A Date and a Trap
"So, you're having lunch together?"
"Yes."
Kind flashed a broad grin. At the same time, fragments of emotion seeped from him. It was excitement.
This had started after I acquired the Empathy trait. When someone from a mantis clan far weaker than me harbored intense emotions, I could glimpse fragments of those surface feelings.
It was a startlingly fresh and intriguing effect, even for me.
If the Empathy trait's rank rises, maybe I'll be able to read minds someday.
Anyway, I clapped Kind on the shoulder.
"Good luck."
"Heh heh, you got it."
The guy couldn't stifle his leaking grin, like it was his first taste of attention from the opposite sex. Well, he was right at that age when hormones raged.
I chuckled softly, curiosity sparking about Bishier, who had shown interest in Kind.
King mantis clan females rarely pay attention to males from lower clans...
It wasn't just them—most clans operated the same way. In the brutal eat-or-be-eaten world of the Abian Continent, females sought mates from equal or superior clans at minimum.
Of course, even inter-clan marriages meant offspring inherited the mother's race. But in the rare cases where an irregular surpassing the clan's power emerged, the father's clan was almost always higher-ranked.
That's why people whisper my father might be king mantis.
Regardless, I focused to see if I could read Bishier's emotions. I wasn't expecting much. Unless it was a moment of intense feeling like Kind's just now, it was hard to pick up clearly. Especially from king mantis—an upper-tier clan—I'd never sensed anything from anyone before.
Huh?
Yet from Bishier, fragments of emotion trickled in. Had she undergone some intense shift too?
This is...
I felt the emotion radiating from her and twisted into a strange expression.
"Kha, this is good."
"To your taste?"
"Yeah, top-notch!"
Kind gave Bishier a thumbs-up. They were digging into mealworm fritters—the crispy batter blending perfectly with the nutty aroma for an exquisite crunch.
"This place is a hidden gem. I don't tell just anyone, but you're special, Kind."
"Whoa, that's touching."
Kind's face flushed crimson at the word special, his heart thumping wildly. Even an oblivious guy like me could see it was blatant affection.
"Dinner together later?"
"O-of course! Just say the word!"
Bishier burst out laughing at Kind's dopey expression.
This guy's cuter than he looks.
She'd pegged him as a thug at first, total turn-off. But chatting revealed a subtle charm.
Still, why'd senior Zakai want me to bring him?
Bishier recalled yesterday.
"Welcome. I'm Zakai."
"Hi! I'm Bishier."
She'd visited the Overlord Club hideout. When Zakai first summoned her, she couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.
Me, invited to the Overlord Club!
King mantis herself, she'd applied to the elite club exclusive to king and shield mantis. Never dreamed of instant acceptance—fixed slots, interviews only when spots opened for waitlisters.
Figured it'd take till juvenile or growth stage.
"You want to join the Overlord Club?"
"Yes, absolutely! I want in."
No hesitation—she nodded firmly. Born to an utterly ordinary king mantis family, no standout talents. A chronic worrier too. She'd fretted over flunking the survival exam for Mantis Hall.
King mantis or not, mediocrity meant failing often. Her personality might've led to voluntary withdrawal if the test dragged on.
Luckily, early termination let her scrape onto the pass line. Barely made warrior class.
To climb higher here, she needed an environment.
The Overlord Club will give wings to a talentless nobody like me.
Can't rise solo? Borrow the group's clout.
She was ready for anything to join.
"Fine. Special mission for you. Nail it, and I'll add you to the special recommendation list with my authority."
" entrust it to me!"
That day, she got mission details: lure Kind out for a private dinner.
Call Kind alone for dinner...
Seemed easy enough. And it was—Kind responded with shocking eagerness to a few words from her. Instant yes to meeting up.
Should be fine... right?
Yet something nagged: don't introduce Kind to Zakai. Uneasy hunch. Why? Unclear, but the task felt off.
Still, gotta do it.
She shook it off. Her pointless worries were the issue. Mid-executive wanted to meet—prime chance for Kind too.
Had to be. Just paranoia.
She rationalized it away.
"Oh! Dinner—got someone to introduce. Cool?"
"Ah, not just us?"
"Just us tomorrow night."
"Y-yeah!"
Bishier gave Kind a faint smile. Felt like a solid friend budding from this.
She shoved the nagging unease aside again.
"She really into him?"
I watched them enjoy lunch, head tilted.
Definitely not a misread...
That emotion from Bishier earlier was pure anxiety. Why feel anxious lunching alone with Kind?
Her state baffled me.
Low proficiency glitch?
Fresh F-rank Empathy. Unreliable till upgraded.
Hmm.
I stroked my chin, pondering. Then decided.
I'll tail her.
After Kind split, I shadowed Bishier.
That direction...
She left the Mantis Hall dining district, heading toward the Overlord Club sector. Eyes narrowed.
Need to watch closer.
Hideout entry meant no further tail. But confirming ties was valuable.
Overlord Club—prime infiltration spot for Amar spies.
I knew from past life how Mantis Hall fell.
Can't dismiss Bishier links.
Tumor mass to purge eventually. If she's tangled in it.
Even Theo's parasite likely Club-related, given shield mantis status. Logical hunch.
Ask Theo once he snaps out of it.
Still comatose post-extraction. Massive aftereffects. Worst case, lifelong vegetable.
No way they're targeting Kind next?
Brow furrowed. Plenty possible. Infect him? Unthinkable.
Head back... wait.
About-face after confirming path—she veered before the hideout. Side alley.
Breath held, I followed.
Here...
Alley spat out a tiny shack—one room size. She knocked, entered.
Area clear. I dashed, plastered to wall, peered through window.
Who's that?
Inside: Bishier, growth-stage boy.
King mantis.
Clan mark under ear—Overlord Club affiliate.
Window open—lucky.
Approaching summer. I channeled ether to ears, boosting hearing.
"...so you got firm yes for tonight?"
"Yes, dinner agreed."
"Good work—faster than expected. Finish this, special join list as promised."
"Thank you, senior Zakai! I'll do even better."
Bishier beamed, bowing repeatedly to the boy called Zakai.
Bringing Kind here for Club entry, huh.
Situation clicked. She'd applied; Zakai tasked her with luring Kind.
Bishier's clueless to the game.
Tongue clicked low. Just a pawn getting played.
"But... mind if I ask why Kind?"
Bishier ventured cautiously, worry laced in.
"No big deal. Shone in the terror attack. Want a meal and chat—reward good work."
"Ah, gotcha."
Relief bloomed on her face. Emotions showed plainly.
"Be a good time. For you too."
Zakai tacked on. Subtle lust flickered in his eyes, easy to miss.
Tch, eyeing Bishier now.
Quiet and timid diluted her presence, but objectively, prime girl material. No shock Kind melted instantly.
Trash.
I scowled at Zakai.
Then—
"Who's there?"
Zakai whipped around. Straight at my peeking window.