Chapter 28: Koma's Tail

"Mmm, if we enter the Dead End Hollow now and block the train on its necessary path, it's theoretically feasible."

Wise analyzed the feasibility of the matter, while Belle looked at the computer monitor at her side. "Fairy, can you track the train's real-time position?"

[Affirmative. Calculating a safe route to reach the target train.]

"Wow, this smart butler is so amazing! You truly are the legendary Rope-master, Phaethon! Meow!"

"Ahem, in any case, desperate times call for desperate measures. Let's figure out a way to stop the train inside the Dead End Hollow."

Wise intentionally avoided Koma's topic. Just then, our heartwarming Fairy offered another suggestion.

[Suggestion: The host could buy a commercial life insurance policy before departing.]

"Thanks so much, Fairy."

Wise directly ignored Fairy's suggestion. Time was of the essence, so he immediately set off, having Koma take Eous into the Dead End Hollow.

"Hey, Koma, can you hear me?"

"Mmm, I can hear you. So amazing! This is the first time I've met a Rope-master who can communicate directly with someone inside a Hollow. No wonder Nicole said you are the most amazing Rope-masters in all of Eridu."

"Thank you for your affirmation. Next, we're going to implement the train-stopping plan. Are you ready on your end?" Wise had also completed his preparations and was ready to sync his consciousness at any time.

"Mmm, of course, no problem. You can count on me."

After Koma's confident chest-thumping guarantee, the plan officially began.

"Brother, you have to be careful!" Belle looked at Wise with some concern. After all, neither of them had been to a dangerous place like the Dead End Hollow many times.

"Mmm, don't worry. Wait for my good news." After saying this, Wise directly began the consciousness sync. The familiar black screen, and then his eyes opened.

...(Content Deleted)...

"Hm? Koma, what are you...?"

"Oh, it's you, Wise! Wait a moment." After hearing Wise's voice, Koma immediately stopped and put him down.

You couldn't blame Koma for acting this way. After all, in her perception, Wise was a severe cat-petting addict... (Content Deleted)... ...(Content Deleted)... But this was the Dead End Hollow. If she fell into that state of being unable to resist again, it would be dangerous.

Wise, having been put down so hurriedly, bounced a couple of times on the ground with a soft boing, calmly patted his bottom, and looked at Koma, who was pretending as if nothing had happened at his side. Alright, it was because of my actions before that she's so vigilant now, so I'll let it slide this time. Although, when it came to official business, he would absolutely not do anything rude, it was better to prove this with actions.

However, not long after the two of them continued to move, a huge commotion suddenly came from the distance. Fairy also issued a reminder at this time.

[Warning. High-risk unit detected approaching. Advise evasion.]

A high-risk unit? The only thing in the Dead End Hollow that could be described as such was the infamous Dead End Butcher.

"This is bad! It's that monster Billy was talking about! We have to hide, quickly!"

Seeing the behemoth approaching in the distance, Koma couldn't care about anything else. She directly scooped up Wise, who was in his Bangboo form, and hid in a secluded corner. Feeling the incredibly terrifying Aether energy fluctuations, Koma instinctively wanted to shrink her body to avoid being discovered.

...(Content Deleted)...

...(Content Deleted)...

...(Content Deleted)... But how could there be a wild cat in a place like this? So naturally, it was... (Content Deleted)... She then cautiously peeked at the departing Dead End Butcher. After confirming that it hadn't noticed them, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. And because she now had a free hand, Wise, no longer feeling suffocated, immediately let go of the tail he was gripping.

At the same time, a flustered and angry Koma, after smoothing out the fur on her tail, tried her best to hold it up high, as if to prevent a certain someone from grabbing it again.

[Koma's favorability has increased by 5 points. Current favorability: 40. 200 Emotion Value obtained. Current Emotion Value: 4200.]

Wise couldn't help but feel a bit awkward seeing her action. This time, it was indeed his mistake, but the main reason was that Koma had been squeezing him too tightly just now.

"W-we should keep moving..."

"Mmm..."

Because time was tight, the two of them naturally couldn't linger for too long over such a small matter and continued on their way. But not long after, they encountered another obstacle. A wrecked train car had suddenly appeared on their planned route. It looked like it had been torn apart by some giant Ethereal and thrown here.

"Meow, what's with this train car? Rope-master, we didn't go the wrong way, did we?" Koma looked down at Wise at her feet, but he just shook his head.

"No, our route is correct. This wrecked train car was probably thrown here by an Ethereal."

"'Thrown'? That kind of strength is too terrifying, meow!"

While Koma was still marveling, Wise was thinking about how to solve this problem. However, the thoughtful Fairy once again offered a suggestion.

[Suggestion: The host's body is small, and the client's name contains the word 'cat.' You could try to see if you can squeeze through the gap.]

"What's with this smart butler? I'm a Nekomata, not a cat! And this gap is so small, we can't get through! There's no way we can get through, meow!" Koma first refuted Fairy's suggestion, then began to seriously consider the situation before her. "If it were just me, it wouldn't be difficult to climb over, but I can't do it while carrying a Bangboo. And the surrounding area is full of deep pits caused by land subsidence, so going around isn't realistic either."

Just then, a voice that sounded particularly pitiable came from the other side of the train car. "Um, that is, excuse me..."

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