Chapter 381: Initiative

Time rewound to two hours earlier.

At this moment, Kali Site had just left the ranger's cabin and was leaning against a tree, struggling to approach her magic treehouse.

It was far enough away from that man's house, so she removed the invisibility effect early.

A delicate, pale, and weary face emerged, dull and dazed.

It's over.

That man knows everything.

Given his nature, he might not humiliate me to my face—he usually respects my dignity and accommodates my temper.

Kali Site 's heart felt numb.

She recalled the scene yesterday when their eyes met and neither could look away for a long time.

She remembered his solemn vow: "No one will take her away from me."

Could he actually like me?

Not just the base lust like the other girls in the forest?

Hah.

Ask yourself honestly—could it possibly be true, Kali Site? With a face like mine, every emotion is just lust.

That lustful dog of a man is a human mortar, his brain cells all concentrated in his lower body; the head on his neck is just decoration and a weakness.

He might not say it outright, but he'll definitely use it as leverage against me.

But isn't that the same as humiliating me?

How dare anyone humiliate an elf!

No!

Then he must die to atone.

I'll kill him! If I have to, I'll keep his ashes for life! If I have to, I'll be buried with his ashes mixed into mine!

Kali Site imagined herself mourning over his ashes.

A bitter, reluctant ache surged in her heart.

Crack-crack—

Nearby.

The sound of crunching dry leaves came again.

Kali Site turned to look—it was Xiao Ke, the half-deer girl she'd seen briefly earlier, her hands wrapped in knitted gloves with leaf patterns, carrying a basket full of fresh wild fruits.

He saw her too, and smiled sweetly.

"Kali Site, good morning."

"Ah, Xiao Ke, good morning."

The elf girl's gaze was slightly evasive and awkward—she'd almost been seen by Xiao Ke just now, witnessing what had happened inside the treehouse.

She hesitated, unsure whether Xiao Ke had actually seen anything.

So she put on her usual scowl and probed: "I just saw you walking near that man's cabin—what's going on? Did he bully you?"

"Huh?"

Xiao Ke was startled, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

She buried half her face in her brown scarf, her deer ears twitching wildly.

"I just happened to pass by—I didn't go there on purpose!"

"Just passing by is fine, but Xiao Ke, you should still be careful—those nights, that area is filled with succubi's cries; going there only insults your ears."

"Yes! It's an insult to the ears!"

Xiao Ke felt like she'd found a kindred spirit and beamed happily.

But seeing the elf girl leaning against the tree, she frowned in concern: "Kali Site, are you hurt? Let me help you back."

"No, no, thank you, I don't need it."

Don't touch me!

There's something inside me—large quantity, strong smell—if you smell it, where will my dignity be?

Unfazed by her stiff refusal, Xiao Ke grew more worried about Kali Site 's condition and insisted on walking with her to the magic treehouse.

As they walked, they chatted.

Soon, the conversation turned to that man.

They complained together, accused together.

Gradually, the two girls' bond warmed slightly.

Throughout the walk, Kali Site 's mind was in turmoil; now that she had a companion who shared the same topic, she couldn't help asking:

"Xiao Ke, half-deer people follow monogamy—if I were to say, hypothetically, if the person you liked had many women like the ranger, what would you do?"

The adorable half-deer girl froze, then visibly panicked.

"W-what do you mean? I don't like Luo De, that lustful dog! How could I? Not at all!"

"I said hypothetically."

Kali Site wasn't blind—Xiao Ke pretended to hate the man, but in truth she was deeply dependent on and attached to him; anyone could see their relationship was unusual.

Though she didn't know whether they'd gone that far yet.

Xiao Ke calmed down, bit her lip, and her expression grew somber.

"I'm a half-deer with insufficient talent and unreliable foresight—I'd just circle timidly around the one I like, never dare to hope, only watch silently…"

"Is that so?"

"If only I were a girl like Kali Site —graceful and bold! Then I'd take the queen's stance, crush that dog under my feet, and seize the initiative myself! Hehe…"

Kali Site couldn't help smiling: "I'm not that domineering."

But…

Initiative…

Back to now.

Kali Site: "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Pretty… uh, I slept well."

Luo De replied.

"I didn't sleep well."

"?"

Kali Site rubbed her slender, pale neck, as if easing muscle soreness.

Her emerald eyes lifted coldly, locking onto Luo De's face.

"Can I ask you a favor, human?"

"What are we to each other? Ask freely."

"We're nothing to each other," she retorted coldly.

"Fine, fine, go ahead."

You can't just be forceful with girls—you must use strategy.

Elves like her are stubbornly soft-hearted, not hard-hearted.

Luo De understood this well.

Kali Site took a deep breath and said:

"Recently, a strange frog has appeared in this area, croaking loudly at night—it's kept me awake all night, drained and listless. I tried to capture them, but my magic can't detect them at all. Human, if I call you at night using the 【Chain of Distant Speech】, I hope you'll come help me deal with these frogs."

Before Luo De could respond, she immediately added:

"Also, before you deal with the frogs, you still can't come near my room—I sleep deeply, soundly, and hate being disturbed. Understood?"

"..."

Oh—?

Was this some kind of hint?

Luo De pondered: "Hmm, this is indeed a serious issue—I've heard of people dying from spell backlash due to sleep deprivation. Don't worry, I'll protect the sleep quality of the one who's helping the Windwall Forest ascend. By the way, are you really that deep a sleeper?"

"You ask too many questions, human."

Kali Site glanced at him coldly, then turned away, her steps slightly hurried.

Hah.

Watching the elf's retreating back,

Luo De recalled her awkward request and confirmed several facts.

One: Elves do have quirks, and Kali Site is no exception.

Two: Kali Site definitely knows what happened last night, but unlike what Luo De expected, her dominant nature led her not to flee or kill—but to reverse the situation, trying to pin the night raid on him.

In other words: seize the initiative.

Even if things come to light, she can deny everything and turn the tables, claiming he was the one who broke in and raped her.

Just wait and see.

Once he catches those so-called "frogs" and enters her room, if she doesn't seduce me, I'll lose.

Luo De didn't care at all—night raids? Which girl in the forest hasn't been raided by him?

Three: Kali Site definitely likes him. The invisible barrier between them has been pierced—her affection is certainly high; once enslaved, she might unlock several shared skills.

But making a proud elf willingly submit? That's slightly difficult.

"Good, good."

Luo De was in high spirits.

He had finally broken through the barrier with the elf; their relationship had taken a major leap forward.

He no longer had to pretend to sleep—he could now seize control!

Just wait and see how I'm going to handle you, little Kali.

As he pondered how to deal with the elf, a distant shout pulled him back to reality.

He turned his head.

Tally ran up with a pleading expression: "Master~~ I'm so hungry~~ Let's have breakfast~~"

The previous two chapters were posted a bit late last night; there's a bit of gap—check the group for details.

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(End of Chapter)