[Bagged Dried Fish Snacks x49 (Blue Consumable)]
[Every dried fish snack in the bag has been generously sprinkled by the manufacturer with potent catnip shreds that can make adorable kittens fall into addiction in mere minutes. Every single one... is a testament to the manufacturer's deep indulgence for cats!]
[Note: Although catnip doesn't make food taste better, the manufacturer's original wish was simply to create a food that cats would love so much they couldn't resist. However, due to his lack of education, he chose to sprinkle catnip... So this system has imbued these dried fish snacks with a bit of mysterious power to fulfill his wish. They are non-toxic to cats, so please consume with confidence (∠・ω＜)⌒☆)]
[Effect: Edible, special attack against cats.]
"Heh... heh heh heh..."
Looking at the description, Cipher was so amused she started laughing.
"He wanted to create a food that cats would love so much they couldn't resist... and this is what he ended up creating..."
"What the heck is the difference between this and drugs, seriously?!"
For the first time, Cipher felt a profound sense of speechlessness mixed with slight despair.
So all those dried fish snacks in the system's inventory, besides for her, were normal food for everyone else?!
Although the system said they were non-toxic and incredibly delicious, making her want more... No, no, no, no! She couldn't get addicted!!!
What kind of dried fish snack makes you get hard-controlled for several seconds after eating just a few pieces?! Is this food or a weapon?!
After an internal scream, Cipher finally accepted the cruel reality of her situation as a little cat.
And so, under the worried gazes of the three members of the Spark Team, she sat on the ground, hugging her knees in defeat.
This wasn't the sadness of not being able to eat or not having access to something, but the sadness of forcefully resisting eating a non-toxic, harmless (physically speaking), and extremely delicious food.
At this moment, Lauren, who had been standing not far away, couldn't bear it anymore and slowly approached Sai Fei'er.
"Sister Cipher, you... don't look like you're alright..."
"I'm really fine, it's just that I learned some things, which made me a little sad."
"Oh, and those dried fish snacks are fine, you guys can eat them. I won't be eating any."
As she spoke, Cipher pointed a finger towards the bag of dried fish snacks not far away.
The three members of the Spark Team exchanged glances. Finally, Lauren pulled Jasmine and Ethan out, also picking up the bag of dried fish snacks from the floor and taking it with them.
Outside the house, the three formed a circle and began discussing again.
Ethan scratched his head in confusion, glanced back towards the living room, then turned to Lauren and asked:
"Captain... is something wrong with Cipher?"
"Sister Cipher said... it's because she learned some things... Could it be that she recovered some memories?"
Facing Ethan's question, Lauren pondered for a moment, stroking her chin, before answering.
"I agree with the Captain's deduction. Because I saw Cipher act strangely only after she took a bite of that stuff. I think whatever was in there must have triggered her memories."
At this, Jasmine, who was beside them, also chimed in.
"In that case... should we let Cipher be alone for a while?"
After hearing their deductions, Ethan scratched his head and offered his suggestion.
"Yes, Ethan, you're right. Then I'll trouble you to help tidy up one of the rooms. I originally wanted to sleep with Sister Cipher, but alas... let's talk about it later."
Lauren sighed, looking a little disappointed. Then she took out the dried fish snacks, sealed the opening simply, and put them into her spatial ring.
"Let's put this away for now. Sister Cipher seems really scared of this stuff right now."
..."Phew... I finally resisted. I knew this stuff was no different from drugs!"
After Lauren took away the bag of dried fish snacks from the floor, Cipher began to contend with the dried fish snacks within her system inventory.
The outcome was quite good. Although those dried fish snacks were indeed incredibly delicious in her mouth, ultimately, they were just food. They didn't have the same addictive quality as drug.
So Cipher only took a few minutes to control herself. Now, she was terrifyingly strong. Even if those dried fish snacks were placed right in front of her, she could remain indifferent!
After successfully overcoming her desires, Cipher opened her eyes and looked around, only to find that the living room was empty, with only her still sitting on the floor.
"Eh? Where did they go?"
She tilted her head slightly in confusion. Then, her cat ears twitched, and through her keen hearing, Cipher quickly picked up on the trio's movements.
The three of them seemed to be concentrated in one room, doing something unknown.
Having received the information, Cipher stood up, brushed off some dust from her clothes, and then walked towards that room.
Just as she was about to reach the doorway, the room door opened. At this moment, Ethan was carrying a box out towards the living room.
Upon seeing Cipher, Ethan first paused, then gave her a smile.
"Cipher, are you feeling better?"
"Much better, thank you for your concern. By the way, what are you all doing right now?"
Cipher also smiled back at Ethan, then asked about their activities.
Hearing the question, Ethan set down the box he was carrying, first wiped a thin layer of sweat from his forehead, then casually closed the door behind him, and explained:
"We're cleaning this room right now. Once it's clean, it can serve as a bedroom for you, Cipher."
"Cleaning a room, huh... Then thank you all!"
Cipher nodded thoughtfully. Immediately after, she saw the box next to Ethan, thought for a moment, and asked:
"Is this box being moved somewhere? If it's nothing important, do you need help moving it?"
"It's nothing important, just move it to the room opposite the living room, but..."
"In that case, leave it to me!"
Before Ethan could finish speaking, Cipher, upon hearing that it wasn't an important item, directly grabbed the box and lifted it, then quickly walked towards the corner Ethan had pointed to.
"This box is very heavy..."
Watching her effortlessly lift the box, and seemingly without any strain at all, Ethan opened his mouth. After instinctively blurting out the words he hadn't finished earlier, he fell silent.
He looked at Cipher's retreating figure, then lowered his gaze to his own hands, filled with various scars and calluses, and fell into a daze.
The box that I found a bit heavy to carry was easily picked up by a young girl. I really am too weak...
"Ethan, I told you we could use my spatial ring to transport this box later! Why did you just carry such a heavy thing away like that?!"
At this moment, the room door opened, and Lauren, with a slightly displeased expression, walked out of the room.
But soon, she noticed Ethan standing blankly by the door.
"Ethan, where's the box?"
Lauren didn't see the box and asked Ethan with some confusion.
She hadn't discovered it late; logically, with such a heavy box, Ethan should have been carrying it for at least a while, but why wasn't the box beside him now?
Ethan didn't speak, but silently pointed in a direction.
Lauren followed Ethan's refer to direction and saw Cipher, carrying the box with an easy expression, walking into the room.
"..."
And so, Lauren also fell silent.