Until the shop closed for the day, Yi Han never saw that mysterious Witch Hunter again.

Uncle said the guest had already left, tipping generously. Word was Witch Hunters never stayed put—they chased witches wherever they appeared. Most likely, she’d already left the Springwater Kingdom to join a team hunting the Crimson Flame Witch.

Hearing this, Yi Han breathed a sigh of relief. He just wanted to protect this hard-won little garden, live a quiet, ordinary life. He’d finally transmigrated to another world—no sky-high housing prices, no bride prices. Saving up to marry a gentle, kind-hearted girl and settling down peacefully sounded perfect. Witches? Witch Hunters? *Get lost.*

After seeing off the last customer, Yi Han grabbed the leftover bread from the shop for dinner, locked the door, and headed home.

The setting sun bathed Windmill Town in golden calm. Nearby, the windmill turned slowly. Water gurgled under the pier, shimmering with scattered light. Tall grass swayed along the bank.

*Truly a town for growing old in. Spending my whole life here wouldn’t be bad.*

Just as he neared his doorstep, Yi Han froze. A startled gasp escaped his lips.

A beautiful girl with dark blue hair crouched boredly on his threshold, knees hugged to her chest. The pose reminded him of how he’d squat by his old home’s door back on Earth, eating meals.

But that wasn’t the issue. He *knew* this girl. It was Carola—the Witch Hunter he’d thought had long left!

*Didn’t she leave? What’s she doing squatting at my door?* Before he could dodge away, her sharp eyes spotted him. The moment he moved, her cheerful shout rang out: “Yi Han—over here! I’m here!”

*She tracked me down!* Teeth clenched, Yi Han trudged forward. Carola had already stood up, eyes sparkling. To any passerby, she’d look like someone locked out for forgetting her keys.

Stopping before her, Yi Han kept his face blank. “What are you doing at my house?”

“Gathering intel is essential training for any Witch Hunter. I used a few tricks and found your address—” she bragged.

“I didn’t ask *how* you found it. I asked *why* you’re here. Aren’t you supposed to be hunting witches?” Yi Han cut her off, impatient.

“Oh, I found some intel discrepancies. To accurately predict the Crimson Flame Witch’s movements, I need a place to stay and calculate properly.”

“There’s an inn in town.”

“Too run-down. The hygiene’s questionable.”

“One night won’t kill you.” Yi Han pulled out his keys, ignoring her as he unlocked the door.

“The calculations will take *several* nights.” Carola followed stubbornly. Yi Han tried to slam the door shut—but the Witch Hunter was faster. A blur later, she stood behind him, grinning.

His fists tightened. “My home isn’t an inn.”

“Surely you have a spare room? I’ll pay.” Carola batted her eyelashes, wearing an innocent-yet-cunning smile. Though she looked about twenty, the childish gesture suited her, adding lively charm.

Normally, Yi Han might not refuse a pretty girl asking to stay the night—maybe even spark something. But her showing up uninvited reeked of ulterior motives. His guard went up.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I live alone. If loneliness drives me to do something reckless tonight, don’t blame me.” He feigned a warning.

“No problem. I’m a Witch Hunter. One man’s no threat.” Carola replied bluntly, her nonchalance stoking his irritation.

Before he could react, a heavy cloth bag thumped against his chest. Yi Han caught it. Inside gleamed dozens of gold coins.

In this copper-coin era, one gold coin could support a rural family for months. This bag held at least thirty.

Yi Han hesitated but kept his tone stiff. “My lodging fees are steep…”

Carola yanked off a deep blue ring and tossed it to him. The massive sapphire made his eyes widen.

After a brief silence, under her eager gaze, Yi Han reluctantly nodded. “Deal.”

He hadn’t wanted this suspicious Witch Hunter under his roof.

But she’d paid *way* too much.

That night, Yi Han played the reluctant host, cobbling together a decent dinner from leftover bread and meat. His cooking skills were terrible—back on Earth, takeout had been his lifeline after overtime shifts. Even grilling meat left him fumbling, the heat uncontrolled.

Carola didn’t mind. She devoured everything like she hadn’t eaten in days. Had Yi Han not acted fast, she’d have snatched the last bread slice too. Watching her cheerful munching, he muttered, “Do Witch Hunters never eat? I thought I was the only one who could stomach my cooking.”

“Pfft. I’ve eaten worse. Yours is just… unpracticed. Not bad.”

“…How generous of you. I thought your guild covered lavish meals during missions.”

“Not really. Witch Hunters aren’t officially recognized yet. The Papal State only remembered us because the Crimson Flame Witch is so dangerous.” Carola tossed a licked-clean rib bone onto her plate, licking her lips. “Most times, we hunt witches alone. If we die? Our gear gets sold off. Only our comrades remember us.”

Yi Han sipped soup, thoughtful. “If the pay’s this bad, why become a Witch Hunter? Lots of grudges?”

“Most do it for revenge… I actually met the Crimson Flame Witch once. Five years ago, maybe.”

Yi Han perked up. “Oh? Tell me.”

Carola shook her head awkwardly. “Fuzzy memories… I’d just passed my final exam. First mission… in the Northern Kingdoms. She was just a girl then, flames bursting out when she lost control. No one knew she was a witch. I was investigating a suspected Sorceress sighting…”

“How can you be sure it’s the same girl? Why didn’t you capture her?”

“Someone else helped subdue her. It was… complicated.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Don’t remember. I was badly injured. Five years dulls a lot.” Carola kept glancing out the window.

*What a half-baked story.* Yi Han’s disappointment curdled into suspicion. *Is she lying to me?*

Losing interest, he cleared the table and headed for his bedroom.

“You’re sleeping *now*? At this hour?” Carola’s eyes widened. *Thump!* She pulled a wine bottle from her pack. “Have a drink with me first!”

“No thanks. I work tomorrow.” Yi Han didn’t look back. *Dreaming’s better than chatting with you. Besides, little Lia’s far cuter.*

*Too bad she only exists in dreams. If dream-people could become real…*

Yi Han drifted off, wistful yet hopeful.

In the kitchen, lamplight flickering, Carola drank alone. No snacks. Just loneliness.

She’d knocked on every door to find his house. Spent hard-earned mission savings to bribe him. Even gave up her Aquatic Deity Ring—marked with magic—and he’d just gone to sleep! Her plan to get him drunk and pry out intel had failed completely.

After a few bitter gulps, frustration boiled over. Staggering to her feet, wine bottle in hand, she swayed toward his bedroom, voice dripping with false sweetness: “Yi Han~ Yi Han~ Have a drink with me~ I’ve got more stories~”

She pushed the door open. Her voice died instantly.

Silence stretched. Then, a trembling whisper escaped her lips:

“No way…”