"Alice-san, I've been waiting for an opportunity."
Alwyn slurred, stumbling toward her.
Alice stepped back, but he kept advancing like a zombie in heat.
"Ah, Alice-san. You smell so good. You look so sexy. Ahh, just let me hold you for a moment."
He moaned, rubbing his crotch harder as he moved closer.
Alice stumbled back further, and Alwyn closed in on her.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Alice-san, I swear on my mother's name. I just want to talk to you privately."
He panted, coming to a stop a few meters away, breathing heavily like a dog deprived of water for days.
Alice felt disgusted by the man.
When she first met him, Alwyn had been a proud elf, dressed elegantly with the aura of someone who conspired in the shadows like the young masters from novels.
But now he looked like a total wreck.
His hair was a mess, his clothes were disheveled, and he looked like he was out of breath all the time, as if he hadn't slept in a week.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Alice demanded.
"I've... I've got to say it... I can't wait any longer. I can't stand seeing that vile human steal you away from me. He's just a pervert who lusts after you like any other man!"
"You! How dare you call my Honey Bun a pervert! He's the best thing that has happened to me in this world!"
She yelled, anger boiling inside her.
'How can a pervert like him call my Honey Bun a pervert. He's sweet and caring towards me!'
"Your Honey Bun? That foul human is just using you, Alice-san! He's a pervert! A filthy monster that doesn't deserve to be in the same space as you!"
"Let me guess, you think you are the right one for me, huh? Is that it?"
Alice shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes! Finally, you understand. I'm the only one who deserves you. My father is an archduke in my world. If you're with me, you could be the next archduchess, Alice-san."
Alwyn said, a triumphant smile on his face.
"What are you even thinking? Like, what did you think when you came to me with this idea of yours? Do you even see me as a person with feelings?"
Alice asked incredulously, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
Alwyn frowned, confused by Alice's reaction.
"But... but I'm the right one for you, Alice-san. I know... I just know it in my heart—No! Please don't leave."
'Why should I hold back? This is a game where anything can happen. I'm free to do anything. I'm not gonna let a vile human like Kaisen steal her from me.'
Alice felt movement behind her and quickly turned around.
Her eyes widened as Alwyn's hand clamped over her mouth, pressing her against a tree.
Her eyes trembled with fear and disgust as she saw him up close.
He truly had a deranged look, like someone desperate to get what he wanted.
"I just want to talk for a moment, Alice-san..."
He whispered in her ear, making her shudder in revulsion.
The way his eyes scanned her body reminded her of those creepy old men back in her world.
"Let's go somewhere those mongrels won't find us, alright? He he he..."
She tried to scream, but it came out muffled. Tears started to form in her eyes.
'Honey Bun... please help...'
...
By the time Kaisen got back to the camp, the sky was already darkening.
Rain was still a few hours away, but the night gave him the creeps.
It felt like someone or something was watching him closely.
He couldn't see anyone around, but he couldn't shake off that feeling.
Sable and Maximus were lighting up the campfire. Although Kaisen was the first to leave, they had arrived before him.
'Ah, I must've taken my sweet time walking here.'
Sable looked away shyly, while Maximus, filled with nervous energy, nodded his head and focused on the campfire.
They both knew what that gaze meant.
He went straight to his tree cave and found Llyod sleeping inside.
It was unusual for Llyod to sleep at this hour, but more importantly, Alice was nowhere in sight.
As Kaisen exited the cave, his hand grazed the doorframe, and a small splinter lodged itself in his finger.
Blood started to drip from the wound.
"What the fuck!"
He exclaimed, staring at the blood flowing freely from his finger.
A sudden, unsettling feeling settled in his gut like it was saying something bad is about to happen.