What should I do? Did I overdo the cute act these past few days? It seems Lem’s developed a crush on me. Ugh—if only I hadn’t acted so adorably while he cut my hair. And when he tried speaking my dialect lately, I shouldn’t have clung to him so eagerly. Oh no… setting aside gender, I literally look like a five- or six-year-old girl!

Earlier, Lem had been discussing me with Master Dwayne in the Common Human Tongue—a language I still hadn’t fully grasped. Since it felt vaguely similar yet distinct from the Great Ghoul Tongue, I only caught fragments. They seemed to think I was an abandoned Ghostkind half-breed and warned me never to show my pathetically short forehead horns to others.

Mid-conversation, Lem suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. Flustered, my face burned crimson; words stuck in my throat.

He released me moments later. By then, dizziness swirled in my head—probably from overexerting myself learning the new language. A heavy fog settled in my mind, muffling their chattering debate.

Soon, they reached a decision: take me to Master Dwayne’s shop in town. They bickered briefly over who’d carry me, but I insisted I could walk, firmly ending the topic.

As we walked, Lem slowed his speech in Common Human Tongue, explaining his ties to Master Dwayne. Turns out, Dwayne was Lem’s biological father. His family situation? To put it simply: more tangled than the feuds of seven warring kingdoms.

Master Dwayne’s first wife—a Ghostkind half-breed—died over twenty years ago during the unrest when Corpse Eaters resurrected as Undead in town. Then a Ghoul Hunter, Dwayne suffered severe injuries. He retired, then partnered with a widowed weaponsmith (her shop destroyed, husband killed) to open a new store.

After six years, affection blossomed. They married in the seventh spring. Years later, they had Lena—Lem’s half-sister. Lem also had a non-blood-related sister: Ilya.

Now, only Master Dwayne, his second wife, and youngest daughter remained at home. Lem lived nearby in the Hunter Settlement yet rarely visited. The eldest daughter left for the Knight Academy in the Royal Capital and never returned. Even eleven-year-old Lena, influenced by Lem, now clamored to become a Ghoul Hunter.

“But Lena has even less hunting aptitude than I do,” Lem added, stepping into the modest shop like delivering a verdict. “She should drop the dream, learn weaponsmithing from Auntie, and inherit the old man’s shop instead of Ilya and me.”

“You calling someone untalented?!” A black-haired, black-eyed girl emerged from the back, scolding Lem with playful fury.

“Yo, little one. Tough watching the shop alone?” Lem greeted her with a cheerful smile I’d never seen.

“Don’t call me ‘little one’! I turn fourteen next month!”

“Shop’s quiet. Business okay, old man?” Lem teased, ignoring her age claim.

“I don’t need worry from a penniless hunter. Sealed a big deal last week with Commander Dante from the fortress. Apprentices and their mother are overtime in the forge—that’s why this wild child minds the shop.”

“Hmph. Thriving, huh.”

“Brother Lem! Remember your promise to teach me swordplay?” She suddenly clung to him, voice sweet.

“How many times? Swords don’t work on Corpse Eaters—use spears or bows!” Lem patted her head impatiently. “Anyway, I’m here for something else.” He pointed to me, standing awkwardly aside.

“Huh? Is this silver-haired, red-eyed girl your mistress, Brother?”

*Mistress my foot! You need a wife first!* I grumbled inwardly but put on a sweet face. “Not a mistress! I’m Brother Lem’s apprentice hunter!” I chirped in my shaky Common Human Tongue.

Lem’s eyes lit up. His sister’s glare sharpened.

“Acting cute or provoking me?” She bent down, raven hair practically smoking, black-pearl eyes locked on mine. “*I* was Brother Lem’s first apprentice hunter!”

*Such a kid,* I thought. “Mm-mm! So Senior Apprentice Lena is my predecessor. I’ll call you Senior Apprentice from now on!”

Her scowl melted. “Mm, not bad! Then Senior Apprentice Lena shall teach you sword stance!” She dashed off, returned with two wooden swords, beaming with pride.

“Wait. I’m here to buy Alice clothes and gear. Play later,” Lem said, frowning as he held Lena back.

“But isn’t it fun?” Master Dwayne mused. “Lena, didn’t tiny Yuriya from the fortress thrash you with a wooden sword recently? Rematch?”

“If Lena wins, I take her as hunter apprentice. If she loses—you give Alice her old clothes free, and she abandons hunting to learn weaponsmithing from Auntie.”

Father and son indeed. Earnest Lem instantly added: “You won’t actually take her hunting, right?”

“Of course not. Alice’s skills are formidable—we tested her in the forest. Old man, you still have Lena’s old clothes?”

“Naturally. Settled: if Lena loses again to someone so much younger, she never mentions hunting again. She works in the forge.”

Wait—when did *I* agree to fight?! Before I could protest, Lena declared: “No problem. Lady Yuriya’s an outlier. I won’t lose twice to a little kid.”

*So confident, Senior Apprentice Lena.*

“Settle it at the weapon-testing zone by the entrance. Shop’s empty—can’t even spot a fly,” Master Dwayne said.

Lem scooped me up, whispering: “Alice, go easy… but don’t lose. Funds are fine, but free clothes mean savings. We’ll feast at the town’s best restaurant after.”

Huh? Confident in *me*? Marn trounced me in the forest days ago! …But a feast? I’ll give it my all!

“I’ll do my very best!” I cheered from his arms, already tasting victory.

“Hahaha—just don’t injure my sister!” Lem chuckled wryly, carrying me to the open yard stocked with wooden training posts.