Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh
After drying off and quickly tying her hair, Seaneight slips into the deputy lord's knightly noble attire—a simple, S-grade magic-resistant white outfit that contrasts her tanned skin but oddly suits her. She steps out of the room quietly, leaving Drago to revel in his vivid dreams.
Creak…
Clatter…
Clang!
But as Seaneight moves to investigate the missing person, a sword points at her throat from the shadows behind the door.
"?" — 'A sword, huh?'
"I heard you did a favor for Drago. Not long after, he's smitten, head over heels, ditching his playboy ways. Soon, you're promoted to his personal knight."
"…" — '…'
"At this point, you're not just casting illusion magic on him, are you, Seaneight… or rather, mysterious Level 400 lady from afar?"
A handsome young man with short hair and sharp, sly eyes steps out from the shadows, his calm, composed voice laced with a threatening undertone. From reading the thoughts of the city's women, I know him—none other than Ramsa, this country's hero.
He's been leading this city's army to attack a border city for resource competition, following standard territorial rules. (Oh, remember when I mentioned cities and countries bickering way back? This world's wars are creative—no real killing… at least on the surface. I'll explain later if I get the chance.)
But to catch Seaneight red-handed right after returning? That's thrilling! Glad I didn't peek at spoilers—this surprise is juicy… Even after secretly buffing Seaneight to Level 409 before her heroics to woo Drago, this guy feels scary.
Now, how to handle this mess… Damn it! Should've stayed put… Or maybe this guy was coming in anyway, whether Seaneight stepped out or not…
Manta (real body): HP-4
And why's the Goddess watching this moment!? Damn it!
"…" — '…'
"Don't stay silent. Speak up… I'm quite a few levels above you, you know."
Is this guy really higher-leveled than Seaneight!? If I compare him to my Continent hero, Reina… Ugh, that one (or should I say her?) is busy with lewd antics and farming cash to free slave girls, just hitting Level 100. Way outclassed! Gotta buff her later…
"…" — '…'
"Really choosing silence, huh? Guess we'll have to fight for real."
Clank!
Guess I'll have to explain the half-truth…
"I want money, fame, power. I don't care who it is, as long as they make me happy." — '…'
"Whoa, your thoughts and words match? Hmm, interesting."
What!? He can read minds too!? A gift or a skill…?
No way! There's a power like this!? I mean, sure, mind-reading skills exist, but I thought they couldn't pierce deep thoughts, especially against someone of similar level with massive magic when their mind's steady! (Wait… Have any Goddesses read our minds? That's terrifying… Too terrifying… But if they could, they'd know I'm cheating. Melt wouldn't send her care, and the other Goddesses wouldn't mock me with that HP- HP+ fiasco early on.)
Heh, sorry, buddy. I saw this coming and layered my defenses. The Seaneight you've seen these past three chapters? Just a soulless shell, controlled by the real Seaneight with a soul, linked to me through a dungeon relay! No way you're reading past that!
Control it well, Seaneight… Keep that fake shell tight… Good job!
"Hmm…" — '…'
"Trying to counter my mind-reading, eh, Seaneight?"
"I've answered you… What do you want?" — '…'
"I think you know what I want."
Clang!
"Let's see if you can escape my blade. Answer two or three more questions. Satisfy me, and I'll let you go."
He presses the sword's flat against Seaneight's skin, leaning in close, face inches away.
"…" — '…'
"Question one: 1+1 equals?"
"2." — '…'
"What animal do you like?"
"None." — '…'
This guy! Playing mind games with these dumb questions!? Come on, Seaneight, keep it up… You're trying… Hmm…
"Ho, ho?"
Ramsa makes a weird noise, sliding his sword down to rest above Seaneight's chest, then leans in, pinning her similar-sized frame against the door.
"Urk?" — '…'
"And your underwear… what color?"
"…!?" — '…'
What kind of question is that!?
A provocative, infuriating, pervy question, yet he shows no cracks, slowly adding pressure, closing the gap between their bodies and faces.
"…White…" — '…'
"Hmm, excellent, excellent. Can't read your thoughts at all…"
"…" — '…'
Choosing to think nothing, huh, Seaneight? Not bad… Emptying your mind to fight a mind-reader? Works against basic thought-readers…
"No… It's not that I can't read your thoughts."
Huh!? …What…!?
"…?" — '…'
He widens his eyes, staring into Seaneight's with a sly grin.
"Mmm, it's not that I can't read your thoughts. It's more like… there's no thoughts to read."
What the hell!? This guy!!!!
End of Chapter 81
Not That I Can't Read Your Mind, There's Just Nothing to Read