He was only momentarily surprised by Lia’s words—never expecting her to suddenly turn and flee.

Su Hong sprinted out of the prison at full speed, yet not a trace of Lia remained. Having spent days in this world knowing nothing beyond the prison walls, he couldn’t even tell the roads apart. Frustration surged within him.

“Damn this luck! Why vanish *now*?! How can she run so fast—are you some kind of track star?”

As Su Hong muttered this, realization struck. *Lia* had captured him. *Lia* insisted on locking him up and opposing the guards!

Could it be… Lia was immune to that eerie misfortune?!

Anxiety tightening his chest, Su Hong scanned the area frantically. Just then, the warden and others finally caught up behind him.

Seeing Su Hong step out voluntarily, the warden nearly seized the chance to brush him off and urge a clean exit. But recalling Su Hong’s earlier warning, he swallowed the thought and obediently pointed toward the changing room.

“Lord Su Hong, Lia should be in there… but she—"

“At a time like *this*, what’s with the ‘but’?!” Su Hong snapped, temper flaring. “What about her?! Still pushing to fire her?!”

“N-no! I mean—" The warden shrank under Su Hong’s icy glare, shaking his head hastily. “N-nothing! Nothing at all!”

The group obediently stepped aside. Su Hong rushed to the door and rapped twice: *knock, knock*.

“Lia! Are you in there?”

His voice, muffled through the crack, startled Lia mid-removal of her light armor.

*That voice… Su Hong?!*

*H-he was locked up! How is he outside the changing room?!*

Confusion flashed—then fury.

*After just trying to reason with him… getting fired wasn’t enough? Now he’s chasing me down?!*

*How unreasonable!* Even if she couldn’t win, she’d fight him to the end!

Blind with rage, Lia snatched the Spirit Card Slot and Spirit Cards from the table—ready to confront him.

Then she glanced down.

*Light armor off… clothes off… only underwear left.*

Her face burned crimson. She scrambled for her clothes, fingers fumbling, unable to tell front from back.

Outside, silence. Su Hong knocked again—sharper this time.

Just as doubt crept in—*CRASH!* A chair toppled inside.

“What’s happening?! Lia’s in there! Why won’t she answer?!”

Su Hong recalled the guards’ words: *Lia’s family was poor. This job meant everything.*

And that crash…

“Damn it!!”

He stepped back, charged, and slammed his shoulder against the door.

*BANG!*

The door held. Pain shot through his shoulder—but he barely registered it. Only panic remained.

*If she dies because of my cursed luck… I’ll never forgive myself.*

Gritting his teeth, he backed up and rammed again.

Inside, Lia wiped damp tears from her eyes, panic flickering in her gaze.

*He’s breaking the door?! This is a changing room—he wouldn’t…*

Her hands trembled as she finally aligned her clothes.

*Beaten? Killed? I could endure that. But… humiliated?* Her eyes welled up again.

She clutched the Spirit Cards and Slot—ready to fight to the death the moment he burst in.

*CRASH!* The door gave way.

Su Hong, sprawled over the fallen wood, pushed up. “Lia! I won’t let anything—"

Before he finished, Lia—Spirit Card Slot cradled—manifested a cerulean sword wreathed in frosty mist. With a grief-stricken cry, she swung it down.

“DIE!! YOU SCUM!!”

Su Hong froze, eyes wide. *Why is she only in her underwear? Why is that sword growing larger?*

*Oh… it’s coming toward my head…*

*SIZZLE-POP!* Sparks erupted from the Slot.

*CRACK!* It exploded.

No lethal blast—but chaotic magic whipped upward, sending her underwear flying. The frosty sword shattered into mist.

Her full-force swing, now unopposed, sent her stumbling forward. Her empty fist hooked behind his neck; momentum flipped him down. As Su Hong fell, arms cushioning his head, Lia tumbled astride his waist.

Faces inches apart. Both frozen in identical shock.

Hearing “Die! Scum!”, the warden and crew rushed over—then halted, utterly bewildered.

Inside the room, Lia straddled Su Hong. Back turned, orange hair shielding most of her, but her bare, smooth shoulders left no doubt: she was completely naked.

*Minutes ago: furious. Seconds ago: screaming “scum.” Now… stripped bare, straddling him?*

Lia snapped to awareness—and spotted the onlookers. A pink flush spread across her skin.

Arms flew to cover her chest. She leaped behind the wall, then whipped a slender foot out, kicking Su Hong’s shoulder hard.

“You bastard! What did you do to my Spirit Card Slot?! GET OUT! DON’T LOOK!!”

“Ow! Ow! Stop kicking my—! I didn’t see your shoulders! Wait, I mean—"

“S-STOP! DON’T SPEAK! GET OUT—!!”