The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"Miss, we have no quarrel. While there was a slight misunderstanding, perhaps… you could tell me what you want?"

Pardofelis sat in the fancy restaurant, fidgeting, but trying to sound tough. "Let's settle this privately. I don't want to involve my boss…"

"Boss…" Lee repeated the word, her smile widening. "Twilight Street does have a 'boss.' I'm new here, but I've heard the rumors. No one knows who he is, only that he's mysterious and powerful…"

"Relax, Pardofelis—or can I call you Pardo? It's friendlier, right?" Lee gestured at the food. "Eat up. Aren't you hungry?"

"…" Pardo wasn't sure if Lee meant harm, but she was definitely nervous. She couldn't figure out what Lee wanted.

She wanted to run, but her usually reliable escape skills were useless against Lee. Every time she tried, Lee's hand would land on her shoulder…

Whatever. Fancy restaurant, free food… Even if I die, at least I'll die with a full stomach!

Pardo gave up and devoured her steak.

…This might be my last meal, but it's so good! Way better than those expired canned beefs. Even if this lady's planning something, I'm grateful for the food…

[Target Pardofelis's favorability increased. Current favorability: 1]

[Current target charging efficiency: 90%]

Lee's smile widened. I knew it! A cute, teenage cat burglar with heterochromia? Definitely not a normal person!

Lee had been walking around with the play money wallet, hoping to attract more generous criminals. She hadn't expected to find a pickpocket instead.

Pardo's skills were impressive. Lee, though not actively guarding her purse, was still among the top—well, former top five fighters in the world. No normal person could steal from her.

Pardo failed partly due to the massive difference in their skills, and partly because Lee's Worker Bee skillset included pickpocketing, so she'd been prepared and had even lifted Pardo's wallet.

But despite her skills, Pardo was broke… Lee remembered the orphanage kids mentioning a Robin Hood-like figure in Twilight Street—that screamed "important character"!

So, Lee had followed Pardo.

Twilight Street's alleys were confusing, but…

Lee had the map module and quest tracking.

So, here they were, Twilight Street's master thief Obediently, enjoying a free meal.

"Pardo." Lee's voice and sudden movement startled Pardo. Lee leaned forward, reaching for her head.

Is she going to attack me?!

Pardo squeezed her eyes shut, but instead of pain, she felt a soft touch on her cheek.

"Don't eat so fast; you'll choke." Lee gently wiped some sauce from Pardo's face. "No one's going to steal your food. Savor it."

"…Oh."

Pardo relaxed, putting down her steak and taking smaller bites.

[Target Pardofelis's favorability increased. Current favorability: 2]

[Current target charging efficiency: 180%]

Kids are so easy to manipulate. A little kindness, and her goodwill's already going up.

Pardo looked like she hadn't had a decent meal in ages. Even the poor orphanage had meat every few days. Pardo was thinner than those kids.

A master thief who steals but doesn't keep anything for herself, donating everything to the poor…

"I heard the orphanage got a few more boxes of food today…"

After Pardo finished eating, Lee leaned back and smiled. "The kids said it was the Twilight Street phantom thief again—any ideas, Pardo?"

"…Hee hee, you already know, boss. It was me." Pardo chuckled nervously. "Not really a phantom thief, just… stealing stuff for people."

"But a real boss wouldn't let you do charity work—you're working alone, aren't you?"

Pardo could try to lie, but Lee's confident gaze told her it was pointless. She nodded.

"Why do you do it?" Lee asked, curious.

"Because I can only steal. I have to eat." Pardo said helplessly. "Thieves get treated badly… so I pretend I have a boss. Less trouble that way."

"No, I mean, why help people?" Lee blinked. "Eating bread crusts so others can eat… why?"

"Because… many people don't even have bread crusts, and…" Pardo looked at Lee cautiously. "Do you need a reason to help people?"

Lee paused, then smiled. "You're right. You don't need a reason…"

"But Pardo, isn't it dangerous working alone?"

Finally, Lee revealed her true intentions.

"Want to work for me?"

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