Gin looked at the scene before him, a vein throbbing in his forehead.
This was already the forty-sixth time he had seen the same sight since he took over this major headache this month, and the month was only halfway over!
He just couldn't understand it. Did a trash can have such immense appeal that a girl would rummage through it daily, and more than once a day at that!
Finally, Gin couldn't endure it anymore. With a "whoosh," he pulled out his Beretta and aimed it at the trash can. As the hearts of the three, including Scotch, momentarily froze, he fired three shots: "Bang, bang, bang."
Fortunately, only the metal on the trash can bore the bullet holes.
As danger approached, Stelle seemed to sense the crisis, having already left the embrace of the trash can a step ahead, retreating sharply and narrowly dodging Gin's bullets.
"Gin, what are you doing?! Do you know you've interrupted the great Pioneer from taking a crucial step on her pioneering journey?!" Stelle stood with her hands on her hips, glaring in dissatisfaction at Gin, who had interrupted her intimate moment with the trash can.
It was only then that Scotch and the other two clearly saw Stelle's appearance.
The girl, who was receiving Gin's special attention, looked young, seemingly just an adult. She was dressed in the organization's typical style: a black trench coat, a white shirt, and a black skirt from the same series as the trench coat.
Her slightly long, gray hair was a bit disheveled from her earlier vigorous movements. A gentle breeze swept by, and a few strands of hair playfully danced in the wind.
Her brilliant golden eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, were captivating even in the darkness, seemingly containing a mysterious and powerful force.
"Pioneer?" Bourbon repeated curiously.
Bourbon dared not let down his guard regarding this seemingly young girl who was about to be taken over by his childhood friend.
Although Gin hadn't been serious just now, anyone who could so easily dodge Gin's bullets was certainly not simple.
"Heh, she's not thinking straight, don't pay attention to her nonsense!" Before Stelle could explain, Gin interrupted directly, uncharacteristically offering Bourbon and the others some advice.
Then he turned, his expression grim, to look at Stelle, who was approaching the trash can again, and sharply ordered, "Stop! No more rummaging through the trash can!"
Scotch and the other two watched with odd expressions as Stelle completely ignored Gin, instead quickening her pace. In a few quick steps, she was by the trash can again, excitedly saying, "This time is different from before; I really found something good this time!"
As she spoke, under everyone's inexplicable gazes, Stelle quickly bent down and pulled out a… golden trash bag from the trash can!
The golden trash bag faintly shimmered, as if telling everyone present that it was no ordinary trash bag!
"What is this?!" Gin's mouth twitched.
"Good-looking trash!" Stelle proudly introduced it to everyone.
"So, what does it do?" Gin asked patiently.
"It increases Secret Techniques (Secret Skill Points), which can make someone more powerful," Stelle patiently explained.
"Then, how… do… you… use… it?" Gin habitually ignored the unfamiliar terms and continued to ask, enunciating each word.
Upon hearing Gin's question, Stelle frowned in thought.
"Eat it? Or absorb it?" Stelle's expression was conflicted, clearly hesitant between the two answers.
Since the "KitKat snacks (Curious Snacks)" and "Punishment energy (Punishment Energy)," which also increase Secret Skill Points, can both be eaten, then… Stelle confidently stated the answer: "Eat it!"