[Author''s Note: I apologize sincerely, My Readers. I had anticipated that the privileged process might require 5 to 7 days, yet to my pleasant surprise, it concluded within a mere day..... Sigh, I deeply regret not informing you all before transitioning to a non-premium status.


    Anyhow, Continue to support me guys ??]


    "We should run!!" Aether''s voice was urgent as he grabbed Ste''s shoulder, his sudden aggressiveness startling her.


    But before Aether could make a move, the unexpected happened.


    ''CHUKK''


    With astonishing ease, ke''s team dispatched the huge Slime Monster, their actions swift and effortless... Easy Peasy Quick and Lazy!!


    "Huh?" Aether''s expression was a mixture of disbelief and confusion as he watched the massive creature dissolve like moltenva under the de of a sword. It was as if reality had suddenly shifted, leaving him feeling utterly inadequate.


    "..." Aether''s mouth hung open, but no words escaped, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. He felt like a fool for his panicked reaction, a stark reminder of his own inadequacy in this new world.


    As the group began to move on, oblivious to Aether''s inner turmoil, Ste turned to him with a quizzical expression, "Mr. Kai?" she queried, sensing his distress.


    Unable to contain his bewilderment, Aether finally spoke up. "I-Is that monster really so easy to defeat?"


    "Oh! You haven''t encountered any nk monsters, have you?" Ste''s question cut through his thoughts, and as he remained silent, she pieced together the situation. With an awkward smile, she exined, "Well, creatures without aptitude crystals are known as nk monsters. They''re rtively easy to kill, like slimes.


    While defeating them won''t improve your levels, they provide a safe opportunity for rookies to train and adapt."


    "...." Aether''s silence spoke volumes, his face burning with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. He couldn''t believe he had let fear dictate his actions, especially against such a seemingly.... punny opponent.


    Ste''s smile softened as she observed his flushed cheeks, her intuition guiding her to offer a gentle reassurance. Leaning in close, she whispered, "You might want to work on controlling your expressions... Even I could guess what you''re thinking."


    Though Aether was taken aback by her proximity, her soothing words had a calming effect on him. With a nod, he replied awkwardly, "Don''t worry, I''m still adjusting to these surroundings... It''ll take some time."


    Ste simply nodded her head and walked a little closer to Aether, their strides falling into sync as they traversed the forest together.


    To an outsider''s eyes, their proximity might have suggested a secret couple or ndestine lovers sharing intimate conversation. But Aether knew better. He understood that Ste''s ease around him stemmed from a sense offort rather than romantic affection. After all, he didn''t receive any kind of affection points from her after thest night.


    She was justfortable with him... that''s all!


    Yet, as they walked, Ste couldn''t help but steal a quick nce at Aether, her mind filled with questions about the man beside her.


    Do not mistake her intentions; she was merely pondering ''Why!''


    Yesterday, upon awakening to find herself face-to-face with a stranger ve, Ste had instinctively scanned her body with energy to check for any impurities.


    It wasn''t a matter of bias; rather, it was a stark acknowledgement of the harsh reality of their world.


    In a world where ves were often treated as little more than objects, their minds warped by the cruelty of their masters, trust was a raremodity. Ste knew better than to let her guard down, especially in the presence of a stray ve whose past was shrouded in uncertainty.


    She thought he hadmitted an unspeakable act against her while shey unconscious... If he had indeed done something to her, or vited her in any way, Ste knew she would not hesitate to take action. She was not one to suffer fools lightly, and any harm inflicted upon her would be met with swift and decisive retribution.... Kill him!!


    Ste''s surprise deepened as she recalled the ve''s unexpected disy of herbal knowledge. The makeshift wound sters he fashioned from leaves had nearly healed her wounds, a feat that went beyond the norm of their world, where healing potions were the standard remedy.


    It was a revtion that sparked a newfound curiosity within her. How had this ve acquired such knowledge of nts and their medicinal properties? The thought lingered in her mind, reminiscent of the.... Elves, who were renowned for their affinity with nature and mastery of herbal lore.


    Since that moment, Ste had made a concerted effort to test the ve''s character, to gauge his trustworthiness and assess whether he was truly worthy of her confidence. And with each passing test, he had exceeded her expectations, proving himself to be more than just trustworthy.


    When she inadvertently revealed that she knew the truth about his identity, she braced herself for his reaction, expecting him to resort to any means necessary to silence her. Yet, to her surprise, he remainedposed, handling the situation with a maturity that belied his circumstances.


    Even now, as they encountered a perceived threat in the form of a harmless monster, his first instinct was to protect her, grasping her firmly and urging her to flee to safety. At that moment, Ste couldn''t help but feel a surge of gratitude towards him.... She really was happy to find someone with a beautiful heart just like her.


    "Earth to Ste," came the voice, pulling Ste out of her thoughts. She turned to find Aether looking at her with a questioning expression.


    "Earth? What''s that?" Ste asked, genuinely curious.


    "H-Huh!! T-That is.... just a word to represent the... ground?" Aether replied awkwardly, his face flushing with embarrassment.


    Ste shrugged, assuming it was a local expression, and was about to inquire further when ke''s voice interrupted.


    "Stray ve," ke called out to Aether, causing the group toe to a halt.


    Aether and Ste stopped in their tracks, their attention drawn to the group surrounding them. There were seven members in total, three women and four men, forming a tight circle around them.


    "..." Aether''s expression twisted into a wry grimace as he stood protectively before Ste. Ste frowned, perplexed by ke and his team''s sudden blockade. They were still some distance away from the forest''s exit.


    "You see, you shouldn''t lower your guard in front of a stranger," ke stated sternly, drawing his sword and pointing it at Ste. "Miss, it''s evident that you''re associating with a Stray ve. So, just step away from him."


    "... W-What are you talk--" Ste began, but ke cut her off with a sharp interruption. "You really suck at lying," he remarked with a cold certainty.


    Then, turning his attention to Aether, ke''s voice hardened. "You have some nerve to run away from your Master. You know the consequences of such actions, right?"


    "--"


    "BASTARD!! CALL ME BY MY TITLE!!"


    ke''s roar reverberated through the forest, his anger casting a heavy tension over the group.


    Aether met ke''s furious gaze for a fleeting moment, his mind racing with the realization that now was not the time for pride or defiance. With the other men scrutinizing Ste intently, he knew he had to tread carefully.