Reclaim the Earth: Warriors Unhypnotized (14)
Days of resistance against Kim Hoyoung were a relentless chain of brutal intrigue and betrayal. Prime Minister Minamoto's open praise for Kim Hoyoung had skyrocketed his approval ratings, and to ordinary citizens, Hoyoung was accepted as some transcendent, godlike being. The minor inconveniences of daily life had vanished.
Somewhere out there was a great "god." Somewhere... But nothing really changed. Ideas like the universe being a computer simulation or us being brains in a vat were always fun hypotheticals, but they had zero impact on real life. After Kim Hoyoung left Japan, the Japanese people carried on with their unchanged routines—going to school, heading to work, sharing dinner with family in peaceful bliss.
On top of that, since Hoyoung had commanded no wrongdoing, the crime rate had plummeted to zero percent. The overwhelming public opinion was that the world was far better now than before. There were no scandals to pin on Hoyoung, and survivors like Himeko—those untouched by hypnosis—found their footing shrinking by the day.
"Everyone, listen up! Kim Hoyoung is the villain! You're all under hypnosis and can't think straight! Let's reclaim our Japan!"
Himeko, shouting into a megaphone in Shibuya alongside a few fellow survivors, looked less like an elegant noblewoman and more like the ringleader of some dangerous cult. Passersby glanced at her with pitying disdain.
"You've all been brainwashed! If you think you're in your right mind, join us and take the lead in taking down Kim Hoyoung!"
"Hey, you lot. Don't you know this is public nuisance? You're bothering everyone around—cut it out. Who are you calling not right in the head?"
"Yeah, hypnosis? We're all fine here."
"Sigh~ Looks like you've fallen into some dangerous cult. Don't waste your life—snap out of it."
"Wait, who's Kim Hoyoung anyway?"
"Idiot! Don't you know Lord Hoyoung? They teach it in school. He's the one we all must obey."
Continuing such efforts with virtually no interest from anyone was grueling. Worshippers of Hoyoung often pelted them with stones and chased them off.
"Get lost! Don't insult Lord Hoyoung!"
"Why harass someone who's done nothing wrong? Are you even human?!"
"Rebelling against Lord Hoyoung? Unbelievable! Even Satan wouldn't stoop that low!"
Photos of Himeko and her group spread online, turning them into laughingstocks. Even the few remaining comrades bailed, muttering, "I'd rather pretend to be hypnotized and live easy."
No real harm came without Hoyoung appearing in person, after all.
"Leader... this is the end. You're running out of money too, right? Let's call it quits. They say Kim Hoyoung's gone back to Korea. The Japanese are already forgetting him."
"But if he returns and orders suicide, a hundred million would do it in unison. They believe they must obey his every word."
"No way he'd do that."
"The life and death of Japan in the hands of a single Joseon man. I can't stand it."
"Leader, so you'll fight alone? Why go this far? Honestly, if you wanted, you could claim a high position even now. Just pretend to submit to Kim Hoyoung on the surface."
"I can't do that. Social status means nothing to me. I'm... fighting for him. To satisfy him. My body and pride don't matter."
That one. No need to ask who, knowing Himeko's diehard imperialist devotion to the Emperor.
In the end, even her last comrade deserted her. Himeko relocated her base overseas—Italy branch, U.S. branch, Australia branch... Each country still harbored plenty of survivors who resented Kim Hoyoung.
"Hello. You're Himeko? We've heard about your lonely fight in Japan. I'm Sherry, leader of the U.S. survivors."
Sherry was a young white woman with flamboyantly flowing blonde hair. A Harvard Law grad with a governor for a father, she was a sharp attorney leading America's resistance.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Himeko of the Fujiwara clan, close aide to His Majesty the Emperor."
"The Emperor... your king, right? Are you close to him?"
"Yes. My family has served him for generations."
"What an honor to meet someone so esteemed. A king—that's exactly what we need. Someone with real influence. Everyone's too swayed by Kim Hoyoung. We must awaken friends, lovers... kings, idols, religious leaders—our precious ones—and shatter his control."
"I agree. How many members in the U.S. branch?"
"Over ten million comrades scattered across the country."
"Ten... million..."
"Hahaha, surprised? Still, with over three hundred million Americans brainwashed, it's no time to brag."
"Would you introduce me to the U.S. survivors?"
"We ban outsiders for security... but you? You're the warrior who resisted alone in a nation wholly obedient to Hoyoung!"
Sherry took Himeko around, introducing hidden survivor groups nationwide. They welcomed the Far East resistor warmly, and Himeko marveled at America's more organized system compared to Japan's.
"We have plenty of ex-cops and soldiers among us. We're planning Kim Hoyoung's assassination around them. We've run simulations hundreds of times—zero failure rate. We'll show you his corpse soon. The only risk is leaks, but we've triple-screened for traitors, so no issue."
Sherry's bold boasts crumbled pathetically soon after. The ten million survivors dwindled to a handful in a single week, brainwashing spreading like wildfire.
"Why! Why the hell!!! We were so close to killing Kim Hoyoung! Whyyyyyy!!!!"
Sherry's anguished screams echoed as she succumbed to a nationwide radio broadcast, becoming a fervent Hoyoung devotee. Amid it all, only Himeko survived, fleeing to Europe, Oceania, Africa.
Each new continent brought contact with local groups, probing assassination plans and wishing success—only for every one to collapse into hypnosis slaves.
Meanwhile, the fame of "Himeko, Who Never Falls to Hypnosis" quietly spread through the underworld. Amid universal madness, groups desperate for her survival and fighting spirit multiplied. Hoyoung worshippers hunted her relentlessly, but Himeko evaded capture, returning to Japan unbroken.
"No more bold groups daring to kill Kim Hoyoung anywhere on Earth..."
Even for Himeko, who fled alone safeguarding only herself after every plan failed, one joy emerged: a chance to meet His Majesty the Emperor.
Overwhelmed, she prostrated deeply, tears streaming.
"Your Majesty! How much hardship have you endured!"
"You've fought hard to protect me, or so I've heard. Your exploits across the world have reached my ears."
"Compared to Your Majesty's trials... I stand ready to die for you anytime!"
"Your resolve strengthens me. Fitting for the head of the Fujiwara clan."
"Such... such gracious words! I am overcome!"
Just being acknowledged by the Emperor made all her fruitless struggles feel rewarded. He even granted her a new purpose.
"Fujiwara no Himeko. Your mission is not over."
"Your Majesty, all anti-Hoyoung groups have fallen."
"Then become the sole remaining group yourself."
"...Your Majesty."
"Form a squadron and dance the sword dance one last time."
"A squadron...?"
"As for the name... how about this?"
Thus, the W.L.K Squadron was born by the Emperor's hand.
"If I may ask, what does it signify?"
"Oh... nothing special. I thought you'd like it, so I named it with that in mind."
Hearing the meaning behind W.L.K, Himeko beamed, awed by his profundity.
"Brilliant! Such meaning! Very well, Your Majesty. This Fujiwara no Himeko shall stake her life on the final sword dance—please enjoy the spectacle!"
"Good. Let's meet again on my birthday. I'm looking forward to it... it'll be quite entertaining, won't it?"
"Yes. I truly believe so."
That swelling emotion defied description. Himeko gazed fondly at the W.L.K logo handwritten by His Majesty, finalizing birthday preparations.
Handling the party alone without help was tough, but for her revered one, no hardship.
"Once this party's over, finally... Kim Hoyoung dies."
Invitations were already sent to His Majesty and his family. Japan's highest nobles—those Himeko sincerely worshipped—would grace her mansion.
Her heart pounded with excitement and tension. After a year abandoning status, honor, wealth, enduring every humiliation, reward was at hand.
"Your Majesty... soon I'll see you. Himeko... Himeko has worked so hard."
Ding-dong—the doorbell rang. Himeko bolted to the entrance, tripping on her kimono hem but unfazed in her thrill.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Only one guest was coming: His Majesty the Emperor.
Chest bursting, Himeko flung open the door.
But there stood not the Emperor—but Kim Hoyoung.
"Hey, Himeko."
"Kim... Ho... young... Why are you...? How...?"
"You invited me, remember?"
In Kim Hoyoung's hand was the party invitation Himeko had painstakingly penned for His Majesty. Unmistakably her handwriting.
"Your Majesty...?"