The guards remained skeptical of the cultist’s words, his robe pulled tight over his head. His hood was smeared with white flesh and blood, clinging in gooey patches.
It looked more like a robe stripped from a dead cultist—especially with another cultist nearby who’d been stripped of his own coat.
“Seize him!”
The guard captain had no patience for Abel’s explanations. Phantom Thief Lico was known for disguises—he suspected the man before him might be her in disguise.
“Tch… No use explaining.”
A fight seemed unavoidable. The silver lining? Some guards had indeed retreated to defend the warehouse’s core. Hopefully, they’d stop Lico.
Meanwhile, after the chaos, only a handful of guards remained to protect the Shadow Orb. A few yawned lazily.
“You think cultists are storming in?”
“Doubt it. The Tidal Cult’s claws haven’t reached this far.”
Two alert guards chatted while the others dozed, half-lidded eyes drooping.
Suddenly, a bloodied, staggering guard burst through the door.
“Emergency! Cultists breached the east side! One of them’s terrifyingly strong—we’re outnumbered! Captain of the Third Squad orders immediate backup!”
His voice rasped with effort, body trembling from deep wounds.
The resting guard captain jolted upright. “Impossible? They actually attacked?”
“Absolutely! East warehouse—three squads couldn’t take down one cultist!”
The wounded guard slumped against the wall, breath ragged. Clearly, he’d rushed here desperate for help.
“Rest here. Second and Third Squads—with me!”
After confirming the emergency via radio, the captain rallied every available guard.
“First Squad—stay and guard the Shadow Orb!”
The group surged out the door. The “wounded” guard slid down the wall, watching the remaining guards. All were half-asleep, eyes drifting away from the orb’s case.
*Heh~*
A soft, pleased chuckle escaped him—drowned out by distant clashing steel.
Yes, this “guard” was Shea in disguise. Feigning exhaustion, she leaned against the wall and crept toward the Shadow Orb.
“You not resting?” one drowsy guard mumbled.
“Bathroom break. Almost pissed myself back there.”
“Hah! Scaredy-cat. Go on—but watch your step.”
He waved her off, trusting her path toward the restroom. Once out of sight—
*Invisibility: Activated.*
Her form faded to transparency. With defenses this lax, no one noticed the Shadow Orb inside its case vanish too—sucked into her Spatial Ring.
*Time to vanish. Bye~*
This heist went smoother than expected. *Thanks, Abel.* Without his distraction, stealing the orb would’ve been far harder.
*Abel, the Sunray Hunter. Perfect for wall-breaking, baiting traps, and luring guards. Best handy tool around.*
*Pity I can only use him once.*
Outside, the retreating guards collided with the returning squad. Stunned silence.
“Why’d you leave your post?”
“A wounded guard said east warehouse needed backup!”
“What wounded guard? We just came from there! That ‘cultist’ was Lico!”
The returning captain froze. *I was the first to retreat—how could someone outrun me?*
Only one truth remained: that “guard” was Lico in disguise.
“Back to the orb—NOW!”
Realization struck. They raced back—but the case was empty. Shea was long gone.
The two captains raged, cursing their men’s incompetence.
---
Later, Shea hummed happily, the Shadow Orb already traded for ten thousand gold coins. *Debt-free for another month.*
*School’s secure. Part-time night jobs’ll cover meals.*
*Wait—I just bought groceries. Meals are covered too.*
*“Mmm~ What a perfect day.”*
She showered and slept soundly.
Morning light spilled through her bedroom door. Yawning, she found Abel sprawled on the sofa—a wreck. His robe hung in tatters, revealing a muscular torso beneath.
“Uh… morning, Mr. Exhibitionist?”
She’d expected him battered, but *this*? A flicker of… delight sparked in her chest.
*Sympathy? Happiness is built on others’ misery. Especially when he looks this ridiculous.*
*HAHAHA!*
Her face, however, wore perfect concern. “You hunted Lico last night? What happened?”
“Don’t ask…” Abel groaned, spilling the night’s disasters. He finished bitterly: “Who knew Phantom Thief Lico was such a monster?”
“Poor you. Now you see her true colors. Still crushing on her? Listen, kid—find a sweet, normal girl. Way better than chasing thieves. Want me to set you up with my friend Nina? She adores Silver Hunters.”
“No need. I must recover my Soul Crystal from Lico’s Spatial Ring first…” Abel’s voice hardened. *Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice?*
“Next time… I’ll make her taste what it’s like to be stripped naked for a midnight stroll.”
“Huh??”
