Brainwashing #2
Yuria frowned as she watched the news in the laboratory. The fact that people cared more about her than the monster outbreak left a bitter taste in her mouth. Ten thousand monsters had surged out in a single massive wave, yet the world was calmly buzzing about fan cafes? It was absurd.
She glanced around the lab. The Doctor had flown to Europe for an emergency meeting with the World Coalition, and Sehwa was in the next room receiving a tongue-lashing from Jihyeok. The scolding was over her comment during the battle—something about the fight being “dirty.”
Deep down, Yuria hoped the two of them would have a spectacular fight. If that happened, the odds were good Jihyeok’s attention would swing toward her instead of Sehwa.
When she turned off the television, the laboratory fell into a profound silence. The quiet was so complete that she wondered… maybe, just maybe, she could catch fragments of their conversation. She crept toward the door on tiptoe and pressed her ear against it.
…Yeah. I can hear them.
Yuria swallowed hard, sticking even closer to the door. Eavesdropping was embarrassing, but her curiosity was driving her insane. She decided to endure the shame.
Holding her breath, she focused every ounce of concentration. Their voices came through with surprising clarity.
“I’m starting to feel more and more skeptical.” Sehwa’s voice.
Skeptical? About what? Had her relationship with Jihyeok soured? Yet Sehwa’s tone didn’t sound heartbroken or angry.
Jihyeok’s reply followed. “I told you not to browse the internet.”
“How can anyone avoid the internet in this day and age? It’s impossible. Humans who lost their homes to monsters are cursing us. I’m not even sure protecting them is the right thing anymore.”
What…?
Yuria’s breath caught. She had never imagined Sehwa saying such words. Jihyeok had mentioned it before—Sehwa was struggling because of the online criticism and mockery. He had warned Yuria not to watch the news either. So this was why.
She could understand it to some extent. Sehwa had gone from being an ordinary, insignificant civilian to a Beast Slayer. While transformed she felt invincible, but the moment the transformation ended she reverted to that powerless human again. The sudden loss of overwhelming strength and mental fortitude was pure emptiness. Yuria had felt the same right after releasing her own transformation.
But still…
Even taking that into account, harboring such doubts while carrying the fate of a hero was incomprehensible. They had to eliminate Tyrat and protect peace. She could not be allowed to waver so soon.
Yuria decided that later—once Sehwa had calmed down—she would meet her separately and offer comfort. They were rivals, yes, but Sehwa was still a precious colleague and little sister.
“I understand how you feel. Just don’t say that anywhere else. You know that, right?”
Yuria’s heart plummeted.
Even Jihyeok was agreeing with Sehwa. Did that mean humans truly weren’t worth protecting?
No. Life was precious simply because it existed. Jihyeok had been overworked lately, exposed to constant media coverage. His mind was wearing down. She needed to steady him.
But could she, a mere subordinate, dare offer such advice to someone as far above her as Jihyeok?
The more she thought about it, the more she began to hate the humans. Why were they hurting the man she loved like this? What was the Doctor even doing? If the World Coalition exerted control, they could silence every media outlet on the planet.
Watching Jihyeok suffer made her feel the same creeping skepticism Sehwa felt. Was there really any point in protecting humans?
No… I can’t think like that. Humans must be protected. Peace must be protected. The reason Aether chose to bind itself to me was because of this conviction. Because my heart remained firm.
Barely regaining control of herself, Yuria continued listening to their conversation.
“I know… I’m just venting because I’m tired…”
“Shall I hold you?”
“Yes… hold me.”
“Come here.”
Jihyeok’s gentle tone sent a surge of jealousy through Yuria. She bit her nails nervously, straining to catch every sound from inside the room. Soon came the rustle of movement. The hug must have ended.
“I’ll head out first… I want to go home and sleep.”
“All right.”
Yuria scrambled back to her seat just as the door clicked open. Sehwa stepped out, her face heavy with exhaustion. She approached Yuria and offered a small greeting.
“Unnie, I’m heading out first.”
“Is something wrong?”
Yuria kept her expression perfectly neutral. Sehwa looked at her with complicated eyes before answering.
“I’m just feeling a bit off. Let’s have a meal together later.”
“Of course. Come here—let me give you a hug.”
“Suddenly…?”
While Sehwa stood flustered, Yuria smiled brightly and pulled her into an embrace.
“Everything will be all right.”
“…What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”
“Just… believe that everything will turn out fine.”
Yuria gently stroked Sehwa’s back. Sehwa soon buried her face in Yuria’s chest, sniffling. They remained locked in that hug for a long while. When Sehwa finally pulled away, wiping her wet eyes, she took a portal home.
Now only the two of them remained in the laboratory. Jihyeok, who had stayed silent until now, let out a mocking laugh.
“Everything will be all right? Out of nowhere?”
“……”
“You were eavesdropping on us, weren’t you?”
“N-no, I wasn’t…”
The confident front Yuria had shown Sehwa crumbled instantly. She fidgeted, unable to hide how thoroughly Jihyeok overwhelmed her.
“If you weren’t listening, how could you speak as if you understood exactly how Sehwa feels? Answer me properly. Don’t even think about lying.”
“I…”
After a long moment of hesitation, Yuria confessed.
“Yes… I listened.”
“From where to where?”
“From the part where Sehwa said she was feeling skeptical… that she wasn’t sure if protecting humans was the right thing… I heard everything from there.”
“Is that so? What do you think?”
Jihyeok didn’t seem particularly angry about the eavesdropping. Yuria answered immediately.
“I… I don’t think you should have agreed with Sehwa.”
“Why not?”
“Life must be respected for its own sake. It is noble. It is right to protect it.”
Jihyeok gave a short, derisive laugh and stepped closer. Yuria swallowed nervously as he gripped her chin, forcing her to blink up at him.
After studying her face for a moment, he spoke.
“That’s sophistry.”
“…Pardon?”
“Life must be respected for its own sake? Then what about monsters? Aren’t they living beings too?”
“T-that’s… I misspoke. I meant that human life is precious…”
“Oh? So the lives of beings other than humans don’t matter if they die?”
“That’s not what I meant! Lifeforms with malicious intent…”
“Shut your mouth.”
“……”
Yuria clamped her lips shut. She felt deeply wronged, yet she didn’t dare defy him. Jihyeok took her by the arm and led her out of the laboratory. After settling her in the passenger seat, he started the car and continued.
“In this world, power is law. The same applies to living creatures. Did you think the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ existed for no reason? Only the strong survive.”
Yuria found herself agreeing. Before she met Jihyeok she had been ready to beat a drunkard senseless. The weak had no right to stand tall before the strong.
“Yes… I know…”
“You know? Then there’s nothing wrong with monsters destroying human territory and trying to rule over them. After all, monsters are far stronger than humans.”
“……”
“And we are stronger than those monsters. Even so, we help the weak without asking for anything in return. We show them mercy. Yet humans pour all their energy into trying to control us—beings who should be revered and worshipped. What do you think about that?”
Deep in her chest, Yuria felt an instinctive revulsion rise. But the part of her that desperately wanted to agree with Jihyeok crushed that resistance back down.
“B-but we must protect peace…”
“For peace to arrive, the strong must create a world they rule. They must press down with such overwhelming force that no one can even make a sound. Look at this Earth. They formed the World Coalition, yet behind the scenes the great powers are still engaged in cold war. This has been going on for hundreds of years—thousands, even.”
He was right. Yuria’s own kingdom had possessed a strong king. One royal decree and every citizen obeyed. The nobles carried out their roles as the king’s close aides and looked after those beneath them. There had been problems, of course, but nothing like the constant incidents on Earth. The kingdom had enjoyed long years of peace and prosperity—until it was destroyed by Tyrat, the absolute strongest who commanded the monsters.
Come to think of it… she was beginning to understand Tyrat. There was nothing strange about the strong ruling the weak. Tyrat had simply tried to rule the kingdom, which was nothing more than a gathering of the weak, and—
No! Snap out of it!
The moment she felt her sense of self crumbling, Yuria shook her head violently, trying to regain control. But Jihyeok’s next words shattered the fragile hold she had managed to regain.
“Earth needs a new king. One with overwhelming power who can force everyone to their knees… a true king who can pursue genuine peace.”
“Jihyeok… please stop…”
“You agree with me, don’t you?”
“……”
She agreed, but she didn’t want to admit it. Yet Jihyeok’s words were absolute. Her own opinions were no more than scraps of paper before his gospel.
Yuria let out a ragged breath and nodded.
“Y-yes… I agree…”
She couldn’t even consider arguing. That was how completely she had come to view Jihyeok as a being far above her.
“Respect is born from fear.”
“Ugh…!”
Yuria squeezed her eyes shut. She felt as if her sense of self was about to vanish. She must not accept those words. The moment she acknowledged them aloud, she would also be acknowledging Tyrat’s justification for invading her kingdom.
Her chest tightened. Her breathing grew shallow.
“Haa… haaa…!”
Clenching her fists until they trembled, Yuria suddenly thought of Seunghyun. She didn’t know why. The image simply rose in her mind. Perhaps it was because he was Aaron’s reincarnation. Thinking of him calmed her slightly.
But only slightly. The weight Jihyeok held inside her heart was beyond comparison with someone like Seunghyun.
It was hard. She was exhausted. She wanted to escape this uncomfortable topic. She wanted to talk about something else, but she doubted Jihyeok would allow it.
The moment that thought crossed her mind, Jihyeok spoke in a gentle voice.
“Why don’t you ask Mr. Kim Taegon?”
Yes. Her father, who had once been king of an entire nation, would surely have the answer. He had been acting a little pathetic lately, but on matters like this he would give a precise response.
The suffocating pressure in her chest vanished. A refreshing sensation swept through her entire body.
“Go home for today. You look exhausted.”
“Ah…! Yes…!”
“I’ll give you an assignment.”
“An… assignment…?”
“Ask the people you trust about this topic and listen to their opinions. You have three days. Organize what you learn and report back to me. I’d like an answer immediately, but since you seem to be struggling I’ll give you time.”
Yuria’s expression turned dreamy. The king was showing mercy to his struggling subject. Overwhelmed by that benevolence, she nodded frantically.
“Yes…! Yes!”