episode_0130

“Alright, Club. That’s enough. Will you look at me now?”

Club finished giving her fellatio, and Number 13 had her lift her head.

Then, by caressing her earlobe and whispering the designated keyword, he dropped her into a hypnotic state.

Her lightless eyes blankly shone into the void. Her eyes, merely reflecting the scenery in front of them, were like mirror surfaces.

As the brainwashing continued day by day, her hypnotic depth also seemed to have become considerably deeper.

She had already deeply etched her vow of submission to Number 13 long ago, and had completely fallen as his possession and slave.

Although she was usually allowed to forget the fact that she was a ‘villain’s slave’ and live as ‘Hero’ Club, her true nature could never be erased.

However, that was by no means an excuse to neglect the brainwashing.

Because Number 13’s techniques were still rudimentary, and his knowledge and experience in brainwashing were insufficient, it was even more necessary to be careful.

“Answer my question. Who are you?”

“I am Club, Hero of the 7th Squad.”

“And?”

“And I am a slave who has submitted to Villain Number 13-nim, and his subordinate villain. My identity as a hero is a disguised identity to carry out Number 13-nim’s orders.”

Club answered with lightless eyes, yet without wavering.

At first, it took a considerable amount of time to elicit this answer, but now it came out instantly.

“Yes, that’s right. You usually live as a hero as before, but that is a false you. Your true form is that of a low-ranking villain who has dedicated body and mind to Villain Number 13.”

Club nodded at Number 13’s words.

“Good. Then, as ‘Villain Number 13’s possession’ and ‘Abyss’s low-ranking villain’, I will give you another order. Engrave this command deep in your heart and do not forget it.”

And so, several brainwashing procedures were carried out, and after everything was finished, Club’s state was restored to normal.

She was switched back from ‘Villain’s Slave’ Club to ‘Hero’ Club. Her memories were also made irretrievable.

Until he used the designated trigger to flip the switch, she would not be able to recall this memory.

Nevertheless, only the new command etched in at the end was made to be remembered even during normal times, without being forgotten….

Thus, today’s brainwashing maintenance for Club was concluded.

Then, who should he choose next, and what kind of suggestion should he experiment with? Number 13 thought, drinking the Dorothy-brand tonic he had brought.

“…?”

Then, suddenly, he felt a suspicious presence and opened the warehouse door.

However, there was no one beyond the door.

“Administrator Number 13-nim? Is something wrong?”

Club, who had just regained her senses, asked.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Feeling a slightly uneasy sensation, Number 13 surveyed the surrounding corridor.

As expected, it was impossible to tell who had been there.

***

……………………. …………… ……

Rahye, the captain of the 7th Squad, is capable.

She herself humbly didn’t acknowledge that fact, but at least everyone around her evaluated her as such.

In fact, she had been recognized for her contributions several times, even receiving medals bestowed by the state.

Among the thirteen captains in the Hero Association, she was even appointed as the chief captain, proving her competence sufficiently.

If she had any flaws, they would be that she was a perfectionist who excessively pursued perfection, and that she seemed to have no hobbies outside of work.

In reality, she spent much more time at work or in the field than she did at home.

She arrived at work earlier than the designated start time, and when it was time to leave, she voluntarily chose to work overtime.

Even on holidays, if she didn’t have separate appointments or personal matters, she would usually visit her workplace and handle her tasks as usual.

The word “workaholic” suited her perfectly.

Rahye, as usual, was focused on her work today as well.

“Hoo…”

She saved the document file she was working on, leaned back against the soft backrest, and let out a deep sigh.

Feeling a slight stiffness, she lightly massaged her shoulders and stretched.

The work on the lecture materials, which had taken several days, was finally finished.

Recently, she had felt a bit stressed due to working on these materials, but now that it was concluded, she did feel a sense of satisfaction.

“Even so, I really don’t want to do this again…”

Soon after, she was to attend as a temporary lecturer at an institution and give a lecture.

The content of the lecture was about understanding awakened individuals and ways to accept them.

In the past, when the perception of awakened individuals was extremely harsh, a lecture with such content would have been unimaginable. But now, such content was being legally expounded in public institutions managed by the government.

Feeling how much the world had changed in these aspects, she was deeply moved.

‘Still, I don’t want to do this again.’

Rahye was capable, but she wasn’t the type to enjoy standing in front of people.

Moreover, as a hero, her job was to apprehend villains in the field, and she didn’t think work like being a teacher suited her.

However, the fact that the other party had specifically nominated her, that it was an order from the Association Headquarters, and furthermore, that most of the attendees for this lecture were young children in their adolescence, made it impossible for her to refuse.

Rahye liked children. Children, each overflowing with countless new possibilities.

This task was a very glorious one, instilling more righteous values in such children.

She wasn’t confident that she would do well, but thinking that it was for the children made it even harder for her to refuse.

However, once she actually took on the task, she realized there was more to worry about than she had imagined, and it was a great struggle.

She hadn’t been able to sleep properly for the past few days.

While she was accustomed to all-nighters from her hero life, she still felt a bit tired.

She decided. She would never take on such a task again.

‘…I thought that before too.’

Surely, when the time came, she would accept it again.

Rahye, half-certain, let out a tired sigh.

It was then that she heard a knock on the door of the captain’s office she was in.

“Come in.”

With Rahye’s reply, the door quickly opened and someone poked their head in.

He was Administrator Number 13, who had recently been dispatched to the 7th Squad.

A detailed explanation of ranks would be omitted, but he was, for Rahye, a direct superior.

He was an excellent individual who not only offered advice for the squad but also generously gave personal advice to Rahye.

“Administrator-nim? Is something the matter?”

“Apple brewed some coffee. There’s a portion for Captain Rahye too. So I said I’d deliver it. I apologize if you’re working, but won’t you take a short break?”

Just as he said, the tray he carried held two cups of coffee and some refreshments.

Coincidentally, her work was also finished. Rahye thanked him, guided him to the sofa inside the captain’s office, and sat down opposite him.

***

“As expected, the coffee Apple brewed is the best. This is the first time I’ve tasted such coffee since coming here. Before, I didn’t even know there was a difference in coffee taste.”

“Haha, I’ll let Apple know that Administrator-nim enjoyed it very much.”

From a third person’s perspective, it was a very strange sight.

Because Rahye, the captain of a hero squad, and furthermore, the chief captain, was having a friendly conversation with a wanted villain right in front of her.

However, Rahye, who only perceived the man in front of her as an ‘Administrator’ and ‘superior’ rather than a villain, didn’t notice anything strange at all.

Anyone who knew the situation wouldn’t be able to suppress a sigh.

To think that a hero who had thoroughly crushed countless villains and their organizations, reigning with terror, was now oblivious to the fact that the very villain she should defeat was right before her eyes.

However, Rahye simply enjoyed the aroma and taste of the coffee, and the refreshments placed alongside it, with carefree ease.

“More importantly, Rahye, you look tired. Are you alright? You’ve been going home late constantly recently. I know you often stay late anyway.”

“Ah… thank you for your concern. But I’m alright now.”

Rahye said that and conveyed information about the lecture she was preparing.

Also, that now that the lecture preparations were finished, she wouldn’t have such tight schedules as before.

“When is that lecture?”

“It’s in two weeks.”

“…You’re preparing for a lecture two weeks away, even staying up all night already?”

Number 13 sent her a peculiar gaze.

Rahye also knew that this might seem a bit excessive.

However, she calmly explained that considering the time it would take for her to revise it herself, the need to submit it to headquarters for prior inspection, and her own schedule, she had no choice but to do it this way.

“What you say makes sense… but I still think it’s a bit too much.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yeah. And Rahye, you have too much work. You’ll need to reduce it a bit.”

“But…”

Rahye sipped her coffee, her face becoming thoughtful.

She had never particularly felt distressed by having a lot of work.

She didn’t dislike working, and if she didn’t do it, someone else would eventually have to. Or it would be neglected.

Ah… but, what is it?

Even while drinking coffee, her head felt strangely heavy.

If she let her guard down, her eyes felt like they would close. Even with Administrator-nim in front of her.

Is this just because I’m tired…?

“Right. You need to create some free time to enjoy hobbies or something.”

She didn’t have hobbies like other people. She had small ways to pass the time, but nothing specific to point out.

Hobbies, huh.

Anyway, it was Administrator-nim’s advice. She couldn’t just ignore it.

Should she think about hobbies separately later?

After that, Rahye continued to talk with him about various things.

Like the content of the lecture, the current scope of the 7th Squad’s activities, information about a certain villain, or classified content.

The coffee in her cup was almost all drunk before she knew it.

And Rahye began to feel that her body, in addition to her head, was strangely off.

How to put it… she felt extremely hot.

And sensitive.

‘What is this…?’

It didn’t seem to be merely due to drowsiness.

No matter how tired she was, it shouldn’t feel like this.

“Uh… Number 13, Administrator-nim?”

“Yes, Rahye.”

“Why… behind me…”

Was it because her mind wasn’t working well? Number 13 had somehow moved behind her, and Rahye only realized that fact belatedly.

Rahye turned to look at him, puzzled, but Number 13 turned her head back forward.

“You look tired. I’ll lightly massage your shoulders for you. I’m quite good at this sort of thing.”

“No… I can’t… have Administrator-nim do something like that…”

“It’s also a superior’s job to look after their subordinate’s condition. Just stay still, Rahye.”

And Number 13’s hands rested on Rahye’s shoulders.

Even though they were the shoulders of a formidable hero, also known as the ‘Ice Witch’, they were remarkably slender and feminine.

As he lightly massaged those shoulders over her clothes, applying gentle pressure.

“Ahhh…♡”

Overwhelmed by the strange sensation, Rahye unconsciously let out an odd sigh.