The thing's scales are pretty thick, but not so thick that his knife can't cut through them; more blood splatters, and another hissing shriek goes up.

And is cut off abruptly, as Nepeta finally manages to put a pawful of claws through the monster's eyes and into its brain. It's another moment before its thrashing starts to peter out.

Nepeta sits back on her haunches, and lets out a delighted whoop of victory.