Terrence was confused.
He was sure it would work even without any eye-to-eye or direct contact at all.
Still, because Claire was also a high-level Survivor, the condition might be a lot harder than he thought...
’Shit... I can’t fail now...’
Determined, he moved in front of her, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders.
Then, he leaned closer, locking his eyes onto hers, and pushed the skill again.
"Claire... I think you misheard . I’m telling you to have a al with . Just eat with and follow ." He ordered once again using his skill.
But instead of compliance, Claire just frowned even more!
Her annoyance was unmistakable at this point.
"Stop it, Terrence. I don’t appreciate this."
The words hit him harder than he expected.
His Hypnotic Suggestion had failed twice! He spent a lot of Skill Points for nothing!
He had never imagined Claire would resist so strongly. For a mont, his confidence wavered.
’Why isn’t it working? Is it her Talent?’
He clenched his jaw as he had no idea how to save this situation.
Claire wasn’t just rejecting him... she was defying the very skill he believed gave him control. The realization distressed him.
It appears that his advantage wasn’t absolute. There were limits, and Claire had just exposed them.
Claire, anwhile, ignored his confusion and slapped his hands away!
If Terrence failed to respect her space once again, he’d definitely get hit harder than that. This would be his last chance!
So after taking a deep breath, she returned her focus to the Gene Trader, calmly reviewing the remaining items.
’You should learn how to accept rejection...’ Claire mused.
To her, Terrence’s attempt was nothing more than an annoyance, a distraction from what truly mattered.
She had no interest in his gas...
Terrence stepped back while masking his frustration with a forced smile.
Inside, though, he was agitated...
’So that’s how it is... She can really resist .’
At this point, he knew that he had to step back and rethink his plans!
He had to stop provoking her, or he’d really get punched!
***
Soon, Claire tilted her head slightly as she noticed Terrence finally leaving the treehouse.
His forced smile lingered in her mind, but she dismissed it quickly.
She had no idea what had just happened to her, only that his behavior was strange. She’d definitely report this to Kai later.
Then she heard it.
’Hihihi...’
There was a faint giggle, echoing in her mind.
She stiffened.
The sound wasn’t coming from the Gene Trader, nor from outside. It was her spirit companion. Invisible to everyone else, but it hovered near her, amused. She could only see its vague figure, but it was definitely the spirit...
Claire frowned. "Why are you laughing like that?" she whispered under her breath, careful not to draw attention.
She didn’t want others to see that she was talking to nothing.
The spirit turned around lazily in the air...
It didn’t answer, only laughed harder, as if watching a cody unfold.
Claire’s patience thinned.
"Tell . What happened just now? Why are you laughing at ?"
The spirit tilted its head, feigning innocence. "Oh, nothing... just watching you deal with Terrence. He’s... entertaining."
Claire narrowed her eyes. "Stop playing around. You never laugh like this unless sothing happened. Speak."
The spirit floated closer, circling her like a mischievous shadow.
"You really don’t know? He tried to use a Gene Skill on you. Hypnotism. Twice."
Claire’s eyes widened. "What? So that’s why you’re laughing so much..."
"Yes. He thought he could bend your will so easily... But your Talent now is too strong. His skill couldn’t touch you."
Claire’s heart raced.
She had felt annoyed, irritated by Terrence’s insistence, but she hadn’t realized he was actively trying to manipulate her.
"So that’s why he kept pressing ... He was using a skill?" This was a serious matter that must be addressed...
The spirit nodded, still chuckling. "Exactly. He wasted his points, and you resisted without even knowing. That’s why I laughed. He thought he had a chance! But your Talent makes you far stronger than he realizes."
Claire exhaled slowly. Her previous annoyance had now shifted into realization.
Her Talent wasn’t just about accumulating wealth... it was a shield, a foundation that made her harder to influence for sure!
She rembered the deal she had made before leaving the shelter.
At first, she had only asked Kai for bullets and basic supplies.
But Kai had insisted she needed more, that she should grow stronger quickly.
In the end, he had given her thirty drained Sentinels!
"Did I beco that strong already? I think I should really test my strength right now..." She muttered.
After all, although those humanoid machines may not have any energy and be unable to function, they still count as valuable resources!
That gift had changed everything.
Thirty Sentinels ant imnse wealth in the eyes of the System.
And with her Talent, that wealth translated directly into strength. This strength wasn’t just physical, but it also boosted her spirit!
Then, her Talent’s Spirit, whom she suspected as Greed, spoke with an amused tone...
"Yeah~ That’s why his hypnotism failed. Your wealth has grown beyond what he can overco. Every bullet, every tool, every drained Sentinel Kai gave you... It all feeds your Talent. You lucky sucker... I told you already! You have to start sleeping with Kai and get more! If you’re slow, Sera and Althea will take him!"
Claire shook her head after hearing this...
"I already have a family back on Earth... Besides, I’m already too old for Kai. Stop suggesting that or I’ll get angry..." She replied seriously.
This made Greed stop for a mont.
Still, Claire hadn’t realized the full extent of her protection until now. Terrence’s failure wasn’t just his weakness... it was her strength. For the first ti, she felt that she could actually beco a main character with her current abilities!
After taking a deep breath, she turned and asked. "Is that a laughing matter?"
The spirit nodded without hesitation. "Because he thought he could control you. He believed his skill was absolute. But you, Claire... you’re untouchable from that kind of ability... He doesn’t even know why. To , it’s hilarious."
Claire shook her head, half‑amused, half‑troubled.
She glanced at the Gene Trader’s glowing crystal, pretending to browse while her thoughts processed all the information...
Without a doubt, Terrence would likely try again... and next ti, his Targets may not be soone capable of defending themselves from such attacks.
Now, she was considering whether to subdue Terrence imdiately or wait for Kai’s decision...
’No... There’s no need to bother Kai about this. I can handle this!’
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