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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Former Hero Party's Otherworld Happening (2)
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The large sedan cruised along, not heading back to their cozy home but merging onto the main road toward the heart of the city.
"We're going to the department store from now on."
"Department store?"
"Simply put, it's a place that sells everything. From food to clothes and all sorts of tools scattered everywhere. We'll buy what you all need there, so speak up now if there's anything."
"W-We already have more than enough from what you just gave us..."
"Me! Me! Buy me clothes and jewelry!"
"..."
Ignoring Sylvia's timid protest that they couldn't accept more, Mirni shot her hand up high and shouted her wish like she was praying.
Everyone shot her sour glares.
But she was thick-skinned as they came.
She fixed her sparkling eyes on Luke.
He had no desire to deal with her, but since his own mouth had blabbered about listing needs first, he asked anyway.
"Clothes I get, but why jewelry?"
"I want to see how beautiful the gems in this world are! A place this advanced must have insane gem-cutting techniques too, right? So there must be tons of pretty ones!"
"..."
"Yeah~?"
"...Sigh."
If anyone else had said that, you'd chalk it up to a high interest in gems.
But the one saying it was a catfolk thief—a bandit cat among the worst of thieving strays.
'That gold-digging snake could probably take on a flower serpent...'
The infuriating sight of her tilting her head innocently.
Her moist, round eyes and body language that knew exactly how to lull a man's guard.
It was the pinnacle of beauty, the kind that could turn an innocent guy into a pushover, making him hand over his guts and all.
What made it even scarier? It wasn't an act or intentional—it was just her natural way.
Beastfolk, especially catfolk, were a race renowned for their stunning looks.
If a catfolk woman set her sights on seducing a man, none could resist.
Particularly rare among them, her baby-pink hair and heterochromatic eyes added a mystical aura, evoking the image of a lone pink diamond shining in a serene jewelry exhibit.
Yet, despite that seductive charm, Luke showed no reaction.
Not because he was resistant to beauty or impotent, but because living with her had drilled it into him: looks mattered less than what's inside.
No, more than indifferent—he warned her in a tone as cold as a biting gale.
"...Mirni."
"Yeah?"
"I'm warning you now: this world's security systems are on another level from Midgard. Even the Lock Master, king of thieves, would get caught here. About 98% chance."
"..."
"Especially you, with no magic. Mess up here, and you'll get nabbed for sure. And I won't help you. Hell, I'll pretend I don't know you. The moment you're caught, every tie between us vanishes. Remember that."
"..."
"Though, personally, I'd profit more if you ignored me."
"...I'm just purely excited about their craftsmanship, so no need to worry. But... I'll keep the advice in mind."
"Sure you will."
Instead of arguing, Mirni meekly pressed her back against the car seat.
She seemed convinced at a glance.
But Luke knew her.
'Old habits die hard. Can't wait. One less freeloader soon.'
Luke smirked, secretly hoping she'd steal something.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hehe, thanks for the clothes!"
"..."
"What?"
"...Nothing."
After shopping, Luke stared at Mirni, unable to hide his conflicted feelings.
'That klepto didn't touch a single thing?'
He couldn't believe it, his brow furrowing deeper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'No way she's grown up. What's her game?'
A greedy cat with wanderlust, kleptomania, gambling—even drugs. The endgame of a trash life.
That was Mirni.
Without her near-omnipotent skills and combat prowess, she'd have been kicked from the Hero Party long ago.
Yet here she was, passing up prime loot like fresh fish?
'Has she lost her mind?'
She only bought essentials.
Showed interest in clothes, eyes sparkling at the jewelry store—but quickly looked away, just admiring the department store in awe.
The trip ended without incident, and they returned home.
Luke couldn't shake his suspicions and secretly ordered Aram.
"Scan her body right now. Check for valuables."
[...Scanned. Nothing there.]
"Nothing?"
[Yep. Scanned the others too. All clean. Hmm, check the car?]
"Y-Yeah..."
Even checking for hiding spots in the car...
'Really nothing!?'
Believe it if you can!!
He couldn't hide his confusion, frowning endlessly, wondering if he should frisk her himself.
"...Luke. Mirni really didn't steal anything. Believe her."
"..."
Sylvia, Mirni's rival who knew her thieving ways best, defended her.
Then it clicked.
'I see!'
"Wait...!"
"Yes?"
"Did that girl hit her head or something?"
"..."
"Did I hit her too hard last time?"
"..."
Sylvia gave a sad smile as he seriously pondered rushing her to the hospital.
His low opinion of them stung all the more because it rang true.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"So pretty...!"
The fanciest clothes Mirni had ever tried on were just dresses.
Sure, those dresses cost as much as a castle—but they lacked any real flair.
Often, they even offended her sense of style.
Nobles were so stuffy, fashion reforms were rare, and clothes hid skin excessively, making even pricey dresses tacky.
Commoner clothes were the same.
Harsh on the skin, zero style—uniform garbage.
For catfolk who loved beauty, human fashion was atrocious at best.
This place? Perfection!
Even clothes for average folk at the department store were refined, elegantly finished.
And a fraction of a dress's price!
The gap in culture and tech, huh.
Mirni gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror, beaming with pride and emotion.
Preppy look, the clerk called it?
Polo shirt with ribbon on top, short tennis skirt and stockings below—highlighting her petite, lovely leg curves.
Her favorite feature, she stroked the soft black stockings appreciatively.
'Beautiful.'
But the wild elf bitch—who thought covering her chest with leaves was fashion—grumbled jealously.
"You pervert? What've you been doing?"
"I'm in a good mood, so don't ruin it."
"I'm saying it 'cause you annoy me."
"Then leave."
"How dare you...!"
"Hmph, dare? Think you're some high-and-mighty high elf forever?"
"You bitch!!"
Offended by the slight to her noble high elf blood, Alicia pointed furiously.
Killing intent rippled as she prepared to strike.
Mirni narrowed her pupils like a beast, ready to oblige.
As the bloodthirsty pair closed in, tempers flaring...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [If you go any further, I'll have to report to Yuseong-nim.]
"..."
"..."
...Mention of Luke flipped the mood.
The room, thick with murder mere moments ago, grew serene as a dawn lake.
But only on the surface. They hadn't stopped fighting.
"Just you wait—I won't forget this!"
"Ooh, scary."
"!!"
Mirni snorted and turned back to her reflection.
Her exceptional catfolk beauty shone brighter than ever.
'Think he'll buy more if I ask nicely?'
"...Nah."
Recalling Luke's face, a sharp ache stabbed her leg like a dagger, and she abandoned the greed.
A faint, inexplicable sadness tugged at the lips of the klepto catfolk thief.
Of course, one person still eyed her suspiciously.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As dusk lit the evening sky, Luke called Mirni to the study alone.
She tilted her head curiously.
"What's up, Luke? Calling just me?"
"You should know why I'd call you."
"...Wondering why I didn't steal anything?"
"Bingo."
"That suspicious, huh?"
"Honestly? Two theories. One, you've finally snapped. Two, you're dying."
"..."
"Which is it?"
His dead-serious face delayed her response, then she furrowed her flawless brow in protest.
"...S-Sorry, but both wrong. More like, aren't you treating me too harshly?"
"Bullshit. Remembering the old you, I still jolt awake at night thinking, 'That bitch stole party funds for gambling mid-war, fuck...!'"
"S-Sorry about that time, okay..."
"Sorry my ass. You weren't even sorry."
"..."
Contempt burned in Luke's eyes.
Why did he despise this cat girl so much?
Her kleptomania? Gambling addiction? Disrespect?
All wrong.
He hated her because she knew no guilt.
"Still remember it. You, with that fake sorry face, stealing again. Even infiltrating the lord's castle."
Her daily line after screwing up haunted him.
-Ah, sorry. My bad, my bad.
No accident—pure intent.
No remorse on her face.
Shamelessly crawling back to the party!
She had the infernal trio down pat—a bitch among bitches!
Luke, handling party finances, would clutch his throat in stress, even going bald.
"So I doubt you'll keep any promise to me."
"The one before the department store?"
"Good memory. Spot on."
"...I'll keep it."
"No, you won't. I'd sooner believe Valian quit women."
"..."
"Deal's this: imagine you fuck up later and drag me in? I'd be pissed beyond words. So I'll book you a hotel—live there from now on. Give you pocket money too."
"..."
"Good offer for you."
Catfolk embodied wanderlust and freedom.
Dropped in another world, instincts wouldn't vanish. She'd welcome no more restraints—
"I-I'll really keep the promise... P-Please, don't kick me out..."
"..."
...The bandit cat shed crocodile tears.
His heart twisted painfully.
'What's really up with this girl?'