[Would you like to grant a Fallen Form?]

The window floated before Nox’s eyes.

Catherine was still clutching Félix’s motionless body as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Misty sat against the wall, holding her injured side.

Tessa watched in silence, waiting.

Nox couldn’t help but hesitate.

Catherine had tried to deceive them.

She had wanted to keep part of the money for herself.

And they had only known each other for a few days.

But when he looked at the cat girl again...

He no longer saw a thief.

He saw a young woman who had just lost the only family she had left.

’Trust her.’

He remembered Misty’s words.

Nox closed his eyes for a few seconds.

Then he looked at the window again.

’Alright.’

He thought.

’I’ll trust her.’

[Please assign a new Title.]

Nox looked at Catherine.

Her tears.

Her hands wrapped around Félix’s body.

And then he smiled faintly.

"The Street Cat."

He murmured.

[Title accepted.]

◇◆◇

The energy appeared immediately.

Nox’s eyes began to glow.

That familiar sensation spread through his entire body.

But this time, it was different.

He no longer felt the unbearable pain he had experienced the first few times.

Now it was almost pleasant.

As if his body was beginning to adapt.

Black energy flowed through his arms.

His chest.

His back.

And finally reached one of his hands.

Nox stepped forward.

He gently placed his hand on Catherine’s head.

The girl looked up, confused.

"Nox..."

She murmured.

The demon gave her a small smile.

And the energy exploded.

A dark current burst from his body.

Completely enveloping Catherine.

The tears falling from the girl’s eyes landed on Félix’s lifeless body.

And then something strange happened.

A yellow light began to surround them.

At first it was faint.

Then it grew stronger.

Until the entire room was illuminated.

"What’s happening?"

Misty asked.

Tessa watched without looking away.

The yellow energy began to wrap around the little cat’s body.

And little by little...

Félix disappeared.

Catherine’s eyes widened.

"No..."

She whispered.

But where the cat had been...

A small yellow sphere now floated in the air.

It was almost transparent.

And inside it, tiny eyes could be seen.

A mouth.

And whiskers.

The sphere slowly drifted through the air toward Catherine.

The cat girl stared at it, trembling.

"Félix?"

She asked.

The sphere stopped in front of her.

And then two small cat ears appeared.

"Yes."

A voice replied.

The entire room fell silent.

Misty’s mouth fell open.

Tessa blinked several times.

Even Nox froze.

"Did it just talk?"

Misty asked.

"It just talked."

Tessa confirmed.

Catherine began crying again.

But this time, they were tears of happiness.

"Félix!"

She shouted, hugging the little sphere.

The cat spirit allowed himself to be embraced.

"Don’t cry anymore, little sister."

He said.

"I only wanted to protect you."

Catherine squeezed the tiny spirit against her chest.

And finally... she smiled.

◇◆◇

A new window appeared before Nox.

[Fourth ally acquired.]

[Catherine: The Street Cat.]

[Evolution completed.]

Energy surged through his body once again.

This time, much more intensely.

Nox felt his muscles tighten.

His back straighten.

And little by little, he gained a bit more height.

But instead of hurting...

It felt amazing.

As if every fiber of his body was growing stronger.

"Again?"

Misty asked.

Nox smiled.

"I think so."

Tessa observed the change.

"It seems you become more powerful every time you grant a new Title."

Then another window appeared.

[Select a skill.]

[Danger Sense.]

[Street Hunger.]

[Spirit Claw.]

Nox studied the options.

"Hmm..."

Misty leaned closer.

"What’s happening now?"

"I have a few options for a new skill."

He replied.

Then he started reading them.

The first one immediately caught his attention.

[Danger Sense.]

[Allows the user to perceive threats a few seconds before they occur.]

"That sounds useful."

Tessa said.

Then Nox looked at the second one.

[Street Hunger.]

[Allows the user to consume virtually anything without suffering side effects.]

Misty blinked.

"Anything?"

"That’s what it says."

Nox nodded.

"I’m not entirely sure what that would be useful for."

Finally, he looked at the third one.

[Spirit Claw.]

[Allows the user to grow the bones in their hands into claws.]

Nox grimaced.

"That sounds painful."

"It also sounds awesome."

Misty said.

Nox let out a small laugh.

Honestly, the ability reminded him far too much of a certain movie superhero.

But he wasn’t convinced.

He looked at the options again.

Then he thought about all his demonic weapons and the abilities he already possessed.

Eventually, he made his decision.

"I think I’ll take this one."

He selected the first option.

[Danger Sense selected.]

[Fallen Genesis completed.]

The window vanished.

The small yellow sphere began glowing once more.

Then it slowly sank into Catherine’s chest.

The girl opened her eyes.

"Félix?"

She asked.

"Don’t worry."

The voice replied.

This time, it came from inside her.

"I’m staying with you."

Catherine smiled.

"You’re inside me?"

"Yes."

Félix answered.

"I can hide here."

The cat girl smiled again.

Then she stood up.

She walked over to Nox and lowered her head.

"I’m sorry."

She said.

Nox looked at her.

"For what?"

"For everything."

She replied.

"For trying to deceive you. For wanting to keep the money. For causing trouble for everyone."

Tears appeared once more.

"And thank you."

She continued.

"Thank you for trusting me."

Nox smiled and gently patted her head.

"I think I made the right choice."

Misty smiled as she watched the scene.

"Thank you."

She said to Nox.

Then she looked at Catherine and crossed her arms.

"Although you still owe us an explanation."

The cat girl swallowed nervously.

"Huh?"

"Yes."

Misty replied.

"An explanation about who those guys were that attacked us. And what you were planning to use the money that we stole from Senna for."

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

"That sounds a lot worse when you say it like that."

Nox muttered.

Before Catherine could answer...

A shout came from downstairs.

"Lunch is ready!"

It was Audrey.

Everyone froze.

Then they heard her again.

"And if you don’t come down soon, I’m eating all of it myself!"

Misty burst out laughing.

Nox sighed.

"Looks like that can wait."

Then he pointed at Catherine.

"After lunch, you’re going to tell us everything."

The cat girl nodded.

"I promise."

Tessa finished healing the last of Misty’s injuries using the flames of Phoenix Regeneration.

The dancer stretched as the pain faded away.

"Much better."

She commented.

And finally, everyone left the room.

◇◆◇

When they reached the dining room...

The table was already set.

Senna was waiting for them, seated at her place.

She wore a white robe and had a towel wrapped around her damp hair.

The woman smiled when she saw them.

"Finally."

She said.

"I was starting to think I’d have to come upstairs and get you myself."

Nox took a seat.

Trying to act as though nothing had happened.

Everyone began eating.