Watching Sol carry Baal back into his room, Nekomata pouted and began inspecting her future dwelling.
The side bedroom wasn't large—about thirty square meters.
Everywhere she looked, it was neat and tidy, with clean sheets already laid out.
Wardrobe, nightstand, desk—all complete. Except for the lack of a computer, everything was perfect.
"So nice… is this really my new home?"
She couldn't help whispering softly.
Ever since leaving the Red Fang Gang, she had been drifting on the streets without a place to call home.
She never expected that after joining the Cunning Hares, she would actually have her own perfect room.
At first, after attacking the Cunning Hares due to a misunderstanding, she thought they would never forgive her. She imagined she'd be thrown into some dark, damp storage room.
Instead, they spared her life and gave her a warm, welcoming space.
Her heart heavy with mixed emotions, she flopped onto the soft bed.
Eh? Why was the bed this soft?
Eh? Why did the blanket smell so nice?
Very quickly, under the bed's gentle persuasion, Nekomata drifted into the sweetest sleep she'd ever known.
In her dreams, she was accepted as the Cunning Hares' closest partner. Poker Face Anby treated her with reverence, the electric Bangboo groveled before her, and Sol was hopelessly obsessed with her beauty—pining but never able to obtain her.
Meow-luuu…
Meow-huuu…
The night slipped away in no time. Soon it was ten in the morning.
The sun was high, golden rays spreading across the land.
Sol had already washed up—and once again suffered the sting of terrible gacha luck. A whole box of plain white tissues, their quality no different from the cards he drew.
Fortunately, tomorrow the Public Security Bureau's bonus should arrive, along with the one billion Denny bid deposit from Belobog Heavy Industries.
Together, that would be enough for over a hundred pulls. He was about to welcome four to five random golds, plus one selectable gold.
He was a little excited, wondering what form the selectable gold would take.
Would it be like the standard banner with a guaranteed character at 300 pulls? Or something that let him pick from all items across the multiverse?
Either way, it would be a huge upgrade.
After letting himself look forward to it a little, Sol decided to find Nicole and the others to hang out.
But as soon as he stepped out of his room, he realized something was off.
There was still a sinner cat staying in his home. Where was she?
He walked to Nekomata's door—only to see it wasn't even closed.
Through the crack, he could clearly see her sprawled out across the bed, snoring peacefully.
"Nicole, all these Dennies are for you, go spend them."
"Electric Bangboo, charge up my red robot friend. Poker Face, pick out all the bones from the mackerel. Sol, settle the people of Canvas Street and… I'll let you lick my feet. Gentle now, meow!…"
On the big bed, Nekomata murmured dreamily, a blissful smile on her face, drool running from her lips.
Clearly, in her dream she had become the absolute core of the Cunning Hares.
"This cat… what kind of delusion is she having?"
Sol's face darkened.
In her mind, he was reduced to a foot-licker? He really ought to give her a lesson. He had zero interest in feet.
"Heh."
Baal couldn't hold back her laughter.
Her own role in Nekomata's dream didn't seem too bad—she could use this to tease Sol.
"Electric Bangboo, charge my phone. You're so useless…"
Nekomata muttered in her sleep, frowning.
"Haha, Baal—in her dream, you're her servant."
Now it was Sol's turn to laugh.
"…"
Baal's face went black.
She hadn't jolted the cat hard enough yesterday. She was the former Raiden Shogun—being made a servant was unacceptable.
"Let's wake her up. The sun's already up."
Sol shook his head and knocked lightly on the not-quite-shut door.
Knock knock.
Nekomata's ears twitched, but she only rolled over and kept sleeping.
Sol knocked again, harder.
Thump thump!
Her ears flopped down, neatly covering the ear canals.
"…"
Sol was speechless.
Weren't cats supposed to be light sleepers? How was this one out cold like a pig?
In this state, even if someone did something to her, she wouldn't know.
"Hmm…" He looked at Baal. "Got a way to wake her?"
If he'd lived with Nekomata for a week, he wouldn't hesitate to grab that long, fluffy tail.
But since they'd only just met yesterday, that didn't feel right.
"I've got a way."
Baal nodded firmly, blue sparks crackling at her fingertips.
A little cat who badmouthed others in her dreams… couldn't be spoiled.
The arc leapt straight to Nekomata's tail.
Sol involuntarily shivered.
By his estimate, the current was only about twice that of a lighter's spark igniter—not very harmful.
But striking the base of the tail? That was about the same as zapping a guy's bird.
Baal truly was the Raiden Shogun—she didn't hold back.
"Meooow!?"
In an instant, Nekomata jolted awake, eyes wide in shock.
She leapt up from the bed, clutching her thighs and covering her backside.
Opening note: sharp pain.
Middle note: tingling numbness.
Aftertaste: limp weakness, with a dragging resonance.
"Nekomata, the sun's up. Time to wake up."
Sol barely suppressed his laughter as he called out.
She turned her head instantly—seeing Sol holding Baal, sparks still dancing at Baal's fingertip.
She understood at once.
That zap on her tail had been Baal's doing.
Thinking of the Bangboo's mockery yesterday, and how she'd been paralyzed by lightning in the Hollow, Nekomata clenched her teeth.
Electric Bangboo—her lifelong enemy.
She puffed up in anger and snapped at Baal. "I didn't do anything! Why did you shock me? Even slaves have human rights!"
"You should think about what dream you were having," Baal replied calmly. "And maybe avoid talking in your sleep."
"I was just dreaming, you didn't have to…"
Nekomata tried to recall her dream—and froze.
In the dream, she had become the working queen of the Cunning Hares, earning billions of Denny every month.
In the very first month, she redeemed all her sins, making Nicole treasure her above all. Everyone else became her fan and subordinate.
A year later, she was the Cunning Hares' strongest ace. Nicole was her most loyal lieutenant, Poker Face her personal maid.
Sol and the Electric Bangboo were nothing but lackeys at her beck and call, kissing her little feet and serving her like slaves.
Hiss… what a beautiful dream—if only she hadn't spoken it aloud.
Thinking that way, maybe Baal zapping her was well deserved.
"…I was wrong."
Nekomata bowed her head, meek and obedient.