Kaelxi wondered when she’d become so… feminine.

For over half a year, she’d deliberately ignored it, clinging to the habits of her past life.

Had she unknowingly “fallen” into this girly trap?

Worse yet—she was now practically bound to Witt, with no chance of reclaiming her old masculinity.

Even if she acted tough, that idiot would probably just coo, “So cute!”

Just picturing Witt’s face made her seethe. The thought of faking being a love-struck maiden utterly smitten with him? Even worse.

Fuming, she yanked on her clothes, stomped downstairs, and started repacking. She’d say goodbye to Grandma Elisa the moment Witt returned.

“This guy’s so slow! Still not back!” she grumbled inwardly.

Earlier, after Witt carried her home, he’d chatted with Alisha.

Per their agreed story, her “injuries” came from accidentally encountering goblins while searching for Witt outside town—thankfully, he’d “heroically rescued” her.

Hearing this, Alisha showered Witt with praise: “So handsome!” “So impressive!” “Tall and sturdy!” “Kaelxi really has good taste!”

Witt scratched his head, laughing bashfully.

Watching his foolish grin, Kaelxi’s irritation simmered. She nearly blurted out his true colors—a perverted freak who enjoyed tickling feet, punching bellies, and watching others suffer.

But she held back.

*He could expose me too.*

“At least this idiot left Grandma Elisa with a good impression.”

“Traveling with him will ease her worries.”

She kept repeating it like a mantra.

Later, Kaelxi retreated to “tend her wounds.” Alisha returned to the bakery.

Witt, however, felt guilty—Kaelxi getting hurt meant his goblin cleanup was incomplete. Time for a *thorough physical discussion* with any stragglers left in the forest.

Just like how he’d handled that loyal assassin.

He still cared deeply for Kaelxi.

Witt hadn’t returned. Kaelxi finished repacking and waited, bored.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Alisha rushed in, breathless. “Kaelxi, hide! I saw them on the street!”

Kaelxi peered out. A freckled, brown-haired youth led dozens of cloaked figures door-to-door, asking about a golden-haired, green-eyed Elf.

They moved with chilling efficiency, fanning across the street like trained professionals.

Too late to run.

No doubt—the youth was Jack. Behind him: the Slave Catcher Squad.

The hot-headed fool had raced straight to Cesecity with them the moment he learned her location—far faster than Alisha’s carriage.

*How dare they search homes?* Alisha fumed. *And for one escaped Elf?*

Most neighbors stammered denials, but a few timid souls pointed toward the bakery’s little house.

Within moments, the cottage was surrounded.

Jack kicked the door open. Two squad members followed him inside; the rest guarded the perimeter.

He swaggered in. “Come out, Elf!”

“Master Jack knows you’re here!”

Silence. Only Alisha, calmly knitting on the sofa.

“Kaelxi isn’t here,” she said evenly. “She’s already left Cesecity.”

Jack’s face flushed. “Liar! I heard it myself!”

“You old hag—don’t play dumb! She’s here!”

“Search! Now!”

The two members barely suppressed the urge to punch his smug face. *Only because he swore he’d deliver the Elf.*

They searched. Shook their heads.

Jack’s expression twisted. He snatched Alisha’s half-knitted scarf and hurled it aside. “Where is she?!”

“Or we’ll beat it out of you!”

The squad members exchanged glances. *Beating an elderly citizen? Not in our training.*

Jack raised his hand to strike her.

Alisha flinched, eyes shut.

*SMACK!*

A sharp slap echoed. Blood trickled from Jack’s nose; a tooth clattered to the floor.

“ARGH!!” He clutched his face, squealing like a slaughtered pig.

The air shimmered. A girl’s form materialized before him.

“Your face dirtied my hand. Disgusting,” Kaelxi’s voice cut through—crisp, icy.

Jack stared, mesmerized by her emerald-green eyes. Pain forgotten. Lust blazing.

One squad member lunged; his partner yanked him back. Confused, he saw his teammate’s gleeful smirk—and mirrored it.

Arms crossed, they retreated to the doorway. *Let her handle him.*

She was clearly an adventurer. They couldn’t touch a citizen… but she could.

They’d *wanted* to teach Jack a lesson. Why not let her deliver it first?

“Idiot. Stunned stupid?” Kaelxi had braced for three-on-one. *Even better.* Now she could punish the scumbag who threatened Grandma Elisa.

“Your eyes… so beautiful,” Jack breathed, hand dropping, gaze hungry.

“Really? Thank you.”

“As a reward… let me beat you to a pulp.”

Kaelxi loathed lecherous scum.

*Especially a certain Witt.*