Chapter 20: Scammed

[Player selects=>Yes]

[Deceptive Reasoning purchased!]

[Player has leveled up!]

A few moments passed as Mikey waited, expecting a manual or some kind of explanation that would help him understand Deceptive Reasoning better. But instead of that, a different notification appeared before him.

[Congratulations player!]

[You have been added to the story]

[Player role: Extra]

Mikey, at that point, was lost for words. Or maybe that was an understatement.

‘Added to the story? What damn story? And why the fuck…did it just call me an extra?!’

However, before he could think any further, the pitch-black darkness suddenly disappeared.

Mikey blinked. His vision blurred momentarily before coming into focus, revealing the all-too-familiar surroundings of his dorm room. The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the silence, and as he adjusted his position, he realized something.

He was back.

“What the…?”

He sat up, his phone still in his hand, its screen dim from inactivity.

For a moment, he simply stared at it, expecting—no, hoping—that something would change. A flicker of light? A sudden surge of power coursing through his veins? A grand notification declaring his newfound abilities?

But there was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

His fingers raked through his hair as he let out a sigh.

“I-Is that it? I don’t feel any different.”

That was quite the bummer. He had just purchased the Deceptive Reasoning, a skill supposedly designed for manipulation. Yet, he felt exactly the same. No tingling sensation. No rush of knowledge. No divine revelation. Had he been scammed?

Well, there was only one way to find out.

His eyes narrowed as a plan began forming in his mind.

‘Well…If Deceptive Reasoning truly worked, then I have to test it before declaring it a scam.’

And to do that, he needed to have a conversation with someone—someone he could attempt to manipulate.

His gaze drifted to the clock. He had school- and that would be the perfect place to pick a target. So, the first person he talked to after leaving his room would be his target.

With that, he got up. Just like every guy, he got dressed in his uniform in a swift moment, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and stepped out of the hallway and soon, into the bustling hallways of Metropolitan High School.

The corridors were filled with students, laughter, conversations, and the occasional slamming of lockers. Mikey moved through the crowd, his eyes darting from one person to another, searching.

Yet, beneath his outward composure, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

The system’s last message had caught him off guard as it had declared him an extra. Still, he hadn’t gotten used to the system’s insults.

‘What the hell does it mean by ‘extra’? What, am an extra in my own life?’

He clenched his fists, slightly gnashing his teeth. That wasn’t going to happen. He had a system, dammit.

‘How the hell does someone with a system still end up as an extra? And if I’m the extra…then who the hell is the mc?’ The thought lingered, sending a ripple of mystery through his mind.

However-

“So, you’re not going to apologize, huh?”

Mikey halted mid-step, his ears picking up the sharp tone behind him. Slowly, he turned—and there she was.

Aurora.

She stood with her arms crossed, her emerald eyes glaring at him with the intensity of a scorned goddess. Her uniform—a white button-up shirt, layered beneath a black jacket—was tight enough that the buttons seemed to strain, barely keeping her ample chest contained. The miniskirt she wore was dangerously short, teasingly revealing the smooth curve of her thighs.

Her hair, silky and brown, cascaded down her back, contrasting against the dark fabric of her uniform.

Mikey gulped. Shit.

Aurora’s glare sharpened.

“Well? Are you just going to stand there looking stupid, or are you actually going to apologize?”

Mikey’s brain scrambled for a response. Apologize? For what?

Then, after a few short moments, it hit him—the party.

‘Oh yeahh…I ditched her back at the pond.’

His hand went to his head as he racked his brain for the right words. As bad as this might have seemed, he needed to test Deceptive Reasoning, and what better way to do that than right then. So, swallowing hard, he took a hesitant step forward.

“Aurora… look, I…” He trailed off as his mind raced for an answer, or atleast an excuse.

But, before he could even think further, the words came out of his mouth, fully against his will.

“I’m sorry.”

Aurora paused, her eyes slightly widening. Mikey almost gasped, startled by the involuntary response he had just given. However, his lips didn’t stop there.

“I know you worked really hard to get me into that party. It was wrong of me to leave the way I did, I know…but I just have to say…”

A surge of exhilaration rang through his mind as realization struck—Deceptive Reasoning was real.

‘Yes! I’m doing it. I’m actually saying the right things. Was this Deceptive Reasoning at work?’

Then, his mouth moved again—without his permission.

“…I had better things to do than waste my time in that party.”

Silence. Dead silence.

Aurora’s expression shifted. Her lips parted slightly, as if she had just been slapped in the face.

Mikey’s brain screamed, dazed by his utter.

‘ No! What the hell did I just say?!’

Aurora’s tone dropped.

“You had something better to do than spend time with your best friend?”

His body betrayed him again.

“Yes.”

At that point, Mikey wanted to bash his head against a wall, the cringy feeling biting at him- but still, his body felt completely out of his control.

‘What the fuck is wrong with me?!’

Aurora’s gaze hardened, but before she could snap, his mouth—his treacherous mouth—spoke again.

“I had something better to do than waste my time at a party where you were forcing yourself to fit in.”

She froze.

“That’s what that happened, wasn’t it. You forced yourself to fit in.’

Mikey’s heartbeat quickened. Time seemed to slow. He could see it in her eyes—the turmoil, the uncertainty.

And then, just when he thought he was truly done for, his phone buzzed.

His breath caught as he lowered his gaze, eyes locking onto the notification glowing on the screen.

[Deceptive Reasoning in use.]

His eyes widened. Holy shit.

Before he could fully process it, Aurora spoke again, her voice softer this time.

“I… I just didn’t want to go alone.” She shifted uncomfortably.

“I only went because my friends pushed me into it. I just… I wanted you to be there with me.”

Mikey looked up. Their eyes locked, and in that instant, he felt it—a connection that didn’t seem entirely platonic at all.

Then, without even thinking, he said,

“I’d rather be somewhere where I know you’d actually be comfortable and happy. That’s what any normal friend would want…and I think any girl as beautiful as you are should be treated that way.”

Aurora’s eyes widened ever so slightly, her lips parting as if grappling with his words.

A short silence hung between them as Aurora processed his words, casting her gaze away from his… and then, he noticed it—a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. She was blushing.

‘Wait… Hold on. Am I actually flirting with her? And it’s working?! This system…Deceptive Reasoning…is absolutely insane!!’

|||

Bonus Chapters will be released by 20, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1000 Powerstones.

Add this novel to your collection and donate power stones please. Feel free to comment your thoughts in the comment section. There will always be a reply.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep