"Who's there?!"

Albel instinctively shielded Alicia behind him the moment he spotted the arrow. Thanks to his unique ability, he couldn't tell whether it was a warning shot or meant to kill.

A chestnut-brown-haired girl leaped down from a nearby tree, landing as lightly as a bird before turning toward Albel.

She appeared to be Albel’s age, with delicate features, emerald-green eyes, a hint of baby fat on her cheeks, and the distinctive pointed ears of elves. Dressed in a hunter’s signature attire—a belted tunic dress with a red sash at the waist and knee-high boots—she carried a longsword slung diagonally across her back. In her hands, she held a silver longbow, an arrow already nocked and aimed squarely at Albel.

*Elves?*

Albel blinked twice upon seeing her pointed ears. *So there are still people living in this forest. Divine providence! Looks like I won’t need to climb that mountain to find a way back after all.*

"Uh, I’d like to ask—"

"Don’t move!"

Eager to inquire about their location and a way home, Albel had taken a step forward—only to be met with a drawn bow and a sharp warning.

Her voice rang clear as a lark’s song. This was Albel’s first encounter with an elf; such an ancient race had long isolated itself, surviving only in primordial forests like this one.

"You’ve got it wrong—I mean no harm," Albel raised both hands, palms out. The elf girl’s wariness was palpable.

"That’s right! We just drifted here!" Alicia chimed in hastily. The arrow kept shifting between her and Albel, and she had no desire to be skewered.

"Impossible. Humans cannot set foot on this island." Alusa shook her head firmly, her bow unwavering. Her confidence was absolute.

"If humans truly can’t enter," Albel spread his hands, "then how do you explain us standing here?"

"How *did* you get here?" Alusa studied his attire, suspicion deepening. He didn’t look trustworthy.

"Teleported here against our will. I don’t know where this is—I just wanted to climb that mountain behind you for a better view." Albel pointed toward the distant peak.

"Lies! The elders placed a barrier around this island. Nothing gets through. Speak truth: who are you, and what do you want?" Alusa drew her bowstring tauter.

"You’re being illogical," Albel scoffed inwardly. *She’s pretty, but her reasoning’s a mess. Do elves have lower IQs?* "You claim the barrier blocks everything, yet here we stand—meaning it’s not foolproof, right?"

"This—" Alusa faltered, caught in his logic.

"Enough tricks! You don’t look like good people!" She shook her head sharply, refusing to be deceived.

"He might not be good, but *I’m* a certified good person!" Alicia blurted out before Albel could respond.

"Shut it!" Albel smacked her head in exasperation. *Is her brain filled with porridge? This isn’t helping!*

"Highly suspicious," Alusa narrowed her eyes, the arrow fixed on Albel. "But leave now, and I won’t attack."

"Look at this—the Holy Sword! Would a villain carry it? The Holy Sword would never choose an evil master!" Albel suddenly remembered the silly Holy Maiden behind him. He yanked the blade free, flashing it at Alusa—though unease prickled him. *Would these isolated elves even recognize it?*

"That *is* the Holy Sword..." To Albel’s surprise, Alusa recognized it instantly. "Are you the Holy Maiden, miss?"

"Yep! I’m Alicia, the 17th Holy Maiden of the Light Sanctuary!" Alicia hugged Fire Drake close, then dramatically pointed at Albel. "And *he’s* the Demon King! He kidnapped me!"

Albel froze, then slapped his forehead. *It’s over. Completely over.*

"Holy Maiden, come to me! I’ll protect you!" Alusa’s gaze turned icy on Albel, her bow pulled to full draw.

"Mhm!"

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Seeing rescue at hand, Alicia nodded vigorously and tried to dart past Albel with Fire Drake—but he clamped a hand on her shoulder.

"W-well... I’m too scared to move..." Alicia whimpered, rooted to the spot.

"Release the Holy Maiden now, or I won’t hold back!" Alusa’s voice cracked like a whip.

"If you open your mouth again," Albel hissed darkly at Alicia, "I’ll ‘execute’ you right here in front of this elf. I swear." *I need duct tape for that mouth.*

"N-no..." Alicia shrank back with a weak plea.

"Holy Maiden, stand clear! I’ll eliminate this fiend!" Alusa shifted her aim to avoid collateral damage.

"Be careful! He auto-dodges attacks!" Alicia scrambled behind a tree, still shouting warnings about Albel’s passive ability.

"No problem. My arrows never miss!" Alusa fired with absolute confidence.

Yet the silver arrow veered off course mid-flight, embedding itself in a nearby trunk.

"Impossible?!" Alusa’s face paled. Her passive ability guaranteed perfect accuracy—this was her first miss in years.

"He can’t be targeted by single attacks!" Alicia yelled from cover. Albel’s passive was absurdly overpowered, like cheating.

"How can such an ability exist..." Alusa muttered, stunned. But she had another option. If single-target attacks failed, area effects would work.

"Crescent Moon Wheel!" She loosed an arrow skyward above Albel. It exploded midair, showering him with countless silver projectiles.

Alusa watched Albel stand motionless, a confident smirk forming. *Crescent Moon Wheel* immobilized all targets within its radius. No passive ability could save him now.

What happened next haunted Alusa forever. The silvery binding light flickered around Albel—then looped back, coiling tightly around *her* own body.

"W-what’s happening?!" Alusa struggled desperately, but the luminous ropes held firm. She knew this binding lasted ten minutes.

"Um..." Alicia peeked out from behind a tree, scratching her cheek awkwardly. "He’s immune to all effects... and they rebound onto the caster."

"*What?!*" Alusa’s shock was absolute. *Why is every one of his abilities so broken?!*

"Al! See? I tricked her into attacking you so she’d trap herself! I’m brilliant, right? Praise me!" Alicia darted to Albel’s side the moment Alusa was immobilized, flashing her most ingratiating smile.

"I’ll deal with you later," Albel sighed. *This girl’s loyalty flips faster than a page.*

"Uuuh..." Alicia let out a cat-like whimper, trembling into silence.

Albel trudged toward the bound elf, exasperated. *Why does asking for directions turn into a fight?*

"D-don’t come closer!" Alusa’s voice trembled. Trapped and helpless, she watched the dark-haired boy approach. *Is he going to...?* She swallowed hard, recalling the disheveled Holy Maiden in just an oversized coat. *He must have done unspeakable things to her.*

"I just need you to show me the way," Albel frowned at her flushed, trembling face. "Is borrowing your guidance really that alarming? I need directions to a port or something to leave this place."

*Borrow my body?* Alusa felt lightning strike her core. *What does he plan to do with it? Men only want one thing—and he said ‘borrow,’ not ‘take.’ He doesn’t want commitment! He’ll use me and throw me away!*

Scarlet-faced, she shrieked at him:

"You pervert! Lecher! Scumbag! Heartbreaker! Playboy!"