IPSC 20

Chapter 20

[Activating the skill ‘Mind Control’.]

With a faint sense of hope, I looked at Jerome.

A moment later, system windows popped up one after another.

[Skill activation failed.]
[Effect cannot be activated due to insufficient level.]

So close!

It doesn’t work!

As I clicked my tongue in disappointment, Jerome asked,

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

“…?”

Jerome looked at me with a puzzled expression, then turned and continued on his way.

Still, there was hope. If the effect didn’t activate due to insufficient level, that meant I could use the skill once my level was higher, right?

I’d have to research how to raise the level of Mind Control.

If I mastered this skill, the game’s difficulty would become much easier.

Still… Mind Control sounded pretty dangerous.

Isn’t the ability to manipulate others at will more fitting for a villain?

Thank goodness I’m not a bad person. If someone twisted got their hands on a power like this, the world would be plunged into chaos for sure.

Following Jerome, I soon arrived at his encampment.

First, I entered the healer’s tent to have Theodore treated. The healer examined his wounds and said,

“These don’t look like injuries caused by an ordinary monster.”

“He was wounded by a wyvern’s claws. I gave him an antidote pill.”

“You were fortunate. Without the antidote, the wound would have necrotized. Did you perform the first aid yourself, young lady?”

I nodded.

“Yes, I did.”

“Well done. His life could’ve been in danger.”

The healer removed the bandages I had wrapped around him. Jerome’s handkerchief, which had been covering Theodore’s wound, came into view.

The healer asked in surprise,

“Isn’t this the Duke’s handkerchief?”

“……”

Jerome’s eyebrow twitched upward when he noticed his handkerchief.

“Uh… well, you see…”

Feeling inexplicably guilty, I glanced at Jerome and hurriedly made an excuse.

“I was going to wash it and return it, but you left so suddenly that day… and I didn’t have any other cloth suitable for treatment.”

“There’s no need to explain.”

Jerome’s face had returned to its usual impassive expression. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking beneath that dry exterior.

What was clear, though, was that he was still keeping his distance from me.

“I-I’ll wash it properly and give it back to you!”

“I never intended to take it back. Do as you like—burn it or throw it away.”

He continued in an even, monotonous voice.

“Once Sir Blair recovers, I’ll help you reunite with your party. Until then, please stay here comfortably.”

“But still…!”

Despite his polite words, Jerome coldly turned around and left the tent.

An awkward silence settled over the space.

“……”
“……”

Isn’t that a bit much?

Sure, I used his handkerchief without permission, but I had my reasons! At least hear me out!

As I fumed internally, the healer cautiously spoke up.

“The treatment has been completed successfully.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I bowed slightly and checked on Theodore. His complexion looked much more relaxed—it seemed the treatment had gone well.

“If you walk a little farther from here, there’s a hot spring. Why don’t you go soak and relieve your fatigue?”

Oh? There’s a natural hot spring here too?

At the mention of a hot spring, my anger toward Jerome instantly melted away.

Come to think of it, since possessing this body, I hadn’t properly relaxed once. I was already covered in dirt and monster blood—I desperately wanted a warm bath.

More than anything, I wanted to wash off the stench clinging to me as soon as possible. Looking like this would only lower whatever remaining affection Jerome might still have for me.

After receiving a towel and herbs from the healer and directions to the hot spring, I headed off.

After walking for a while, humid air and white steam began to gather before my eyes. Through the mist, the natural hot spring gradually revealed itself.

“Wow… this is incredible…”

I muttered in awe.

The spring, wrapped in white steam, was beautifully surrounded by rocks, and in the center bubbled hot water that looked warm just to gaze at.

In the real world, you’d have to pay good money to visit an open-air bath like this, right?

A free outdoor hot spring? What a steal.

After making sure no one was around, I undressed.

The moment I dipped my feet into the water, the soul of a middle-aged Korean man in his fifties escaped from deep within me.

“Ahhh…!”

Leaning against a rock, I felt all the fatigue I hadn’t noticed before wash over me, my body relaxing into a pleasant languor.

As exhaustion flooded in like a tide, my eyes naturally closed.

How much time had passed?

I jolted awake, startled after having dozed off.

How long was I asleep?

As I got up to return to the camp, I heard the sound of splashing water.

Before I could process what was happening, a blurry human shape appeared before me. It drew closer, gradually taking form.

Jerome stood there.

Completely naked.

“…!”
“Eek!”

I hastily submerged myself in the water.

Splash! The loud sound shattered the silence.

Jerome spoke in a rare flustered tone.

“I—I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was here…”

Perhaps because of the steam, Jerome’s ears—turned away from me—were bright red.

Then, something caught my eye.

From his neck down to his back was a small tattoo, a combination of a whirlpool and an eye—something I’d never seen even in the game.

As I tilted my head in confusion, another splash echoed.

“I’ll leave first.”

Jerome had already exited the spring, his figure gradually disappearing into the steam.

…That was something else.

Only belatedly did Jerome’s image from the hot spring replay vividly in my mind.

Lips flushed with warmth and steam, shoulders as broad as the Pacific, thick arms trained through relentless drills, a solid chest—and well-defined abs carved across his stomach.

Damn… I thought he was just handsome, but he’s built too.

Those muscles… seriously impressive.

Wait—if I saw Jerome’s body, doesn’t that mean Jerome saw mine too?

But whatever. It’s not even my real body.

It’s just a game world, right?

I got a free hot spring and a feast for the eyes. What’s not to like?

Still, something felt odd.

Seeing all that at his age, and yet his affection level didn’t rise at all?

Don’t tell me he’s… impotent?

If not, then he’s just incredibly cold-blooded.

Jerome returned to the camp with faster-than-usual steps.

At that moment, an attendant brought him a change of clothes.

“My lord, you’re back already—”

The attendant froze after taking in Jerome’s appearance.

Jerome’s face was far redder than usual. The attendant knew he’d gone to the hot spring, but even so, it shouldn’t have been that flushed.

“Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell—”

“Cold water. Do we have any?”

“There’s some stream water we fetched earlier.”

The attendant brought over a bucket of cold water. Jerome immediately lifted it and poured it over his head.

“M-My lord!”

“Haah…”

Jerome exhaled deeply.

The icy sensation seeped into his skin, enough to make his head ache. Yet even after dousing himself with cold water, the heat dominating his thoughts refused to subside.

Through the steam of the hot spring, Aisha’s image kept resurfacing.

Her peach-red cheeks, lips glistening with moisture. Wet strands of hair clinging to her slender neckline, droplets tracing the soft curves of her body.

Everything drifted through his mind like a hazy fog.

And in the midst of it all—where had Lowell Cyprian gone, and why was someone who held the title of Holy Knight Commander lying unconscious?

She had been left alone in the forest, covered in dirt and monster blood.

When he recalled that she’d tried to defend herself with nothing but a tenderizing hammer, without even a proper weapon, his brow furrowed.

At that moment, the attendant carefully spoke again.

“If I may say one thing…”

“What is it?”

“You’re wearing your tunic backwards.”

Jerome looked down at his clothes. The buttons that should’ve been on his chest were lined up along his back.

“……”

He—who never allowed even the slightest disorder, who even pressed sharp creases into his clothes—had made such a mistake.

Jerome stared at himself in disbelief.

To think his composure could be shaken by something so trivial.

He silently steadied his breathing.

These feelings didn’t suit him. They had to be extinguished before they had any chance to grow.

Jerome corrected his tunic and fastened it neatly, returning to his usual immaculate appearance.

As he fastened the final button, his fingers tightened.

As if cinching not just his clothes—

but his loosened heart as well.