This isn't going to work.)

Lirzod then dangled the packet in front of the man. "There's ten kilos of tuna in this."

"What?" the spotty-faced man's attention suddenly shifted to the packet and then to Lirzod. "I-Is that for me?"

"It depends on you. You need to participate in the voting if you want to have a chance at getting all of it."

"A-Are you saying the truth?" the spotty-faced man gulped his saliva.

"Yes, but that's not all," Lirzod said. "You should help promote this news to others. As long as more than ten thousand people vote, I'll conduct a lottery and give one of you all these ten kilos of meat."

"L-Lottery?" the spotty-faced man's shoulders slumped down. "I should have guessed that something like this would have been there. I guess I'm only lucky enough to eat rat meat."

"What are you saying? My offer was great, wasn't it?" Lirzod asked. "One will surely benefit, and that person may be in as much need as you're now. I mean, I would love it if every participant could gain something from it, but there isn't enough meat."

Hundred pulled Lirzod away and spoke in a low voice, "Are you out of your mind? You think people would promote it when their chances of winning go down with each new person that joins the voting?"

Lirzod was startled. "But is there a better option?"

"Well…" Hundred pondered for a moment. "It might work if you divide that ten kilos into ten parts and take out ten different winners in the lottery."

"You think people would come to vote just for a kilo of it?"

"I don't know, but there's no doubting the yearning that people on these lower decks have for good food. Besides, ten out of ten thousand sounds much better than one out of ten thousand."

Lirzod nodded. "So be it. Let's go and tell him that."

"There's no need for that," Hundred looked at the spotty-faced man, who was still struggling from not knowing how to eat a rat. "An empty stomach can heighten the senses as much as anything can. I know you heard us."

The spotty-faced man lifted his head and awkwardly smiled.

"If you are interested in trying your chances, then please come to the voting hall," Hundred said.

"Yeah," Lirzod poked Hundred's belly. "Look how big this brother's belly is. Don't you want to eat to look like this from only a single sitting?"

"T-That's from single sitting?" the man's eyes froze, and his mouth began to salivate, but he quickly shut his mouth and showed no signs of interest.

"Don't forget to share the news," saying that Hundred and Lirzod walked away.

"You think this will work?" Lirzod couldn't help but ask.

Hundred glanced over his shoulder and saw that the man was up on his feet and jogged away into a sub-street. "Let's go and look for some more desperate guys."

"You mean 'stomachs with nothing inside.'"

Hundred smiled a little. "Absolutely." (We didn't even have to tell them what rule is being changed to bring them to the voting center.) "Haha, this might just work!"