123
Ch.123 W-City’s
Yoo Anna felt slightly wronged by the journalists, who were shouting to protect the Black Cat with an abnormal glint in their eyes.
"...When I was carrying out the Black Cat protection operation, they wrote articles criticizing me."
In the past, when the extraction of the Black Cat from another city began, some journalists wrote hostile articles about the Black Cat and Yoo Anna.
The secret operation name, The Black Cat Protection Operation, had spread, and journalists criticized whether it was right for a hero to feed meat to a monster.
"Who wrote that article?"
"It was me! I'm sorry! I'll bow my head!"
"I wrote it too! I'm sorry!"
"We failed to grasp the greater purpose!"
"No..."
At Yoo Anna's quiet complaint, they immediately stood up from their seats and bowed their heads on a live broadcast, in full view of all citizens.
Seeing this, Yoo Anna felt more than just dissatisfaction—she felt unease.
Their eyes were desperate, almost fanatical.
"We're not joking around right now. Daring to speak on behalf of all the citizens of W-City, we sincerely need the Black Cat!"
"Everyone gathered here to confirm the Black Cat's presence because it's that desperate. I, as a citizen, feel the same way!"
"So, forget about apologies or blame for now. What we need to discuss is how to keep the Black Cat in W-City and how to make W-City feel like the best place for the Black Cat to live!"
The journalists conveyed the citizens' wishes more fervently than any politician.
And the live chat screen displayed in front of Yoo Anna aligned perfectly with the journalists' sentiments.
[The journalists are speaking well.]
[Isn't this obvious? There's talk that even Despair-class monsters can evolve if given the chance, and we didn’t know if the Black Cat was deceiving us or not. But now, even after becoming an uncontrollable monster, it’s still protecting us.]
[Not believing in the Black Cat now is just stupid.]
[If they’re not stupid, they must be agents from another city. Even idiots know by now that the Black Cat should be trusted and cherished.]
[I’m an idiot, and that’s true.]
The overwhelming power the Black Cat has shown, now covering not just one district but the entire city.
Having already experienced the safety of districts where the Black Cat appeared, the citizens of W-City didn’t want to lose the Black Cat.
By any means necessary, they wanted to show the Black Cat that W-City was the best place to live.
[It’s nice that Starlight apologizes to the citizens whenever she does something wrong, but seeing this sometimes makes me frustrated.]
[If she was the first to start something like the Black Cat protection operation, she should take responsibility.]
[No one even died, what’s there to apologize for? Stop it and speak up as W-City’s number one, the Black Cat otaku!]
A city with the Black Cat means a completely safe city in this era of monsters.
Even the heroes who have fought monsters daily share the same desire to keep the Black Cat in W-City by any means.
Yoo Anna also hoped the Black Cat would stay in W-City, but even if not in W-City, she wished the Black Cat would look favorably upon humans.
Eventually, Yoo Anna began to share her thoughts with the citizens.
"First of all... The Black Cat I've seen likes food, but I think it's already been fed enough."
"Well, looking at that round belly..."
"Then what would it be like?"
"First, wouldn’t a bed be best? There aren’t many places in W-City where the Black Cat can comfortably lie down, so creating such a place would..."
"Then let’s dedicate an entire district as the Black Cat’s bed! The Black Cat special zone!"
"Huh? No, that’s too big. Just expanding the current park or creating a space where a bed can be installed would..."
Upon hearing Yoo Anna’s opinion, the citizens of W-City raised their voices in the chat.
[Already moving demolition trucks to Park No. 3 in District 3.]
[That small building? Just crush it?]
[If we start now and get drone assistance, we can finish construction in three days.]
[What are you talking about? District 4 has plenty of empty lots, just give one of those.]
[What’s the point of the Black Cat being there?]
[What about the ruins of Guryongseong in District 9? There are still some criminals left from the villain’s gang. If the Black Cat settles there, W-City’s crime rate could drop to 0%.]
Which district in W-City should the Black Cat reside in?
This question instantly tore apart the united citizens of W-City.
[No, damn it, obviously District 3—it’s the most densely populated area in W-City.]
[It’s also close to District 0, where the heroes are.]
[Are you guys from A-City or something? Have you no conscience?]
[Obviously, it should be District 4! District 4 has the free meal center supported by Starlight. If the Black Cat gets hungry while sleeping, it can eat right away!]
[That’s only open on weekends.]
In this era, the closer a district is to District 0, where the hero headquarters is located, the higher the property prices.
For the same reason, the safest place in W-City with the Black Cat would naturally be right next to the Black Cat.
Property prices would skyrocket, redevelopment would be certain, and it would undoubtedly become a special district where people could freely see the Black Cat.
[Definitely District 9! Eliminate monsters and crime!]
[The Black Cat can make the entire city a safe zone anyway, right? It doesn’t matter which district, but let’s pick District 5. Most commutes pass through District 5. Everyone can see the Black Cat morning and night.]
[How boring. If we make a bed in District 5, do you think the Black Cat will like W-City? It’s obvious it’ll hate it for being dull.]
[It’s a bed, right? Shouldn’t beds be in quiet places?]
[Are you all brain-dead? Obviously, it should be District 8!]
Yoo Anna sighed, pressing her forehead as she watched the rapidly scrolling chat.
***
The outskirts of the city, a closed-off area with a clear view of W-City.
Having left the monster core resonating, I woke up to warm sunlight after falling asleep.
I might have eaten a bit too much, but after a full meal and deep sleep, I was in a great mood.
However, that good mood didn’t last long.
"The Black Cat’s awake!"
"The Black Cat! The Black Cat!"
"The Black Cat, did you sleep well? Time to eat!"
"Quick, contact inside! Tell them to prepare the Black Cat’s breakfast!"
Humans who had set up tents by the city walls rushed out upon hearing I was awake.
Watching the heroes who had been monitoring me rush off to contact someone, I spread my wings and flew into the city.
After waking up, I was thirsty, but the stream in the closed-off area carried wastewater from W-City, so I didn’t feel like drinking from it.
Shortly after, I arrived at District 4, where the stream was, and drank some water. Residents of District 4 walked toward the stream.
"See! Look at this! It’s definitely District 4! There’s a stream here!"
"They say cats naturally like running water. If it wants to drink, District 4 is the only place."
"Quick, film this. This proves it’s District 4."
What are they talking about...? Did something happen while I was asleep?
After drinking enough, I lay down and scratched the dirt with my claws.
Stretching my body relieved the stiffness in my claws and joints from sleeping.
Then, I flew off to another district.
"No, don’t go!"
"Stay! Black Cat! Stay in District 4!"
Leaving the residents behind, I headed to District 9.
After the fall of Guryongseong, this area had become the quietest in W-City, with very few people. I planned to practice shrinking back to my previous size here.
Upon arriving in District 9, residents soon gathered around, keeping a respectful distance but holding binoculars.
"Did it really come to District 9?"
"It’s good it came, but why?"
Of course, with my increased size, people noticed wherever I went and followed.
Feeling the need to learn how to transform into a human or shrink my body, I focused on reducing my size.
"Huh? What...? Am I seeing things?"
"Is it... Getting smaller?"
Shrinking a monster’s body isn’t as hard as compressing it to human size or changing forms.
Still, the limit right now was going from a small building size to about a three-story house.
Still noticeable.
"The Black Cat shrank!"
"Isn’t this breaking news?"
"Is it just shrinking? Or is its appetite decreasing too?"
"Wait, it’s getting bigger again!"
As I gradually shrank, I accidentally puffed up like fur fluffing out when I reached two-story building size.
After a few more attempts, I realized three-story building size was my current limit.
Now slightly smaller, I circled District 9 to adjust before flying toward the smell of food.
"It’s here! It came!"
"Can’t resist breakfast!"
"Isn’t it smaller?"
"Just feed it! Before the food gets cold!"
The chefs from last night, who had made me feel more than full.
I ate the bread and meat they served for breakfast.
The amount I ate was 2,000 servings.
"It’s eating less?"
"Look, the Black Cat was practicing shrinking in District 9 earlier."
"Could it be... Feeling guilty for eating too much of W-City’s food?"
The chefs, sensing something warm in my demeanor, worked even harder to serve me.
"To think I grudged even a little food for such a kind Black Cat... I’m trash!"
"Let’s feed it until it’s full!"
"Turn District 3 into the Black Cat-exclusive restaurant!"
These humans, trying to stuff me rather than kill me.
I told the chefs, who were spouting nonsense, to take it easy.
[Enough, I’m full.]
"...Huh?"
"Whose voice was that just now?"
The chefs were startled by the sound of the wind created by my ability.
From yesterday’s experience, I knew these humans would endlessly bring food unless I spoke properly.
[If you want me to eat more, bring Churu.]
"Churu...?"
[It’s a dessert.]
"W-wait, is the Black Cat talking?"
"A monster can talk?!"
The chefs, shocked, dropped their pots, ladles, and utensils one by one.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the park, citizens who had been quietly watching murmured.
"A... Scoop! This is a real scoop!"
"The monster can talk! The Black Cat is talking!"
"Do Annihilation-class monsters usually talk?"
"Is that the point?! The Black Cat is talking!"
Something felt off.
Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken.
The normally well-behaved crowd now approached with excited eyes.
"Step back! It was clearly announced! Unauthorized excessive approach to the Black Cat is illegal as of today!"
At that moment, Starlight and several heroes flew down, blocking my path.
Among them, Starlight looked like she’d realized a mistake.
Seemingly sleep-deprived, she muttered quietly.
"I should’ve warned it not to talk in front of people...!"
The quiet park quickly grew noisy again.
"It’s true! The Black Cat spoke!"
"It clearly asked for Churu...!"
"Wait, how does the Black Cat know about Churu?"
"Who the hell gave the Black Cat Churu?!"
Broadcasting mini-helicopters and drones filled the sky again, and people leaned over building railings.
Though fewer than last night, it seemed everyone from District 3 was coming.
Citizens, while keeping a distance under hero supervision, shouted loudly.
"Breaking news! The Black Cat has spoken! The first conversation between a monster and a human! This is a historic moment for humanity! This historic event took place not in the ruins of A-City but under the warm sunlight of W-City’s park...!"
"Let’s present why W-City is better than A-City to the Black Cat!"
"Ask the Black Cat directly! Does it prefer W-City or A-City? District 3 or District 4?"
"Churu! We have Churu here! Churu!"
"Did it really talk? Really?! Seriously?!"
"Quiet, everyone! Quiet! Please be quiet!"
"The Great Cat has deigned to use human speech to communicate with us! The Almighty Cat is a divine messenger sent solely for humanity’s sake! Salvation is near! Believe! Believe!"
"Cat heaven! Non-believer hell!"
Aside from keeping distance, nothing had changed.
For two days straight, the noise robbed me of daytime naps, so I fled to the outskirts again.
"Ah! It’s running away again!"
"How many times do we have to tell you to be quiet?! Starlight said the Black Cat dislikes noise!"
"Black Cat! We’re sorry! We messed up!"
"Don’t go! Don’t go!"
Once more, citizens chased after me, screaming desperately.
Too large to escape their sight, I sighed as I watched them chase me in cars.
To avoid the citizens, I’d need to relearn how to transform into a human quickly.