An Apocalypse-Level Magic Sneeze Explodes!
BZZZZZZ-BOOOMMMM!
A wave of pink magical energy mixed with the scents of baby oil, grated cheese, and roasted shrimp paste blasted from Zephyrus's nose!
The wave not only struck the five black-robed figures and sent them flying across the night sky like shooting stars, but also transformed their black robes into pink lace-trimmed pajamas!
"NOOOO! WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE IS THIS?!" the Bounty Hunters screamed as their bodies floated farther and farther through the air, flung out of the residential complex.
The sneeze was so powerful that it sent Zephyrus flying backward too, where he landed helplessly in Rian's arms.
The alley suddenly fell silent again. A light drizzle began to fall. Rian sat on the ground, panting as he hugged Mochi, who looked limp and utterly exhausted against his chest.
"M-Mochi... did you... did you just wipe out monsters with a sneeze?" he asked in disbelief. Zephyrus squeezed his eyes shut, breathing in shallow pants. Don't ask me... My stomach feels sick... I need fish crackers...
Rian let out a relieved sigh. He gently stroked Zephyrus's head. "Thanks, Mochi. You're amazing."
Too weak to do anything else, Zephyrus could only let Rian rest his head against him, purring faintly without realizing it.
Cliffhanger
Two hours later, inside Rian's rental apartment, whose door had been badly damaged. Rian was busy putting wide strips of tape over the broken wooden door, while Mochi slept soundly on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket.
Click.
Suddenly, the slow sound of footsteps echoed from the deserted alley outside. Rian froze. Trembling, he grabbed a small kitchen knife. "W-who's out there?! Is it those pajama monsters?!"
The damaged wooden door was slowly pushed open from outside.
It wasn't a black-robed monster who appeared, but an elegant woman dressed entirely in black. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and held a wooden staff covered in intricate carvings. Perched on her shoulder... was a black cat with red eyes radiating an intensely dark magical aura.
The woman stepped inside without the slightest fear. She looked at Rian, then shifted her gaze to Mochi, sleeping on the sofa.
"So this is where the Astral Lord has been hiding?" the woman said in a cold, graceful voice.
The black cat on her shoulder leaped down and walked toward Mochi before speaking in the razor-sharp voice of a middle-aged man.
"It's been a long time... Grand Mage Zephyrus. Or should I call you... the Fat Orange Cat?"
Mochi suddenly opened his eyes wide!
Zephyrus jolted awake. Every bit of fur along his back stood on end. His green eyes widened as he stared at the black cat now standing only half a meter from the sofa.
This aura... It can't be! Zephyrus thought in shock. Malakor?! The Dark Mage from the High Council?! "H-hey! Who are you people?!" Rian immediately raised his small kitchen knife with a trembling hand.
"Don't try anything funny! My cat knows how to sneeze pajamas!" The woman in the gold-rimmed glasses merely shot Rian a brief, icy glance. She gave a slight wave of her hand.
Bzzzt!
The kitchen knife in Rian's hand suddenly melted into a chocolate bar. "W-what the heck is this?!" Rian exclaimed, clutching the chocolate as it began to soften in his hand. "Sit down and be quiet, Mortal Human," the woman said calmly.
"We're not here to fight. My name is Eleanor, and this is... my colleague."
The black cat named Malakor flicked its long tail. The deep voice of a middle-aged man echoed from its mouth once more. "Control yourself, Rian. We're here to save the life of your fat orange cat."