Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 601: Lies

’Everything was just as she said.’

On her way back from the Ambulance, Aurora quickly summarized the reality of her current situation.

The conversation she had witnessed just now had completely proven the information that Star Pupil provided.

Although she still didn’t know the reason behind it, Aurora had personally confirmed that the higher-ups were indeed moving against her.

’They really must think that I’m a fool.’

The anger fueled by the injustice she had faced was close to hitting the boiling point. However, surprisingly enough, Aurora didn’t feel like exploding.

Instead, that anger continued to simmer, fueling her urge to get back at them in the same way they did, backstabbing!

The usually rebellious part of her totally agreed. In fact, the plan was their idea.

From the very start, it seemed like this new self she had discovered was hostile toward the higher-ups, and now, it all finally made sense.

"Oh, you are finally back!"

Having returned to the enclosed tent where New Team Aurora was originally stationed, Aurora could see the suited man seated at the very center, trying to assume command of the space as usual.

Situated right next to the spot where the Gate should have been, this enclosed tent had been erected to act as a command center. It was already there one day before the Gate Clear attempt officially started.

"I was just telling the rest of the team members that the medical team was full of specialists who could perfectly nurse you back to full health. Do you believe me now?"

Sitting on the chairs surrounding the main one, the remaining members of the team looked all gloomy; the reasons behind their expressions were different, but...

’How repulsive.’

To lie with such a full smile? Were all the figures of authorities surrounding her this disgusting? Or was it just that she was simply too innocent?

’I’m sick of it.’

"Cheer up! Things tend to get rough at the start, but once the momentum builds up, you will be unstoppable!"

Lies, lies, and more lies.

As if wearing contact lenses that revealed untruthfulness, the man in front of her was completely covered in bold ’Lie’ inscriptions. Although there was plenty of air to breathe, Aurora felt suffocated.

"In that vein of thought, I was told that we need to speed things up to prepare for any unexpected delays that might pop up later on."

’As expected.’

The entire plot wasn’t the work of a single man who held malicious intent.

She didn’t realize the whole truth until now, but Aurora could now tell that she had been wrapped in the web of a very poisonous spider from the very start.

"The rest period that we previously agreed upon will be shortened from one week to just three days."

The missing parts had been filled. Everything had been revealed and confirmed.

’Either they expect blind trust...’

Had things really gone as the higher-ups planned, Aurora was fully aware of the repercussions.

Her healing factor wasn’t perfect; it took its time repairing every damaged area to the max.

Depending on the type of wounds, full recovery could take as long as a week or even two. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Still, the level of restoration was really astonishing. This branch ability was precisely why she could jump into Gate Clearing even when her ’Light’ was still growing.

As such, the one condition that Aurora had never given up on from the very start was very blatant. Always get one full week as a refractory period between each task she had to carry out.

’...Or they no longer care if I can see through it.’

Now, to even consider throwing away that condition so lightly? The Mastermind behind this was truly audacious.

"What do you think?"

’My body would have rotted away, and I wouldn’t even know it.’

If she really had been badly injured, getting only three days of rest meant that Aurora would continue accumulating unresolved damage by the end of each Gate.

By the time they reached the end of the list, Aurora’s core would be hollowed out like a rotten apple, ready to crumble at the weakest application of force.

Worst of all, Aurora could almost see the future scene where she collapsed.

Cold and alone, feeling left out, and full of confusion. Not understanding why an ’ally’ was attacking her, not understanding why her body had become this weak...

The pit of darkness that she fell into, created by her Ability’s convenient painkiller effect.

A fact that she only entrusted to her supposed caretakers, so they could maximize the effect of their treatment in case she ever ended up in fatal danger.

’No.’

That wasn’t right. She hadn’t collapsed yet. Rather, she would have collapsed, but not anymore.

Deep inside, Aurora knew that even without Star’s hint, she would have been able to notice that something wasn’t right, but none of that mattered now.

"It’s doable, R-I-G-H-T?"

Losing his patience after receiving no answer for an entire minute, the suited man grit his teeth as he glared at the silent Thorn Trio.

Why were they busy staring at Aurora instead of following instructions and obediently accepting his proposal?

"Right."

However, unexpectedly enough, the one who gave her approval was none other than Aurora.

"Ohhhh. As expected of the Hero of Light, ready to jump in and save as many future victims as possible!"

As the suited man celebrated with big movements, the two younger sisters of the Thorn Trio looked at Aurora in despairing confusion.

’Why?’

They thought that everything was over now that the masks were off, but the one who would lose the most was actually the one supporting this motion?

"I guess it’s decided."

’Just you wait.’

In reality, no one was aware that they had already become puppets dancing in Aurora’s palm.

In order to make things as believable as possible, she had even let her honest fool persona from the past take the lead ever since she left the Gate, all leading towards one end.

’I can already see it.’

Finally realizing that they had been played by the one they were playing, just how ugly would the mastermind’s face become?