<Chapter 14> This brainwashing you chose… Resist it with all your might!
The moment my lips touched Young-hee, something squishy slipped in.
My eyes snapped wide open.
This ain’t a tongue…
No way a human tongue could be this long!
……
“Ugh! It got swallowed!”
Before I knew it, that thing entered my body.
I quickly pulled away from Young-hee.
Checking her over, she was already unconscious with her eyes closed.
“…Is she asleep? Or was she knocked out beforehand?”
Though the situation’s strange, things weren’t exactly normal to begin with.
Come to think of it, something did feel off earlier.
“There’s no way romance would happen in my life, right? Yeah!”
Ever since high school, I haven’t even talked to any girls!
Still, it’s better than my past life!
Back then, the only person I went to the movie theater with was Mom!
Ah, thinking about it makes me kinda sad…
“Uh, there’s nowhere decent to lay her down…”
Reluctantly, I placed her on the nearby table.
I at least took off my coat and covered her up.
Can’t let our first date end with her catching a cold!
Luckily, my body as Yu-jin is pretty sturdy against the cold.
“So what the heck is this thing inside me?”
Yu-jin frowned, feeling something wriggling around inside him.
It’s been disturbing him ever since.
-KHAHAHA! You can be upset all you want, but it’s too late now!
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
Thought I’d seen it all in this otherworld, but there’s always something worse.
No idea what this thing even is.
“At least monsters or big creatures made sense…”
-KHAHAHA! Regretting it now, huh? But it’s already too late!
“What are you?”
-I don’t have a name. Just someone who takes hosts. If you must know, humans call me ‘brain control’!
“Then you do have a name.”
-SHUT UP! Why would I acknowledge a name given by puny humans?
“Don’t teach me things when it’s humans’ specialty to name stuff.”
-Don’t try teaching me anything, you insignificant human!
Hmm, not worth talking to…
Conversations with people who don’t listen are so sad.
Anyway, “host”…
Surely not talking about those cheap veggies at the mart.
Taking over someone’s body, huh?
Guess there are all kinds of monsters in this world.
Today’s another day learning more about this otherworld.
“Oh! So you’re a talkative slug monster, huh?”
-I’m no slug monster! I’m your nemesis and superior ruler who can control anyone – monsters or demons alike!
“So you’re a slug monster.”
-NO I’M NOT!
But yeah, you’re basically just a smart-talking slug monster.
“So why did you end up inside me?”
-HAHA! Not “ended up” – I’ve simply taken over your mental realm. I’m not inside your body, but your soul.
Oh, souls now.
Kinda disappointed actually.
Was expecting some cosmic alien like in Venom movies.
Just taking over a soul? What’s the point of that?
-KHAHA! Might not mean much to you, but it’s quite beneficial for me.
“Beneficial how?”
-Did you really think that girl acted cute and kissed you because she liked you?
Yu-jin felt a pang internally.
Okay, maybe he had thought that briefly…
“No, I didn’t think that. Never did.”
-KHAHAHA! That girl doesn’t give a damn about you! Everything – hugging you, throwing tantrums, kissing you – was all me controlling her body!
Shit. Didn’t need you to say that, I already knew.
Really didn’t misinterpret anything! Honest!
“Hey, if you’re so great, didn’t you feel any regret doing all that?”
No response.
Hit a nerve, apparently.
-……Tch! All of it was merely a means to an end! Now that the plan succeeded, the past doesn’t matter!
“Alright, what was your goal?”
-FWAHAHA! Still don’t get it? Or are you pretending not to?
That bastard laughed arrogantly.
-To take your super strong body! And your immense power and wealth! To make them all mine!
Oh, so you wanted to control my body and manipulate people like Young-hee?
Hmm, that’s a bit extreme.
“I have a heart bigger than the ocean.”
-What the hell does that mean?
“Nothing against your preferences, but tall guys like me shouldn’t be the ones initiating hugs and kisses…”
-YOU IDIOT! Why would I do that when I have Hwagcheon’s power at my disposal! I don’t need another body anymore!
“So you possessed me because of Hwagcheon?”
-Exactly! Unfortunately for you, it’s because you’re the heir to Hwagcheon! Blame your bloodline!
“But I’m not the heir.”
The slime fell silent at Yu-jin’s reply.
Wait, what? Did I mistake someone?
No way. How could there be two people with such a perfect body?
-You ARE the heir, right?
“Just part of the Hwagcheon family, nothing special.”
-Isn’t that the same thing?
“Not really. Honestly, I don’t know much about my family. Don’t even know what they do.”
Know Hwagcheon’s a prestigious clan.
Also know I’m definitely not cut out to lead it.
Just look at the people under me – all scary faces.
No way I could command those types.
Yeah, too much pressure. Too heavy a burden for yours truly.
Just planning to inherit enough to buy a building, become a landlord, and live comfortably forever.
-Still, you’re Hwagcheon blood! With this body, it’s as good as owning Hwagcheon!
“That’s between my parents and me. Not interested in inheriting anything.”
At that, the creature burst into mocking laughter.
-KHAHAHA! You fool! Do you even know why I possessed you? Now I’ll make you the ruler of Hwagcheon!
“Oh, really?”
-Yes! You never had a choice to begin with! From the moment I entered your soul, you lost your—
“‘Lost’ what?”
What’s with this awkward pause?
They say when you’re working and hear “uh”, it means trouble.
-Why haven’t you lost your self-awareness?!
“How should I know?”
-If you don’t know, who would?!
“Everyone thinks they understand themselves best – it’s just an illusion!”
Yu-jin declared confidently.
-Damn it, what’s going on?! The soul and body frequencies are completely different! Never heard of such a human, or any living being for that matter! Are you even human?!
“Suddenly getting super offensive. Rude much?”
The slime started panicking and yelling.
Whatever, Yu-jin checked on Young-hee lying unconscious.
Her forehead – no fever.
Seems like she just passed out, no serious issues.
“Ah, now that I think about it, we didn’t finish the movie.”
Can’t keep dragging her around in this state.
Too bad, but today’s meeting ends here.
Damn, still had so many plans.
-This is insane! I need to leave! Shit, can’t get out!
Meanwhile, the one causing all the trouble was screaming.
Looks like things aren’t going well for him.
Of course, none of Yu-jin’s concern!
“Hey, you ruined my plans, so you’re responsible!”
-Do you even care right now?! You can’t escape your soul! Looks like I’ll have to live inside you forever!
“Lucky me. These days, buying a house is tough. I’ll charge you 100,000 won rent fairly.”
-What kind of nonsense is that?! KEH…! What the hell is this mental defense?!
Hmm, something keeps yelling inside me.
Another unique experience. A bit noisy, but manageable.
-KEH! DAMN IT! I need your help!
“Eh? Help from someone who tried to steal my body? Got morals?”
-You don’t want to spend eternity coexisting with a freak like me, do you?
“Nah, I’m fine. Can chat without seeing each other’s face – super convenient. Want to be my soulmate?”
-HELL NO! I have missions to accomplish!
Alright then, suit yourself.
Yu-jin grabbed blankets and pillows from the movie theater and arranged them for Young-hee.
“Okay, okay. What do you want?”
-Release magic power! I’ll ride it out of here!
“What’s that? How do I do it?”
-Just release your magical energy! You should know how!
“Ah, I don’t have any magic power.”
Put all my stats into strength.
In fact, poured even my magic stat into strength – now I have zero magic power, hehe.
The slime went silent.
Even though I can’t see its face, it clearly expressed “What kind of idiot is this?”
-Heir to Hwagcheon with no magic power? Unbelievable! And it’s true… Damn!
Wow, this guy sure expresses emotions vividly.
His speech patterns are kinda funny.
-KRUUUH! This can’t be! Then… spiritual energy! Surely you can use spiritual energy!
“What’s that?”
-Something I developed independently to replace magic power. Far more efficient!
Someone who knows such advanced stuff wasting time controlling girls…
Is this guy dumb?
-Tch! Shut up and cultivate spiritual energy! Then I can leave!
“Sorry, no clue what that is.”
-Not difficult. What’s the source of magic?
“Magic power?”
-And where does magic power come from?
“Don’t know.”
-Usually takes longer to explain!!
The slime launched into an intense lecture on souls and magic theory.
However, no matter how brilliant the theory, practice is different.
Having never used magic in his life, Yu-jin couldn’t cast any spells.
-KHAAAH! Unbelievable! The infamous Hwagcheon heir is this much of a moron!
“Hey, stop cursing.”
-KHRAAHH! D-damn… If this doesn’t work, there’s no way out!
What’s with the crying? This is all your fault.
“Phew, just wait a bit. When I level up next time, I’ll boost my magic power. Or keep learning about spiritual energy.”
-R-eally?
“Yeah, so you better listen carefully.”
-Ah, understood! If you’re told to ravage a woman for cultivation purposes, you will, right?
Nope, don’t do that.
Honestly, it’s kinda annoying but not too hard to deal with.
With school, there’ll be plenty of chances to fight monsters anyway.
Convincing the slime wasn’t too difficult.
Yu-jin pulled out his phone.
Seems like the current situation requires adult assistance.
“Mr. Park, could you help me out? No, you probably should…”