Aren't Drugs and Hypnosis Standard for Childhood Friends These Days?
Kim Cheolsu swung his sword.
It wasn't a strike packed with overwhelming power. Just a light, measured attack.
"Gah!"
Yet that alone sent his opponent flying.
The Cheon-gong Geom and his enhanced physical abilities. The gear he'd just acquired and the training he'd endured all this time. They combined to produce this result.
The power was, of course, overwhelming.
"Jeez! The request didn't say anything about a guy like this!"
"Shut up and mo—Gurk!"
He kicked the man swinging the chain, then smashed the flat of his blade into the guy beside him.
And that was it. The men lay unconscious, not stirring.
This made ten opponents he'd cleared already. A bit much for a patient fresh out of the hospital, but no problem.
They're weak.
Even as he fought, Cheolsu kept thinking of Kim Yujin. He compared these guys to him. And the conclusion he'd reached?
Compared to Kim Yujin, they were pathetically weak.
Even active-duty pros are only this strong?
Their combat was simplistic, their power lacking. Not destructive like Yujin's strength. Not sharp like his speed. Compared to that beastly fighter, this was child's play.
"Ho, not bad."
He turned at the sudden voice. There stood a man clad head to toe in black armor.
This guy's... a step up.
Thanks to his training, his perception had sharpened too. He could now gauge an opponent's strength at a glance. This one was different from the others he'd faced.
"I figured beating up some kid would be boring, but I found fun in the last place I expected."
The man grinned as he spoke, exuding confidence in every gesture and word. The telltale sign of someone who truly enjoyed battle.
"Kid, what's your name?"
"What do you need it for?"
"Nah, I gotta know the name of the brat I'm about to thrash. Pros care about that stuff."
"Pros, huh..."
Cheolsu paused, lost in thought. He'd been wondering why these guys were after him. From what this man said, he had a pretty good idea.
They'd been hired by someone. Not personal grudge, at least.
...But who the hell?
The face that popped into his mind was, naturally, Kim Yujin. But Yujin had no need to hire trash like this. That guy could crush Cheolsu anytime he wanted. If he hired anyone, it'd be someone way stronger. Even his secretary was a thousand times tougher than these clowns.
"...Who hired you?"
"Haha! You're such a student. This is business. Can't spill or I lose my meal ticket."
"Who put you up to it? Heukcheon?"
"How about we swap names first? Mine's—"
"Nah, whatever. Who paid you?"
"...Ha. Kids these days."
The man clenched his fist. Mana rippled around it, compressing in an instant with a sharp whine.
"Changed my mind. I'll show you the move that one-shots B-rank heroes."
He dropped into a boxing stance. The honed mana and fist were weapons in themselves. He unleashed the compressed mana with his punch.
Or tried to.
If Cheolsu hadn't closed the distance in a flash and smashed his jaw.
"...Huh?"
Kim Yujin's ultra-high-speed dash. Cheolsu mimicked it perfectly. The man's eyes widened at the superhuman movement.
He rushed in and hit my jaw just now? When?
That was all he could process. And it didn't matter.
Before he could react, Cheolsu's arm moved.
Cheon-gong Geom, Elbow Smash!
Krunch!
The full-power elbow strike slammed into his solar plexus. One hit.
"Guwaaak!"
The impact shattered the armor, sending the man flying meters away. He rolled and crashed into the wall.
"...Didn't get to ask who hired you."
Figures he wouldn't say anyway. Hard to imagine anyone but Heukcheon pulling this crap. But not Kim Yujin himself.
Probably one of his underlings. Or some rival faction. That much aiming for him? No big deal at this level.
Training to beat Kim Yujin made me strong enough to crush even pro hero killers.
The thought made him chuckle. He'd started training to take down Yujin no matter what. Those days had made him stronger, regardless.
Yet he still couldn't match Yujin. Just how strong was that guy?
You made me stronger, sure. But I ain't thanking you.
This power was for protecting Younghee from the start. Useless if he couldn't beat the real threat.
But a path forward gleamed. He'd grown for sure. The class president's training methods, the gear she'd anonymously sent. Yujin felt distant now, but someday he'd surpass him.
It was the only way to repay the class president's faith in him.
For now, back to the academy.
Training there was more efficient. And above all, Younghee—his most precious person—was there. Reason enough for Cheolsu.
"Mm..."
Younghee came to, her mind clearing. She realized she was tied to a chair.
What... what's going on?
Panicking, she looked around. White bed, suspicious vials, the sting of disinfectant. She pieced it together—this was the infirmary.
Why am I here...?
She slowly recalled her last memory. Right, the new teacher, Jekyll, had come. Said he had something to discuss with her, a healer. She'd talked alone with Mr. Jekyll.
After that? ...Nothing. No memory.
"Oh, you're up sooner than expected. As expected of the girl chosen by Heukcheon's heir."
Clack, clack. Footsteps approached deliberately. A tall man in glasses and a doctor's coat. The new teacher, Jekyll.
Or... maybe not just a teacher, given the situation.
"..."
Younghee glared at the casually approaching Jekyll. She'd been through too much because of Kim Yujin to be that naive anymore.
"Why did you kidnap me?"
"Mm, quick on the uptake—saves me the explanation. Relieved."
"If you think so, mind untying me? A fragile girl like me can't fight back anyway."
She wriggled her bound arms as she spoke. She tried summoning mana, but it wouldn't come. Some trick, probably.
"I get that, but I'm the cautious type. Better safe."
"...I'll report you to the police if you do anything dangerous."
"Mm~ Report? Doubt you can. You'll forget everything the moment you leave here."
Younghee blinked. Threats or gag orders, she got. But forget?
"Heh, see this coin?"
Jekyll grinned creepily, pulling out a black coin etched with strange patterns.
Hypnosis Coin.
"...What's that?"
Younghee eyed it warily. Dangerous. Her instincts screamed beyond reason.
"It makes you feel great and brutally honest."
Chilling explanation. Feel great and honest? Only thing that came to mind was drugs.
"Not interested in feeling great."
"Doesn't matter what you want, Younghee. Just answer my questions and do as I say."
"Sorry, but I don't feel like cooperating with a creep who ties up girls."
Jekyll tilted his head, then grinned like he'd realized something.
"Ahh~ Haven't hypnotized you yet. My bad."
"??"
As Younghee puzzled, Jekyll spread his palm wide and traced a circle.
Change hit instantly.
...Huh?
Suddenly, she felt good for no reason. Something ticklish bubbled from deep in her chest. Like a feather teasing her heart and brain. An unbearable heat spread.
"Ngh... what... is this...?"
"Ho, impressive resistance. Worthy of Yujin's pick."
Unlike Jekyll's admiration, Younghee had no leisure. Her emotions slipped from her control. Forcibly feeling better and better. She had to listen to this man. Obey him to be happy.
Forced thoughts dominated her.
"N-no... don't mess with my head...!"
"Relax, Younghee. Let go. Accept the feeling as it is."
Her body reacted first. Muscles loosened against her will, welcoming the sensation. Resistance faded naturally.
"Ah... ahh..."
Younghee's eyes lost focus. She slumped, staring blankly at Jekyll like a memory-wiped child—or a doll.
Jekyll smiled in satisfaction and began questioning.
"Your name?"
"Lee Younghee..."
"Bra size?"
"C-cup..."
Jekyll nodded pleased. Not that he cared about her chest. Just confirming the hypnosis worked. Sensitive questions were perfect tests on a girl her age.
"Younghee, you have someone you love, right?"
"Yes..."
"How far would you go for him?"
"I'd give my life without regret."
Jekyll was impressed inwardly. He knew Yujin and Younghee met this semester. Already that deep?
No idea how Yujin feels, but I can use this.
Conquering such a charming girl like this. Kim Yujin was no ordinary man.
"How far have you gone with Yujin?"
"What... do you mean?"
"Hm... straight up, then. Ever gone to a hotel with Kim Yujin?"
"Yes..."
"Ho? Did Yujin sleep with you?"
"?? If hugging... I usually hug him first. Want him to... see me well..."
The more he heard, the more shocking. Innocent-looking girl, but they'd already slept together—and she initiated? Craving his affection?
Hm, as a fellow man, gotta respect that.
Anyway, confirmed: Younghee was special to Yujin. Proceed as planned.
Jekyll dangled the black coin—thread-wrapped—before her eyes, swaying it slowly.
"Look at this, Younghee. You're now under suggestion."
"Yees..."
"When you leave here, you'll forget everything that happened. And you'll start hating the one you love. Got it?"
"Got... it..."
Memory wipe and suggestion. Jekyll's go-to for manipulating emotions. She'd move as he wished, clueless why she felt that way.
Heh, wonder how Yujin will react when his beloved starts hating him.
Blissfully unaware Younghee actually loved Cheolsu, Jekyll grinned sinisterly at his perfect plan.