CH 114

Nero

***---***

After leaving the Lastock garrison, Reinhardt, my genus, moved to the special training ground in the Devil's Forest with the corpse of the Storm Cat.

[ Kent-sama, are you bringing this Storm Cat to the guild? ]

"Hmm ... I have something I want to try."

[ Are you planning on making it your genus? ]

"Yeah, I use magic on a daily basis, and maybe I'll be able to increase my genus again ... I thought."

I remembered that the chairman and her caretaker, Erna, were talking about increasing the level of magic at the Lastock clinic.

I thought that if I used dark magic on a daily basis, I would be able to do things that I couldn't do before.

The corpse of the Storm Cat had many holes in its forehead and back of its head.

I thought that it could be cured by using magic stones to strengthen it after making it a genus, but it was the first time I made a monster with a wound as my genus, so it seemed a bit creepy when it started to move.

After taking a deep breath and calming myself down, I faced the Storm Cat and called out to it while being conscious of the magical connection I felt with all my genus.

"Will you lend me your strength as my genus? Kuu ..."

When I connected the link, I felt like my magical power was taken away, but it wasn't as bad as when I made the Kobold Corps my genus all at once.

If this is the case, I think I can increase the number of my genus more than just the Storm Cat.

The light returned to its eyes, and slowly the Storm Cat lifted its head.

When those eyes caught my eye, 'Dorodoro', 'Dorodoro' ... I heard a low sound.

For a moment, I thought it was a threatening sound, but I didn't feel any hostility in the Storm Cat's eyes.

It seems like it's purring in a good mood, but because its body is huge, the volume is loud enough to echo in its stomach.

"Will you become my genus?"

"Naaaaaaaaaan ..."

The Storm Cat got up and rubbed against me.

Fuwa, hey, what's up with this fur coat, it's just like velvet.

[ Kent-sama, it's said that a house can be built by selling the fur of just one Storm Cat. ]

"Is that so? No, but I might get addicted to this feeling ..."

Of course, Mart and the others' mofumofu feels good, but the supple texture of the Storm Cat is another kind of comfort.

"Guruuuuuuu ... Goshujin-sama is cheating on us ..."

"We also feel good too ..."

"Wafu, but it can't enter the room with that size."

That's right. No matter how nice the Storm Cat feels, it's too big to fit in my boarding house room.

Even when it's standing on all fours, its head is higher than my height.

"It's okay. I won't neglect Mart-tachi, so please get along with each other."

"I understand ... if Goshujin-sama says so ..."

"That's why, please stroke me a lot later."

"Me too, my belly, rub my belly."

"Yes, yes, I understand, wait your turn."

Let's stroke them a lot later so that Mart and the others don't get sulky after getting jealous.

"Then, I'll strengthen you, so take in the magic stones."

I took out about 10 Minotaur magic stones, threw them into the large mouth of the Storm Cat, and sent an image of strengthening along with magic power.

A dark mist enveloped the Storm Cat's huge body, and a violent purple electric lightning ran through it.

It was a powerful monster as it was, but since it lost its wind attribute magic when it became my genus, I thought it would be necessary to strengthen it specifically for the dark attribute.

Increase in power, increase in speed, increase fur texture, and add charm.

Since it's big, I'll put out a shield of darkness so it can go in and out.

After a remarkably loud roar of thunder, an undead Storm Cat with lustrous fur appeared from within the exploding mist.

Even the wounds left by my attack magic are gone.

"Your name is Nero. Nice to meet you."

"Nyaa, I'll be useful to you, Goshujin-sama."

Nero squints at me and rubs against me.

Fuoooooo ... It's crazy, it's crazy, it's so comfortable that I feel like I'm about to ascend.

[ Buhahahaha, as expected of Kent-sama. There is no one other than the Maou of fairy tales who can tame a Storm Cat. ]

"Because it's more dangerous than a Gigawolf?"

[ No way. The Flamehounds were aiming for the Gigawolf to add foil to their name, but the Storm Cat is faster and more dangerous, and since it's a monster that doesn't stay in one place, there's almost no opportunity to kill it. It's at the level of a natural disaster waiting for it to leave, even if it costs a few sacrifices. ]

"Nyaa, Nero doesn't attack humans other than bad guys."

"Yeah, but Nero is big, so people in town might misunderstand you, so be careful. Even if you get attacked, you should just run away without fighting back."

"I understand ... Nya nya, Goshujin-sama, there, there nya ..."

When I stroked the back of its large ears, Nero opened its mouth halfway and showed an ecstatic expression.

"Mart-tachi come too."

"Wafu, stroke me, stroke me."

When I called Mart and the others who had a sulking expression on their faces, they rushed over while swinging their tails as if they were about to be torn off.

Uwaa, it's a mofumofu festival, mofumofu festival.

[ Kent-sama, if you increase the number of genus, wouldn't it be better to rerpot it to Donovan-dono. ]

"Ah, that's right. Yeah, let's go back to the guild right away."

When I visited the guild to register Nero, it was in the afternoon, and there was a relaxed atmosphere with people asking for work.

As usual, when I went out from the bottom of the stairs and headed to the counter, I met the eyes of the receptionist, Fleur-san.

She was all smiley to my classmates, but her eyes on me were somehow sharp.

The sharp gaze of a grown-up beauty made me feel embarrassed.

I was going to visit Donovan-san in person later, but when I stopped for a moment, she called out to me.

"Kent-san, do you need something? Kent-san is a celebrity, so please don't hang around too much and cause a ruckus."

"Yes, I'm sorry ... Or should I say, do you really hate me that much?"

"Haa ... What are you talking about? Adventurers are scared of Kent-san."

Fleur-san spoke with a big sigh as if she was amazed.

"Hee? They're scared of me ...?"

"Everyone is grateful that Kent-san saved the city, but on the other hand, Kent-san, who uses many powerful monsters like his hands and feet, is also a terrifying existence."

"Eh ... But, I look like this ..."

"Haa ... Did you forget what you did to the young adventurer who got involved with Kent here before? Also, to the son of the Orlando Store ..."

"Uuh ... That's right ..."

The small-fry-like adventurer who got involved was surrounded by shields of darkness, unable to move, and then threatened by being surrounded by Zae and the others.

"If you offend the 'Monster User', you'll be eaten by monsters and you won't even have your bones left ... that's what they say."

"Eeehhh ... I won't do that. Besides, I think they've seen Donovan-san carry me off many times ..."

"Do you think Donovan-san can be put on the same standard as everyone else?"

"No ... That, won't happen ..."

"Anyway, please be more aware that Kent-san is considered a super-dangerous person."

"Yes ... I'll be careful."

Fleur-san, who had a sharp gaze, folded her arms and the buttons on her uniform were screaming.

"So, what do you want?"

"Umm ... I've increased the number of my genus, so I thought I'd report to Donovan-san ..."

"Genus ... When you say that, you increased the number of monsters you can use."

"No, it's more like a family member has increased rather than being a servant."

"Did you increase the number of Kobolds again?"

"No, this time it's a Storm Cat ..."

"Huh? Just now, what did you say ...?"

"I said, I welcomed a Storm Cat into my genus ... Huh, Fleur-san? Ooh!"

Until a little while ago, Fleur-san, who had been looking at me so sharply that I felt a little coldness, opened her eyes wide enough to make them perfectly round, took in a sharp breath, and the button on her uniform that reached its limit popped and flew off.

"Kya, eeh, no way ... lies ..."

Fleur-san, who returned to reality after the button popped off, hurriedly hid her chest with both hands while her face turned bright red.

Guu ... The destructive power is too high for her to change from a queen-like atmosphere to a shy maiden.

"S, Storm Cat, is that real?"

"It's true. I can show you ..."

"No good! That's no good. What are you thinking? There are people around."

"Aah ..."

Certainly, the people who came to ask for work and the guild staff behind the counter were also looking at us when they heard the name Storm Cat.

"Donovan-san is at the training grounds for combat training. Please go over there. Definitely ..."

"Excuse me ..."

Fleur-san, who hides her chest with both hands and puffs out her cheeks while sulking, is ridiculously cute.

"What are you grinning about? Please don't stare at me."

"I, I'm sorry. Well then, I'll go to the training ground."

When I looked for Donovan-san and went to the training grounds, the first thing I saw was a mountain of Scavenger corpses.

It seems that Ridner and the others continued to struggle while groaning at the splashing bodily fluids, but it didn't feel like they were reducing much.

And when I looked for Donovan-san and moved my gaze to the place where the combat training was being held, an unexpected figure jumped into my sight.

It seemed that three adventurers wearing protecting gear and holding wooden swords were attending, but it seemed that it was not a three-way battle but a two-on-one battle.

The two of them were probably adventurers who were taking the class, and the one who was dealing with them was Gilik.

In terms of age, the adventurers who were taking the class looked older than Gilik, but their expressions didn't give off a sense of ease.

Gilik, on the other hand, was also holding his wooden sword with vigilance instead of his usual cocky attitude.

The two adventurers seemed to be plotting to target Gilik by changing positions while giving a wink.

In response, Gilik stepped forwards towards one of the adventurers, but that seemed to be the other adventurer's plan, and the other adventurer quickly circled behind Gilik.

With a small click of his tongue, Gilik turned around and raised his wooden sword at the adventurer behind him.

The other adventurer who saw it changed his posture from his waist and swung at Gilik's back, but the wooden sword cut through the air.

The tongue click and the reversal were all Gilik's invitation, and the adventurer who attacked him was hit with a strong blow to his right side and collapsed.

The other adventurer's eyes were captivated by his appearance, and Gilik quickly closed the gap to the other adventurer who stopped moving for a moment.

"Damnit ..."

Gilik, who had plenty of room to repel the desperate blow, slammed his sword into the adventurer's shoulder and decided the match.

Then, when he turned around, he gave me a piercing glare.

I felt that there was a strong determination in his gaze.

"That's the end, Gilik is the winner. Kent, do you want to join us?"

"N, no ... I haven't finished the class on the wind day of the week yet, and I just need to talk to Donovan-san ..."

"Hmph ... I see, while you're at it, give them a little treatment."

"Eh ... Ah, yes, I understand."

Both of the adventurers, who were struck down by Gilik, were lying down and groaning.

When I treated the first who was hit in the side, then the one who was hit in the shoulder, Gilik frowned and clicked his tongue loudly.

"Tch, are you seriously going to use healing magic ..."

"Have you forgotten that you were also treated?"

"Hmph, you won't be able to say condescending things forever ..."

"Fufuun ... No matter how much you talk, you can see the results in a serious match where anything goes ..."

"For now ... I'll cut off your head in a serious match so that you can't say anything, aah!"

"Heee ... You're going to faint with a nosebleed again anyway ... Fugya."

Donovan-san dropped his fist on us when I glared back at Gilik, who was glaring at me from above, from below as usual.

"If you get in the way of the class, I'll kick you out. Kent, what do you need?"

"It hurts ... I'm sorry, I thought it would be better to rerpot it after increasing the number of my genus."

"If it's a genus ... what did you add this time?"

"Yes, a Storm Cat."

"What, did you say ... it's a Storm Cat ..."

Not only the adventurers who participated in the course, but even Gilik and Donovan-san were surprised.

"A, anyway, it's the same size as the cats around here, isn't it?"

Hearing Gilik's unwillingness to admit defeat, all the adventurers have expressions of understanding, but if a cat the same size as Nero was wandering around, it would be a big fuss, wouldn't it.

"What's the situation, Kent."

"This is the first time I've seen a Storm Cat, so I don't know much about it, but it seems like it's a normal size."

"It's as firmly under your control as the Skeletons and the Lizardmen are, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's the same as my other genus."

Donovan-san crossed his arms and stroked his chin, thinking for a moment before he opened his mouth.

"Okay, Kent, just show me."

After hearing Donovan-san's words, all the adventurers retreated away from me.

"Nero, come out."

When I put out a shield of darkness, Nero revealed its supple, gigantic body without even making a sound of footsteps.

When it shakes its body  with a 'bururi', it rubbed against my body while making a throaty sound.

"Nero, this is Donovan-san, to whom I'm indebted. Say hello."

"Nice to meet you, Nero nya."

"I'm Donovan. Don't be too violent in the city of Volzard."

"It's fine nya, unless Goshujin-sama tells me to do it nya."

Nero was in a good mood and wagged its thick tail.

Oh, I forgot, I'll mofumofu that tail later.

"Amazing ... You've completely tamed a Storm Cat."

"I heard he was a 'Monster User', but this much ..."

"Hey, that Storm Cat is talking."

"Just a little bit, just a little bit, I wonder if I can't mofumofu ..."

I understand, I understand the feelings of the adventurers, but I won't let you mofumofu.

And as for Gilik, he was glaring at me with his teeth clenched so much that I could almost hear him grinding his teeth.

Mufufufu ... If hit by Nero, Gilik would be KO with one cat punch.

Ridner and the others, who were dismantling the Scavengers, also stopped their hands completely and looked at us with their mouths wide open.

"Okay, I'll prepare the registration documents for you. You can have it return for now."

"Okay, Nero, go back."

"Understood nya."

When I put out a shield of darkness, Nero returned to the shadows with the supple gait characteristic of the cat family.

"Even so, a Storm Cat ... Your place is getting more and more brutal. Who are you going to start a fight with?"

"I don't plan on starting anything, myself, but ..."

"Hmph, why are you hiding? The stupid Princes of Resenburg and the people of Barshania won't even notice your existence. Isn't it you, Kent, who is willing to intrude?"

"Eeeehhhh ... So, Donovan-san, are you telling me to leave the situation as it is?"

"I can't do anything, but if I were in your position, I wouldn't remain silent."

"Right. Even if I'm called a 'Maou' in other countries, I'll continue to work to protect Volzard."

"Ha, that's an admirable way of thinking. I'd like to see a blockhead who only cares about his own face, learn from him."

"That's right, that's right. Shall I make a decoction of nail dirt and give it to you?"

When I looked at Donovan-san with a wide grin on my face, Gilik's face turned bright red as he gripped the hilt of his wooden sword so tightly that it seemed like it would break.

"Well, if you don't have anything else to do, you can go home, you're in the way of the class."

"Yes, excuse me."

If i go back inside the guild, Fleur-san will glare at me, so I decided to hide in the shadows and move.

I was so busy that I missed lunch and I was hungry.

Maybe ... I thought, and when I returned to the boarding house, lunch had just finished.

"Amanda-san, can I have something to eat, too?"

"Oh, Kent, isn't it unusual for you to come home at noon?"

"Yes, I've been busy since morning, and I missed lunch."

"Okay, okay, we're going to eat too, so come in and sit down."

"Yes, thank you very much."

At the table in the shop, Amanda-san, Meline-san, the three of us sat around the dining table.

"Where did Kent go this morning?"

"Yes, I went to the guild to sell the small monsters I defeated in the dungeon. After that, when I went to see how Marcel-san's shop was being rebuilt, I was informed that a monster was approaching Lastock, so I went to Lastock, added the defeated monster to my genus, went to the guild to report it ... and came back."

"Haa ... I feel like my eyes are spinning just by listening to it."

"No, compared to Amanda-san, who manages a crowded shop, I still have a long way to go."

"Hey, Kent, can you show me what kind of monster your new genus is?"

Meline-san, who likes the fluffy Art-tachi, asked with great interest.

"Nero, who is the new genus, is a little big, so he can't come out in the house."

"It can't come out inside the house, Kent, you didn't make a Salamander your genus, did you?"

Hearing that it's a large monster, Amanda-san looked startled.

"No, no, it's not a Salamander, it's a Storm Cat."

"Eeeehhhh ..."

Both of them were surprised with their eyes wide open when they heard Storm Cat.

And Meline-san, almost dropped the fork she was holding.

"Eh, what's wrong? He's cute, my Nero."

"Kent, when you say Storm Cat, it's said to be an unstoppable calamity that appears on the wind of death, reaps lives, and passes by."

Even Meline-san, who likes fluffy things, can't believe it.

"That's right. It was indeed very fast, and even Zae-tachi couldn't stop it."

"Kent, is it okay ...?"

"Yes, I've already shown it to Donovan-san, and I'm supposed to have him make the registration documents."

"it must be true. Well, if Kent says so, it should be fine ..."

"Yes, I'll have it greet you in the back when you're done eating."

"What is it, even the Storm Cat can talk?"

"Yes, it's easier to communicate that way."

"Haa ... For some reason, living with Kent seems to keep breaking down my common sense."

Hmm ... As for me, I think I act with common sense.

When I looked a little unconvinced, Meline-san gave me a giggle.

As for Meline-san, her training at Amanda-san's shop will last until the end of the year, and she plans to reopen the store her father left for her from the New Year.

"Honestly, I'm a little worried, but Amanda-san taught me some recipes, so I'm going to start with a limited menu and gradually increase it as I get used to it."

"If it's Meline-san, you'll be fine. I'll give you the stamp of approval."

"Thank you very much. I really don't know how to thank you ... Kent, thank you very much for introducing me to this place."

"No, no, it's a shop that your father left behind, so it would be a waste to close it like that ... Speaking of which, how is your brother doing?"

"Yeah ... Nicola says he's switching up to become an adventurer."

Meline's expression clouded as soon as she started talking about her younger brother Nicola.

Even when he was working in the cafeteria, I can do it, I can do it, it's your fault if you can't understand, he was just passing the responsibility on to someone else, I don't think switching to an adventurer will improve the results.

Shortly after Nicola turned fifteen, it seems that there was a time when he was aiming to become an adventurer, but since his guild rank is E-rank, he can't even go outside the ramparts by himself now, so he's lounging around at home.

"Shall I go and kick him into gear?"

"Haa ... really, I'd like to ask you to do something."

"Shouldn't you consult with Kartz-san?"

"Yeah ... I consulted with him, and I told Kartz-san to be firm, but ... because of his personality ..."

Even if Kartz-san preaches, it feels like a waste of effort because he will avoid bringing it to a close, and it has little effect, Kartz-san is rather a physical person, so it seems that he is not suitable for a person like Nicola.

"Since he's your only family, it's understandable that you want to take care of him, but if you spoil him like that, no matter how much time passes, he won't be able to become an adult."

"I guess so, but ..."

"Isn't it impossible if he doesn't wake up after having a painful experience?"

I agree with Amanda-san, but I guess Meline-san doesn't want him to end up in danger.

"I'm moving around here and there, so I don't think there are many opportunities to be with Nicola-san, but I'll be careful when I see him."

"Thank you, it would have been nice if I had a kind kid like Kent as my younger brother ..."

Aah, if Meline-san was my older sister, I would take a bath with her, and fall asleep while hugging her in the same bed ...

"Kent, you show what you're thinking on your face, so be careful ..."

"Hiii? I'm not thinking about impure things."

"Haa ... I didn't say anything about anything impure ..."

"Guu ... that's right ... I'm sorry."

"Really ... why are boys like this ..."

Amanda-san was stunned, and Meline-san giggled.

After the meal, I introdued Nero behind the boarding house as promised.

When Nero emerged from the shield of darkness, Amanda and the others involuntarily took a few steps back, but when Nero narrowed his eyes and greeted them, they seemed to relax.

"Nero nya, nice to meet you."

"Haa ... Certainly, you can't enter our house with this size ..."

"Hey Nero, can I tough you?"

"It's okay."

"Fuwaaaa ... It's so fluffy ..."

"Well, well, howaaaa, this is the first time I've touched something like this."

Amanda-san, who was lured by Meline-san and touched Nero, also has a melting expression on her face.

Well then, let me mofumofu your tail.

"Funyaaaa ... No, Goshujin-sama, the tail, suddenly the tail is no good nyaaaa ..."

When I squeezed Nero's tail, which took my whole arm, Nero's body convulsed and it leaked.

Because of its physique, there was a large puddle.

"Kent ... you should clean it properly."

"Yes, I understand ..."

"When you touch the tail, I want you to say so properly nya ..."

"Yes, I'm sorry ..."

Both Amanda-san and Nero scolded me, so the afternoon's work consisted of cleaning the back of the boarding house.