— 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, ever-expressionless; Johan, still panting from his five thousand one-armed push-ups; and the perpetually grinning Xunhuan Lee—
all stood in perfect unison, bowing deeply toward the figure in the shadows.
"Greetings, Black Boss!"
Eren's brain froze.
Black Boss? Who the hell...?
The dark figure stepped forward slowly, deliberately.
First came the golden eyes—sharp, cold, intelligent, assessing everything in a single glance.
And then—
"...Holy shit."
Eren nearly bit his tongue.
It was a cat.
A black cat—walking upright. On two legs.
Its belly swayed with each confident step. A thick gold chain hung around its neck, a cigar clamped in its claws, and a tiny pair of sunglasses rested over its eyes. The ember of the cigar glowed red through the lenses—
the exact image of a mafia boss making his grand entrance.
Smoke curled around it like wisps of dark magic. Every movement radiated dominance.
Eren blinked.
Did this cat... really exist? Or had he just gone mad from all the shadow energy?
He could almost imagine it lounging in a velvet booth, snapping its claws at a whiskey glass.
Then its golden gaze snapped toward him.
Sharp. Piercing. Unmistakable.
Disdain, impatience, and a silent warning:
You'd better show some respect, kid.
Aveline tugged lightly at his sleeve, whispering,
"Bow. Quick. Black Boss hates impoliteness."
"Ah—right!"
Eren hastily bowed, struggling to look composed.
"Greetings, Black Boss."
"Meow—"
The cat's long, lazy meow sounded... oddly approving.
It circled him three times, claws tapping against the floor like a ritual.
Ethan stepped forward. "Black Boss, this is Eren Kai—the external operative I mentioned. His constitution allows him to resist shadow energy—"
"Meow."
The cat's eyes narrowed, cold as steel.
Need you even say it? Can't I see for myself?
Ethan immediately shut his mouth, even lowering his breathing.
Eren's heart pounded.
This cat's authority... was ridiculous.
Then—
"Whoosh!"
The black cat leapt into the air like a streak of shadow lightning, claws aimed straight for Eren's face.
"Shit—!"
Eren froze, suspended by an invisible force.
"BOOM—!"
Thunder exploded inside his skull. Every nerve screamed.
And then the cat's paw landed... gently... on his shoulder.
A symbolic tap.
One fluid motion later, the cat flipped backward and landed squarely atop Johan's furry head.
Eren blinked. The air was silent—eerily so.
Then... everyone started staring at him with envy.
Even Nadia's lips twitched.
Johan whistled. "Damn, kid! A shoulder pat from Black Boss? That's a blessing! You've hit the jackpot!"
Eren looked down. "Blessing? It tore my shirt."
A faint black paw print glowed softly on his shoulder, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Big Bear, isn't that just... a tattoo?"
"Meow!"
The cat on Johan's head yowled indignantly.
Johan laughed nervously. "N-no, no! That's a divine mark! Can save your life at a critical moment!"
Black Boss crossed its legs lazily, blew a smoke ring, and gave him a look that clearly meant: Took you long enough to get it.
Eren chuckled, cupping his hands respectfully. "Thank you for your blessing, Black Boss."
The cat twitched its whiskers, meowing twice:
"Meow~ Meow~"
—like saying, That's more like it.
---
— 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."