episode_0050

“Quite an unusual team.”

Yeonghee smirked as she observed the team assignments for the survival task.

The composition itself seemed fine.

Two combatants, one mage, and one support class.

The issue lay in their remarkably high grades.

If any of them were placed in another team, they would instantly become the core members, the skilled individuals around whom others would revolve.

To group all four of these exceptional students together…

It could raise suspicions about fairness, though there wouldn’t be much to argue against.

“Was this formation made with Kim Yujin in mind?”

Of course, if there was a variable, it was Kim Yujin.

Most students feared Kim Yujin intensely.

Considering that Kim Yujin wouldn’t even cooperate on group assignments…

Thinking of it as a handicap, this composition wasn’t so hard to understand.

The kids probably thought the same way, not raising any immediate objections.

One would surely suffer if mistakenly placed in a group with someone like Kim Yujin.

“I feel a bit uncomfortable too…”

Yeonghee’s gaze, unconsciously scanning her surroundings, shifted towards Cheolsu.

Her heart raced uneasily.

In an instant, her gaze turned cold.

Reacting to this change, Yeonghee furrowed her brows, seeming displeased.

It felt like someone was tampering with her emotions without permission.

“Why am I acting like this lately?”

Recently, Yeonghee had sensed something off about her emotions.

Cheolsu was undeniably important to her.

There was no doubt about that.

Yet, every time she looked at Cheolsu, her feelings grew cold, even a strange sense of disgust creeping in.

Emotions surging regardless of her memories or thoughts.

Yeonghee found it extremely unsettling.

“Yeonghee?”

Someone called out to her while she was lost in thought.

Turning her head, she saw the class president.

“Oh, Yura. What’s up?”

“Just checking on you. You looked really intimidating just now, frowning like that.”

She gently touched her own cheek.

Was I making such a face?

Why?

“Oh, it’s nothing. I guess I was just tense because of the assignment. Are you okay, President? You look tired.”

“Oh, um… I’m fine. Just got caught up in some sudden worries.”

The class president awkwardly forced a smile.

Her face showed signs of deterioration.

Dark circles were visible under her eyes, indicating lack of sleep.

“If anything’s wrong, let me know. I’ll do what I can to help.”

“Hehe, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Yeonghee spoke, something seemed to occur to her, prompting her to get up from her seat.

“Oh, right. I had somewhere to be. I’ll head off first.”

“Sure.”

Humming a tune, Yeonghee made her way to the infirmary.

She opened the door and stepped inside.

As she set foot inside, Yeonghee realized something was amiss.

“Why did I come to the infirmary? No, why did I think I needed to come here?”

With a puzzled expression, she raised her head and saw Jikil.

“Oh, Yeonghee. I was relieved to see the suggestion worked properly.”

Simultaneously, a sharp pain shot through her head.

“Ugh?!”

She grabbed her temples tightly.

Yeonghee, who had been staggering due to a headache, quickly regained her composure.

Her memory returned, recalling what had happened to her in this infirmary.

“R-right! You… you hypnotized me into doing something weird!”

Regaining her senses belatedly, Yeonghee swiftly turned around.

She reached out to open the infirmary door.

But she was a moment too late.

A voice halted her in her tracks.

“Stop, Yeonghee.”

Abruptly, Yeonghee’s body froze as if by magic.

Jikil’s command became an invisible rope binding her, restricting her movements.

No matter how hard she tried, her hand wouldn’t move beyond a certain point.

Struggling, Yeonghee managed to speak.

“…Release me from this discomfort immediately.”

“Haha, I’m afraid I can’t do that. If I release you, you might spill the beans, wouldn’t you? That would be troublesome.”

Saying so, Jikil continued calmly organizing his paperwork.

In that appearance, no trace of urgency could be found.

As if there was no need to rush at all.

And that was the truth.

Despite trying with all the strength I had since earlier,

I couldn’t move my body even a bit.

‘How on earth…’

I know the opponent is an ability user related to the mind.

But can such things be possible with just simple hypnosis?

Being able to control others’ memories, actions, and even emotions?

Isn’t this ability capable of destroying someone’s life so easily?

“Could it be that you unraveled my suggestion by yourself. You are truly an amazing woman. Come here-”

When Jekyll called, Younghee rushed to his side.

And like a cat, she gracefully sat on Jekyll’s lap.

As if it were only natural to do so.

Younghee, nestled in Jekyll’s arms, rarely showed such intimacy as her tail flicked.

The actions taken involuntarily were uncomfortably unbearable.

A pure sense of disgust towards the human in front of her surged.

“Stop this foolishness right away.”

“What a splendid expression. If you had shown this expression to Chulsoo as planned, you wouldn’t have had to do this multiple times.”

Jekyll shook his head from side to side.

Due to things going awry, annoying tasks increased for no good reason.

Only that level of emotion was felt.

“I truly think you are remarkable. It’s rare for someone to break my hypnosis with sheer mental strength.”

“I’m not interested in that kind of thing-”

Jekyll smiled and waved his hand once.

Just that made Younghee stop speaking and gaze quietly at him.

Her dazed eyes lost their will and turned towards Jekyll.

“Younghee, I distinctly told you to dislike Chulsoo, didn’t I?”

“Yes…”

Unlike before, a highly submissive tone and expression.

Jekyll looked at her satisfied and stroked Younghee’s head.

“But you didn’t do anything. Why was that?”

“I… I have no reason to dislike Chulsoo. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Jekyll let out a quiet sigh.

Sometimes there are people like this.

Those who don’t want to hurt others.

No, those who naturally don’t know how they should be.

‘Socially, they may be praised as saints without any shortcomings.’

But that’s not the kind of person Jekyll wants.

Emotions that can make one jealous, resentful, hateful, and even lead to destruction.

Jekyll wanted Younghee to have those feelings towards Chulsoo.

To make Kim Yujin an even more suitable successor for Hukcheon.

“Younghee, listen to me without answering.”

“……”

“I want Yujin to have a stronger heart. And I believe that vile emotions make a person strong.”

Jealousy, resentment, anger, desire, greed.

When negative emotions mix together.

But when they fail to achieve their intentions, humans fall.

Especially when it comes to human relationships.

It was truly exhilarating to see them at that moment.

Jekyll believed that was when humans truly realized their true selves.

“Wounds and trials make heroes stronger. Do you understand?”

“……”

“Oh, you can answer this one.”

“Yes…”

Jekyll gazed into Younghee’s eyes.

Her unfocused eyes were unconsciously absorbing his words.

If Jekyll said a crow was white in this situation,

Younghee would unquestioningly believe it.

“That’s why Kim Chulsoo is needed.”

“Chul… soo…?”

“According to my investigation, Yujin supports Kim Chulsoo.”

Supporting the orphanage where Chulsoo was, providing substantial sponsorship.

Paying for his medical bills, supporting him with top-notch equipment.

Cleverly donating anonymously to evade Hukcheon’s scrutiny.

Even going as far as regularly hypnotizing some students for questioning.

Just looking at it, it was clear that Kim Yujin was raising Cheolsu.

“You must be thinking of using him as a private soldier.”

Kim Yujin’s position in Heukcheon was unstable.

Perhaps the officers were openly planning to drive him out.

It’s almost impossible to build one’s influence within such an organization.

But it’s a different story within the academy.

There, you can avoid the scrutiny of Heukcheon.

“Kim Cheolsu, Lee Yeonghee, the class president, they are all elites who achieve top grades even in the academy.”

It’s unlikely that all the friends he made were geniuses by chance.

Yujin probably intentionally befriended such talented individuals.

Jikil intended to use the relationships Yujin had formed.

“The process of destroying the bonds you’ve created is a way to make humans grow.”

Of course, there might be some losses involved.

But compared to becoming the true leader of Heukcheon, it’s a small price to pay.

At least that’s what Jikil thought.

“From now on, you must hurt Kim Cheolsu.”

“Hurt…?”

“Yes, any method is fine. Whether secretly poisoning him, attacking him while he sleeps, it doesn’t matter. You can even damage his equipment. Oh, but you must not kill him.”

Even if things go that far, reversing it won’t be easy.

There could also be issues with cleanup later on.

It’s best to avoid extreme measures if possible.

“But make sure not to get caught by anyone. Make them continue to suspect each other without knowing who the culprit is. Oh, it would be better if Yeonghee herself forgets everything too.”

This time, it’s a survival group assignment given to them.

During this process, the four of them have to stick together for several days.

Meanwhile, Cheolsu, one of their main focuses, keeps receiving unexplained injuries and disturbances.

Whether they like it or not, they can’t help but misunderstand each other.

And due to the nature of the test, Yujin will be the one most suspected.

“How will Yujin react if she is doubted by those she has nurtured so carefully? I’m already looking forward to Yujin’s growth.”

It might be going a bit too far, but it’s necessary.

In Jikil’s eyes, Yujin has a somewhat soft spot.

When she was a little younger and inexperienced, she needed to learn about human cruelty.

“Do you understand? You must hurt Cheolsu and make it look like Yujin is suspicious.”

Each word uttered by Jikil is ingrained in Yeonghee’s heart like paint.

Hurt him.

Who? Cheolsu.

How? By any means necessary, even sneakily.

Why? She doesn’t know. But she doesn’t need to know.

Jikil’s cruel emotions cover her tender heart.

“I understand… I will…”

With her emotions overridden, Yeonghee can only respond in that way.

No matter how precious Cheolsu may be to her.

Even if it goes against her common sense and conscience.

Yeonghee will undoubtedly carry out the task.

Without even realizing it herself.

“Do you fully understand your mission, Yeonghee?”

“Yes, I do… I will follow… Jikil’s words…”

Jikil nodded satisfactorily, smiling.

Reaching out, he gently stroked Yeonghee’s head.

“Let me make sure you keep feeling useful. You are an important person to Yujin too.”

“Important…?”

At Jikil’s words, Yeonghee’s expression turned intoxicated.

To Yeonghee, whose every gap had been exposed, these words were too provocative.

His words seeped deep into her subconscious without any resistance.

“Am I… important to Yujin?”

“Of course. You are a valuable pawn to Yujin. If you do my work properly, you will become more important than anyone else.”

“I see…”

Yeonghee blushed with a rapturous expression.

She had become an important person to Yujin.

That meant he could protect Cheol-su.

There was nothing as joyful to Yeong-hee as that.

‘…..Huh? But I have to hurt Cheol-su. I like and dislike Cheol-su. I am a precious existence to Eugene-nim. That’s how I can protect Cheol-su. I don’t know why, but I have to do it.’

Conflicting emotions and thoughts intertwined.

In a strangely mismatched way.

A heart so broken to the point of being a mess.

Yeong-hee, lost in hypnosis, couldn’t even grasp what was strange about it.

Unaware that the seeds of such emotions had been planted.

Yeong-hee mulled over her mission.

‘I have to protect Cheol-su… so I have to hurt him.’

A new class was about to begin at the academy.