Alicia stomped furiously on the Yuan Staff, but Mitchell’s voice only grew louder.

"Ohhh! Such an amazing stomp! Aaaah! I’m sorry, young mistress, but please keep torturing me!"

Alicia was sure she used full force, yet as expected, a weapon possessed by a Demon Overlord was incredibly durable.

Though it caused no real harm, she felt carried away and kept kicking relentlessly.

"Alicia, calm down. No need to take a freak like this seriously."

Larry wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her off. He’d only meant to stop the fight, but… the feel was amazing!

Hugging her was like holding warm, springy cotton. So close, her intoxicating fragrance filled his mind, making his head spin.

Alicia didn’t notice Larry’s shifting thoughts. She kept kicking, ready to unleash more violence on the Yuan Staff.

It took her a while to calm down. Today’s shocks were overwhelming: her teammate’s traitorous antics, the "Real Men" bandits, and finally, the ultimate masochist Demon Overlord Mitchell. Her brain had short-circuited.

"Huff~"

After cooling her head, Alicia felt a strange sensation. Larry’s chest against her back felt unusually hot, his scorching breath making her uneasy.

She yelled, "Had enough? How long will you hug me?!"

"Had enough," Larry lied, pulling away.

Alicia glared fiercely at Mitchell. "So you were conquered by that sadistic mistress? Became her slave and willingly turned into this Yuan Staff?"

"Ohhh! What a beautiful ending!" Mitchell’s voice trembled with excitement. "It was my deepest wish, but I was inexperienced then. Foolishly, I held back my urges out of pride. I locked up that lovely songbird, fed her well, kept her close, and listened to her sweet scolding daily. I swear, those few decades were my happiest days."

Alicia’s face froze in blank disbelief. She whispered to Larry, "He’s a hopeless masochist."

Larry nodded. "I agree, but he really looks like he’s enjoying it."

Alicia shivered and inched away from Larry.

Larry frowned. "...I was stating facts. What’s that mean?!"

Alicia forced a smile. "Nothing. I just remembered—distance makes the heart grow fonder."

"Bullshit! You’re rejecting me! Get over here!"

Larry lunged to grab her, but agile Alicia dodged.

"Brat! I’ll catch you!"

He chased her. Even with buffs, she was pinned to the ground.

"Am I a masochist? Say it—who is?" Larry rubbed her face.

"I am! Just get up!"

Their usual horseplay felt different now. Struggling under Larry, Alicia felt friction against her chest. She’d changed into women’s clothes for comfort but wore no bra.

Larry wasn’t oblivious. He felt that incredible sensation through her clothes.

"Sorry, I’m up." Larry climbed off. Alicia stood quickly.

An awkward silence hung between them.

"Ohhh, wonderful!" Mitchell broke in. "I thought you’d start mating with this ugly guy. That’d ruin my precious memories. Let’s continue!"

Though his words were suicidal, Alicia was grateful for the interruption.

"Who wants to mate?! You trashy Overlord!"

Alicia stomped the Yuan Staff down, grabbed both ends, and twisted hard.

"Ow ow ow! Double pain is so amazing!"

After venting, she tossed it aside. Hands on hips, she pointed. "Quickly tell us how you became this staff!"

"At your command!" Mitchell’s voice turned emotional. "Those beautiful decades passed. I watched her transform from a young maiden to a white-haired crone. Only her stubborn spirit never changed."

Larry seized the chance to ease tension. "You, a Demon Overlord, couldn’t grant her eternal youth?"

"Ugly guy, shut up," Mitchell’s tone darkened. "I could’ve made her immortal. But she refused fiercely, commanding no alterations. I obeyed, heartbroken, as she died peacefully—a peace I couldn’t understand. I grew bored of that life. I forged this Yuan Staff, imprisoned my soul, and sought an intriguing soul! Alas, users were idiots. Some fools even tried freeing me—dumber than magic worker ants, creatures that process only one command at a time. Damn it! Did I need their help? I drained their marrow dry to replace them faster. Thousands of years, and nothing."

"Blessed by the Demon God!" Mitchell cheered. "Just as hope faded, I met you, master!"

He tried approaching, but Alicia trapped him in a Barrier.

"Hypocrite, pretentious." She glared at the staff. "You only appeared now. I’ve had you for two years."

"No choice, master. Your old self was scheming and domineering—but your looks didn’t meet my standards. Pity. However!" Mitchell’s voice soared. "Now, your beauty, figure, personality—every inch perfectly hits my turn-ons! More than my last master. Look at those violet locks, brighter than moonlight! Those Star Pupils, redder than blood! You’re my destined master!"

Alicia’s mind raced. "So using you won’t cost as much life drain now?"

"No."

"What good are you?!" She stomped him again; Mitchell moaned masochistically.

Afterward, he panted, "I can minimize the life drain, and it won’t worsen. This demonic artifact erodes non-demons’ life force."

"Race-bound weapon… Wait." Alicia’s eyes lit up. "As a Demon Overlord, you can restore my original form, right?"

"Uh, there’s a way."

Her hope flared. "Tell me!"

"I refuse!"

Her smile froze. "Why?"

"Because I won’t lose such a perfect master."

Alicia cooed, "Be good. I’ll find you a better one later."

Mitchell scoffed. "I know you, master. You’d discard me the moment I restored you."