episode_0043

Cheolsu brandished his sword.

It wasn’t a movement filled with great force.

Just lightly, with a sense of attacking appropriately.

“Kwak!”

With just that, his opponent went flying.

The enhancement of his swordsmanship and physical abilities.

The equipment he acquired this time and the training he had been doing.

All of these combined to produce this result.

That power is naturally overwhelming.

“Geez! There was no mention of such a guy in the request!”

“Shut up and move—krahk!”

He kicked the man swinging the chain and then struck the man next to him with his sword.

And that was the end of it.

The men lay unconscious, not moving.

This opponent he had defeated was already the seventh.

There were quite a few to face for someone who had just been discharged from the hospital.

But there was no problem.

“Weak.”

While fighting, Cheolsu kept thinking about Kim Yujin.

He compared them to Kim Yujin.

And reached a conclusion.

Compared to Kim Yujin, these guys were pitifully weak.

“Even people working in the field are only at this level.”

Their battles were simple and lacked strength.

Not as destructive as Yujin’s power.

Not as sharp as his speed.

Compared to that beastly battle, these guys were child’s play.

“Oh, quite decent.”

He turned his head at a voice that suddenly sounded.

There stood a man clad in black armor from head to toe.

“This guy… seems a bit better.”

Thanks to his training, perhaps his field of vision had widened.

He was gradually able to gauge his opponent’s skills at a glance.

He was different from anyone he had faced so far.

“I thought it would be boring to just scold a kid, but I found enjoyment unexpectedly in places I hadn’t thought of.”

The man said with a smirk.

His demeanor and speech exuded a sense of ease.

It was a unique appearance of someone who genuinely enjoyed combat.

“Hey kid, what’s your name?”

“Why do you need to know?”

“Well, from now on, I have to know at least the name of the little brat I’m scolding. Pros usually consider that important.”

“A pro…”

He fell into silent contemplation.

In truth, he was puzzled as to why these guys were attacking him.

Listening to the man in front of him, he seemed to have a rough idea.

These people were hired by someone.

At least it wasn’t out of personal vendetta.

“But who could it be?”

Suddenly, the face that came to mind was none other than Kim Yujin.

But Kim Yujin had no need to employ such individuals.

If it were him, he could easily crush people like them.

Even the secretary beside him was a thousand times stronger than these guys.

“…Who hired you?”

“Haha! You’re showing your student colors. This is business. If I told you that, my meal ticket would be cut off.”

“Who paid you? Black Heaven?”

“How about we exchange names instead? Mine is…”

“No, forget it. Who gave you the money?”

“…Sigh, this is why young ones…”

The man clenched his fist.

At the same time, magic surged in his fist.

A huge magical power compressed in an instant, emitting a sharp sound.

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll show you the skill that can kill even a B-rank hero in one blow.”

The man took a boxing stance.

His trained magic and fist alone were like a weapon.

He released the compressed magic along with his fist.

Or, that was his intention.

In a split second, if Cheolsu hadn’t struck his chin.

“…Huh?”

The ultra-high-speed movement Kim Yujin had used.

He mimicked it perfectly.

The man’s eyes widened at the unbelievable movement.

“He just ran over here and… hit my chin? When did he find the opening?”

At best, he could only understand that much.

Even that was probably meaningless.

Before he could grasp the situation, Cheolsu’s arm moved.

– Sky Piercer Strike

Crack!

A powerful elbow strike hit the solar plexus directly.

Just one blow.

“Kuh-haak!”

The impact shattered the armor, sending the man flying several meters.

He rolled and slammed into the wall.

“…Client, didn’t ask for a bite.”

Well, maybe he didn’t mention it because he wasn’t asked.

One wonders if those who would do such a thing exist outside of Hukcheon.

But it’s not Kim Yujin.

Perhaps… one of Kim Yujin’s subordinates or a different faction altogether.

That level must be targeting him.

For some reason, at this level, there should be no problem.

“If aiming for Kim Yujin made me stronger, then so be it.”

Thinking this, a wry smile crept onto his face.

It was training he had started somehow to defeat Kim Yujin.

Regardless, those days had made him stronger.

Overwhelming even a killer who faced current heroes.

Yet, he still couldn’t match Kim Yujin.

Just how strong is that guy?

“It’s true that I became stronger because of you. But I won’t thank you.”

Originally, it was strength he wanted to protect Yeonghee.

What good is it if he can’t defeat an important opponent?

However, a way out appeared.

He had definitely grown.

Thanks to the training methods taught by Banjang and the equipment she anonymously provided.

Even though it may seem far off now, someday he will definitely defeat Kim Yujin.

That would be the only way to repay the friendship Banjang had shown him.

“For now, let’s go back to the academy.”

Training there is definitely more efficient.

Above all, Yeonghee, more precious than anyone else, is there.

That alone gives Cheolsu a reason to go back.

*****

“Umm….”

Yeonghee regained her blurred consciousness.

And she realized that she was tied to a chair.

“What, what’s this?”

Perplexed, Yeonghee looked around.

A white bed, suspicious medicine bottles, and the stinging smell of disinfectant.

She soon realized that this was a medical room.

“Why am I here…”

Slowly, she recalled her last memory.

Yes, a new teacher named Jekyll, whom they called a healer, had come.

He said he had something to discuss with her.

She and Jekyll had started talking alone.

And then?

…She didn’t know. She couldn’t remember.

“Oh, you woke up earlier than I thought. Truly fitting for the chosen successor of Hukcheon.”

Thud, thud.

Someone walked as if to showcase their footsteps.

A bespectacled doctor in a lab coat.

The newly appointed teacher Jekyll.

Or rather, given the situation, it might be appropriate to call him a teacher.

Yeonghee calmly eyed the approaching Jekyll.

Despite her appearance, she had been through a lot because of Kim Yujin.

Even in this situation, she wasn’t naive enough to trust Jekyll.

“Why did you kidnap me?”

“Um, your quick wit is impressive. I didn’t think an explanation was necessary.”

“If you think that way, could you please untie me? A fragile girl like me wouldn’t be able to resist, right?”

As she spoke, she wriggled her bound arms.

She tried to muster her magic, but it didn’t work well.

It seemed like some trickery was involved.

“Well, I’m naturally timid, so I’d like to be cautious if possible.”

“…If you do something dangerous, I’ll report you to the police.”

“Hmm~ Report? You probably won’t be able to. You’ll forget everything once you leave here.”

Yeonghee blinked.

If it was a threat or a gag, she understood.

But to forget?

“Hehe, can you see this coin here?”

Jekyll took out a black coin, chuckling sardonically.

It was a peculiar coin with strange patterns.

“What is that?”

Yeonghee stared warily at the coin.

That coin seemed dangerous.

Beyond reason, instinct rang alarm bells.

“It greatly improves your mood and makes you honest.”

It was a very ominous explanation.

Feeling uplifted, she became more honest.

No matter how hard she tried to think, only drugs came to mind.

“I don’t particularly want to feel better.”

“Oh, Yeonghee’s opinion doesn’t matter. Just answer my questions and move as I please.”

“Sorry, but I don’t want to cooperate with someone who ties up girls.”

Jekyll smirked.

Soon, he smiled broadly as if realizing something.

“Oh~ You haven’t been hypnotized yet. Speak.”

“??”

Puzzled, Yeonghee watched as Jekyll extended his palm and drew a circle.

Simultaneously, a change occurred.

‘…….Huh?’

Suddenly, she began to feel better for no apparent reason.

Something deep within her chest stirred.

A sensation gently teasing her heart and brain like tiny feathers.

An unbearable warmth gradually spread.

“Uh, what is this…?”

“Wow, your resistance is impressive. Indeed, you’re quite the woman Yu Jin chose.”

Contrary to Jekyll’s admiration, Yeonghee felt no ease.

Her emotional control was being stripped away.

She was forcibly made to feel better.

She had to listen to the man in front of her.

She could be happy if she obeyed the man in front of her.

A fabricated notion began to dominate Yeonghee.

“No, I don’t want this! Don’t just invade my mind… st…”

“It’s okay, Yeonghee. Relax your mind. Release your body’s strength and accept things as they are.”

Her body responded first to Jekyll’s words.

She relaxed her strength and prepared to accept that energy.

Resistance naturally weakened.

“Ah, ah……”

Soon, Yeonghee’s vision blurred.

Stretching out her body, she gazed at Jekyll alone.

Like a child who had lost her memory or a doll.

After smiling contentedly, Jekyll began to question.

“What is your name?”

“Lee Yeonghee……”

“What is your cup size?”

“C-cup……”

Jekyll nodded approvingly.

Of course, he wasn’t curious about her cup size.

He was just confirming if the hypnosis worked.

He knew that Kim Yu Jin and Yeonghee had met this semester.

But to have developed such a relationship already?

‘Even if Yu Jin’s feelings are uncertain, this can be exploited.’

To have ensnared such a charming woman like this.

Kim Yu Jin was indeed not a man to be underestimated.

“How far has Yeonghee progressed with Yu Jin?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well….. then let me ask directly. Have you been to a hotel with Kim Yu Jin?”

“Yes.”

“…….Oh? Did Yu Jin embrace you?”

“If embracing means… I often initiate it. To look good… I want to… so…”

The revelations kept getting more surprising.

She looked innocent, but to have already slept together, and for the woman to initiate it first?

All to win over Yu Jin’s affection?

‘As a fellow man, I can’t help but admire this.’

Regardless, Jekyll knew that Yeonghee held a special place in Kim Yu Jin’s life.

So, he just had to proceed as planned.

Jekyll slowly shook a black coin wound with a thread in front of her.

“Look at this, Yeonghee. You will now be under suggestion.”

“Yes……”

“The moment you leave here, you will forget everything that happened here. And you will gradually start disliking the person who loves you. Do you understand?”

“I und…erstand…..”

Memory erasure and suggestion.

Jekyll often uses this method to manipulate the emotions of others.

Without knowing why he feels this way, Jekyll has no choice but to act as desired.

“Hoho, I wonder what kind of reaction Yu-jin will show if someone who loves her so much ends up hating her.”

Unaware even in her dreams that Yeong-hui’s true love interest is Cheol-su.

Satisfied with his perfect plan, Jekyll chuckled sardonically.