The Incubus System Chapter 772. Lie VS Lie (Patreon)

The Incubus System Chapter 772. Lie VS Lie

The three of us were left utterly speechless by Ruby's audacious display. Her sudden change from the dramatic victim act to an almost petulant pout left us bewildered, unsure of what to make of her behavior.

"No," I said coldly, refusing to bow to her demands. I wasn't about to be manipulated by her threats or her theatrics.

But then, in a surprising twist, Ruby's eyes darkened, and a glint of something less innocent flashed within them. The transformation was so swift that it left me taken aback. "You better pick me up or I will scream that you have attacked me," she threatened, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. Her words were laced with a subtle menace that sent a chill down my spine.

At the entrance of the haunted house, we were sternly warned not to attack or harm the staff, who were only doing their jobs to provide a thrilling experience for visitors. Ruby's threat felt like a low blow, exploiting the rules we were all expected to follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.

"But I know you're not staff," I retorted, my voice firm.

Ruby's annoyance was evident as she tried to get up, but her movements were constrained, and she flinched in pain. My eyes darted to the status above her head. I finally understood what had transpired earlier. When I pulled down her ghostly hand, I inadvertently caused her HP to decrease.

Despite my annoyance with Ruby's annoying behavior, I couldn't bring myself to ignore her pain. So, with a sigh of exasperation, I reached out and grabbed her hand to help her up. As much as I disliked her tactics, I couldn't ignore her genuine love for me.

'Right... It was her fault that she tried to deceive us, but in the end, I have to help her,' I thought, the internal conflict evident in my mind.

Despite her sometimes annoying antics, Ruby had shown moments of loyalty that I couldn't ignore. From Mrs. Clea's memories, I knew that she had defended me a lot. Our relationship was weird and complicated, a mix of fondness and exasperation that defied simple categorization.

"Thank you," Ruby said happily, a genuine smile lighting up her face. Despite everything, she still appreciated the help, and her gratitude was sincere.

"Whatever. Just don't pull that stunt again," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. It was difficult to fully suppress my irritation, but I knew that pushing her away wouldn't solve anything.

Ruby's attempt to stand on her own proved futile, and before I could take another step, she fell onto me, clutching my hand tightly to prevent her body from collapsing completely. I let out an exasperated sigh, my irritation momentarily overshadowed by concern for her well-being.

"Sorry. But it looks like my leg is sprained," she said, genuine regret in her voice. Despite my annoyance with her, I couldn't ignore the pain she was experiencing.

I already knew what she wanted. "I will take you to the exit," I said firmly, my resolve unwavering. I couldn't leave her here injured, regardless of the circumstances.

"But," I continued, my voice taking on a stern edge, "you have to be responsible for the costumes you stole or the staff you threatened," I told her, my voice tinged with a note of warning. I wasn't entirely sure if Ruby was responsible for it, but it seemed highly likely.

“I understand.” Ruby's dry smile did little to ease the tension between us. Her acknowledgment of responsibility for her actions felt somewhat insincere, but at least she seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation. With that silent understanding, we began our slow walk out of the haunted house.

As we emerged from the haunted house, a staff member quickly approached us. His eyes widened with concern when he saw Ruby, assuming she was one of the employees. "Oh my, what happened?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Before I could say anything, Ruby spoke up, trying to dismiss any concern. "I'm okay," she said with a weak smile, even though her face betrayed the pain she was still experiencing.

The staff member looked puzzled. "I thought you were one of our staff members," he admitted, his expression reflecting his confusion.

Ruby chuckled nervously, realizing the misunderstanding. "No, I'm not staff. I'm just a friend who got a little too into the Halloween spirit, I guess," she explained, her admission drawing an incredulous look from both the staff member and me.

"Why were you pretending to be a staff member?" the staff member inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Ruby's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she apologized. "I just wanted to scare my friends," she confessed, casting a sheepish glance our way.

I rolled my eyes, unable to believe the lengths she had gone to for a scare. "Well, congratulations, you succeeded," I said sarcastically.

The staff member couldn't help but sigh at the situation. "Well, just be careful next time," he warned.

With a mix of relief and humility, Ruby shed her ghostly disguise and return the costume to the staff.

"I'm really sorry about this," Ruby apologized, her voice tinged with genuine regret as she handed over the costume and the mask. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

The staff member looked at her with a mixture of amusement and understanding. "It's alright. Halloween can get a little crazy around here," he said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Ruby nodded, grateful that the staff member was taking the mishap in stride. She had feared that she might be fined for impersonating a staff member, but it seemed luck was on her side this time.

"I promise I won't do anything like this again," Ruby assured him sincerely. "Thank you for not being too hard on me."

The staff member nodded and waved her off. "No worries. Just enjoy the rest of your time at the park."

With that, Ruby rejoined us without our permission.