Asukem and Isabella sprinted into the tempest, the icy rain pelting their skin and causing them to shiver. The dense fog concealed their feet, while the sharp wind raised chills across their bodies. Nevertheless, they continued toward the spot where Isabella had left Clair. In the dim alley, Clair struggled valiantly against her captors, but ultimately, the men overpowered her and forced her to the ground. Despite her fierce resistance, they proved too strong. As she fell, her face reflected a mix of fear and worry as the men approached and loomed over her.

Out of nowhere, the two men heard a voice inquire, "Need help?" They exchanged smiles without turning around and responded, "I think we got this." Suddenly, Asukem emerged from the shadows, and the fog swirled around him as he lunged forward. He seized one of the men and hurled him against the wall, snapping, "I wasn't talking to you!" The impact knocked the man unconscious. The second man drew a knife and lunged at Asukem. Although Asukem managed to evade the attack, Isabella seized the man's leg and bit down hard. The man howled in agony and kicked her away. Isabella cried out as she hit the ground, provoking Asukem's fury.

Asukem's eyes shifted from Isabella to the man who had kicked her. Overcome with rage, he lunged at the attacker, who was ready with a knife. The man lunged forward, aiming the blade at Asukem, but he managed to catch the knife between his fingers, despite the sharp cut it inflicted. The pain was intense, yet Asukem pushed through it. He seized the man by his shirt and forcefully slammed him to the ground, twisting his arm until it snapped. The man's scream echoed in the air as Asukem released him and kicked the knife away. However, Asukem could only watch as the man fled, abandoning his accomplice.

Asukem glanced at the unconscious man before turning his attention to Clair, who was visibly shaken. Slowly approaching her, he was met with her scream, "Leave me alone!" Asukem smiled and extended his hand, replying, "I can't do that." His gentle smile and kind expression remained as he added, "You see, I heard a plea from a little girl and I couldn't ignore it, so here I am protecting another girl." Clair's eyes widened as she turned towards Asukem upon hearing his voice. Tears welled up in her eyes but were concealed by the rain as she was soaked and cold. Her heart leaped with joy at the sight of Asukem. Isabella hid behind Asukem but peeked around him to show herself to Clair, sniffling. Clair smiled at Isabella, tears still streaming down her cheeks, and said, "Look at you being a brave little girl. I am so proud of you." Asukem helped Clair to her feet and they walked to the orphanage together, all three of them.

Upon returning to the orphanage, Clair suddenly stopped in her tracks, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks. Her heart pounded with excitement as a warm sensation washed over her body. With a shiver, she turned to Asukem and whispered, "Thank you for saving me today, Asukem." Quickly hiding her face, she rushed to her room before Asukem could respond.

Clair concluded her tale, a deep blush coloring her cheeks as she remarked, "That was when I began to fall for him." Kittienia, filled with excitement and a touch of envy, exclaimed, "Aww, how adorable! Look at you blushing!" Aquatina, thoughtfully rubbing her chin and adjusting her position in the river, inquired, "So, he was always like that?" Her face lit up with wonder as she added, "Wow." Meanwhile, as the girls enjoyed their bath and Clair recounted her story, they remained oblivious to a one-armed man peering at them through a hole in the wall, a feature that appeared to be exclusive to the women's bathing area. This man, who seemed to be the tavern owner, watched them intently.

Not only was the one-armed man watching the girls, but he was also listening to the story Clair shared. His face turned pale as he recognized the story personally, his eyes sunk, and he gulped, starting to sweat as he realized who Clair was. Suddenly, he felt a grasp on his shoulder and winced in pain as the grip tightened. A sinister voice growled in his ear, "Do you want to lose your other arm, you creep?" Slowly turning around, the man was shaken in fear, hoping and praying it wasn't who he thought it was. However, as he turned around, Asukem was intensely glaring at him in rage, and the words escaped his mouth in terror, "Are you Asukem? That girl's brother?"

Asukem snarled in anger at the question directed towards him, "I am Asukem, but that woman. She is my partner!" The man trembled in terror as he addressed Asukem as if they had crossed paths before, "Aw shit! Please forgive me! I mean no harm! You all can stay here without charge, just please don't harm me! I've already had my fair share of beatings from you in my lifetime!" Asukem's fierce expression softened into a puzzled look, but he then turned his attention to Gimp, gesturing towards the hole in the wall, and commanded, "Seal it!"

Gimp soared towards the hole in the wall, as Runes materialized around Gimp's wrists and the wall sealed shut with wood growing back to cover it. The man hurried back to his front desk, filled with regret as he muttered to himself, "I am such a fool, I should have known better." This man was the character in Clair's tale, the one who had his arm broken by Asukem and fled like a coward. Asukem glared at the man, Gimp perched on his shoulder, and warned with fury, "Try anything funny and you'll lose that arm!" Trembling with fear, the man replied, "I understand, I apologize." As Asukem stormed back to his room, his anger evident in his stomping, Gimp gave the man a stern look to show he was being watched.

Asukem entered the room where the others were gathered, and Grant and Leo noticed an unusual occurrence in the absence of Asukem and Gimp. Still seething with anger, Asukem forcefully seized a bottle of ink and a feather from the table, pulled out a piece of parchment, and began to write furiously. His teeth clenched and eyes narrowed, he turned to Grant and commanded, "Grant! Ensure the lodge-keeper doesn't escape. If he makes a move, knock him out and restrain him." Grant looked puzzled but chose not to question Asukem, recognizing that his friend rarely acted without cause. Gimp observed Asukem with intrigue and inquired, "What are you planning, Asukem?" Ignoring the question, Asukem instead asked, "Can you open portals, Gimp?" Gimp tilted his head, expressing concern, "I've never attempted that."

Asukem's heart still burned with anger as he lashed out at Gimp, saying, "Just give it a try!" After swiftly apologizing, Asukem inquired, "Can you make an attempt to open a portal to Tradithia, Gimp?" Gimp, feeling a little wounded, nodded and began to inscribe a rune on parchment, concentrating on Petal-rain, Alejandro, Adam, and Milissa. Suddenly, a portal materialized, revealing the city of Tradithia and then the throne room with Alejandro seated on his throne. Asukem placed the parchment in a scroll casing and hurled it through the portal, landing it at Alejandro's feet, then Gimp closed the portal as he couldn't maintain it open.

Alejandro observed as the scroll descended from the air and landed in front of him. Upon opening it, he discovered a letter from Asukem and started reading. The letter revealed the whereabouts of Asukem and his companions, as well as the presence of a lodge keeper who was spying on female guests. After finishing the letter, Alejandro made plans to summon mages to open a portal to the location and apprehend the peeping tom. Unbeknownst to Asukem and his friends, Alejandro's men arrived during the night and arrested the culprit while they were asleep.