The Monster Monarch System-Chapter 245: Nimble Thief

The town pulsed with life as Rem walked along the cobbled streets, the hum of conversation filling the air. Merchants called out their wares, bargaining voices overlapping in a familiar symphony.

Children darted between the legs of pedestrians, their laughter ringing through the alleys. A trio of bards strummed their instruments in the town square, weaving a lively tune that carried through the night.

Beyond the marketplace, the glow of crimson lanterns painted the skyline, marking the infamous Red-Light District.

The soft flicker of the lights and the murmur of voices — some playful, some hushed — made the district impossible to ignore.

The scent of spiced perfume and wine drifted faintly in the air, mingling with the usual city smells.

Rem paid little mind to it, keeping his pace steady. His thoughts remained on the battles before, the energy that now coursed through his body — heightened senses, sharper instincts.

The feeling of something foreign, something new, settled in his bones, but he had yet to test its limits.

His mind was lost in thought until —

A sudden force collided into him, sending him stumbling a step backward.

"Ah, my apologies!" A soft, hurried voice met his ears.

Rem barely had time to process before the figure darted past him and blended into the moving crowd. His fingers instinctively brushed against his pocket, a small frown forming as realization struck.

Some of his bronze coins were gone.

His gaze flickered toward the retreating hooded figure, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.

A thief.

Rem exhaled sharply. He had no interest in making a scene, but he wasn’t about to let himself be robbed like some oblivious traveler.

His body moved before he even thought about it.

His strides were smooth, his steps barely making a sound as he pursued the girl through the market. She was quick, slipping through gaps in the crowd with an agility that spoke of experience.

However, Rem had an edge she wasn’t aware of.

His eyes locked onto her movements. He could see the subtle shifts in her steps, the way her body angled before she turned — a fraction of a second before she actually moved.

Every motion played out in his mind as if the world had slowed just enough for him to react.

She veered off into a narrow alleyway, slipping into the shadows.

Rem didn’t slow.

The girl exhaled in relief as she pressed her back against the brick wall, clutching the small pouch she had swiped. She peeked out, scanning the street she had just come from.

No sign of pursuit.

But just as she started to relax —

A shadow loomed over her.

She barely had time to react before a figure landed in front of her, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim alley.

Rem’s expression was unreadable as he straightened, his presence pressing down like an unseen weight. He hadn’t even made a sound when he landed.

The girl’s breath hitched, and she instinctively took a step back, her hood slipping just enough to reveal strands of silver-white hair.

"You’re fast," Rem stated, his voice calm but carrying an edge of amusement. "But not fast enough."

Her grip tightened around the pouch. "Tch — "

In a flash, she turned on her heel, ready to bolt —

But the moment she moved, Rem was already there.

She froze, eyes widening as he blocked her path effortlessly.

"Where do you think you’re going?" His voice was still composed, but there was something dangerous in the way he tilted his head slightly, as if studying her.

The girl gritted her teeth. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she realized just how outmatched she was. She had dealt with guards before, even other thieves — but this man...

He was something else.

Rem extended a hand toward her. "Give it back."

She hesitated.

"It’s just a few bronze," she muttered, her voice softer now. "You don’t look like the type to be desperate for money."

Rem’s gaze didn’t waver. "That’s not the point."

She scowled, reluctant, before finally tossing the pouch back at him. He caught it with ease.

"Happy now?" She crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one side.

Rem pocketed the pouch but didn’t step aside. His eyes remained locked onto hers, as if searching for something beyond the simple act of theft.

"You’re not from here," he observed. "Too cautious. Too quick to run."

Her lips parted slightly, then she huffed. "Neither are you."

A brief silence settled between them.

Finally, she let out a sharp sigh and pulled her hood further down. "Look, I’m just trying to survive, alright? You want me to apologize? Fine. Sorry for taking your coins, mister scary eyes."

Rem remained still for a moment before exhaling through his nose.

"Next time," he said, his tone still calm, "make sure you’re not stealing from someone who can catch you."

With that, he stepped aside.

The girl blinked, as if surprised by the sudden gesture. She hesitated again, looking at him cautiously before nodding slightly and brushing past him.

"See you around, scary eyes," she muttered before disappearing into the night.

Rem watched her go, his instincts still on high alert.

Something told him this wasn’t the last time he’d be seeing her.

Rem exhaled as he watched the thief disappear into the crowd. She was quick — too quick.

There was a sharpness to her movements, a confidence that suggested this wasn’t her first time swiping from an unsuspecting passerby.

With a small shake of his head, he reached into his pocket to properly tuck away the returned pouch.

His fingers grazed the coins inside —

And then his brows furrowed.

Something was off.

His hand moved through the pouch, feeling for the weight of his money. It wasn’t the same.

He pulled it out, flipping open the small cloth bag.

A chuckle escaped him.

A few more of his coins were missing.

Rem huffed, rubbing his temple with his free hand. "Fast hands."

That girl... She had returned some of what she took, just to rob him again in the process. A skilled thief, no doubt, and one with enough audacity to toy with her targets.

The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him. He had bested her in speed and awareness, yet she had still managed to leave with something of his.

Amusement flickered in his chest.

It was rare for someone to get one over on him, even if only by the slimmest margin. He respected skill when he saw it.

He turned his gaze toward the city, the warm glow of lanterns casting long shadows against the cobblestone roads.

The lively hum of conversation, the occasional bursts of laughter from the taverns, the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith’s hammer — all of it blended into the natural melody of Sorin City at night.

His feet moved on their own, guiding him back toward the inn.