It’s over!
The instinct to survive overwhelmed everything.
Lilia ran desperately.
Every step she took in her Cat Paw Boots sounded a “Meow~”.
She couldn’t care about shame anymore; only one thought remained in her mind—
Don’t get caught!
Her heart pounded so fast it felt like it would explode out of her chest.
The Bell around her rang wildly: “Ding ling dang lang! Ding ling dang lang!”
The Tail behind her glowed so brightly it left a trail of pink light.
She was a moving signal tower, lighting up wherever she went!
Damn it!
Lilia gritted her teeth, forcing herself to calm down.
Why panic?
The more you panic, the faster your heart beats, and the more excited this cursed equipment gets!
Breathe.
Yes, like during meditation.
Inhale.
Exhale.
She desperately adjusted her rhythm, letting the air slowly flow out of her lungs.
“Ding ling dang lang……ding ling……ding……”
It worked!
The sound of the Bell was really getting softer!
From the urgent screech just now, it became a rhythmic, clear ring.
The light of the Tail also dimmed, no longer so glaring.
Lilia’s mind spun rapidly.
There was no cover in the hall, the only thing she could use was
Magic Power!
She was now a First-Rank Apprentice, her Magic Energy Network stable and smooth within her body.
Although these damn gloves fixed her fingers into a paw shape, making it impossible to form seals for casting.
But who said you had to use hands to cast spells?
In the “Grand Sweep” game, she could conjure hundreds of High-Pressure Water Guns by will alone with her eyes closed!
Where the mind goes, Magic Power follows!
Lilia focused, drawing a thread of magic energy.
She threw it forcefully at the ground two meters behind her!
“Bang!”
A half-meter-high block of Ice Crystal appeared out of thin air, its surface emanating cold air.
This was an Instant Freeze Trap she had modified from the Water Ball Spell.
Unstable, but enough to trip someone!
She didn’t look back and kept running.
Her ears perked up, waiting for the sound of someone falling behind her.
Nothing.
Only Lucia’s amused voice:
“Interesting.”
“Pa.”
Lilia glanced back with the corner of her eye.
The ice shattered into a shower of Ice Crystals the moment Lucia approached.
She didn’t even touch it!
Damn it!
Lilia cursed inwardly.
As expected, such a petty trick was useless against this cheat character.
If attacking won’t work, then—
Misdirect!
She activated her magic again, this time not forming a physical object, but shaping a Light Clone.
Same loli figure, same trailing pink light from the Tail.
“Fu!”
The Light Clone ran in the opposite direction.
Lilia herself braked sharply, turning to hide in the Shadow of the wall.
Though the hall was empty, there were always blind spots at the edges the lights couldn’t reach.
If she could confuse her for just a few seconds, she could buy time to catch her breath!
She pressed against the cold wall, holding her breath.
Controlling her heartbeat.
“Ding……ding……”
The Bell was almost inaudible.
The light of the Tail went completely dark.
Success!
Lucia’s figure was indeed drawn by the Light Clone, chasing in the wrong direction.
Watching the back get farther and farther away, Lilia’s tense nerves finally relaxed.
Euphoric relief after a narrow escape surged through her.
Her heartbeat finally calmed.
The Bell went completely silent.
She let out a long breath—
“I found you.”
Icy words exploded right beside her ear.
Lilia’s body froze on the spot.
Bit by bit, she turned her head.
Lucia’s face was right in front of her.
Blood-red pupils glinted with mockery in the darkness.
And the distant “Lucia” dissolved into light and vanished.
A Clone?!
That pervert used a Clone to fish as well?!
“Ding ling ling ling ling –!”
Overwhelming terror sent her heartbeat skyrocketing.
The Bell let out an unprecedented shriek!
With a “boom”, her Tail shone like a mini sun, illuminating the entire corner!
“No –!”
Lilia screamed, shoving Lucia aside as she tried to run.
Too late.
A hand grabbed her frantically glowing Tail.
“Got you.”
Lucia’s voice was filled with the joy of a Victory.
Lilia’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
It was over.
She’d been caught.
What awaited her was
Upgrade Punishment.
“First Caught Reward.”
Lucia lifted her from the floor and hugged her.
Her fingers traced the Cat Paw Gloves.
“What sound effect should I add?”
“A kitten’s Purring Sound?”
“Or a Screaming Sound from a stepped Tail?”
Lilia’s face went pale.
She stared at Lucia’s devilish smile, trembling uncontrollably.
“I… I choose Purring Sound…”
Her voice quivered on the verge of tears.
At least Purring Sound was less humiliating than Screaming Sound.
“Good girl.”
Lucia nodded.
She reached out her other hand, a complex purple Magic Rune glowing at her fingertips, and gently tapped the glove.
The Magic Rune flashed and merged in.
“It’s done.”
Lucia released her and set her down.
“Wave your paw. Let me hear the effect.”
Lilia closed her eyes and shakily raised her right hand.
She gave it a small wave.
“Pururuu… Pururuu…”
A lifelike, satisfied sound from a kitten’s throat came from the glove.
And it was surround sound!
Lilia’s tears broke through.
Now, whenever she moved, three sounds would play.
Walking: “Meow~”
Fast heartbeat: “Ding ling dang lang~”
Waving hand: “Pururuu~”
She had become a walking, BGM-playing cat doll!
“Continue.”
Lucia spoke.
“If I catch you again this time…”
Her gaze fell on the pair of shoes that could meow.
“Electric Shock intensity doubles.”
Lilia jerked her head up.
Electric Shock?!
And doubled?!
Her survival instincts exploded; she spun around and ran!
“Meow~ Meow~”
“Ding ling dang lang! Ding ling dang lang!”
“Pururuu~ Pururuu~”
The three sounds mixed into a cacophony.
Lilia no longer cared about shame.
Only one thought remained in her mind—
I absolutely cannot be caught a second time!