Only I Am A Reader

"Oh, he did it. Looks like your ability isn't as great as your boasting."

The brown-haired girl suppressed a laugh while disguising her sarcastic tone. She thought it was interesting that the arrogant Ken had finally flipped and started a fight, so she didn't try to interfere, only to end up surprised by the result.

'Impossible!'

While Gate Metal still couldn't compare to Peak Barrier Abilities, Ken believed that it allowed his Intermediate Weave Barrier to stand equal to Advanced ones, maybe even slightly better.

However, only using a sword surrounded by light, the guy in front of him had managed to cut through his barrier!

"Aren't you exaggerating? He only cut through a small part before having to pull his sword back. Ken was just too easy on him from the start."

Another member of the team protested. The ginger-haired girl was generally close to Ken, so she defended him, but…

'Is he even a scammer?'

Ken himself didn't agree with her judgment. Although it was true that Leo had stopped, he felt it all. His sword's momentum didn't stop from the moment he started till the point where he pulled back.

If he had gone on, his strongest Weave Barrier would have been split in two! Whatever that strengthening light was, it had to be an Extreme Advanced Ability if not a Peak one.

At this point, Ken was starting to think that Leo's whole story was real. He might as well be a noble Hero who had stopped his sword before he could embarrass him too much.

'That should be enough.'

In reality, Leo didn't care about Ken's reputation that much. He just wanted to give the observers mixed feelings.

Those who didn't care much would think he was barely passable, but those with sharp eyes would have realized as much as Ken himself.

He had also read Ken's internal monologue in the novel, so he knew all about his ability. Though that only made him hold back his strength even more.

Even the old Shadow Armament could cut through Weave Barrier, let alone the evolved version. Leo basically wanted to check how much Aurora would see, and from her smile, it seemed like she understood almost everything.

'If only she was that perceptive for everything.'

"Ahem. This is indeed more than enough. You received a Sword Strengthening Ability, right? It's quite formidable for someone who had just awakened."

Ken's frozen face also broke into a sincere smile. Instead of irritation, he now only had pure respect for Leo. He felt like they could warm up to each other once he became part of the team.

'We can be bros!'

Not only were they both strong, but their abilities matched as well, the combination of a sword and shield was perfect. Ken believed they could become a great duo.

"Well, something like that."

In reality, the shining light was just Shadow Armament in disguise. Now that it had become a Law, the nature of Leo's ability was becoming more and more malleable.

Just like he could form a Shadow in an area of total darkness, he could make his shadow look like something else, and not even Aurora saw through that part!

"I welcome you to the team, Ray."

After merely observing till this point, Aurora finally spoke, nodding at Leo with affirmation, she then turned to the black-haired girl who supported her earlier.

"We have gained another capable companion, but we should get going. We can't delay this one any longer."

The black-haired girl spoke in Aurora's place, walking ahead and starting the march. The rest of the team complied, moving together toward their destination.

Now a team of ten, Aurora's group took fast yet firm steps, displaying dignity and resolve. A part of the small crowd followed along, some taking the chance to record their greatness.

'I'm almost believing myself.'

Imitating the group's style, Leo felt the urge to laugh at the great deal they made out of this.

In reality, the only one who was genuinely doing this by putting her heart into it was Aurora. Everyone else was faking it just like Leo. In more accurate words, this was practically a theatrical play.

Thankfully, the march only lasted for a little more than 10 minutes. Most of those who followed had stopped along the way. So only the 10 Ability Users stood before their objective.

Of course, a TV helicopter was flying above to record their heroic moment, but the ones in the limelight had almost forgotten its existence.

Their target just looked too threatening. It was still a circular Gate Portal, but everyone could feel the dread just by looking. innread.com

Green fog spread out of it like poison. Unlike the special Gate that Leo went into, this one was actually trying to keep people out instead of inviting them in.

Normal Gates had no color, they were void openings that emitted faint light. On the other hand, the appearance of any color was an omen.

There was no ranking that decided which color was the worst, every Gate surrounded by an omen was a nightmare. However, the Green Gates were known to have claimed the most lives.

In addition, this Gate Portal also had a few other minor omens attached to it. Distorted border, flashing lights, a physical effect on its surroundings…

Finally, the main part of the circle itself was cracked, indicating that a Gate Break was going to occur very soon.

'Should I really go in?'

Aside from Leo and Aurora, the rest were all doubting themselves. Working up the courage to reach this far was easy, but taking a step inside such a dangerous Gate wasn't simple.

Considering their line of work, they questioned themselves a lot along the way. However, most of the questioning happened before they entered every Gate.

Morals and honesty could be easily squashed by those who killed their conscience, but fear was something far more primal. It was the mind's automated response.

It was especially worse this time due to the special effect of the Gate. Everyone's hearts told them to leave.

'Do not enter. Do not enter. Do not Enter. Do…'

That thought incessantly repeated in their head. Perhaps this was the time to give up this life. Maybe…

'No…'

They were on the brink of letting it all go, but then something anchored their heart in its place as they all turned to look in the same direction.

'With her, it should be fine.'

As soon as they laid eyes on Aurora, their doubts magically disappeared. She was the person that made the impossible possible, and she was the only reason they remained alive till this point.

Ironically enough, the reason the scammers kept doing this shady job was because they truly believed in Aurora. Of course, they didn't believe in her goal, just that she was the perfect guardian.

As long as they remained by her side, they could survive anything. This was the fact that every member learned on their first Gate Clear with the team.

Aurora gave them all the confidence to continue playing their parasitic roles, unburdened by meaningless worries!

"Is everyone ready?"

"Yes!"

Hearing the symbol of their trust giving one last question, the whole team answered in unison. In a way, Aurora did really bring the team ever so close.

"Enter!"

Aurora gave the command before personally stepping in… A single step seemed too insignificant, but in Aurora's heart, it was a huge leap toward humanity's salvation!