The half-elf hesitated because a chilling thought struck her: the mage cooked every dinner now. If he ever harbored ill intentions, she wouldn’t stand a chance to resist.

In their four-person squad, he was the only man besides the Valiant Hero. After months of travel, who knew what thoughts might fester?

She tried not to dwell on it, but tales of sailors on long voyages, adventurers on distant quests, and travelers on leisure trips flooded her mind one after another.

She stared at the soup in her hands. Its surface reflected her face—a face twisted with suspicion, pale and strained.

*What’s wrong with me?*

After forcing down the meal, she left the cave.

“I’ll take first watch tonight,” she called back before disappearing.

“Lilith, don’t push yourself. You didn’t sleep last night,” the Valiant Hero urged.

“I’m… an Elf. Missing a few nights’ rest won’t affect me.” She didn’t know why she’d instinctively dropped the word *half*.

The others exchanged uneasy glances in the cave.

“Is Lilith… really alright?” the Holy Maiden murmured softly. The flickering campfire cast shadows over her worried face.

Holy Maidens never took watch. Though she felt guilty, the team insisted—low-level clerics had poor self-defense, and her blessings and healing required absolute focus and piety.

“I’ll go—”

“I’ll check on her.” The mage cut off the Valiant Hero, waving him down as he stood.

The hero nodded. “Alright.”

Outside, the half-elf felt an odd heat simmering beneath her skin—was it her imagination? She climbed a towering tree, seeking cool wind in its branches. Her mind cleared slightly.

Below, the mage sighed, tilting his head up at the invisible treetop where she hid. His presence spiked her suspicion to its peak. She stood silent, staring down at his tiny figure.

The heat intensified. Her strong, slender legs began to tremble. She gritted her teeth.

*He drugged me… Damn it!*

She slumped against a branch, barely clinging on.

The mage sat against the trunk, unaware. To Lilith, it looked like he was waiting for her to collapse.

She endured the night in the tree. He guarded below.

When he saw her at dawn, confusion flickered across his face. “Why—”

“Why do I still have strength?” Lilith sneered.

“What?” He frowned, puzzled.

Sunlight crept over the horizon. She noticed his damp hair and suddenly wondered: *Everyone ate the same food. Why only me?* And if the mage and hero were lovers, why wasn’t the Holy Maiden affected?

Her expression darkened. She vanished before he could react.

Inside the cave, everything seemed normal. The Valiant Hero and Holy Maiden were just waking, washing up. Relief washed over the hero’s face. “You’re back?”

“Mm.” Lilith’s reply was flat.

Seeing was believing. She couldn’t accuse the mage of brewing a half-elf-specific poison now.

He returned, slightly breathless. “Why walk so fast?”

“Nothing. Is breakfast ready?” She dodged the question.

The Holy Maiden hurried over with a pot of mushroom soup. “It’s ready! Still hot—Lilith, want to try first?”

The hero noticed nothing amiss. Only the mage studied Lilith, brow furrowed.

“We move out after eating,” the hero announced.

Everyone nodded.

“Did you encounter any demons last night?” the mage asked casually.

“No!” Lilith snapped.

Silence choked the cave.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“Ah, no problem! Let’s pack up,” the hero rushed to smooth things over.

“Yeah, Jetri, why do you always doubt Lilith?” the Holy Maiden added.

The mage looked genuinely apologetic. “My bad. Just… reflex.”

Lilith took a deep breath. “I think my emotions have been… unstable lately.”

The other two blinked. *Unstable emotions?*

*Ah. Got it.*

Early-career Holy Maidens believed women should rest during their cycles—even Holy Maidens. Later, the class developed ways to ease such discomfort, so clerics rarely suffered visibly. The Valiant Hero, blessed by divine protection, felt no such issues. Half-elves remained mysterious; no one knew if such extreme reactions were normal. But mood swings during menstruation? Common enough.

They shot the mage a meaningful look. He nodded slowly, pretending to understand. *Fair enough.*

Just as the team’s mood lightened on their way to the Fallen Elf Territory—

“High-level demons incoming. Many of them.” The mage’s warning cut through the air.

“Can we run?” The hero looked at Lilith.

She closed her eyes, sensing. “Too late.”

“Fight!”

Their squad wasn’t weak, but injuries were inevitable. They retreated to a new hideout. The mage masked their trail with terrain illusions and concealment arrays.

“Should buy us time.” His voice was grim. He glanced at Lilith but said nothing.

“Let me heal you, Jetri?” the Holy Maiden offered gently.

“Check Vya first. His wound’s worse.” Jetri exhaled sharply.

Lilith was also injured, her face flushed one moment, pale the next. The cave’s cramped space thickened with tension.

“Vya’s hurt?!” The Holy Maiden’s voice rose.

“Hard to hide from you…” The hero chuckled weakly, parting his armor to reveal a deep, crimson gash—temporarily staunched.

After healing him, she wiped her brow and turned to Jetri. He jerked his chin toward Lilith. *Her wounds are worse.*

“Lilith…” The Holy Maiden moved to her.

But Lilith’s face burned with unspoken fury and hurt. She bit her lip, silent.

Soft light filled the cave as her wounds scabbed over. Silence pressed down.

“Jetri?”

“Honestly, my injury’s minor. Save your mana.” Practical as ever, he dismissed his own pain.

To Lilith, it sounded like an accusation.

“What did you mean by that?!” Her blood-red eyes locked onto him.

“What did *I* mean? You know exactly what I meant!” Frustration boiled over. *If she’d done her scouting properly, we wouldn’t be in this mess!*

“You suspect me?!” Her voice climbed.

“When did I say that?!” Jetri shot back.

“Victoria, hold Lilith!” The hero lunged to restrain the mage, whispering urgently, “Don’t fight her. You’ll lose.”

Jetri’s mind went blank. *…Would I really take a beating just to land one punch on her?*

The answer came fast. *Yes. Absolutely.*

He went still in the hero’s grip. Lilith’s anger cooled under the Holy Maiden’s soothing words.

“Lilith,” Jetri said suddenly, “who did you meet last night?”

“What?” She frowned.

“The Fallen Elf Grand Duke’s only known ability is mental manipulation. Doesn’t your mood swing feel… unnatural?”

Lilith’s pupils dilated. The elegant figure flashed in her mind. “No one,” she lied instinctively.

“Really?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“…” Jetri’s own anger faded. He shook his head. “Nothing.”

Lilith’s face darkened. She snorted coldly.

The others’ gazes shifted subtly—worry in the hero’s eyes, confusion in the Holy Maiden’s. Lilith noticed instantly. Her mind raced, not with truth, but with wounded suspicion. *She was just an ordinary elf! What could she do? If it was the Grand Duke, why not kill me outright?!*

A deafening blast shattered the silence.

“Move!” The hero yelled.

Jetri moved fastest. As the command left the hero’s lips, a magic circle flared—a hidden escape route. His caution saved them.

But these demons were stronger.

When Vya finally plunged Untarnished Lake Light into the last demon’s chest, it spoke. A Fallen Elf, raven-haired and dark-eyed.

“Know why we found you?”

Jetri’s spell silenced her forever.

*Too late.* His face turned stormy.

“Go! Victoria, check Lilith for tracking spells!”

The Holy Maiden found it quickly—a crude enchantment. Only possible with the target’s consent.

Even the Valiant Hero’s eyes flickered with doubt.

Lilith felt madness clawing at her throat.

“I didn’t do it!”

"When did this happen?!"

"Calm down. I believe you."

Aside from the Valiant Hero’s half-hearted remark, the other two remained silent.

The priest no longer dared to look at the Half Elf, while Jetri pondered how to resolve this mess.

There was no doubt—the unseen Fallen Elf Grand Duke’s schemes had already taken root among them.

But Jetri had no idea how to fix it.

If even Victoria couldn’t uncover the truth, he stood no chance.

As he thought this, another familiar roar echoed through the forest.

Jetri’s expression darkened further.

The squad retreated again.

This time, fractured by distrust and utterly exhausted, they suffered heavier losses.

They were on the verge of collapse.

Gritting his teeth, Jetri watched silently as Victoria desperately healed the other two.

Correction—one.

Victoria no longer dared approach Lilith.

Jetri had tried every trick to hide their temporary base, but the demons hunted them like seasoned trackers—finding them again and again, only to be slain each time.

*Damn it!*

*Where were all these high-tier demons coming from?!*

*Were they fucking immortal?!*

Frustration gnawed at Jetri. After repeated ambushes, even Victoria’s suspicion now fell on him.

He didn’t blame her. In fact, he wondered why Vya hadn’t turned on him yet.

This time, the squad couldn’t hold their ground. They fought while retreating.

"You suspect me, don’t you?! Fine! Get lost!! I’ll cover the rear!!" The Half Elf finally snapped, shrieking as she charged forward.

In a flash, Jetri’s mind raced.

"Vya, protect Victoria! Split up! Find cover!"

He sprinted after the Half Elf.

Vya didn’t hesitate. Red-eyed, she dragged Victoria away.

Jetri barely caught up to the Half Elf.

"What the hell are you following me for?!" She’d completely lost control, hurling a dagger at him.

The blade sliced through the night like a shadowy thread. Only Jetri’s reflexes saved his life.

"You think I’m the traitor?! Keep following me, and I’ll kill you!!" She’d held back—but her intent to murder him was real.

The Half Elf was a scout, an assassin.

Her strength lay in stealth, not frontal combat like Vya’s.

Yet fighting like a cornered beast, she’d actually slain several high-tier demons.

Jetri didn’t idle either. Even as she kept trying to kill him, he wordlessly unleashed magical support.

"GET LOST!!!" Her shrill scream tore through the dense forest.

She abandoned the demons—and lunged at Jetri instead.

The opening cost her dearly. Demons struck her back with brutal force.

Her body crumpled like a broken kite, crashing to the earth.

Jetri caught her.

"Go!" Even wounded, she thrashed in his arms, baring silver teeth to bite his shoulder.

Silent, Jetri dragged her backward.

His hidden markers and rough maps paid off. Magic flaring recklessly, he twisted through the undergrowth—finally shaking their pursuers.

This time, the demons didn’t follow.

Jetri had cast *Isolation*, a fifth-circle spell, on the Half Elf.

Like a signal jammer, the frantic chase fell utterly silent.

Still, Jetri didn’t dare move. Pinning her down, he clamped a hand over her mouth, maxing out his detection magic.

Only after a long while did he grimace, peeling away his blood-soaked palm—shredded by her teeth.

"You—"

"*Shh.*" Jetri pressed a finger to her lips.

She froze.

*...Wasn’t he covering my mouth?*

"We’re not safe yet," he whispered urgently. "Once we’re back, do whatever you want with me. But right now? Our lives depend on you."

"You’ve met the Fallen Elf Grand Duke. Don’t speak." He cut off her attempt to reply. "That Demon Lord likely controls minds. Our squad’s tearing itself apart."

"Listen first," he interrupted again. "This isn’t your fault. I apologize for doubting you. *Don’t* blame yourself."

He was planting the idea: *The Grand Duke manipulated me.*

No proof. No cure. But the truth was glaring.

Slowly, the Half Elf calmed.

Crimson pupils locked with Jetri’s dark eyes at point-blank range.

"Alright," he finally said. "What did you want to say?"

"Nothing." Her voice steadied. Her blood-red eyes grew still.

Jetri exhaled sharply, collapsing beside her.

He stared wearily at the night sky.

"*Little mouse~ Found you~*" A sultry voice purred from above.

Jetri’s blood turned to ice. He snatched up the Half Elf and bolted without looking back.

One of the earlier pursuers.

"Drop the Half Elf, and I’ll let you go~" The teasing whisper slithered into his ear. Jetri didn’t hesitate—unleashing *Dragon’s Breath*, a fifth-circle spell, blindly behind him.

"*Tsk…*"

The Fallen Elf toyed with him. Fresh wounds bloomed across Jetri’s body, yet he shielded the Half Elf with his own frame.

"*Drink this!*" Jetri hissed urgently into her ear, producing a potion vial.

The Fallen Elf wouldn’t let him feed it to her—not while playing with her prey.

"*Naughty.*" Her breath ghosted against his neck.

But Jetri never expected to survive this.

He took the blow meant for the vial, smashing it against his own head. Glass and liquid exploded.

Instantly, he summoned *Whirlwind*—a fourth-circle spell—sucking every drop and shard into his bleeding palm. Not a single drop spilled as he forced the mixture into the Half Elf’s mouth.

She stared blankly at his mangled hand—the one she’d bitten raw.

"*Run!*"

His strength vanished. With a final shove, he sent her stumbling forward.

"*Goddammit!*" Magic flared violently from his collapsing form, spells erupting from his prone body to block the Fallen Elf’s advance. "*I begged on bended knee for that potion!*"

*Saved it for my own skin… Now it’s yours.*

*If we all die here… fucking hell…*

A storm of thoughts flashed through Lilith’s mind. Her long legs tensed—then propelled her away without a backward glance.

"*Little one, you can’t leave yet.*" Another voice cut through the night.

Jetri’s eyes dimmed. He watched helplessly as Lilith was seized without resistance.

"*And you… can’t die either.*" The tender voice drew near. "*Who’ll kill the Valiant Hero if you’re gone?*"

She dangled the Half Elf like a chick, crouching beside Jetri.

"*Hm?*" A note of surprise colored her whisper. "*Your soul…?*"

Jetri lacked the strength to lift his head and see her face.

"*How… magnificent.*"

Those were the last words he heard before darkness swallowed him.

Jetri woke to Lilith sitting by his bedside.

"You…" He blinked, disoriented.

"Why save me?" she asked softly.

"..." Jetri frowned. *Really? Now?*

But he answered: "If I die, you might still escape. If you die, we all die."

"But you said—" Her voice grew distant. "You were just afraid of being the sacrificial pawn?"

"Yeah. That’s why I bought the potion. But choosing between dying together later or me dying first so you live? Use your head." He shrugged.

"*How terrifying.*" A voice—faintly familiar yet utterly alien—cut in.

Jetri lunged upright, spell-circle flaring instantly in his palm.

"*My, my… wandless, chantless casting…*"

His magic dissolved soundlessly into nothingness.

"*How about this: you sleep with me, and I let you both go?*"

Smoke cleared to reveal a fully ripened Elf licking her lips.

"Fine. Release her first," Jetri sneered.

Elves were conservative—even Fallen Elves held more dignity than Succubi.

"*Done.*"

To his shock, she agreed easily.

A casual glance at Lilith. "*Run along, little one.*"

Lilith froze, bewildered. She glanced between Jetri and the Fallen Elf Grand Duke.

"*Go.*" Jetri’s eyes flicked toward the door.

Hesitantly, she inched toward the exit.

"*Go.*" (x2)

The Half Elf’s shoulders slumped.

*Oh. I’m interrupting. Fine. I’ll go.*