Chapter 29: The Cat People

Chapter 29: The Cat People

“Mr. Ouxs, how’s that thing you were developing coming along?”

After finalizing the battle plan with Gaia, Aierjisi and her group arrived at Ouxs’s laboratory. Thanks to Gaia’s help, the guards at the entrance couldn’t stop them and simply let them knock.

“Ah? Oh, the item left by Lady Ailin? It’s ready. Also, the weapon you asked me to modify is completed too. Here you go.”

Ouxs handed over the completed tools and weapons back to Aierjisi.

“Wow! This is really well done, almost identical to the original! Yake, I also had Mr. Ouxs modify this sword for you, remember to thank him!”

Aierjisi caught the gun and tossed the sword to herself, holding onto the gun.

“Thank you, Mr. Ouxs! But, where exactly did you modify it? I can’t see any changes. Wait, is the grip modified?”

Yake took a closer look and noticed something added at the grip, like a slot.

“Yes. I made a slight adjustment to the way this sword is used. Besides using your own power, you can now channel magic power through this slot to unleash a special attack. How’s that for a convenient design?”

“N-no… my magic isn’t so depleted that I can’t use a weapon’s special attack, you know!”

“Are you stupid? Being able to use a special attack without using your own magic is a good thing for you, right?”

Aierjisi couldn’t help but be at a loss for words at Yake’s foolishness. Here she was, being thoughtful by saving his magic, and this guy just wouldn’t appreciate it!

“Ah… now that you mention it, I guess that is true. Sorry, I didn’t notice. My brain isn’t functioning very well.”

Yake only pieced it together after being scolded by Aierjisi. Yeah, if that’s the case, he could use the weapon’s special attack without consuming his internal magic. How could he be so dense?

“You… seriously… I can’t even… Whatever. I just don’t know how you managed to survive with that kind of brain in this harsh otherworld.”

Aierjisi had no choice but to comment on how Yake was still alive with such intelligence. Maybe it was because he was one of the stronger ones in town?

“But just having this thing isn’t enough; to unleash the weapon’s true power, you need a compatible magazine too.”

“Does this apply to me as well? That slot looks like it’s the same.”

Yake looked at the gun in Aierjisi’s hand and noticed the slot on his sword seemed identical.

“Exactly! So, I’ll be working on making that compatible magazine next. Lord Gaia, I’ll take my leave now; I need to head back to my room.”

“Sure. No problem, you go ahead. You two have worked hard; make sure to rest well in the royal palace.”

Gaia didn’t stop them, allowing Aierjisi and Yake to return to their room.

“Yake, could you step outside for a bit? I need a quiet environment to finish this thing. If you’re around, I can’t concentrate on my research.”

“Okay… I’ll step out then. Just call me when you’re done, and I’ll come back in.”

Yake didn’t pry any further; if Aierjisi wanted him out, he would comply. It wouldn’t be bad for him anyway.

Once Yake left, Aierjisi opened the subspace gate and took out the unspent parts from last time, laying them out on the table.

“Hmm… I wonder if this prototype will work. I hope Mr. Ouxs’s skills are up to par.”

Aierjisi worked hard to create a magazine that would unleash real power, following the shapes and knowledge stored in her memory.

On the other side, Yake sat idly against the wall, yawning. The Little Princess had kicked him out, and with nowhere else to go, he could only doze off here.

“Eh? Who are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Are you okay? You might catch a cold if you sleep here.”

Just as Yake was about to drift off, a voice that couldn’t be pinpointed as male or female jolted him awake.

“Uh? Who are you?”

Yake rubbed his eyes, looking at the cat girl who interrupted his sleep. She had cat ears and a tail, so she was definitely one of the Cat People.

“I’m Mios. I’m from this royal palace. Who are you? I’ve never seen you before!”

Mios introduced herself and asked Yake again.

“Ah, sorry. I’m Yake. I came here from Pield.”

“Oh! The hero from Pield! I’ve heard about you from Lord Gaia. You managed to push Diablo back head-on; you must be really strong!”

Before Yake could finish, Mios interrupted him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Ah… to be precise, I didn’t contribute much in the fight against Diablo, my owner, Aierjisi, handled most of it.”

Yake felt a bit flustered with Mios being so friendly.

“I see, but that’s still impressive! By the way, why are you sitting here? The hero who drove Diablo away is napping in the hallway? Did Gaia really not arrange a room for you? If that’s the case, I’ll have a serious talk with him.”

“N-no, that’s not it at all! Lord Gaia did arrange a room for me. It’s right behind me.”

To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Yake quickly clarified to Mios.

“Then why aren’t you in there?”

Mios tilted her head. If there was a room, why not use it? Did Yake have some weird preference for sleeping on the cold floor?

“Because my Little Princess is doing some research in there right now. She said I would distract her if I was inside, so I have to wait out here.”

Yake explained to Mios why he was sitting in the hallway with a wry smile.

“I see. Well, you don’t have to sleep in this hallway. If you need to rest, there are plenty of empty rooms in the palace. I can take you to one of them.”

“Ah, no thanks, I’ll just wait for her here.”

“No way, come with me!”

Yake tried to resist, but Mios’s surprising strength lifted him onto her shoulder and carried him away.

As expected of a demi-human, their strength was definitely greater than that of a human.

But something felt off: why was a Cat Person here? As far as he knew, Cat People usually wouldn’t live in such a cold place like Panimir!