"Thank you."

Nefu picked up the milk and glanced at Amy. Sensing her gaze, Amy slightly turned her head and smiled.

"What’s wrong, Miss Nefu? Aren’t you going to drink it?"

For some reason, when Amy spoke, a chill ran down Nefu’s spine—as if a predator were watching her from the shadows. She’d only felt this once before… with Ophelia. Though Amy’s identity was suspicious, Nefu couldn’t rule out Ophelia’s hidden surveillance.

"I’ll drink it."

Nefu pinched her little nose and downed the milk in one gulp.

Amy watched, then asked curiously, "Miss Nefu, why pinch your nose while drinking?"

Nefu turned. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on Amy’s lips. Nefu stayed on guard.

"I simply don’t like the taste."

"Oh? At Bartlan Tavern, I once tried milk wine—it was quite good. What a pity you can’t enjoy it," Amy said with mild regret.

Unbeknownst to Amy, those words shook Nefu’s certainty. *Bartlan Tavern?* Nefu frowned. Ophelia would never go there—let alone drink. Yet Amy named it precisely. The truth grew murky again. *Is she really Amy?* Tossing the empty bottle aside, doubt flickered in Nefu’s eyes. Only time would tell.

She waved dismissively. "Rest’s over. Let’s go."

Monsters in the Dungeon weren’t strong, but plentiful. Nefu had never found her kin so annoying—popping up every few steps, forcing constant stops. She’d considered releasing her aura to scare them off, but with Amy’s identity unconfirmed, she dared not expose herself. Trapped, she relied solely on magic. By dusk, even a monster like Nefu felt dizzy and drained.

Finally reaching the lakeside on Floor 29, she tossed her wooden staff aside and plopped onto the ground under the faint glow of ceiling glowstones. *This exhaustion… all because of Ophelia’s Slave Contract.* Without it, this journey wouldn’t have been so grueling.

"Miss Nefu, some roasted meat from this morning remains. Would you like it?" Amy offered a charred piece of beast meat with a smile.

"No. I want bread." Nefu held out her hand like a spoiled child.

"Alright, alright," Amy sighed, rummaging through her pack—

"Amy, my shoulders are sore. Massage them." Nefu patted her shoulders, recalling Ophelia’s actions yesterday.

"Huh?!" Amy choked out a disbelieving sound. *Has the world turned upside down?! How dare this brat order me around?!*

"M-Miss Nefu, I’m tired too—how about—"

"No. Refuse, and I end our partnership." Nefu cut her off, unusually willful.

"Fine… fine."

Behind Nefu, Amy’s face twitched. A throbbing vein pulsed on her forehead; her flushed, purplish expression screamed suppressed rage.

"Too hard. Lighten up."

"Too soft. Did you skip meals?"

Nefu issued commands in a flat, noble-like tone. *Infuriating!* Amy’s temples throbbed. *Where did she learn this?!*

*Gnash… gnash…*

Nefu jerked her head up. "What’s wrong, Miss Nefu?"

"Teeth grinding nearby. Monsters approaching."

"…"

*Should I just bite her?* Amy thought, seething. (The "grinding" was her own teeth, clenched in fury.)

"Strange… no monsters visible."

"Then where’s the sound from?" Nefu muttered, oblivious to Amy’s white-knuckled fists.

"Miss Nefu, urgent matter—I’ll be right back!" Amy forced a strained smile and fled before Nefu could reply.

*Why’s her voice shaking?* Nefu wondered.

As she stood to stretch—BOOM! Fire and lightning magic erupted in the distance, shattering trees, hurling splinters skyward. Nefu paled. *What’s happening?!*

Just then, Amy emerged from the bushes, cheeks flushed, breathing easy.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. Just… let off steam. Feeling much better now. Phew~"

Nefu blinked. *Let off steam? Why?*

…

Unseen by them, their figures shimmered within a crystal ball in a secluded chamber of the Adventurers Guild headquarters. A black-robed man watched intently.

After a silence, he turned to an elder behind him. "Master… should we really not intervene? Her presence is unfair to the participants."

"Sure," the elder replied, voice laced with dry amusement. "Go ahead. We both know exactly what she’s capable of."

"…Alright."

*With her around…* The man sighed inwardly, silently praying the tournament would proceed smoothly.