The most skilled hunters often walk among the prey, lulling the unwary into complacency.

Blending in, then striking at the perfect moment—it made for a rather satisfying hunt.

Miss Sami hadn’t radiated danger along the way. She only intervened when necessary, clearing stray monsters the others missed.

*Perhaps she’s just wary of us.*

Ist’s thoughts drifted. After all, their thirteen-member party had formed first; Miss Sami joined later. Magic or not, some folks simply had bold streaks.

As leader, he’d noticed certain members eyeing Miss Sami with ill intent.

*Damn it…*

He couldn’t truly control this group. Only those Shiren had named earlier counted as his actual teammates. The rest were temporary allies—bound only until the quest ended. He prayed nothing would go wrong.

Thankfully, the stone hall’s monsters were cleared. His duty as leader was nearly done.

Just then—

“Miss Sami, behind you!”

“Huh? Wha—”

Chaos erupted without warning.

Ist whirled around. Several adventurers had knocked Sami unconscious.

“What are you doing!”

No explanation needed. His eyes confirmed the betrayal. Instinct took over.

“Luya! Kadi! Jessy! Attack them!”

His greatsword slashed toward the veteran troublemakers even before his shout faded.

Truth was, he’d distrusted these shady veterans from the start. They’d been the ones leering at Miss Sami during the march.

*Fools. Why strike now?*

After the quest, trapped in this narrow stone hall with no escape…

*Too rash. How dare they?*

His guard against Sami had dropped. The Guild’s veterans were indeed seasoned—but no match for relentless greed.

“Kid Ist, you seem sensible,” sneered Brau, the ringleader. “Just leave. We’ve agreed: we’ll forfeit our share of the reward. Hand over the girl. A fair trade for you, eh?”

The fourteen split instantly: six against four. The remaining adventurers froze, ready to bolt.

“Brau, you idiot! She’s a Guild mage! Her disappearance will—”

“To hell with the Guild! If we get to taste a beauty like this—*and* a high-and-mighty mage? Worth dying for!”

Brau’s boot slammed into Ist’s chest. Years of shady adventuring had honed his reflexes far beyond Ist’s. Outnumbered, Ist’s group stood no chance.

“You scum…”

Ist coughed blood, his heart heavy.

Hadn’t they all dreamed of becoming heroes like the legends? Reality had shattered those dreams, revealing adventurers weren’t the noble souls of fairy tales.

“You know what to do,” Brau growled. “Walk out quietly. We’ll let you live. Remember: we have friends in the Guild.”

Killing was messy. Brau’s crew had planned this—pleasure came first. Annoying brats like Ist? Expendable.

“Tch… Luya, draw your bow!”

Ist wiped his mouth, raising his sword.

Alone.

His gaze swept the room. Something was wrong.

“Hah?”

Not just the freelancers.

His own teammates kept their distance.

“Hey, Ist…” Luya avoided his eyes, bow slack. “Don’t stir trouble. We can’t win.”

“…”

A strange hollowness filled him.

Memories flashed—how they’d met years ago.

Had he ever truly known them?

“This isn’t hero time. We can’t beat them. Let’s go. The Guild will punish them later.”

Kadi, usually his “brother,” stepped closer, voice low with false concern.

Ist glanced at Jessy—the kindest of them. She stared at the floor.

Silence was her answer.

Something shattered inside the young adventurer.

“Are you even adventurers anymore?” Ist’s voice trembled, but his grip tightened on his sword. “We’re not comrades anymore.”

Sometimes, a single choice reveals a person faster than years ever could.

*For my dream’s sake…*

*At least try to save Miss Sami.*

He wouldn’t leave. He’d stay to prove he wasn’t just treating adventuring as a job.

“Heh… Run along, kid. Don’t make me chase you out.”

Brau chuckled. His cronies grinned. Even Shiren snickered.

They’d seen naive kids like him before. Killed them, even. But the stupidity still amused them.

Wait—

Why was a woman’s laugh tangled in theirs?

“How delightful, adventurers. Is this my pre-meal entertainment?”

A fifteenth voice echoed.

Black hair, crimson eyes. A woman floated midair. Thick, swamp-like death clamped down, sealing the hall in suffocating darkness.

Breath caught in throats.

“The rest may leave. You,” her smile sharpened, “stay. Show me your resolve.”

“What… what *are* you?!” Brau shrieked, bolting for the exit.

Her hand flicked. His head tumbled. A snap of her fingers flooded the hall with crimson mist.

“Disobedience deserves punishment.”

One less meal troubled Shiren little. She’d almost let them all die—until Ist’s sudden resolve to save “Sami” caught her attention.

She couldn’t read minds perfectly, but intentions? Clear enough.

No one would die for her. Causality soured even the finest meal.

*Keeping the “Sami” identity matters… Ugh, such a hassle.*

Her unfamiliarity with this split-body magic had backfired.

She’d underestimated mortal resolve.

Amid the panic, the young swordsman with the greatsword lunged. He scooped up “Sami,” thrust her into the stunned female adventurer’s arms.

“Take her and run! All of you—GO!”

He roared, charging the floating woman, flint striker clutched in his free hand.

Three years as an adventurer. Against this suffocating terror, he could only tremble.

But…

What was an adventurer who wouldn’t gamble everything?

The *scritch-scree* of flint on steel was Ist’s last memory.

*Will she kill me?*

*Yes. I’ll die too.*

*But… worth it.*

“Worth it indeed. You taste divine,” Shiren patted her stomach, agreeing with Ist’s final thought. Self-defense made devouring him guilt-free.

Swallowing him whole via blood beast felt like fast food—nostalgic, almost. A nod to the ancestors. Not bad at all.