Shaka pulled Yamato Mikoto up from the ground, brushed the dust off her clothes, and laughed.
"What's wrong? I already told you, my ability values are above A. Losing to me is perfectly normal."
"That's not normal at all!" Mikoto blurted out. "No normal person can raise their ability values that much in just one week! Is it some kind of skill?"
With a serious expression, Kashima Ouka stepped in to stop her.
"Yamato. Don't ask any more questions."
Shaka shrugged.
"It's nothing special. Just a Familia secret."
These people were only temporary teammates. Most abilities were Familia secrets anyway, it would be inappropriate to explain too much.
"In any case," Shaka continued, "we have a decent understanding of each other's strengths now. Let's pack up and prepare to depart."
"Then, please take care of us from here on out, Shaka-san," Ouka said, bowing respectfully.
She knew very well that Shaka's strength far surpassed her own. Maintaining a good relationship with him meant he would lend a hand if danger arose.
The seven of them gathered their equipment and headed toward the city gate.
Because this was a Guild-issued commission and the incident had escalated, the city guards had provided four groups of fine horses.
Shaka stared at the snorting horses with a troubled expression.
"Sorry… I've never ridden one of these before."
As if it understood, the horse snorted and stepped back slightly.
Hey are you discriminating against me?!
The members of the Takemikazuchi Familia were already mounting their horses in pairs.
Seeing Shaka hesitate, Mikoto took the initiative and extended her hand.
"Come on. Ride behind me."
After a brief pause, seeing her sincere expression, Shaka accepted her hand and swung himself up behind her.
Chigusa, who was free, quietly hid behind Ouka and followed her onto another horse.
The horses galloped toward the forest outside the city.
Shaka leaned his head lightly against Mikoto's shoulder and said softly,
"Sorry… I need to recover some mental energy."
Then he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Blacksmith Shop
Takemikazuchi, who had remained behind according to the agreement, arrived in the backyard.
The first thing he saw was Sanae Dekomori happily running circles around several goblins.
This was an internal matter of the Astraea Familia, so he didn't pry and instead calmly began instructing Dekomori on proper training methods.
Cecil arrived shortly afterward and joined the impromptu teaching session.
Ding-dong.
The wind chimes at the shop entrance rang.
The black cat returned, carrying a small cloth bag.
She wore black gothic attire, with lively cat-ear accessories on her head, her expression filled with complicated emotions.
"I'm back."
"Oh my, Ruri-chan," Astraea smiled, glancing at her. "That's quite the new look. A true Night Demon Queen."
At that moment, a stern-faced city guard followed her in.
"My apologies, Lady Astraea. Due to special circumstances, we need to report something regarding your child,"
"Actually…" the black cat scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I think I've awakened magic."
Earlier That Day
Because she lacked materials to finish the Night Demon Outfit, the black cat had used part of her mission reward and gone out to shop.
At the entrance of a dark alley near the main road, she spotted a wounded black kitten licking a dried fish.
The black cat loved cats,otherwise she wouldn't call herself the Fallen Saint Black Cat of Chiba. Unfortunately, her family situation never allowed her to keep one.
Now, it seemed the game world could fulfill that small wish.
"This poor thing… it looks abandoned. And it's badly injured."
Her eyes softened as she cautiously approached.
The kitten noticed her immediately, dropped the dried fish, and bristled.
"Stay back, foolish human! Take one more step and I, Meow Meow, will curse you!"
Ignoring the raised fur, the black cat smiled and flicked her bangs aside.
"Oh my. What a pitiful little thing."
"What—?! Foolish human! If it weren't for that moment of carelessness, Master Meow hmph! Never mind! Underestimate me all you want! Once I recover, humanity will submit to my claws!"
"Hmph. Still pretending?" the black cat sighed dramatically, spreading her fingers.
"I've already seen through your true form."
"What?!"
Meow Meow's eyes widened. "Exposed?! Impossible!"
"Return, my other half, to the embrace of the Night Familia!" the black cat declared grandly.
"Only then can the Dark Night Empire be revived! Ku, hohoho!"
"Oh no! Such terrifying demonic energy!" Meow Meow wailed.
"I'm doomed! I'll become her slave forever!"
"Don't come closer!"
The black cat let out a trembling "Meow~".
Shame burned through Meow Meow's eyes.
"No! I refuse! As the second servant of the Supreme King Behemoth, I will not submit! I'll show you the power of the Cursed Black Wind!"
The kitten hissed.
Its fur writhed unnaturally, surging like liquid
and a black gale erupted.
A crowd immediately gathered.
"That is—" "A monster!" "Quick, notify the guards!"
Yet the black cat standing at the center of the curse showed no reaction.
"Success!" Meow Meow crowed.
"Now you know my power! Pay the price for your arrogance meow hahaha,"
"Hehehe."
"Huh?"
The laughter stopped.
"You've got some nerve," the black cat said coldly, wine-red eyes lifting.
"Who gave you permission to curse me, the Fallen Saint Black Cat of Chiba?"
The curse wind condensed instantly, then was absorbed into her body.
Two purple roses bloomed on her lace headband.
"No, impossible!" Meow Meow screamed.
"Lord Behemoth's Black Wind… neutralized?!"
Fear overtook her. She staggered back, aggravating her injured hind leg and collapsing.
"So," the black cat smirked, stepping closer,
"choose. Become half of the Night Demon Queen, or return to the abyss."
Excitement surged within her.
A magic-capable familiar? I struck gold!
Even if she didn't understand why curses didn't work on her, this was clearly a legendary encounter.
The black cat advanced slowly.
Overwhelmed, Meow Meow rolled over, exposing her belly, tears welling.
"Meow~"
"Master~"
"Oh my. Adorable."
The black cat poked the kitten's belly playfully, then took out the elixir Shaka had given her.
"Let's see if this works."
She pried open Meow Meow's mouth and poured it in.
"It's over… eternal loyalty poison…" Meow Meow sobbed internally.
Moments later, her wounds began to heal rapidly.
Noticing the strange collar around the kitten's neck, the black cat grabbed it and tore it off without hesitation.
"Huh?"
Meow Meow stared at her freed neck in shock.
Satisfied, the black cat stepped back, spun gracefully, covered her eyes, and sang dramatically:
"By the covenant of the eternal night,
let us forge a new pact
return to me, servant of the Night!"
(Translation: I'll take care of you.)
A crimson magic circle erupted.
In a flash of black light, Meow Meow vanished, merging into the black cat's body.
When the light faded, the black cat lowered her arm.
Something felt… strange.
She rushed to a nearby shop window.
Her reflection stared back
real cat ears, twitching.
A tail swayed beneath her skirt.
"Me…?"
"…How did I turn into a cat?!"