On an ancient tree in the desolate wilderness, Larry slowly regained consciousness.

What happened to me? Oh right—I was knocked out by Alicia.

Larry let out a bitter smile recalling the past. Suddenly, he felt off—this weightless sensation?

He finally assessed his situation. Bound and hanging from the tree, with Mika still unconscious beside him.

“Oh, awake already? So quick. No wonder it’s you.”

Larry looked toward the voice. Alicia stared coldly at him.

She tapped the Mitchell Yuan Staff against her palm, silently pondering how to handle this brother who’d tried to take advantage.

“How do you want to die?”

Alicia still felt it democratic to let him choose.

“I choose to die of old age.”

As expected, this shameless guy wouldn’t accept punishment properly.

Alicia offered a practical suggestion: “Gouge out your eyes, cut off that right hand that groped me, snip off your junk—then let you die old. I’ve made a huge concession.”

“Isn’t this concession too forced?! Let me down! Fight me one-on-one! I won’t bully you for being a girl—I’ll even give you one hand!”

Larry swung wildly on the tree, shouting. Alicia’s specially treated ropes resisted forceful escape.

Alicia’s lips twitched. Even with one hand given, she couldn’t beat him. She pointed Mitchell at Larry: “You took advantage of me! How dare you demand a fair fight?!”

She tried to spark his guilt.

Larry scoffed: “How many times have I seen you naked since childhood? We bathed together in public bathhouses! What haven’t I seen? As kids, I even handled your private parts. What I did lately is nothing!”

Alicia: “...”

His words held no flaw—she found no rebuttal.

When did she start caring about such details?

Ah—last night, when Larry groped her chest!

This beast grandstanded about not caring for her body, yet still lusted after her!

“Has your female body made your mind feminine too? If so, as your brother, I’ll reluctantly take you in. Look at those curves…”

Larry kept making suicidal remarks.

Alicia’s face twisted in fury. “Death sentence!”

“You truly deserve divine punishment! Your crooked heart blames me for dirty thoughts?!! Who made me sensitive?! Mitchell, today we execute heavenly justice!”

“Understood, furious mistress. I’ve hated this ugly man! I’ll minimize the curse!”

“Water Healing!”

The life-saving Yuan Technique, transformed by Mitchell, boiled instantly. Clear water became ashen-black flames, firing corrosive bursts at Larry.

“Whoa, serious?! I dodge, dodge, dodge!”

Though hanging, Larry swayed agilely, perfectly evading attacks.

Their noise woke Mika. She blinked drowsily. “What’s happening? Why so loud?”

Alicia and Larry froze mid-motion. A fireball ignited Larry’s rope, snapping it.

Thud! Larry crashed headfirst to the ground.

The impact startled Mika and snapped Alicia alert. She pointed her Yuan Staff at Larry, shifting tone: “Faithless man! Cheating behind my back? How many women have you secretly found?!”

Larry’s face paled in shock. You changed too fast?! Wait—a golden chance! If I play along, I can ditch these clingy women!

Larry burst into tears: “I’m sorry, Alicia—I’ve wronged you!”

Alicia shuddered. He acted too convincingly—even real tears flowed.

She glanced at wide-eyed Mika. A faint wicked smile curled Alicia’s lips. Larry had always seemed upright and brave to them. This might shatter their worldview.

Alicia yelled: “Sorry yet flirting? If my brother Aelis hadn’t tipped me off, I’d never know about all your women!”

(Alicia and Aelis—though similar here, in this world their pronunciations differ! I said so!)

“I’m wrong. I repent. I deserve death.”

Hidden from Mika, Larry sprinkled chili powder in his eyes. Tears streamed as he knelt, hands on ground, weeping heavily.

“To keep my body pure for you, Alicia, I avoided other women. Never touched their hands. Only saw your underwear. Never alone with any girl. Four women surround me daily—beautiful, graceful girls. That beast of a brother draws zero fire! Do you know my cautious life?”

Larry’s move was brilliant. He boosted Mika’s group, implying they were attractive—he was just too loyal, a true gentleman, hence refusing them.

Breakups work this way. Bluntness breeds hostility. Gentle words like “You’re great, we’re incompatible” save face and keep options open.

A seasoned social elite. Only her, the “insignificant” bad friend, suffered. Alicia stood here, not Aelis—so Alicia couldn’t even vent!

Alicia’s fury turned genuine, yet her words dripped sarcasm: “Fine! Home flowers lack wildflower scent! Others are beautiful—I’m just ugly and jealous. Love them so much? Our bond ends now. You take your broad road; I’ll cross my narrow bridge! First, I vent this rage!”

Her Yuan Staff glowed with ominous black flames. Larry teleported before her, knelt, and gripped her staff-hand. “Don’t insult yourself, Alicia. Scold or hit me—I won’t allow self-hate. You’re the bright moon among night stars. Stars dazzle, but you light my heart! Others’ opinions mean nothing—you’re my most beautiful goddess, my true love! Heaven witnesses my truth!”

Alicia gaped. Wow—his acting was Oscar-worthy. That expression, pose—like a theater lead caught cheating.

His intense gaze locked on her eyes. Her face flushed hot, like post-sauna.

She mouthed: “So you want me to hurt you?! Mr. Romantic, hiding your skills.”

To Mika, Larry seemed to guide the staff toward his head while Alicia resisted. Reality reversed—he desperately blocked her from blowing his brains out.

Larry mouthed back: “Dream on! If moved, kneel and sing ‘Conquest’ now—then go home to cook, clean, and warm my bed!”

Alicia’s eyes iced over. “S-stop crying! Tears won’t make me believe you!”

“I testify—Larry speaks truth! Forgive him! Wahhh!”

Larry’s acting didn’t move Alicia—but reduced audience-member Mika to tears.