Mother's Keepsake

The market was getting crowded, and Mel Carlo began scouting for easy targets.

There were opportunities to strike, but stealing from those on the bottom rung of society wasn't worth it. They worked all day just to afford a meal.

Besides, how much money could the poor possibly have?

His eyes scanned every person passing through the market, finally settling on a finely dressed little girl, accompanied by a woman in armor.

The doll-like child, with her curly blonde hair, poked her head around the stalls, seemingly wanting to buy everything. The female guard beside her had neat, short brown hair.

"I want this one! Buy it!" The doll held a purse in one hand, pointing at the pastries in a stall with the other.

"Wrap this up," the female guard told the shop owner. She then turned to the doll she was holding and asked, "Miss, is there anything else you desire?"

"Not for now," the doll shook her head, wanting to continue browsing.

Unbeknownst to them, Mel Carlo was slowly approaching. His clothes were tattered, and he wore no shoes, making it difficult to remain inconspicuous. If he appeared suddenly, it would easily arouse suspicion.

Therefore, he had to maintain his composure as much as possible, walking past as if nothing were amiss. He only had one chance to act.

It had been years since he last stole anything. As he returned to his old ways, his heart still pounded rapidly.

"Hoo..." He struck in an instant.

The female guard seemed to sense something, but by the time she turned around alertly, Mel Carlo had already vanished into the crowd.

She quickly scooped the Miss into her arms, warily surveying their surroundings. Once Mel Carlo entered an alley, he began to sprint, needing to get away from the scene as quickly as possible after a crime to feel safe.

"Miss, are you alright?" the female guard asked with concern, holding the doll.

The doll shook her head, but as she raised her hand, she discovered the purse was gone.

"It's gone, my purse is gone! That was left to me by Mother..." The doll began to cry.

That purse was something very important to her, the only keepsake her mother had left her.

The female guard was now more convinced than ever that her instincts were correct. Someone had indeed approached them moments ago and stolen the Miss's purse.

She quickly calmed herself and softly reassured the doll, "Miss, don't be sad. We'll go get your purse back."

"Okay." The doll sniffled, stopping her tears.

She activated the skill [Scout].

In an instant, everything around her became clear in her eyes, and she quickly locked onto a rapidly fleeing trail.

The female guard, holding the Miss, gave chase.

Meanwhile, Mel Carlo, who had been speeding through the alley, stopped. It wasn't that he didn't want to run, but he simply couldn't. His body hadn't eaten in a long time, and his stomach began to ache, his limbs feeling weak.

He had fully adapted to this small body, including its weakness and lack of strength; all sorts of negative conditions were present.

He clutched his stomach with one hand, his other arm resting limply on a nearby step.

After running for so long, he should be safe by now.

But before he could fully relax, a furious roar came from in front of him.

The female guard, holding the doll, blocked his path. "Filthy rat! Hand over the Miss's purse!"

Mel Carlo calmly looked up, a slight surprise flashing through his mind. However, that surprise quickly dissipated. After all, this might be a game-like world, and it wasn't impossible for the female guard to have a tracking skill.

But he wouldn't admit it, nor would he hand over the purse. If you don't steal, you don't get caught. Even if caught, handing over the goods wouldn't save him from a beating.

"What are you talking about? What purse?" Mel Carlo feigned confusion. His acting seemed honed by years of practice, showing no trace of deception on the surface.

"Don't play dumb with me. Do I have to chop off your dirty hands before you'll give up the purse?" The female guard's expression turned furious. She couldn't believe someone dared to steal from the Miss right under her nose.

"But I really don't know what you're talking about?"

Before Mel Carlo could say another word, the female guard had already set the doll down. "Miss, wait here. I'll get the purse back right away."

With a powerful arm, she shoved Mel Carlo to the ground and began searching for the purse.

The female guard had tracked him all this way and hadn't seen any other traces. The purse must still be on this brat; it couldn't have been hidden.

Once she found it, she'd chop off this brat's hand to teach him who not to mess with.

However, after a thorough, forceful search, she found no sign of the purse. Mel Carlo's clothes had all been turned inside out. Such worn-out burlap couldn't hide anything.

Could she have been mistaken? But there was only one fleeing trail at the scene. If he hadn't stolen it, why would this kid have been in such a hurry to leave?

Mel Carlo had indeed stolen it, but he had already placed the purse into his system space, which was why the female guard couldn't find anything.

"Did you hide the purse? I wasn't mistaken. It has to be you! Hand over the purse quickly, or I'll chop off your hand!" The female guard drew her sword and berated Mel Carlo in a stern voice.

Generally, a child like this would obediently hand over stolen goods if threatened. The female guard fully expected this.

At least until this brat's suspicion was cleared, she wouldn't believe she was wrong.

"I really don't know what you're talking about! Please let me go!" Mel Carlo lay on the ground, but his words didn't stop. He couldn't admit it, and he wouldn't.

The money in the purse should be enough for him to live comfortably for a while. He could use this money to deal with the gang's demands and start preparing to flee this city.

The female guard slowly raised her sword. Even lying on the ground, Mel Carlo could feel the chill emanating from the blade.

Would she really swing it? Someone could die.

Mel Carlo maintained his disguise. In this situation, taking a step back would lead to utter ruin.

The final blade fell, striking the ground beside them.

The Female Guard slowly stood up, a sliver of doubt creeping into her judgment. Perhaps she had been mistaken after all.

"I am sorry, Miss."

"No, that's... sob..." The Doll's voice grew choked, and she finally burst into tears.

Mel Carlo also slowly got to his feet.

Crying wouldn't get him his belongings back, and the Female Guard had almost chopped off the little thief's hand just now.

The crying stirred something within him, but he had already committed to this path. He couldn't waver now. If he wasn't firm in his convictions, good or bad, he would only end up worse off.

A purse, for a young lady from such a wealthy family, was easily replaced. It wasn't as if she would starve.

Watching the master and servant walk away, Mel Carlo turned and left without a second glance. He wouldn't be swayed by a few words.

Couldn't find it by searching the book title, maybe try searching the author, perhaps they just changed their name!

Due to popular demand from readers, we are now offering an ad-free experience for VIP members.

Click to view