The Hunter of Pirates

My name is Yubao, a stoat blessed with natural charm and extraordinary uniqueness.

I don't know why I smell good, why my fur is white, or why I'm so intelligent.

But I do know this—cuteness is both a capital and a weapon, and I possess both in abundance.

Because of that, humans let me live. Alive, I am worth more than dead.

I've always understood this fact.

So even after losing my freedom, I wasn't worried.

Until… I met him.

Inside the empty weapon shop, Mobin and Sunny stood one after the other, watching the limp white stoat sprawled on the counter.

Sunny lamented, "So it's not edible?"

"It's not about whether it's edible," Mobin replied thoughtfully, prying apart the creature's legs for a better look. "It's male."

Sunny tilted her head, confused. "Does that matter?"

"Not really. I was just considering breeding it for a moment. But that sounds like a hassle. Selling it seems easier," Mobin explained. Suddenly, a thought struck him.

"Sunny, do we still have the auction catalog?"

"Yes, we do."

"Bring it over."

Sunny retrieved the booklet from the counter, handing it to Mobin.

Flipping through, he quickly found the page describing the stoat. Last time, Sunny had skimmed through this section too quickly for Mobin to catch the details. Now, he read the full description.

As Sunny peered over his shoulder, they absorbed the information together. The white stoat wasn't just an ordinary stoat; it was a hybrid animal with unique fur and scent glands that exuded a pleasant fragrance.

"Definitely not your average stoat," Mobin muttered, looking at the stoat on the counter like it was a shiny new tool.

"Eating it would be such a waste," Sunny agreed, now seeing it as a bag of money instead.

Feeling the weight of their gazes, the stoat—now utterly resigned—lay motionless, a limp pile of fur.

"Sunny, treat its injuries first. We can't let it get damaged. Also, do we have any chains?"

"Yes, I'll grab some."

Realizing the stoat's monetary value, Sunny took it seriously. She fetched some medical supplies and a thick chain, treating the creature's wounds before tightly binding its upper body.

This took over half an hour.

Sunny surveyed her work with satisfaction, but another question arose.

"Where are we going to keep 'Bailey'?"

In such a short time, Sunny had already named the stoat "Bailey."

Mobin glanced around the shop. "What about keeping it here?"

"No."

Sunny shook her head firmly.

After pondering for a moment, Mobin suggested, "What about hanging it in the restroom?"

"Hmm…" Sunny considered. With Bailey's fragrance, the restroom would definitely smell better. Though it might be slightly inconvenient to move him in and out, the air purification benefits outweighed the hassle.

"Okay, the restroom it is."

Thus decided, Bailey—reluctantly named and freshly bound—had its future set in stone.

Three minutes later, Bailey was hung in the restroom, transformed into a living air freshener.

Afterward, Mobin returned to his room to strap on his training weights, heading back to the shop to exercise while helping Sunny run things.

Only then did Sunny belatedly ask how Bailey came to be in Mobin's possession.

Curious, she inquired, "So, how'd you end up with it?"

"Oh, that's a long story."

Mobin didn't hold back, recounting the day's events. Sunny listened intently, her expression becoming increasingly incredulous.

"Bailey was just a lucky find," Mobin said with a hint of nostalgia. "When I picked it up, I didn't realize how valuable it was. If I'd known, I wouldn't have thrown it away in the first place. Good thing it ended up back with me."

Sunny nodded seriously. "Lucky, indeed."

As evening fell, Sol's weapon shop concluded another revenue-free day.

While Sunny went to prepare dinner, Mobin shut the doors and cleaned up. Once finished, he joined her in the kitchen to help.

"Don't forget to make a portion for Bailey," Mobin reminded her.

"Right. Almost forgot."

Sunny pulled out two extra cuts of meat and some vegetables from the fridge.

Mobin glanced at the meal. For a stoat, it was extravagant.

Meanwhile, Sol, having just woken up, headed downstairs, bleary-eyed. Without a word, he walked into the restroom.

A few seconds later, a piercing, panicked scream rang out.

"Help meeeee!!!"

The voice was youthful and filled with terror.

Hearing the cry, Mobin and Sunny exchanged a glance before rushing to the restroom.

There, they found Sol holding Bailey by the head, his grip tightening as if preparing to crush it.

Bailey, terrified beyond belief, looked pleadingly at Sunny. With great difficulty, it choked out, "M-mom… Save me!"

"???"

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