Golden City (2)

The top floor office of the Goldworm, the information guild in the back alley.

I leaned back leisurely in the black leather chair, gazing at the cityscape outside the window. The back of the chair felt cool.

On the table, Nia was lying diagonally, cat-like. Her black tail drew leisurely arcs in the air.

The man kneeling before us trembled. He was the boss of the city’s best information organization, but now he was just like a scared little rat.

,I, I know who, whose patronage I receive…”

The boss opened his mouth, but Nia lightly raised her hand. Nia scratched the table with her black claws. A sharp sound echoed.

,Enough. Who you are doesn’t matter, nyan.”

Her black tail moved even more slowly.

,I should be asking the question instead, nyan. ‘Do you know who Nia is?’, nyan.”

At her triumphant voice, the boss’s face turned pale.

,Bl, black ears and tail… Could it be…”

His eyes shook. The corners of Nia’s lips turned up.

,The legendary master thief… Black Cat…”

,Nyan.”

At that single word, the boss’s face turned white as a sheet.

,But you… You were caught by the Hero’s party… Then who is that person…”

His gaze turned to me. But I just stared out the window. There was no need to open my mouth.

,Enough with the useless talk.”

Nia stood up. Her black tail puffed up threateningly.

,Moonlight Dew. Tell me where I can get it, nyan.”

,U, ugh…”

Nia’s claws aimed at his collar.

,If you don’t want to talk… Nia will specially help you, nyan. If your tongue is too heavy, should I lighten it a little, nyan?”

,Wait! I’ll talk. No, I will talk…!”

The boss said, dripping with sweat.

,It’s scheduled to appear at a secret auction in two days!”

,What about the ticket?”

,It’s impossible to forge with special magic. Only VIPs have them!”

Nia’s claws flashed again. The man hurriedly continued.

,H, but! The Vice-Chairman of the Azure Dragon Society is holding a party on a ship tomorrow night! That guy will have a ticket!”

,Why are you telling me that now, nyan!”

Nia’s tail puffed up threateningly.

I got up from the leather chair. The boss begged, pressing his forehead to the floor.

,That’s all I know! Please spare me. Please…”

,Alright, nyan. I’ll spare your life. But…”

Nia came down from the table. She leaned close to the boss’s ear and whispered.

,I’ll have to seal your mouth, nyan. Your tongue won’t be of any use anyway.”

Just as the boss was about to scream, Nia’s claws flashed.

,Wait.”

I raised my hand, and Nia stopped.

,He might still be useful.”

,Haru-nyang’s right, nyan…”

Nia stepped back, looking disappointed. Her black tail drooped sadly.

,You… I heard you have a deal with the Azure Dragon Society.”

The middle-aged man’s eyes sparkled.

,Yes, yes! If I can be of help…”

,Find out all the details about the ship party.”

,Of course! Location, time, security arrangements…”

,Then this is the last question, nyan.”

The man straightened his back, looking tense.

,Who did you see today?”

,No one!”

,What stories did you hear?”

,Nothing!”

,A wise choice, nyan.”

As we left the building, Nia grinned.

,Haru-nyang, your acting was great today, nyan! Just like a big-shot organization boss, nyan!”

,You too… You’re surprisingly good at threatening people.”

,Of course, nyan! Nia is the legendary…”

,Okay, okay. Let’s get the invitation first.”

We walked through the night streets. The moonlight from the sky gently illuminated Nia’s black fur.

,Haru-nyang, can you dance, by any chance, nyan?”

For a moment, human and cat eyes met.

,…What are you plotting?”

,Nothing, nyan! I’m just looking forward to the party, nyan!”

Nia’s tail wagged playfully. A chill ran down my spine. This cat is planning something again.

***

,Haa… ha… Is this how it’s done?”

,Haru-nyang, you need to bend your back more, nyan!”

Nia walked on her tiptoes and corrected my posture. The ballroom shoes were uncomfortable.

,The waltz is 1-2-3, 1-2-3… Ah, you messed up again, nyan! Keep the beat, nyan!”

Nia’s tail smacked my calf. Even after two days of continuous training, my dancing skills showed no signs of improving.

,Haru-nyang really has no talent for dancing, nyan. How did you dance with the Elf Queen, nyan?”

,That’s… because the Queen led me.”

Instantly, Nia’s claws shone sharply. Her tail also puffed up.

,Th, that is! It’s better now that Nia is teaching me!”

Her ears perked up and then folded back down. I thought I had avoided the crisis, but…

,Alright! Let’s do it again, nyan! If you don’t do it right this time, I’ll stab you with my claws, nyan!”

A sigh escaped me.

,Um… do we really have to go this far?”

,It was Haru-nyang’s idea to sneak into the ship party, nyan! Everyone dances in the VIP seats, nyan! If you can’t dance at the party, it’s suspicious, nyan!”

Nia gracefully took a step. For a cat, she’s surprisingly good at dancing.

,Haa… Is this really the best way?”

,What are you talking about, nyan? This is the safest way, nyan!”

,Can’t we just… do it like a Hero?”

,Like a Hero?”

,Yeah… Go in, smash everything, take it…”

Nia’s eyes sparkled. Did I… make a mistake?

,That’s right, nyan! That’s what Hero parties are originally like, nyan! Going into people’s homes and breaking jars…”

,I don’t go that far.”

,The Azure Dragon Society are pirates anyway, nyan! Then it’s decided, nyan! Plan change, nyan!”

Nia unfolded a map. The sea area where the ship party would be held was marked.

,Look, nyan! The ship party is held 10km away from the port, nyan. There will be no evidence and no witnesses, nyan!”

,No, but…”

,Let’s postpone dancing in the VIP seats for another time, nyan! We’re going to smash everything and get the auction ticket, nyan!”

Seeing the dangerous glint in her eyes, I guess it’s already too late.

,The plan is like this, nyan! First, we sneak onto the deck…”

Nia’s plan was surprisingly meticulous. The information she had gathered so far poured out.

,The Azure Dragon Society’s security guards rotate in three shifts… The patrol route of the security ship is… The lifeboats are here and here…”

Detailed explanations followed. There was a reason why she was called the legendary master thief.

,…And finally, we get out like this, nyan!”

Time passed, and it was night, when the ship party was in full swing.

,Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

,Of course, nyan! Now, Haru-nyang, go over there…”

Kung-

Suddenly, the ship shook. Nia’s claws flashed.

,Nia! You promised! We can’t sink the ship!”

,Don’t worry, nyan! It’ll just tilt a little, nyan!”

Screams were heard from inside the hall. The nobles who were dancing in the VIP seats stumbled and fell.

,There! Who’s there!”

Before the guard could finish shouting, Nia’s claws flashed. It was instantaneous.

,A black… cat?”

,Nyan.”

Kung-

The man lost consciousness and fell. Nia’s tail wagged satisfactorily.

,Where to next, nyan?”

,Three people on the deck, inside…”

Kung kung kung-

Before I could finish speaking, Nia moved. Guards fell wherever she passed like a shadow.

,Haru-nyang! This way, nyan!”

It was in front of the VIP hall. Nia kicked the door open.

Nobles in gorgeous dresses and suits screamed and backed away.

,St, stand there!”

The remaining guards drew their swords. But…

Hwik-

A black shadow flashed past. Nia’s claws sparkled like moonlight.

,Nyan nyan! Now no one will disturb us, nyan!”

Nia grinned as she tied up the guards who had fallen to the floor with ropes.

,Wh, where is the Vice-Chairman…”

One of the nobles asked in a trembling voice.

,Ah, the Vice-Chairman? He’s enjoying a very cool sea breeze right now, nyan!”

Hwiik-

A middle-aged man hanging upside down at the end of a rope moved through the air. The Vice-Chairman’s face turned blue.

Swaaa-

The rope was released, and he fell into the cold sea.

,Eubeul beul beul!”

,Oh my, how’s the water temperature, nyan?”

Hwiik-

Nia pulled the rope again. The Vice-Chairman, soaked in water, soared into the air.

,Sa, save me!”

,The auction ticket. Where is it, nyan?”

,Th, that’s…”

Swaaa-

Once again, the Vice-Chairman fell into the sea.

,If you don’t remember, think about it slowly in the water, nyan!”

,Eubeul beul! I, I know! In my pocket…”

,Is this it, nyan?”

Nia took out a golden invitation.

,VVIPs should have received two each?”

,Ack!”

Once again, the Vice-Chairman fell into the sea and came up.

,Wa, wait! One is in my room…!”

,Nyan nyan! That’s it, nyan!”

Nia swung the rope and threw the Vice-Chairman onto the deck.

,The moonlight is so beautiful tonight, nyan? Everyone have a good time, nyan!”

Leaving the nobles’ screams behind, we sailed away in a lifeboat.

,…You’re surprisingly cruel.”

,Nyan? Nia is a good cat, nyan! I only do this to bad people, nyan!”

Under the moonlight, Nia’s tail wagged proudly.

,Oh, seeing the people dancing earlier…”

,Hm?”

,I think we need to practice dancing more, nyan! Next time, Nia wants to dance with Haru-nyang too, nyan!”

***

,Nia, you’re going too fast… Wait!”

Nia, who was speeding down the hallway, suddenly disappeared. And soon…

,Nyan nyan! One more, and another!”

Black claws, which had been fiddling with the VIPs’ wallets until just now, now brandished a diamond necklace.

,I told you not to do it here, at least.”

,Don’t worry, nyan! Nia is the legendary…”

,The legendary master thief? Stop bragging.”

Nia’s ears perked up and then folded back down.

,Haru-nyang is too tense, nyan. Just enjoy it, nyan! The auction is the best festival in this city!”

Beyond her fancy mask, her yellow-green eyes sparkled. Her black tail wagged rhythmically.

,Look over there! The one wearing the lion mask is the Golden Carriage Company, and the dragon-shaped masks are the Azure Dragon Society…”

Nia whispered, scanning the auction house.

,The black snake pattern is the Diamond Blade… But…”

,Why?”

,There are too few of the Golden Carriage Company, nyan. They usually come the most to these kinds of events…”

Nia’s ears twitched suspiciously.

Just then, the auction began.

,Now, for the first item! An Ogre’s Heartstone…”

My ears perked up. In the game, this was…

‘Who would buy something like that? Surely that’s…’

,1 million gold!”

,1.1 million!”

,1.5 million!”

The auction house heated up. But I shook my head.

,Why aren’t you bidding, nyan?”

,That’s a cursed artifact. The Ogre’s Heartstone makes the wearer lose their reason.”

,Ooh! Haru-nyang is amazing, nyan!”

I smiled inwardly as I looked at the following items. Things I had seen in the game came out one by one.

‘Basilisk’s Shield? That petrifies the wearer. Goblin’s Lucky Ring? It ends up exploding…’

Having game knowledge made it easy to avoid dangerous items. Thanks to that, I won some decent items at cheap prices.

,Haru-nyang is really knowledgeable, nyan!”

,I just… saw them a lot in books.”

That’s when it happened.

,Now, we will introduce today’s best item!”

The host’s voice echoed.

,The legendary Moonlight Dew!”

A subtle light flowed from inside a crystal-clear glass bottle. I felt a pure energy, like moonlight.

,Starting price, 5 million gold!”

,5.5 million!”

The Azure Dragon Society shouted first.

,6 million!”

The Diamond Blade immediately responded.

The price soared in an instant. This won’t do…

,7 million!”

,8 million!”

The price skyrocketed. We were almost out of money.

,Haru-nyang…”

Nia’s voice trembled.

,9 million gold!”

,9 million gold, one… two…”

,10 million.”

My voice echoed. Nia’s ears perked up.

,Haru-nyang?”

,11 million.”

,12 million!”

This won’t do… We don’t have much money left.

Haa… Do I have to take out the Holy Sword…?

Nia must be thinking the same thing, right?

,Haru-nyang, if we sell what we’ve swiped so far… we’ll have 15 million, nyan! Nia will lend it to you, nyan!”

,No, are we buying it with money?”

Nia’s tail wagged playfully.

,Haru-nyang is saying strange things, nyan. You’re supposed to pay elegantly with money at an auction, nyan!”

,…I’ve been tainted by you.”

,Nyan? Nia is a good cat, nyan! If Haru-nyang tries to go down the wrong path, Nia has to correct it…”

,You’re the one who needs to be corrected!”

I sighed. The Holy Sword mark on the back of my right hand shone and then faded.

Yeah, we’ve already come this far, so I can’t give up.

,13 million.”

,14 million gold!”

The battle of nerves between the Azure Dragon Society and the Diamond Blade continued.

,15 million.”

Finally, the two forces fell silent.

,15 million gold, one… two… three! Sold!”

As we were coming out with the Moonlight Dew, Nia whispered.

,Haru-nyang, this is the first time the Golden Carriage Company has been so quiet, nyan. Surely something…”

,Yeah, I felt it too.”

,Should we run away, nyan?”

,No.”

A smile spread across my face.

,It looks like something interesting is about to happen?”

Pang-

Suddenly, the lights in the auction house went out. Screams erupted in the momentary darkness.

,Are they after the Moonlight Dew?”

,No, nyan! This is…”

Nia’s ears perked up. Her claws shone sharply.

,What is it?”

,Shh! Over there…!”

Black shadows appeared at the end of the hallway. They were all wearing black masks.

,Nyan! To Haru-nyang’s left, nyan!”

Hwik-

A black shadow flashed past. As Nia’s claws sparkled, the shadow was torn apart.

Kung-

The sound of someone falling. But more shadows rushed in.

,Nia!”

There was no need for words. We moved simultaneously.

,Nyan nyan! From over there too!”

The Holy Sword flashed. One of the thugs fell.

‘Our teamwork is perfect.’

It was only natural. We had been in charge of the vanguard of the Hero’s party for five years, so each other’s movements were already ingrained in our bodies.

,Help me!”

A scream cut through the darkness. My ears perked up. It was a girl’s voice.

Three thugs rushed towards her.

,Nia!”

,Got it, nyan!”

We moved simultaneously. I blocked the front, and Nia provided supporting fire from the side.

The Holy Sword pierced the front, and Nia’s claws swept the side. It was a natural flow, as if we had practiced it thousands of times.

,Nyan nyan! It’s been a long time since I’ve had this much fun, nyan!”

Kung-

,Behind you, nyan!”

I reflexively swung the Holy Sword. A thug who was approaching from behind groaned and fell.

,Haru-nyang, above your head!”

A black shadow fell from the ceiling. Nia’s claws flashed, countering him.

,This should be the end…”

That’s when it happened.

,Kyaa!”

In the darkness, a thug snatched the girl as if catching her. A black shadow climbing up the wall.

I threw the Holy Sword instantly. The blade rotated, cutting through the air.

Hwik-

As it grazed the thug’s shoulder, he lost his balance. The girl fell into the air.

,Nyan nyan!”

A black shadow sprang up like lightning. Nia’s agile movements danced under the moonlight.

She caught the girl in the air as if snatching her. Her black tail balanced her.

,Are you alright, nyan?”

Nia asked, safely putting the girl down. Her voice was full of the thrill of victory.

I looked around. Black masks were scattered on the floor under the moonlight.

,This… they’re not ordinary.”

The thugs’ movements were too smooth. They seemed to be high-ranking members of the Assassin’s Guild.

,Haru-nyang! Look at this, nyan!”

Nia took off the mask of one of the fallen men. The tattoo engraved on his forehead was clear in the moonlight.

‘A mark of the Shadow Guild…’

,They’re all first-class assassins, nyan.”

Nia’s voice became serious. Her eyes shone sharply.

,For these guys to move all at once…”

It was something that would have been unimaginable under normal circumstances. I heard that first-class assassins have strong pride and never act collectively.

,How much money is at stake for this request?”

*

We followed the girl to the trading company building. The golden building soared imposingly under the pouring moonlight.

,This is… the Golden Carriage Company headquarters?”

,I’m late with my introduction. I’m Estelle, the newly appointed head of the Golden Carriage Company.”

Instantly, Nia’s ears perked up.

,Nyan? A new head?”

Nia’s tail puffed up warily. The Golden Carriage Company is the largest trading company in the Empire. For its leader to be such a young girl…

,Yes… My father recently passed away…”

Estelle’s voice trembled. The moonlight illuminated her silver hair.

,My business partners… are threatening me. Today’s attack must have been assassins sent by them…”

Nia’s tail puffed up warily. She seemed to have noticed something strange.

,Haru-ssi… All I was able to survive today was thanks to you.”

Estelle took my hand. Her fingertips trembled.

,Like a legendary knight… you saved me.”

,No, Nia was the one who caught you when you were falling….”

Moonlight seeped into Estelle’s eyes. That look was somehow familiar