As soon as I heard the noise, I had a terrible headache.
Although I knew I shouldn’t speak about my abilities when Moon Issak asked, I answered him immediately. He didn’t even need to threaten me–I couldn’t stop myself from answering.
At first, our conversations were casual. For example, he asked about where my hometown was. But at some point, he began extracting information that should never have fallen into the enemy’s hands. He pried out details such as how I met Seo Dawon, how many contracted servants I had, and even the critical risks associated with my abilities.
He had even dug into Kim Sangyoon and Koo Hui-seo…I remembered how interested Moon Issak was in the fact that Koo Kyungman was still alive.
He cleverly extracted that information before messing with my memory once more, making me forget that I had ever told him anything.
Later on, when his hypnotic suggestions were broken, my memories flooded my mind. I felt suffocated. It wasn’t just ‘some guy’ or ‘some enemy.’ I had handed all my information to Moon Issak.
‘I…’
It wasn’t just the servants; Kim Sangyoon and Koo Hui-seo were also in danger.
As if he had guessed the reason behind my shock, Moon Issak smiled sinisterly, “Now that your memory has returned, you understand. Right? Even if you’re lucky enough to kill me and run away, your entire arsenal has already been exposed.”
“…….”
“And, if I die, everything you said has been recorded; a trusted colleague has the recorded files. We’ve arranged for the documents to be sent to at least three people.”
Moon Issak wasn’t bluffing. Rather, perhaps he had already finished negotiating matters with Bae Jaemin using the information he had received from me. After all, I had been stuck in this mansion for about a month now.
In other words, I was completely trapped.
Whether or not I kill Moon Issak here, I’ll become a wanted criminal even if I managed to escape. Koo Hui-seo may be thrown into jail because of my testimony. Furthermore, Kim Sangyoon, who still needed treatment, would face a bleak future. However…if I followed Moon Issak’s words and canceled Seo Dawon’s summon, I wouldn’t be able to prevent the investigator from doing whatever he pleases.
At that time, Moon Issak spoke in a softer voice, crooning as if he were trying to coax me further into this dilemma, “Choi Lee-kyung, think carefully. You simply have to swear that you’ll cooperate with my scenario. This wouldn’t be a bad option for you as well. If I become the Pope and use [Resurrection], I can revive Seo Dawon.”
“……”
“In some ways, we share a common purpose. I don’t mind signing a contract with the condition of Seo Dawon’s resurrection if that’s what you want.”
“……”
“Rather than struggling on your own when you aren’t even capable….”
It was then–
“I was wondering, but… You’re truly screwed, aren’t you?” Dawon-ie, who had just been listening, cut off Moon Issak. In addition, there was a strange expression on his face, as if he were holding back his laughter.
I had no idea what Dawon-ie was talking about, so I looked at Moon Issak through the gap in the Mage’s arms. At first glance, Moon Issak didn’t seem to have undergone any significant changes. His expression was a bit colder, but that was similar to his usual demeanor.
As if he had come to the same conclusion, Moon Issak also raised one eyebrow. He must have found those words quite absurd, “Can’t you distinguish where a servant should interfere, and where he shouldn’t?”
He didn’t hide his contempt for Dawon. It was as if he found the Mage presumptuous for even daring to speak.
Moon Issak’s attitude confirmed that his wheedling promises wouldn’t be kept; the man despised Seo Dawon that much.
However, Dawon’s smile only grew deeper despite the obvious hostility. “If I’m not here, you’ll hypnotize Lee-kyung-ie… Well, even if what you did was dirty, I can understand the desire to monopolize him… However, you’re already finished, hm?”
“…What?”
“Did you know that the Hub categorizes hypnosis as a type of attack?” Dawon spoke softly, as if he were a teacher explaining a problem to an ignorant student. Moon Issak didn’t seem to understand; I didn’t either.
‘Hypnosis is considered an attack…? What does that mean?’
Since I’ve been hypnotized, I can personally understand the concept that hypnotism could be considered an attack skill. However, why was it necessary to clarify and categorize it in such a manner?
Moon Issak tried to demolish my ego with hypnosis and inflicted injury on my body without any hesitation. But, if I were to say ‘That’s an attack skill,’ there’s no way he would change his methods and avoid using hypnosis.
Moon Issak’s position as an investigator–a public official–was the reason why he was able to use hypnosis so skillfully. At least on the surface. When Users residing in the Hub committed crimes, most of them destroyed evidence with their skills or through their inventory. An ordinary investigator would not be able to catch the suspect in those scenarios.
Therefore, the government devised advanced hypnosis skills to be used by investigative forces and law enforcement. Obtaining confessions from suspects or acquiring crucial evidence with these skills became a public affair.
Of course, strictly speaking, using those skills indiscriminately without being involved in a case was illegal. I, who was not yet being formally investigated, should not undergo such extreme methods, but there was no way Moon Issak would listen to my pleas or logic.
Sure enough, Moon Issak also snorted; he must have arrived at the same conclusion, “Really? Do you want me to thank you for informing me of that?”
However, despite that sarcastic remark, Dawon did not lose his smile, “You should be extremely grateful. You would’ve remained clueless about why you became brain dead until the end.”
“……?”
“Since Hypnosis is also a kind of attack skill, you should’ve fallen for Lee-kyung-ie’s charm by now.”
“……What?” I said. I opened my eyes wide as I looked between Moon Issak and Seo Dawon. Who’s fallen for who…?
“I guess you’ve truly become an undead.” Moon Issak mockingly twirled his index finger near his temple. 1 He was openly taunting the Mage.
I also couldn’t comprehend the Mage’s words; Moon Issak had fallen for me? The things he did to me were something one would never do to someone they liked.
However, regardless of the skepticism on mine and Moon Issak’s face, Dawon continued to talk, “Lee-kyung-ie is currently using the title, ‘Sweeter than Candy.’ While using that title, he can use ‘Counter Attack,’ which doubles the damage of any attack he suffers.”
“……”
“So, you’re in love with Lee-kyung-ie twice as much as the hypnotic effect you tried to instill upon him.”
My eyes opened wide at such an unbelievable statement.
Then, Moon Issak chuckled, “Aren’t you a total lunatic right now…? After indulging in gay tomfoolery, does the whole wide world look like a flower garden to you?”
Dawon-ie smiled with his eyes, “Really? Then why did you put a ring on him?”
“What?”
“You placed the ring your mother gave you on Lee-kyung-ie’s hand.”
Startled, I looked down at my hands, almost reflexively. Of course the ring wasn’t there; I had thrown it away a long time ago.
“……” Furthermore, Moon Issak stood with a vacant expression, as if he had been hit with a hammer. It seemed like he was shocked by his own bizarre actions, as if he had just realized the absurdity of what he had done.
“Look–even now. When I’m standing next to Lee-kyung-ie like this…”
“……”
“It’s clear that your insides are twisting.” Then, Dawon-ie slowly bowed his head towards me. I closed my eyes in anticipation.
Bang–!
However, before Dawon reached me, something flew our way before colliding into something with a tremendous sound.
When I opened my eyes, I could see that Moon Issak, who had rushed towards us, had lifted his silver-wrapped arms right before our noses. He seemed to be breaking down the shield that Seo Dawon had made. With a fierce expression on his face, he swung down and struck the shield over and over again.
Baam–!
The shield couldn’t withstand the second attack and gradually began to crack. Then, through the crack of the marred shield, his and my eyes met.
Slam–!
The shield had shattered, but Moon Issak stood still. Right there. He couldn’t take his eyes off me.
However, the silence didn’t last long.
“Fucker…!” Suddenly, Moon Issak stumbled back a couple of steps. He held his head with one hand as if his temples were throbbing.
Meanwhile, Dawon smiled as Moon Issak flopped about. “So, why are you being so greedy, even if it won’t work?”
“Shut…Up…!” Moon Issak shouted, but dark red blood began to flow from his nose.
By that time, Moon Issak must have realized his condition had worsened and stepped back even more. He failed to keep his balance and collapsed into an unsightly mess. Perhaps he had suffered a concussion.
Slowly approaching him, one step at a time, Dawon whispered, “It’s a bit eerie to think that everything you had done has been returned, twice as strong, right?”
“……”
Moon Issak hastily created a silvery ring in his hand but soon the light rapidly faded, and he fell down in agony, clutching his heart.
I saw the fallen Moon Issak’s face flush red; the nosebleed showed no signs of stopping. Rather, the speed of the blood flow became faster, as if the blood in his veins were circulating his body quite quickly.
“Hrrnk….Ugh…!” Now, Moon Issak couldn’t even breathe properly and was short of breath.
Dawon told him what he was experiencing in a sickly sweet tone, “There are times, when you’re ‘in love,’ your heart beats incredibly fast and you become short of breath. You’re experiencing exactly that–just twice as extreme.”
“Ha-haagh…C-Cough…”
“Don’t resist it, accept it. If you hold out any longer, your brain will melt. Rather than dying, isn’t it better to ‘devote’ yourself to Lee-kyung-ie and to love him?”
“Ahh… Hnngh…”
“Of course, those feelings won’t be returned.”
Moon Issak twitched as he listened to the Mage. I was shocked to see that his eyes had rolled back until I couldn’t even see the black of his pupils.
However, Dawon didn’t stop there; he grabbed Moon Issak by the collar and lifted him up. He whispered softly in the investigator’s ear, “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment…Ever since I discovered that ring on Lee-kyung-ie’s hand.”
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TL: There’s a lot to talk about here:
1) I honestly forgot that Lee-kyung had that title.
2) I was indeed wondering why Moon Issak seemed to…love Lee-kyung in his own twisted way. The ring incidence did seem a bit out of character for him.
3) Oh my god, Seo Dawon’s last line in this chapter…The chills.
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