After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Returning to this familiar villa, but only as a guest.

Lin Da felt a subtle mood.

After pressing the doorbell several times, the door opened a few seconds later.

"In person, you're even more handsome than on the screen," said the blond, squint-eyed swordsman, sizing him up with an appreciative gaze.

Lin Da felt a chill run down his spine.

Where did this boy come from?

Why was he at Snow Goose's villa?

"I won't disturb you any longer." The blond swordsman stepped out of the entrance hall, brushing past Lin Da, and headed towards an armored luxury carriage by the door.

The horse was a Green-Faced Ghost Horse worth half a million in gold, a level 25 Magical Creature. Lin Da had wondered whose "The Treasure Horse" was when he arrived, and here was its owner.

Aiko arrived late in her Magic Wheelchair.

Gazing at the carriage disappearing into the night, Lin Da asked with confusion, "Aiko, who was that?"

"My elder brother, a bit off in the head. He looks like a boy but is really a 'demon' of an elder brother," Aiko said resentfully.

Lin Da nodded and did not ask further.

"Lia has been returned to you."

He entered the living room and laid the unconscious Lia on the sofa.

"I watched your adventure team's live strategy session," Aiko said with a smile, "Congratulations on the Phoenix Tail Flower's successful conquest of the Epic Monster."

Lin Da: "Thank you."

"Oh, I made some chicken soup and snacks, take them with you to eat," Aiko walked towards the kitchen.

"No, I dare not drink your chicken soup anymore," Lin Da said awkwardly.

"This time I didn't add anything, it's really tasty!" Aiko pouted pitifully, "You don't trust me anymore."

"That's not what I meant," Lin Da pondered, "Aiko, we're just old teammates, don't think too much into it."

After Lin Da rejected Aiko's confession, their relationship became somewhat awkward.

Lin Da thought it was best to stay away from Aiko, to avoid more confusion.

At home, he had a jealous werewolf.

Getting too close to girls from outside the team could easily lead to disharmony within.

It was better to make it clear to Aiko.
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They were just ordinary old teammates and nothing more would come of it.

Aiko was silent for a while.

"I know," the girl said, her eyes brimming with tears, "Why would you misunderstand me? I just thought you must be tired after fighting those Magical Creatures; having some chicken soup would be replenishing. Isn't that allowed?"

"But I really don't lack chicken soup at home," Lin Da sighed, "Aiko, don't set your heart on me. You should focus on helping Lia and work together to make Snow Goose an excellent adventure team."

Lia...

Again with Lia.

Aiko clenched her teeth, her cheeks trembling with anger.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Da hurriedly took his leave and drove the carriage out of the neighborhood.

The door of the villa was left open, and Aiko stood by the shoe rack in the entrance hall, staring blankly at Lin Da's figure as it disappeared into the night.

The pearls in the girl's eyes could no longer be held back, and they fell, drip by drip.

"Why, oh why? Lin Da is just my prey; how can prey make me cry?" Aiko sobbed, rubbing her eyes with her sleeve.

If the lights in Klrona's upstairs room hadn't been on, Aiko would have burst into loud sobs.

Even she didn't know if this was an act.

When Lin Da said his home didn't lack chicken soup, Aiko felt as if there was a hole in her chest, sour and acrid, so uncomfortable she wanted to vomit out the bread she ate at noon.

Aiko stood lost in thought at the entrance.

The girl under the light and the darkness outside the villa seemed to be separated by a line.

But, at some point, this boundary blurred rapidly. The darkness outside seemed to come alive, transforming into a viscous mire that climbed the steps, entered the hallway, and slowly crawled to Aiko's feet, grabbing her ankle.

The same black fog that once disappeared at the Adventurers' Guild surfaced again in Aiko's eyes. Like dye into a lake, it eroded every inch of clean space.

A seductive whisper rang in Aiko's ear: "What you can't have, let no one else have!"

Aiko's gaze was hollow as she stared blankly at Lia, who lay on the sofa, drunk and unconscious. More specifically, at Lia's vulnerable neck.

The black fog in her eyes churned, which seemed to affect Aiko's sanity, igniting a fierce jealousy within her:

Why is it always Lia who gets the attention, this red-haired dwarf, how is she better than me?

In Lin Da's eyes, it was always Lia, never her.

Damn it, damn it all.

Aiko bit her own index finger, her bones cracking audibly. Fingers connected to the heart, but she felt none of the drilling pain; the black fog in her eyes spread like an enveloping cloud.

She threw down her Magic Wheelchair, propped up her weak legs, and staggered toward Lia. She reached out her hand, slowly grasping towards Lia's defenseless, pale, fragile neck...

Aiko didn't know what she was doing, a voice booming in her head: Get rid of the nuisance Lia, and Lin Da will notice you!

Lin Da will transfer all the affection he gives to Lia onto you.

If only there were no Lia...!

A twisted smile appeared on Aiko's face, devoid of any gentleness or kindness associated with a Holy Mage, her visage resembling that of a demon capable of terrifying adults.

—Just at that moment.

Lia, in her drunken slumber, muttered softly, "We will all become the strongest adventure team together."

"Don't leave... nobody is allowed to leave."

Gleaming tears trickled from the corner of Lia's eyes.

Leaving a clear streak on the girl's face.

This slight change dissipated the black fog in Aiko's eyes.

Wait... what am I doing?

Aiko looked at her hands, confused.

Was she about to strangle Lia just now?

That's insane.

Aiko's expression changed.

She hated Lia, sure.

But not to the extent of wanting to kill her.

At most, she would sneak out the cake Lia had hidden away and bring it to the team meeting table for an early reveal, making Lia die of embarrassment.

Killing Lia was something Aiko knew she absolutely couldn't do, upon deep reflection.

Probably because Bervis had forced her to study all day, her mind was muddled.

Aiko sighed.

She looked at Lia on the sofa, her gaze flickering.

The drunken Lia presented a good opportunity...

Aiko leaned in close to Lia's ear and asked in a gentle tone, "Tell me, what's your Savings Card password?"

Lia: "123456."

Aiko tried it, and the password was correct.

"Now tell me, how would you rate Holy Mage Aiko?"

She planned to take advantage of Lia's sleep to give her a fierce interrogation.

To make this stubborn oddball spill the truth!

Lia, slurring: "I think Aiko... uh, is sly, I don't like it."

So that's how you see me.

Aiko thought angrily.

"But,"

Lia continued:

"Aiko is my friend."

"I, the young miss, will protect her."

Even in her dreams, Lia's tone was firm.