Ch.62Operation Black Cat Protection

# Monster Taming, Not Worth Hearing

Taming a monster, not even worth listening to such nonsense.

However, Black Cat’s behavior was too unusual to simply dismiss.

Cage drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, lost in thought.

Tsk, Cage’s expression soured as he recalled unpleasant memories.

[That’s what those researchers and pig bastards said back then… the possibility of filling the shortage of S-rank hero resources with monsters. And if we research methods to tame monsters, we might even be able to end the monster era.]

If monsters could be commanded to protect humans and devour other monsters, humans would no longer need to fear them.

If that happened, both monsters and heroes would be nothing more than powerful weapons for humanity.

[An unrealistic idea from idiots consumed by inferiority complexes… but considering Black Cat’s uniqueness, it might be possible, limited to that one.]

If it could abandon all instincts and prioritize humans, perhaps.

Cage agreed with Yu Anna’s assertion that Black Cat might be a monster that could be tamed.

Nevertheless, Cage chose opposition rather than support.

[Even if you somehow succeed in taming Black Cat, what will you do when it undergoes existence evolution?]

Existence evolution—monster ranks not only categorized the damage caused by monsters but also counted specific stages.

If a normal animal adapted to monster cells, it became Homicide-rank; if a Homicide-rank grew to the next stage, it became Destruction-rank.

During this evolutionary process, monsters might develop enhanced forms of their existing shape or evolve in completely different directions.

Just as an aquatic monster might suddenly transform into a pterosaur after existence evolution, Black Cat could potentially become a completely different monster.

[If an Annihilation-rank monster is no longer the Black Cat we know, you’ll be the stupid hero who allowed an Annihilation-rank monster to grow unchecked.]

That was also why Black Cat had to be hunted before it reached Annihilation-rank.

Even if its current behavior wasn’t an act, it might no longer be Black Cat after growing to Annihilation-rank.

While there was a possibility it would remain the same Black Cat even at Annihilation-rank, that was too optimistic a view.

“So, I’m planning to prevent Black Cat from reaching Annihilation-rank as much as possible. If I can’t stop it, I’ll ask for your support then.”

[…You’ve lost your mind.]

Feeling frustrated, Cage pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

[What made you think this way? Is handling W City alone that difficult? So difficult you want to borrow a cat’s paw?]

“I won’t deny that’s part of it. But… after seeing Electris, I thought Black Cat might be okay too.”

Wouldn’t a monster that behaves like a hero even when left alone be better than a hero who acts no different from monsters or villains?

“Honestly, from my perspective, Electris is more annoying than Black Cat and causes more civilian casualties.”

[Even so, Electris is human. She doesn’t have instincts to devour humans.]

“I know. Black Cat is ultimately a monster, and Electris is still human, and trusting a monster is foolish. But given what Black Cat has shown so far, I thought I’d give it a chance to earn my trust.”

[That trust of yours could kill countless citizens. What are you basing this on?]

“…A hunch.”

Just trusting his own intuition and feeling that he could tame Black Cat.

It was an irresponsibly casual statement, but Cage’s eye twitched as he fell silent.

[Sometimes, the intuition of a superhuman who transcends humanity can be like foresight…]

Starlight had always been a superhuman with uncannily sharp intuition.

She had survived reckless endeavors and made seemingly unrealistic choices that minimized casualties in situations where thousands could have been harmed.

Even when something seemed impossible, Starlight always produced results beyond expectations.

Seeing Yu Anna’s confidence, Cage began to feel that she might actually be able to tame Black Cat.

Wondering if Black Cat could truly be tamed, Cage sighed, and Yu Anna declared confidently:

“From now on, I’ll decide all matters concerning Black Cat, including whether to request S-rank hero support.”

[So you want me to support this in my name and prevent the government and other heroes from interfering, is that it?]

“That’s right. After being defeated by Electris and now you, other S-rank heroes might try to challenge it for fame.”

[…The fact that you’re telling me this through private communication rather than government reports means you don’t want government officials to find out about Black Cat. This would be welcome news to those monster research department bastards.]

“Even if they found out, they’d just make more noise about needing to research or capture it. We’ve finally created an environment where Black Cat might be tameable, and I don’t want interference.”

Through the cigarette smoke, Cage glared at Yu Anna with wide eyes.

[Did you think I would agree to such a request?]

“I saved you when you almost died at Black Cat’s hands, didn’t I? If you have any conscience, you should do as I ask.”

[As repayment for your help, I’ll tell you this: monsters can never be tamed. Don’t needlessly meddle with decisions already made and increase casualties.]

If nothing else, Cage had no intention of granting a request to leave alone a monster that would clearly become more dangerous.

Seeing Cage convey this through his gaze alone, Yu Anna smiled bitterly, indicating she understood his position.

“Who decided that monsters can absolutely never be tamed? The researchers, right? Ordinary people, not superhumans. Do you really think conclusions drawn by ordinary people are absolute?”

The conclusion that monsters couldn’t be tamed was reached by researchers in the monster department.

The department’s researchers were merely ordinary people.

Cage quietly closed his mouth, having his own words thrown back at him.

Superhumans must always be superior to ordinary people.

What’s impossible for ordinary people should be possible for superhumans.

Superhumans always break common sense.

Superhumans are those who realize what ordinary humans cannot.

Those who always walk ahead and make possible what everyone else deems impossible.

[Kuk, khuhuhu… you’re persuading me in quite an underhanded way.]

Cage couldn’t deny his own logic.

He would never deny it.

After a silence, Cage muttered quietly with a hint of laughter in his voice.

[Fine, I’ll use my name to ensure no more S-rank heroes are deployed to W City. Even if other cities try to send support, I’ll block it.]

Cage had that kind of power.

Unlike Yu Anna, who only thought about protecting citizens, Cage had long acted to stand above others.

And he always kept his word to fellow superhumans.

That was Cage’s superhuman supremacism and prioritization.

Yu Anna felt relieved, thinking this would prevent meaningless conflicts with Black Cat.

[However, I can only block heroes.]

Then, Cage delivered some unwelcome news.

[I can’t block the government research department, so handle that yourself.]

“Blocking heroes is the priority, but I’d prefer if you could block the other side more actively.”

[If you had accepted support and eliminated Black Cat, that might have been possible, but having chosen to tame it, that’s impossible.]

“Don’t tell me? Are they planning that monster weaponization research again?”

The madmen of the monster research department, raising their heads again just when things seemed to quiet down.

Was Cage’s insistence on eliminating Black Cat quickly because he noticed their intentions and wanted to destroy Black Cat before it became good research material?

[I was planning to show you this to counter your opposition to hunting Black Cat…]

Cage displayed documents on screen that Yu Anna had never seen before.

The screen filled with several photos and a short report.

At the top of the document, in clearly visible letters, was written “Monster Cult.”

[Are you aware that a group called the Monster Cult has been active recently?]

#

“Everyone’s not here yet? Who’s missing?”

“Four C-rank heroes… two B-ranks, and Iron Might from A-rank still hasn’t arrived.”

“I can understand C-ranks and B-ranks being late if they just finished patrol, but Iron Might is at headquarters—what’s taking him so long?”

“Should I call him again?”

After the communication ended, in the operations room.

Yu Anna, having summoned all of W City’s heroes, sat with her eyes closed, reorganizing the situation Cage had informed her about.

The Monster Cult.

A pseudo-religion that worships monsters as divine messengers and calls their leader the savior and messenger.

In D City, which lagged behind W City in hero forces, public security, and food supplies, citizens reportedly relied on this strange religion more than the government.

This group of lunatics, which had existed for quite some time, was rapidly gaining power in D City recently.

“…I apologize for being late.”

“Senior, Iron Might has arrived.”

“All B-ranks are here too. The C-ranks can be briefed later, so we can start the meeting now.”

“Sigh…”

When Yu Anna heard that all of W City’s A-rank and B-rank heroes—the core fighting force—had gathered, she opened her eyes as Sound Weaver blocked all sound from leaving the room.

Standing up, Yu Anna went to the whiteboard and began writing each character with force.

“…Huh.”

“Um…?”

“What…?”

The heroes murmured as they watched the sentences gradually form.

As Yu Anna continued writing, she recalled her conversation with Cage.

[The Monster Cult briefly managed to tame a Homicide-rank monster. They used that monster to attack heroes who were cracking down on the cult’s illegal activities, but they were all killed together…]

[This incident became the catalyst for the monster weaponization plan.]

[Those people are now interested in W City.]

[It’s only natural… since the Despair-rank monster, Black Cat, is saving people.]

They revere Black Cat as a divine messenger.

The embodiment of a divine messenger—the cult’s rapid growth was thanks to Black Cat.

The research department was also focusing on Black Cat, since the cult that initiated monster weaponization was interested in it.

[I was going to say we should eliminate it quickly because we don’t know what might happen… but well, try taming it.]

[If you can tame it before they do, that is.]

Recalling Cage’s provocative voice, Yu Anna’s hand, filled with various emotions, crushed the board marker as she finished writing.

Written on the board was the purpose of this meeting and the name of the operation all W City heroes would participate in.

[Although limited to Homicide-rank, those people are experts at taming monsters.]

[They’re trying to win Black Cat’s favor and take it to D City.]

[Who knows… they might succeed in taking Black Cat.]

[If we’re being honest, wouldn’t Black Cat prefer weak humans who deserve protection over threatening heroes who have attacked it multiple times? Especially if those humans treat it well.]

Operation: Protect Black Cat.

Below that were rules W City heroes should follow when encountering Black Cat.

Compliment Black Cat, saying it’s pretty or cute.

Thank it for catching monsters.

Give it delicious food whenever you meet it.

Thwack! Putting down her pen, Yu Anna told the heroes with a serious expression:

“From now on, all heroes must prepare snacks for Black Cat.”

The heroes glanced at each other and muttered quietly:

“Looks like she’s not even trying to hide it anymore.”