Mmmmmmm~~~~

Torina dashed into her room straight from the pool, towel wrapped tight. She snatched paper and pen, scribbling down every fragment of the original novel she could recall—no detail too small.

“Past life… it’s just a past-life memory. So many details are fuzzy… and I never read it closely anyway… Whatever I remember, I’ll write it all down!”

*The One Who Was Kicked Out of the Party Is Actually Invincible* was a quintessential Western fantasy “kicked-out” Dragon Overlord novel.

Flimsy characters, a plot spun on the fly, cliché power-ups and face-slaps, world-building full of contradictions—but it racked up insane clicks and even got a physical release. Why? Its combat, dungeon crawls, and “hiding strength while pretending weak” scenes were genuinely gripping. Plus, perfect timing. No wonder it blew up.

The protagonist? Mirore Sistem. Classic setup: illegitimate son of a nobleman and his commoner mistress, living in poverty after his mother was cast out. One day, he found a magical ring. Guided by an ancient ultra-tech AI inside (a cheat system, basically), he became an adventurer, climbing the ranks. Dragon Overlord style: flaunting power, slapping faces, pretending weak, gathering a harem… you know the drill.

The more Torina recalled, the heavier her mood sank.

Mirore Sistem.

Coincidence?

Her Shepherd Moon Adventurers had a commoner named Milora Sistem—same age, hair color, eye color.

In the novel, the protagonist was recruited by a team of rich kids as cheap labor alongside another commoner. Daily chores, constant bullying.

Milora’s story mirrored it. Three months ago, Torina (pre-awakening, personality wildly different) hired her just for grunt work. Milora was routinely picked on by the team’s rich girls… Torina never joined in, but her past self never cared either. She bore responsibility.

“Wait… ‘three months ago’? Yabai! Yabai…”

In the story, exactly three months in, incidents triggered his expulsion—and his return as a full-blown Dragon Overlord.

“I think… he left his post during a dungeon run. The leader got attacked by a griffin, fell into a coma. That sparked everything… Ew!”

Griffin attack. Leader in a coma.

That happened to Torina—*one week ago*! Days had already passed!

“Three triggers in the original! First: negligence causing leader’s injury. Second: teammates ganging up. Third: loot dispute after a boss fight!”

First incident: done.

Second… was probably… happening… *right now*.

“Boss! Where’s the boss?!”

“Eh? Coming, coming! What do you need, Miss Torina…?”

“A carriage! Fastest one available!”

“Right now?!”

“Get it NOW!”

The current Dragon Overlord—ah, no, *Phoenix Overlord*—was still budding. If she intervened before Milora fully awakened… maybe she could still turn the tide—

——————————

——————————

Welcome to Garden Town.

Nestled in southern Central Continent on Greenwood Kingdom’s border, Garden Town sprawled across rolling hills and dense woods. Sweltering in winter, scorching in summer. Flies and mosquitoes swarmed; venomous snakes and leeches slithered everywhere. The “perfect” vacation spot (yeah, right).

Luckily, it bordered Amana Forest—a massive labyrinth teeming with resources. Adventurers and merchants flocked here. Wealth poured in. Nobles and merchants built bizarrely lavish inns and taverns overnight.

At the town’s grandest inn, first-floor restaurant—

Two girls sipped afternoon tea in the VIP section.

Patti, an elf archer with light golden curls. Lachesis, a human Holy Word mage with long pink hair.

“Such a quiet afternoon… only us drinking tea,” Patti murmured, stirring honey into her cup.

“Half the team’s upstairs ‘judging’ Milora. They’re dead set on kicking her out,” Lachesis said, nibbling a croissant.

“No surprise. They’ve hated her forever—especially Marianne and Lilith.”

“Leader’s classmates and yes-girls. With Torina possibly returning soon, they’re rushing to prove themselves… Your thoughts, Patti?”

“Mmm…”

Patti paused, then offered an innocent-looking smile. “Bullying’s wrong. But honestly? Milora leaving might be best—for her and us. Right, Lachesis?”

“I avoid messy drama. I miss the leader. A whole week without… leader energy. So lonely.”

“…Is that why you stole her socks to *filter* tea?”

“Not brew. *Filter*.”

Lachesis calmly used a crumpled silk stocking to strain her red tea, repeating the motion. She added milk and sugar, stirred gently.

“This tea has coarse and fine grades. Ratio controls aroma and strength. Filtering refines texture. Nylon fabric? Perfect substitute.”

“Then buy your own. Why steal her worn pair?”

“So I taste the warmth of her skin.”

“Just admit you’re a pervert…”

“Oh, rude. Call me a *lady*.”

Lachesis sipped blissfully. Patti looked revolted.

“Shall I tell Torina?”

“I’ll kill you.”

“Scary.”

“But when will she return? Next time, I want her long gloves… Ah, Torina’s hands rival her legs. Most refined human I’ve seen—always sexy yet dignified. Her style? Absolutely—”

CRASH!!!!!!

A carriage yanked by two lizard-horses (half-horse, half-lizard beasts famed for speed and terrain mastery) skidded violently into the inn’s flowerbed. Dust exploded. The girls coughed. Pedestrians gasped. From the haze emerged a figure—tall, curvaceous, stunning—

“Cough… cough… I-I’m back…”

*Wild Torina appeared!*

Wind-swept hair slicked into a bizarre pompadour. Dust smudged her flushed cheeks. Swimsuit hastily covered by a travel cloak. Left sandal strap snapped. Right shoe gone. Bare foot pressed to dirt.

“………………”

Lachesis’s teacup slipped, shattering with a *clang*. Tea splashed across the floor.

Torina ignored them. She seized their shoulders, voice raw with urgency:

“Where’s Milora?! WHERE IS SHE?! TELL ME!!!!!!”