MTLNOVEL Chapter 185: Cat Acquired!
"Don't worry, I'm not a bad guy. I live at the orphanage you helped today. The kids and Aponia know me. You can ask them."
"So, Pardo, how about it? Follow me, and you'll get all the food you can eat, and a soft bed~" Lee's voice was sweet, like a creepy lady luring a child. "It's dangerous out there alone. What if next time you get caught, and it's not by me?"
Catnapping was all about luck and the cat's personality. Feral cats were hard to catch; friendly ones were easy.
Pardo, despite being a master thief, was definitely the friendly type.
A hungry stray, offered a home, would usually accept—but Pardo wasn't a real cat. Seeing her hesitation, Lee sighed.
"I… think I'll pass…" Pardo forced a smile. "If I lived at the orphanage, I'd have a curfew! I can't handle that; I need my nightly adventures~"
"Don't worry about the orphanage, Pardo." Lee's voice softened. "If you think something might happen to them because of you, you don't need to. I can guarantee that as long as I'm here, no one in Twilight Street can hurt them."
"I'm pretty strong, you know?"
I can see that—Pardo thought wryly. Someone who could catch her so easily was no ordinary person.
This lady seemed genuinely kind, but she was an outsider; she didn't understand how dangerous Twilight Street was. If Pardo angered someone powerful, and they found out about the orphanage… No one would survive.
Even the strongest person couldn't take on thousands of armed thugs alone.
"Thanks for the offer, boss, but I'm not used to that kind of life."
Pardo couldn't risk the orphanage's safety just because she wanted a place to belong. As she refused, Lee's expression turned thoughtful.
"Hmm, guess I'll have to use Elysia's tactic…"
Despite Lee's friendly demeanor, Pardo felt a chill, like she was being hunted. "Boss, what are you…?"
"Even disobedient kittens can't escape my grasp!"
"So, yeah, I brought her back."
Aponia stared at Pardo, who was dangling limply in Lee's arms, a look of utter defeat on her face.
"Lee, this is… kidnapping."
"Aponia, you're wrong. I didn't kidnap her—I captured her!" Lee declared, petting Pardo's head.
"That's even worse…"
"It's fine. I think Pardo's happy about it. Right, Pardo?"
"Y-Yeah, no problem…" Pardo nodded, her face like a crying cat meme.
This lady's insane! Shouldn't she be impressed by my refusal and let me go? Who just grabs people and brings them back?!
But the power difference was too great. Pardo didn't dare argue.
"See, Aponia? Pardo's not much older than the other kids. It's dangerous for her to be alone out there. Let her stay."
"If Pardo wants to stay, I'm happy to have her…" Aponia smiled wryly.
Lee's actions were a bit… much, but Pardo was very young. She shouldn't be taking such risks.
Staying at the orphanage until she was older was probably safer. Was that why Lee brought her back, despite her protests?
Such a kind person.
[Target Aponia's favorability increased. Current favorability: 5]
[Current target charging efficiency: 450%]
"Oh, and here's what I got today." Lee grinned, pulling out a wad of cash. "Buy the kids some treats. Generous donations from concerned citizens!"
Yes, she hadn't even hit them. Just… maybe some stray rocks kicked up by her cloud-slicing had accidentally hit their faces!
Aponia: "…"
That blood on the money doesn't look like "generous donations"…
[Energy +90]
But Aponia didn't say anything, just pocketed the cash. "Thank you, Lee. But please, don't do that again. It's too dangerous."
"'Dangerous' again, huh?" Lee petted Pardo, her expression thoughtful. "I was trying to keep things simple, but… seems like there's a lot of… concerns… I'll take care of it."
"…Take care of it?"
"The crime problem." Lee smiled. "Twilight Street should be a safe place for kids to grow up—don't you think?"