All the bandits, including Hank, had been taken care of by me. Releasing everyone now would wrap this up perfectly. But someone just had to push their luck at the worst moment.

[Don’t come closer!! Take one step forward and I’ll kill this woman!]

The short bandit—down to one arm—pressed a dagger against Lulu’s throat.

[Don’t worry about me!! Save the others first!]

Lulu’s voice was defiant, but the flicker of fear in her eyes was unmistakable to me.

[....................................]

With a hostage in his grip, I shouldn’t act rashly.

[Who knew a freak like you’d be this strong?! Drop your weapon now and turn your back to me!] the short bandit yelled.

I raised my katana to comply—then its blade shattered into pieces. No surprise there. This old blade had been propping up my door earlier. One solid hit had finally worn it out.

[Hah!! Heaven’s on my side!] The bandit cackled triumphantly.

The instant his guard dropped, I gripped the hilt and vanished. Reappearing behind him, I unleashed [Flash Slash]—a technique that teleports me behind foes while slicing through anyone in my path with sword energy.

[Wha—?!]

Blood sprayed as he collapsed into a crimson pool. Lulu staggered, trembling. I caught her before she fell.

[Th-thank you…] She was too stunned to form proper words.

[Keep today’s events to yourself. Pretend you handled it alone.]

I’d gauged my strength through this fight, but caution kept tigers safe for ten thousand years. Until I understood this world fully, hiding my power was wise.

[Eh?! I handled it?!] Lulu looked utterly lost.

[Exactly! Say you used your feminine charms to turn them against each other—they killed each other off!] I suggested helpfully.

[That’s impossible!!!!]

[Then make up your own story~~] I shrugged, walking to grab the dungeon keys from a hook.

[Eh?! How can you just—...] Lulu trailed off, flustered.

She followed me in thoughtful silence as we unlocked cells, freeing trapped adventurers and guards.

[My husband’s incredible!] Tia rushed over and threw her arms around me the moment she saw me.

[What?! I didn’t do anything!] I feigned ignorance.

[Stop it. We heard every word through the window.] Tia pointed at a nearby cell window.

[Then… pretend you heard nothing.] I covered her mouth.

[You’re hiding this? I won’t ask why—if it’s your choice, I’ll respect it.]

[That’s… reassuring.]

[Hide what?!] Aerin approached, newly freed.

[Shhhhhhhhhh!] I clamped a hand over her mouth.

[Mmph! Mmph!] She wriggled free.

[What was that for?!] She shoved my hand away.

[How much of my talk with Hank did you hear?]

[Hank? Who’s that?] Aerin frowned.

Right—they couldn’t see status displays to know names.

[The gorilla with the mechanical arm.]

[I couldn’t hear much from my cell… but I *did* catch someone calling me a gorilla behind my back.] Her eyes turned murderous.

[Wait! Why’d you only hear *that* part?!]

Before I could finish, Aerin’s kick sent me flying into the wall.

***

Three days later, the official story credited guards and adventurers with wiping out the bandits—to boost their public image. But those involved knew the truth from Lulu: a masked stranger had saved them. Her wild story was almost as unbelievable as the truth. The injured guards and adventurers would recover after weeks of rest. The earlier group wasn’t so lucky—only Lulu and two others survived.

[Lulu~~ don’t cry!] Aerin comforted her at the guild hall.

[Ugh… ugh… but… everyone… we promised… to…] Lulu sobbed, words breaking apart.

[They’re gone. Grieving won’t bring them back.] Tia watched her steadily.

[I… I know… but… but…] Lulu’s tears kept flowing.

[But you were powerless. All you can do now is grow stronger. Or worse things might happen again.] Tia’s fists tightened—I knew she’d faced similar pain before.

[Don’t be so harsh. She’ll train hard once she’s ready.] This wasn’t the time for tough love.

[Yes! I’ll do exactly what Brother Pupil said—I’ll work hard!] Lulu choked back tears, voice suddenly firm—then burst into fresh sobs.

[Why does Lulu respect Pupil so much?] Aerin whispered to Tia.

[Who knows? Maybe my husband’s charm?] Tia shot me a sly grin.

[A freak has charm?!] Aerin eyed me doubtfully.

[Stop calling me freak. Go comfort Lulu.]

[I… I… I… w-want… to be… as strong… as Pupil!!!!] Lulu wailed between sobs—no one could decipher her words.