[Activating ‘Mind Control’ skill.]
I looked at Jerome with hope.
Then the system window appeared.
[Skill activation failed.]
[Effect does not activate due to insufficient level.]
So close!
It doesn’t work!
Jerome looked at me.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, nothing.”
“…?”
He gave me a strange look, then turned and continued walking.
Still, there was hope. If the problem was my level, then raising the skill level should make it usable.
I needed to figure out how to level up Mind Control.
If I mastered it, the game would become much easier.
Though… Mind Control sounded dangerous.
The power to control someone’s will felt like something meant for villains.
Good thing I’m not a bad person. In the wrong hands, this skill could cause chaos.
***
We arrived at Jerome’s camp.
The healer immediately examined Theodore.
“These wounds are not from an ordinary monster.”
“He was injured by a wyvern’s claws. I gave him an antidote pill.”
“You were fortunate. Without it, the wound would have rotted. Did you stop the bleeding?”
“Yes.”
“Well done. His life was at risk.”
The healer removed the bandage I had wrapped.
Jerome’s handkerchief fell out.
The healer blinked in surprise.
“Isn’t this the Duke’s handkerchief?”
“….”
Jerome’s eyebrow twitched.
“Ah, well… I meant to wash and return it, but you left that day, and I didn’t have any cloth…”
“There’s no need to explain.”
His expression returned to its usual cold neutrality.
“I will assist in reuniting you with your group once Commander Blair recovers. Until then, rest here.”
“Still—!”
Before I could finish, he turned and left.
The tent fell silent.
Was that really necessary?
Yes, I used his handkerchief, but there was a reason!
The healer spoke gently.
“The treatment is complete.”
“Thank you.”
Theodore’s face looked more stable now.
“There is a hot spring nearby. You may wish to bathe.”
A hot spring?
My anger instantly vanished.
I hadn’t had a proper bath since reincarnating. I was covered in dirt, blood, and monster smell.
And honestly, I needed to wash before I lost whatever affection Jerome had left.
I took a towel and herbs and followed the directions.
Soon, warm steam rose ahead.
The natural hot spring came into view.
“Wow…”
Rocks surrounded a pool of steaming water.
In real life, a place like this would cost a fortune.
But this one was free.
I checked that no one was around and undressed.
As soon as my feet touched the water—
“Ahhh…”
My inner middle-aged Korean uncle escaped.
I leaned back against a rock.
Warmth seeped into my bones.
Fatigue washed over me.
Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
***
I woke with a start.
How long had I slept?
As I stood to leave—
Splash.
Before I could react, I saw a figure through the steam.
It approached.
Jerome.
Completely naked.
“…!”
“Ahhh!”
I dove into the water.
Splash!
Jerome turned away immediately.
“I—I apologize. I didn’t know you were here.”
His ears were bright red.
Through the steam, I noticed something.
A small tattoo on his upper back—like a swirl combined with an eye.
I’d never seen that in the game.
Before I could think more—
“I will leave first.”
He stepped out of the spring and disappeared into the steam.
…Wow.
Only now did it fully register.
His broad shoulders. Thick arms. Solid chest. Perfect abs.
I thought he just had a handsome face.
Turns out he’s built.
Very built.
Then again—if I saw him, he saw me too.
But whatever.
This isn’t even my real body.
It’s just a game world.
Free hot spring. Free eye candy.
Still…
He saw me like that, and his affection didn’t go up at all.
Is he… incapable?
Or just incredibly disciplined?
***
Jerome returned quickly.
A servant brought fresh clothes.
“Duke, you’ve returned alrea—”
The servant froze.
Jerome’s face was unusually red.
“Are you unwell?”
“Cold water. Do we have any?”
“Yes.”
The servant brought a bucket of cold stream water.
Jerome dumped it over his head.
“D-Duke!”
“...Haa.”
Cold water soaked his skin, but the heat in his mind remained.
The image of Aisha in the steam lingered.
Her flushed cheeks. Wet lips. Water sliding down her neck.
Every detail replayed in his thoughts.
And where had Lowell been? Why was the Holy Knight commander unconscious?
She had been alone in the forest, covered in dirt and blood, holding a meat tenderizer as a weapon.
His brow furrowed.
The servant spoke cautiously.
“If I may… your tunic is inside out.”
Jerome looked down.
The buttons were on his back.
“….”
He, who never tolerated even a wrinkle in his clothes, had made such a mistake.
He fixed his tunic carefully.
This feeling did not suit him.
It needed to be crushed before it grew.
He fastened the final button tightly.
As if tightening his own loosened heart.
