As the last rays of sunlight slipped below the distant horizon, night officially fell. Unlike most parts of Hekar, the industrial district grew brighter after dark. Most of the light came not from streetlamps—of which there were few—but from the interior lighting of various factories. In places without industrial glow, lone streetlights stood awkwardly in the gloom.
Perhaps it was shift change time, as more and more people began to appear on the streets. Curiously, many of the factory workers were women. It made sense, though—under the relentless military pressure from Dazilet, Luvina had mobilized the entire nation to resist. Most men had been conscripted and sent to the front lines, leaving lighter industrial work in the rear to women and even children. Sennia knew all too well the devastation war could bring. Even if the people were from an enemy nation, she still longed for peace.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a commotion in the street some distance away. It looked like a group of people was chasing someone. At this distance, Sennia couldn't make out the figure clearly. Driven by curiosity, she injected herself with half a dose of No. 3 serum. Her vision sharpened immediately, and she saw the mob was chasing a child—a barefoot boy dressed in ragged clothes. He was running desperately, and the people behind him were pursuing just as desperately. Then, just as the boy turned a corner and momentarily vanished from view, Sennia saw it clearly: the boy transformed into a cat!
There was no mistake. Under the effects of the No. 3 serum, she could see every detail with incredible clarity, and time itself seemed to move more slowly. In that moment, a puff of fog burst from around the boy's body, and he became a black cat.
Sennia stood up abruptly, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. The mob reached the corner and, finding the boy gone, began searching in confusion. Meanwhile, the black cat, something clutched in its mouth, deftly leapt up a wall and disappeared into a nearby building.
"What are you staring at?" Arcia's sudden voice startled Sennia so badly she nearly fell off the rooftop.
"What happened?"
Arcia pulled her away from the edge, noting Sennia's stunned expression.
"Listen to me... I swear I'm not seeing things. I just saw someone turn into a cat..."
Finally managing to collect herself, Sennia relayed everything she had just witnessed.
"Hmm... That's something to keep in mind."
Arcia could tell from the redness in Sennia's eyes that she'd used No. 3 serum. And Sennia wasn't the type to joke at a time like this.
"But it's not related to our mission. Let's head back."
Arcia's reminder brought Sennia back to focus.
"Did you get the roster?"
"Right here."
Arcia held up a file folder containing exactly what they'd spent the whole day looking for.
"Then let's get going..."
Even as they walked the streets, Sennia couldn't stop thinking about the boy who had turned into a cat. She was well aware that things beyond human understanding existed in this world—the Holy Church in the North was proof enough. But seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.
"What time is it now?" Arcia asked suddenly.
"A little past nine. Why?"
"I think the last tram runs at nine-thirty. We should hurry."
They were still a fair distance from the nearest station. If they missed the last tram, walking back would be a long, unpleasant trek.
They quickened their pace. The streets were thinning out. Perhaps in their haste, Arcia accidentally collided with a man in a dimly lit alley. He mumbled an apology and walked off. Sennia helped Arcia to her feet.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine..."
The man had appeared like a ghost, and Arcia hadn't sensed him at all. When she looked down for the file folder, it was gone!
"That man!"
Realizing what had happened, Arcia immediately gave chase. Sennia caught on and followed, but within less than thirty seconds, the man had vanished. The street was nearly empty save for a few pedestrians.
"No way..."
Arcia refused to believe anyone could get that far so fast.
"He must still be nearby. We'll split up!"
Not waiting for a reply, Arcia vaulted over a wall and leapt onto a rooftop with practiced ease.
Sennia, lacking Arcia's agility, stayed on the ground, searching in vain. Then she noticed a black cat strolling along the sidewalk by the wall. Her instincts immediately connected it to what she'd seen earlier.
Drawing on her basic Night Knight training, Sennia crept up behind the cat while the No. 3 serum still coursed through her system. Then she lunged.
Caught completely off guard, the black cat thrashed wildly in her arms.
"Arcia!!"
The cat's strength was unbelievable—far more than any ordinary feline should have. It only confirmed Sennia's suspicion. Thankfully, Arcia heard her call and rushed back, helping Sennia restrain the cat.
"Why are you catching it?" Arcia asked, grabbing the cat by the scruff and lifting it up.
"I told you about the boy who turned into a cat..."
Sennia stood and dusted herself off. Arcia examined the black cat closely.
"This thing... it's strong as a bull. This isn't a normal cat."
Even with the No. 3 serum, Sennia had struggled in their scuffle. There was no way this was just a cat.
The black cat looked into Arcia's eyes, completely calm and unafraid. Then, in a sudden flash of blinding light and a jolt that shot from her arm through her entire body, Arcia was forced to let go. The cat darted away into the darkness.
"Are you okay?!"
Sennia hurriedly injected Arcia with No. 2 serum. Arcia's fingers were blackened, smoke curled from her arm, and her elegant sleeve was scorched to a crisp.
"Arcia?"
No matter how Sennia called, Arcia didn't respond. Night Knights were resilient, but not invincible. Thankfully, Sennia confirmed she was only unconscious and her vital signs were stable.
There was no time to waste. Slinging Arcia over her back, Sennia sprinted toward the tram station. The car wasn't crowded at this hour, so she laid Arcia down on a seat, sitting beside her to conceal her injured arm.
Finally, after what felt like forever, they arrived at their stop. Sennia hoisted Arcia onto her back again and made a beeline for the safehouse.
Shatiel, who was on watch outside, saw them from a distance. Noticing something was wrong, she ran over immediately.
"What happened to her?"
Shatiel took Arcia from Sennia's back, inspecting her carefully.
"I'm fine. Arcia... I know this sounds crazy, but..."
Shatiel looked confused, waiting for her to continue.
"Arcia was struck by lightning."