Chapter 30

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Shiro Neko stood at a distance from the seaside, intently watching the target, Setsu, and the other girl.

(As expected... there’s no way they would follow a stranger to a recommended inn...)

If they had followed without suspicion, she would have led them to an inn under her control and attacked them in their sleep. However, that was a plan destined to fail, and Shiro Neko was already thinking of the next move.

(A person capable of calling the Beast King 'that guy'... I can’t let my guard down.)

As a beastkin, no one was unaware of the Beast King’s strength. And as a beastkin, no one did not admire the Beast King. Beastkin were drawn to strength, and as battle enthusiasts, they continuously challenged the Beast King. Battling the strong was their joy.

Shiro Neko also felt a desire to fight Setsu, but she had to abandon that desire to protect something important.

(I have to defeat you, even if it means attacking in your sleep.)

She turned away from the wavering of her own heart and headed towards the town where Setsu and the others were headed.

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The port city in the Beastkin Continent, at the center of which stood the inn "The Shade Loved by Beasts" — this was where we would be staying tonight.

The price was quite reasonable, the interior was very clean, and the lunch served was impeccable.

"Phew... let’s head to our room for now."

"...Yeah."

We left the inn’s dining room. The interior was clean, the food was delicious... the only problem was the gazes of those around us.

(Well, it is wartime after all.)

I had almost forgotten, but the Beastkin Continent was currently at war with the Human Continent. As a result, the gazes of the beastkin on humans were harsh wherever we went.

(Just getting a room is a win... in this situation.)

Despite the many vacant rooms, we were led to the smallest and cheapest one. But we didn’t care about such trivial matters.

"I’m fine as long as I can sleep in a bed."

Leviath dove into one of the two beds in the room without hesitation. It was a double room, after all. We didn’t need to take two rooms just because we were a man and a woman; that would be wasteful.

"Let’s take a break for now..."

Since we weren’t carrying much luggage, I also jumped onto the other bed. Ah, it’s so soft... this is heaven.

My consciousness drifted into sleep despite the sun still being high in the sky.

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"...Here it is."

In the middle of the night, the city was dark, and drunkards roamed the streets. Shiro Neko stood in front of "The Shade Loved by Beasts."

She entered through the grand door, and a male dogkin, the innkeeper, beckoned her.

"...Where are those two?"

"They’re in the room at the far end of the second floor. Here’s the key."

Shiro Neko took the key and thanked the man. She had already secured the cooperation of the people in the town. She knew they were staying at this inn because the townspeople had informed her.

"Attacking them in their sleep isn’t a good way to do things..."

"I know. But... I have to defeat them."

"...Yeah, for your sister."

Beastkin, who loved fair fights, also loved their families more than anything. Even if it meant using underhanded tactics, they would do so for their family.

"The people living around here have been evacuated. I’ve confirmed that they’ve started sleeping in their beds. Just... don’t destroy too much, okay?"

"I’ll handle it... carefully."

Shiro Neko, who had been cautious until now, thought they would likely still be on guard. She expected a fierce battle.

"...I’m going in."

She carefully climbed the stairs without making a sound.

(—This is it.)

Walking down the corridor on the second floor, she took care not to make any strange noises on the wooden floor as she finally reached the target room.

(If I can end it in one strike... that would be ideal.)

With a faint hope, Shiro Neko tried to insert the key into the doorknob. However—

(It won’t go in...)

The key didn’t fit the lock. It seemed to be the wrong shape.

(The innkeeper... made a mistake? Damn... in that case...)

Shiro Neko took a step back from the door and prepared herself.

(I’ll rush in and launch a surprise attack... I remember that man’s scent...)

She gathered strength in her legs, crouched, and crossed her arms in front of her face. Using the abundant magic power of a beastkin, she enhanced her entire body, making her already sharp claws even sharper.

She tried to confirm Setsu’s scent again, but the various scents around her made it difficult. Despite a slight unease, she quickly shook it off. Once inside, she would be able to identify him. She just needed to determine which bed he was in the moment he noticed her.

"In one instant... I’ll end it...!"

With a force that could break the floorboards, she kicked the door. Her body rushed towards the door, and just before impact, she swung her arms, shattering the door into pieces.

She leaped onto the bed with her claws still sharp.

(Which bed...? —Wait a minute?)

Shiro Neko realized as she leaped. The two beds in the room, where the targets were supposed to be—were empty.

(Could it be... a trap...?)

Without a target to strike, she realized the possibility.

"If it is...—"

"That’s right, stupid cat!!"

"Shit!"

Just as she was about to land, a flying kick from the side hit her. She crossed her arms in front of her body to block the impact, but the force was immense. She was thrown through the window and out onto the street.

"I was careless...!"

She landed on all fours like a cat after a high jump, feeling a dull pain in her arms from the impact, but the pain was not severe due to the magic enhancement.

"I didn’t expect the residents to cooperate with you. Well, it makes it easier to fight.

And—spill everything about that black robe, got it?"

"!"

Setsu jumped out of the window, drawing a large black sword from his magic bag.

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Next time, Shiro Neko’s true strength.

Shiro Neko is supposed to be a very strong character, but she doesn’t seem that strong so far... damn it.

I plan to post at least three more chapters this week.