[Bagged Dried Little Fish] x49 (Blue Grade Consumable)
The manufacturer has coated every single piece of dried fish in this bag with potent catnip crumbs, designed to make any cute kitty surrender in mere seconds. Every bite... is a testament to the manufacturer's deep, doting obsession with cats!
(P.S. While catnip doesn't actually make food taste better, the manufacturer's original wish was simply to create a treat so good that a cat couldn't help but lose itself. Unfortunately, the guy wasn't exactly a scholar and settled on catnip... On his behalf, the System has infused these snacks with a touch of mysterious power to grant that wish. They are non-toxic to cats, so please enjoy responsibly! (∠・ω＜)⌒☆)
Effect: Edible. High effectiveness against cats.
"Heh... hehehe..."
Reading the description, Cipher let out a dry, exasperated laugh.
"He wanted to create a food cats couldn't resist... and this is what he came up with?"
"How the hell is this any different from an actual drug!?"
For the first time, Cipher felt a profound sense of speechlessness edging towards a mental breakdown. To think that all those dried fish sitting in her System inventory were perfectly normal food for everyone except her!
Even though the System claimed they were non-toxic and delicious—and her body was already screaming for another bite—No! No, no, no! She couldn't afford to get hooked!
What kind of snack inflicts a hard Crowd Control on an unlucky cat for several seconds? Is this even food or a tactical weapon?!
After screaming internally for a while, Cipher finally accepted the cruel reality of her life as a kitten. Under the worried gazes of the three members of Team Spark, she sat dejectedly on the floor, hugging her knees.
This wasn't the sadness of being unable to eat something. It was the tragedy of having to forcibly resit a physically harmless—yet dangerously delicious—treat with every ounce of willpower she possessed.
Luo Lin, who had been standing nearby, couldn't take it anymore and slowly approached her.
"Sister Cipher... you don't exactly look fine right now..."
"I really am fine. I just learned a few things that made me a little... sad."
"Oh—by the way, there's nothing wrong with that bag of fish. You guys can eat them. I'm done."
She gestured weakly toward the bag lying nearby.
The three members of Team Spark exchanged looks. Finally, Luo Lin ushered Lin Wei and Xiong Lei outside, picking up the bag of fish as she went.
Outside the room, the three formed a small circle and began murmuring among themselves.
Xiong Lei scratched his head in confusion, glancing back toward the living room before turning to Luo Lin.
"Captain... is something wrong with Cipher?"
"Sister Cipher said it was because she 'learned a few things'... Do you think she recovered some of her memories?" Luo Lin mused, resting her chin in her hand.
"I agree with the Captain's theory," Lin Wei added. "I noticed she only started acting strange after taking a bite of that snack. It must have triggered some sort of memory."
"If that's the case... should we give her some space for a bit?" Xiong Lei suggested.
"Mm, Big Bear, you're right. Sorry to trouble you, but could you tidy up one of the rooms? I was hoping to sleep in the same room as Sister Cipher, but... I guess that'll have to wait."
Luo Lin sighed, looking a bit disappointed. She took the dried fish, sealed the bag, and stowed it away in her spatial bracelet.
"I'll hold onto these for now. Sister Cipher seems... terrified of them."
★ ★ ★
"Phew... I finally got it under control. I'm telling you, that stuff is basically contraband!"
Once Luo Lin had removed the bag from the room, Cipher began a mental tug-of-war with the remaining snacks in her System inventory.
The outcome was a success. While the fish were undeniably delicious, they were ultimately just food—they didn't have the physiological hooks of actual "ice." It only took her a few minutes to regain her composure. Right now, she felt incredibly strong. Even if someone waved those fish in front of her face, she wouldn't flinch!
Probably!
Having conquered her desires, Cipher opened her eyes and looked around, only to find the living room empty. She was still sitting on the floor alone.
"Eh? Where did they go?"
She tilted her head, her cat ears twitching. Thanks to her keen hearing, she quickly picked up movement. It sounded like the three of them were gathered in one of the rooms, busy with something.
Cipher stood up, brushed the dust off her clothes, and walked toward the noise. Just as she reached the door, it swung open. Xiong Lei was lugging a heavy crate toward the living room.
Seeing Cipher, Xiong Lei paused for a moment before offering a smile.
"Cipher, are you feeling any better?"
"Much better, thank you for asking. What are you all up to?"
Cipher smiled back and gestured toward the room. Xiong Lei set the crate down, wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, and closed the door behind him.
"We're clearing out this room. Once it's tidy, it'll serve as your bedroom."
"Cleaning a room for me...? Well, thank you!"
Cipher nodded thoughtfully. Her gaze fell on the crate at Xiong Lei's feet. "Does that box need to go somewhere? If it's not anything fragile, do you want me to carry it?"
"It's nothing important, just needs to go to the room across from the living room. But..."
"Then leave it to me!"
Before Xiong Lei could finish his sentence, Cipher—having confirmed the contents weren't fragile—grabbed the crate and hoisted it up. She set off toward the corner Xiong Lei had pointed out with a brisk pace.
"That box is really heavy..."
Xiong Lei's mouth hung open. He watched her carry the weight as if it were a bag of feathers. He stood there in silence, his unfinished warning hanging in the air.
He looked at Cipher's retreating figure, then down at his own hands, which were covered in scars and calluses. He fell into a sudden existential crisis.
A box that felt heavy even for me... and a little girl just picks it up like nothing? Am I actually just weak...?
"Big Bear! I told you I could move that crate with my spatial bracelet! Why did you try to carry something that heavy by yourself?"
Luo Lin stepped out of the room, looking a bit annoyed. She immediately spotted Xiong Lei standing frozen by the door.
"Big Bear? Where's the crate?"
Luo Lin was confused. Even if he had started moving it, a box that heavy should have only made it a few feet by now.
Xiong Lei didn't say a word. He simply pointed a finger toward the hallway.
Luo Lin followed his gaze. There was Cipher, effortlessly carrying the massive crate into the other room with a look of pure nonchalance.
"..."
Luo Lin also fell silent.
★ ★ ★
T/N: Forgot to mention, Xiong Lei's name in Chinese is 熊磊, but Lou Lin affectionately calls him Big Xiong, which uses 大 similar to THE Herta. However, I opted to use Big Bear whenever he's called Big Xiong because he's described to be a huge guy.