"Ah—I forgot to introduce myself. My awakened ability is mind reading, so... would you consider working with me, Miss Ye—uh—"
Before Lin Chuyi could finish that sentence, Ye Shu grabbed him by the throat.
"Urgh... let—go."
What the hell does this tigress eat? Where does she get this strength?
Lin Chuyi hadn’t expected her to lay hands on him in front of everyone, but now it was as if the oxygen had been sucked from his lungs, the world before his eyes blurring.
"What’s going on?"
"She’s hitting someone!"
The hall of the safety zone erupted in a clamor, all eyes fixed on Ye Shu and her companions. Su Bai anxiously clung to Ye Shu’s arm, gently tugging, her voice a soft plea: "Shu, aren’t we being a bit too blatant? Everyone’s watching—are we really okay doing this?"
Ye Shu calmly tossed Lin Chuyi into the crowd. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry."
Su Bai stared, speechless.
Was this really the same Ye Shu she’d known for being so cautious and low-key?
She didn’t even bother hiding her misdeeds anymore.
But what exactly did that man say to Ye Shu? This was the first time she’d seen her lose control and lash out physically.
Lin Chuyi had spoken in a whisper just now; only Ye Shu had heard.
A rush of soldiers quickly surrounded the scene—their leader’s gaze slid between Ye Shu and Lin Chuyi, scrutinizing them both.
"Shu, shouldn’t we run?" Su Bai’s nervousness peaked.
It was true she had awakened powers, but two fists couldn’t beat four hands, and outside, the weather nearly hit minus fifty degrees—a lethal disadvantage for a fire-type esper like her.
Her bravado withered. She’d yield, for once.
"What’s there to be afraid of?" Ye Shu replied.
"Aren’t we just trying to get on the Ark?"
"We’re about to get in. It’s free—no ticket needed."
Su Bai couldn’t keep up, her face blank with confusion. "What do you mean? Ye Shu, say it straight. I can’t follow your logic."
Ye Shu’s eyes remained half-lidded, her gaze fixed on the strange instruments gripped by the soldiers.
If what Lin Chuyi said was true, then—
"Those three over there," Ye Shu declared.
At her words, a silvery-gray device was aimed at them, shaped like a measurement instrument.
The next instant, mechanical beeps echoed across the vast lobby.
"Fire-type esper detected."
"Ice-type esper detected."
"No ability detected."
‘Fire-type’ naturally referred to Su Bai; ‘Ice-type’ was Ye Shu. Pang Pangzi, meanwhile, was just another ordinary soul.
"What luck today—two espers in one sweep! Take them away."
Ye Shu’s heart quaked, though her face showed no sign of it.
This device... much like the detector she’d bought in the Survival Mall.
Just a touch was enough to expose an awakened mind.
Small wonder those other ‘players’ had been captured.
But this device was clearly a low-grade knockoff. Forget about optimization, rewinding, or even spatial detection—it barely scraped the basics.
She had no idea what this world’s people wanted with espers, but at least it meant step one for boarding the Noah’s Ark was complete.
"Wait," Ye Shu spoke up. "Take us if you must, but can we bring our companion too?"
She pointed back at Pang Pangzi.
"No," the soldier barked, eyes sweeping over Pang Pangzi and shutting down the idea.
"How about one esper in exchange for him getting on the Ark? I promise, it’ll be worth your while."
She gestured at Pang Pangzi.
Their leader paused in surprise, then nodded.
Normally, espers who called themselves ‘players’ either lurked in the shadows or acted out of sheer arrogance—but this was the first time one had bargained so brazenly.
"And that man there—he’s one too. In fact, he’s a special kind: a telepath. You’ve heard of mind reading, haven’t you? He got my secrets just by glancing my way—" Ye Shu sold Lin Chuyi out without batting an eye.
Telepaths made Ye Shu wary; now was the perfect moment, and besides, that man needed a ship ticket as well.
"Y-you—what nonsense! Who’s an esper? What mind reader? I don’t know anything! When did I ever learn your secrets?"
Lin Chuyi stumbled back, fuming.
Having just been half-choked to death by Ye Shu, he barely had time to catch his breath before being exposed outright. What rotten luck! Had he known the seemingly quiet, docile girl was a little monster, he’d rather have frozen to death in the game world than dared approach her.
Truth was, at first, he did try to read her mind. But Ye Shu was different. He simply couldn’t penetrate her thoughts.
Suddenly, one of the guards’ eyes sparkled with recognition. Clearly, he’d recognized Lin Chuyi.
"No fighting or brawling in here! All of you—come with us."