CH 24

I wonder what I should do…?

Wouldn’t it only be possible if I were someone like Solid Sn●ke? Isn’t it too difficult for me?

It seems that way, but now that I’ve decided to do it, I have to, don’t I?

If I decide to throw in the towel, I should at least wait until I’ve reached my limit.

As I was thinking about this by myself, the cats around me meowed. To humans and demons, it’s just a meow, but to cats, it has meaning.

“What’s the matter, Dan’na?” “Boss, if you need help, won’t you ask me?” “How can I help you?”

Hmmm…

I may not be able to do anything on my own, but with these guys helping, I think I can do it.

……

………

…………

After a three minute strategy meeting, I walk away from my entourage.

I hide myself in the bushes next to the gate and activate [Concealment] so the gatekeepers won’t see me.

Meanwhile, the other cats are curled up in the bushes across the street a short distance away.

I sit tight and wait for a while.

Every few minutes, a patrolling demon passes by, and every time he does, I get so scared that I can feel myself tense up. No, this is actually terrifying.

When the patrolman passed by about six times, I finally saw the chance that I was waiting for.

One of the patrolmen stops to say something to the gatekeeper as if he’s about to switch shifts.

“I’ll be back in a bit, open the gate for me.”

“Wait a minute.”

The gatekeeper casts something that looks like a spell on the patrol demon. It’s probably some kind of magic to verify their identity.

“Alright, you’re okay.”

“Of course.”

The gate opens—but only just enough for one person to pass through.

That’s more than enough room for a kitten to get through!

If I run in, the gatekeepers will catch me before I can get in, though. That’s why we have one more step.

The cats that had been hiding in the bushes on the other side of the street all jumped out at once and started a literal cat fight, hissing and yowling.

“What the hell?” “Whoa!”

The gatekeepers’ attention turns to the cats.

They turn their backs to me for a moment as their gazes follow the cats.

――― ＧＯ！！

I put every bit of power into my steps, dashing instantly!

In reality, my speed is probably not even half the speed of sound, but it feels like I’m running at lightspeed…Yeah, it’s just a feeling.

I scramble behind the gatekeepers, slide under the gate and slip inside. I’m not stupid enough to stop there, so I hide in a dying bush.

I guess it wasn’t maintained because there aren’t many leaves and the branches poke my body and it fucking hurts…It isn’t drawing blood, so I’ll endure it for the time being…

“What, it’s just a cat fight…”

“Don’t scare me like that…! I’m on edge in case of an intruder…”

I made it in! After all that, I hope the cats can escape safely…Well, they are quick to run away and the demons aren’t desperate enough to chase them, so I won’t worry about it.

“I’m going through.”

“Go ahead.”

The demon who was on patrol slips through the narrow gap in the gate. The gate closes instantly.

My shoulders tense up and I look away as he passes by me.

Phew…Thank God they didn’t notice me.

This is the first time I’ve actually been on the premises, isn’t it? When I stole the cargo from the carriage before, I escaped at the gate.

I walk through the dying bushes staying hidden and come to a second gate. The mansion that I’m trying to get into can be found behind it…which means I have to get through one more gate…

I sneak along with the demon patrolman as they walk to the second gate.

From here on out, I have two choices: move forward or hide. I’m scared if I don’t keep [Concealment] active at all times…

I continued through the plants carefully so as to not make any noise.

Fortunately, there are no guards standing at the second gate.

I don’t know if they are just coincidentally not there or there just isn’t a guard here, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to break in.

The demon heading to the mansion opens the gate a little.

Now’s my chance!

I activate [Virtual Body].

I create a huge, invisible body right next to the demon opening the gate. I place a tree branch from the Collection Box in the giant’s hand.

The tree branch is hovering right above the demon’s head.

Then, I release the [Virtual Body].

The branch drops onto the demon’s head and falls to the ground.

“Hmm?”

He is a little relieved to see that it is just a branch and asks, “Where did this branch come from? A bird?” He looks up at the sky.

While he is looking up, I run underneath him—!

I pass through the second gate.

It’s almost scary when it goes this easily…Also, at times like this, I’m very grateful for having a tiny kitten body.

I watch the demon close the gate and walk off into the mansion.

I doubt that I could go through the front door and say, “Excuse me for disturbing you.”

I walk around the house while hiding behind flower beds and unidentified stone statues.

As I look into the window, I notice that there are a huge number of demons inside the mansion…Well, that’s no surprise.

Now…what should I do?

Since I passed through the gate, they don’t know that a suspicious person (suspicious cat?) is coming. The security level inside the mansion isn’t as high as the gate at the entrance, but…it’s pretty clear that you’re jumping straight into the fire if you rush in without warning and get caught.

I think I should decide where I’m going first and then head to it.

In this case, I think I should go up…for now. If people are being held captive, it could be underground, but it would be more likely to be up there where it is harder to escape.

In every world, it’s a rule that idiots, smokers and bosses like high places. Even if I can’t find Yuri, I’m sure there’s a boss up there. If he’s a boss, he might be able to give us the right information. It also isn’t a bad idea to see the face of the master of the house.

It’s a good idea to go up, but the stairs in the mansion would be dangerous.

Three stories…?

I try to find a tall tree somewhere.

As I was sneaking around, I found a nice tree in the back. It’s not well maintained though…so the branches were slightly overgrown, giving it a wild look.

Thanks to that, the branches are higher than the second floor window.

Thank goodness.

After checking my surroundings, I climb the tree.

I’m used to climbing trees, thanks to the many times I’ve done it in the forest. My physical abilities are strengthened even more than back then, so I can make light work of this like a pro.

It takes me less than a minute to reach the branch near the top.

If I were to climb any higher, the branches would be too flimsy, so this is my limit.

This height is about the same as the second floor window…I think I could make it.

Phew…okay!

I regain my energy and dash towards the end of the thin, flimsy branch.

“—ugh!!”

I jump towards the second floor window—but the distance isn’t enough! But,

—I expected this!

Suddenly, a wooden shield appears in midair.

Of course, it’s just something that I took out of my Collection Box and equipped to my [Virtual Body], though.

I use it as a foothold to fly in the air even further!

This time, I can reach the ledge with ease, but this is the window frame on the second floor—not…too far away from where I’m going.

I hook my paws on the window frame and jump upwards.

Since I have no reason to be on the second floor, I’m going straight to the top!

To keep my momentum, I kick the wall to send me further up.

I hook my claws on the window frame and hang down.

I take a little peek inside.

Okay, there’s no one here.

I invade the house with cat-like movements.

Whew~…

If there was a status screen, I’m pretty sure my class would be “Ninja” no doubt.