Chapter 99: Doing what a good friend should when they have a friend waiting...sleep.

A new day brings new headlines:

[Phantom Thief White Cat Strikes Criminal Base! Thief? Or a Hero with a Dark Side?]

Last night, the Special Task Force launched a surprise operation against organized crime industries. However, the Phantom Thief White Cat also appeared during the raid, single-handedly crushing the entire organization—though she did take three treasures from them... The stolen items were: Celestial Star, Whirlwind Conch, and Ten Rings Coin.

This reporter risked everything to secure an interview with the Phantom Thief White Cat, who stated:

"Those criminals hiding in the shadows have countless treasures. Not a single one will escape me. I won't let any treasure slip through my fingers."

"I'll keep going."

The Phantom Thief White Cat had once again acted in the name of justice, yet her actions grew increasingly perplexing.

Was she merely riding the wave of circumstances? Had some vestige of justice survived in her heart? Or was she simply indulging her whims, acting on impulse?

This newspaper will continue to investigate this matter and uncover more details.

-

"Strange? Why isn't there a warning about the Phantom Thief this time?" Turenna asked, puzzled.

"Could Charlotte have been harassed by the Phantom Thief?"

Just like their captain.

Of course, these words couldn't be spoken aloud - they'd die, absolutely die.

In the cafeteria, members of the Special Task Force were gathered together, discussing.

"What's the higher-ups' plan for handling those mass-produced Tears of a Maiden?"

"I don't know."

Even their captain hadn't reported the full truth to the higher-ups.

"Could there be a mole in the Court of Justice?"

"Probably... Sometimes when we go to raid those Sinthe-dealing gangs, they've already fled as if they'd received a warning before we even arrive."

Turenna nodded worriedly, remembering those incidents.

"Speaking of the captain, where is she?"

Just as the words left her lips, the cafeteria door was flung open.

"Where is Captain Chevreuse?!"

The familiar face and uniform.

No need for further inspection—everyone instantly recognized this as a high-ranking official from the Court of Justice. The newspaper in his hand was none other than the latest issue of The Steam Bird.

His gaze swept the room before settling on Turenna's table.

"Where's your captain?" he demanded, tapping the newspaper. "Look at this report! It's an absolute disgrace to the Court of Justice! What's she doing? Why hasn't that thief been apprehended yet?"

Turenna shrank back, then retorted with irritation, "Because we're dealing with a more pressing matter that requires immediate attention!"

"What could possibly be more urgent than that damned cat sitting on the Court of Justice's head?"

"Something that might make you lose your hat," Chevreuse's voice cut in.

She stepped forward, bowing to the official. "Please understand. If you don't believe me, you can ask Lord Neuvillette himself."

Neuvillette? The official's expression shifted.

So this was the Iudex's arrangement?

"...Of course, if you insist we prioritize capturing the Phantom Thief White Cat over saving countless lives, we'll follow your orders."

"However, you'll bear full responsibility for the consequences."

When the topic of responsibility came up, his eyes would dart about as he muttered something like "The Special Task Force really has gone wild," then storm off from the team cafeteria in a huff.

Chevreuse snorted. "Same old crap as usual."

"...Captain, you certainly know how to 'convince' people," Turenna remarked.

"You'll understand later. When dealing with these types, talking about responsibility just makes them deflect and avoid the issue," Chevreuse said with a smile.

Turenna sighed. "So they just dump the responsibility on us?"

Chevreuse smiled but didn't respond.

"Alright, I need to investigate the case on my own now. Don't forget the special training I arranged. I'll check your progress when I return. Fail, and you'll be sweeping the cafeteria for a week."

The team members glanced at the cafeteria's size.

It was massive. No further explanation needed.

"Yes, ma'am!" Their responses came with extra vigor.

As for why Chevreuse hadn't given them the full story or proper report, they didn't mind.

They just trusted their captain.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

Luna stretched her legs and finally got up from the bed.

Her habit of sleeping in was getting worse - she'd become so shaped like the quilt that she couldn't leave it.

Maybe someone waking her would make a difference.

But it had always been Lynette who woke her, and now her childhood friend was no longer by her side.

Stretching again, Luna let out a long sigh.

"...I'll lie down a bit longer."

She settled back into bed.

The bedding right after waking was always the most comfortable, but she mustered her resolve anyway—she had promised to meet Navia today.

The truth was within reach. All that remained was to investigate Vacher's true identity.

While waiting for Navia, Luna decided to take a moment to upgrade her skill tree.

[Action Successful]

[Security Level: High]

[Treasure Rarity: B-grade, B-grade, B-grade]

[Action Notoriety: Known to All]

[Spectacle: Heart-Throbbing]

[Points Calculated: 250 (B-grade treasure) x 3 (security level) x 4 (action notoriety) x 2 (spectacle) = 7200 x 3 (number of treasures) = 21600]

-

If only they were A-grade treasures. That would have earned her even more points.

Using spatial tricks, Luna retrieved three treasures from the cave entrance.

[Celestial Star]

[Information: Astrological tool from Mondstadt. The gem at its core shines like a star, hence the name "Celestial Star."]

[Supposedly sold by a certain astrology girl with an exceptionally long name to raise funds.]

[The astrology girl with the particularly long name once said: 'This thing is useless. I've finished researching it, so why not sell it...? That way I could eat more.']

[Treasure Rarity: B]

[Fixed Points: 250]

Luna didn't expect it to be a divination tool. She examined it briefly, but it didn't seem particularly special.

She tossed it back.

[Whirlwind Conch]

[Information: Why not ask the mystical Whirlwind Conch? — Though asking won't help, since it only transforms wind sounds into strange horn-like noises.]

[Treasure Rarity: B]

[Fixed Points: 250]

The oddly shaped stone caught Luna's attention for a moment before she stored it away.

[Ten Rings Coin]

[Information: Supposedly from Liyue, this artifact has exorcism properties. Both the coins and the golden thread stringing them together are made of high-quality materials, giving it an artistic appearance... Of course, it also hurts when slapped across someone's face—true exorcisms often require straightforward methods.]

[Treasure Rarity: B]

[Fixed Points: 250]

It looked like an antique. Luna shook the string of ten coins.

"Alright, time to check what's next."

Adding the previously accumulated points, Luna now had a total of 27,500 points.

Ah, this is the feeling!

The sensation of pouring points into herself to grow stronger... Luna's face lit up with intoxication.

First, she focused on upgrading the most crucial ability.

Steal (LV: 4/5)

Can steal up to 4 items from a target within 4 meters. You can temporarily steal partial abilities from users of the same power system.

-10,000

Points required for next level: 50,000

At least it wasn't a simple addition of a zero.

"Temporarily steal partial abilities from users of the same power system..."

Translation: Temporarily steal someone else's elemental power skills.

This ability was starting to become more conceptual. Who knew what it would look like when fully maxed out?

Luna wanted to check the information for the next level, but it displayed [Information Locked].

She still had 17,500 points remaining.

She'd spend 10,000 now and save the rest.

"I have Pyro, Hydro, Anemo, and Dendro elemental power skills now. That leaves Geo, Cryo, and Electro." Luna counted on her fingers, murmuring to herself.

"Geo is out!" she wanted to say, but Navia's rose cannon display had been quite impressive.

I wonder if there's something similar...

No, wait, there was no need. She could just steal it.

Let's let the cards decide.

Whomever they choose will be our choice.

"Let fate decide... Draw!"

Three!

...It's Geo.

Luna shrugged. "Well, Chiori uses Geo anyway."

We'll just form the Geo Trio.

[Golden Stage Construction (LV 1/2): Channel all your passion into it. Fully construct or partially build the Golden Theatre's stage. Lights, ropes, props... everything on the stage will become your weapons.]

[-1000 points.]

Level up again.

[Golden Stage Construction (LV 2/2): Channel all your passion into it. Fully construct or partially build the Golden Theatre's stage. Lights, ropes, props... everything on the stage will become your weapons. When "Glow Points" reach their peak, the moment of applause arrives, allowing you to unleash the Ultimate Strike. An actor's fate is to be born upon the stage and wither upon the stage.]

[-3000 points.]

Though it cost quite a few points, one glance told her it was perfect for her.

You know, Geo has always been my trusty companion. We've fought side by side through countless days and nights. Its power is simply incredible—I decided to bring it into my performance. I can hardly wait to use it.

As for the other elemental powers? I wish them well.

...If it costs 10,000 points, that leaves me with 6,000 remaining.

What should I spend them on? What should I spend them on?

Luna hummed absentmindedly, casually browsing, when she noticed a skill from the Path of Shadows.

[Hare's Watch: "If you don't hurry up, you'll be late for the tea party!" — Wait, I can make myself faster...]

[You can summon a special watch. For 10 seconds, the target you choose will become either incredibly slow or fast, whether it's a living creature or a simple object.]

Make the target faster or slower?

That sounded incredibly powerful.

-3,000 points.

Luna snapped her fingers, and an exquisite watch landed in her palm.

She picked up her water cup, raised it, then let go.

Pressed the watch.

Click. The watch's hands spun rapidly.

As expected, the falling cup suddenly entered slow motion, moving with extraordinary slowness.

Luna gently scooped it back into her hand.

"Hmm?" She suddenly noticed what sounded like a spring mechanism coming from inside the watch. When she pressed it again, however, there was no response.

It seemed the device couldn't be used continuously.

"One, two, three... thirty seconds of cooldown time."

But the cooldown was quick.

Luna nodded in satisfaction. This thing would definitely come in handy.

With 3,000 points remaining... she decided to use them to upgrade her incomplete skills.

[Wind Blast Kick (LV: 3/3): Concentrates a large amount of Anemo elements in the foot, allowing for a kick with extreme impact force. Can knock back enemies or enhance one's own foot strength, enabling faster jumps and running—can be used in void.]

[Thief's Vision (LV: 2/2): You can now see through all nearby items and highlight high-value items or "special items."]

Done.

Luna yawned. "Why hasn't Nana come yet?"

Should she sleep more? She had the key anyway.

"Five more minutes..."

She closed her eyes and slept.

Not long after.

"Lulu! We should go..." Navia pushed open the door, her face beaming with a smile.

But when she saw Luna sound asleep on the bed, she froze.

"Lulu?"