The Monster Monarch System-Chapter 246: Nimble Thief (Part 2)

The walk was quieter this time. He took in his surroundings, adjusting to the city’s layout.

The streets were lined with vendors packing up for the night, their stalls now half-empty from a long day of trade.

The smell of cooked meat and fresh bread lingered in the air, making his stomach tighten in subtle hunger.

Despite the bustling nature of the city, there was a certain calmness to it.

Compared to the dungeons, the bloodshed, and the constant battles, this was something different — something... normal.

It was a strange feeling.

His boots clicked lightly against the stone as he approached the familiar road leading to the inn.

The building’s glimmering exterior stood out even among the finer establishments.

It was grand, well-kept, and held an air of luxury.

He stepped inside.

The warmth of the interior greeted him instantly. The gentle crackling of a fireplace, the polished wooden counters, and the soft glow of candlelit chandeliers added to the inn’s welcoming atmosphere.

The scent of lavender and oak filled the space, washing over him like a reminder that he was far from the wilderness now.

The receptionist barely spared him a glance, busy flipping through a set of papers behind the desk.

Rem took a quiet breath before making his way up the staircase, each step creaking slightly under his weight.

He moved down the hallway, passing the closed doors of other guests. When he reached his own room, he paused, glancing at the door beside his.

Luke and Kiara’s room.

For a brief moment, curiosity got the better of him. He lightly pressed his fingers against the wood, his heightened senses picking up the muffled sounds inside.

Shuffling. Soft laughter.

They were getting comfortable, settling in for the night.

He pulled back.

A part of him — one he didn’t fully recognize — felt... relieved.

The two of them were safe. After everything, after the dungeon, the monsters, the fight with Asrahoth, they had finally made it somewhere with a proper bed, a proper roof.

Shaking off the thought, he turned and entered his own room.

The space was modest but refined. A large bed with crisp sheets sat near the window, a wooden dresser in the corner, and a small table with a basin for washing.

A faint breeze carried in from the window, rustling the curtains slightly.

Rem sighed, rolling his shoulders as he walked toward the bed.

He tugged at the collar of his cloak before shrugging it off completely.

After a moment, he pushed himself off the bed and made his way toward the basin. He splashed the cool water onto his face, letting it wash away the lingering tension in his muscles.

His black hair clung to his forehead for a brief moment before he ran a hand through it, pushing it back.

The weight of exhaustion pressed against Rem’s limbs as he lay on his bed, his body finally giving in to the comfort of sleep.

His eyes fluttered shut, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself to rest without worry.

The soft mattress beneath him, the warmth of the inn, the absence of monsters lurking in the shadows — it was a stark contrast to what he had grown accustomed to.

His breathing steadied, his mind drifting into unconsciousness.

The night passed without incident.

But morning came swiftly.

A faint rustling sound reached his ears.

Rem stirred slightly, his senses still caught in the haze between sleep and wakefulness.

A subtle shift in the air — a presence — sent a ripple through his instincts. His fingers twitched, his body already reacting before his mind fully caught up.

Something was off.

His eyes snapped open.

A figure stood near the window, her silver hair tied in a neat bun, strands of it catching the morning light that spilled into the room. She turned to him, her face half-hidden by the brightness.

Rem pushed himself up on his elbows, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

"Morning." The voice was smooth, unhurried. Almost casual.

But something about it —

Familiar.

Too familiar.

Rem’s body tensed.

The woman’s golden eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned on her.

Both of them recoiled in the same instant, moving away from each other in shock.

Rem’s mind pieced it together immediately — the thief. The girl from last night.

And judging by the way she stiffened, she had recognized him, too.

For a split second, they simply stared at each other, caught in an unspoken moment of realization.

Then, before she could react —

Rem moved.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between them.

She barely had time to flinch before she found herself pinned against the wall, her face pressed against the cool wooden surface, her hands locked behind her back in a firm grip.

She let out a sharp breath, her body instinctively tensing at the sudden shift in control.

Rem wasn’t rough, but he was immovable. His grip was firm — restrained, but unyielding.

"I don’t remember inviting thieves into my room," Rem said, his voice quiet but edged with something sharper.

She exhaled through her nose, her body stiff against the pressure.

"And I don’t remember getting caught," she muttered, tilting her head slightly to glance at him from the corner of her eye.

Rem’s jaw ticked.

He had dealt with all kinds of people before — adventurers, merchants, monsters. But this girl? She was something else.

Most would have panicked, pleaded, or tried to wriggle free. But she was composed. Annoyed, even.

Interesting.

"You have three seconds to explain," he said, tightening his hold just slightly. "Before I assume you’re here to steal again."

She let out a dry chuckle. "If I was, I’d have already taken what I needed."

Not exactly reassuring.

Rem narrowed his eyes.

His mind worked quickly, analyzing the situation. She hadn’t drawn a weapon.

She wasn’t struggling to escape — meaning either she wasn’t a direct threat, or she was waiting for the right moment.

He wasn’t going to give her one.

"Why are you here?" he asked again, his tone demanding.

She sighed. "Would you believe me if I said I wasn’t here by choice?"

Rem didn’t reply.

The woman shifted slightly under his grip. "Alright, alright. Not much of a talker, huh?"

"I’m waiting."

She let out a small huff. "Fine. I work here."

Rem’s brow furrowed slightly. "You what?"

"I work here," she repeated, slower this time, as if explaining something to a child. "I clean the rooms, do errands. Sometimes even handle the laundry if I’m feeling generous."