The Broke Detective

Bargaining for Cash

I crossed my arms and stared at Nina. "Alright, I'll take the job. But how much are we talking?"

Nina sighed, rubbing her temple. "If you can find out where those pests go—100 CP. If you get rid of them? I'll add another 50 CP."

I felt my body freeze for a second.

100 CP.

150 CP total.

My eyes practically turned into gold coins.

That was enough for three nights at the inn, supplies, and maybe even a weapon upgrade.

I grinned. "Alright, you got yourself a deal."

---

The Waiting Game

That's how I found myself outside Nina's store, looking like a total beggar.

I sat on the ground, arms wrapped around my knees, completely broke.

If I stayed inside the store, the rats wouldn't show up. So I had to watch from outside.

Nothing happened.

An hour passed.

Two hours.

Three.

My eyelids grew heavy. "…Nothing. This better not be a scam."

The night air was cold. My stomach rumbled. I was seconds away from falling asleep—

Then I heard it.

A strange skittering noise.

My eyes snapped open.

From the shadows of a medieval canal, five figures emerged.

---

The Cursed Rats

I held my breath.

Five rats crawled out of the canal, their fur damp and matted. They weren't normal.

A strange red aura leaked from their bodies.

It was faint but unmistakable.

"…What the hell?"

I had fought Training Slimes before, but these things? They felt different.

The rats moved too smoothly, too precisely. Not like wild animals.

And then—

They slipped into Nina's store.

I clenched my fists. "Jackpot."

Now, all I had to do was find out what they were after.