"Haha! Since you've sincerely asked, I'll kindly tell you everything..."

"I know nothing!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The little maidservant on the cavern floor declared her ignorance with smug satisfaction.

Everyone—and every werewolf—in the cavern was utterly speechless.

*Keep acting!*

*Just keep pretending!*

*Who gave me that secret medicine anyway? The one that finally freed me from this woman’s tyranny?*

The werewolf at the cavern’s center thought bitterly.

Then, with startling humanity, he cupped his fists toward Liu Xiyun.

"Thanks, friend. Truth is, I never wanted to work for this woman. Damn it, she’d shove corpses at me to eat—disgusting! She never treated me like a werewolf. Just a damn bootlicker!"

"Huh? Huh? What are you babbling about?" The maidservant’s laughter faded. She glared at the werewolf, shaking her head defiantly. "Hmph! Don’t frame me! I don’t know what you’re talking about! I won’t say a word!"

"...Liu Xiyun."

She watched silently. *Who is this maid really? What’s her connection to this S-rank werewolf? Why does he treat her so kindly?*

"Don’t worry, I get it," the werewolf boomed, waving a dismissive claw. "Once I’m free today, I’ll repay the Great Qin!"

"Hah... repay? I don’t understand you!"

*Still acting!*

*Is this girl a professional actress?*

Liu Xiyun frowned at the bizarre duo.

Suddenly, the werewolf strode toward them. He stopped before the maidservant, knelt on one knee, and extended a clawed hand with surprising gallantry.

"Beautiful lady," he rumbled, "I know the Great Qin is too busy to remember a lowly wolf like me. But debts must be repaid. Let me serve you personally. I’ll guard your safety day and night."

"*Qin*?" Liu Xiyun’s eyes narrowed. She watched the maidservant stumble back, panic flashing in her eyes. *Could his words be true?*

"P-personal guard?!" the maid shrieked. "Stay away from me!"

But her darting eyes betrayed no real fear.

*Even at S-rank, he’s still under her control.*

The werewolf saw it all. With a sigh, he howled toward the cavern’s shimmering ceiling. A pitch-black crescent moon materialized on his forehead. He ripped it free and pressed it into the trembling maid’s hands.

"W-what are you doing?! No!" she wailed.

Liu Xiyun and the woman on the central platform froze, eyes wide with shock.

"You’d give your *soul mark* to this liar?!" the woman screamed. "You’d rather die than give it to me! What makes her special?!"

"*Special?*" The werewolf slammed the mark into the maid’s palm. It sank into her skin, forging a faint bond. "Because she’s prettier than you. Because she’s *beautiful*. Good enough?"

"Damn bitch! I’ve had enough of your crap!"

"You—!" The woman’s teeth clenched.

"Right, *Master*?" The werewolf whirled, tail wagging. "Our Master is the most beautiful! This hag dares compare herself to you? Fuck off!"

The woman’s seductive eyes twisted with rage. "You treacherous dogs! Die!" She lunged forward, whip cracking.

"Ahhh! Sister, save me!" The maid cried to Liu Xiyun, who simply rolled her eyes and stepped aside.

*Still faking it. Still playing me.*

The werewolf blocked the maid instantly. "Fear not, Master! Leave this hag to me! She’s nearly spent. I’m S-rank now—I’ll wear her down!"

"Take this, bitch!" He leapt, slamming his arm against her whip. *CRACK!*

"Mad dog! You’ve truly lost your mind!" she spat. "That medicine was fake! Temporary! Once it wears off, she and that boy will betray you!"

"Hah! Not your concern anymore, *bootlicker*," he growled. "I gave my soul mark to my Master. Even if I drop to A-rank after the drug fades, a loyal A-rank fighter is still valuable!"

"Mad dog! After all I’ve done for you!"

"*Done* for me? Oh, you fed me well—three squares a day! Just... kinda messed with my head!"

"Die, bitch!"