— The Big Boss Makes an Entrance —
The sight before Eren stole the breath from his lungs.
It wasn't at all the tense, dramatic confrontation he had imagined.
No—this was absurd. So absurd it was almost disarming.
Field Commander Nadia, her face as impassive as carved jade;
Johan, still sweating and heaving from his five thousand one-armed push-ups, his massive frame trembling with exertion;
and the perpetually grinning Xunhuan Lee—whose usual smirk had vanished, replaced by a look of genuine deference—
all stood in perfect unison, bowing deeply toward the figure emerging from the shadows.
"Greetings, Black Boss!"
Eren's brain froze, his mental gears grinding to a halt.
Black Boss? Who the hell...?
The dark figure stepped forward slowly, deliberately, each movement measured and filled with an unnatural grace.
"...Holy shit." Eren nearly bit his tongue.
It was a cat.
A black cat—walking upright, confidently, on two legs.
Its round belly swayed with every step, almost pompously.
A thick gold chain hung around its neck, gleaming faintly.
A fat, unlit cigar rested between its claws, and a tiny pair of mirrored sunglasses perched precariously over its eyes.
It was the perfect, ludicrous embodiment of a mafia boss making his grand entrance.
Eren blinked rapidly, wondering if the residual shadow energy had finally fried his synapses.
Did this cat... really exist?
Or had he finally lost his mind?
His imagination conjured the feline lounging in a velvet booth, snapping its claws for a refill of whiskey.
Then its golden eyes—sharp enough to cut glass—snapped toward him.
Layers of disdain, simmering impatience, and a silent warning flickered within that gaze:
You'd better show some respect, kid.
Aveline tugged urgently at his sleeve, whispering, "Bow—quick! Black Boss hates impoliteness. Don't stare!"
"Ah—right!" Eren hastily dipped into a bow, struggling to keep his face straight.
"Greetings, Black Boss."
"Meow—" The cat's long, drawn-out meow was lazy, dripping with casual authority.
It began to circle him three slow, deliberate times—its soft paws making no sound, yet every step felt like a judgment.
Ethan stepped forward cautiously, as if addressing royalty.
"Black Boss, this is Eren Kai—the external operative I mentioned. His unique constitution allows him to resist and even absorb shadow energy—"
"Meow." A single, curt sound. The cat's eyes narrowed behind its tiny shades.
The meaning was clear: Do you think I can't tell?
Eren's heart hammered. This cat's authority... was absolute.
Then—
"Whoosh!"
In a blur of motion too fast to follow, the black cat launched itself into the air like a streak of lightning, claws glinting wickedly as they aimed straight for Eren.
"Shit—!" Eren froze. An invisible pressure locked his body in place, making evasion impossible.
"BOOM—!" A deafening thunderclap exploded inside his skull. His vision went white.
But the impact never came.
The cat's paw landed—gently—on his shoulder. A mere symbolic tap.
In one gravity-defying motion, it used his shoulder as a springboard, flipped backward, and landed perfectly atop Johan's furry head—its personal throne.
Everyone turned to stare at Eren with open envy.
Even Nadia's usually stoic lips twitched in what might have been a smile.
Johan let out a low whistle. "Kid! A shoulder pat from Black Boss? That's a divine blessing! You hit the jackpot on your first day!"
Eren looked down, dazed. "Blessing? It tore my shirt."
Sure enough, three neat slashes marked his shoulder. But beneath them, etched faintly into his skin, a black paw print glowed with inner light.
"Big Bear, isn't that just... a tattoo?"
"Meow!" The cat perched on Johan's head yowled indignantly, tail lashing.
Johan stiffened instantly. "N-no! You idiot! That's a divine mark—a protection sigil! It can save your life at a critical moment! People would kill for one!"
Black Boss, now comfortably seated, crossed its hind legs, blew an imaginary smoke ring toward the ceiling, and gave Eren a look that clearly said:
Don't waste my gift.
A slow chuckle escaped Eren's lips. He cupped his hands respectfully and bowed again.
"Thank you for your blessing, Black Boss."
The cat twitched its whiskers and let out two soft, approving meows.
"Meow~ Meow~"
The meaning was unmistakable:
Now that's more like it... but you'd better prove yourself worthy.
---
— Into the Illusionary Miasma —
Nadia spoke, her cool tone threaded with anticipation.
"Eren Kai, Ethan says you can absorb Shadow Energy. True?"
Eren squared his shoulders. "Absolutely."
"Meow?"
The cat's ears twitched, golden eyes fixed on him with keen curiosity.
After a pause, Nadia nodded. "Good. With you here, we might save our lost comrades."
Eren's gaze shifted to the black mist—a devouring abyss of shadow.
"The people inside... are they still alive?"
"Black Boss already confirmed." Nadia's voice lowered. "It's an illusionary miasma. Inhaling it too long awakens the darkness within... until they transform into monsters."
Her eyes sharpened with a glimmer of hope.
"If you can draw that miasma out, there might be a chance."
A dark gleam flashed in Eren's eyes.
That deadly mist might kill others—but to him, it was fuel. Cultivation fuel.
"Then let's not waste time," he said, smirking. "Let me try."
Nadia's command was crisp. "Two squads, plus Eren and Black Boss, enter for recon. No more than thirty minutes. Beyond that... no one survives."
"Understood!" The team answered in unison.
---
— Auras Activated —
Minutes later, the squad assembled at the mist's edge.
Ethan's trio, Nadia, Xunhuan Lee, Johan with Black Boss perched atop his head... plus Eren. Seven humans, one goddamn cat.
The air at the mist's edge was icy and metallic.
"Activate your protective auras," Nadia ordered. "Stay in formation. Equipment fails inside. Sound distorts. Vision breaks down. If separated... pray."
She stepped forward first—swallowed by the mist. Surprisingly, no aura glowed around her.
"Don't worry," Johan whispered, "Sister Nadia's special. The miasma can't touch her."
He activated his aura—pale golden light flowing over him. The others followed, colors flickering faintly.
Eren inhaled deeply, stepping into the haze.
"Focus!" Nadia's voice cut through. "The miasma drains your aura constantly—keep shields strong!"
She glanced at Eren. "You—"
"I'm fine. Don't need one."
She nodded silently, leading the way.
"Hey, Eren," Johan whispered again, "what are you made of? Not scared at all?"
Eren glared. "Ever stop talking?"
Thwack!
Black Boss smacked Johan's head with a paw.
"Ow! Black Boss! Why again?!"
"Meow!"
—Because I felt like it.
Xunhuan Lee exploded laughing. "Serves you right!"
Before he could finish, the cat flicked its claw, sending the cigar butt flying—straight into Xunhuan's open mouth.
"PFFT—Cough! Cough!"
Johan howled. "Hahaha! Instant karma!"
---
— Resentment Rising —
The team advanced cautiously.
The mist swallowed all sound and sight.
The stench of blood and decay clung to every breath.
Eren's heart jolted.
An uncontrollable rage began to boil—
Kill them... Power lies in blood...
He bit his tongue hard. Pain snapped him back. Clarity returned.
This shadow energy... it's saturated with resentment.
Faces around him paled, drenched in sweat, except Nadia and the cat—calm, untouchable.
The others quickly stabilized, their auras reinforced.
Eren raised a hand, eyes narrowing.
"Something's coming."
Heavy footsteps echoed—slow, uneven, impossibly heavy.
The mist churned, trembling with every beat.
Eren's breath stilled.
His vision sharpened.
"It's here."