The Great Witch’s dwelling was a hotel.
Not just any hotel, mind you, but an expensive and famous one radiating starry brilliance.
From what I heard from the farm, it was clear that there were business struggles, which meant the visit was unavoidable… Yet, the hotel where the Great Witch stayed was exorbitantly pricey.
‘Depending on the perspective, it could be seen as extravagant, but from another angle, it’s quite necessary.’
Of course, this isn’t inherently wrong.
Some might think, ‘Is it wise to indulge in luxury when the situation is dire?’ but maintaining dignity is critically important in many views.
If someone were watching the Great Witch, scheming to take advantage of her vulnerability, then she must project that she is utterly unbothered by any issues. Staying in such a hotel was a clear way to show, ‘I have no problems, and my business is running smoothly.’
‘Is there a more foolish act than trying to save a few bucks only to watch investors leave or employees seek their own paths? Those in command must demonstrate steadfastness, standing like a mountain. After all, it’s necessary to maintain the semblance of a business even as the world crumbles around them.’
Perhaps, had she not been ensnared by a cultist, she might have lived out her days peacefully.
No, even if she had been ensnared, if it was just a light bewitchment, she could have enjoyed her life…
Unfortunately, before her regression, the Great Witch foolishly turned mercenaries into enemies.
Well… the result was being tortured to death.
Still, considering that she only faced torture at the hands of a female torture expert before her demise, at least it wasn’t the worst death imaginable.
‘A hotel, a hotel…’
In that sense, the Great Witch’s current situation was not bad.
She had not contacted any cultists, behaved bizarrely, or let her once-fiery temperament run amok. Thanks to a keen eye for identifying divine objects, the funds that had evaded her previously were now stable, and she was managing her business much more smoothly than before.
Everything was excellent.
However, every situation has its variables.
Strangely enough, despite the much better conditions than before her regression, the Great Witch’s business seemed to be running into trouble.
It wouldn’t be unusual to say that she couldn’t resist the massive tide, yet merely evaluating conditions made it seem peculiar.
It was for this reason that Jinseong made his way to the hotel.
To uncover what was happening to the Great Witch.
To find out why the “sacred objects of communists” had become intertwined with that farm.
The first thing Jinseong did upon stepping into the hotel was cast a spell.
Phew-!
It was a lightweight motion, simply clenching and unclenching his fist.
With that movement, a small explosion resonated throughout the hotel, and lights began flickering out.
In some areas, lightbulbs burst, in others, circuits caught fire or malfunctioned. However, since what Jinseong created was a mild EMP, many devices were able to withstand it…
‘Things like listening devices or miniaturized cameras surely got fried.’
Items without any EMP protection.
Those focused solely on miniaturization and stealth would have been damaged.
Once he unleashed the EMP, the next thing Jinseong did was to sprinkle cat urine stored in a PET bottle around.
This urine had been procured from homeless individuals in a park where many cats roamed.
Cat urine was something sold cheaply at shops dealing with divine objects.
For most people, its price was negligible, but for the perennially strapped poor or homeless, even this paltry sum was precious. Jinseong exploited this by approaching the homeless and offering slightly more than market rate, buying about 500mL of cat urine.
Then, he mixed in some parasites.
Toxoplasma gondii.
This infamous parasite, also known as a toxoplasmoid, targets domestic cats as definitive hosts, using various animals as intermediate hosts while manipulating them.
It reduces disgust and fear of cats, making those affected more active and reckless, thereby increasing their chances of being eaten by cats. Once consumed, they move into the cat’s body to breed.
Thus, when a regular rat becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii, it almost inevitably perishes; being caught by a cat is the obvious outcome. They act recklessly, moving heedlessly into danger, leading to deadly encounters, occasionally stepping into perilous situations for no discernible reason.
The effect Jinseong was aiming for was precisely this.
After sprinkling the cat urine laced with parasites, he used magic to make the parasites more active. He also subtly manipulated the wind to allow the scent of the cat to waft compellingly through the hotel…
Thud-thud-thud.
As a result, rats infected with the toxoplasmoid erupted from drains, vents, walls, and bushes, appearing as if they were strung out on drugs, their eyes bulging, greedily lapping up the cat urine as though it were ambrosia. Almost immediately, the rats’ bodies stiffened, displaying bizarre behavior like spinning in circles.
But soon enough, they seemed to convince themselves that this was merely a temporary episode, reverting to their original state.
Like someone who had gulped down too much alcohol, stepping out for a cold breeze to regain their senses.
Upon returning to normalcy, the rats casually scurried back to their territories.
However…
Clatter.
Clatter.
Clatter.
Thud-thud-thud.
Sizzle!
Szzzzkt-!
As soon as the rats entered, the sounds of their squeaks and scuffles erupted.
‘The easiest way to spread Toxoplasma gondii is through hosts being eaten…’
This was because the rats that consumed the cat’s urine had fallen under Jinseong’s spell.
Well, it wasn’t a grand spell.
It merely made the scent exceedingly appetizing.
That aroma would be irresistible, almost demanding to be tasted.
Moreover, the scent of cat urine would completely mask that of the fellow rats, stirring up a powerful impulse strong enough to override even the most intense family bonds among the rats.
The outcome would be… devoured alive.
And thus, the rats that consumed their fellow hosts would become hosts themselves to Toxoplasma gondii.
Additionally, though its scent diminished slightly, it would still smell delicious.
Thus, all the rats in the vicinity would become infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
They would feast on tasty-smelling hosts, then become hosts themselves, only to be devoured in turn.
In this process, even the chip-implanted rats would inevitably become infected with Toxoplasma gondii…
‘The more pieces on the board, the better.’
It goes without saying that Jinseong undertook this elaborate scheme for reasons beyond simply neutralizing the chip-implanted rats.
His instincts whispered that having a greater number of pieces would be advantageous.
Advantageous for what, you ask?
That would be…
‘Surely, finding out directly from the Great Witch would clarify everything.’
With that thought swirling in his mind, Jinseong straightened up confidently and nonchalantly entered the hotel.
Was it due to the sudden malfunction of the electronics?
The hotel security was unusually lax, and no one sought to detain the assertive Jinseong. Plus, his expensive suit probably helped deflect any suspicion.
Thus, Jinseong effortlessly ascended to the upper floors.
Upon reaching the high floor…
‘Sowilo.’
Drawing the sacred mudra known as Vairocana, the embodiment of light, Jinseong inscribed the runic symbol Sowilo, forming a small spark of lightning.
It surged like a lightning bolt from the sun, as Jinseong directed the electricity into CCTVs and locks, frying the circuits.
Then, he easily dismantled the broken lock to swing the door open and strode right in.
His actions were so swift and unimpeded.
“…?”
And so, there was Odilia, lounging in a nightgown on the bed, blinking in disbelief upon making eye contact with Jinseong.
“…???”
Their eyes met.
“….”
“….”
Their gazes locked.
Jinseong beamed a smile, while the Great Witch blinked rapidly, seemingly struggling to comprehend the current situation.
She alternated between closing and opening her eyes.
