The Brainwashing You Chose: Endure It with Sheer Malice and Grit
The moment my lips touched Younghee's, something squishy slipped inside.
My eyes snapped wide open in an instant.
This isn't a tongue. No human tongue could possibly be this long.
......
"Ugh!"
I'd swallowed it. Before I could react, that something had burrowed into my body. I hurriedly shoved Younghee away. When I checked on her, her eyes were closed—she'd already passed out.
'.......She's asleep? Or was she asleep the whole time?'
The situation didn't add up, but it seemed she wasn't in her right state anyway. No wonder something had felt off.
'No way a girl would show up in my life, duh!'
I hadn't even spoken to a girl since high school! Still, it was better than my previous life. Back then, the only person I'd ever gone to the movies with was my mom! Ah, saying it out loud made me a little sad.
'Hmm, no good place to lay her down here.'
No choice but to set her on a nearby table. I took off my coat and draped it over her for now. Couldn't end our first date in ages with her catching a cold. Luckily, my body was tough and didn't feel the cold much.
'So what the hell is this?'
Yujin squinted, feeling whatever had entered his body. It had been wriggling disgustingly ever since.
-Kuhahaha! Feels gross? Too late for that!
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his head. He'd thought he'd seen all sorts of crazy stuff since coming to this world, but there was always something bigger above. He couldn't even grasp what this was.
'The others were at least big monsters or giant freaks.'
-Kuhahaha! Look at that regretful face! But it's too late!
"Who the hell are you?"
-No name or anything. I'm just something that takes over hosts. If I had to say, humans call me 'brain control'!
"......So you do have a name."
-Shut up! You think I'd accept a name humans slapped on me?
"Giving names is a uniquely human thing to begin with."
-Don't try to teach me, you human!
Hmm, no talking sense to this guy. Conversations with someone who ignores you are just depressing. Host, huh. Not the cheap veggies at the mart, I hope. Did it possess her and take over her body? What a world—monsters of all kinds. Another lesson learned about this world today.
"Ah! So you're a talking parasite, then."
-P-Parasite!? I'm the natural enemy and superior ruler of you humans, able to control any target—monster, demon, whatever!
"So, yeah, a parasite."
-No! I'm not—fine, whatever, parasite. But your actions scream basic smart talking parasite.
"So why'd you end up in me, parasite?"
-Haha! I didn't get eaten! I'm just occupying your mental world. Right now, I'm not in your body—I'm in your soul.
Ooh, souls now. The concept of souls had even come up.
'Kinda disappointing.'
He'd imagined something like the cosmic monster from that movie Venom. Just taking over a soul? What even was the point?
-Haha! Meaningless to you. But a huge gain for me!
"Gain?"
-Did you think this girl was acting cute and kissing you because she likes you?
Yujin flinched inwardly. He'd thought that for a split second, sure.
"Nah, no way? Never thought that?"
-Hahaha! This girl has zero interest in you! I controlled her body for all of it.
Shit. I already knew that—no need to rub it in. I didn't actually fall for it. For real!
"Tch, so everything Younghee did to me was your doing?"
-Exactly! Hugging you, throwing tantrums, the kiss—it was all to lower your guard!
"Damn, you're impressive. No guilt doing all that?"
No response. Hit a nerve, huh.
-.......Hah! All just means to an end! Mission accomplished—past doesn't matter!
"Oh? And what was the goal?"
-Puhahaha! Still don't get it? Or pretending not to know!
The thing laughed arrogantly.
-Your ultimate body! The immense power and wealth! I'll make it all mine!
Ah, so take over my body and control me like Younghee? Hmm, not great.
"I've got a heart wider than the ocean."
-What the hell?
"Not judging tastes, but a tall guy like me hugging first and kissing? Kinda—"
-Idiot! Why would I do that crap when I could have Heukcheon in my grasp?! No need for other bodies now!
"So you targeted my body for Heukcheon?"
-Yes! Blame your bloodline—you're Heukcheon's ruler!
"Nah, not me."
The slime went silent at Yujin's reply.
Huh, what? Did I confuse it? No way. Two humans with a body like this?
-No, you are the heir?
"Our family just happens to be Heukcheon or whatever."
-That's the same thing!
"Nah, different. Honestly, I don't know much about my family. No clue what they do."
He knew Heukcheon was a massive organization. And that he wasn't cut out to inherit it. Just look at the scary faces of the guys under him. Commanding those people? No way, too much. Way too heavy for an outcast like me. He'd just take some inheritance, buy a building, become a landlord, and live off the honey for life.
-Anyway, you're Heukcheon blood! With this body, it's as good as mine!
"That's like saying my parents handing over the house makes it mine. I don't want it."
The thing burst into mocking laughter.
-Kuhahaha! Idiot! Why do you think I took your body?! I'll make you Heukcheon's ruler from now on!
"Oh, for real?"
-Yes! You had no choice anyway! The moment I entered your soul, you lost your—huh?
'Huh?'
That was bad—meant things were fucked when that came up at work.
-Why haven't you lost your ego?
"How should I know."
-If you don't know, who does?!
"Everyone thinks they know themselves best!"
Yujin declared proudly.
-Fuck, what the hell? Your soul and body waves are way off! Never heard of a lifeform like this! You even human?
"Suddenly super rude. Hurts my feelings."
The slime started panicking and yelling. Whatever—Yujin checked on the collapsed Younghee. No fever when he touched her forehead. Just unconscious, no big issues.
'Ah, right—we didn't finish the movie.'
Couldn't drag a girl in this state around. Shame, but today's date ended here. Damn, I had so many plans left.
-This is fucked! I gotta get out! Shit, can't!
Meanwhile, the culprit behind the mess was screaming. Looked like things weren't going its way. Not Yujin's problem, though!
"Hey, you ruined my plans, so take responsibility!"
-Who cares about that now! I can't escape your soul! Stuck with you forever!
"Lucky me. Hard to buy a house these days. I'll charge you a fair 100,000 won monthly rent."
-You call that fair?! Gahk......! What kind of mental barrier is this!
Hmm, something screaming inside me nonstop. Not an everyday experience. A bit noisy, though.
-Hahk! Hahk! Fuck, no choice! You need help.
"Huh? Tried to steal my body and now help? Got a conscience?"
-You don't wanna live with a guy like me forever either!
"I'm fine. Nice not seeing your face—super comfy. Wanna be my soulmate?"
-No! I have karma to fulfill!
Ah, whatever if you don't want to—such a sore loser. Yujin grumbled as he grabbed a blanket and pillow from the theater, propping them under Younghee.
"Fine, fine. So what do you want?"
-Release mana. I'll ride it out.
"What's that? How?"
-Just spew mana! You know that much!
"Ah, I got no mana."
All stats dumped into strength. Even converted mana stats to strength—zero mana now. Heh.
The slime said nothing. Couldn't see its face, but he could picture the 'what kind of retard' expression.
-Heukcheon's heir with no mana? Makes sense how?
But really none, fuck! This actually works! Heh, lively with emotions. Kinda funny how it talks.
-Kuhk, can't be! Okay, soul power! You can use that at least!
"What's that?"
-Soul energy I developed myself. Replaces mana with way higher efficiency. Why steal girls' bodies with that? Idiot?
-Hey, shut up! Learn soul power! Then I can leave!
"No thanks. Don't even know what soul power is."
-Not hard. Source of magic?
"Mana?"
-Where's mana from?
"Dunno."
-Usually they last longer!!
The slime launched into a soul and mana crash course. But theory's one thing—practice another. Yujin, who'd never handled mana in his life, couldn't cast a single spell.
-Fuck! Heukcheon's infamous son is this braindead?!
"Why curse like that."
-Kuhk! B-But if this fails too, no way out! No, why crying again. It messed up, after all.
"Sigh, wait a bit. Level up soon, I'll raise mana. Or keep learning soul power."
-R-Really?
"Yeah, so listen to me from now on."
-O-Okay! If you want me to assault a girl and make her serve—nah, don't.
Honestly annoying, but not hard. School meant fighting monsters anyway. Yujin convinced the slime enough and pulled out his phone. Time to call an adult for help.
"Park Secretary, can you help me out? Actually, I think you have to."