Hearing the sound reverberating from below, Anyi’s eyebrows knitted together in apprehension. 'Could it be...?!'

“Is there another type of monster in the tavern?” he asked in a low, urgent voice, glancing at the group of succubi.

“No, no, no, no!!!” they fervently shook their heads in denial.

“Would they just sit and wait, plotting to kill the Hero?” Anyi pressed, his tone sharpening.

“No, no, no, no!!!” The succubi continued to deny his accusations, their fear palpable.

“Then besides you and the succubus outside, there are no other races in this tavern?” he questioned again, voice tight.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!” they chorused, nodding their heads vigorously.

“If you dare lie to me, I’ll kill you,” Anyi warned, stepping closer. He stretched the slime sword, pressing it against one of the succubi, making her gasp.

“Ah, we don’t dare! We wouldn’t deceive you, Hero-sama!” she pleaded, panic rising in her voice.

“I can’t breathe… Ah...!”

Anyi had no time for further questions when a message pinged in the group chat.

[Sword Hero: Mr. Layton, what happened?

Holy Hero: ??? What’s going on?! I want to know too!! Where did you all run off to?! I’m so bored! I can’t sleep any longer!!]

[Thorn Hero: Report: Mr. Layton and Rod Hero are fighting.

Holy Hero: Ah?! You all went outside to play without me?! Why didn’t you ask me to come?!]

A resounding crash echoed from below, prompting the succubi to glance at one another, fear creeping into their expressions. They could only wonder if the Heroes had realized their true natures and had descended into chaos.

'At least this Hero listens to us...'

[Sword Hero: Miss Miruku, come to my room. I’ll stick the slime sword out the window; find me there.

Thorn Hero: Okay.]

Meanwhile, Miruku had only heard that Dus wanted to take Anyi and Layton out for fun, but she had no intentions of joining until curiosity got the better of her. Following them into the tavern, she activated her [Escape into the Shadows], cloaking herself from sight.

However, as she entered, regret washed over her. ;What kind of place is this?!'

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The air was thick with the stench of alcohol, and a cacophony of crude language filled her ears. Scantily clad women moved through the crowd, causing Miruku to recoil in fright. She fled the tavern, finding refuge in a narrow alley where she trembled, shaken by her encounter.

What was happening inside? The thought gnawed at her, and after a while, she returned to the entrance. Peering inside, she gasped at the sight of Dus sprawled against the shattered wall, struggling to rise.

As soon as he managed to his feet, a brawl erupted, and Miruku’s eyes widened as she observed the chaotic exchange. Layton, though seemingly outmatched by Dus's speed, was far from helpless. His defenses remained steadfast despite the barrage of blows landing on him.

Layton lowered his shield, realizing his attacks weren’t effective, and suddenly seized an opportunity. Gripping Dus’s weapon, he swung the Hero toward the wall with surprising strength, causing the second echo that had resonated through the tavern and reached Anyi above.

Perhaps it was the relentless assault of tentacles in the Slime Forest that had honed Layton’s adaptive combat techniques. His ability to adjust to the rhythm of high-intensity attacks allowed him to anticipate his opponent's moves, all while trying to maintain control in the chaotic exchange.

But from Miruku's perspective, the two Heroes moved as if in slow motion, their combat seeming almost pointless to her.

'This is meaningless.'

Just then, Anyi’s words echoed in her mind, reminding her he had been looking for her. Seizing the opportunity, she slipped out of the tavern, navigating back through the alley. As she glanced up at the window, she was bombarded by a cacophony of strange sounds filtering through the poorly insulated walls. The din became increasingly louder as some patrons opened their windows, making her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

She was only fifteen! 'This is all too stimulating!'

Despite her own innocence, she could still feel a sense of shame. 'If only I had known, I wouldn’t have come here...'

Finally, she spotted a shimmering, multicolored liquid protruding from the window. 'That’s it!'

With renewed urgency, she leapt up and grasped the sill of Anyi's room, preparing to ask him what he needed. But as she peered inside, her heart sank.

Moonlight illuminated a scene that made her freeze in place, her body stiffening in shock. There, on the bed, were four women wrapped in black slime, their naked forms writhing and emitting sounds that sent chills down her spine. The air was thick with a heady scent that made her head spin, almost overwhelming her senses.

And there stood Anyi, the black slime sword in his hand, coldly trampling over two of the succubi. His expression was utterly unyielding, like a tyrant playing with his prey.

Miruku mind going blank as panic surged within her. 'How do I react to this?!'

Then it hit her. 'Run! I need to get away!'

But just as she turned to flee, Anyi's voice cut through her panic. “I know you want to go, but please don’t.”

Miruku trembled, her voice catching in her throat. “Ah... Ah, it’s...”

She had been caught! Her secret laid bare before him.

“First come here,” Anyi ordered, his tone urgent as he extended his slime sword toward her, ensnaring her and pulling her toward the bed.

Miruku felt tears welling in her eyes as she touched the ground. 'What am I doing? I want to escape!'

“Y-yes, I’m sorry... I just want to get away... right?” she stammered, panic rising.

Her purity! 'What will happen to it now?!'

Anyi sighed, visibly exasperated. “Don’t wear that ‘I can’t help it’ look!”

“Don’t say stupid things,” he added firmly. “You’re going to help me keep an eye on these succubi. I need to deal with those two down below. They’re monsters too, and I can’t be certain whether they’re planning something.”

“Y-you want me to watch them?” she managed, her voice trembling.

“Exactly. Don’t let them make any sudden moves or warn their allies. If they try anything, you’re authorized to eliminate them,” Anyi instructed, his eyes narrowing in determination.

The succubi, meanwhile, shook their heads in frantic denial, their fear palpable. “N-no! We wouldn’t dare!” they protested.