“Hurry, hurry! All patrol teams, head to Xiangxie Li Street—now!”

Late at night, adventurers scrambled into armor and grabbed weapon bags, rushing toward Xiangxie Li Street where several monsters had suddenly appeared for unknown reasons.

Amid the already tense atmosphere, the Adventurers Guild swiftly issued a quest.

Watching the monsters below being steadily wiped out, the culprit of the incident stood calmly on a rooftop, surveying everything.

With her left hand, she extended sharp claws and slashed her right arm. Blood gushed out instantly—but stopped just as quickly. The wound visibly healed before her eyes.

Good. Wiping the lingering green blood from her lips, a delicate smile bloomed on Nefu’s exquisite face. Her goal for tonight was accomplished.

After consuming the Ogre King’s heart, she had finally absorbed its super regeneration ability.

Now, at least, she no longer feared Ophelia subjecting her to cruel tortures.

Yawning, Nefu stretched lazily. Time to head back. If Ophelia conducted another surprise inspection, she’d be exposed.

Suddenly spotting something, a faint smile touched her petite face.

Acquaintances? She should go say hello. A surprise visit would surely delight them.

Nefu leaped gracefully into a narrow alley.

“Boss, are you *sure* we don’t check? What if a monster wanders over? We’re dead!”

“You idiot! Adventurers probably cleared them all. Sleep now. Tomorrow—we hit the massage parlor again. Still got most of last time’s cash.”

“Sigh… When’ll I find another gem like that? Could’ve made a fortune…”

Ivan straightened up, eyeing his boss’s bulging coin purse with longing.

Then—a petite figure slowly approached from the shadows.

Huh? Ivan rubbed his eyes. Silver-white hair, sapphire eyes, an angelic face… Was he hallucinating?

He nudged his snoring one-eyed boss. “Boss! Wake up! Am I seeing things?”

“Ivan, you rascal, what’re you—”

The one-eyed man froze mid-sentence, rubbing his gritty eyes in disbelief.

*How was the girl they’d sold standing right here?*

Confused but exchanging a greedy glance, both saw the same thought: *Easy money again!*

“Hehe… Y-you… girl? Back already? Want this old mouse to buy you a drumstick?”

So thrilled, Ivan could barely hold his fake smile.

“Nope.”

Nefu shook her head, tilted it cutely. “Just spotted two familiar faces. Came to say hi.”

“S-See?!”

Ivan blinked. They were deep in the alley—*how*?

“Yep. Saw you from up there.” She pointed upward earnestly.

“I-I see… Well—”

“Actually… one question, uncles. How much did you get… after selling me?”

“Eh?!”

Ivan froze. The one-eyed man yanked him back, slapping his cheek. “Stop jabbering! Grab her!”

“R-Right!”

Ivan snapped to—but froze again. The girl hadn’t changed… yet the air around her thickened, heavy and suffocating.

“Uncle… won’t you tell me?”

Nefu stepped closer. Their eyes widened in pure terror. Each step felt like a predator closing in—death imminent.

“I’ll give it! I’ll give it!”

The one-eyed man’s legs buckled. He dropped the coin purse, gasping as pressure eased slightly.

“Let me check.”

A small, fair hand lifted the bag. Silence. Too afraid to look up, he stayed frozen.

A stray cat’s meow finally broke the spell.

“Boss, seriously? You *kneeled*? Gave away our funds?” Ivan muttered.

The one-eyed man flushed, trembling. *I’m ruined…*

“Tell you what, Ivan—you be boss now. I—”

He turned. Ivan stood rigid… with a large, suspicious puddle beneath him, legs shaking uncontrollably.

*Thought he was tough? Total softie…*

Unbeknownst to them, the girl who’d just humiliated them now mirrored their earlier terror.

Skipping home, tossing the coin purse playfully, Nefu felt inexplicably cheerful—though the money meant little.

Then her smile vanished. *Yesterday… Ophelia inspected at this exact time.*

She ducked into a shadowed corner, swapped into her maid dress, and ran.

Her strength waned with every step. Panting heavily, she barely made it.

Just as she slipped through the window—the doorknob rattled.

“Little Nefu? Awake? I’m coming in~”

*No!* Alarm bells screamed. Too late for bed. Her eyes locked on Blackfang, snoozing peacefully in the corner.

*Got it!*

Ophelia entered, paused, then smiled. “Up so early, little Nefu?”

“Y-Yes, Master! Blackfang… seemed hungry. He woke me.”

Hidden from view, Nefu’s tiny hand pinched hard under Blackfang’s belly.

*Stupid dog—WAKE UP! Or we’re exposed!*

Ophelia studied Nefu’s tense face, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips.

“Is that so? But… I have a feeling, little Nefu… you’re not telling me the whole truth~”