Ch. 241: No-Catch Ribbon

"Dismissed?" Mo Fei stared blankly. "Why?"

Mira shook her head. "I—I'm not really sure either. The academy's explanation was an issue of academic ethics."

Mo Fei lowered his head in thought. Dismissed... Does it have something to do with that rat-hound monster incident?

Inside the phial, the fledgling stirred, tapping its beak against the glass right toward Mira's finger. Mira looked down at it and couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.

Mo Fei watched the chick. "Do you know what its ability is yet?"

"Not yet." Mira shook her head. "Based on the materials added, I can guess a rough direction, but it doesn't seem to match its current look. They mentioned detection methods in class, but those only read general categories. We'll only know its real ability through gradual observation."

I see. Makes sense—not everyone has a system, after all.

Mira lifted the spirit phial. "Still, thanks to the blood attunement, I can vaguely sense what it wants to do. It seems... obsessed with pecking at things."

Right as she said that, Peckly Duckling gave the glass a few more sharp pecks, bringing a smile to both of their faces.

"I'll take it back now. Mr. Mo Fei, see you next time."

"Go ahead. Congratulations on your advancement."

Mira jogged off, and Mo Fei set out to leave the academy as well.

---

On his way back, Mo Fei realized it had been days since he'd checked on the kittens, so he turned toward the alley where they lived.

Barely two streets in, a commotion broke out ahead.

Several people carrying long-handled nets and wooden cages were cornering a pile of junk at the street corner. A spotted dog tucked its tail, trying to squeeze through a gap, but a net dropped squarely over its head. After a few thrashing struggles, it was dragged into a cage. On the handcart parked nearby, several cages were already stacked, holding both cats and dogs.

Mo Fei noticed a wooden sign hanging from the side of the cart, painted with the words: "Chimimi Stray Animal Home."

His chest tightened, his pace quickening without him realizing it.

That alley isn't far from here. Those little guys...

Just as he moved to skirt around the crowd, a gray cat darted out from under the cart and slammed straight into his shin. Mo Fei stumbled, and the young man chasing behind it skidded to a halt in front of him.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, the gray cat slipped across the street into an alley and vanished.

Mo Fei looked at the net in the man's hands. "Why are you catching them?"

"We're Chimimi volunteers." The man patted the dust off the net's handle. "Stray cats and dogs on the street keep breeding out of control. They starve, and they carry fleas everywhere—that's how epidemics spread through the city. Taking them in, getting them neutered first, and then sheltering and caring for them is far better than leaving them to starve on the streets and spread fleas all over."

Hmm... Trap, neuter, shelter. Sounds pretty legitimate on paper. But last time I was in their shelter, I was nearly kept behind by a chimera. Would Chimimi really be that kindhearted?

Mo Fei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "I've been looking after a few cats in an alley nearby. Will they be caught too?"

"Someone's caring for them?" The man thought for a second, then pulled several ribbons from a cloth pouch at his waist and handed them over. "Then tie these around them. If an animal under someone's care wears a ribbon, we won't catch it."

Mo Fei took the ribbons, offered his thanks, and turned to hurry toward the alley.

---

The alley was as quiet as usual.

The black cat lay sprawled atop a wooden crate. Hearing footsteps, it lifted its head, saw who it was, and rested its chin back down on its forepaws. The little orange cat slipped out from behind the crate, followed by the other two, with the shyest one trailing at the very end.

Good, they're all still here.

Mo Fei crouched down, and the little orange cat immediately nuzzled into his palm. It felt nice and warm under his hand.

"All right, we've got serious business today."

He drew out a ribbon and tied a snug, gentle knot around the little orange cat's neck.
The little orange cat twisted its head to bite at the trailing ribbon, but couldn't reach it, and ended up spinning in circles on the spot.

The other two obediently let him tie theirs on, while the shyest one sniffed it for a long while before finally letting the ribbon slip over its head.

Mo Fei looked over at the black cat on the crate. "Want one too?"

He had just reached out when the black cat tilted its head away, dodging his hand.

"...Fair enough. Won't force you."

He watched the kittens playfully tug at the ribbons around each other's necks and played with them for a while longer before standing up to head back to the workshop.

---

As he neared the workshop, Mo Fei spotted someone standing leaned against the wall by the door, wrapped in a long black cloak, with heavy dark circles hanging under his eyes.

Seeing him approach, Greg straightened up. "You're finally back."

Mo Fei unlocked the door to let him inside. The two sat down at the table, and Greg cut straight to the chase.

"That box from last time. Someone in the Bureau took it out and used it."

"Took it out?" Mo Fei's eyes widened. "Wasn't that handed over to the research personnel for evaluation?"

"It was supposed to be." Greg rubbed between his brows. "Then someone somehow took it out on their own without authorization. According to what he said later, he wanted to use its treasure-hunting ability to find something and score some merit."

"And then?"

"He said the box led him all the way deep into the abandoned mine tunnels, where he ran into a massive pack of rat-hound monsters. He even saw people pushing caged carts, hauling animals in cage by cage."

"Animals?"

"Cats, dogs, things like that. Looked like strays from the street. He didn't dare get close, so he rushed straight back to report." Greg sighed. "And now this mine case has landed squarely on my head."

Mo Fei frowned. Hauling animals... into an abandoned mine?

"So, you didn't come looking for me hoping I'd go investigate, did you? Because count me out."

"No, it's about the box." Greg looked at him. "It seems to possess a power that corrupts the mind. Do you have any way to deal with that box—seal it up or something?"

Mo Fei leaned back against the chair.

"I can try. But let's get one thing straight first: what's the pay?"

Greg gave him a look. "You're the Bureau's Honorary Technical Advisor. Assisting the Bureau with cases is supposed to be—"

"An honorary position without a salary," Mo Fei cut in ahead of him. "You said that last time already."

"The Bureau will issue a bonus afterward."

"How long did I have to wait last time just to get that 20 silver?" Mo Fei held out his hand. "If you want me to do the work, give me a deposit first."

Greg stared at that outstretched hand and fell silent for a moment.

"I can't make that call. Funds have to be submitted to the branch director for approval."

"Then go get it approved."

"Who knows how long approval will take." Greg paused. "How about... I get you another Artificial Ether Seed instead?"

Mo Fei nearly laughed out loud.

I haven't even used the one I traded for last time. Am I supposed to keep another one as a paperweight?

"No thanks." He pulled his hand back. "If there's no money, I'm not taking this job."

Greg stood up.

"Fine. I'll figure something else out."

"Take care. I won't see you out."

After the door shut, Mo Fei took out that yet-unused Artificial Ether Seed. The amber crystal pulsed with a steady, rhythmic thrum in his palm.

"That new member quest has been dragged out long enough. About time to deal with it."