LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 20: Mind Games
"...Who is she?" I finally asked.
He didn't answer. Just grinned.
"All information comes at a price," he said smoothly. "Considering how sensitive this information is… it would demand an even higher one."
Hah.
Playing the curiosity card, are we?
"Alright then... pay more attention to Scarlett," I said casually.
His expression changed—he frowned. Deeply.
"Why?"
"Sensitive information requires a high price... wouldn't you agree?" I shot back.
He leaned away, clasping his hands together. His eyes locked on mine through the mask I wore.
"You're bluffing," he said. "Don't play mind games with me."
Oh, he was serious.
Did I mention he's a villain? I did, right?
But did I also mention he's a narcissist? And a full-blown psycho?
"Believe what you want," I said, "but you're not hearing anything from me about that—until you tell me who she is."
I offered the deal with a tilt of my head. He began tapping his crossed knee.
Scarlett. In this world, she was technically a heroine—but at first, just another side character. The problem? She was utterly obsessed with this bastard. Head over heels. Blinded-by-love level obsessed.
He toyed with her emotions so cruelly, it was hard to watch.
And then one day, Jason stepped in.
Just like that, he stole her heart.
Huh. Come to think of it... I could use her too.
The more pawns, the merrier.
But anyway.
When he realized Scarlett was falling for the protagonist instead of him? The narcissism and sheer madness snapped into place.
He killed her.
Yeah. He murdered a side heroine.
No ifs, no buts—he's a psycho. Full stop.
But… maybe I can use that. Manipulate him.
Wait.
What if I manipulate him into thinking he's manipulating me?
A simple trick. Deceive oneself to deceive a genius devil who can sniff out most manipulation. I just need to plant the idea—make him believe I'm holding a secret. Something that could help him in his desperate pursuit of power.
Then I use him.
As the sacrifice.
For Vysindra's curse.
"..."
Yeah.
That might actually be better than enslaving Angelica.
Hmm. Things are getting interesting.
"...I refuse," he said suddenly, sipping his drink. That damned smirk was back.
Hah. Called it.
He doesn't actually care about Scarlett. Not enough to pay attention—yet.
"Okay." I shrugged.
He kept watching me. Waiting for another move. But too bad for him—I wasn't offering another deal.
"It seems you don't care much about it," he said, still testing the waters.
I met his gaze, silent for a beat.
"A princess," I said.
His lips twitched. Just barely.
Gotcha.
You want to play mind games with me?
Cute.
I've seen every scheme, every twisted manipulation, every layered deception this world has to offer. Some so complex it took me years to understand them.
It's only a matter of time before I'm the one pulling every string.
"...Who knows," he shrugged.
I smirked beneath the mask. He couldn't see it—but he felt it.
"Why is everyone so relaxed in here?" I asked, eyeing him as he flagged down a waiter for another drink.
Wait.
Aren't lower-ranked nobles not even allowed in this place?
...Unless.
Are the waiters actually high-ranked nobles?
That makes no sense.
"Wait. You don't know about the three-layered magic barrier on the castle?" he asked.
Wait.
But according to everything I remember…
Right before the Mystic World appeared—
…the castle blew up.
Wait.
Oh, shit.