Léon: The Cat Killer

"Thank you for your hard work, Medic. The progress is even better than I expected, which means I can even conduct your kitten's check-up a day earlier... Also, has there been any change in your left eye?"

"...The inflammation has been largely eliminated..."

"So, which eye have you decided to use? If you don't want to use Loken's technology, I can also try to transplant a mechanical prosthetic eye from Rhine Lab for you..."

As Kal'tsit spoke, she tossed out various technical documents bearing the logos of different tech companies one by one. Some were from second-rate companies, but did she even have Rhine Lab's technical documentation?

"However, considering your personal feelings, I must tell you in advance... the prosthetic eye technology will inevitably utilize Rhine Lab's chimera therapy... essentially, that's also a technology resulting from inhumane experiments... and in terms of vision recovery, it's not expected to be as effective as using Originium-modified organs..."

"Because my Originium-modified organs, along with those of the Bruce family, did not experience rejection?"

Although it was a question, Medic's tone was unequivocal... Of course, she knew why Kal'tsit would draw such a conclusion from her medical report... After all, her body, from the very beginning, was an alien monster capable of adapting to all its organs...

Thinking of this, Medic sighed:

"Well... after all, I'm a chimera, so I don't have any concept of rejection towards human biological organs... the only thing that will reject me is my own heart..."

"It seems you've made your decision."

Closing the technical manual she had just opened, Kal'tsit looked at Medic, whose expression was still somewhat reluctant:

"I won't ask you why you changed your mind... but for your recovery after the surgery and your mental health, you need to manage your emotions. Remember not to get lost in the illusions of magic, and finally, remember to send the culture tank to me..."

"clear."

After waving goodbye, Medic glanced at the watch issued by the Security Bureau one last time after leaving Kal'tsit's office... It was pitch black outside the ship, and the time on the watch had changed to 9:00 PM Columbia time.

"Overtime...I hate it..."

After briefly sharing his thoughts, Medic, clutching his rumbling stomach, walked in the dark on Rhodes Island, where even the lights were sometimes out and sometimes not, and sneaked into the 'kitchen' hoping to have a late-night snack.

However, it was obvious that the kitchen cart had already been put away by now, because the area was to be used for training... so Medic didn't find anything to eat, but he did see a few familiar figures.

The towering man, shirtless, had sweat glistening under the industrial spotlights. Because of the extreme temperature difference in Colombia at night, this muscular man, still wearing sunglasses, seemed to be in a fairyland, his steaming sweat rising like mist or flames.

Ace: "Sussuro! Don't think that just because you're in the medical department you don't need to train! You're also a field operator with a signed field contract! Without a strong physique, are you going to become a burden to the team when we encounter mobs or even natural disasters? What's holding us back isn't your physique as a Volper, but your weak will that always wants to give up. Don't give up! Last lap—!!"

Seeing Sussuro, who had changed into a light vest and shorts and was running laps on the track with a long face and a backpack... or rather, 'moving', Medic stopped and stopped even though he hadn't found any food.

The main reason was that Huang was also watching the excitement from the sidelines. Incidentally, Huang, whose head was steaming even more intensely than Ace's, had a water bottle and what looked like cookie packaging next to him... Well, although he wanted to say that he wasn't attracted by the food, the cat killer still instinctively took the route that best concealed his figure in the lighting of the arena and sneaked up to Huang's side.

"...She looks so pitiful. Has Susulu been running around all day?"

"No, no, because her physical condition isn't as good as a combatant's, she's only covered less than ten kilometers so far, walking and stopping frequently... Oh? Medic, are you off work?"

"Hmm... I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?"

Although startled by the cat that suddenly appeared beside him, Huang still opened a bag of biscuits with a slightly lewd smile when he saw his kin, a head shorter than him, drooping ears and begging for food:

"Yes, how about cookies and sports drinks? Although it's just something I quickly put together with what I had on hand..."

Listening to Huang's explanation, Medic, shaking his cat ears, took the water bottle and sniffed it:

"...Slightly salted water...is indeed a very good sports drink."

"We're short on resources, so I apologize for the poor hospitality... How about trying this cookie? Although Ace's cookies are as hard as rocks, I put cheese in the middle, so it's somewhat edible... Ah~"

Seeing that Huang seemed quite happy and was trying to feed him, Medic accepted the offer despite feeling very uncomfortable... But chewing on the crunchy, hard biscuit that could even scratch his mouth, Medic had to turn his attention to the water bottle in his hand:

"Mmm...not bad..."

"Hey Medic, you don't have to push yourself like that... Also, you took too many bites. I was really worried you'd choke on Ace's culinary disaster... I wonder what Kal'tsit would say to us if that really happened..."

Anyway, I'll give you something in return.

Seeing Medic still chewing on a biscuit and making what sounded like teeth grinding, the cat killer struck a bartender pose with a water bottle. Just as Huang's eyes lit up, Medic grabbed the water bottle with both hands and began to shake it violently up and down.

The commotion on Medic's side even attracted the attention of Ace and Sussuruo on the other side... and seeing Sussuruo accidentally step on her own foot and fall to the ground, Ace sighed... clearly, Sussuruo's training couldn't be accomplished overnight.

"Alright, take a break... Susuluo, you still didn't meet the standard today. I can only say that you need to pay more attention to endurance training. We'll have another endurance test next month... According to the standards for field personnel, your physical strength needs to be at least out of the 'deficient' state."

"S...yes...I understand..."

"Get up, I know you don't want to move... but look over there..."

"Uh...(⊙o⊙)? Medic!! Help me!!"

Seeing Sussulu lying on the ground, sobbing, Medic had no choice but to end his performance with a sudden bottle-throwing motion from behind:

"Sorry, Huang, it seems they need this more right now..."

"It's nothing, it's nothing~ This pot of salt water was originally prepared for Sussuruo... Speaking of which, I think I just sensed some Originium Arts... What did you do?"

"It's nothing, it's just some air compressed into salt water... Although it's not as good as regular carbonated water, it's definitely salt soda..."

"Oh! Can you make one for me later too?!"

"Okay. [Unintelligible characters]"

They chatted casually. Huang happily unwrapped another cheese-filled biscuit and fed it to Medic. As the two put down their supplies, they began to help the little fox lying on the ground unload its burdens… Hearing that Medic had made salted soda, Ace wiped his sweat, put on his training clothes, and pitifully pointed to himself:

"what about me?"

"Well, ladies first now."

So Huang handed the water bottle to Susuluo first. The little fox, who looked pink but appeared somewhat whitish under the light, gulped down a few mouthfuls of salt soda. After letting out a loud and long burp without any regard for her image, Huang hugged Medic and laughed as he looked at Susuluo's utterly hopeless expression.

The big cat's laughter was so infectious that even Medic, who had maintained a calm and composed expression all along, couldn't help but smile slightly.

"...That's the downside of soda...that's why I generally prefer milk..."

Sussuro: "I feel like I have no choice... Damn it, Medic, why didn't you do endurance training with me..."

"Because I still have work to do with Kal'tsit."

As he spoke, Medic opened the waterproof packaging of another cookie... Although Ace's culinary-inspired stone cookie was neither easy to eat nor tasted very good, it was incredibly filling... After only three cookies, Medic surprisingly felt full.

So, are we still going to do the job of sneaking food from the food truck?

After thinking about it, Medic decided to save face for himself... It's only been two days since he boarded the ship, so it's better not to create too much of a persona for himself.

Afterwards, Miss Medic used her special ability to make two servings of salted soda to satisfy Ace and Huang's cravings. Before they knew it, it was ten o'clock... They chatted happily... or rather, the four of them, exhausted from a day of work, parted ways.

Tomorrow, all four of them have their own tasks. If they don't rest soon, it will be difficult to explain to Kal'tsit.

Unbeknownst to Medic, after she left, a purple-haired, hooded Sarkaz appeared from the void...

After Medic returned to his room and endured the kitten's attack, and together with Cole and Kate comforted the kitten who hadn't seen its 'Nana-neechan' all day, he remembered that he still needed to bring Kate's eyes to Kal'tsit, so he had to make another trip.

Meanwhile, next door—

The pink-haired Sarkaz stroked the bunny girl sleeping on his lap and asked in a gentle tone:

"...Did you see the spell just now, Ascaren?"

“Your Highness, you know I am not skilled in magic... but I did see it... without a doubt, it was royal court witchcraft... but that's all I can confirm.”

As he spoke, the purple-haired, hooded Sarkaz glanced at the shadows to the side, where a banshee was playing with a bone pen, her eyes filled with curiosity: "Chun..."

"It's the Blood Demon's sorcery... That girl manipulates water like blood... A killing technique meant to evaporate the enemy's blood has been turned into a beverage-making trick in her hands... Heh, if that Great Lord knew, he'd probably pounce on her bleeding from all seven orifices." Yi

“Oh, Logos… although you have some minor conflicts with the older generation of members, don’t always try to embarrass the royal court… although, I think what you said is quite possible.” Lin

While quietly agreeing, the pink-haired Sarkaz woman covered her mouth with one hand to stifle a laugh, glancing around... seemingly genuinely afraid that the Blood Demon King's High Lord would actually rush out from the corner.

The purple-haired hooded woman looked at the banshee:

"It's pretty much confirmed... Just like Lord Kal'tsit said, that person... should also possess the crown..."

"Just as Outcast said, the Discipline and the Crown interfere with each other... but both are indeed functioning normally within her... and the Discipline acknowledges that someone capable of witchcraft is a Sarkaz, does that mean..."

Seeing the pink-haired Sarkaz woman gesture for him to stop, Logos stopped speculating... after all, whether the result was true or not, it wouldn't help the current situation in the Sarkaz.

The pink-haired Sarkaz woman stared blankly once more at Amiya, who was lying on her lap, biting her lip as if looking at something terrifying.

"...Although I agreed to relinquish authority, whenever I see this child suffering so much even in her dreams, I wonder if I have abandoned the responsibilities that were rightfully mine... Amiya... Poor Amiya... Why must you bear this hatred and anger that has never been yours... You are still so small and frail... You don't even know the meaning of hatred and anger themselves."

"If it's that child... at least she's an 'angel' who already possesses self-expression and can think for herself... even if she's filled with anger, she wouldn't hate anyone indiscriminately..." X

As he spoke, the pink-haired Sarkaz shook his head: "Put..."

"It's a pity... that someone so suited to wear the crown is destined to be rejected by the royal court, simply because she was accepted by the Discipline... simply because she is the natural nemesis of the Sarkaz... when will we finally understand the meaning of hatred itself... that it is meaninglessness itself?"

"Your Highness..."

Seeing Ascaron's hesitant expression, the pink-haired Sarkaz gave a wry smile:

"I'm sorry, it's because I always say things that make people unhappy..."

Seeing the two of them bowing slightly, the pink-haired Sarkaz woman's wry smile deepened.

Then, she carefully moved Amiya aside... covered her with a blanket, and went to the porthole...

The Colombian wilderness outside was devoid of even a glimmer of starlight, much like the future of Sarkaz in her eyes—utterly dark.

When will dawn break, and when will we be able to await the sunrise...? Kal'tsit promised her that such a day would come, but... as the price, she herself might not be able to see it.

However, looking at the image projected onto the crystal ball on the desktop, a gift from a certain lich, Theresa smiled slightly.

"Ah, Kal'tsit... at least, I hope that on this ship in the future... you won't have such a lonely expression anymore..."

……

…………

"Kelsey?"

There was no response when he knocked on the door. With Kate's eye container in hand, Medic, having already made an appointment, chose to push open the door to his boss's office directly.

Generally speaking, if an assassin provokes his superior like this, he would probably be shot eight times the moment he opens the door and be judged to have committed suicide... But... Kal'tsit gave Medic a good feeling.

After these days of communication, Nana felt that this person was the kind of... extremely focused technician.

Although if she were to carry out a mission, she could only offer the appropriate equipment at most... or at most travel together... unable to provide more support than Kal'tsit, Nana would prefer a manager who could be prepared for everything, someone who could balance ideals and reality to act as her support.

But... even just looking at her sleeping face, Medic felt... this person who seemed to know everything, wanted to do everything, and was indeed doing her best, who didn't know what she was so eager for... her actions themselves... had a heartwarming power that made people want to support her unconsciously.

It's strange. Her eloquence is far inferior to that of her manager... So why does Nana only want to run away when she talks about her ideals to her manager, while Medic wants to support Kal'tsit's actions?

Is it because Kal'tsit really charged ahead alone?

Medic didn't understand any of this; she was simply like her bonsai, landing on Rhodes Island and taking root there.

If you help me, then I will help you.

Medic is just a simple filmmaker; to gain her support, there's no need for much persuasion.

Pushing open the door, Nana saw the emerald film set reclining slightly in the office chair. Her first thought was that this position was perfect for being shot, but then she realized that she wasn't there to carry out a mission.

Squinting, the cat killer leaned closer. After waiting for a while without seeing the other party wake up, it was now confirmed that this emerald-clad kin who was always working non-stop was obviously not some alien demon or machine... She was also a human, and she could get tired and fall asleep.

Speaking of which, Medic seems to have seen the bed behind the bookshelf in the office. It looks a bit messy. Kal'tsit seemed to have been sleeping on the bed before, but now she's at the desk... Could it be that she fell asleep while waiting for me to deliver Kate's eyes?

Following this line of reasoning, the cat killer carefully placed the container holding Kate's eyes in a secure locker with a drop-proof safety mechanism...

Then, looking at Kal'tsit, who was sitting back on the stool with her mouth slightly open as she breathed out... the assassin first took off her coat... then, realizing something was wrong, she brought over the blanket from the bed... this felt even more strange.

Slowly moving the dark green columnar crystal that was inexplicably blocking the way to a corner, the cat killer finally decided to move Kal'tsit to her bed. The process was slightly... for some reason a little terrifying, but fortunately everything went smoothly.

Finally, she carefully covered her with a blanket, just like taking care of her own kitten. Perhaps Nana was also developing some maternal instincts while taking care of Matilda.

"...Is this alright?"

After confirming one last time that the container Medic had brought was placed in a place where it wouldn't be easily damaged, the cat killer glanced strangely at the dark green crystal whose position seemed to have changed again, and finally decided to mind his own business... He left and closed the door behind him.

As always, in Kal'tsit's office, which was unknown to the cat, Kal'tsit, whose face remained unchanged but whose earlobes were slightly red, opened her eyes after hearing her door close.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Emerald Felin rubbed her face, as if to cope with the low temperatures of the Columbian wilderness. She rubbed her face until it turned red before finally getting out of bed.

She didn't know why, when she woke up halfway through being carried, she inexplicably didn't make a sound.

Was I being affected by my body's own hormones again?

Kal'tsit didn't know.

She could only get dressed, and then take out the emerald-like gem from the closet, which upon closer inspection even had beautiful, fiery eyes.

The cultivation of this eye was originally scheduled to begin tomorrow afternoon, but because of someone's careless mistake, she can't sleep.

Workaholic Kal'tsit could only once again devote her limited time to endless work... Of course, just as she was about to begin, she suddenly sensed that something was off about the atmosphere around her.

Originium Arts? No, it's something beyond that modern concept.

Kal'tsit, who knew perfectly well what was going on with the ship beneath her feet, immediately straightened her face again:

"...Theresia?"

Thanks to what sounded like a girl's light laughter in the air, Kal'tsit's previously slightly shy face had now completely transformed into her usual expression, as if she had a grudge against someone.