Ch.118Episode 24. Catching Paris (3)

Lee Hyemin. She was someone who never intended to join Akcheon from the beginning. She had no choice but to join after being “brainwashed” by Paris who had taken notice of her.

Before joining Akcheon, she was no different from any other alchemist who made a living by crafting potions by hand.

That’s why finding her personal information wasn’t difficult, and tracking her down didn’t take long.

“Um… where is this…?”

“Ms. Lee Hyemin.”

Having broken free from the brainwashing, she is not a villain. At least not now.

“I don’t have time to explain everything. Since I forcibly nullified your ability, you should ‘remember’ everything you’ve done.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Since you’re intelligent, I’ll skip the trivial details.”

Currently, the nullification effect lasts for 3 minutes and 15 seconds.

The time I have to gather information is also 3 minutes and 15 seconds.

For her to completely break free from the speech-action inconsistency, Paris needs to be nullified.

In the original story, until Eugene nullified Paris, the effects on other brainwashed villains were only temporary.

So I needed to quickly obtain information within the time limit.

“W-what?”

“Where is Paris?”

“Paris… that high school student…! I, I had no choice. I absolutely didn’t want to do any of it!”

She must be talking about her crimes.

I understand her position—being brainwashed by Paris’s speech-action inconsistency ability and having no choice but to commit crimes despite knowing what she was doing.

However, even if it was beyond her control, the crimes she committed were not minor. If I testify for her, she might get a reduced sentence, but her life was already ruined.

“I know. We can discuss your crimes later. If I testify, you’ll certainly get a reduced sentence. So for now, please tell me Paris’s location. Where she usually stays, and if possible, key information related to the Akcheon organization.”

I took out a notepad and pen from my inner pocket and handed them to her. Verbal information is good, but nothing beats written notes for memory.

“Ah, yes. Yes…!”

It’s impossible to gather all the information in detail within three minutes. But if I capture Paris, I can hear everything Henry knows.

Maybe I could even hear it from Paris herself.

“Single words are sufficient, you don’t need to write complete sentences.”

She is the head of Paradise and the person in charge of Comfort and eX potions.

She was the only one who could enter Paris’s private space.

If Paris had known I could temporarily nullify her ability, she would never have let her in, nor used her as a shield.

She quickly wrote down Paris’s residential address and details about her research on the notepad.

Despite being aware of the crimes she had committed, she wrote without hesitation.

“I think this covers the essential information I can provide.”

Unfortunately, there was no mention of other executives in the notes she provided.

However, I obtained extensive information about potions and drugs developed in the underground laboratory. This will be a significant hint in addressing the drug threat posed by Akcheon.

Above all, I discovered Paris’s location. Just finding Paris’s whereabouts was an enormous achievement.

“Good.”

I carefully folded the notepad she handed me and put it in my inner pocket.

“Ms. Lee Hyemin, heroes will now take care of your safety. These monsters too.”

I pointed at the still trembling figures as I spoke.

They should be kept alive.

They needed to be used as research subjects to develop countermeasures against opponents using eX potion. Since they were going to die anyway.

“Just to be safe, I’ll tell you this.”

I looked around and unbuckled my belt.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“Give me your hands.”

I wrapped her wrists with my belt and secured them. Without handcuffs, this would have to do.

“What…?”

“Since you’ve given me information, Paris might order you to kill yourself. I’m taking minimal precautions.”

I can’t know how Paris might transmit orders to her, so I have to be prepared.

I tore a piece of her white coat, used the fabric to gag her, and tied it behind her head.

“Please bear with the discomfort. It’s to save your life.”

Even though I’ve obtained crucial information, she must not die yet.

Just because Paris gets captured doesn’t mean Akcheon’s potion technology disappears.

The other executives will surely make their move.

With Moonlight gone, Starlight will likely try to take control.

“I’ll also inform the heroes. Stay alive until I return after dealing with Paris. We’ll talk then.”

Just as she nods, heroes come down the stairs.

Perfect timing.

* * *

I quickly traveled from Sinan to Seoul.

It took about an hour. The time was approaching midnight.

Although I discovered Paris’s location, I didn’t tell the heroes. I planned to deal with Paris and gather information first before telling them.

I would have preferred to take a helicopter, but that would mean going with other heroes, which wasn’t a good choice.

Some old-fashioned heroes would likely accuse me of overreacting.

Besides, I need to give myself time to settle the score with Paris.

Above all, bringing allies against Paris is not advisable. The moment they hear Paris’s words, allies would become enemies.

So I arrived alone at the outskirts of Seoul where Paris lived. I looked up at the house with a large yard that Hyemin had told me about. The house visible beyond the wall appeared to be at least three stories high.

Wondering where to start, I jumped over the wall. Landing silently, I looked around but sensed no presence.

Did she not station Paradise members to protect her home location?

No, that’s impossible.

With the laboratory blown up, not placing organization members to protect herself in an unpredictable situation makes no sense.

There seemed to be no one in the yard.

I should move while checking the interior through windows.

Fortunately, I could pinpoint the location.

According to Hyemin’s note, Paris’s study was located in the “left room on the second floor.”

I touched the windows as quietly as possible and found one unlocked, which I opened to enter.

It looked like a storage room, filled with various odds and ends.

I left the room and walked down the corridor. Without making even a rustling sound, I climbed the stairs and headed to the left room.

There was still no presence around. Only the faint sound of pages turning could be heard from what appeared to be the study.

I slowly opened the door. Just as I was about to peek through the gap…

“No need to spy like that.”

A leisurely voice from inside.

Rather than composure, it was a tone permeated with arrogance and vanity, exuding haughtiness.

“Welcome, Brain. No… Eugene.”

Since I was already caught, there was no reason to act like a thief. I opened the door wide and stepped in.

She swiveled her chair around.

A girl with light blue braided hair sitting in a black leather chair.

I had encountered the second executive, Paris.

Paris’s gaze, meeting mine, slowly moved downward. Her eyes fixed on my shoes.

“Wearing shoes indoors is a custom usually seen abroad. Has Eugene been influenced by foreign culture?”

She shows no sign of fear despite facing me.

Coming out so openly means she still has cards to play against me.

“Well… fine. I’ll consider it hospitality toward a guest.”

“Why not be even more hospitable?”

I deliberately trampled on the carpet spread on the floor as I spoke. She frowned at the carpet being soiled with dirt, but unlike last time, she didn’t curse or show excitement.

It was meant as provocation, but she didn’t take the bait.

“…Your personality is nastier than I thought? And your speech is too casual for a hero. I had some inkling when we spoke on the phone earlier.”

“Is there any reason I should make a good impression on you?”

“No.”

“Then we’re good.”

I spoke nonchalantly while scratching my ear. Her brow furrowed further as I flicked away the earwax on my finger.

By this point, I was curious to see how long she could maintain her composure.

“…Fine. Anyway, you found out where I am? How did you find out?”

“Why don’t you guess?”

“Among the Paradise members, only Henry knows my house. And you happened to meet Henry last?”

As expected, Paris was the one watching the CCTV.

“That expression means I’m right.”

“I was expressionless.”

“The corner of your smiling mouth trembled. Don’t put on airs.”

I snorted at her words.

“How did you persuade Henry? She should have been completely captivated by me?”

“There are ways.”

“…Are you saying you have the power to ignore my ability?”

She smacked her lips distastefully after pondering for a moment.

“Come to think of it, there was information that you have the ability to nullify powers.”

Due to my indiscriminate use of abilities to catch Akcheon, the exposure of my ability was inevitable. But she didn’t prepare for it despite knowing?

“I didn’t know it would work on people too? But Henry and I are still connected. What’s going on here?”

“Would an idiot reveal their own ability?”

“No.”

“Then don’t ask. Whatever information you get from me, you’re going to end up in prison or the afterlife today.”

I took a step forward. Exuding killing intent as if about to pounce at any moment. Facing me, she flinched for the first time, showing agitation. She couldn’t withstand the crushing pressure.

“Whew… Not bad. Even Starlight couldn’t handle this level.”

“Being praised by a villain only makes me feel like garbage, so shut up.”

“Don’t be like that, Eugene. I hold you in high regard. I can see why that bastard Moonlight tried to scout you.”

She looked me up and down with a sticky gaze, then extended her fair, delicate hand.

“Want to join Akcheon?”

This is the second recruitment attempt.

At least Moonlight offered 1 billion as an advance, but this woman is trying to recruit me without any compensation.

“What would I get if I joined?”

“What do you want?”

“Can you provide whatever I ask for?”

“Anything except bringing the dead back to life is possible.”

“Really? Then can I pluck out all your hair?”

“What?”

Her face contorted at my words. It was quite a sight. I wanted to take a photo and use it as her funeral portrait.

Her face seemed to be demanding if I was joking with her.

“Why? I won the bet, didn’t I?”

“Bet…?”

“Oh, you don’t remember? That’s disappointing.”

I shrugged my shoulders as I looked at her, who was frowning so hard that wrinkles formed on the bridge of her nose.

“I told you. When we meet, I’ll tear apart that light blue braided hair.”

“What…?”

“What should I do? Whether it’s recruitment or negotiation, you’ll have to hand over all that hair first.”