After a token struggle between reason and desire, Ink Ash decisively chose to satisfy his hunger.

Fully satisfied, he downed two large bowls of seaweed soup in one go. Feeling refreshed and reborn, he heaved a contented sigh. "Phew, I'm finally saved!"

However, after eating his fill, a new problem faced our Great Demon King.

Glancing at the pot with not a scrap of food left and the bowls he'd licked clean, Ink Ash sank into deep thought.

As a Demon King determined to be a great villain, he certainly wasn't troubled by something trivial like stealing food.

Rubbing his chin, the indecisive Ink Ash muttered, "Should I sneak away quietly or leave with a proper greeting?"

After serious consideration, the Great Demon King—who knew the art of vanishing after a deed—decisively chose the former.

But fate intervened. Just as Ink Ash prepared to slip away silently, a sharp creak echoed as the tightly shut door swung open.

"Ah? Things aren't looking too good!"

Glancing around, he saw the window too small to squeeze through. With nowhere to hide, Ink Ash gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"As a Demon King who moves without a trace and has never known defeat," he thought, "could I really fall today in this shabby kitchen? No! My first loss can't end so ignominiously. If anyone found out, I'd never hold my head up again!"

In that split second before the door fully opened, the resolute Ink Ash steeled himself... to strike from the shadows!

Gripping a wooden stick he'd grabbed, he stood in a corner where the opening door would hide most of his face. Poised and ready, he stared intently at the widening gap.

As the door swung open, drawing on years of instinct, the raised stick swept down in a graceful, unstoppable arc.

The fluid motion was swift, precise, and ruthless—truly the mark of a professional!

A thud echoed as something heavy hit the floor. Stepping out into the warm sunlight, Ink Ash gazed down with a wistful expression. He knew he was... an unqualified assassin.

The afternoon sun bathed the ground warmly. A faint, serene fragrance drifted in on the breeze.

Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, dancing in the wind. Her flawless emerald eyes were crystal clear.

Her skin was whiter than snow, her figure petite and delicate. Though youthful, her face was already charming and lovely.

Generally, when faced with such a blooming flower, our Great Demon King couldn't help but soften—was this a flaw or a virtue?

"Y-you! Who are you?!" The golden-haired, green-eyed maiden stared in shock at the fallen stick, instinctively gripping the Wooden Sword at her waist.

Fixated on the valiant girl before him, the relaxed Ink Ash moved in a blur. In an instant, he took her small hand, bowed warmly, and smiled. "Pleased to meet you, beautiful maiden. Fate guided us here!"

Though charming, his gleaming white teeth bore an unsightly piece of vegetable—hard to ignore.

"Rude one! State your purpose! Even if unarmed, I won't show mercy!"

Her face flushed red as she yanked her hand away. Stepping back, she gripped the Wooden Sword tightly and shouted sternly.

Ignoring her warning, Ink Ash leisurely advanced, murmuring, "Oh? A swordsman?"

Watching him close in relentlessly, the maiden—who'd never hurt anyone—pressed her lips together. Forced to act, she swung her first strike, a sharp slash cutting the air.

"Not bad. Your arm moves freely, your stance is solid. Your fundamentals are quite strong."

Sidestepping easily, Ink Ash caught the blade between two fingers. Standing still, he praised her effort.

Astonished, she strained to pull the sword back but couldn't. Filled with frustration, she cried, "L-let go!"

"As you wish." He released his fingers with a light chuckle.

"Yah!"

Overexerting herself with no guard, she tumbled to the ground with a startled cry.

Apologetically watching her rub her sore bottom, Ink Ash reached out a hand. "Sorry, sorry. Didn't expect you to fall... Are you okay?"

"No need for fake kindness! You're so strong yet you bully me—what do you want?!"

Slapping his hand away, tears welled in her eyes. Feeling deeply wronged, she held back sobs and shouted accusingly.

No matter how capable she'd seemed moments before, the fourteen-year-old girl couldn't hide her vulnerability.

Crouching down, he gently wiped the tears from her eyes. Seeing her puzzled look, Ink Ash suddenly asked, "Hmm... before that, did you make the wild herb soup?"

"Mm-hmm..." Head bowed, the bread-less maiden nodded shyly.

Slapping his thighs in delight, the Great Demon King exclaimed, "That's fantastic!"

"A-are you okay?" Shrinking back, she tilted her head at his sudden excitement.

"I'm fine, just a bit excited." Gazing intently at her, he smiled and extended his hand. With solemn seriousness, he asked, "Young maiden, you have talent. How about learning swordsmanship with me?"

Stunned, she hesitated and murmured, "What... did you just say?"

"Simply put—I want you to become my disciple~!" Trying to project masterly dignity, Ink Ash explained with a grin.

Eyes wide with shock at the unfamiliar term, she burst into an incredulous scream, "Eh?!"

The golden sunset bathed the boy's delicate face. This first meeting shone with a brilliance like gold.