And so, Milora Sistem once again became a member of the Shepherd Moon Adventurers.

Congratulations, congratulations!

Her strength remained limited, but given her status as the original protagonist blessed with plot armor, Torina’s guidance would surely help her grow swiftly.

Torina was in an exceptionally good mood.

The original novel, *The One Who Quit the Team Is Actually Invincible*, lived up to its name—everything began with the resignation. If even that initial “quitting” plot point was erased, nothing afterward would matter.

No triumphant return and brutal revenge. No team leader cast out by her family. No teammates suddenly unlocking overpowered abilities… All of it hinged on the protagonist leaving. Without that trigger, the story collapsed.

Yay!!!!

Only one issue remained: Mylora’s severed pinky. Losing it severely hindered swordplay. No one here knew high-tier regeneration magic, so a prosthetic was the only option.

(Thinking it over… maybe I don’t need to worry about my uniquely gifted teammates anymore? Annawiel possessed by an ancient dragon? Naji turning into a fallen Judgment Angel? Ranifi becoming an ancient demon spirit? Lindas transforming into a labyrinth? None of that should happen now… right?)

Truly wonderful.

Now, just focus on building the team, earn some glory, and wait for the old man to pass on—then claim her rightful inheritance.

But…

There was still one shadow lurking.

Patti the elf.

In the original story, the author granted the elf a different kind of cheat: others received sudden power-ups, but Patti got a sudden identity reveal—“this seemingly innocent elf had long been a top assassin of a shadowy guild,” followed immediately by her unleashing lethal skills against the protagonist.

The real question: *When* exactly did “long been” happen? Before the story began? Or shortly after the protagonist quit?

That frustrating author’s vague wording left it uncertain.

If it was the latter—Patti stumbled into the guild post-resignation, gained power, became a master assassin—that was avoidable.

But if it was the former… this sweet, pure-looking elf girl had already been a sleeper agent *before joining the team*. Her innocence? All an act.

Keeping someone like that nearby… Torina wouldn’t sleep soundly.

She stole a glance at Patti’s dreamlike face, golden-thread hair, delicate pointed ears, slender frame. Could *this* girl really be a cold-blooded killer? Had she already joined the guild by now?

“Captain? Why keep staring at me?” Patti noticed.

“Ah—nothing!” Torina quickly looked away.

Another puzzle nagged her: Why had Marian and Lilia suddenly snapped, returned for revenge, and unlocked powers early?

Mmm…

No clue.

Maybe just a tiny ripple from her reincarnated actions. Don’t overthink it…

—————

To fix Mylora’s finger, Torina gathered Ranifi, Lindas, and Lachesis.

After explaining the need, Ranifi frowned.

“A fake finger? That grips a sword firmly?”

“Hard?”

“Pfft! Do you know who I am?” Ranifi puffed her chest proudly—a chest so flat it stood out even for a loli build. “Piece of cake! But… not really my style. My family crafts heavy weapons. This tiny thing feels… finicky.”

“That’s why I brought backup.” Torina clapped Lindas and Lachesis on the shoulders like a seasoned leader. “Lindas, stop slacking. Show me that Metal Mentor skill—super rare profession, right?”

“Ugh… so troublesome… tiring…”

“And Lachesis—you mentioned alchemy on your resume?”

“Just a little.”

“Perfect. I’m counting on you!”

“As payment… can I wash your clothes this month?”

“? Did you mix that up?”

“Nope. Serving you is my honor.”

“…Fine. If you insist.”

“But wait,” Ranifi cut in. “What *exactly* should this prosthetic do? Just hold a sword? Or… more?”

“Mmm, let me think 🤔”

Everyone knows—in light novels and anime, losing a limb means an upgrade is coming. A prosthetic = new power. So…

“First: super sturdy. Rock-solid.”

“Okay, what else? Say it all.”

“Super flexible. Better than a real finger.”

“Hmm. Then?”

“Size-adjustable? Diameter and length change on command—bigger, smaller.”

“Uh… huh?”

“Shape-shifting too! Not just finger-shaped—cone, sphere, gourd…”

“Huh??”

“Mobility upgrades: spin like a drill, thrust like a piston, bend like a tentacle, sprout spikes like a sea urchin.”

“Huh? Huh huh huh???”

“Space for runes: fire for heat, water for spray, lightning for shock + vibration.”

“Huh huh huh huh huh?????”

“And more…”

Torina’s mind raced with Transformers, Beast Wars, GaoGaiGar—transformable mecha were eternal romance, so cute! Giving Mylora this would be *epic*.

Ranifi and Lindas, however, were imagining something… very different.

“What the heck are you asking me to build!?” Ranifi finally snapped.

“Huh? Something ultra-cool, obviously!”

“‘Cool’!?” Even Lindas choked.

That… *suggestive* gadget was “ultra-cool” to her??

“Can’t make it?”

“O-of course I can! I’m just… a little embarrassed!”

“Embarrassed? Nah. Mylora’ll love it.”

“You’re *sure* she’ll like it!? Who’s she supposed to use this on!?”

“Enemies, duh.”

“Enemies meaning…”

“Well… when she first gets it, I’ll spar with her. Let her test it on me.”

“You’ll *personally* test it!?!”

Ranifi stumbled back, nearly crying, “Why did Mom even have me?!”

After a long silence, she muttered:

“…Boss. Truly the boss. You insatiable woman… Your appetite and guts leave me in awe. Fine. We’ll build it. I trust you can handle it.”

“Thanks! Payment won’t be shortchanged!”

Lachesis barely held back a laugh.

Torina was amazing. Adorable. Fascinating.

Earlier, she’d secretly guided Marian and Lilia to awaken their powers—and Torina Dewell delivered a spectacular battle.

How many more surprises would Torina Dewell bring?

So thrilling… 💕