Under the scorching summer sun, in a modest town's Adventurers Guild, Alicia and Larry browsed adventure tasks in a private room.

Alicia couldn't bear to push her best buddy into trouble. In her current form, the harem members wouldn't believe her anyway—they might even see her as a rival.

Alicia was a phonetic twist on Aelis's original name. A feminine alias just made things easier for her movements.

Besides, she didn't want her identity exposed. If an old acquaintance spotted her and learned why, she'd be laughed to death!

This small Adventurers Guild branch only had E-rank to D-rank tasks. Alicia flipped the menu again and again, nearly wearing it out, but found no higher-level options.

Slumping on the table, she said weakly, "Larry, what now? I've zero motivation for these low-tier jobs."

Larry sighed, "Get real. We're here to earn travel cash."

Alicia still lacked enthusiasm. "Heh~ You handle it."

"Hey! Shouldn't we both try?"

Alicia slightly lifted her head from the armrest and said lazily yet cutely, "What nonsense, great S Rank Adventurer Sir Larry? I'm just an ordinary, weak, easily pushable girl named Alicia. I can't even pass the Adventurer Badge test—how could I do real adventurer work?"

The Adventurer Badge served as an identity card, like a past-life membership. Only badge holders could accept guild tasks and claim rewards.

It stored personal data, unlockable only by the owner's fingerprint. But Aelis was now Alicia—her changed body made fingerprints useless, and the badge info was all wrong.

Technically, she shouldn't even enter the guild. Yet this was a tiny town, and Larry's S Rank clout secured them a private room. The staff even winked before leaving, "This room's soundproofing is excellent." Both veterans caught the hint.

Alicia's face darkened. Larry doubled over laughing. She almost punched him.

Larry retorted, "Hey hey! Calling yourself a 'little lady' now? Has your feminization spread from body to mind?! Snap out of it, buddy! Wait—'easily pushable'? Heh, finally sharing the perks?"

Alicia waved dismissively. "Sigh, you can solo this. Grab any C-rank task, wrap it up fast, and we'll take the cash and bail. Consider it your redemption mission, kid. Go."

"You're lazy. C-ranks are risky—you just learned that the hard way. Like this one: bandits swarm the Northern Wasteland, heads wanted. Pay's good, and their hidden stashes don't get reported. I'm strong, but even I can't fight fifty alone. Truth is, it's boring without you."

Alicia: ( -_- )

"Are you so cautious you'd nuke a Fluffy Bunny? Hand it over. Hmm... Leader's C-rank level, fifty goons. Just sweep them with sword energy."

(Isekai Creature Encyclopedia: Fluffy Bunny—like starter monsters outside newbie villages.)

Flipping the intel, Alicia said, "You admit it's boring? So dragging me along fixes that?"

"As the saying goes: men and women working together makes work lighter."

"Sorry for tiring you before, huh?"

Larry mimicked her pose, resting his head on the armrest while watching her. Suddenly, he realized Alicia was genuinely "good-looking"—she gave him that rare thrill of admiring true beauty.

He'd seen gorgeous devils before, all stunning with varied charms. But purely physical beauty no longer held his gaze; a quick glance sufficed.

Alicia was different. Beyond her 2D aesthetic, their near-telepathic bond made Larry linger.

"Hey! Why stare so creepily?" Alicia asked, noticing his intense look.

Larry gave a thumbs-up. "Seriously, your transformed look rocks. Too bad it's not the past life—I'd test all my cosplay outfits on you."

Alicia's lips twitched. She sneered, "Dream on. Even back then, I'd never wear women's clothes."

"Not convincing at all." Larry stood, eyeing her up and down with a tease. "Honestly? You've got that wild, rugged beauty of a female adventurer."

Alicia now wore the guild's female starter outfit—simple, no-drag design for easy movement. Sturdy, washable fabric made it practical for adventures, but its ugly aesthetics made most female adventurers avoid it.

On her, though, it radiated sunny, untamed charm. The tight fit highlighted her figure, looking fiercely sexy.

Larry felt regret. Even in this plain gear, she shone. His past-life custom outfits would've shattered dimensional barriers with her.

Alicia felt no regret. For once, this newbie gear felt perfect—minimal feminization, maximum mobility.

"If not for these chest lumps dragging me down, think I'd wear this?!" She slammed the table. "Fact is, even in the past life, your shamefully embarrassing outfits will never touch me."

"Heh heh." Larry grinned wickedly. "In the past life, could you resist? I'd drive a van, bring bodyguards, stuff you in a sack, and dump you in my villa's basement. The more you refuse, the more I'd insist~"

Chills ran down Alicia's spine. Was he joking?

No—I must change back fast. This world's fashion industry is advanced. What if he actually forces me into those outfits?! She couldn't beat this cheat-code user.

Just imagining basement confinement and forced cross-dressing made her dizzy. This beast was polite to others but never held back with her.

Luckily, Larry still saw her as a bro, not a full girl—just sharing crude jokes. He quickly shifted focus.

"Our strength isn't the issue. Finding them is. Ideally, locate their main base—we wipe them out and grab extra loot."

Alicia studied the bandit leader's file, pondering the keyword "lecherous." Slowly, she said, "How about seducing them at their usual spots?"

"Huh?!"