Chapter 385: No One Would Object If We Called Her the Most Honest Operator in Rhodes Island
For the little shark girl, teasing others seemed to be one of life's greatest joys—and right now, she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Unfortunately for her, she'd picked the wrong target.
Steven, as a self-proclaimed veteran transmigrator with a face thicker than a castle wall, wasn't the type to fluster easily. No matter how bold the teasing, he'd simply take it in stride. He wasn't some bashful virgin who'd start stammering and blushing after two sentences.
So when Specter's finger started tracing lazy circles across his chest, Steven didn't even blink. He just let her do it, eyes calmly sweeping up and down to size her up in turn.
To be fair, he couldn't deny what he saw—Specter's figure was flawless, and that porcelain face could probably topple empires if she ever tried. She hit all of Steven's weak points perfectly.
Still, looks weren't everything to him. Personality mattered too, and in that department, she was... complicated.
"Well," Steven said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin with exaggerated seriousness, "I can't say I've got that sort of plan for now. For one thing, your brain's still... let's say, in recovery mode. And besides—no offense—but you're a little on the short side. Compared to your captain, you're definitely lacking a few centimeters."
He grinned. "I prefer the queenly types. You know—the kind with a bit of authority. Makes the gap cuter when they melt."
"Oh my~" Specter purred, eyes narrowing into seductive crescents. "So you're not denying that you do want to 'conquer' me, hmm? Careful, Mister. Greedy men tend to get punished for that kind of ambition."
The way she said it—low, teasing, almost musical—made her sound like a completely different person. Gone was the wild, bloodthirsty shark he'd known before. Now, she was graceful, poised... dangerous in a different way.
"Punishment, huh? Not sure what you've got in mind," he said, shrugging with a lopsided smile. "But from the look of it, you've remembered quite a bit these last few days, haven't you? Is this... the real you?"
Specter lowered her gaze, pressing a hand to her temple. "The real me… maybe. I don't know anymore. I've remembered so much, yet it feels like there's still so much missing. The memories come back in pieces, but the more I remember, the less I understand."
She let out a quiet sigh.
"When I try to act like I used to—before the madness—it doesn't feel right. And yet... this version of me doesn't feel wrong either. I can't tell which one is the real me anymore. I still don't remember why I was in that strange church... or why I became that insane nun in the first place."
"Then don't force it," Steven replied gently. "You've got time—plenty of it. And besides, you've got people who care about you, don't you?"
He smiled faintly.
"Gladiia's been running herself ragged over you, and even Skadi—who's not even on your team—has been working hard at Rhodes Island just to cover your medical fees. Having two comrades like that? You're luckier than most."
He meant it, too. In truth, Steven couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Two Abyssal Hunters, both fierce and loyal, watching over a single shark who'd once lost herself completely—if that wasn't proof of genuine bonds, what was?
"Well, if we're talking about the Captain, then yeah, she's pretty much perfect," Specter admitted with a small shrug. "But if you mean Skadi... ah, that's a little trickier. Honestly, sometimes I really wonder how she ever became an Abyssal Hunter in the first place."
She sounded half puzzled, half exasperated.
For someone who'd spent her life fighting the cunning and terrifying Seaborn, Skadi's personality was… well, a little too straightforward. She was simple, sincere, almost painfully naive. The kind of person who'd smile and nod even while walking into a trap.
"Maybe her training was completely different from Gladiia's," Specter mused, crossing her arms. "Otherwise, I can't imagine how they managed to raise someone like that into an Abyssal Hunter."
Steven chuckled under his breath. "If she heard you say that, she'd probably be heartbroken, you know. Everything she's been through—she did it all for you."
He wanted to defend Skadi, but… well, even he had to admit it: she was hopelessly naive. So naive it almost defied logic.
Specter, however, looked entirely unconcerned. "Trust me, she wouldn't be heartbroken. Even if she overheard us, she'd probably think we were complimenting her. With her personality, she can't tell when someone's being passive aggressive. As long as we sound polite, she'd never catch the real meaning."
Steven blinked, then laughed. "You're describing her way too accurately. But still… hearing that kind of talk from someone whose mind and memories are barely stitched together—it does feel a little ironic, you know?"
Specter's lips twitched upward, clearly unbothered by the jab.
"So what you're saying," she countered smoothly, "is that you like girls like Skadi? Simple, honest, easy to trick—is that your type, Mister?"
She leaned closer again, elbow nudging his chest playfully. The teasing spark was back in her crimson eyes.
Steven gave a mock sigh. "You're still badmouthing her, you realize that, right? I should make you say all this to her face when she gets back."
He opened his minimap as he spoke, scanning for Skadi's marker. Sure enough, a small icon pulsed at the edge of the map—somewhere in the rural outskirts of the Great Knight Territory.
Judging by how her little icon moves steadily toward them, it looks like she's wrapping up her mission.
At this pace, she'll be back before long.
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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