Chapter 3

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: EP 1. Journey's Beginning - Brainwashing Corruption BAD END (1)

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"Haaah..."

I rubbed my eyes and woke up from sleep.

My head felt foggy.

"Huh...? How did I fall asleep...?"

As I mumbled groggily, I heard a rustle beside me.

When I turned to look, there was a naked man sleeping right next to me.

"Oh my god...!"

I jolted in shock and scrambled backward.

Then, memories of the previous night started flooding back one by one.

Memories of falling under hypnosis and being used as this man's plaything.

"Urk...!"

Nausea surged up to the back of my throat.

My stomach churned, and my face burned hot.

Shame mixed with boiling rage.

I'm not letting this bastard get away with it.

I glanced around. There—my sword was propped against the wall.

A crude hunk of metal stolen from the village blacksmith, but more than enough to end this vile, pathetic man's life.

I quietly got up and crept toward the sword.

"Oh, you're awake?"

Just as I stepped off the bed, his voice came from behind me.

A chill ran down my spine, and I shuddered.

I gritted my teeth, thinking I'd be overpowered if I hesitated, and bolted for the sword.

Thankfully, I grabbed it before he could stop me.

"Die, you pervert!"

I charged straight at the bed and swung the sword down at him.

"Whoa!"

He threw himself to the floor at the last second and dodged.

"Swinging a sword the moment the hypnosis wears off? You're a dangerous woman."

"Shut up! You won't get away with this!"

"Think you can? Stop."

"Ngh...!"

My head throbbed.

My thoughts, my brain cells—they felt like they were burning.

But I endured.

I didn't hand my mind over to that villain.

"Drop the sword. That's an order."

The man spoke firmly.

For a split second, my grip loosened, and I nearly let go, but I barely held on.

The choices appeared. This time, no (♥) marks anywhere caught my attention.

Even though one was clearly a straight path to ruin.

Either way, my choice was set.

I picked 1.

Just like before, dice appeared.

The difficulty was higher than last time.

I squeezed my eyes shut and rolled the dice.

After spinning for a while, it landed on 16.

But I couldn't celebrate like before.

Sure enough, penalties started subtracting from the number.

Failure again.

The choices vanished mockingly from my sight.

All that remained was [2. Drop the sword].

I ground my teeth and resisted, but in the end, it auto-selected.

My hand moved on its own, hurling the sword far away.

"Good girl. No need to be scared. I'll tweak your mind more thoroughly so this never happens again. Calm down first."

The Hypnotic Crystal hummed again, emitting a sinister glow.

"Ah...?"

My head, dizzy with rage and fear, suddenly grew calm.

Why had I been so furious?

Suddenly, I felt terribly embarrassed.

Even though there was no real reason to.

"I was going to take it slow, but since you're being cheeky, I guess I'll mess with your head a bit more."

He held another crystal in his hand as he spoke.

As it hummed and glowed, the one around my neck vibrated in response.

"Feeling better now?"

Id approached, placed his hand on my chest, kneaded it, and asked.

"Ah...♥"

I inadvertently looked at him and let out a gasp of admiration.

Now that I saw him, he was incredibly handsome.

And even after I tried to harm him in a fit of anger, he was being so kind, offering his hand like this.

"I like that look on your face. Shall I tweak a bit more?"

"Ah♥ Ngh♥"

My head rang.

Everything jumbled together, growing harder to comprehend.

The sensation of myself changing completely.

Terrifying, yet ecstasy welled up from deep within.

Suddenly, a voice echoed.

It felt strangely familiar.

I couldn't quite remember, but I'd seen something like this before.

Number 2 felt scary for some reason, so I chose 1.

A massive 20-sided die appeared before me.

Should I roll it?

Below it read [Requirement: 1].

An incredibly low number.

I rolled the die.

It came up 20.

Success.

But then text appeared below.

The number dwindled to zero.

Failure.

But oddly, I wasn't disappointed.

It felt fine now. Perfectly fine.

Choice 1 faded like a mirage, leaving only number 2.

I selected it.

And then.

"Nngh♥"

A sharp crackle.

Pain like lightning striking my head, and my consciousness went white.

I collapsed unconscious to the floor.

Id.

A somewhat notorious black market dealer around these parts.

He peddles all sorts of goods, many illegal.

Few know where or how he sources his vast array of items, or how he's evaded capture so long. But one thing's clear: messing with him is a bad idea.

In this lawless area, surviving in crime for so long means he's no ordinary man.

So when everyone at the tavern eyed that stunning beauty but saw Id approach her, they shook their heads and stayed out of it.

The outcome was obvious.

And as everyone predicted—dreaded—it happened.

The delicate girl rose with a dazed, entranced expression far beyond mere drunkenness and followed the villain into a room.

Those who sneaked after pressed ears to the door, hearts pounding.

Soon, lewd moans leaked faintly from inside, followed by endless sounds of flesh grinding, slapping, and sweet sighs.

The next morning, when the beauty reemerged, she was a completely different person.

The once prim and proper girl clung to the villain, rubbing her cheek against his neck, showering him with kisses and fervent affection.

No underwear—her pink nipples and wet pussy visible through her shirt and shorts. Even thick white cum dripped from her swollen hole.

No one knew exactly what happened, but to see an innocent beauty turn into a cum-scented slut overnight shocked them all inwardly.

Still, some hoped for scraps themselves.

Sensing this, the villain smirked silently and whispered in his new toy's ear. The loyal slave replied sweetly and obediently without hesitation.

"Yes, Master Id."

She stepped forward, lifted her shirt, pulled down her shorts, fully exposing her breasts and pussy, then smiled with flushed cheeks.

"I, Lia, finally met my destined one here yesterday. It's Master Id. I've decided to serve and devote myself to him for life. Please, everyone, bless our journey."

Her words sounded utterly depraved.

Deep, hollow eyes devoid of soul.

Glowing faintly within was a sinister magic akin to the ominous crystal around her neck.

Some magic tools brainwash or control living beings.

They're rarely potent except in extremes, but on a naive girl? Perfectly effective.

As everyone stood stunned, Id pulled Lia close and leisurely left the tavern.

It's been three years since I entered this world.

I remember nothing of who I was before or how I got here.

Not that I care.

Nothing matters anymore.

My sole concern is one thing—

"Watch out. Their hideout's just ahead."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The woman leading warned sternly.

Sea.

Commander of the city guard in this area.

And my direct superior.

A year ago, I volunteered for the city guard and joined up.

I've always been confident in my swordsmanship, so passing was easy.

Using the survival skills Master taught me, I flattered the higher-ups just right and rocketed through promotions.

Now as vice officer, I have access to sensitive info and secrets.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Impossible for my rank normally, but they trust me.

Fools.

So easily deceived. Just as Master said. They deserve it.

Like the old me.

"Strike without mercy, no matter who you face inside. This is our chance to wipe out the Red Scorpion once and for all."

Sea addressed everyone in a tense voice.

Red Scorpion.

The illicit gang lurking nearby.

Drug trafficking, kidnappings, human trade—they're behind every major crime here.

The guard's been burned by them repeatedly, even lost men, so the grudge makes sense.

Though really, it's their incompetence.

Our capable, righteous, but rigid commander—who trusts too easily—doesn't know.

Some city officials privately deal with Red Scorpion.

Including her superior.

Swoosh, clack, whirr—

One soldier stepped into the shadows, triggering a hidden magic rune on the ground. A pillar of fire erupted.

"Trap! Be careful!"

Sea shouted in alarm.

Red Scorpion ambushers unleashed a volley of arrows from hiding spots.

"Don't panic! Form defensive formation! They're just rabble compared to us!"

Sea seized control masterfully, commanding the troops.

A true commander.

The momentum shifted to a stalemate in seconds.

Can't have that.

I slipped behind my comrades and swung my sword.

Distracted by the arrow barrage, they fell effortlessly.

"Lia! What are you doing?!"

Sea cried out in horror.

"What do you mean? Cutting down enemies."

"Enemies...? You don't mean—?!"

"You finally figured it out?"

Sea's face crumpled in betrayal and despair.

I'd grown somewhat fond of her, so it was a pity.

We'd shared a bed a few times.

All an act to earn her trust and get close.

Only Master matters to me.

Body, heart, emotions—trifles compared to him.

So killing months-long comrades or betraying my lover felt like nothing.

"Uwaaaah!"

Sea charged screaming.

Crying? Kinda cute.

Her emotions made her sloppy, full of openings unlike her usual self.

I dodged, closed in, and clubbed her head with my hilt.

"Guh...!"

She staggered, unable to withstand the impact.

Even with a helmet, a full-force jaw hit throws you off balance.

She taught me that.

A great senior, mentor and comrade.

Not anymore.

As her stance crumbled, I struck her wrist, disarming her.

I kicked the fallen sword away and looked down triumphantly.

"Why...?"

Sea gazed up with a heartbroken face.

Why? Obviously.

"For my Master."