[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-143":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},896806,1177,"Chapter 143: The Thief’s Route","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-143",143,"\u003Cp>Darkness completely enveloped the group as soon as they began descending deeper into the tunnels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away from the noise of the black market. Far away from the shouting, the betting, and the homicidal orc grandmothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, only footsteps echoed against damp stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the faint golden glow coming from Finn’s lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fireflies inside the small lamp fluttered softly, casting long shadows over the dirt walls reinforced with old timber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire path was marked with red lines painted across various points. Arrows. Symbols. Marks that probably only made sense to a mind as questionable as Finn’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max observed everything with renewed fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Okay, this is cool again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were literally walking beneath the entire black market. As if a second city existed buried beneath the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn walked ahead with complete ease, as though he were strolling through his own back garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a disappointment,\" he commented suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn turned his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sure the party upstairs was far more entertaining than this boring mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would explain why it took you so long to find me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max let out a quiet snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t flatter yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He folded his arms while walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That mess up there was a complete disaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced towards the ceiling, as though he could still hear the distant chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it normal for neighbourhood wars like that to happen around here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his free hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That wasn’t a war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s practically child’s play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light chuckle escaped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just the locals having a bit of fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros walked behind both of them with a completely neutral expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not surprising.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted his clothes, still dirty from the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though I admit, I did get to punch a few orcs who were almost certainly criminals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn let out a brief laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Glad to see you adapted to the neighbourhood so quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did notice something, though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Finn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There were way too many people carrying the seven-pointed star mark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That caused the goblin’s smile to soften slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised the lantern a little higher, illuminating another red mark painted on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because this is the worst area of the black market.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone lost some of its lightness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The most chaotic. The most miserable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And they control practically this entire district.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shops, routes, protection, merchandise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured vaguely upwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They charge rent to nearly every business and storage unit in the area.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ever since they arrived, a lot of people ended up on the streets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice sounded drier now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like Dorian and me when we were kids.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros was the first to break it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you justify being a thief because of a tragic past?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was completely flat. Almost accusatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn turned his head and glanced at him from the corner of his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes and no,\" he replied honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Partly because it’s what I had to do to survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small smile returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And partly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun the dagger between his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m absurdly good at it, and I happen to enjoy it quite a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros stared at him with obvious disapproval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Friendly reminder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed a thumb towards Neros.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We promised to pardon all his crimes if he helps us. And he is helping us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn looked at the cat man and smiled with almost childish satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hearing that from a royal knight truly warms my heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros frowned even harder, clearly reconsidering all his recent life choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max immediately sensed the atmosphere. Too much tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far too much potential for someone to strangle someone else inside a narrow tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he intervened quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, changing the subject...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed towards one of the many side tunnels they weren’t taking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do all those lead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn kept walking, now a little more relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I built them years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With different business partners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at several tunnels as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They all connect to warehouses, shops, and strategic points across the district.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his chin slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s how I infiltrate places.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked around with renewed respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s actually pretty impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was more impressive when I wasn’t doing it alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted strangely for a moment. Lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The partners who didn’t leave...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...died.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile returned, though colder this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When your expiration date comes, it comes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros spoke instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the ones who left?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn’s smile vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His steps continued, but his expression changed. Harder. More closed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t answer for a few seconds. Only the sound of the lantern swaying filled the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want to talk about the ones who left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dry. Sharp. Final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max lowered his gaze slightly. He didn’t need exceptional intelligence to understand exactly who Finn was referring to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Dorian.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn was the one to finally break the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re almost there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice sounded lighter again, as if the previous moment had never happened. He gestured ahead with the lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few metres from here is the exit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And directly above it... the traffickers’ shop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max felt tension settle back into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slipped a hand into his infinite backpack and began rummaging through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds, he pulled out a longsword wrapped in cloth. He unrolled it and offered it to Neros.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cat man observed it for a second before taking it. Almost with relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword. Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ran a hand over the hilt as though reconnecting with a missing part of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t even sleep without my sword,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That explains quite a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neros shot him an irritated look while fastening the weapon to his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max adjusted his shield and gripped his hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I prefer being prepared,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked forwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just in case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn smiled sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the mage and the idiot do their jobs properly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun the dagger between his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You shouldn’t need to use any of that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max arched an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That does absolutely nothing to reassure me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finn seemed amused by the response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed open a small wooden door at the end of the tunnel. A faint reddish light filtered down from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we’re ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1125,"2026-06-03T06:02:49.171Z",1,"novelbin.me","2e6aa5c58d082375aa41532dfd234817efb710bba3ae22c0fc8d34f42cb6be0e","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-144","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-142",189,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-cover.jpg"]