Chapter 179: Kong the Mouse's Ultimate Steal Sense [Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter]

【Steam Capital, Gear Church】

“Alek, did you hear anything?”

At the gate of the Gear Church, a Brass Knight suddenly gripped the hilt of his steam-powered longsword, scanning the area with a tense expression. Just a moment ago, he’d felt something—something close—but saw nothing. The unease gnawed at him.

His companion, calm and collected, replied, “Stop scaring yourself. I didn’t hear a thing.”

“Must be nerves from last night’s incident with Captain Fischer,” he added. “Go see a nun later—get your neural circuits soothed.”

But the Brass Knight wasn’t convinced. “It wasn’t a hallucination. Something is nearby.”

“Come on,” his friend muttered, lowering his voice. “Don’t go down that rabbit hole. Get back to your post. The Church’s been on edge lately—don’t give anyone a reason to pull you into an 'assistance investigation'.”

The warning hit home.

Right. Instead of chasing shadows, he should focus on not being summoned for an “assistance investigation” himself.

After all, nobody who’d gone before had ever come back.

Swallowing hard, he whispered, “Alek… don’t you think Fischer’s death was… suspicious?”

“I heard there weren’t just his remains in the Great Pendulum Cathedral. There were other believers too—all killed by him, according to the survivors.”

“But why would Fischer do that? And who could possibly take him down? I mean… could it have been Bishop and Saintess-sama?”

“Shut up!”

Before he could finish, the other Brass Knight—Alek—slammed a hand over his mouth.

After checking that no one was around, Alek hissed, face grim, “You want to die? Say that out loud?”

The first knight yanked Alek’s hand away, stubborn. “What’s the worst that could happen? Everyone’s thinking it. They say Fischer was killed because he refused to go along with Bishop and Saintess. He was going to expose them.”

Unseen by either of them, Chen Kong slipped past like a phantom—nonchalant, unbothered—step by step, right through the two knights’ line of sight and straight into the depths of the Gear Church.

They didn’t so much as blink.

Even after witnessing it multiple times, the Dimensional Audience still couldn’t help but react.

> ‘If this were any other series, I’d be terrified of how good Kong’s stealth is.’

> ‘Wait—what? You’re not even in the same genre, are you? Can I borrow your phone?’

> ‘Huh? Isn’t this a shonen battle anime? Why do you guys suddenly sound like you’re watching a harem slice-of-life?’

Amid the banter, Chen Kong had already vanished into the Church’s inner sanctum.

Though equipped with the Void Pattern · Existence Elimination, he still moved like a cat—crouched low, steps light, every motion dripping with that unmistakable steal vibe.

Even more shocking? This was his first time inside the Gear Church.

Yet he moved through it like a man strolling through his own backyard—turning left to avoid a patrol knight’s blind spot, veering right to dodge a Stellar Energy Detection Device embedded in the wall.

And when he passed a metal statue? He knew exactly where to press—his fingers found the hidden switch behind it, flawlessly.

The ease of it was absurd.

Station 13’s Dimensional Audience was left speechless.

> ‘No way… this route planning? He’s practically at home.’

> ‘Did I miss something? I don’t remember Kong ever being here before.’

> ‘Seriously, Kong, you should change your name to “Neighbor Wang.” You’re wasting your talent in a shonen anime. Your real calling is…’

> ‘13 crew, that’s it for today’s shonen fix. See you in five minutes!’

> ‘Five minutes? Wow, you really live the life, don’t you?’

On screen, Chen Kong emerged from a narrow, winding passage into the heart of the Gear Church.

He paused at a corridor junction, then activated his Stellar Source · The Dreamer at full power.

Moments later, gray, wiry electronic whiskers sprouted on his cheeks.

A pair of mechanical ears popped up from his head with a snap.

Now resembling a tiny, high-tech rodent, he tilted his head and began sniffing the air—Kong-scenting the space.

A data feed appeared on the Dimensional Screen:

> Stellar Source: Mechanism Thief Rat (Fake)

> Type: Intelligent Mechanism Class

> Effect 1 – Mechanism Sniff: Detects all Stellar Energy artifacts, devices, and residue within a 500-meter radius, generating an optimal infiltration route in the mind.

> Effect 2 – Treasure Storage: Deploys a Subspace Pocket in the abdomen for secure item storage (Max Capacity: 9 cubic meters).

> Note: “Keep digging. That’s called frugality. You understand?” — A mad doctor from the Lower City

> ‘No wonder Kong’s stealth just went through the roof—he copied a thief rat’s Stellar Source!’

> ‘Wait… why does Kong look kinda cute like this?’

> ‘Someone just leaked their IP. You’re not hiding.’

> ‘That’s why it was so smooth! He’s got full-map + item reveal cheats! Cheater!’

After a few seconds of intense sniffing, his mechanical ears snapped upright.

His eyes flashed with sudden brilliance.

Got it.

The densest concentration of Yufemia’s Stellar Energy residue—located in the Church Core Area.

And with that, Chen Kong instantly pinpointed her bedroom.

Every step he’d taken so far? All guided by that trace—the lingering energy of Yufemia’s footsteps, worn into the floor from countless repetitions.

Now with a clear target, he moved.

Silent. Methodical.

He slipped through corridor after corridor, finally stopping before a sealed chamber door.

The Quantum Lock hanging above it gleamed under the dim light.

Chen Kong took a deep breath.

Sure, sneaking into a lady’s private room was… questionable.

But for the peace of Steam Capital… and for Vivian’s life…

He, Chen Kong, was all in.

He studied the Quantum Lock with intense focus.

The Dimensional Audience perked up instantly.

> ‘Here it comes—the classic lock-picking moment!’

> ‘I bet five packs of spicy snacks he’s gonna do something wild!’

> ‘Come on, Kong! Show us your skills!’

But no one expected this.

No elaborate gadget.

No complex sequence.

No dazzling tech.

Just—

Click.

Chen Kong channeled his Void Pattern · Return to Dust into the lock.

The Quantum Lock, stripped of its Stellar Energy spell structure, shattered instantly—dissolving into dust before him.

The door swung open… easily.

> ‘…???’

A sea of confused question marks flooded the screen.

Wait… that’s it?

You made it look this easy?

Then why the dramatic face? Why the serious stare?

In the stunned silence, Chen Kong slipped into Yufemia’s room—where the faint scent of sweet wormwood lingered in the air, soft and quiet.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end