The moment Karl’s lips met the beautiful woman’s, she froze in utter shock.

What is he doing?!

This brat’s taking advantage to molest her!!!!

Just then, Karl whispered into her ear:

“Hide your sword. This kiss blocks your face. We’re pretending to have a secret tryst—they’ll leave the second they see us.”

“………………"

Stunned for a heartbeat, she quickly slipped her blade into a crate gap and played along.

Her kissing skills, though… abysmal. She didn’t even know how to use her tongue.

Karl rated the kiss three points total: one for her looks, one for her aura, one for cooperating.

As they kissed, the twin guards arrived behind them.

“You two—stop!!! Seen anyone suspicious come in?!”

Their shout jolted Karl. *Can’t you read the room?! I’m mid-tryst—shouldn’t you just turn and leave?!*

But since they’d asked, Karl turned with a smile:

“Aren’t you Roy and Rod? What brings you here?”

Behind him, the woman ducked her head, tightened her coat, and shrank shyly behind Karl.

“Karl?! You’ve got a beauty like Freya at home—still sneaking around with others?!” Roy, slightly taller, eyed him with suspicion.

As the city lord’s guards, they knew Karl—the son-in-law who married into the family.

Karl chuckled awkwardly. “Shh—! Don’t say my name. Wildflowers smell sweeter than the ones in your own garden, right?”

Roy and Rod exchanged glances, then pressed sternly:

“Seen anyone suspicious?”

“Nope. Just me and her in the warehouse the whole time.”

Their brows furrowed. “Strange… we saw them flee this way.”

“Could they have escaped?”

Though they seemed convinced, doubt lingered.

Curious, Karl asked, “What happened?”

Rod, the shorter twin, replied gravely: “Someone infiltrated the mansion—stole a critical document, wounded the city lord. Only his life-saving magic artifact saved him.”

Karl went numb.

Holy crap—stealing documents, assassinating the lord?!

You’re the textbook villainess!!!!

Even Freya would call you “big sister” if she saw you now!

“This can’t wait! Tell me her features—I’ll help hunt her down!” Karl’s face burned with righteous fury, acting flawless.

Roy hesitated, then pointed at the woman behind Karl:

“We didn’t see her face clearly… only that she wore boots… *just like hers*.”

Ice shot down Karl’s spine.

Roy and Rod raised their broadswords. “Karl—how do you know her? Make her look up.”

Karl stepped between them. “Th-this isn’t right! She’s shy… and given our situation, if strangers see her…”

“Step aside!” they demanded in unison, reaching for him—

*Shing!*

The woman yanked her sword from the crates.

Her blade slashed toward the twins. They blocked instantly.

She flicked her wrist—a green wind blade shot at Roy.

Roy ignited his blade. “Blazing Slash!”

Flames roared, shattering the wind.

Rod followed, frost swirling on steel. “Frost Slash!”

Fire and ice clashed mid-air, sparks and ice shards flying.

Their coordination was seamless—strike after strike, no breathing room.

Yet she held her ground. Wind blades sliced flames and frost; shadows beneath her feet twisted into shadow blades, striking their silhouettes.

Shadow magic. Harmless to the body, but each hit drained a segment of their mana bar.

Karl gaped.

Damn! Weren’t you poisoned?! Weak?!

How are you fighting two peak Golden-tier experts alone?!

This is impossible!!!!

Wait… if she’s this strong, why did I see that death flag?!

Her movements slowed.

Blades bit into her skin. Flames licked her hair; ice locked her legs.

Leaning on her sword, bloodied but defiant, she glared at them.

*I can’t die… I must deliver it… the mission isn’t over!!!*

But strength faded.

Tripped up at the final hurdle—her life now rested in the twins’ hands.

Then—*thud*.

A perfectly round sphere dropped between them.

*BOOM!*

White powder exploded, blinding all three.