Berial's Hypnotic Probe
The morning air after the hypnosis was exceptionally clear. The rain that had fallen all night had washed away the city's dust, restoring the sky to its original blue for the first time in ages. But even that blue seemed to fade once it passed through the high walls of the Correction Facility.
I got off the subway on my way to work and headed for the main gate. There were twice as many guards deployed at the entrance as usual. Their armor gleamed in the morning sunlight, and the tips of their spears were sharply honed.
"Present your ID."
The orc guard growled in a rough voice. I pulled my ID card from my pocket and showed it to him.
[Kang Jinwoo - Mid-level Trainer]
The orc scanned the card and glanced at my face before stepping aside.
"Have a good one."
I gave a brief nod and entered. The familiar disinfectant smell assaulted my nose as I stepped into the lobby. The waxed floor gleamed, and the chandelier overhead sparkled lavishly.
But there's no public training show—how do we skip the high demon inspection? I wondered internally as I walked toward the vending machine, addressing Makkokji. Even if we corrupted Magical Pure to 100%, without a public stage, it'd be hard to dodge the inspectors' scrutiny. Those finicky old demons would dissect a magical girl's soul like it was under a microscope.
"Two ways for now," Makkokji yawned from inside me. "You become a high-level trainer and get the procedure waived, or push for another public training show."
The first is tough, the second's high-risk. Becoming a high-level trainer required serious achievements. I'd only just succeeded with Prism Pink. Plus, promotions were handled by Demon King Castle, outside Katriana's authority—it'd take forever. Holding another show was a gamble. Pink had been a massive hit, but Pure was still in prep. A slip-up on stage could doom not just me, but Pink and Pure too.
Above all, Pure didn't seem like she'd fall easily. We'd barely gotten Emerald as a first step.
Pure won't corrupt easily either. I inserted coins and pressed the button. Clunk. The can of coffee dropped into the tray with a thud echoing through the lobby. I pulled it out and cracked it open. Hiss—a sweet, bitter aroma wafted up.
That's when someone entered the edge of my vision. A woman with long straight hair and a neat suit. She sat on the lobby sofa, reading a magazine. She looked like an ordinary visitor, but... something felt off. The air around her seemed to dance separately.
First time seeing her—pretty hot, though? I thought idly. Pale skin, sharp nose, red lips. Classic beauty.
She looked up at me. Her eyes were a deep purple. Her gaze was profoundly alluring, drawing people in.
She set the magazine down and stood, walking toward me. The click-clack of her high heels echoed rhythmically. Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack.
Huh? Something's weird about this woman, Makkokji whispered. Smells like me.
Smells? Pervert stink? I sniffed. She carried a faint rose scent. No pervert vibe at all.
"You idiot! I mean top-tier demon!" Makkokji bellowed. "You're not top-tier."
"This rank 0 bastard! Rank 0 is top-tier!"
She stopped in front of me. A head shorter, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. Rose scent... She smiled sweetly.
"Hello? You're Trainer Kang Jinwoo, right?"
Her voice was clear and pure. I stared blankly. Her pupils swirled like whirlpools, stars twinkling within the purple depths.
Hey! Don't tip her off! Listen up! Shit, this bitch is hypnotizing you!
Makkokji's shout snapped me alert. Hypnosis? I tried to look away, but my body wouldn't obey. My gaze was glued to her eyes like super glue.
Her lips moved slowly. "Mind buying me a coffee?"
Her words sank into my brain like an irresistible command. The can in my hand felt heavy. My fingers trembled faintly.
"Yes, of course."
Click-clack. She tapped her heel lightly in place. Click-clack. My mouth moved on its own. This wasn't my will.
She smiled with satisfaction, eyes narrowing. I couldn't read what hid behind that smile. Only the cold sweat trickling down my spine screamed danger.
She smiled warmly, but it numbed a corner of my mind. Her purple eyes held me, and I didn't want to escape. I wanted to grant her wishes. It felt rational, right.
Damn, I must've been half-hypnotized without realizing. Play along for now, do what she says. I'll guide you. Makkokji's voice echoed urgently in my brain.
I nodded blankly at her, following her gesture to the lounge area in the corner. Her heels clicked rhythmically. Click-clack, click-clack. The sound synced with my heartbeat, like a metronome shaking my brainwaves.
"Have a seat here."
She gestured gracefully to the chair across the table. I sat obediently. The cold can was my only tether to reality.
"Kang Jinwoo, right? You've been quite famous lately."
Her voice was soft, laced with rhythm. Each tone lulled me like a lullaby, trying to drown my consciousness.
Hey! Snap out of it! This is that bitch Berial. The double-crossing whore.
I flinched. Berial? The demon of deception and illusion? Why appear like this, right in Katriana's territory?
My eyes wavered. She—or rather, Berial—didn't notice, still smiling. Her purple eyes were deep, illusions dancing within.
! I screamed internally. A chill ran down my spine. The rank 8 high demon who'd controlled Emerald sat before me.
Pretend you're hypnotized. No choice. She might kill you and bolt if things go south.
I swallowed dryly, forcing a dumb, defenseless expression—eyes slack, mouth slightly agape.
"Ah, yes... You're too kind. Just got lucky."
My voice didn't tremble. Ten years of honed acting paid off.
Berial nodded, propping her chin. "Luck, huh? So humble. Turning Prism Pink like that isn't luck..."
Her gaze bored into me, probing my mind.
"So, what's the secret? Corrupting a magical girl as a human isn't easy."
Her question aimed to extract my powers' secret, Makkokji's existence, and how I'd handled Emerald.
Berial's a chick? I threw a random thought to stay sharp. She was stunningly sensual.
Asexual. Changes gender at will, unlike Katriana. Shit, what do we do with this bitch? Makkokji spat curses.
Click, clack. Her fingers tapped her hand. Tap. Tap. My mind fogged with each sound. Her voice resonated directly in my brain.
"Tell me. That special power of yours... where'd it come from?"
She leaned forward. Rose scent washed over me, numbing my thoughts like anesthetic. My mouth itched to spill everything—Makkokji, the faked corruptions of Pink and Pure, even deceiving Katriana.
How do we handle this... Makkokji? I wailed internally. My mouth opened against my will.
Listen and agree, spill everything except our secrets. No secrets! I'll wake you. Bite your tongue—now!
Makkokji made me bite. Blood's faint metallic taste spread, sharp pain jolting me awake. I forced a smile.
"Secret? Well... desperation, I guess?"
"Desperation?" Berial's brow twitched.
"Yes. Loyalty to the Demon King... and desperation to atone for humanity's sins. That's what drives me."
I lied brazenly. She nodded, intrigued, but suspicion lingered in her purple gaze.
"Loyalty... Textbook answer. But I want the real one."
Her fingers tapped the table. Tap-tap. Tap-tap. I wanted to obey.
"Shall we get honest? You... know about Emerald, don't you?"
Thud. That woke me fully. My heart sank. She knew Emerald was caught—and my involvement.
Stay calm. Panic here, and it's over.
"Emerald? Oh, the resistance spy? Yes, I caught her. Lucky—she walked right in."
I replied casually, like finding spare change.
"Lucky... Hmm."
Berial narrowed her eyes. Her purple pupils swirled, trying to suck me in.
"What'd she tell you? Any... special offers?"
