Kaelxi’s protests fell on deaf ears. Witt kept pinching her ear tightly, occasionally rubbing it between his fingers.

He held on so firmly that although the wound on Kaelxi’s tongue had stopped bleeding, his unyielding grip left her breathless from kissing.

Only when her face flushed crimson did Witt finally release her.

Kaelxi lay sprawled across Witt’s bare chest, regaining her senses after a long moment. Then, cheeks puffed in anger, she punched his chest.

Still unsatisfied, she raised her fist for a second strike—only for Witt to catch her wrist mid-swing.

He tried lifting her chin with his free hand, but she slapped it away. Witt chuckled softly. "Is this how you treat your savior?"

"Or," his gaze sharpened suddenly, making Kaelxi’s skin crawl, "do you truly wish to become someone’s slave?"

"You’re the one who wants to be enslaved, you perverted kiss-obsessed creep!" Kaelxi fumed. Witt was growing bolder by the day—definitely not a good sign.

*I thought of you as a brother, and you want babies with me?*

*Even saving my life doesn’t excuse that!*

*After all, I used to be—*

"After this death," Witt murmured, staring at Kaelxi’s smooth forehead, "I feel much sharper."

He always gained clarity in those final moments before dying.

*Maybe I should die more often?*

*I might outsmart Kaelxi then. Stop falling for her tricks.*

*...Though thinking like this feels pretty dumb too.*

"You’re still as thick as ever," Kaelxi huffed, trying to push herself up. "Just as easy to fool!" But Witt caught her ear again.

"Eep!" Kaelxi yelped, emerald eyes wide with panic and confusion. What was he planning now?

"You said this morning was a lie—that you never wanted to be with me."

"So everything in the woods was fake too?" Witt squeezed her already flushed ear, waiting silently for the Elf’s answer.

*How’d he see through me so fast? Did he actually get smarter?*

Though inwardly shocked, Kaelxi forced a sugary smile. "Silly human! Of course not!"

"This little Elf has always adored strong humans like you—*ow!* Stop pulling my ear!"

"Let go? Only if you tell the truth!"

"Ad-Adventuring with you is an honor... I love the thrill... *please*, it’s coming off!"

Ignoring her pleas, Witt kept tugging. Her long ear stretched like Pinocchio’s nose.

"I only said that to make you leave! I *do* want to be with you!" Kaelxi finally blurted out, half-truth spilling in desperation.

Witt’s smirk deepened. His grip tightened.

"You ear-obsessed freak! You’d pull it no matter what I say!"

"Same deal as last time: one condition, and I’ll stop. But since I just kissed you," he added smugly, "no more kissing. Gets boring after a while."

Kaelxi ground her teeth. *If only he stayed as gullible as before. Now he’s impossible to trick—and has me wrapped around his finger.*

*...Did I cause this?*

"What do you want this time? Warning: no more freebies!"

"You begged to be with me moments ago, yet now you flinch at my touch?" Witt’s gaze turned skeptical, heated. "Makes me doubt your sincerity."

He knew she was fleeing Slave Catcher Squads. The old Witt would’ve died upholding the Kingdom’s anti-slavery laws, fighting to the death while sending her to safety.

But now? Keeping her close felt safer. He could protect her from capture—and finally discipline this lying little trickster. Under his roof, dependent on his protection, he’d have endless chances to mold her as he pleased.

Kaelxi shivered under his strange look. *What if he learns the Kingdom Army is hunting me? He’d drag me to prison.*

"It’s... just too fast," she stammered. "I’m shy..."

*Damn pervert. I’ll make sure you never father children.*

"Beg me," Witt demanded. "And I’ll let go."

"..." Kaelxi stayed silent.

"Hmm?" Witt arched a brow, twisting her ear harder. Kaelxi felt like a human satellite dish.

"P-Please..." *So humiliating. I want to die.*

"Please *what*?" Sensing her surrender, Witt palmed her entire ear—savoring what might be his last chance to touch it.

"Mmm... so warm—*no!* Please... release my ear..." The warmth made her dizzy for a split second before she snapped back.

Witt finally loosened his grip. Kaelxi scrambled away like he carried plague, putting distance between them.

"Not staying with me? Then I’m leaving." Witt stood, heading toward Cesecity for supplies. He walked deliberately slow, baiting her to follow.

"I’m coming!" Kaelxi gritted out, chasing after him.

They walked in silence. Suddenly, Kaelxi tugged his sleeve.

"Witt..." she whispered. "Weren’t you... afraid of dying back there?"

"That was a Gold Rank squad! Did you plan to teleport them away *before* fighting?"

Witt burst into laughter—the same carefree boy as always. "Afraid? Please. Just gulp down some of your blood, and I’d be back on my feet!"

"Told you I’m clever. Planning ahead is basic."

Watching his goofy grin, Kaelxi felt her earlier warmth evaporate.

*Of course I feared death,* Witt thought quietly. *But if I hadn’t acted, you’d be the one dead.*

*As for the plan?*

*No foresight. Just guilt over failing you—and a miracle born from that desperate flash of insight.*