Only I Am A Reader
chapter-510

'I guess she really doesn't want to do anything.'

Receiving Jane's counter question, Leo lamented how similar Jane was to a certain type of protagonist.

Not only did she have a cheat ability like them, but she also didn't want to be involved in anything troublesome.

The only difference was that unlike protagonists who eventually had to be at the middle of that troublesome situation, Jane always stood her ground.

In fact, she joined Aurora's team in order to deflect all the problems to her and achieve her dream of becoming the ultimate freeloader!

"You certainly look like you did a lot of work to reach here, there is no shame in taking a break and letting Aurora handle the rest. She is our team leader for a reason."

Considering how out of place Jane's words sounded, let alone listening to her, anyone would look at her with suspicion.

In a situation like this, a group of Heros' priority was to clear the unidentified Gate, yet she was telling Leo to slack off just like her. Nonetheless…

'Hmmm…'

It was to the point of immediately following her orders, but Leo was strangely convinced by her words. Of course, rather than suddenly becoming oblivious of everything, Leo was under the effect of something.

After all, Jane's 'Hint' had more than one side to it!

How and what she received by utilizing the investigative function of her ability was pretty blurry. However, the other side of the coin was explained clearly by the novel as it was very simple.

Just like she could obtain hints, she was capable of giving other hints. Whoever received these hints would be very suggestible to them as if his brain was the one that came up with that idea!

'The effect is pretty similar.'

The visit to his very first Gate, Leo's current state of mind reminded him of that instance. Back then, his mind was consumed by entering that Gate and finding the Summoning Stage.

While the intensity was a bit weaker, it was practically the same feeling. From the looks of it, it seemed to Leo that all mental charms were pretty similar regardless of the source.

'As expected, he is already down.'

Since it would arouse suspicion from an unaffected person's outlook, Jane usually refrained from using this intrusive ability even more so, but when she needed to, she didn't hold back.

Thanks to the ability's effect, the Imaginary Archer agreed with her questionable plan of waiting everything out.

Of course, the archer was already the most suggestible person on the team, especially when dealing with other girls. His fondness of showing off made him the easiest target that Jane could ask for.

As for Leo…

"I'm not sure, wouldn't it end faster if we all helped?"

He pretended to be slightly shaken, but on the inside, he was as cool as a cucumber. Not to mention that his Enigma immediately repelled the invasive thoughts, dealing with Jane's ability was easy as long as one knew how it worked.

'You just have to question every thought.'

The archer looked from the side, with another opinion on the table, he was now slightly unconvinced as well.

It was understandable if it was a tough mission. Just like the rest of the team, he believed in leaving the hard parts to Aurora, but the monsters he took down every now and then were really weak.

If the mission was reasonable, he had to be one of the biggest contributors to receive the highest praise, that was the kind of person that Imaginary Archer was!

'Tsk.'

Seeing Leo's reaction and its adverse effect, Jane almost clicked her tongue. As expected, dealing with one person was easy, but two or more was tricky.

Since her thoughts weren't actually part of the brain's decision, they could be easily dispelled with the tiniest bit of outside interference.

Despite being somewhat resistant, Jane believed that she could convince Leo with a few more hints, but she wasn't confident on keeping her grip over the archer.

'That only leaves one option.'

"...Why are you so hellbent on making us follow you out of here?"

If anyone was going to sow the seed of doubt, then it was going to be her!

"Eh? Isn't it only natural to-"

Leo tried to keep up his shaken acting, but he didn't even have to. Jane didn't give him the chance to speak any further.

"Are you a part of this Gate? Were you sent to us to drive us to our deaths?"

"Oh!"

As soon as Jane redirected the blame, the Imaginary Archer's eyes widened in surprise. His relaxed face quickly tensed up into a cautious glare.

'I see.'

The sudden accusation sounded like bullshit, but it was just the right thing to use at this moment. After all, Gates or monsters who had the ability to use mental manipulation had already been observed more than once.

That being said, these were rare occurrences that one wouldn't consider at first thought. However, in an unknown Gate like this, everyone's mind had already considered the worst case scenarios once.

'So that's how you plan to deal with me.'

Instead of planting new thoughts, Jane only focused on strengthening a suspicion that was already there. The human brain was usually full of intrusive thoughts, all she did was give it a small buff.

"Right, do you have anything that can prove your identity?"

The archer suddenly took the lead on the questioning, perhaps trying to give Leo a way out. Disproving a dangerous situation was still better than having to deal with it.

Naturally…

"Sorry, but that won't work either. If he is an illusion created by the Gate, he should be able to conjure something to fool us with."

Jane was very ready. Regardless of whether he had something to show or not, she wasn't going to give Leo any chances!

"You're not wrong. Do we… Have to kill him?"

Even under the effect of Jane's ability, the archer wasn't so accepting of the idea he just suggested. Unless he was someone who killed many without remorse, a mere hint wouldn't make him murder-ready.

The Imaginary Archer might have been a despicable person who did almost anything for the sake of attention and self-interest, but he wasn't a lost-cause just yet.

"Kill him? Of course not. Why would we do something so dangerous? He just has to leave on his own or rest by the side. That way we can be assured that he means us no harm."

After throwing such a dangerous bomb earlier, Jane took a step back as she laid down her original intentions once again.