Reclaim the Earth: The Unhypnotized Warriors (13)
"Yes!! We'll do exactly as Hoyoung-nim commands!"
"Sex, sex. We've gotta have sex. Hey, handsome oppa over there! Wanna fuck me?"
"I used to sneak drinks and drive sometimes, but I'll never do it again."
"I don't know the details, but if Hoyoung-nim ordered it, we have to do it no matter what."
"Let's build a Japan that Hoyoung-nim won't be ashamed of."
"But first, sex."
"Everyone, don't be shy—take off your clothes~"
"Anyone not fucking? Didn't you hear Hoyoung-nim? We forgive murderers, but not those who defy Hoyoung-nim?"
As the broadcast ended, everyone joyfully accepted their new reality as Kim Hoyoung's slaves, shouting in unison that they would dedicate this land's culture and people entirely to him.
Men and women stripped naked in the plazas, bodies intertwining everywhere as lewd mating cries echoed through the streets. The Japanese virtues of humility and shame had vanished without a trace. Everyone had become beasts, panting in carnal lust, reveling in street sex—and the number approached a million. Nearly every resident of the massive metropolis of Tokyo had come outside for outdoor fucking. It was truly a spectacle.
"'Act in ways that benefit me'...? Ugh!!"
Himeko crossed the sea of sex, escaping the mad scene. A few people eyed her suspiciously, but lost in the pleasure of sex, they didn't pursue. Despite her kimono being ill-suited for running, she sprinted like Pheidippides bearing a monumental mission. Her destination: her workplace, the National Diet Building. The front lines of national power were where her duties awaited.
"What the hell is happening in Japan right now?! An alien invasion?! A virus?!"
"The truth of the situation is clear! The savior has descended!"
"What savior?! Have you seen the streets?! It's straight out of hell!"
"What will become of Japan..."
"Eh, does it matter? They're just following Hoyoung-nim's orders. I don't get why we're making a fuss."
"What?! Whose side are you on?! Could you say that in front of the people?!"
"Hold on. I agree with him. Absolute obedience to Hoyoung-nim is just common sense, right?"
"Exactly. The ones getting worked up are the ones I don't understand."
"I think forming a new party to support and worship Hoyoung-nim is Japan's top political priority."
"I agree."
"Me too."
"Have you ever seen such lunatics? D-do you even have a sense of responsibility representing the nation?!"
It was a total mess, as expected. Himeko was no longer surprised. She wasn't some amateur who would freak out repeatedly at the same chaos. Ignoring the shouting match in the Diet chamber, she headed straight for the Prime Minister's office. As an influential Diet member, she was already acquainted with the PM.
Japan's top power broker was enjoying tea time while reading the newspaper.
"Mmm. Mmm. The saṃsāra world spins busily."
"...Prime Minister."
"Oh, Representative Fujiwara no. You look pale."
"This isn't the time for tea. You know what's happening in Japan, right?"
"Ah... rumors of some Korean named Kim Hoyoung or whatever carrying out terrorism?"
'Terrorism'—using that word meant the Prime Minister was still sane? Himeko's eyes flashed as she observed the leader of the Diet members. She'd always thought he looked like a sly fox, but today his inscrutable expression was even harder to read.
"Or so the rumors go—some are calling him the 'Savior.'"
"What do you think he is, Prime Minister?"
"Doesn't matter. With most of the public viewing Kim Hoyoung positively, we just move to secure votes."
"That's not enough."
"The good news is he's not some psychopathic killer. He hasn't killed anyone, actually. Probably just showing off his power. And stats show crime rates have plummeted since he appeared. No time to commit crimes when you're busy submitting to Kim Hoyoung, I suppose."
"He probably commanded them not to do evil and to live virtuously. Hearing his voice turns people into computers programmed for absolute obedience."
"Jealous. If I had that power, I'd just say 'Vote for the ruling party' during a national address. No need for pesky campaigns. Haha!"
Was this the time to laugh? Politicians all had a touch of sociopathy, but this Prime Minister—Minamoto Shinnosuke—took it to extremes. An extreme pragmatist, the kind who could toss human dignity into the trash and incinerate it if it served his interests. Himeko couldn't tell if he was truly sane or just hypnotized.
"Prime Minister. If I said I don't want to live in a Japan ruled by Kim Hoyoung, that I want to kill him... what would you do?"
"That'd tank approval ratings. Can't allow it. Plus, murder's illegal."
"What if I secretly assassinate him successfully...?"
"Hahaha! Then you'd be Japan's hero. I'd even push for that imperial restoration you've been yelling about. Hahaha!"
'What a bone-deep opportunist. The epitome of a politician.'
Half in admiration, half in disgust, Himeko left the Prime Minister's office. Minamoto wouldn't help her. He only cared about his own ratings. But if she killed Kim Hoyoung, he'd crown her a hero and flip public opinion. So, she had only one path left.
Himeko liquidated all her assets and went underground with her daughter. She gathered those still unhypnotized, built a force, and launched guerrilla operations. Her sole goal: kill Kim Hoyoung and reclaim the world.
At first, the anti-Kim Hoyoung group's membership swelled to hundreds of thousands. Even if 99% of Japan's 125 million were hypnotized, 1% survivors numbered over a million. Himeko led one such group.
"Kim Hoyoung is the enemy of Japan. Your husbands, wives, children, parents, friends, lovers... they've all become slaves praising him. We can't forgive this hell. We'll avenge ourselves on Kim Hoyoung and reclaim our freedom. Onward with the holy war! We will triumph!"
At first, it was good. With hundreds of thousands united, people felt victory was at hand, believing the world would return to normal as if inevitable.
But strangely, survivor numbers kept dwindling. So-called perfect security kept getting breached. When yesterday's anti-Kim Hoyoung executives turned into his devotees overnight, the group collapsed in an instant. The near-million survivors were now estimated below 10,000.
The highlight came during an emergency survivor strategy meeting.
"Damn it! Where the hell is security leaking from?! We controlled all external access!"
"Maybe Kim Hoyoung's brainwashing spreads through the air?"
"Ridiculous! We already analyzed it—hypnosis only kicks in seeing his face or hearing his voice!"
"Or maybe it's like radiation exposure. If so, we're done for."
"Fuck! Is Japan really becoming that bastard's playground?!"
"Leader Himeko... what do we do?"
Diet member, noble, tycoon—and now leader of the survivors—Himeko maintained astonishing calm even here. As if Kim Hoyoung held no fear for her, she soothed the executives.
"Hypnosis doesn't spread like radiation or air. Don't panic needlessly. Kim Hoyoung's hypnosis propagates through sound. That's beyond doubt."
"Then why are we—the ones in hiding—getting hypnotized?!"
"Still don't get it?"
Himeko swept her gaze over the executives who'd abandoned jobs and families for the fight, lowering her voice menacingly.
"The enemy is among us."
"...What?"
"Put simpler? We've got a rat. A spy selling us out. What else could it be?"
"What?! Who the hell...? There can't be any Kim Hoyoung worshippers here! No sane person would sell info to him!"
"Maybe they took money..."
"Leader Himeko's been generous with funds!"
"Human greed knows no bounds."
"Goddamn it! So now we suspect our comrades?! How the hell do we keep fighting like this?!"
"Then just give up and let me brainwash you?"
Right then, as if by magic, Kim Hoyoung breached their ironclad security and appeared.
Ironclad security, huh. Laughable, in hindsight. The guards responsible for security were wagging their tails like dogs, escorting Kim Hoyoung right to the meeting room.
"Oh, right?"
"Yeah. We just submit to Hoyoung-nim, problem solved. Why were we stressing like idiots?"
"Resisting in the first place was weird."
"Totally. Absolute obedience to Hoyoung-nim is common sense even kids know."
"Why did we even resist?"
"Ugh, whatever. Let's go home. Wasted time. I gotta job hunt."
The executives, burning with resistance moments ago, suddenly relaxed. The mood lightened instantly—rubbing sore shoulders, chatting idly, making plans for beers. They looked nothing like guerrillas trying to save the world.
"...Kim Hoyoung!! At last, I see your face!"
"Huh? You're the leader here? They say you're the flame of hope for everyone in Japan not hypnotized."
Himeko, the only one still tense, caught Kim Hoyoung's eye. Far from relaxing, she shuddered at the sight of him, practically thrilled as if she'd waited for this moment.
An uncharacteristic fervor for Himeko.
"I've wanted to meet you, Kim Hoyoung...!"
"Huh. Really? Who are you? Hey, who's this chick?"
"Fujiwara no Himeko. Born with a silver spoon, Diet member."
One of Himeko's close aides casually spilled her boss's info.
"In Japan, if your dad's a Diet member, kids often become ones too. Himeko's a classic case. Now she's rallying survivors to kill you, Hoyoung-nim. Oh, I was one of those morons too, but after you brainwashed me just now, it all seems so stupid. I was actually a maid serving the Fujiwara no family, but compared to Hoyoung-nim, the Fujiwara no are worth less than cockroach shit."
"Hmm... daughter of a prominent family, eh? So?"
"I had something to say to you, Kim Hoyoung."
"To me? What? I'm curious. Spit it out. But why aren't you hypnotized? I clearly said to stop resisting, yet you're still stiff as a board. You're special, huh?"
"Hear me out, and you'll understand everything."
That day, Himeko had a very important conversation with Kim Hoyoung. When it ended, he was delighted, saying he'd received a rare, interesting proposal. Himeko escaped. Vowing to form a new organization and confront him.
"Hahaha. Fujiwara no Himeko, huh? What an intriguing woman. Can't wait for a year from now..."
That day, Kim Hoyoung partied with the anti-Kim Hoyoung group members—except Himeko—drinking booze (they paid, apologizing for their pointless rebellion: "Obeying Hoyoung-nim is natural—why'd we hate it? Hahaha."). He looked forward to meeting Himeko again someday.