After exchanging part of the stolen goods for cash on the black market, dawn had already broken. Staying up all night was routine for Shea.

Now, she needed to deliver this money to the Orphan Haven so they could pay this month's interest.

This orphanage had helped her and her sister survive their hardest years at ages five and six. Without it, Shea might have ended up as some noble's plaything long before today.

That was also why she didn't run away—to avoid burdening the orphanage. Unlike her scumbag sister who'd absconded with their meager assets, Shea still had a conscience.

After handing over the month's payment, Shea bid farewell to the children and the kind old caretaker. She walked down the street, heading back to her rented room.

Shea never considered herself lucky.

Before transmigrating, she'd starved to death from poverty.

After transmigrating, she was still dirt poor. Her deadbeat father had racked up a three-million-debt in illegal casinos, prompting her trashy sister to flee with whatever little property remained.

With no choice, Shea turned to what she'd often done in her past life.

Stealing from the rich to help the poor.

Taking a little from the wealthy wouldn't ruin them, but it let her pay the monthly interest and barely feed herself.

Wasn't that a win-win? But...

"This is big trouble, sigh..."

This month's task was done, but facing a Hunter's pursuit was no joke. Shea could only take it one step at a time.

After crossing the main street, she entered a narrow alley. Passing through it would lead her home.

"Huff..."

Victory was in sight. Hang in there, Shea!

But she hadn't walked far when, in her moment of lowered guard, a sinister shadow appeared behind her.

A large hand silently clamped over her mouth.

"Mmph!!"

"Don't move."

From the voice and the arm, Shea knew her captor was a man—strong, but not hurting her.

Not knowing his intentions, she dared not struggle. Further resistance might get her killed.

In this city, no guards would care if one or two people died. So Shea obediently raised her hands and glanced back with her peripheral vision.

"!!" The first glimpse of his face filled her with utter despair and terror.

It was the Hunter she'd stolen from last night?!

He'd caught up this fast?

What to do? What to do?

"Good."

Abel released his hand, but Shea could clearly feel the knife pressed against her neck. She was like fish on a chopping board.

Facing such desperation, Shea forced tears to well in her eyes. Her body trembled slightly, her small hands slowly curling against her chest—a pitiful, vulnerable sight.

"Sir, please, don't kill me."

Her weak voice and frail posture could stir instinctive sympathy. Combined with her petite frame, it might even trigger protective instincts.

Or, just as likely, other urges.

It was a gamble.

Maybe this Hunter would take pity and let her go.

"Ah! Don't touch there!"

But Abel was merely searching her. The unavoidable contact with sensitive areas made Shea endure the humiliation silently, since he didn't tear her clothes.

"I didn't mean to. Sorry. Found it. I'm borrowing this money. I'll pay you back after I catch that damn cat."

Abel took all four thousand gold coins Shea had left. He showed no intent to kill her.

Could it be... he hadn't realized she was the thief?

Right—during the day, she transformed into a completely different form, vastly unlike her night appearance. Even a sharp-eyed Hunter hadn't noticed.

"Scared me to death... Phew..."

Though the money was gone, at least she was alive. And he hadn't found the ring around her neck, holding his other valuables she hadn't sold yet.

All in all, not a loss.

Just being groped a couple of times.

Like being bitten by a dog.

As for revenge... forget it. She stood no chance against this Hunter.

With an optimistic mindset, Shea returned to her rental room.

"Landlady, I'm back!"

"Welcome home, Xiao Ya. Working late again last night?"

The speaker was a woman in her thirties, cleaning the hallway.

"Yeah."

"You've had it tough, carrying all that debt. If you need help, just tell me."

"Mm-hmm. I'll go rest now."

With that, Shea went to her room to eat and sleep.

The landlady had given her a two-bedroom suite—two bedrooms and a living room—but only this type was available. Moving out wasn't practical; single rooms outside cost triple.

So Shea had never changed places.

Likely the same in the future.

After eating and sleeping, Shea woke at noon to a knock on the door. She put down her cooking utensils to answer.

"Sorry, Xiao Ya..." It was the landlady, looking apologetic. "I've always let you live here alone, but with two rooms, it's not right. I wanted to find another girl your age as a roommate, but couldn't..."

The landlady explained at length. Shea understood her predicament. Living alone in a two-bedroom suite was indeed awkward. Of course, if it were a man, his character would need to be trustworthy.

The landlady had considered that too. "I've vetted this person's character. Don't worry, Xiao Ya. They initially refused when they heard the roommate was female, and kept asking for other vacancies, but there really aren't any..."

"Alright, thanks, Landlady."

"Sorry, Xiao Ya."

"It's fine."

Under the landlady's apologetic gaze, Shea closed the door.

Life wouldn't be as carefree from now on.

Shea understood. Life was hard; everyone chased money. The landlady had helped her many times. She knew the principle of repaying kindness.

"If they're not decent, I'll kick them out immediately."

Shea was a student at the Magic Academy. She knew magic. An ordinary man couldn't handle her.

That evening.

Abel pushed open the door to find the very girl he'd robbed that morning standing stiffly in the doorway, staring blankly at him.

"Uh... hello?"