At this moment, the Cat Girl's fur stood on end, her back arching like a drawn bow. She hadn't sensed anyone approaching from behind at all, only feeling a chill surge from her tailbone to the back of her neck.
Without a second thought, she twisted her waist violently and whipped her right leg out, kicking fiercely toward the space behind her. However, in the next instant, a flexible force firmly gripped her ankle—a slender, fair hand had precisely caught her ankle with a grip that was neither too light nor too heavy, yet as immovable as iron pincers.
Feeling the tension of the muscles through her fingertips, Cipher couldn't help but give a gentle squeeze, feeling the warm and elastic texture beneath her touch.
"Little Cat, not only are you strong, but you've maintained yourself quite well."
Cat Girl: (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
"None of your business! Shut up!"
The Cat Girl's cheeks flushed slightly as she let out a loud, sharp cry. At the same time, Cipher suddenly noticed a faint, shimmering blue glow emanating from the exposed tip of the blue tail.
This gave Cipher a bad feeling.
Sure enough, without another word, the Cat Girl swung her tail in a sweeping motion. A blue glimmer suddenly erupted, instantly transforming into a bolt of lightning that streaked toward Cipher.
Bang!!!
The bathroom water pipe suddenly burst, spraying water everywhere like an out-of-control waterfall. This hasty sneak attack had limited power; it couldn't even shatter half of the bathroom wall.
However, the Cat Girl looked at the charred, mottled marks on the wall where electric arcs were still faintly flickering. Doubt suddenly arose in her heart: "Ah... I didn't accidentally electrocute her to ashes, did I? Am I... really this powerful now?"
Just as she was thinking this with concern, that familiar voice came from behind her once again.
"That really gave me a fright. I almost ended up a drowned cat!"
The grey-haired Cat Girl's expression froze, her eyes wide with astonishment as she turned toward the doorway in disbelief.
Cipher stood outside the door, nervously looking down to check if any water droplets had landed on her tail. Her cautious appearance was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside the Cat Girl's heart.
This absurd and miraculous scene left the Cat Girl completely dumbfounded. She hadn't seen the other's movement trajectory at all, and she hadn't heard even the slightest sound of the door opening.
"Is she too fast, or is this some kind of illusion..."
While the Cat Girl was whispering her suspicions, Cipher had already finished her inspection and was staring intently at the soaking wet "Cat Phantom Thief" before her, who looked just like a drowned cat.
It had to be said that the situation just now was indeed a bit unexpected. She had thought the other's Supernatural Ability was just turning into a Cat Girl, but it turned out she was also a Lightning Cat.
But now, Cipher crossed her arms over her chest, a look of curiosity appearing on her face.
"By the way, doesn't being soaking wet feel uncomfortable?"
Cat Girl: (๑˙ー˙๑)?
In such a tense moment, what on earth are you talking about?
Seeing no response, Cipher suddenly felt bored.
"Fine, fine, This Cat was just trying to lighten the mood."
The Cat Girl's mouth twitched. She inwardly marveled at the other's mood-lightening skills. However, she suppressed her dissatisfaction and asked with a hint of inquiry.
"Were you also accidentally dragged into this world?"
Hearing this, Cipher didn't respond immediately, but instead sized her up with interest. She was wearing a plain white T-shirt and jeans; it looked like they were most likely stolen.
At least she could now be certain that the other wasn't a cat from Blue Star, but rather an Otherworlder.
After thinking it over, Cipher lightly stroked her chin with a slender finger and asked back,
"You know me?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, who doesn't know the famous Cat Phantom Thief? You just had to be so high-profile when stealing things, I almost became your scapegoat cat..."
The Cat Girl was stunned for a moment, then explained seriously. Although it was a bit suspicious, she thought there shouldn't be much of a problem.
However, what she didn't know was that Cipher had already confirmed her suspicions. The other clearly knew or had seen her before.
Just as Cipher had once thought, even if she were a Cat Girl blending into a crowd, others wouldn't be able to recognize her easily. Not to mention, the other was currently in a situation where she was practically surrounded; she should be on high alert at all times.
Yet, while Cipher had remained hidden, she had been recognized at a glance. She had even blurted out her identity as the Cat Phantom Thief on the spot.
One must know that besides herself, only Meng Xingyao should know about this identity.
Cipher (๑•.•๑)?: Could this cat be transformed by Meng Xingyao's Ability 'Omnipotence'? But that doesn't seem right either.
The Cat Girl clearly noticed Cipher's scrutinizing gaze, which made her eyes flicker. She felt a faint sense of panic.
Considering her current difficult situation where she could hardly move, she spoke up again.
"Um... for the sake of us being fellow compatriots, could you help me out? Afterward... afterward, I will definitely repay you!"
These words weren't persuasive at all, but she was helpless. It was exactly as she thought.
Cipher was momentarily stunned, then showed a playful smile.
"Ara? Little one, we're in the same trade. Why would I go through the trouble of helping you for nothing? Without proper benefits, this cat is too lazy to meddle in others' business. Besides, wouldn't it be more convenient for me to just rob you blind?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Cat Girl's furry ears instantly slumped, and her once-swaying tail drooped limply to the ground, twitching slightly along with her trembling body.
Her eyes widened as she stared in disbelief—this cat not only refused to help but was even kicking her while she was down.
How could such an evil Cat Girl exist in this world?
No wonder her sister always said that the prettier a woman is, the more dangerous she is; those words were truly accurate!
A raging fire of anger suddenly surged in her heart, especially when her gaze landed on that beautiful face with its half-smiling, merchant-like expression, as if calculating how to squeeze the last copper coin out of her.
"Stingy, materialistic! Even without you, I can escape on my own, meow!"
She simply gave up and lashed out angrily.
The loud noise immediately attracted the attention of many people.
"There's movement over there! It seems she's hidden in this Villa."
"They found me this quickly?"
Cipher's ears twitched slightly, and she instantly captured the subtle sounds coming from all directions with precision, clearly perceiving the number and location of the sound sources. It probably wouldn't be long before this place was completely surrounded.
When she turned her gaze, the cat who had just been boasting now had her tail as stiff as a rod, her hands clutching her head tightly, and her whole body trembling uncontrollably like a small beast struck by lightning. There wasn't a trace of her previous arrogance left.
Cipher (ᗜ_ᗜ): Is that it? I thought she'd be braver.
Seeing this, Cipher's expression twitched, and she sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Meanwhile, the Cat Girl, who had been pacing in circles with her tail tied in knots from anxiety, was suddenly hit on the forehead by an unknown object, making her curl up with a painful "Meow."
She angrily reached out to catch it and looked down; it was a coin shimmering with a faint blue light—it had two cat ears and a blue one-eye on it, looking eerie yet somewhat cute.
While the Cat Girl was feeling confused, a familiar voice followed.
"Forget it, This Cat is in a good mood today, so I'll give you a hand."
Hearing this, she was overjoyed and looked up.
Cipher was already two steps away from her, reaching out her hand.
"Only this once; this time is free. Next time, Little Cat, you'll have to fend for yourself."
The Cat Girl looked down at the Flipping Coin in her hand, then up at the other's confident expression.
Then, uncertainly, she gently placed the Flipping Coin into Cipher's palm.
Next, Cipher flicked her thumb.
The Flipping Coin leaped high into the air.
The Cat Girl's eyes followed the coin as it slowly rose.