"Three million Credits. Quite the generous sum. Although, they didn't mention the fact that their base's funds were stripped bare. Do they really think they can recover that massive fortune just by capturing me?"
Firefly pulled up the system gacha interface, staring pensively at the exchange function that traded 1,000 Credits for a single Stellar Jade.
"If this function didn't exist, they might actually have a chance. After all, this is one of the only two things I actually spend money on."
Closing the system interface, she switched her perspective back to Cifera. She reached up, unclasped the Flipping Coin from her neck, and held it up before her eyes.
Cifera stared at the coin against the light, muttering to herself, "I wonder... can the innate masking effect of 'Not a Penny' truly hide this Flipping Coin hanging around my neck?"
"Hm? Sister Cipher? Is something wrong?"
Bartholos, who had been busy researching the terminal nearby, suddenly heard Cifera's voice. Driven by curiosity, he tossed the terminal aside and looked over at her.
Cifera glanced at him as an idea flashed through her mind. If she wanted to know how effective the masking was, why not just use Bartholos as a test subject?
She immediately had Firefly take a screenshot of the bounty poster and send it over.
The photo arrived on Cifera's terminal instantly. The moment she received it, she sat up on the bed and called out, "Bartholos, come here. I want to show you something."
"Coming! Coming! What is it, Sister Cipher? Does it involve treasure?"
Bartholos zipped over to her at once, his voice filled with excitement.
"Not exactly." Cifera waved her hand, signaling it wasn't what he thought, but she added, "However, this thing determines whether or not we can earn several million Credits."
Bartholos looked disappointed at first, but his eyes lit up again the moment she mentioned the millions of Credits.
"Let me see! What is it!"
Cifera turned the terminal screen toward him and pointed at the image. "Look at the object in this picture. Does it look familiar?"
"Isn't that just a weird-looking coin? What's supposed to be familiar about it?"
Bartholos scratched his head in confusion after squinting at the screen for a while.
'It seems the system's masking even works on Bartholos. Then again, it makes sense since he was technically created by the system too.'
Seeing his bewildered expression, Cifera reached her conclusion. She then took the Flipping Coin from her neck, held it directly in front of the terminal screen, and asked again, "Now? Do you see anything?"
Bartholos looked at the coin on the screen, then at the one in Cifera's hand. Suddenly, his eyes went wide.
"This—this—isn't this your Chrono Surge coin, Sister Cipher?! That's impossible! They're identical, and I've followed you for hundreds of years! Why didn't I recognize it just now?!"
Upon realizing what it was, Bartholos fell into a state of utter confusion, pacing around the room. He clearly found the situation unbelievable.
"Mysterious, isn't it? I've specifically endowed this coin with an ability that prevents others from associating it with me unless I intentionally inform them."
"I see! But why didn't I see you use this ability before, Sister Cipher?"
Bartholos reached a sudden realization, though he still felt a lingering doubt about the nature of the power.
"I learned it recently." Cifera hung the Flipping Coin back around her neck. "This world is different from Amphoreus in many ways, so I need to keep learning new things."
"As expected of Sister Cipher! So impressive! But when are we going to raid the next base?"
"I've suddenly hit upon a brilliant idea, but I'll need your cooperation, Bartholos. If we succeed, we'll do a seventy-thirty split."
Looking at the bounty on the screen, Cifera unconsciously licked her lips, a mischievous smirk spreading across her face. At the mention of a seventy-thirty split, Bartholos's eyes snapped open.
"Sister Cipher! Please, give me your orders!"
"Very good. Such spirit!"
Satisfied with his enthusiasm, Cifera pointed at the bounty. "This organization is offering a massive reward for this cat, right? Then why don't I just turn myself in?"
"I'll transform into a different person and create a clone. Then, I'll hand that clone over. As for you, Bartholos, you'll hide on my clone."
"Once we collect the bounty, you open a portal and bring me inside. With our skills combined, won't the Credits of the entire base be ours for the taking?"
"We get the bounty and a silent entry into the base... What a masterstroke, Sister Cipher!"
"Just thinking about playing those fools makes me excited! Gahahaha!"
Bartholos's eyes shone as he lost himself in the vision of their enemies being toyed with.
"So, Sister Cipher! When do we start?"
He was practically vibrating with impatience.
"Don't be in such a hurry." Seeing his eagerness, Cifera leaned back leisurely on the bed. "I have one thing to finish first. Once that's done, our operation begins."
As she spoke, Cifera shifted her focus back to Firefly's side.
Firefly had already stepped out of the VIP suite, having accepted an S- rank commission.
The objective involved a gathering of mutant beasts in the northern forest, including A- rank and even A rank threats. Firefly was tasked with clearing them out.
Upon completion, she would receive five million Credits as a reward, along with an S-rank identification badge from the Mercenary Association.
The S-rank certification was exactly what Cifera was waiting for.
Once Firefly obtained the badge, Cifera could use her God of Trickery powers to create a perfect replica. Carrying a high-level mercenary badge while turning in the clone would make her story far more convincing.