"Sorry, sorry, guardsmen! This is really a misunderstanding!"

The moment Shea triggered the alarm, its piercing shriek summoned a squad of burly city guards—this world’s equivalent of police.

Abel was now scrambling to explain the mix-up.

"Your word doesn’t count. Miss, you filed the report, correct?"

Since such alarms were exclusive to nobles, and Shea’s attire hardly screamed "commoner," the guards treated her with utmost respect.

"Yes. *This* man tried to take me to a love hotel."

Shea pointed at Abel with disdain, stepping back three full paces.

The crowd and guards immediately shot Abel looks of contempt. Some guards even reached for their cuffs.

Wronged beyond words, Abel rubbed his temples. "I meant the *Ferris wheel*! Not a love hotel! I’m not some creep targeting kids!"

His emphasis eased Shea’s suspicion—but a guard’s hand was already on Abel’s shoulder.

"Come with us. You can explain at the station. Anything you say may be used against you."

"*Ahem*..." Shea finally grasped the misunderstanding. A trace of embarrassment colored her cheeks. "Sorry, guardsmen. I must’ve misseen things."

"Is that so?" The guard withdrew his hand, saluting Shea. "May your keen eye for character never be clouded by scum like him."

With that, he led his squad away.

The onlookers dispersed to their own homes, buzzing with gossip.

"Shea, you really..." Abel scratched his head, sighing. Words failed him.

"As a girl, I *must* stay vigilant—especially around someone who recently crossed lines with me."

"It was a misunderstanding. Let’s go."

Abel walked ahead, guiding Shea toward the Ferris wheel to clear her head.

Silence hung between them, but watching his back, Shea felt an odd sense of calm.

Especially after losing everything.

"Abel... can you talk with me awhile?"

Shea suddenly closed the distance between them.

"Sure," he said, puzzled. "But I don’t charge for chit-chat."

"*Pfft!* What do you take me for? I’d never—" Her voice trailed off. She *had* considered hiring him as a paid companion. *100 gold per hour? Fair, right?*

"I get the feeling," Abel chuckled, "that with enough gold, I could buy your whole house—and you along with it."

"Fine! One hundred billion gold. Pay up if you can."

No one in the empire held such wealth. Shea meant to shut him down.

Abel fell silent. *Hmm... with my assets, carrying off this proud little catgirl might not be impossible.*

"Whoa... so high!"

They’d entered the amusement park unnoticed. Few attractions stood here; only children played nearby.

The Ferris wheel hummed, powered by magic stones—this world’s answer to electricity.

Truthfully, its technology rivaled his past life’s.

"Ladies first." Abel gallantly opened the cabin door.

As gears turned, the cabin rose slowly.

Shea knew this spot well—one of the city’s best vantage points for scouting targets. But she’d always stood alone at the peak, never inside a cabin.

Now, leisurely observing the city she’d called home for years—with a Hunter beside her—felt strangely new.

Watching distant landscapes and bustling crowds below, her unease melted away.

"See? Fresh air works wonders when you’re down," Abel said proudly, like he’d solved world hunger. Shea rolled her eyes.

"Everyone knows that."

"Knowing and doing are different things."

Abel gazed out as sunset painted the city in fiery glow. *Rare beauty. Hope this kid snaps out of it.*

He glanced at Shea. Her left hand pressed against the glass, eyes fixed outside—not on scenery, but on *potential marks*.

*Nobles have dropped their guard!* No pesky guards, no weird magic wards.

*Nina’s mansion is practically an empty fortress...*

*No. Don’t drag Nina into this. Pick someone else.*

*Next month’s debts loom. Fencing stolen goods won’t cover it. Need a real score.*

Her gaze locked on Earl Elson’s warehouse—chock-full of valuables, with a secret tunnel she knew. Easy pickings.

*Except for this annoying Hunter.*

She glared at Abel. Their eyes met.

*What did I do now?* he wondered.

"Shea, why stare at me?"

"Nothing." She turned away. *Must lure this Hunter elsewhere. No chance otherwise.*

Even as the stealthiest of the Nightshade Catfolk, escaping a Radiant Sun Rank Hunter was near impossible.

"Enjoying the view, Shea?"

"Huh?" She’d barely noticed the scenery. "Y-yes. Truly relaxing."

"Glad to hear it."

Seeing her smile, Abel’s own lips curved faintly. *This* was how a girl her age should be.

That hollow look earlier... whoever caused it, Abel wouldn’t mind returning the favor.