Please, Just Kill Me
Whenever had it started? Kim Youngho had grown sick of working at the Hero Association. People were the same everywhere, weren't they? Even in the Hero Association, created to protect humanity, corruption existed.
And knowing this—knowing he could stop it but hadn't—Kim Youngho didn't consider himself a particularly clean man. These small disappointments had piled up until, at some point, he'd fallen into deep cynicism and apathy. He still had a ways to go before retirement age, but with a decent nest egg saved and his kids independent, quitting to live leisurely didn't sound half bad.
Yet he'd lingered as an executive, terrified that leaving would render his existence worthless. At the same time, Hwang Yerang—adorable like a granddaughter—had played her part in keeping him there.
But when he learned of the human experiments conducted by the association's executives, he knew it was truly time to go. He could overlook minor corruption if it led to good results. People were greedy by nature, and excessive suppression only bred rebellion.
But everything had its limits. No matter the ends, some things could never be ignored. If you hated the temple, the monk had to leave. He no longer had the strength to fight for righteousness, so he chose to depart.
Just... there was one thing left to do before he left.
Knock. Knock.
"Uncle~ You in there? I'm coming in?"
Hwang Yerang barged into the empty office and frowned with a sigh.
"He's really not here. I came to ask which facility Seung-ah's at."
She knew she was overreacting, but her constant worry for Baek Seung-ah made it impossible to calm down. She'd held back as much as she could. This time, she was determined to see Baek Seung-ah, and she'd planned to tell Kim Youngho too—but he was nowhere when she needed him.
With nothing better to do, she figured she'd kill time until he returned. That's when her eyes caught the messy pile of documents on his desk.
"Jeez. He's always so neat and tidy, but how busy must he be to leave them like this? He's not as young as he used to be—should take it easy."
Rare for someone who valued order, she decided to tidy up a bit and picked up the papers.
"Ugh. Every single one's crammed with tough words. Why do these damn documents always have to be so needlessly hard to read?"
The dizzying wall of text made her want to look away, but one glimpse at a document snagged her attention.
The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the relationship between the test subject's mental state and its influence on monsters, by periodically administering electric shocks and observing changes in the monsters based on the subject's reactions…
…As a result of the above experiment, the more excited the test subject became, the more dramatic the changes in the monsters…
…Confirmed emotional sharing through some kind of mental link.
"Huh? What is this…"
The document she was reading was a progress report on some experiment. Filled with difficult terms she couldn't fully grasp, but the standout words made it clear this was no ordinary report.
Her instincts screamed something was wrong.
…After the test subject's mental state became unstable, the monsters' ferocity increased dramatically, and attempts were observed to escape toward the test subject despite bodily damage.
Thus, the relationship between the test subject and monsters is presumed not a one-way command hierarchy, but a bond of attachment…
…Disposed of monsters deemed unsuitable for the experiment. Normal testing impossible until test subject's mental state recovers.
…Administered psychotropic drugs for mental stabilization; mental link with monster repeatedly severed during experiment…
…Among emotions, anger and pain showed the clearest sharing.
Thus concludes the 24th Round Regular Experiment Report. To assess individual monster influences, a wider variety of monsters will be needed.
More reports remained, but Hwang Yerang couldn't bear to read further. No name was mentioned, but the contents made it obvious the test subject was Baek Seung-ah.
Just then, Kim Youngho returned.
"Yerang, what are you reading right now…"
"…Uncle, what the hell is this? Is it what I think it is?"
"…"
"Where is this place? Take me there. Now."
"Yerang. This isn't for you to get involved in. I get you're worried about Seung-ah, but leave this to me…"
"――Take me there NOW!!"
Yelling wouldn't solve anything, but she couldn't contain the surging emotions. Rage swallowed reason, boiling her mind. She had to rescue Baek Seung-ah. That was all she could think.
"…Fine. I'll take you."
"Director. At this rate, with the test subject's condition, we can't continue the experiments…"
"Hm. Increase the drug dosage?"
In one of the association's research facilities, Ashstone—the lab director—and a researcher discussed Baek Seung-ah's state.
"Any more and the subject's body might not hold up. She wasn't healthy to begin with, and it's worsened lately."
"Tch. That's why emotional test subjects are such a pain. They break so fast, and we have no replacements."
"How about focusing on recovery for now?"
"As much as I'd like to, we can't stall anymore. Kim Youngho's caught on to the experiments. He'll interfere soon, one way or another."
He'd finally gotten an intriguing research subject, with so much left to test, but external meddling made Ashstone seethe with frustration.
"Then…"
"Up the dosage. We've got enough data anyway—might as well settle for that."
"Director! Pardon the intrusion!!"
"What? Can't you see we're in a meeting?"
Ashstone hated interruptions. His staff knew this, so they only burst in for emergencies. Which meant this was urgent.
"Um… Little Devil's infiltrated the lab."
"What? Why would that brat come here…"
――BOOM!!!
A massive explosion rocked the facility like a bomb blast. Checking the internal cameras, Ashstone saw Little Devil inside for real.
No idea why she was attacking, but she was clearly unhinged.
"Tch. I'll handle it. You all stay put."
This was a Hero Association facility—her actions were terrorism. Ashstone headed to teach the insolent kid a lesson.
"This the place?"
"Y-yes!"
"Got it. Scram."
Having forced a man to guide her by the collar, Hwang Yerang tossed him aside and stood before a door marked "Isolation Room." Locked tight, it needed a code.
Without hesitation, she transformed her arm, smashed the door, and entered.
The stark white room reeked of bitter chemicals, unsettling her. In the corner, she spotted Baek Seung-ah curled up.
"Seung-ah!"
Seeing her friend after so long cooled her fury into joy as she rushed over.
"Seung-ah, you okay? I came to get you! Let's get out of here!"
But no matter how she called, Baek Seung-ah stayed buried in her knees, unresponsive.
"Seung-ah? Come on, let's go!"
Frustrated, Hwang Yerang grabbed her shoulders and shook. Baek Seung-ah's head lolled, eyes meeting hers.
"It's okay now! I'll protect you, so no more worries…"
"…Kill me."
"Huh? What?"
"Please… kill me."