Eternal Thief

Zaria’s laughter abruptly halted when she noticed an unknown person present in the shop. This was quite unexpected since everyone knew the reputation of the Feline Alchemy Shop in the inner city.

Moreover, even if someone was new to the city, those usually arrogant visitors were extremely powerful. They had high statuses, so they wouldn’t bother to come into the shop because it wasn’t fancy or luxurious.

But what surprised Zaria was that Ace had a strange aura, which made her attracted to Ace. This feeling was coming from her bloodline, which was extremely strange.

Ace also turned around and saw the mature woman. His expression was impassive as he looked at her, and from her crass and hooligan-like tone, he didn’t need to guess that this was the ‘Big Sister Zaria’ behind Leah’s sharp tongue.

Zaria’s eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Ace, and at this moment, Leah suddenly started waving at her with a cute smile on her face as she greeted her excitedly: “Big Sister Zaria, you’re finally back! How many coins did you bring back? Quickly give them to me so I can count!”

When Leah said coins, her big eyes almost turned into spirit coins; she clearly loved spirit coins more than anything else.

The next moment, Zaria suddenly vanished from her spot. She appeared behind the counter right beside Leah as she started to stock her small head, lovingly making the little girl purr in bliss.

Ace was surprised, and his expression became even more solemn. He didn’t sense this woman’s aura at all, and he realized that this hooligan woman was extremely terrifying as he turned around.

Zaria’s seductive lips curled up when she noticed Ace’s expression. Still looking at Ace, she asked with great interest, “Who is this Handsome Dog?”

Ace’s lip twitched when he was associated with another foul term, but before he could say anything, Leah beat him to it as she finally remembered that Ace was still here, “Oh, I forgot! This bastard is a customer who wanted to give us coins! And what is Handsome Dog?”

Zaria clearly understood the meaning behind Leah’s cryptic words, and a hint of surprise flashed past her eyes before she smiled and replied, “We call a man a handsome dog when they are pleasing to the eyes; it is a way to praise someone.”

Leah’s eyes flashed with intelligence, and she quickly nodded and said, “Then, I’ll also call this bastard a handsome dog!”

Ace was speechless when he personally witnessed how Zaria was leading Leah astray. He couldn’t remain silent as he retorted coldly, “My name is Ace, not bastard, and not handsome dog. Why are you teaching a little girl these things?”

Zaria smiled when she heard Ace and instantly guessed that Ace was a newcomer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared speak to her like this after all. Even those city guards avoided her like a plague.

“I can teach my little sister whatever I want. Do you have a problem with it, Handsome Dog?” Zaria questioned while she emphasized ‘handsome dog’, more clearly, provoking Ace without any fear.

‘Tsk, what a crass woman. But I really can’t do anything about it since she’s far stronger than me. She’s at least on the level of Eleanor, if not stronger. Forget it; there’s no need to waste my time. It was a mistake coming here just because this place was empty…’ Ace thought as he gave up since he could clearly sense this woman was not easy to deal with.

Furthermore, Ace could tell that she was not an ordinary shop owner. Since she could wantonly act like a thug in a city like Runic Forge City, she should have a very high level of backing. So, arguing with her was a waste of time.

“Alright.” Ace nodded expressionlessly as he said, “I have other matters to tend to. Goodbye.”

“Handsome dog, why are you leaving? Don’t you want to give me coins?” Leah suddenly asked with a hint of sadness.

Zaria also says, “Indeed, do you think you can leave as you please? Every customer of our shop must pay an entrance fee of 100 Tier-6 Spirit Coins regardless of whether they want our services or not.”

Ace was about to turn around when he heard Leah’s cute voice and Zaria’s threat. A flash of coldness crept in his eyes before glance at Zaria and then looked at Leah, he smiled before he flipped his hand an exquisite golden pouch appeared in his hand.

He didn’t bother arguing with Zaria, who was used to extorting everyone. He placed the pouch filled with spirit coins in front of Leah and said, “Here, there are 1 Million Tier-5 Spirit Coins in this storage pouch, and this Ascension Grade-4 storage pouch is for little Leah. It suits your eyes.”

Leah’s eyes instantly lit up when she saw the exquisite pouch and quickly snatched it from Ace. It was clearly a piece of art, and any woman would like it, not to mention a little girl like Leah.

For Ace, it was just one of many storage items he had stolen from the bank, and 1 million tier-5 spirit coins, equivalent to 100 tier-6 spirit coins, were nothing but chump change.

If he wasn’t afraid of raising suspicion he could’ve paid with tier-1 spirit coins, he had trillions of them.

Ace glanced at Zaria, who was merely smiling at him, but didn’t say anything. He turned around and started walking towards the door, as he didn’t want to stay there any longer.

At this moment, Leah, who was admiring the money pouch, suddenly noticed Ace leaving. Unwillingness shone in her eyes as she quickly spoke, “Handsome dog, wait!”

‘Don’t tell me this little girl wants to rob me now,’ Ace thought before he turned around again. However, when he saw the little girl’s dejected and hesitant expression, his expression softened a little. Zaria, on the other hand, was surprised, but she said nothing and continued to observe.

Leah hesitated for a moment before her eyes shone with resolution. Then, she took out a storage ring from her robe, which she was hiding, flashed it in front of Ace, and said with full anticipation, “If Leah gives you all of her coins, will you stay with Leah?”

Zaria’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she heard this unexpected request from her sister, and her expression became serious, ‘So, it wasn’t my imagination… Leah might be naïve and not as strong as me, but she’s unknowingly attracted to him—attracted enough to give him her coins, which she loved so much to make him stay. What kind of human is he?’

Ace was speechless when he heard this abrupt request. Looking at Leah’s sincere expression, he knew she had no malice or motives when she asked him to stay.

Furthermore, he had a feeling that if Leah were alone, she would’ve even followed him, but neither she nor Ace was interested in staying, or he might’ve taken this cute girl in.

Moreover, Ace was aware that the primordial beast space has a terrifying effect on a magic beast, so he knew this might be why Leah wanted to stay close to him.

But when he looked at Leah’s hooligan of a sister, he knew it was impossible. A chill ran down his spine from the strange look she was giving him, and he instinctively wanted to flee.

He quickly explained to Leah, trying not to hurt her feelings, “I can’t stay. I have many things to do out there. But I’ll visit you another time if you want.”

Leah lowers her head with dejection and disappointment, but she can understand Ace’s reasons.

Ace’s heart ached slightly, but he knew better than to form a connection with someone. He was a Heaven’s Stealer, and the people around him were far from safe, so he didn’t want to put an innocent child in danger by being associated with him.

“Like hell, you can!” At this moment, Zaria finally spoke overbearingly as she rubbed Leah’s hair with deep affection before giving Ace a menacing glare and pulling with a faint smile, making Ace shudder slightly. He instantly knew this madwoman was up to no good.

“Since Leah wants you to stay, you’ll stay; that’s the end of it. After all, Leah is still young and naïve to be a shopkeeper, so you can help her with it. If you perform your duty well, I’ll reward you.”

Ace was speechless by Zaria’s unreasonable demand. He never expected to fall into this situation by coming into this shop. All he wanted was some information, but he ended up encountering this unreasonable madwoman!