Nico wasn't a manipulator nor did he study the psychology behind the human mind. But, he was familiar with planting seeds of doubt and hope in people's minds. By absolutely destroying someone's confidence and then adding one positive quality, humans were more likely to focus on the latter and disregard the former.
Lindsey wasn't such a girl.
She already knew she was weak, but refused to accept it. If another person had told her that, she would've been absolutely shattered. Nico being that person, she quickly grasped onto the reality of her strength and finally came to terms with it.
Laura watched her sister, her thoughts taking her places she has never been to before. Lindsey smirked faintly and began walking away. Laura quickly grabbed her gauntlets and walked side by side with Lindsey, concern evident on her face.
"Lindsey, what's wrong?"
"I'm weak... I'm so weak, I can't even stand on my own."
"Don't be like that. That loser was just trying to get in your head," said Laura as she shrugged.
"You can confidently say that because he wasn't talking to you, Laura," Lindsey said, her voice breaking slightly. "You didn't see the seriousness in his eyes and you definitely didn't feel the gravity of his words."
She then stopped walking and looked at Laura. "You're better than me. You've always been better than me, even before we got transported into this world. All the guys in high school liked you, you're smart, pretty... And then, me? I'm the ugly duckling...! I'm the black sheep of the Oakenheart family!"
"Don't say that. You know that's not true."
"Then can you confidently say that you trust me to handle a mission on my own?"
Laura kept quiet and then abruptly answered with "Yes."
"Liar..."
"Lin-" Laura reached her hand out, only for Lindsey to smack it away.
"Don't touch me! Don't touch me..." Lindsey took a deep breath and placed her weapon inside her inventory. "I'm going now."
"Where?" Laura asked worriedly.
"I don't know. Just tell Big G... No, tell Genesis that I quit. That fat bastard is holding me back. I'm going to get stronger and I'll become better. One day, I'll even surpass you."
"Is that what this is about?! Being better?! This isn't a competition! This is life and death!"
"And it's my life at stake! If you die, I won't be able to protect myself! That's how fucking hopeless I am! I'm tired of that man constantly laying his hands on you simply because you don't want him to touch me! I want to be able to protect you as well!" Lindsey screamed as she cried.
Laura watched her sister panting heavily. Then, Lindsey slowly turned around and walked away, Laura calling out to her. Before she could take another step, she felt a sharp pain on her chest, her vision blurring for a few seconds.
"Don't go... Lin..." she pleaded in a soft voice. But, Lindsey was already long gone, leaving behind 1 healing potion before she left.
***
Nico walked through the sliding doors of the adventurer's guild and looked at the receptionist's desk, where he saw Melissa typing on her computer. She glanced at him and softly smiled before looking at her computer again. This gave Nico the confidence to walk up to her and start a conversation.
'We haven't spoken in two weeks. Sure, she's not someone who's close to me, but... I hope it isn't too awkward.'
Nico smiled awkwardly and waved at Melissa. "It's been a while."
"Indeed it has, Nicholas," Melissa chuckled. "I see you beat your first mini boss. Congratulations, congratulations!" she said as she clapped her hands.
"Hehe, thanks. I appreciate it... You know, after I interfered back then, I assumed that you wouldn't want to talk to me."
"I'm an adult woman, you know? Grudges are for girls who aren't interested in making peace. Peace is all I can ask for in this world."
Nico looked at her sadly, but in response, she smiled. "Your reward; please hold out your hand."
"... Right..." Nico held out his hand, Melissa hovering hers above his.
A green holographic screen appeared on her palms while a red one floated on Nico's. Then, the coins were transferred and Melissa smiled softly. Nico did the same and stretched his arms.
"I think I'll get a room while I'm here..."
"The same room?"
Nico smiled. "Please."
Melissa nodded and the transaction was made. Nico then made his way to his room and lied on his bed, thinking about the events of today.
'If all goes well, I'll be able to avoid any confrontation from those girls. If I do come across them, I should be able to get some information from them, especially Lindsey,' he thought to himself.
"She doesn't seem to be particularly smart if she's willing to thank someone for saving her. If it were someone else, they probably would've demanded a favour in exchange. I just hope she realises how lucky she is."
As night fell upon Red Town, Nico dozed off and went to sleep, hoping that tomorrow will be better than it was today.
***
Right beneath the thunderous storm, a mansion of 4 storeys settled, a few roads away from Red Town. Inside the mansion was a large number of rooms, each built for different purposes. The manor was lavish and screamed rich person.
The walls had detailed floral patterns of brown colours, while the floor was made of redwood and had a red carpet in the front entrance. At the same entrance stood beautiful women wearing little to no clothing, their perfect skin revealed through their see through dresses.
Amongst those beautiful women was Melissa, her long brown hair neatly braided and tied back. Laura entered the mansion and made eye contact with her, glaring daggers at her before walking away.
Then, she made her way towards a large room and entered without knocking. "Yo, I'm back."
"Is that anyway for you to address our boss?" a woman with short, black hair and blue eyes asked seriously, her arms folded as she did. She had the same pink jacket, blue jean shorts and boots as the woman who kicked Nico's manhood the first day he got to Olympus. Because, it was her.
"Shut it, Elayne. I've got more pressing matters."
"Your sister won't be joining us again?" a deep voice came from a man sitting on a throne.
The man donned a white suit, a fedora of the same colour and black earbuds, an alternate version of the standard AutoSiphers. He had a stubble beard, medium length black hair and a piercing golden gaze.
He was muscular with broad shoulders, and his hands were covered in rings, apart from his thumbs. His overall appearance was inspired by his favourite character from a novel he read before getting transmigrated.
He leaned in, his fingers interlocked as he looked at Laura and asked, "Where's Lindsey?" in a low, deep, and heavy Mexican accent.
"... She's not here... Yet..."
Genesis scoffed and leaned back. "I assume you're here to bring in the weekly quota, along with her share?"
Laura nodded and approached Genesis, only for Elayne to stop her. She furrowed her brows and clenched her fist, glaring at Laura as she did.
"You know you're not allowed to step any closer to the boss than where you stand. What the fuck are you doing?" Elayne asked, her voice laced with venom.
"... Sorry..." Laura extended her hand and hovered it above Elayne's, who received the coins. "I'll be going now."
"Wait," Genesis commanded. "I heard there's a new player snooping around, asking about me and how I killed Ares. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
"New player?" Laura repeated Genesis's words. "... No, I don't think I've encountered a new player..."
"Mh... Very well. You're free to go. Also, remember to bring that ass back at the agreed time."
Laura nodded, knowing that she was going to scrub her body with a brush even harder after tonight. Then, she turned around and left the room, closing the door behind her. Elayne looked at her and then looked at her palm.
"What's wrong, Eli?"
"... Nothing... Your dough."
"Keep it."
"Huh?"
"I've got more than enough this week. Looks like my men have been working their asses off more than they normally would. Think of this as your Christmas bonus, sensei."
"Don't call me that. Also, what's the news about this new player?"
Genesis sighed. "Apparently, he wants to kill the gods of Olympus and find a way back to the real world."
Elayne scoffed. "But there's no way out. Otherwise, you would've revealed it by now."
"Exactly. But, I don't know how I'm going to convince him to quiet down... Eli, would you mind?"
"Not at all. I'll get it done ASAP."
Genesis smirked. "Very good. I'll be expecting good news."
Elayne nodded and walked out. When she did, Genesis cracked his knuckles and sighed heavily. 'Killing Ares was a challenge on its own. There was originally 50 of us, but only 7 survived... If more players tried to fight those gods... it'll bring forth a calamity...'