Here’s the English translation of the provided text, adhering to your glossary and instructions:
—
Episode 29
Nemea’s Cat
029 ? <Nemea’s Cat #5>
d*mn it, who knew I’d live long enough to experience the brink of d*ath by being gnawed on by rats? Maybe the adventurer life just isn’t for me.
This world is fucking trash. How the hell do I get back to Earth? Just as I was seriously pondering that—
…
A soft melody drifted from somewhere, and the rats froze in place. One by one, they scattered away from us, disappearing into the shadows.
“…Thought I was done for.”
Only after they vanished completely did I finally let out a breath, my heart still pounding. Looking around, I spotted Luna and Malco crouched on the ground, trembling.
“Hey, the rats are gone. You can get up now.”
Luna lifted her head and glanced around.
“I-I thought I was gonna d*e. Guess my heartfelt persuasion worked after all.”
“Attacked by rats! This is why we shouldn’t mess with mentes! Whew, that was close.”
“Everyone alright? Check yourselves for injuries.”
The group got up and inspected each other. Their clothes were torn here and there, but no one was actually hurt.
I don’t know what just happened, but thank god those little bastards ran away.
.
Then, that soft melody played again, and I turned my head. It sounded artificial, like someone playing a wind instrument.
Step, step—
At the same time, I sensed someone’s presence. Soon, the torchlight revealed a figure stepping into view.
The first thing I noticed was the rat-colored robe.
Beneath it, pale skin and thin lips came into view, along with a long, recorder-like instrument held between them. Even under the robe, the pronounced curve of their chest was impossible to miss.
A woman? For a second, I relaxed slightly—until I remembered that no normal woman would be wandering these underground tunnels. My grip tightened on my sword and torch.
The woman, who had suddenly appeared, removed the flute from her lips and spoke.
“A fateful encounter. Thanks be to Lady Mercury.”
Her speech was slightly awkward, but her voice itself was as clear and beautiful as the instrument’s melody. Just hearing it made the frustration and fatigue clogging my throat melt away.
“A flute controlling rats! Y-you’re not… Hamelin, are you?”
While I was still wondering who she was, Malco—now dusting himself off—spoke up in my place. The robed woman parted her thin lips in response.
“I’ve… been called that. I am Augeias. Guardian of the Glorious Task. And also…”
“No way, I actually met Hamelin! This is an honor! I’m Malco, Malco the Bard! I’ve wandered these tunnels for months looking for you!”
Malco babbled excitedly, like a cockroach that had eaten boric acid. Never mind that we were nearly eaten alive by rats moments ago—he was completely unfazed.
His sheer audacity and obsession with this woman were equally impressive.
“Lord Hamelin! I must ask—the secret to your music, the kind that even moves rats!”
“That… is a secret. Anyway. I followed a familiar scent—”
I felt her gaze slide over me from beneath the dark robe.
Flash.
For an instant, her eerie crimson eyes locked onto mine, sending a chill down my spine. My legs nearly gave out. f*ck.
I don’t know why, but something told me I shouldn’t get involved with her. The only beings that have ever made me tremble like this are the so-called witches in this world.
Maybe she’s one of them?
Controlling rats with a flute? My feeble imagination can’t fathom how that’s possible without selling your soul to a demon.
“A familiar scent. You… Nemea’s friend. Right?”
At the mention of Nemea, my guard lowered slightly. That was the name of the witch from the alchemy shop who gave me the cat-finding request.
“Ah, y-yes. Th-thank you for saving us.”
“Strange karma. But still unripe. Two? No… more than three existences mixed together. A warrior of the gods’ great war? No… a plaything. Poor thing…”
Muttering incomprehensibly, the flute woman clicked her tongue, then turned and started walking away. As we stood there dumbfounded, she called back without looking.
“Follow me. The cat you seek… I have it.”
Her back slowly receded into the darkness. But the oppressive atmosphere—or maybe just the sheer absurdity of the situation—left us frozen, exchanging blank stares.
Just as I was about to decide what to do, Luna spoke up.
“I-I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”
“Sister, is that your insight as a sorcerer?”
“No, her chest is way too big. Even covered by the robe, it’s insane. She’s definitely a monster disguised as a human.”
“For f*ck’s sake, are you still on that?”
But I wasn’t sure either. Was following her the right move?
Then, the skittering of rats began echoing again, and a cold breeze brushed the back of my neck like a warning. As if pushed from behind, we all started following her at the same time.
“Hey, Malco. Are we seriously just gonna follow her?”
We’d been walking for a while, but she showed no sign of stopping.
The winding underground paths twisted so much that even with a map, I wouldn’t know where we were.
Worried, I turned to Malco.
“You seemed to know her. Is she trustworthy?”
“Every bard and minstrel in Sodomora knows of Hamelin. I thought she was just a legend or a ghost story. Never imagined I’d meet her like this.”
I asked if she was trustworthy, and he brings up legends?
“Anyway, she’s an incredible musician!”
What do I even say to that? My younger sister, an idol fanatic, once skipped night study to attend a concert. That night, I had to listen to her gush about some guy named Juji until I fell asleep. Malco was exactly like her right now—starstruck, mind completely gone. No way he’s making rational decisions.
“I still don’t trust her. She’s definitely a monster in human form…”
Seemed like I was the only sane one left.
Even that old geezer Platan would’ve been better company right now. Who’d have thought I’d ever miss that nagging b*stard?
“Nemea’s cat. It’s inside here.”
The flute woman stopped abruptly, and we all froze.
She stood before a dead-end alley barred by rusted iron gates, like some underground prison, and ran her pale fingers along the bars.
Swipe, swiipe.
The way she touched them was… weirdly suggestive. Is this s*xual harassment?
“Ahem, so the cat’s in there? You’re sure?”
“Yes. Unlike Nemea or Erimanthos… I only speak truth. And truth… sometimes stinks worse than lies. Ugly.”
No idea what that means, but apparently, Nemea’s cat is behind these bars. If I listen closely, I can hear a strange, yowling sound.
“Go in. See for yourself.”
Crunch. She shattered the lock with her bare hands. It was rusted and corroded, but still—what kind of grip strength is that?
“…Then let’s make this quick. Uh, Miss Oyegeias—thank you.”
“Augeias. If it’s hard… Hamelin is fine.”
“Right, well, we’ve got things to do. Let’s go. Fast.”
A sense of urgency told me we shouldn’t linger—or get tangled up with her. I slipped through the open gate.
“C-come on!”
“I’m coming too!”
As we stepped inside and turned the corner, her crimson eyes stayed fixed on my back, sharp as a blade.
Did I piss her off? Called her a lesbian by mistake?
Or maybe she’s mad I killed her precious rats. That’s all I can think of.
Once we rounded the corner and her gaze was finally gone, I let out a sigh of relief.
“Ugh, this job’s exhausting.”
“L-look! White fur!”
Luna suddenly shrieked, pointing at something on the ground.
I rubbed my ears and looked down—sure enough, tufts of long white fur were scattered around.
“Sister, let me check.”
Malco knelt, picked up a few strands, sniffed them, then even licked one.
“Definitely cat fur. Probably starved. Poor condition.”
“Seriously, how the hell can you tell by taste?”
“Cats are good for joints, and their fur makes fine instrument strings. Cute when alive, too. Grateful creatures. Ah, more fur over here. Hehe, gotta taste this too.”
I can say this with certainty:
We’re in hell.
Maybe I died a long time ago. Fell down a manhole, got hit by a rock. Maybe I’m already in hell—
Grrrl.
A beast’s growl echoed from deep inside the corridor, snapping me out of my gloom.
Then, pat pat pat—the sound of something light stepping on damp ground, coming closer.
“Whoa, a cat! Look, Hassan! A white cat! That must be Whitey!”
Luna, with her sharp night vision, squealed. Soon, even I could see it—a majestic figure with long, white fur. Definitely a cat.
Well, a cat…
“Brother… isn’t it a bit too big? Am I dreaming?”
“F-f*ck!”
Grrrrrl!
It was the size of a compact car—closer to a leopard or lion than a cat.
As the beast charged at us full speed, all the bl**d drained from my body. I nearly pissed myself.
“R-run, d*mn it!”
“Agreed!”
“Eeek!”
“Luna, move! We gotta go!”
But Luna stood frozen like a mouse in front of a cat, trembling. f*ck it, should I just leave her?
Just as I was debating—
Whoosh!
Something sharp cut through the air, and I was flung backward, slamming into the ground.
Crash!
My backpack burst open, scattering junk everywhere. d*mn it, my 1-silver bag!
“You fucking furball! How dare you, you d*mn animal—!”
Furious, I scrambled up. The giant cat—no, lion—roared, baring fangs as thick as my forearm.
Grrrl!
“Okay, maybe that’s fair.”
Grrk!
The lion tore into my shredded bag, clawing and thrashing like it was having a tantrum.
Screech!
It flipped onto its back, raking the air with its claws—clearly not normal behavior. Even animals in this world have mental issues, huh?
At least its meltdown gave us a chance to escape.
“Now’s our chance! Run!”
“Hassan, w-we need to take it with us!”
“The hell?! How?!”
Fighting a rampaging beast? I’d only do it with a K2 rifle and a full mag.
“Screw this, let’s bail! This isn’t humanly possible!”
“N-no! I’ve got an idea! I know why it’s acting like this!”
Luna stopped me, pointing at the ground.
“That herb! The insect-repelling one! Cats love that stuff!”
She gestured to the scattered herbs from our exploration kit. I frowned, not following.
“Ah, sister, you have a plan!”
“Hassan! I’ll burn these herbs—just keep the cat busy!”
Before I could stop her, Luna reached toward the thrashing white beast.
Slash!
“Eek!”
Clang!
A metallic screech rang out as I blocked the lion’s claw with my arm, teeth gritted against the pain.
“d*mn it, I can’t hold this long! Ugh—!”
Without the 5-silver armor, my arm would’ve been sliced clean off. The sheer force made my legs buckle.
Then—
Ding.*
『Nemea’s Whitey Lv. 15
Status: Heartworm》Diabetes》Asthma》』
Despite the grime, the cat’s fur was mostly white and clean—until red spots began blooming across its coat.
[Author’s Note]
Posted an extra chapter to row while the tide’s high… Future Michuri will handle the suffering, hehehe! Since the rice cake god is late, I’ll be extra busy~ ㅠㅠㅠ..
—
(Translation complete, adhering to the provided glossary and omitting commentary.)
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
