Going Back on One's Word

The alley was too dimly lit, and Xu Nan could barely make things out by the flickering streetlamp in the distance.

The person in black would probably not even reach his chest when standing up.

A child?

He calmed down considerably. "What kind of help?"

"Do you have any money?" The person in black sprang up from the ground like a carp, moving with remarkable skill and showing excellent control over her body.

"Huh?" Xu Nan asked, "Are you hungry?"

This time, he saw her clearly. She was a dirty-faced girl with fairly delicate features. She was slightly short, looked only fourteen or fifteen, about Xin'er's age.

Even the dumbest thief would not target a person's home, much less when that girl's fall from the banyan tree had looked rather painful.

Xu Nan figured she was probably a rebellious girl who had run away from home. She had most likely climbed over the wall to find something to eat.

As a kindhearted, upstanding man, it was only right for him to lend a helping hand to a lost girl.

Who would have thought that she would clap her hands excitedly?

"Can you let me secretly steal some money from you?"

Huh?

Xu Nan hesitated for three seconds before confirming from her hopeful gaze that he had heard correctly.

"You want to... steal... my money?"

For the first time, Xu Nan found speaking so difficult. This girl's train of thought was rather peculiar, and he could not keep up.

"I don't really want your money!"

The girl said frankly, "Have you seen those short videos? The superhumans with special abilities?"

"I'm actually one too! It's just that my abilities haven't fully developed yet, and a lot of my skills aren't proficient enough. I don't have many friends, and no one can help me, so I can only figure things out on my own."

"I have a skill that needs me to keep stealing money to raise its proficiency. But surveillance equipment is too advanced these days. The first time I stole something on a bus, I got caught and nearly ended up at the police station. Since then, I've never stolen money on a bus again."

"And stealing money in places like that is super troublesome. After I steal it, I have to return it. If I steal bus cards or ID cards and give them back to the wrong people, it's even worse. Yesterday, I stole a married couple's phones at the mall, but mixed them up when I returned them. Not long after, I heard them arguing about cheating and stuff. They nearly started fighting in the mall. I felt pretty embarrassed."

"My skill is only a tiny bit away from reaching mastery now. Could you help me out?"

Had he run into some dim-witted kid?

Videos and public opinion had everyone on edge these days. Who would tell a stranger they were a superhuman right after meeting them? Wasn't she afraid bad people would target her?

He could not help but cast an Appraisal Technique on the clueless child.

Qin Lele / Female / 15 years old / Level 4 Thief

Xu Nan was stunned!

Qin Lele was already a Level 4 Thief. Looking at her build, if they fought, he would be no match for her at all. She would probably hang him up and beat him senseless!

Qin Lele's perception was much stronger than Wen Xin's. The instant Xu Nan cast the Appraisal Technique, she sensed it.

Her big, blinking eyes fixed on Xu Nan warily. "Do you have some kind of special idea about me?"

Xu Nan had just been about to explain when a side door in the alley opened.

An elderly man leaning on a cane poked half his body out. "Oh, Lele, did you hurt yourself in that fall? I heard that thud just now. It sounded heavy!"

Qin Lele dusted off her butt, looking perfectly carefree. "I'm fine. I'm light, so I can take a fall."

"Get some rest early, Grandpa. I'll come steal from your house again tomorrow."

The old man smiled kindly, glanced at Xu Nan, muttered a few words about how it was good that she was fine, then shut the door again.

Only Qin Lele and Xu Nan remained in the alley, staring at each other.

"What... is going on?" Xu Nan decided he needed to rethink the world.

Qin Lele gave an "Oh" and answered, "I've only known Grandpa Zhong for three days. He's the only person who found out I was coming to steal things and still happily welcomed me. His son and daughter both went to the United States, and he's living here alone in retirement. He's pretty lonely. When he heard I came to steal things every night, he was actually quite happy."

Xu Nan said, "..."

"Then why don't you ask him to help?"

Qin Lele said seriously, "Burglary and Pickpocketing Technique are two different skills. Their training can't be stacked. Besides, Grandpa Zhong is old. It's not hard to steal from him, so I can't gain much proficiency."

Xu Nan decided to stop her. At this rate, she would probably reveal everything about herself. He also warned her that it would be better to keep such matters secret.

"Even if you've gained superpowers, you can't be so high-profile."

Xu Nan lectured her sternly, "What if bad people target you? What if I'm a bad person?"

Qin Lele looked at him with utter disdain. "Please. You, a bad person? I noticed you the moment you entered the alley. Your steps were unsteady, you were holding roses, and you looked totally lost. It was obvious you'd just failed at confessing."

"You look clean, and you're pretty handsome too. My mom says appearance comes from the heart. Handsome people usually aren't that bad."

"A handsome guy like you who got dumped is already kind of abnormal. I think the girl who rejected you must have something wrong with her head. But that has nothing to do with me. How about this? I won't steal from you for free. Let me grind some proficiency off you, and I'll introduce you to a great beauty later!"

Xu Nan looked at the roses in his hand and found himself speechless.

"Then go ahead and steal."

Xu Nan was, after all, still a kind and decent man. Qin Lele was a little eccentric, but she did not seem like a bad person. Doing her a small favor was fine.

"Great! Here I come!" Qin Lele grabbed at Xu Nan excitedly.

However, at that moment, a dialog box suddenly flashed before Xu Nan's eyes—

Ron Sorcerer Secret Method Mission Activated!

Mission Name: Going Back on One's Word

Mission Description: As someone determined to cast aside all shame, how could you fail to even go back on your word? If you agree to someone's request, you must break your promise! Stop the female thief's Pickpocketing Technique at least five times.

Mission Reward: Unlock the Ron Sorcerer-exclusive secret method list; receive one random First Ring secret method; 1 Shame Point

Qin Lele's pale hand was reaching for Xu Nan's pocket when Xu Nan suddenly grabbed it!

"Cough, cough... I suddenly feel that this might not be appropriate."

Xu Nan held Qin Lele's slender wrist as she glared at him. "What are you doing?"

The mission had come too suddenly. Xu Nan had acted on impulse and could only make up an excuse. "I... I..."

Then inspiration struck him. "How about we change positions? You stealing from my pocket out in the open makes me feel a little uncomfortable."

With that, he released Qin Lele's wrist.

Notice: Successfully stopped her (1/5)!

Qin Lele readily agreed. "Then turn around. I'll do it from behind."

Xu Nan turned around awkwardly. Just as Qin Lele prepared to make another move, he suddenly spun back around and grabbed her wrist again!

"What are you doing again?!" Qin Lele was getting annoyed.

"I wanted to remind you that there's no money in my right pocket. Everything's in my left pocket," Xu Nan explained earnestly.

Notice: Successfully stopped her (2/5)!

Qin Lele gave an "Oh." Xu Nan let go and turned around, scratching his head as he tried to think of another excuse.

Qin Lele made her third move, reaching for Xu Nan's left pocket. But at the critical moment, Xu Nan caught her wrist again!

"What the hell do you want?!" Qin Lele was going crazy.

Xu Nan looked uneasy. "Could you let me take a deep breath first? I'm not ready yet. It's my first time being stolen from, so I'm a little nervous."

Qin Lele sneered. "Just say it. You like me and want to take advantage of me, right?"

Xu Nan said, "That's not true. I'm not interested in children. I'm really nervous."

Qin Lele did not buy it. "If you're going to agree to help, then be straightforward about it. Don't act like such a woman. Fine, hurry up and take your deep breaths. Take in plenty. I checked the air quality index before leaving today. PM2.5 is pretty high. Nutritious."

Xu Nan slowly released her hand. He had stopped her for the third time, but he was already running out of tricks.

Qin Lele was no fool. On the contrary, she was actually quite smart. The reason she was treating him this way might have something to do with Xu Nan's impressive 18 points of Charm.

If his Charm had been even a little lower, this female thief would probably have beaten him senseless already.

But even now, things were dangerous.

After taking three deep breaths, Xu Nan smiled. "I'm ready."

"Really? If you grab my wrist again, I won't be polite." Qin Lele eyed Xu Nan suspiciously. This time, she reached for his pocket with lightning speed!

That speed exceeded Xu Nan's expectations.

He made a snap decision and jumped backward, dodging Qin Lele's Pickpocketing Technique!

"Big brother, I'm begging you. If you don't want to help, then stop making things worse, okay? My Pickpocketing Technique proficiency is about to reset to zero because I keep failing!"

Qin Lele was almost crying.

Xu Nan did not feel good about it either. He was a perfectly decent, honest man. How had he suddenly started heading down the path of becoming a Shameless Scoundrel?

"It's not that... You moved so fast just now, I thought you were going to hit me..."

"Thieves use daggers when we fight!" Qin Lele somehow pulled out a fruit knife and spun it around. She was quite nimble with it. "One last time. Stand there nicely and let me steal from you, or do you believe I'll cut you?"

Xu Nan's head throbbed. There was still one more time!

How was he supposed to stop her now? She had even pulled out a knife!

Money was not the problem. The problem was, how was he supposed to complete the mission?

Over there, Qin Lele was already creeping toward him menacingly.

She stared intently at Xu Nan's every movement, while Xu Nan's smile gradually stiffened.

Qin Lele's sinful hand reached for Xu Nan's pocket for the fifth time.

Xu Nan seemed to have no choice left.

But then, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly saw the roses in his left hand.

As if possessed.

Qin Lele's hand was caught again, but this time Xu Nan held it with both hands, along with the bouquet of blooming roses.

Xu Nan gazed at Qin Lele affectionately. "I might... really like you."

Notice: Successfully stopped her! (5/5)

Mission—Going Back on One's Word completed

Ron Sorcerer Secret Method list unlocked!

Obtained 1 Shame Point!

Obtained secret method—Xu Nan's Workbench!

"Bullshit."

Qin Lele calmly looked at the bouquet of roses. "You like me now?"

"Do you even know my name?"

"Qin Lele," Xu Nan blurted out.

The girl froze on the spot.