Even without saying it, the combination of his confidence, skilled background, and taking the time to reassure her add up to the impression that he means to protect her and the others.

"Oh, well, when you put it like that, I suppose I have an important job!" Joanna laughs a little, nervous and polite - and ultimately insincere. She doesn't feel like a capable business owner, with her struggles to keep enough income going, the need to accept help to keep up with rent. She'll just be the same sort of burden here, won't she?

But at least with hiding it, and helping where she can with morale and support, she can help the more capable people accomplish more. She's... a side character here, and maybe one of the minor characters who dies early. But she won't hold them back.

"We should... We should all gather together, in times when there aren't any monsters, and compare what we've figured out," she suggests. "Perhaps some of us will figure things out sooner, and have insights for the rest of us."