The two sat on the sofa, staring at each other. Neither dared to speak first.

Shea feared he’d come after her for trouble.

Abel, however, had just robbed her. Now sharing a roof, he felt a little awkward.

This girl seemed a bit forward. That morning, he’d touched something he shouldn’t have.

Only a thin layer of fabric separated them. Nothing beneath.

...

To be honest, the feel was quite nice.

“Ahem. Listen, big bro,” Shea said. “About this morning—what’s your take?”

She knew the money technically belonged to him. But it was her hard-earned cash he’d stolen.

So it still counted as robbery, right?

He should pay it back, right?

Maybe even double it?

After all, he’d touched off-limits spots—twice.

“Actually, last night…” Abel explained the events, hoping to win over the seemingly kind-hearted girl.

“I used those four thousand gold coins to buy gear. I’ll repay you after catching Phantom Thief Lico.”

“Hmph~”

Hearing him plot her capture to her face, Shea let out a meaningful hmph.

“I’ll forgive you. But…”

Forgive? No way. Shea smiled, pulled out paper, and scribbled fast. Soon, a fresh IOU appeared in her hand.

“Sign this. I’ll pretend this morning never happened. Or I call the cops now…”

Abel stared at her smug face, speechless.

Good thing he was a decent Hunter. Others might’ve… silenced her after unspeakable acts.

This petite girl was stunningly pretty. Clearly no-makeup type. A little grooming would make her flawless.

“Fine. Let me see.”

The IOU was simple: four thousand gold coins owed. Twenty percent monthly interest—shady. Plus cohabitation clauses.

Like washing her dishes post-meals. Weekly cleaning. Separate laundry. Trivial stuff.

Finally, he’d cover both rents.

“Tch~”

“Well? Sign it. I’ll let you stay. I’m tight with the landlord. Complain, and you’re evicted.”

“No problem.”

Abel glanced at the elegant name on the IOU. Almost smiled. So this black-haired kid was Shea.

Cute name. But greedy.

“Huh? No hesitation?” Shea was stunned by his ease. After he signed, she saw the name: Abel.

Hunter Abel…

Familiar somehow.

Whatever!

Three hundred gold coins in rent saved!

Shea hid the IOU under her bed. Returned to find Abel leisurely brewing tea.

“Want some?”

“Obviously. Hey—you said Lico stole everything. Roughly how much?” Shea sipped her tea, curious.

To value the Spatial Ring’s contents, she’d ask black-market dealers. They paid ten percent max. Often less.

Their greed made her want to curse. But they were the only fence.

“Roughly… one hundred million gold coins?”

That question mark froze Shea mid-sip.

One hundred million gold coins?!

Holy cow! Selling it all would clear her debt instantly.

But a problem remained.

What if Abel caught her?

Shea weighed consequences. Last night’s sales were few. Plus, that mysterious magic crystal bound to her.

Selling more meant quitting theft. But…

You can’t walk by the river without wet shoes.

If caught, what then?

Right—he was here!

Just ask.

“One hundred million? Wow~ So much…” Shea feigned shock expertly. “If you catch Lico, what’ll you do?”

“Heh…” Abel’s face held no mercy. “Hang her from a fan. Check missing items. One gone? Ten spanks.”

Dead serious. Shea tensed her butt.

She’d sold over ten items last night…

The Spatial Ring held a hundred more oddities. Sell all, then get caught?

Her fate might be grim.

No—she wouldn’t get caught.

No crimes soon. Sell everything, then move.

But Abel robbed her clean. No money to relocate.

“By the way, Shea—you’re a catgirl too. Know Phantom Thief Lico? Intel says she’s a white-haired catgirl.”

Pre-transform, Shea had black hair, upright ears, light red eyes.

Post-transform: white hair, drooping ears, sky-blue eyes.

Naturally, Abel didn’t recognize her.

“Don’t know her.”

Shea answered coolly. No blush. Steady breath.

Obviously, no one walks into traps.

Lying was second nature after years in the Slums.

“True. If she were easy to catch, she’d be jailed already.” Abel sighed. But as a Hunter, tracking was simple. If that white cat showed up? He’d chase her eighteen streets.

Until she surrendered, exhausted.

“Honestly, losing the gear is fine,” Abel muttered, self-reproachful. “But one thing—I must get it back.”

“What?”

Shea’s curiosity spiked. Must be priceless treasure.

Sell it first thing!

Ten spanks for cash? Worth it.

“A magic crystal. Concerns my lifelong happiness. Family said: never lose it.”

“...?”