Heroes Fall into Evil's Scheme (1)
Having inhaled the scent of the brainwashing drug, Club lost the light in her eyes and slipped into a hypnotic trance. Perhaps because her stamina and mental strength had already reached their limits, it didn't take long for her to fall under. The only potential issue was how precariously close she seemed to passing out right then and there.
He waved his hand in front of Club's face, whispered a few words into her ear, and confirmed she was fully entranced. Satisfied at last, he propped up her upper body into a sitting position and finally began the task at hand.
"Alright, Club. Focus on this finger. Don't let it out of your sight. No blinking until I say so... That's right, follow it... Good, you're doing well... Keep it up...."
"Listen to me like this. Pay close attention to my words. Etch them deep into your mind and obey them without question. Got it?"
Guiding her thoughts through language. And reshaping her common sense and perceptions in tandem. Techniques he'd practiced extensively on Spade and Apple, now applied to Club. Thanks to Dorothy's preparatory work, Club's suggestibility was markedly heightened. Even an amateur like Villain No. 13 could steer and manipulate her thoughts with ease.
Now, what kind of brainwashing to apply...
He'd already decided on the content. It was a script he'd devised in consultation with Advisor and Dorothy, the creator of the brainwashing tools. He'd included the elements they deemed "essential," padding the rest with his personal tastes. The content was set; the challenge lay in delivery. Being inexperienced, a minor slip could spiral into disaster. Apple had assisted before, but this time he was on his own. He could summon Advisor or Dorothy for help, but he couldn't rely on that forever.
Besides, it looked pathetic.
"Listen closely, Club. I'm about to tell you something very important, so pay attention. Let it sink into your body, your mind, your heart, your very soul...."
First, erase her memory of today's interrogation. Next, wipe any recollection that she'd been brainwashed. The interrogation never happened. She wouldn't realize she'd been brainwashed. Villain No. 13 possessed the ability to control others, but for "some reason," he couldn't control Club. Certain conditions had to be met first.
...And so he adjusted her perceptions. Rewrote her memories.
Next up.
Layer new memories atop the erased and altered ones. Nothing too complex—stability would suffer. Keep it concise, simple, straightforward, intuitive, and tailored to her personality for easy induction. He added subtle perception tweaks to influence her future choices. In a dilemma between A and B, she'd always pick B. Making it feel like her own unprompted decision, blind to outside influence.
After a few sentences, he'd have her repeat it back. Spot errors, re-explain until she grasped it. Then move on, step by step, completing the brainwashing.
In the end, Villain No. 13 successfully imprinted his script onto Club without a hitch.
...That should about do it.
Having done all he could, he ordered her to sleep. Without resistance, Club's eyes fluttered shut, and she slumped over limply. Soon, steady breathing filled the air. Her chest rose and fell shallowly. She was out cold.
"Guess we'll see how it holds once she wakes."
Feeling refreshed, he covered her body with a blanket, scooped her up blanket and all, and left the bar's rest area for the hallway....
"...Ugh... My head...."
Club awoke around midday. Not that she could tell—the room had no windows. She stirred in what felt like an oversized bed for one.
What the hell... happened...
Sifting through her muddled memories and fogged mind, she sat up and scanned her surroundings. She'd only just realized she was naked. And her slender wrists were bound in sturdy handcuffs. Her ankles too. Leather cuffs linked by chains with some slack—not enough for running, though. Aside from the restraints, her body seemed fine. No dirt or marks.
Something about that felt off. She had no way of knowing Villain No. 13 had bathed her before laying her in bed.
Where am I? What happened?
I was with Senior Spade... chasing Villain No. 13...
Her clearest memory was the department store incident. It felt recent yet strangely distant, like days ago.
That's when... I messed up... and he caught me...
The prior brainwashing that left her unable to resist him? Gone. Now she chalked it up to her own minor blunder, exposing a vulnerability that led to defeat.
And... and... As she pieced together the fog, a sharp knock echoed: rap rap.
Followed by clicks and clanks of locks. The door swung open.
"Oh my. I hoped you might be awake."
"...Advisor...!"
The face belonged to the mysterious woman from before—silver hair, peach eyes, smiling with narrowed eyes. The one who'd called herself Advisor.
"Hungry? I brought food."
Trays in both hands bore plates of what looked like her meal.
Only then did Club's stomach growl at the sight and smell.
Awakener or not, they could last a month without food on mana alone—but hunger and nutrition needs persisted.
"Come sit over here. The chains allow some movement. Come on, now."
Club eyed her warily but complied. At the bedside table, the tray was set before her. Poison? If so, they'd have slit her throat while she slept. With that, she dug in boldly.
...It was delicious. Chomp... gulp...
While Club ate, Advisor sat opposite, watching with a beaming smile. Her thoughts were inscrutable, leaving Club uneasy. Still, she ate steadily. Regain strength first—that was priority.
She finished every bite and drained the tea. Only then did Advisor clear the dishes.
"Good girl, Club. No picky eating? Healthy habits are admirable."
"...Shut up. And it's just... growing up on a small island."
"More importantly," Club pressed on.
"So, I've been kidnapped by your organization."
"Yes. You met with No. 13 yesterday—remember?"
"......Yes."
How could she forget? Beyond the meeting, her intense encounter with him—the sex—burned vividly. Recalling it made her lower belly throb.
Not arousal, but the rough handling from last night. Awakener durability minimized inflammation risks, but with her near-zero experience...
"Glad you remember. No need to recap, then—straight to business."
Advisor pulled out her smartphone and held it out.
Club stared, puzzled.
"Now, we'll contact your superior, 7th Squad Captain Rahe, with this."
"About your treatment."
"No. 13's proposal from last night."
"And your future path."
"Let's have a nice, detailed chat together."
Advisor smiled enigmatically.
