Chapter 55 : Lana’s Testimony of the Frost (4)

Her glossy black hair gleamed like obsidian, and her smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower.

It’s natural for anyone to be fond of something beautiful.

However, the Vendetta Legion was an exception. 

Whenever something beautiful appeared before them, their first reaction was to be wary. 

This was because they had been deceived countless times.

The Wendigos didn’t merely torment humans physically.

They used illusions to lure people, sometimes transforming into a beautiful being or an animal to enchant them.

It wasn’t just ordinary people or low-ranking soldiers who fell for it. 

Even seasoned warriors who had survived countless life-or-death situations could be caught off guard. 

Their illusions were so lethal that distinguishing them from reality was nearly impossible.

Because of this, Jackal felt a distinct unease in the current situation. 

Yet, her overwhelming abilities managed to erase even that unease. 

If only her power had been mere brainwashing…

If it were brainwashing, Jackal might have been able to resist. 

Brainwashing is the ability to manipulate another’s mind at will. 

Ironically, however, her power wasn’t anything like brainwashing.

“Child, what is your wish?”

“… I want to be loved by everyone.”

“If you grant me my request, I will grant you that wish.”

The power of love.

It was one of her many abilities. 

When meeting someone, everyone forms a first impression.

The power of love allowed her to easily gain the favor of others.

But this power wasn’t coercive. 

If she did nothing, it merely left a positive first impression—nothing more, nothing less.

The real fear of this power lay in what came after. 

As the saying goes, “Love makes blind.” Similarly, it allowed others to feel growing affection for her every small action.

This led people to quickly become attached to the girl with this power, eventually surrendering their hearts entirely. 

Her power synergized exceptionally well with her other abilities.

She could see through the desires of others. 

By knowing what someone wanted and acting accordingly, she naturally won their favor.

“I can clearly see what it is you desire.”

For some reason, however, it didn’t work on Wolfgang Leonhardt. 

Whether it was because She had no desires or could control them, she didn’t know. 

It was her first time encountering such a case.

Compared to him, Jackal was far too easy. 

Perhaps it was because she already knew, or maybe it was because he was still young. 

What Jackal wanted was simple—a family.

She could see it. 

Jackal, wanting to be embraced in the arms of a family and be spoiled. 

If that was your desire, if that was truly what you wished for, I could become that for you.

“Are you satisfied with your life now?”

“What? What’s with that question all of a sudden?”

“I was just curious. I’m not satisfied with mine.”

“Then what are you going to do about it?”

“Well… I’ll work hard to move toward a better future.”

Through slow, steady conversation, she worked to expand her presence in his heart. 

It was her preferred method.

However, Jackal was done playing along.

“Something feels off. I need to stop this.”

“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden…”

“Talking to you is making my head feel strange.”

Even though the unease had been erased from his mind, Jackal’s sharp instincts as a beast remained. 

That instinct was ringing alarm bells.

Realizing he had to escape while he still had some sense of awareness, Jackal tried to leave, fearing that continuing the conversation would warp his mind further.

But before he could move, the girl grabbed his hand. 

Jackal tried to shake her off, but for some reason, he couldn’t muster the strength to resist even her slender hand.

To be more precise, his strength was gradually fading. 

When he regained his senses, Jackal was already kneeling on one knee. 

He felt so sleepy, as if he could fall asleep at any moment.

The girl’s power drew Jackal into a dream-like world, where his desires played out before him. 

It was a dazzling and perfect vision of happiness.

But deep down, Jackal knew—no matter how much he was tempted, the past couldn’t be erased.

As radiant as the dream was, it wasn’t real. Jackal’s instincts rejected it. 

He understood where he truly belonged, even if it meant embracing the pain of his past.

In that moment, Jackal saw it—the collar around his neck. 

It resembled chains of cold, unyielding steel, but his expression remained calm.

Wolfgang Leonhardt appeared as a manifestation of Jackal’s memories. 

Despite being just a memory, Wolfgang’s presence was overwhelming.

“You dared to toy with my subordinate?”

The girl trembled in frustration but couldn’t erase the projection of Wolfgang from Jackal’s mind.

Wolfgang removed hER eyepatch, unleashing an inferno that burned away the dream.

And then, hell was unleashed.