The Queen Engine Awakens
Haksik sensed the anomaly while helping out the senior staff, following their lead as usual. Ever since receiving guidance from her teacher—Yonghwa Seonnyeo—she'd gotten much better at containing the unique energy surging inside her. Even amid crowds, it no longer triggered any weird phenomena. Plus, the site wasn't just her; it was packed with pros from the Supernatural Phenomena Resolution Office and other experts. No matter what went wrong, she figured they had it covered. That false sense of security was probably what made her drop her guard in the end.
It started as mild "interest."
"You seriously never tried breaking into showbiz? No way..."
"Wow, pulling off a normie cosplay with visuals like that? How?!"
"Even wandering some backwater town away from Gangnam or Hongdae, you'd get scouted for sure."
"Ahaha... I was just your model student, nose always in books."
She expected as much from the women—they were hyper-aware of looks, and hanging around her naturally sparked that chatter. Containing the Great Whore of Babylon's energy was one thing; her stunning appearance was undeniable fact. Hell, even a week without washing, she'd still turn heads. It was a natural reaction for anyone chasing beauty, so she brushed it off with a smile. But then the interest twisted into something off-kilter.
"How brutal's your diet gotta be for a figure like that? Salads twice a day, seriously?"
"Makeup game's insane. One camera shot under lights, and you'd glow—who taught you?"
"Look at that hair shine. What brand? Spill the secret?"
"Temp gig's just an excuse—you're here hoping for a scout, right?"
"Makes sense. No way a girl like you hits a freezing winter shift like this. Saw the guy staff and director's eyes bulging earlier."
"Still a virgin too, huh? Young, hot visuals, sweet voice—you're blessed."
By the time she felt the disconnect in their stares and words, it was too late. Most of the staff she'd thought were just working were fixated on her, pretending otherwise. Their voices droned flat and venomous, no inflection. No facial tics while spewing that crap meant they were deeply possessed.
Quick on the uptake, Haksik realized the dominating negativity was jealousy. She traced it backward to its source: deep inside the cosmetics factory. The main stage where Uncle—Han Daeri—and Teacher were handling the event exorcism.
Born to be adored by all life, she felt that jealousy aimed her way extra sharply. Like a country bumpkin fresh off pure mountain air choking on smog-choked city fumes.
'They hate women like me so much they can't love me—instead, they're jealous.'
She could've unleashed the contained Great Whore energy, but that'd screw over Uncle and Teacher. Vetoed. Time to save these poor souls swallowed by grudge spirits another way.
Slipping through the women gnashing teeth and biting nails in jealous frenzy like a nimble squirrel, Haksik bolted. Get caught now, and it'd be physical envy shredding her to bits. Jealousy always crushes what it can't have.
'S-oppa's MIA, so I'm handling this solo. Better make it help Uncle and Teacher!'
That'd earn her real Supernatural Phenomena Resolution Office cred, right? Snatching the director's megaphone mid-thought, she vaulted onto the prepped set. Standing bold in the wide-open space would pull every grudge spirit's focus.
Predictably, they dragged their hosts shambling toward her aggro like zombies from a flick. Creepy as hell, but no other play.
Her power's core: universal love. Weakened now to men-only, but with mostly guys on staff, perfect fit.
Love was the most complex, potent emotion, she'd learned. Peak positive or negative force. Humanity endured through love, built societies, drew close. Loveless? Extinct or exiled. Love-filled thrived in survival games.
She was love's apex predator. If the One God bestowed infinite love on humanity, she was infinitely loved by them. And love-smitten souls would die for their beloved—hence "romantic" deaths.
From the moment Haksik stood alone atop the set, romance ignited.
Firing her hypnosis app to amp her power temporarily, megaphone blasting her honeyed, power-laced voice far and wide—she could theoretically lure every guy in range. They'd become devoted slaves, soldiers.
'This boiling beat inside me... etch it into their hearts!'
Her fragrant scent, hot breath, heart's beautiful thrum flooding the air! What man resists? What romantic withholds total devotion?
She was the idol-worshipped (love object). String-plucker of every romantic's soul. Unreachable cliffside bloom. A rice-ball thief making you gorge three bowls sans sides just from sight, sound, feel!
Lmao! Lmao! Lmao!
'My "Queen Engine" is... revving!'
Excitement! Ecstasy! Trance!
Haksik had avoided crowds since a spicy-food kid trauma, but now she got it: she shone brightest before the masses.
Public adoration! Half of Korea's—hell, world's—pop at her feet. Raw power. President-level clout? Doable.
"Look into my eyes and be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Short: Happiness Beam. Heart-studded ray paralyzing targets till release, puppeted by the caster.
Female staff seething jealousy and murder lust. Or rather, their grudge spirits. Neutralized.
"Make my approval rating 100%."
Path to 100%? Erase non-supporters.
That command flipped the male staff vibe. Like knights vowing eternal fealty to a fairy-tale princess, they glared sternly at the women.
"How dare you not support her...?"
"Half-baked bitches strutting—can't. Fucking. Stand. It."
"Aah, my otaku heart weeps. Non-supporters deserve death."
"Support her forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Kieeeek!!!!!!!!!!"
Chaos erupted. Women had strong grudges, but outnumbered by men, they lost. All turned romantics.
One woman worth sidelining others for? Peak romanticism.
But not over. Spotting S-man dashing over joyfully, Haksik shared the factory intel.
"Boss should've wrapped this by now normally! This delay means..."
"Something's wrong. Better head in and back up Uncle and Teacher."
"You sure? I'm fine, but Teacher told you to hold back on powers."
"I'm basically an adult in two days. I can handle myself."
"Hop on then. Fastest ride to Boss ever!"
This was the legendary Supernatural Phenomena Resolution Office duo fusion: 2-in-1 combo transform.
Haksik mounted S-man's back surfboard-style. He quadruped-sprinted full throttle.
Nothing was stopping them now.