Chapter 50

〈Chapter 51〉 Is the Hypnotic Yandere Really That Bad?

“Huh, what a weird team.”

Young-hee tilted her head as she looked at the survival assignment team arrangements.

The composition itself wasn’t bad.

One combat specialist, one mage, one support member.

The problem was their grades were incredibly high.

Each of them could become the center of another team instantly if they joined.

To lump four such strong students together like this…

It’s the kind of thing that could raise questions about fairness.

“Is this setup considering Yu-jin Kim?”

Of course, there is a variable—Yu-jin Kim.

Most students are extremely scared of him.

And since the chances of Kim cooperating on group assignments are basically zero…

If you think of it as a handicap, this composition isn’t entirely unreasonable.

Looks like the kids understand that too and aren’t raising any objections.

After all, if you mess up, you’re guaranteed to suffer by ending up in his group.

“I’m a bit uncomfortable too, but…”

Unconsciously glancing around, Young-hee’s gaze landed on Chul-soo.

Her chest stirred suddenly.

Her eyes turned cold in an instant.

Young-hee frowned irritably, feeling as though someone was arbitrarily messing with her emotions.

“…Why have I been feeling like this lately?”

Recently, Young-hee had noticed something strange about her feelings.

Chul-soo was precious to her—there was no doubt about that.

But every time she saw him, her heart grew colder, and she even felt an odd sense of revulsion.

Emotions rising against her will, unrelated to her memories or thoughts.

Young-hee found it utterly unpleasant.

“Yo, Young-hee?”

Someone called out to her while she was lost in thought.

Turning her head, she saw the Class President.

“Ah, Yura. What’s up?”

“Just checking if you’re okay. You looked really scary just now—your brows were furrowed and everything.”

At that, she touched her cheek.

Was I making that face?

Why?

“Hmm…it’s nothing. Just got tense about the assignment, I guess. How about you, Class President? You look tired.”

“Yeah, um…I’m fine. I just suddenly got worried about something, so don’t mind me.”

The Class President gave an awkward smile.

Her condition was visibly worsening—you could tell just by looking at her how little sleep she’d been getting; dark circles underlined her eyes.

“If anything happens, let me know. I’ll do my best to help, even if I’m not perfect.”

“Hehe, thanks. I’ll ask for your help later.”

As Young-hee said this, she seemed to remember something and stood up.

“Oh, right. I have somewhere I need to go. I’ll leave first.”

“Okay~”

Young-hee hummed a little tune as she headed toward the infirmary.

She opened the door and walked inside.

The moment she stepped in, Young-hee realized something was off.

“…Uh, why did I come to the infirmary? Wait, why did I even think I needed to come here?”

With a puzzled expression, she looked up—and saw Jekyll.

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Miss Young-hee. It seems the suggestion took hold properly, which reassures me.”

At that moment, her head throbbed painfully.

“Ugh?!”

She grabbed her temples with both hands.

Staggering from the headache, Young-hee soon regained her senses.

Her mind recovered its memories—including what had happened to her in this infirmary.

“N-No way! You put some weird hypnosis on me…!”

Realizing this belatedly, Young-hee quickly turned around.

She immediately reached for the infirmary door, trying to open it.

But Jekyll was faster.

A voice flew toward her, pulling her back.

“Stop right there, Miss Young-hee.”

With those words, Young-hee froze in place like magic.

Jekyll’s command acted like invisible ropes binding her.

No matter how hard she struggled, her hands wouldn’t move further.

Shaking her body slightly, Young-hee managed to speak.

“…Stop this annoying thing right now.”

“Ha-ha, I can’t do that. If I release you, won’t you report this to someone? That would be troublesome.”

Saying this, Jekyll continued calmly sorting through documents.

There wasn’t a trace of urgency in his demeanor.

It was as if he didn’t feel the need to rush at all.

And that was the truth.

No matter how much effort she exerted, her body wouldn’t budge an inch.

‘How…how is this even possible…?’

She knew he was someone with abilities related to the mind.

But could simple hypnosis really achieve this?

Control someone’s memories, actions, and even emotions?

Isn’t that a power capable of destroying someone’s life in an instant?

“To think you managed to break my suggestion on your own…you truly are remarkable. Not many people can resist my hypnosis purely through mental strength.”

“That kind of thing doesn’t interest m-”

Jekyll waved his hand with a smile.

That gesture alone made Young-hee stop talking and simply stare at him blankly.

Her eyes glazed over, losing their will as they turned toward Jekyll.

“Miss Young-hee, I clearly told you to dislike Chul-soo, didn’t I?”

“Yes…”

Compared to before, her tone and expression were now extremely obedient.

Satisfied with this, Jekyll patted Young-hee’s head.

“But you didn’t do anything, did you? Why is that?”

“I…I don’t have any reason to dislike Chul-soo. I don’t want to hurt him.”

Jekyll sighed deeply.

There are people like this sometimes.

People who don’t want to hurt others.

Or rather, individuals who instinctively don’t know how to behave otherwise.

‘Socially speaking, they might be praised as exemplary humans.’

But the kind of talent Jekyll sought wasn’t like that.

He wanted Young-hee to feel jealousy, hatred, and even drive someone to ruin when it came to Chul-soo.

All to make Yu-jin Kim a more suitable heir for Hwagcheon.

“Listen carefully, Miss Young-hee. Don’t answer yet.”

“My wish is for Yu-jin to grow stronger emotionally. And I believe that ugly emotions make humans stronger.”

Jealousy, resentment, anger, desire, greed.

When all these negative emotions mix together…

Especially when they fail to achieve their goals despite all that turmoil.

In matters of human relationships, it becomes even more intense.

Witnessing that process is truly exhilarating.

Jekyll believed that was the moment humans truly realize their authentic selves.

“Injuries and trials make heroes stronger, don’t you agree?”

“…”

“Ah, you can answer this one.”

“Yes…”

Jekyll stared into Young-hee’s eyes.

Her unfocused gaze unconsciously absorbed his words.

In this situation, if Jekyll said crows were white,

Young-hee would unquestioningly believe it.

“That’s why we need Chul-soo.”

“Chul-soo…?”

“From what I’ve investigated, Yu-jin has been supporting Chul-soo.”

Not only providing massive donations to the orphanage where Chul-soo used to live,

but also covering his medical expenses, supplying top-tier equipment, and cleverly doing so anonymously to avoid Hwagcheon’s attention.

Even going as far as engaging in regular sparring sessions with select students, according to some hypnotically questioned sources.

Clearly, Yu-jin was grooming Chul-soo.

‘He must intend to use him as a personal soldier he can control directly.’

Yu-jin’s position within Hwagcheon is unstable.

After all, the executives are already plotting to oust him openly.

Building his own faction within such an organization is almost impossible.

However, things are different in the Academy.

Where Hwagcheon’s watchful eyes can’t reach.

‘Chul-soo, Young-hee, and the Class President—all elite students excelling academically.’

Surely it’s no coincidence that all his friends are such geniuses.

Yu-jin must have deliberately befriended these talents.

Jekyll planned to exploit the relationships Yu-jin had built.

‘The process of destroying bonds he himself created is a way to push humans to the next level.’

Of course, there might be some losses involved.

But compared to becoming the true leader of Hwagcheon, it’s a small price.

At least, that’s what Jekyll believed.

“From now on, you must hurt Chul-soo.”

“Hurt…?”

“Yes. Any method is fine. Poison him secretly, attack him while he sleeps, damage his equipment—it’s all acceptable. But killing him is strictly forbidden.”

After all, killing someone isn’t easy to undo.

There would also be cleanup issues afterward.

Preferably, things shouldn’t escalate to extremes.

“But make sure no one finds out. Keep everyone guessing and suspicious without revealing who the culprit is. Ideally, erase your own memory of this as well.”

During the upcoming survival group assignment,

the four of them will inevitably spend several days together.

In the midst of this, one of their key members, Chul-soo, will continuously suffer mysterious injuries and interference.

They’ll have no choice but to mistrust each other.

Given the nature of the test, Yu-jin will likely bear the brunt of their suspicions.

‘What kind of expression will he make when his cherished companions start doubting him? I can’t wait to see Yu-jin grow.’

This might be a bit excessive, but it’s necessary.

According to Jekyll, Yu-jin still has a somewhat soft side.

He needs to learn about humanity’s ugliness while he’s still young and inexperienced.

“You understand, right? You must hurt Chul-soo and frame it in a way that makes Yu-jin take the blame.”

Each word Jekyll spoke

painted colors onto Young-hee’s heart like splashes of paint.

Hurt him.

Who? Chul-soo.

How? Quietly, using any means necessary.

Why? She doesn’t know. But knowing isn’t necessary.

Jekyll’s foul emotions covered her tender heart completely.

“I…understand…”

Deprived of emotional autonomy, Young-hee could only respond like this.

Even if Chul-soo is someone precious to her,

even if this contradicts her conscience and common sense,

she will undoubtedly carry out the task.

Without even realizing it herself.

“Do you fully understand your mission, Miss Young-hee?”

“Yes…I have…I will follow Mr. Jekyll’s orders…”

Jekyll smiled contentedly and nodded.

He reached out and patted Young-hee’s head.

“Prove to me that you’re useful. After all, you’re important to Yu-jin too.”

“Important…?”

Jekyll’s words intoxicated Young-hee.

Every crack in her heart was filled with stimulating words.

Since his words penetrated her subconscious without resistance.

“Am I…important to Yu-jin?”

“Of course. You’re one of his vital organs. If you do your job well, you’ll become invaluable.”

“That’s right…”

Young-hee blushed, lost in ecstasy.

She had become important to Yu-jin.

Which meant she could protect Chul-soo.

Nothing could make her happier than that.

“…Even though it’s strange, I have to hurt Chul-soo. I love him, but I must hate him. I’m important to Yu-jin. And that way, I can protect Chul-soo. I don’t know why, but I have to do it.”

Contradictory emotions and thoughts intertwined.

Strangely incompatible.

Ruining her mind beyond repair.

Young-hee, entranced by hypnosis, couldn’t even recognize how abnormal this was.

Unaware that the trigger for these emotions had been planted within her.

She repeated her mission to herself.

“I have to protect Chul-soo…so I have to hurt him.”

A new class at the Academy was about to begin.

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