Episode 31 — The Black Cat’s "Groundbreaking Ceremony": Behind the Rock 'n' Roll City Plan.

Last night, that guy was smiling with satisfaction, saying it was a “perfect topographic survey,” but I know the truth. Upstream of that dam construction site, a stubborn, rock-hard boss monster has claimed the area as its throne.

He’s so laid-back—no, he’s far too naive. He went through all that trouble to draw his “blueprint for utopia.” I can’t let some ugly freak defile the site where his vision is supposed to take shape.

“Mew. (Time for a little cleanup.)”

I slipped quietly off his lap while he was fast asleep and melted into the darkness of the night.

Under the moonlight, I shifted into my human form, Meina, and sprinted through the forest. I intended to settle this quickly on my own, but at the entrance of the canyon, I was stopped by a pair carrying torches.

“Hey, kid! Where do you think you’re going alone this late at night?”

The one who called out was a burly man with a massive shield on his back. Beside him stood a female mage clutching a staff; she looked calm, but her gaze was sharp and cautious.

“I’m Kyle. An adventurer contracted to survey the monsters in this area.”

“And I’m Rin, a mage. What are you doing out here at this hour…?”

It seemed Gustav had put in a request to the guild to confirm the safety of the construction site. The two had finished their initial survey and were just about to set up camp.

“…There’s a nasty rat upstream. I’m going to go move it.”

I answered without stopping, prompting Kyle to hurriedly spread his arms to block my path.

“A rat? No, kid, there’s a dangerous beast up there called an ‘Escamus Rocha.’ It’s a subspecies of lizard clad in armor made of solid rock. We just confirmed its presence. A subjugation team will be formed after we report to the guild tomorrow morning. You can’t go near it now.”

“It’s too late for this. The forest is dangerous. We’ll make the report tomorrow, so come with us for now. Camp here and wait for morning.”

Tomorrow morning? Subjugation team? 

I’d run into that Escamus Rocha once before during one of my “strolls” outside its cave. Back then, I was annoyed by how hard its skin was, but it had ended up running away from me first. Even then, I knew I could take it. Now that I’ve gathered more mana and grown stronger, I’m certain I can finish the job.

Resolving this physically tonight is the most efficient way.

“…How tedious. Sorry, but I can’t wait.”

When I started walking again, the two exchanged looks of disbelief.

“Hey, wait! Usually, it takes an entire squad to handle one of those! Do you have a death wish?!”

“…We can’t just leave her. Kyle, let's go.”

In the end, the two worrywarts grabbed their weapons and followed me.

Honestly, I’d be much faster alone. I let out a small sigh and stepped into the nocturnal canyon.

Along the way, nuisance monsters attacked us one after another, but I dealt with them without breaking my stride.

With each step, I summoned a pitch-black blade imbued with mana. I struck their vitals as if slashing with claws. Not a single movement was wasted.

“Whoa… you’re incredible, kid. What did you just do?”

“Kyle, this isn't the time for admiration. Meina, I had no idea you were this skilled…”

I heard their surprised voices from behind, but I ignored them and pressed on. Even inside the cave, my night vision made the trek effortless.

Eventually, in the wide-open space at the very back, we found it.

A massive lizard that looked like a fusion of rock and raw mana—the Escamus Rocha.

“I’ll handle this. Stay back.”

I kicked off the ground and dove into the giant beast’s reach. I threaded a sharp strike through the gaps in its hard outer shell. The sound of cracking stone echoed as the monster let out a cry of agony. One strike, two strikes…

I was certain I could win just like this. 

But in that moment—

Driven to the brink of death, the Escamus Rocha suddenly began to glow red. It was a desperate suicide attack, launching the rock armor covering its body in all directions like a hail of bullets.

“Meina, get down!”

Kyle lunged in front of me as my reaction lagged. His massive shield took the impact of the stone shrapnel with a thunderous roar, sending sparks flying everywhere.

“It’s releasing all its mana as it dies! Meina, aim for the glowing crack right under the core! You can do it!”

Rin’s sharp voice echoed through the cave. Not missing the split second of protection provided by Kyle’s shield, I kicked off the ground once more.

Just as she said, I didn’t miss the tiny fissure at the base of the exposed core.

A mana-infused strike pierced the crack, shattering the core.

With a booming crash, the massive stone body crumbled into a heap, and silence returned.

“I suppose I was a bit careless… You saved me. Thank you.”

I gave a small shrug. Kyle laughed while wiping away cold sweat, and Rin let her shoulders drop in exasperation.

“We thought we were meddling where we weren't wanted, but it seemed like you didn't know about the Escamus Rocha’s final move.”

“Next time, be more careful, Meina. We’ll handle the report to the guild and make sure it sounds right.”

After parting ways with the two, I slipped back into the night and returned home.

At dawn, I slid onto the living room sofa, returning to my cat form and curling up.

A short while later, that guy woke up.

“…Hm, Tama. Morning. You smell a bit like dirt today. Did you dig in the garden again?”

“Mew… (It’s settled now, so just let it be.)”

I narrowed my eyes sleepily and rubbed my head against his hand.