The changing room was narrow and suffocating, even the air felt crowded.
It was as if the very atmosphere exuded danger, like a deep, silent pond hiding unseen threats.
The only piece of cloth left on her body protected the most delicate part of the Elf Girl.
One of her hands slipped around Hualí’s back, tightly holding the petite figure.
Her knee pressed between the Elf Girl’s two pale thighs.
Their delicate faces were so close they might touch at any moment.
The warm breath from the Elf Girl’s straight nose brushed against Hualí’s white neck.
Where the cool skin met the hot, moist air, an unnatural flush quickly spread.
The mood between them might have seemed ambiguous—if not for the short blade glinting coldly under the overhead light, pressed against Hualí’s jade neck.
The sharp blade in the Elf Girl’s hand pressed tightly against Hualí’s carotid artery, its silver edge even slicing off a few strands of pink hair.
Hualí gulped.
Her lips trembled like a wavy line.
Hey, hey, hey!
Can someone please explain to her why even changing clothes could be a life-threatening event?!
“Guh…”
“Shut up!”
The Elf Girl’s beautiful eyes widened, brows knitting together as she hissed in a low voice.
“If you want to live, don’t make a single sound!”
Hualí nodded frantically.
Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!
I’ll do anything, just let me go!
Only after confirming Hualí had quieted down did the Elf Girl let out a long breath, shifting her focus to the crack in the door made when it was violently forced open, peering outside for information.
Outside, several Incubus led Demon Hounds through the shop, searching every corner.
Anywhere she’d been recently, leaving even a trace of scent, was thoroughly checked—even the carpet was lifted.
‘Woof——!’
Soon, a Demon Hound, following the strongest scent, stopped in front of the rickety changing room door, as if it had found its target.
It lowered its body into a defensive stance, baring its teeth and growling softly.
“Report! Highly likely target found!”
With the subordinate’s report, a distant Incubus in a tailcoat approached, his gaze cold and dangerous.
“Is this where the scent is strongest?”
As the sound of a hand gripping the door handle echoed outside, Hualí and the Elf Girl inside the room tensed to the point of suffocation.
The Elf Girl shifted her blade away from Hualí’s neck, ready to switch targets at a moment’s notice.
‘Click! Creak——!’
The changing room door was flung open!
Inside—empty.
The Incubus frowned, attention drawn to the messy pile of clothes and a cloak in the corner—evidence left behind by the Elf Girl.
Meanwhile, separated by only a thin wooden panel, the Elf Girl’s heart pounded in her throat in the neighboring compartment.
“Did they use Golden Cicada Shedding?”
The Incubus clenched his fist, about to turn and leave, when he suddenly thought of something and looked up at the unsealed space above the partition.
He stepped onto a stool and peered into the adjacent changing room.
A moment before he did, the Elf Girl’s Secret Magic activated instantly.
To maximize concealment without causing a magical disturbance, the Secret Magic extended from the Elf Girl’s feet outward in a 22.5CM radius—a tiny range for maximum stealth.
To achieve this, the Elf Girl had to hold Hualí tightly.
Her chin pressed against Hualí’s snowy neck.
Their soft chests squished together, the rapid heartbeat of both girls pounding with nervous tension.
Skin pressed against skin, four pale legs entwined.
The Elf Girl could even feel her knee, damp from Hualí’s thighs, growing wetter.
So warm.
Her face burned uncontrollably, hot and red.
Under the influence of the Secret Magic, the Incubus saw only an empty changing room—so empty even the air seemed lonely.
“Looks like they’re not here.”
He withdrew his gaze and jumped off the stool.
The sound of polished shoes faded into the distance.
Only then did the two girls breathe a sigh of relief.
Even Hualí didn’t know why she was so nervous.
It wasn’t like they were looking for her.
At least she wouldn’t have a blade at her neck anymore.
The Elf Girl released Hualí from her embrace, glancing between her own damp knee and the only cloth left beneath Hualí.
She made sure it was Hualí’s doing—not her own misunderstanding.
Her pointed Elven ears blushed along with her cheeks.
She hadn’t done anything except hold her, really—was it that sensitive?
The Elf Girl silently cursed.
Hualí blinked, guessing from her lips that the curse was—
“Peh, Soup Woman!”
Hualí: “???”
Hualí puffed her cheeks in anger.
Who are you calling Soup Woman?!
“Hmph!”
She snorted, ignoring the Elf Girl and dressing herself, not caring if anyone was watching.
Calling her a Soup Woman?
Who was it that hugged her without permission in the first place?
Elves really have no shame!
Hualí made up her mind.
She would buy this Black Lace Underwear—wasn’t the other girl fond of it?
Even if it didn’t fit, she’d throw it away rather than give it to her!
She could hold a grudge!
“Help me fasten this. I can’t reach my back.”
The Elf Girl’s focus was clearly on the door, wary of the enemy returning.
She didn’t even notice that the lace underwear Hualí was putting on was the very one she’d used to hide the Seed of Epiphany.
“Oh~”
Absent-mindedly, she helped fasten the lace clasp with a ‘click’.
By the time the Elf Girl realized something was wrong, Hualí had already slipped into a Maid Dress and dashed out of the changing room, making a face at her before fleeing.
“That’s what you get for threatening me with a knife! May you be poor in milk forever! Nyaa~~”
With that, she bolted out of the shop, disappearing into the Black Market night.
The foolish Hualí had no idea that her frantic escape had triggered a five-alarm chase.
Everyone nearby took off after her.
Returning from buying gifts for the maids, Jeilinfa spotted Hualí fleeing:
“Hualí, were you planning to run away after all?! No! The Queen will be angry!”
The Elf Girl who’d lost the Seed of Epiphany:
“Stop lying to yourself, you stingy Human! Give it back!”
The lazy Foxfolk Female Clerk:
“Customer! You haven’t paid yet!”
The cautious Incubus forces outside:
“Did you see that girl who ran out of the shop? No one entered just now—she must be the thief who changed clothes to hide. After her!”
Nearby, the Demonkin forces also searching for the Seed of Epiphany:
“Damn, did those guys find her first? After her! If that thing falls into their hands, we’ll have to answer to the boss!”
Feeling proud of her own revenge, Hualí glanced back as she ran, only to see half the Black Market chasing after her.
The sight turned her face deathly pale.
“Ah! What the heck! I don’t even know you people—why are you all chasing me?!”
“Human Girl, stop pretending! Hand over the goods now!”