On Puss''s mountain, Humpty was lying comfortably while Puss sat with one arm resting on his knee and an indifferent expression on his face.


    "So let me see if I got this right. You need money, you have skills, but you don''t want to steal, so you want to collaborate with me—give ideas, handle business, and I do the inventions?"


    Humpty frowned slightly at Puss''s plans.


    "Sí."


    Puss simply nodded.


    "Uhh… well, what invention are you talking about, and why me?"


    Humpty asked, curious yet cautious.


    And Puss explained.


    "There are a few. It shouldn''t be hard for you to make them once I tell you how. I was planning to find a third person, but since you''re here, and I know you have a good head on your shoul-"


    He froze slightly and looked at the humanoid egg, who was literally an egg with arms and legs.


    "...legs."


    Humpty didn''t seem to notice Puss''s moment of confusion and was lost in thought.


    ''I guess it won''t hurt to try… right?''


    He thought and then looked at Puss.


    "Alright, let''s give it a shot. But I want something in return."


    He requested.


    But Puss just waved his hand dismissively.


    "You''ll have your percentage. Let''s do 70-30."


    Puss explained simply.


    "Oh! 70 for me? Well, I wasn''t talking about money, but thanks!"


    Humpty felt flattered and smiled happily.


    One of Puss''s eyes twitched at that.


    "70 is mine."


    He clarified, rolling his feline eyes.


    "Oh! Haha! My bad. Alright, I''ll take 30, but I still want something else."


    Humpty felt embarrassed by his mistake and fidgeted with his fingers, but he accepted the deal easily while reiterating his request.


    Puss raised an eyebrow and nodded.


    "Well, go ahead, say it."


    He said, unconcerned.


    "I want you to help me find the golden goose when we grow up."


    Humpty asked seriously.


    "Even if we get rich?"


    Puss frowned at the request.


    "Even if we get rich."


    Humpty confirmed.


    Puss pondered, turning his eyes to the egg, and asked.


    "Why?"


    "There''s no why… I just feel like I have to do this. It''s my dream."


    Humpty said softly, staring at the clouds as if he could see the giant''s castle among them.


    After hesitating a little, Puss thought it wouldn''t hurt. By then, he would be very powerful and wouldn''t worry about the dangers of a giant goose.


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    Shrugging, he nodded.


    "It''s a deal."


    "Haha! Really?! That''s great! Then the Bean Club is officially formed!"


    Humpty cheered excitedly, looking at Puss.


    Puss could see that his happiness wasn''t just about his dream but also about finding a friend.


    But when he heard Humpty mention the Bean Club, something clicked in his mind, and his gaze fell on the status panel he had summoned.


    [Host: Puss in Boots


    Age: 6 Months


    Status: 9 Lives Remaining


    Talents:


    - Mutant Cat (Gold): Level 2


    - Natural Swordsman (Gold): Level 2


    - Furry Lover (Silver): Level 0


    - Lucky Feline (Silver): Level 6 → Level 7]


    And sure enough, there was a change in the panel. The Lucky Feline talent had leveled up.


    ''So it''s true. It seems I have a certain fate to fulfill, and doing so increases my luck.''


    Puss mused and turned his gaze to the egg struggling to get up.


    Shaking his head in amusement, he stood up, walked over, and extended his hand.


    "Oh! Thanks for the help, but I''m kinda heavy, you know. It might be better if—"


    He waved his hand, starting to explain, but Puss didn''t want to hear it. He simply stretched out his paw, grabbed Humpty''s hand, and pulled him up with ease.


    Humpty was shocked at how effortlessly he had been lifted.


    "Wow! You''re so strong!"


    Humpty said in admiration.


    But Puss ignored him and resumed his exercise.


    His training wasn''t just to improve the level of his talent but also to strengthen himself. The talent certainly helped a lot, but without training, he wouldn''t be as strong as he was now.


    It was as if the talent set the limit, while his own effort determined how close he could get to that limit.


    Humpty was at a loss, unsure of what to do, and just watched, feeling awkward.


    Puss felt both powerless and annoyed at being watched while training. Resigned, he stopped for a moment and looked at the egg.


    "Wait here for a second."


    And without another word, he dropped to all fours and leaped into the treetop with a single jump.


    A few seconds later, he landed on the ground with three paws, in a superhero landing, while his fourth paw held a few sheets of paper filled with scribbles.


    Walking up to the surprised Humpty, he simply extended his paw and handed him the sheets.


    "This is what I need. Some ideas are almost complete; you just need to refine them a little. Others will require some time studying. When you''re ready, tell me what you need to make these things, and I''ll arrange it."


    With that said, he turned and resumed his training.


    Confused, Humpty looked at the papers filled with various sketches in his hands.


    On the first sheet, a name was written above a drawing.


    "Carriage Springs."


    He repeated the name, and after reading the details, he quickly understood what it was for and widened his eyes.


    Flipping the paper, he saw another one.


    "Sewing Machine?"


    After studying it, he understood its use, but he didn''t see the huge profit that Puss had promised in either project. Still, he intended to do his best because his goal was to get Puss fully on board with the Bean Club, so he needed to keep his part of the deal.


    What Humpty didn''t realize was that Puss had never planned to get rich relying only on commerce… well, not entirely, at least.


    Leaving the mountain, Humpty headed to his secret workshop to prepare for studying the projects.


    …


    Half a month passed with everything continuing as usual.


    On this particular day, after leaving Imelda''s room, Puss went to do his physical training.


    Imelda had been giving him private lessons to teach him how to read and write. Even though he already knew how, he still pretended to be learning—though he faked learning very quickly to avoid wasting too much time on it.


    ''Matrona Imelda has been working so hard. The orphanage''s finances are tight, and her eyes are constantly tired, but she never forces the children to help in any way, as would be normal in this era, and she tries to carry everything on her own… and still finds time to teach me so I don''t fall behind the other kids who are already learning.''


    Puss reflected with a serious expression. He respected the matron deeply for her kindness and resilience.


    Moreover, Imelda seemed to have a special fondness for Puss, as if she saw something in him that he himself could not. She treated him like a true son and cared deeply for him.


    She even smiled for a long time when she found out that Puss had befriended Humpty, relieving both her worry about Puss not having friends and about Humpty himself, another well-known loner in the orphanage.


    Walking calmly, yet with his mind full of plans, Puss suddenly felt a faint tremor in his ears, detecting the sound of a nearby presence.


    But he didn''t need to do anything, as the presence revealed itself voluntarily.


    "Hey! Puss, over here!"


    Feeling resigned at hearing Humpty''s voice, he looked to the side, where a giant egg was holding up some leafy branches, attempting to disguise himself in a corner.


    Staring at the strange sight, Puss couldn''t help but ask.


    "Humpty, what are you—"


    "Shh! Shh! Shh!" Humpty quickly interrupted, placing a finger over his lips.


    Then, grinning mischievously, he whispered as if afraid someone might overhear.


    "It''s ready. Come with me."