It’s already been a week since I left the capital.
I’ve been running non-stop during this time. I had to escape from not only Aris’s magic and Sylvia’s spirits, but also Iris’s surveillance network.
“Finally, we’ve arrived.”
The golden horizon filled my sight. Goldenhaven, the empire’s greatest commercial city.
True to its name, the entire city gleamed as though it were cast in gold.
Three massive gates surrounded the city. The point where the northern mountain range, the southern sea, and the eastern plains met. This golden city was truly like the hub of the continent.
‘It’s just beginning.’
At the northern gate, wagons filled with jewels mined from the mountains were entering in droves, at the southern harbor, trade ships loaded with spices and silk were arriving, and at the eastern plains, endless caravans from various trading groups lined up.
“What, are you that surprised? Nia’s been here more than a hundred times!”
I heard Nia’s voice from behind my shoulder. Her black ears stood proudly.
“A hundred times… I bet you were trying to steal something every time.”
“Of course! This is the paradise of thieves!”
Nia’s golden eyes sparkled. Her black tail swayed with excitement.
“But do you really think we can find what we need here? The things I mentioned…”
“Don’t worry! There’s nothing this city doesn’t have.”
Nia’s words were true. To enhance my power, such rare magical materials were essential. Running away from my party wasn’t enough. I had to become stronger.
“Alright, then let’s start planning ahead.”
“Just trust Nia and follow me!”
I sighed as I saw her black tail trembling with joy. I never imagined I’d end up with this thieving cat, but right now, I was thankful to have her by my side.
“Let’s head in first. We’ll stand out too much here.”
As I took a step forward, the city’s lively noise filled my ears. The sounds of merchants haggling from all directions, the creaking of wagon wheels, and, in between, the faint sound of Nia’s small footsteps.
With each step I took, new sights unfolded.
At the northern gate, wagons carrying minerals mined from the mountains were entering in a long line.
“Those are merchants from the Mountain Range faction.”
“That’s right! Over there is the Diamond Blade trading group. They’re the best jewelers in the empire, but they only look flashy on the outside, the insides are dirty!”
I noticed her ears twitching slightly—probably a bad memory. It was no doubt a failed attempt at stealing.
At the southern gate, trade ships filled the harbor. The scent of spices and silk tickled my nose.
“Those are ships from the Blue Dragon Society. They monopolize maritime trade! I’ve heard they used to be pirates… So it’s legal to loot them! Nia is a righteous thief!”
At the eastern gate, caravans of traders stretched endlessly across the plains. Merchants from all over haggled loudly.
“The Golden Carriage group… they’re the strongest among the Plains faction. Those three groups control the city!”
Nia continued her explanation. As expected from a legendary thief, her knowledge was spot on.
“But the city is so complicated… How do we hide here?”
“Don’t worry! Nia has a secret hideout!”
I stopped walking and looked around. There was a good chance those chasing us would follow us into the city.
“Do you think Aris’s network reaches this far?”
“The Dragon’s Eye is terrifying… But merchants are scarier! Even dragons lower their tails in front of money!”
Nia’s words were right. This was a city ruled by gold. Even dragons couldn’t act recklessly here.
“First, we need three things.”
I held up three fingers.
“First, a safe hideout. Second, a network of information. Third, an escape route.”
“Of course, Harunya is smart! Don’t worry, Nia has already prepared everything!”
But before she could finish speaking, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Guards were running towards us.
“Wait, something’s shedding fur here? Is there a thief cat around?”
“Meow?! They already found us?!”
Nia hastily grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
“Follow me! Nia knows every alley in this city!”
In the blink of an eye, we disappeared into the maze-like back alleys. The voices of the guards grew distant.
“You… Did you steal something right after entering?”
“Well… the watch the guard was wearing was just too shiny…”
She proudly shook the watch in front of me.
I sighed. I guess the thief cat instincts couldn’t be helped.
“I told you not to do that without my permission.”
“Ugh… I get it! I’ll ask for your permission first next time…”
Nia’s ears drooped, but her golden eyes still sparkled mischievously.
“By the way, Harunya, look! There’s the secret hideout!”
At the end of a narrow alley, I saw a shabby warehouse. It looked like an ordinary storage shed…
I cast a skeptical glance at her words.
“Don’t tell me it’s a thieves’ hideout?”
“No, it’s not like that! …I’m only half a thief! The other half is an information broker!”
Another sigh escaped me. But I guess this is the best option for now.
“Alright. But do you have any precautions?”
“Mm… You’ll have to bear with the cat allergies! There’s fur everywhere.”
“Ugh…”
Nia chuckled mischievously and opened the door. The interior was completely different from what it appeared to be on the outside.
A cozy space welcomed us.
“Alright, from here on, it’s the real start! Haru and Nia’s city adventure!”
I sighed and looked at Nia. She was noisy, but her skills were undeniable.
I was thankful to have her with me. It was better than being alone… A single cat shouldn’t be too bad.
“The first rule of thieves! Hide in the forest like the trees, and between people like the shadows!”
I nodded to Nia’s words. Surprisingly, her survival skills in the city were impressively systematic.
“And information comes from taverns, deals are made in back alleys… That’s the basics.”
We settled in a shabby tavern. Nia’s black tail swayed as she watched the grilled fish.
“Hold on, let’s decide what we’re going to do first.”
I spread out a map on the shabby table. A list written in red ink and a rough city map faintly glowed like moonlight.
“First, we need… basic equipment and supplies, and then information.”
I began making a plan, spreading paper on the table. Based on my original knowledge and real-life experience, I thought about what we really needed.
“First, rare magical materials… Among them, ‘Chaos Crystals’ are essential. I need them to enhance my power.”
I pointed to a drawing of a red gemstone.
“This is ‘Moonlight Dew.’ It’s an ingredient used in potions by ancient elves. It’s necessary for stabilizing the crystals.”
“Wow! How does Haru know all of this?”
“Well… I read about it in an old book.”
Nia gave me a suspicious look but then nodded.
I continued writing the list. ‘Veil of Wind,’ ‘Shadow Sigil’… it would be nice to have artifacts like these.
“But you can’t buy such things no matter how much money you offer. Merchants hide them deep in their vaults!”
“So, what do we do?”
Her golden eyes gleamed dangerously.
“…Don’t tell me.”
“That’s right! We steal them!”
“Wait, that’s a bit…”
In front of my hesitation, Nia handed me a black mask.
“You know, right Haru? You can’t get these things with a legitimate price.”
Her words were true. Even in the game, such items could only be obtained through quests or events, and those were often complicated, multi-step grind quests.
“Wait a minute, but still, stealing…”
“Stealing? Meow, meow…”
Nia lowered her voice and flicked her black tail, grinning.
“Haru, what we’re stealing is originally stolen property. The Blue Dragon Society used to be pirates, and Diamond Blade digs jewels from the mines… Do you know how much blood was shed in the process…”
Nia’s claws scraped across the table. Hatred filled her voice.
“The Golden Carriage group is the worst. I’ve personally seen documents in their vault. They buy up entire poor villages, and the people inside… they’re just listed as products in the books.”
A moment of silence passed. Nia’s tail puffed up like an angry cat.
“That’s why, every time I raided their vaults, I also took the contracts. And I burned them!”
For the first time, I heard genuine anger in her voice. Her usual playful tone had disappeared.
“Alright.”
I accepted the mask. Nia’s eyes widened.
“Really… Really?!”
“I’m already a fugitive anyway. I can’t be clean from the start.”
At my words, Nia’s ears trembled with joy.
“Alright! Now it begins! Haru and Nia’s first theft!”
“Let’s call it a plan. Stealing’s a bit…”
“I get it! Haru and Nia’s first operation!”
Nia’s tail trembled with excitement.
“Alright! Nia will make the perfect plan for us!”