Lady Nozomi stacked the plates in a neat pile, balancing them with ease. "Seems like there's no cure for her bottomless pit stomach," she said with an exasperated yet fond sigh.

  "I've experimented with various poisons to curb her appetite, but it always backfires. She ends up hungrier than before. What a troublesome defect. But I suppose that's just one of her unique traits. Naive and gluttonous," Master said with a crooked smile.

  "Indeed, never a dull moment." Lady Nozomi chuckled as she carried the plates away.

  Meanwhile, unaware of the verdict being passed on my stomach, I tiptoed across the path holding a handful of broken glass pieces like evidence of a failed crime. A tickle crept up my nose.

  "Achoo!"

  I sniffled and wiped the snot off with my sleeve. "Someone must be talking about me. Am I becoming more famous? Hoy~" I grinned mischievously, feeling pleased.

  But my peace didn't last. A shadow loomed over me. Too familiar.

  "Young lady Llyne... What are you doing?"

  "YAAACK!" I shrieked and spun around like a panicked raccoon. "I'm innocent!"

  Lady Nozomi stood there, hands on her hips and eyebrow raised. "Then what's that you're hiding?"

  "Uh... n-nothing!" I tried shielding the broken vase pieces with my back, my guilty smile doing me no favors.

  "If you're really innocent, then show me." She leaned in close, her face morphing into a terrifying demon-mask expression.

  My legs trembled. I backed away with a whimper and held out the broken fragments like an offering to a vengeful god.

  "I... made art?" My voice squeaked.

  Her gaze narrowed as she took in the shattered porcelain. "You... You... broke... it…?"

  "Eeep! It was an accident! I saw this cute vase while strolling, and I just… poked it a bit. Then it slipped and... crash! I swear I didn't mean to!" I explained as fast as I could.

  Oh no. She won't use my fats as glue, would she? I need fats to maintain my youthful look.

  Lady Nozomi pressed her palm to her face and sighed long and deep. "I've never met anyone quite like you before."

  "Oh, thanks." I scratched the back of my head, sheepish.

  "That wasn't a compliment," she snapped.

  "Kyahh!" I flinched again; my pride and soul bruised in equal measure.

  She massaged her temple, mumbling about contemplating throwing me into a meat grinder, but let go instead. "Let's forget about that for now. You're going to meet your friends, right?"

  I nodded quickly.

  "Did you remember what I told you yesterday?"

  "Yup! Rona is in the House of wind, Ronald in the House of wine, and Isaac in the HQ!"

  She gave a nod of approval. "At least you can remember something."

  Reaching into her sleeve, she pulled out a rolled parchment and handed it to me. "Here's the map of the Scorpion base. Don't lose it. And especially don't get lost."

  "Piece of cake!" I said confidently. I took a glance at the map and was confused by the childish drawing.

  Who knew Lady Nozomi is so bad at drawing. And... how come only Ronald has color? Is it favoritism I smell?

  I shrugged and shoved it into my bag, which was filled with nothing but snacks.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Just as I turned toward the exit, wanting to sprinkle some confetti I stashed in my sleeves along the way, Lady Nozomi called out again.

  "One more thing. When you enter the headquarters, there's a checkpoint. Show them the token Master gave you and say you're visiting a friend. If you don't... they'll shoot you. Without hesitation."

  "…Oui. You're joking, right?" My legs shook.

  "You can try it and find out," she said with a serene smile. "No one's stopping you."

  "Ah… I think I'll pass. Thanks for the warning." I bowed.

  "Also, don't forget to greet the other Masters. Master Sylph was lenient, but the rest won't be."

  I nodded obediently, already turning away. "Got it!"

  Lady Nozomi paused once more. "One last thing."

  I turned, wary.

  She handed me a wine bottle. "Give this to Miss Judy, the Master of Wine's assistant."

  I stared. "It's kind of big…"

  Without warning, she jabbed something bitter into my mouth.

  "ACK! What was—mmrgh!"

  She smirked. "Now you can use the inventory."

  "…Inventory?"

  A soft ding! echoed in my mind. A translucent blue screen appeared, boxes and slots arranged neatly before me.

  "Whoa... cool." I whispered, eyes sparkling. Lady Nozomi grabbed my wrist and shoved it into the inventory. Ploop. The wine bottle was gone from my hands. Neatly slotted in the inventory.

  I looked at my hand. Then the inventory. Then my hand again. My hands... They didn't get slotted into the inventory.

  Lady Nozomi smiled. "It only lasts two days. Don't forget the delivery."

  "Roger that!" I saluted and marched forward.

  The Scorpion base sprawled wide. I pulled out the map. According to it, I was in the south: House of Aum.

  "To the west is the House of Wind, northeast is the House of Wine, and north leads to HQ," I mumbled. "Easy-peasy. No way I'll get lost."

  One hour later...

  My whole body trembled; I sniffed. "...I'm definitely lost."

  Dust and noise filled the air. The streets were alive, but not in a friendly way. Rough-looking folks passed by, many carrying weapons. I noticed battle scars, missing fingers, and blood-stained boots.

  "…No wonder Master said to be careful." I gulped.

  This wasn't the House of Wind. It was the wolves' den. Then—

  Step. step.

  A presence.

  My spine tensed. Someone was behind me. Before I could turn, a hand grabbed my shoulder roughly, yanking me back.

  "Hey, brat. You look new. Where're you going?" a voice sneered behind me.

  I turned slowly.

  A lanky man with a twisted smile. Beside him, a balloon-shaped thug with sunken eyes.

  Gangsters? Definitely.

  "I—I'm looking for the House of Wind," I said, trying to sound polite. "Been walking forever. Could you help me, maybe?" I pulled out my map and held it up.

  The skinny one laughed coldly. "You ignored the boss walking by, and now you want help? What, you think this is a charity house?"

  "…Uhhh…" I tried to look helpless.

  Ma always said people were weak to crying girls. Worth a shot. Ready, set, action!

  "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to offend anyone. I-I didn't know…" I stammered with watery eyes.

  The man snorted. "You don't look sorry. Guess we need to teach you."

  Welp. That didn't work.

  As his hand reared back to slap me, I stepped aside, just in time.

  But before I could run, a voice slurred behind me like thunder muffled through wine.

  "Hey, no bullying this little one."

  An old man, tall and muscular despite his hunched posture, appeared, grizzled, long-curly-haired, gourd wine bottle in hand. Though he swayed like a drunk, not a single drop spilled. He gripped the attacker's wrist casually, like he was picking up a carrot.

  "Let go, old man!" The thug thrashed. "Want some beating too?"

  The old man just smiled and let go. "Don't misunderstand. I just don't like it when two grown men bully a sweet little girl on the street."

  "Shut up," the lanky man spat. "We never asked for your opinion."

  The balloon-shaped guy raised a massive sword. "Quit yapping and start chopping!"

  "Uh-oh, they've got weapons!" I warned. "Run, old man."

  "Pfft. And leave you alone to fend them off, child? That's not heroic," the old man said.

  I stared.

  He's drunk and he wants to play hero? Moreover, who said I'm not running?

  "They've got weapons," I repeated.

  He raised his bottle. "So do I."

  "…A wine bottle?" I stared at it, and somehow saw a clear reflection of myself.

  "Don't underestimate this wine bottle. It's saved me dozens of times." He rubbed my head with a hand that reeked of old grapes.

  "Yuck! What's that smell?! When did you last clean them?" I pinched my nose and backed away.

  "How dare you ignore us. Want to die?!" the goons shouted, charging forward.

  The old man turned to them and sighed. "All right, all right. If it's a fight you want…"

  "But—!" I panicked.

  He smiled down at me, patting my head. "Don't worry, child. Though I may seem drunk, I've got tons of experience…"

  "…with alcohol," he added with a wink.

  He turned toward the attackers and muttered, "Reminds me of my disciple… kind-hearted little thing, like this one."

  Disciple…? I blinked. Could this smelly old man actually be… a Master?

  The two thugs charged, blades flashing with bloodlust. But the old man didn't move. Not a step. He stood still, wind fluttering his loose, tattered robe, a calm smile on his face.

  He bent his knees slightly, and his body leaned forward. The wine bottle cracked in his hands. A corner of his mouth lifted.

  Old man wants to fight? Oh man. There goes my exit.

  Suddenly, the ground beneath him cracked.

  CRACK!

  A wave of wind flew up, blinding me. "Eeeek!" I squealed, shielding my eyes with my arms. "What's going on?!" I tried to peek through the gust, but the world was a blur. One second later, a scream pierced the chaos.

  Chains.