“AAAAAAH!”

  Mina was falling.

  “I’m going to die! I’m going to die! I’m going to DIIIIE!”

  She screamed through her tears.

  Then the small black cat nestled against her chest began to glow gold. The cat lifted its face and gazed up at Mina.

  “Mina… it’s okay.”

  “Huh?”

  The little cat slipped free from Mina’s arms and spun around to her back.

  “Wait—Nox?”

  The cat twirled in midair, its body radiating light as it gradually shifted into the form of a girl. By the time the rotation was complete, Mina found herself cradled in Nox’s arms—princess-carry style.

  “Oh… Nox.”

  Nox flashed a smile and raised her left arm.

  “Shadow Wire!”

  A wire shot from Nox’s bracelet, latching onto the walls at multiple points. The sudden tension jolted her arm.

  “Aaah! My arm’s going to come off!”

  “It’s okay.”

  To Mina’s amazement, the Shadow Wire stretched like rubber, absorbing the shock.

  “AAAHH!”

  The wire elongated and dampened their fall, easing them gradually toward the ground.

  “That’s incredible! You’re amazing, Nox!”

  Nox’s cheeks flushed slightly.

  As the ground drew near, Nox gradually slowed their descent. She touched down gently and set Mina on her feet.

  Mina let out a huge sigh of relief.

  “Phew—you saved me, Nox. I owe you.”

  Nox narrowed her feline eyes and smiled. Mina stroked her head.

  “I always thought I was the one protecting you, carrying you around like that. But all this time, you’ve been staying close to protect me.”

  “That’s not true… I just happened to be in your arms.”

  Mina couldn’t help herself—she pulled Nox into a tight hug.

  “Adorable! You are so adorable!”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  She spent a while petting Nox’s hair and ears, letting the warmth soothe her—but then snapped to attention.

  “This is no time to be relaxing!”

  She locked eyes with Nox.

  “We need to find Arc!”

  Nox gave a small nod.

  “But Arc isn’t nearby. He’s been sent somewhere far away.”

  “Far away?”

  Nox nodded.

  “It was probably a trap.”

  “A t-trap?”

  From the darkness at the end of the passage came a low, sneering laugh—“Gehehehe.” Mina stiffened and peered into the shadows. A crimson-skinned man emerged from the gloom, clapping his hands slowly.

  A cold sweat broke out across Mina’s skin.

  The man’s skin was red and glossy, like polished cowhide. His eyes were sharp as needles, and long fangs protruded from his mouth. He wore nothing but a grass skirt-like garment around his waist.

  “Impressive—as expected of a Princess’s familiar. Sharp instincts.”

  The red man cackled. Mina glared at him.

  “Hey—when you meet someone for the first time, you introduce yourself!”

  “Ha ha ha! That’s rich. This little lady doesn’t know the meaning of fear.”

  “You’re one to talk, looking like that. What is this, a bean-throwing festival?”

  “Bean-throwing?”

  “If not that, maybe a village carnival?”

  The red man pondered this.

  “I don’t really know what bean-throwing or village carnivals are, but one thing’s clear—I’m being mocked.”

  “Not at all—I’m complimenting you.”

  “Like hell you are, you brat!”

  He raised both arms and conjured an enormous fireball above his head. Nox scooped Mina up in an instant.

  “The name’s Balrog! I serve Lord Verglies!”

  “Verglies?!”

  Balrog grinned.

  “Eat this, brat! Take my fireball!”

  The moment Balrog hurled the fireball, Mina raised an Earth Wall right in front of his face.

  “Earth Wall! Harden! HARDEN!”

  “Gwah—!”

  The wall shot up before Balrog could even complete his throw. He stumbled back a step and slammed the fireball into the wall instead.

  It exploded with a deafening boom, and the wall crumbled.

  But by then, Mina had vanished. Balrog trembled with rage.

  “Why, you little—!”

  He barreled down the corridor.

  “Stop right there!”

  “Not a chance!”

  Mina was fleeing in Nox’s arms.

  “This passage is a straight line! There’s nowhere to run!”

  “But there’s nothing we can do…”

  Mina looked back down the corridor. Balrog was pounding after them, his heavy footsteps thundering against the stone.

  “Eeeek!”

  She looked up at Nox.

  “The red demon is gaining on us!”

  “Mm… but I’m a little faster.”

  True to her word, Nox maintained her pace without any urgency—and the gap wasn’t shrinking.

  “I guess you’re right, but still…”

  Nox tapped Mina’s arm.

  “Look, Mina… there’s an exit.”

  “You’re right—I wonder what’s there?”

  Mina stared ahead with rising anticipation.

  When they burst through the exit, they found themselves in an enormous arena. The instant they appeared, a thunderous roar of cheers and applause erupted from all around them.

  “What?! An audience?!”

  Nox nodded.

  “We might have been herded here.”

  She carried Mina to the center of the arena and set her down gently. Moments later, Balrog emerged behind them, baring his white teeth in a grin.

  “Gehehehe! Now the real fun begins!”

  His entrance drew even louder cheers from the spectators. Some were waving flags with BALROG written on them. Mina glared at him, her eyebrows sharp.

  “What is all this?”

  Balrog called out in a theatrical voice.

  “Ha ha ha—ladies and gentlemen! Settle down. I am about to defeat this kitten and her little friend. Please enjoy the show!”

  The crowd went wild. Mina glared at Balrog.

  “Are you stupid? You’re going to fight us alone?”

  “What of it? Got a problem?”

  Mina fell silent. Having the entire audience attack them would be worse. One opponent was actually the better deal. She ground her teeth in frustration. Nox tapped her shoulder.

  “Mina… I have a plan.”

  “A plan?”

  “Lean in…”

  Nox whispered into Mina’s ear. Mina nodded. Watching them, Balrog shouted impatiently.

  “Enough already! Are you going to fight or not?!”

  Mina held up a hand to stop him.

  “Alright—we’re ready!”

  Balrog grinned.

  “Now then, ladies and gentlemen—I’m about to put on quite a show! Give us some applause!”

  A deafening wave of clapping erupted from the stands.