Hypnotic Temptation
Morning sunlight streamed across the lobby's marble floor, but to my eyes, it appeared only as a hazy blur. I'd steeled my resolve all night, yet the anxiety kept swelling. The ominous premonition I'd felt since boarding the subway on my way to work had materialized right before me.
Berial.
She looked different from yesterday. No prim suit—instead, a provocative purple dress that boldly accentuated her curves. Her long, straight hair cascaded down her nape with a glossy sheen, and a leisurely smile played on her lips.
Beautiful...
"That smile's hiding Berial! Snap out of it!"
Makkokji screamed inside me.
"Hello, Kang Jinwoo."
She spoke first. Her voice was clear and crystalline, echoing in my ears like the murmur of water.
"Ah... hello."
I feigned surprise and bowed my head. My palms were already slick with sweat.
"We met yesterday, right? Hope the coffee was good."
She casually took my arm. The moment her fingers brushed my bicep, a faint electric tingle coursed through me.
"Let me buy you one today. Got time?"
Her invitation sounded like an irresistible command. I nodded blankly.
We sat in the exact same spot as yesterday. Two steaming cans of coffee sat on the table.
"Kang Jinwoo... you're quite the captivating man."
She propped her chin on her hand, gazing at me. Her purple eyes swirled, trying to draw me in.
Tap, tap.
I heard the sound of her toe tapping the floor.
Tap, tap.
Each rhythm synced with my heartbeat, a metronome shaking my brainwaves...
"That ability you used to corrupt Prism Pink... I'm dying to know where it came from."
Her voice lingered in my ears. I licked my lips. The urge to speak was stronger than yesterday. I wanted to confess everything—the existence of Makkokji, the faked corruptions of Pink and Pure, even the fact that I was deceiving Katriana.
No, you bastard! Get a grip!
Makkokji's shriek reverberated in my head.
"I... just... for the Demon King... do my best... in research."
I forced my mouth open to spit out the obvious answer, but my tongue felt numb, words failing to form properly.
"For the Demon King... such impressive loyalty."
Berial smirked and tapped her wristwatch.
Tick, tick, tick.
The second hand's sound burrowed into my ears. It grew louder, filling my mind.
Her voice. I was sinking.
"But wouldn't it be better to be honest? I hate secrets between us."
She leaned forward. A glimpse of her pale cleavage peeked from the dress's neckline.
Beautiful. I want to devote everything to her...
A faint rose scent teased my nostrils, numbing my thoughts like an anesthetic.
"That hidden power of yours... did someone give it to you?"
A sharp question, piercing the deepest recesses of my heart.
Speak. Tell her everything. Just spill it all.
The impulse whispered inside me. Resistance was futile. Surrendering to her would bring peace.
"I..."
My mouth opened on its own.
"No! Bite your tongue!"
Makkokji yelled. I bit down desperately. The metallic tang of blood flooded my mouth.
The excruciating pain jolted me awake.
"I... am just... Katriana and the Demon King's... faithful... servant."
I answered with effort. Cold sweat poured like rain.
Berial's eyebrow twitched. She'd sensed my resistance.
"Hmm... persistent, aren't you."
She rubbed the rim of her coffee cup with her finger.
Swish, swish. Swish.
The sound dulled my nerves. I wanted to hear more.
"But how long can you hold out?"
Her eyes gleamed deeper. The purple vortex churned violently.
My vision blurred. Ambient noise faded, leaving only her voice and the sounds she made.
Tap, tap. Tick, tick. Swish, swish.
Rose scent... purple gaze...
All sensations merged into a massive wave crashing over me. My will crumbled like a sandcastle.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a heavy pain hit my gut. Makkokji. He'd flipped my insides.
Fuck... you shithead, I gotta take a dump now. This is bad. Real bad.
The physiological agony shattered the hypnosis momentarily. Clutching my stomach, I broke out in cold sweat.
"Oh dear, are you unwell?"
Berial asked with feigned concern, but her eyes remained icy.
"Ah... yeah... my stomach's acting up bad... sorry."
The sweat came naturally.
Damn, Makkokji, you bastard. Not like this.
I forced a smile.
"Is that so? Hmm... so resistance manifests this way... Just endure a bit longer; this is the final stretch."
She abruptly changed tack.
"Where's Emerald?"
Her voice dropped low, commanding. An absolute order I couldn't defy.
I stared blankly at her. My mind went white.
Tell her. Where Emerald is.
My mouth moved on its own.
"Emerald is on B5 Floor... Room 505..."
"I see. Room 505."
Berial nodded, satisfied. I answered mechanically, truth spilling out against my will.
But I hid the crucial part: that I knew she was under hypnosis, and that I was using her to target Magical Pure.
That was Makkokji's last line of defense.
"Good boy. You did very well, Kang Jinwoo."
Berial reached out and stroked my cheek. Her cold touch sent chills down my spine.
"See you next time. I hope you're more... honest then."
She stood. Tap, tap. Her heels receded.
I slumped in the chair, drained. I couldn't even twitch a finger.
I stared vacantly into space until she was completely gone. A faint rose scent lingered at my nose.
"Phew... she gone?"
Makkokji asked. His voice sounded exhausted.
Yeah... think so.
I barely managed.
The bloody taste lingered in my mouth.
"Man, that bitch is insane. Her hypnosis is no joke. Without me, you'd have stamped that slave contract already."
Makkokji grumbled.
Hey... thanks, but... I kinda shat my pants a little just now...
"You idiot. Without that, you'd be done for. And she probably smelled it on you and bailed quick."
Yeah... thanks for real.
I meant it. Without him, I'd be finished.
"But... you told her Emerald's location. That cool?"
No choice. She'd suspect more if I didn't. Better give a small truth to guard the big secret.
I rationalized. But the unease lingered.
Now that Berial knew Emerald's spot, she'd act soon—maybe rescue her herself or send someone.
Makkokji. This ain't good.
I stood. My legs wobbled.
What now...
We were powerless. Even with Katriana's protection, it wasn't enough against a high demon like Berial. He—or she—could kill me on a whim.
"Just hold out one more time."
Makkokji said firmly.
"And we'll use that."
What, man?
I asked, puzzled.
"Advanced Mana Restraint."
What? You mean...?
My eyes widened.
Advanced Mana Restraint. The ultimate anti-magical girl weapon demons developed during the Great Magic War ten years ago. It severed mana circuits at the source and bound the mind—a terrifying tool. Now obsolete, it gathered dust in some deep warehouse.
"Trap Berial with it?"
...Yeah.
Makkokji's answer was resolute.
"Crazy... that possible? She's a demon. Will an anti-magical girl restraint work?"
"It will. Same principle as the ones in demon prisons—reverse mana flow for self-destruction. Even a high demon like Berial can't move if we slap it on during a careless moment."
He had a point. Berial seemed arrogant about her powers. That hubris could be her weakness.
But success odds were slim. Still, I couldn't endure another direct hypnosis session. Group hypnosis on humans was one thing; a top demon's personal assault was another league.
At best, one more holdout... Failure meant death.
Alright... let's do it.
I clenched my fist. All or nothing.
Better draw the blade first than sit and wait.
Stumbling out of the lobby, I headed in. I'd clocked in, so I had to at least pretend to train.
A lone war.
The sunlight pouring through the lobby still dazzled, but to me, it looked blood-red.
Down to the basement. Deeper into the underground.