“Oh? Brother, what happened to that child?”
Wanri, who had visited the management layer to receive the
“Hmm? Ah, it just took a liking to me when I was checking the floors, so I brought it along.”
“I see.”
Wanri nodded slightly, looking at the cat, which was being petted by Kousuke and seemed quite comfortable, with a hint of envy.
No one mentioned that such a small cat was wandering around in a floor overrun with monsters. Both of them took it as a matter of course.
Furthermore, the other members who overheard their conversation did not comment on the unnaturalness of the situation. Whether for better or worse, those in the management layer were accustomed to Kousuke’s actions.
However, when Wanri spoke next, all the members, including Kousuke, froze.
“As expected of you, Brother. Even a Black Cat takes a liking to you. And it’s not a familiar, is it?”
“……What?!”
Kousuke instinctively stopped petting the cat. The cat then meowed as if urging him on and licked his hand, which had moved away from its head. Given its behavior, it didn’t look like one of the notoriously ferocious monsters. In fact, Silvia and Shurein, who were in the same room, had their eyes wide open in surprise.
“T-This child is a Black Cat?!”
“I-I can’t believe it.”
The two of them were not surprised that the Black Cat had taken a liking to Kousuke. They were astonished at how cute even a young Black Cat could be.
Black Cats are intermediate monsters that grow to about one meter in length when they reach adulthood. Generally, monsters tend to grow larger as they become stronger. However, this is only a general rule, and some species become strong without growing significantly in size. The Black Cat is a prime example of this.
Of course, Black Cats attack with their claws and fangs, much like ordinary beast-type monsters. However, that alone wouldn’t possess the power to be classified as an intermediate monster, given their size. The primary reason Black Cats are classified as intermediate monsters is their use of magic. Furthermore, while monsters that use magic usually have only one type of magic per species in the lower ranks, Black Cats can use multiple types. Since the magic used varies from individual to individual, it takes more effort to subjugate them.
The kitten playing with Kousuke’s hand couldn’t possibly look any less like a Black Cat child. Of course, its fur was black, true to its name, but it appeared to be an ordinary black cat.
With everyone’s gaze focused on it, the cat, perhaps wanting Kousuke’s attention, gently gnawed on the fingers of Kousuke’s hand as it floated in mid-air. Wanri attempted to approach the kitten, but it hissed and warned her upon sensing her presence.
“So, it’s impossible, then?”
“Hmm. So even Wanri can’t get close.”
“It doesn’t seem to be warming up to us at all, either.”
Wanri, who showed no signs of being discouraged and instead looked convinced, received sympathetic glances from Shurein and Silvia. Seeing their expressions, Wanri shook her head and said, “It’s strange enough that it’s taken a liking to Brother in the first place. Even as a child, it’s a Black Cat, so its disposition should be fierce.”
Shurein and Silvia exchanged glances and managed a bitter smile at this self-evident truth. After all, this was the first time Kousuke had ever brought a monster other than a familiar to the management layer. However, both of them had a subconscious belief that Kousuke could accomplish such a feat.
Looking at the Black Cat child playing with his hand, Kousuke asked Wanri, “In that case, is it best not to keep it with others?”
Kousuke had already ruled out the option of returning the kitten to the wild. Of course, if the kitten itself chose to leave Kousuke, that would be different, but if not, he intended to take responsibility for bringing it to the management layer and care for it until the end. Kousuke could even create a private space for it. If the Black Cat child grew up and became dangerous to other members, he wouldn’t mind keeping it in such a place.
Wanri, who had been intently watching the Black Cat child, eventually shook her head in response to Kousuke’s question. “No. However, you must train it properly.”
After all, Tamers do exist in this world. While it’s not common to have Tamers who command intermediate monsters, they do exist. Considering this, Wanri judged that it would be possible to keep it in the management layer if it was properly trained. However, Tamers who could control Black Cats, which are at the upper end of intermediate monsters, were virtually nonexistent, but that was another matter.
Kousuke was not the only one relieved when Wanri gave permission to keep the Black Cat in the management layer. Shurein and Silvia, who had been listening to the conversation, also wore expressions of relief.
“Is that so? That’s good.”
“Indeed. It would be sad to part with such a lovely kitten.”
“Um, it’s not a kitten, it’s a Black Cat…”
“Let’s just leave it at that.”
Kousuke shook his head at Wanri, who had tried to correct them. For Shurein and Silvia at this point, the fact that it was a Black Cat no longer mattered. There was no need to spoil the mood.
Sensing this from Kousuke’s expression, Wanri sighed and decided to change the subject. “If you’re going to keep it here, it would be best to introduce it to Nana as soon as possible.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is.”
“Yes. It’s best to let them interact when they are still young to avoid any misunderstandings.”
Black Cats don’t necessarily see wolves as natural enemies. However, naturally, having been brought from the wild, they are naturally wary of other species. The best way to lessen this wariness is to let them interact from a young age. Of course, Kousuke would need to be present at those times. The fact that the kitten showed no significant reaction to Wanri’s presence was purely because Kousuke was nearby. Wanri thought that she would have to visit the management layer frequently for a while longer to get the kitten accustomed to her presence.
Silvia, watching the Black Cat child playfully pawing at Kousuke’s hand, suddenly looked at Kousuke as if remembering something. “By the way, aren’t you going to give this child a name?”
“A name? Right. It does need a name.”
He couldn’t keep calling it “this child” or “the Black Cat child” forever. Moreover, if he kept calling it those names, it would eventually recognize them as its own name. It was best to do that as soon as possible.
Kousuke, with his hand on his chin, thought for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I’ve decided! This child’s name will be Kuro!”
The moment Kousuke said this, three pairs of astonished gazes pierced him. The only one who didn’t react was the Black Cat child, now Kuro, who was still playing as if nothing had happened.
“Kousuke…”
“Mr. Kousuke…”
“Huh?! D-Did I do something wrong?”
As Kousuke flailed, Shurein and Silvia sighed, and Wanri let out a subtle bitter smile, hidden from everyone’s view.
Needless to say, the other members who were not present also had similar reactions upon hearing Kuro’s name.
We’ve gained a new member for healing. Although, it will become an adult in just a few months, making it difficult to call it a healing factor. Whether it can continue to be a healing factor then will depend on Kuro lol.
