"Pick her up! Do I have to spell it out for you?!" Caro watched Arnold hesitate, clearly unsure what to do with Karin lying motionless on the ground. Something felt off about him today—after all, he’d carried *her* without a second thought before.

She glanced down at her own flat chest, then at Karin’s well-proportioned figure hugged tightly by her outfit. *Ah.*

So that was it. Because she was flat-chested and Karin… wasn’t. Carrying her would mean all sorts of… sensations.

"What a pathetic virgin. His fantasies are seriously gross," Caro muttered. Arnold flinched, stung but confused by her logic.

Caro sighed. "You can’t seriously expect my petite frame to carry her. Does she even weigh a hundred pounds?"

"…Probably? Judging by the impact of her strikes when she fell," Arnold replied earnestly.

Subtly, Caro thought she saw the girl on the ground shiver. *My imagination?*

"Exactly~ My harp’s only thirty or forty pounds, and *you* struggle with that. How am I lifting a hundred-pound girl?" Caro shot him a deadpan look.

Under her pointed gaze, Arnold finally hoisted Karin onto his back.

"You said ‘settle her somewhere’…"

"Just book her a room at some inn for a day or two. She lost the fight, right? If she wants to stay longer, she pays," Caro said casually. "But seriously—genuinely dense or faking it?"

Walking side by side, Caro studied Arnold’s face with probing curiosity.

Arnold blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Isn’t it obvious? *She* likes you."

Caro blurted it out bluntly. Unnoticed by them, a faint blush dusted the cheeks of the girl on Arnold’s back.

Arnold stared, stunned. "Why would you think that?"

"?" Caro tilted her head. "Wait, it’s *that* obvious. Even an outsider sees it."

A quiet ache bloomed in Arnold’s chest. The girl he liked hadn’t noticed his feelings—and now assumed another girl did. *But… does that mean she thinks I’m… attractive?*

No room for misunderstanding. He spoke firmly: "You don’t know her. That she ‘likes me’ is absolutely impossible."

*Is he serious?* Caro checked his face—zero joking vibes.

"Let me be clear," Arnold hesitated, then continued. "I sensed killing intent. Without that faint thread of intent, I wouldn’t have fought her. She’s strong—*really* strong. Not once did she land a hit on me."

"Showing off? You know arrogance invites lightning, right?"

Arnold shook his head. "It’s not pride. I *dared not* let her touch me. Even with dragon-blooded resilience and high toxin resistance—if she’d made contact, I’d have lost. That’s why I hesitated to carry her. If she weren’t unconscious… I might be stabbed right now."

A cold bead of sweat traced Caro’s temple. "No way?"

"Killing intent is subtle… but it only blooms when someone truly intends to kill. As adventurers, as warriors—we *never* ignore it. She came to kill me. I’m certain."

*Did I misread her? Love-turned-hatred type? Way too dangerous.*

"Arnold," Caro said slowly. "I have a suggestion."

"Hmm?"

"Since we’re in this park… dig a hole. Finish her. Bury her. She’s a liability." Caro’s tone was utterly reasonable. *Can’t get knifed while spectating. Thought she’d turn into a loyal puppy post-"conquest," but—yandere? Hard pass.*

"You’re serious?"

"Do I *look* like I’m joking? If blood splatters on me, who do I complain to? You guys are all terrifying. My petite frame can’t handle this."

Honestly? Her logic held.

But… years of teamwork. Arnold still hesitated.

"…I’m still awake," Karin croaked. *Gotta speak up, or I’m literally getting buried today.*

Arnold set her down instantly. Caro yelped and darted behind him like a startled rabbit.

"…I genuinely can’t move. No need to guard so hard," Karin sighed from the ground at the two jerks. "I won’t attack again."

"…*She* says that," Caro murmured, eyes flicking to Arnold for judgment.

Arnold nodded. "Words mean little to assassins. Lying is second nature to them."

"*I—*" Karin genuinely wanted to stab him.

"Fine," she added quickly. "If you fear a backstab… carry me facing you? Then you’d see any move coming."

"Oh~ *Princess carry*," Caro grinned, instantly decoding Karin’s scheme. "She’s got a point. Your call, Arnold?"

*I wouldn’t mind…* Arnold almost said it. Instead, he sighed. "Fine. Let’s do it."

Karin’s wish granted.

"Wait," Caro piped up. "Miss Karin—you said *you* got expelled too? Because of Arnold? If so… killing intent makes sense."

*It’s YOU I want to stab…* Karin met Caro’s curious gaze but stayed silent.

"Huh? *You* were expelled?!" Arnold’s shock was genuine. "Why? Did you mess up? You’re *stronger* now!"

"…After you left, the team lacked a frontliner. Heroic Rank warriors had their own squads. Brave Rank members weren’t enough. Cassipero judged the Demonhunt Squad had ample damage dealers—so she expelled me too, shifting to dual frontliners. Output stays stable. Demon-hunting efficiency preserved."

It made sense. Arnold and Caro exchanged a glance. Cassipero’s call was… correct.

"Still… it *is* my fault you lost your spot," Arnold said, guilt tingeing his voice. "But teams like Moonshadow Squad invited you before, right? Plenty of options."

"I’m tired," Karin whispered. She tugged lightly at Arnold’s collar. "I just… wanted to see you. Ask how *you* felt. Only when *I* got expelled did I understand… How do you cope? How are you…?"

"Then… the killing intent…?"

"Why are you so *happy*?!" Tears spilled down her cheeks in his arms. "I thought you’d be broken like me—I thought… But you’re smiling. You have friends… I have *nothing*…"

*Ah—she’s crying.*

Arnold and Caro saw it in each other’s eyes.

Caro stepped back fast, shooting Arnold a look: *"Not my fault. You fix it."*

Caro had zero skills for crying girls. Back in her rich-kid days? Gifts or goodbye. But Karin wasn’t that type.

Arnold’s eyes widened—*betrayed*—then softened as he watched Karin sob.

Honestly? Helpless.

He realized sharply: *I still have so much to learn about girls. What if… Caro cried in my arms someday?*

Thankfully, the tears drained Karin’s last strength. Her breathing evened into deep sleep. Both sighed in relief.

"Girls are such a hassle," Caro grumbled. "Crying over this—I recall *you* cried drunk too, Arnold?"

"You cried too! What about?"

"How would *I* know? I was blackout drunk!"

"Then I don’t know either."

They looked at each other—and burst out laughing.

Caro patted Arnold’s shoulder. "C’mon. Settle her. Boss’ll rage if we’re late. I *am* a dedicated employee, y’know."

"Mm. If anything happens… you hide first."

"The Ancient Spirit Tree incident?"

"Yeah. Guild’ll react. No telling who’s coming to this city. Stay sharp today."