Nini, the cat-eared girl, had irises that shimmered a pale gold. Her pupils, just like those of a cat, could contract or expand at will.
Under bright light, her pupils would narrow into thin vertical slits; when she was afraid, they would become round.
Romon watched her anxious expression and, with a swift motion, drew a collar out from his system inventory.
It was a reward he had just received after the simulation concluded.
[Simulation score this time: 80]
[Score reward: Pet Collar (Increases all pet stats by 50%)]
After three simulations, he'd realized that each time, the reward was directly tied to the simulation's final gains. The higher the total gains, the better the score, and the richer the reward. If he terminated the simulation on his own, there would be no reward—but considering the number of rounds he had, that small loss didn't really matter.
This time, he'd achieved his highest score yet, and the quality of the reward matched it.
In terms of abilities, the collar would work best on the Bloodthirsty Wolf King, but for now, defense mattered more to him than offense.
So, he wondered if it would work on Nini instead. After all, she was a catgirl—wearing a collar suited her, didn't it?
"Master, this is…?"
Nini's gaze fell on the collar in Romon's hand. It was a deep crimson throughout—she wasn't sure what material it was made of, but with just one look, she could sense the immense magical energy contained within.
Simply put, this was a very precious magical artifact!
Nini tilted her head up to look at Romon, and he took the opportunity to fasten the collar gently around her snow-white neck.
In that instant, a mysterious power surged through her. She could feel her speed, strength, vision, hearing, and even her sense of smell—all of them were heightened! And it wasn't just a minor improvement, either; it was a true leap in ability, far surpassing even the best buffs she'd ever received while adventuring with a party. In fact, it was leagues above any strengthening aura she'd known—by a long shot.
Her eyes went wide, ears standing on end in disbelief. Since when did a slave ever receive such a blessing? Even the most imaginative bards wouldn't dare to invent such a story.
At that moment, Romon gave a gentle tug on the metal ring attached to the collar. He didn't need to check the simulator to know that Nini had already received the power-up.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"M-master, why would you reward me like this?"
Nini was well aware of her own status. She was a thief, a lowly slave—just avoiding the whip for a few meals was more than she could hope for. How could she possibly deserve a magical artifact as a gift?
Seeing the guilt and unease in Nini's eyes, Romon realized that the time had come to teach her the art of moral obligation.
"Nini, your teacher is coming to kill me."
Romon stated the situation plainly, without a hint of emotion.
The moment she heard this, Nini was so terrified that she dropped to her knees on the floor. With her newly strengthened body, the impact cracked two floor tiles beneath her with a loud thud.
"Master, I'm sorry! She's not my teacher anymore—I became your slave of my own free will! This has nothing to do with her! I like Master! I respect Master! I am loyal to Master!"
Nini's tail bristled, every strand of fur standing on end like pine needles. Her tail was orange, black, and white—a classic calico pattern, fitting for a catgirl of her breed.
Right now, her delicate, fair little face had gone as pale as a sheet. She thought Spidevs had somehow found out she'd become a slave and was coming to hold her accountable.
After all, as Spidevs' protégé, she'd already skipped lessons for more than a month.
If Spidevs really was coming for her, maybe even to kill Romon, then Nini would be the first to bear the consequences. If Romon got hurt, she'd be punished; if Romon was killed, she'd die for sure; and even if Romon miraculously survived, he might execute her in a fit of rage.
She even started to worry that this collar was a prelude to her execution! The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became—her entire body trembled uncontrollably.
"Nini, what's the use of all this? Spidevs is still coming to kill me," Romon said calmly.
"I—I won't let her hurt you, Master!" Nini blurted out instinctively. "I swear I'll protect you with my life!"
"Can you beat your teacher in a fight?"
"I…I…"
Nini stayed on her knees, fists clenched tight. She knew perfectly well she couldn't defeat Spidevs. In fact, if Spidevs really wanted Romon dead, with her assassin skills there was no way Nini could stop her.
If Spidevs made a move, Nini would be in grave danger, no matter what.
What should she do? She didn't want to die!
Nini had always been afraid of death. Otherwise, she would never have swallowed her pride and chosen the life of a slave.
Seeing the panic and confusion swirling in Nini's eyes, Romon suddenly changed tack: "Why don't you try talking to her? I'm willing to offer her a higher commission."
The moment he said it, Nini's muddled gaze instantly cleared. She looked up at Romon with hope shining in her eyes—her pale cheeks suddenly bright with delight.
Just when she thought she had no way out, Romon had given her a clear path forward. If she couldn't win, she didn't have to fight—she could negotiate, she could buy Spidevs off!
From what she remembered, Spidevs was very fond of money.
"Master, you're brilliant! I'll definitely persuade Spidevs, I promise I will!"
The negotiations hadn't even started yet, but Nini's face already showed the look of someone who'd survived a disaster.
"Get up," Romon said, looking down at Nini as she knelt before him. As she knelt, her shapely thighs were pressed together, her round, pert backside raised high, and with her slender waist, she formed the shape of a perfect heart. He hadn't noticed it before, but seeing her posture now, he realized just how fantastical her figure was—something no ordinary human physique could achieve.
Nini stood up, still feeling relieved in her mind, when Romon continued with another question: "How exactly do you plan to persuade your teacher?"
"I… I'll tell Spidevs that you, Master, are incredibly wealthy and would never delay her payment. Also, you're nothing like those old, ugly, fat nobles—you're handsome and strong. Even without the commission, just serving you would be a pleasure in itself…"
Nini accidentally let her true thoughts slip out. Ever since she'd returned from Matthews Territory, she'd overheard the princess's moans and Romon's heavy breathing the whole way back. It would be a lie to say her body hadn't reacted—she'd even imagined herself as the female lead in her mind.
"Stop." Romon interrupted her immediately. "There's no need to flatter me here. I want to know how you will actually persuade your teacher—what you'll truly say to convince her, not just some words to muddle through."
Romon's expression grew stern. Nini instantly realized she couldn't just say whatever came to mind. It might work on others, but there was no way she could fool this lord with such tricks.
She couldn't help but settle her thoughts and began to think seriously, racking her brain for a real answer. She pondered in silence for a good while—almost fifteen minutes passed. Romon didn't interrupt, but waited patiently for her reply.
At length—
Nini began to speak, recalling her past as she went: "When I was very young, my father sold me to Spidevs to pay off his debts. Spidevs took in many children. Sometimes she took good care of us, but if we didn't train hard enough, she'd whip us or refuse to feed us. I was always the fastest among the children, whether in learning or in speed, so she often rewarded me. On the day she declared me her successor, she made me kill my own gambler father with my own hands. I did it. But from that day on, it was as if my father's soul had cursed me—I became obsessed with money. The payment from contracts was never enough; I started joining thief gangs on the side, until I was finally captured by you, Master… I'll use our shared past, the debt she owes me, I'll use all of that to persuade her."
"What if she doesn't think she owes you anything?"
"She will. She knows exactly what sort of business she's in. When she's old and lost her looks, she plans to use my young body to maintain her connections with those piggish nobles, and have me pay her way in retirement through my commissions."
"And if that still doesn't convince her?"
With Romon's relentless questioning, Nini's mindset gradually adjusted. She became more determined, even a bit ruthless, and replied, "If that's not enough, I'll never let her hurt you, Master. I… I'll take the opportunity to drive my dagger straight into her heart."
Romon got the answer he wanted. He smiled faintly and said nothing more.
He really did intend for Nini to kill Spidevs—there was absolutely no room for hesitation. A whore who'd spent years mingling between the beds of various lords was never to be trusted. Even if she could be convinced, he'd still have to find a way to dispose of her.
"Nini, listen to me. As long as you handle this cleanly, I'll reward you well. I might even let you become more than just a slave," Romon said.
Hearing this, Nini was instantly invigorated. She'd ended up a slave after being caught stealing; though she regretted it, there was nothing she could do. After everything she'd been through, to regain her freedom would be a kind of spiritual rebirth.
But she overlooked the trap in Romon's words. "More than just" and "no longer" were worlds apart. The former meant an additional status layered on top of being a slave—like handling certain physical needs with that fantastical body of hers.
"Master, you truly are a wise and generous lord. I… I never should have stolen your ore in the first place. Even if I were still free, I'd willingly pledge my loyalty to you!"
Nini realized she was about to end up alone again. Her feelings for Spidevs were complicated—there was deep hatred, but also a habitual reliance built up over years together.
Other than that, she had nowhere left to turn in this world.
So, rather than drift aimlessly, she might as well choose a worthy master early on.
"If you were still free, how would you show your loyalty to me?" Romon asked, the implication in his words crystal clear.
Upon hearing this—
In the flickering kerosene lamp light, Nini's small, fair face took on a cat-like docility.
She cautiously moved closer to Romon. Seeing that he didn't stop her, she naturally extended her delicate, fragrant tongue.
Like a cat, Nini gently licked Romon's Adam's apple—though her tongue had no barbs, only a warm, slick softness. Then, tracing down along his throat, her nimble fingers undid his shirt, and her tongue slid down along his breastbone.
Her tongue tip glided lightly over Romon's abs, and her body naturally sank to her knees again. But this time, it was a posture of submission, not of fear.
*Clack—*
Romon's lower garments fell to the floor, and immediately, he felt himself enveloped in a warm, tight embrace.
Nini's movements were exquisitely gentle, like a kitten kneading for milk—slow and rhythmic, one motion after another. Romon glanced down, and saw her golden eyes gazing up at him, pleading for his reward.