Chapter 162: Zeus and Roxana's Meeting (4)

Zeus sat frozen, his mind racing after Roxana's startling confession. His heart pounded as he tried to process what she had just said.

"How can you say that you're a reincarnator from another world so easily?" he finally asked, his voice edged with disbelief, his eyes narrowing as if searching for cracks in her statement.

Roxana leaned back slightly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Her eyes gleamed with amusement, as if she found his reaction predictable. "Why wouldn't I say it?" she replied smoothly. "You're a reincarnator too, aren't you?"

Zeus stiffened, his calm facade slipping for the first time. "Wait, what?" His voice cracked slightly, and despite his best efforts, the shock was written plainly across his face.

Roxana chuckled, the sound low and full of satisfaction. "Come on, don't bother trying to hide it from me," she said, her tone teasing but with a sharp edge of certainty. "I figured it out the moment I met you. There's no way you could have risen to power so quickly without some... advantage."

Zeus's jaw clenched, but he stayed silent, watching her closely. Roxana leaned forward, her voice dropping to a softer, more serious tone.

"If you were simply reborn from the future, it wouldn't add up. You wouldn't have grown this strong, this fast—not without access to the right resources. But a cheat? Now that's a different story."

His eyes narrowed, and he felt a flicker of unease. "How does she know all of this?" he thought, his mind scrambling to catch up.

Roxana's smirk widened, her gaze never leaving his. "Cheats are usually given to reincarnators or transmigrators," she continued, her tone almost casual, as though she were discussing the weather.

"But I've noticed something about you. The way you care about your sister, the lengths you go to protect her—there's no way you're just some random soul who took over Lucas's body. You're too deeply connected to her."

Zeus swallowed hard, his eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and wariness. "And?"

"And that tells me," Roxana said, her voice firm now, "that you're not just some transmigrator. You're a reincarnator—someone with deep ties to this world. And if I'm right, your cheat only activated recently, didn't it?"

Lucas—still wearing his Zeus persona—was absolutely stunned by Roxana's sharp intuition. She had pieced together almost everything with terrifying precision. She had even figured out that his cheat, the Divine Mask System, had only recently activated.

His mind raced as he processed her deductions. "This woman is too perceptive," he thought, struggling to keep his cool despite the pressure building.

Taking a deep breath, he composed himself, forcing a small smirk onto his face. There was no point in denying anything further; she'd already unraveled the key pieces.

"You're really sharp, I'll give you that," he said, his voice measured. "So, now that you know all this about me, what is it that you want?"

Roxana's smile widened, her confidence growing with each passing second. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms casually, as if this entire conversation were going exactly as she'd planned.

"It's simple," she said, her tone smooth and matter-of-fact. "I can sense that my power is almost identical to Lucy's. You've clearly done something to help her reach the level she's at now. So…" S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She paused for effect, her eyes gleaming with intent. "I want you to use your cheat to make me stronger as well."

Zeus raised an eyebrow, taken aback by how direct she was. She's serious, he realized, her demand sinking in. Roxana wasn't just someone with sharp instincts—she was dangerous, and she knew how to turn the situation to her advantage with ease.

[Well, well, looks like someone's not afraid to make demands, huh?] the system chimed in with its usual arrogance. [She's got some nerve asking you for a favor. But hey, can't say I'm surprised—who wouldn't want to use a cheat like me?]

Zeus kept his face neutral, but inwardly he rolled his eyes. "Can you not? I'm trying to think."

[Oh, come on, Host. Don't act so humble! She practically begged for your help. She knows you've got power and wants a taste. Honestly, who can blame her? I'd want me too, if I wasn't already in the best hands.] The system's voice oozed with shameless pride.

Zeus let out a soft sigh, the possibilities swirling in his mind. Roxana's request wasn't one to be taken lightly—she had leverage now, sure, but how far would she go? And more importantly, what would he gain or risk by helping her?

Seeing his hesitation, Roxana leaned forward again, her eyes sharp and focused. "You've already done it for your sister. You can do it again. And don't think I'll take no for an answer. You help me grow, and I'll make sure your secret stays just that—a secret."

Her words were calm, but the underlying edge of power and challenge was unmistakable, almost daring him to respond.

Zeus's smirk slowly returned, though this time it held both curiosity and a hint of caution. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Roxana. "So, you think you can just back me into a corner like that? Is that your plan?"

His voice was casual, but the undercurrent of tension in the air made it clear he wasn't one to be easily cornered.

Roxana didn't miss a beat. She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his with sharp precision, her expression completely unwavering. "It's not about cornering you," she said, her voice low but laced with confidence. "This isn't a game of pressure, Zeus."

She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing with a calm yet powerful tone, "It's about aligning our interests. You need allies, I need power. You help me, and I'll ensure our goals line up."

[Ha! Look at her, trying to act like you're equals. I like her spirit, but she clearly doesn't know who she's dealing with. Maybe remind her that I'm the real prize here.] The system's voice was dripping with arrogance now, mocking both the situation and Roxana.

Zeus remained silent for a moment longer, his thoughts churning. He wasn't one to be easily swayed, but the way Roxana had turned the tables intrigued him.