Chapter 68

<Episode 69> No, the protagonist’s just a blank slate, you fools!

On the rooftop of a building not far from the hospital.

Jekyll smiled as he took in the scene before him.

Young-hee had done exactly as he’d hoped.

Actually, to be honest, she exceeded expectations.

Who would’ve thought Young-hee possessed “that kind” of talent?

“The candle burns brightest just before it goes out, they say. Despair in humans is truly a thing of beauty.”

It wasn’t exactly according to plan, but no matter.

Today, Young-hee dies.

And Chul-soo will fall into despair.

If Yu-jin realizes something upon witnessing this… that’ll be enough.

…

“Don’t you think so too, Senior?”

Jekyll turned his head.

There stood a man in a black suit with sunglasses on.

None other than Biseo Park, who always hovered around Yu-jin.

He’d just rushed here after delivering Yu-jin.

Without saying a word, Park stared at Jekyll for a moment before finally speaking.

“…Is this the doing of the anti-Yu-jin faction leaders?”

“No, just my own judgment call.”

“Hmph, I kinda figured. If it were about targeting Yu-jin, there’d be no need for such convoluted nonsense.”

If Jekyll wanted to kill Chul-soo or Young-hee, there were plenty of ways.

He didn’t even need to involve Young-hee.

He could’ve straight-up killed Chul-soo.

The fact that he resorted to hypnosis and drugs implied there was some other motive.

“What are you scheming? Planning to warn Yu-jin?”

If you don’t want to lose more friends, stay put.

Hmm… Is that what you’re thinking?

If so, then you’re sorely mistaken.

Yu-jin doesn’t see them as friends or comrades.

They’re merely pawns to be used.

Like chess pieces on a board.

No one grows attached to mere wooden decorations.

But Jekyll shook his head dismissively.

“You misunderstand. I respect Yu-jin. He’s worthy to be our immediate successor.”

“Then why all this?”

“But he’s still lacking!”

Jekyll burst into laughter.

His eyes gleamed with an incomprehensible madness.

“Despair and madness! Only when facing these does humanity truly discover and grow! What might happen if someone as exceptional as Yu-jin faces betrayal and pain? How much greater could he become?”

“…”

“Haha! Isn’t it magnificent, Senior? Maybe we’re lucky. We get to witness firsthand as he transforms into a true monster!”

Madness.

That’s all Jekyll was right now.

In some sense, you could call him an artist.

His actions, driven by his philosophy to push others to grow, radiated a unique obsession.

Maybe that’s the very force driving Jekyll himself.

“Arrogant.”

With a single word, Park dismissed Jekyll’s insanity.

“I don’t care what weird ideology you’re following.

But if it interferes with Yu-jin’s plans, things change. Our role isn’t to guide him; it’s to *be* the bright path ahead.”

“Hahahaha! That sounds like something a proper senior would say. I admire you.”

Jekyll turned his gaze toward Park.

Park’s eyes were cold, colder than ice—like a blade that wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed.

This guy’s mental fortitude and resolve made Jekyll’s hypnosis seem like child’s play.

Even someone like Park follows Yu-jin without question.

That alone speaks volumes about Kim Yu-jin’s greatness.

“Are you going to kill me? They say you Park Secretary, pride of Hwagcheon, could wipe out an entire organization in a night.”

“It’s not worth it.”

Park spat out the words in a purely business-like tone.

His voice was utterly flat, devoid of any inflection.

As though stating an obvious, undeniable truth.

“Everything you’ve done up until now, even standing here—it’s all part of Yu-jin’s calculations.”

“…”

“Buddha’s palm can only hold so much dancing.”

Leaving those words behind, Park turned away.

Apparently, he had no intention of harming him.

In its own way, it was a tremendous insult.

Coming from Park, who cared deeply for Yu-jin’s safety.

That act essentially meant someone like Jekyll was neither helpful nor harmful.

“…Yu-jin may excel in combat, but his magic power control is clumsy. There’s no saving that girl now.”

“Hah! You know nothing about Yu-jin.”

Stopping mid-step, Park turned back, a rare sneer playing on his lips.

“That person always exceeds expectations. Whatever you expect, it won’t go as planned.”

Mocking his foolish junior, Park spoke.

“Let me prophesy: Your end will be pitiful. You’ll die realizing your own ignorance, accomplishing nothing.”

With that, Park leapt off the building.

He landed effortlessly and climbed into a parked black Mercedes, heading back toward the hospital.

After all, his job was to support Yu-jin.

Leaving during a fight?

By normal standards, that shouldn’t make sense.

“…You claim to know nothing about Yu-jin? The ignorant one here is you.”

Jekyll redirected his gaze toward the hospital.

Young-hee was still unleashing a massive storm of magical energy.

Right through its center, Yu-jin walked calmly.

A hurricane so powerful even Scorpion-class heroes would hesitate to approach.

Yet, he seemed unfazed.

‘And you think I’ll just let this potential slip? That I’ll nurture him normally?’

Clearly, the old heads of Hwagcheon understand nothing.

The only one who understands Yu-jin is me.

Likewise, the only one who understands me is Yu-jin.

Yu-jin is the perfect heir for Hwagcheon,

And I am his sole interpreter.

‘This battle will prove it.’

Thinking thus, Jekyll observed his “masterpiece” from afar.

…

Heavy footsteps echoed as Yu-jin moved forward.

Each step sent waves of dark energy rippling through the air.

It felt as if the atmosphere itself rejected his approach.

Gazing at the black storm, Yu-jin thought:

‘…You guys made it look so easy, but now what do I do?’

Honestly, he didn’t understand the situation.

Why was Young-hee like this?

Why were Chul-soo and the Class President down?

Umm… I don’t know.

This isn’t something pondering will solve.

Frankly, he had no plan.

Regardless, the problem now was how to handle Young-hee.

‘How am I supposed to know?’

Without understanding the issue, finding a solution was impossible.

Ultimately, Yu-jin defaulted to his usual method.

He called Rime.

‘Rime, what should I do?’

Silence.

Startled by his naive question, Rime responded incredulously.

– …You just walked into this without thinking?

‘Well, the vibe said I needed to do something.’

Scary men armed to the teeth were staring at him.

Chul-soo lay collapsed, looking like he was dying.

Meanwhile, Young-hee was putting on a solo kaiju performance.

Caught up in the moment, A-class Yu-jin stepped forward.

– Didn’t I tell you not to act recklessly?

‘Haha, sorry. Can you help me figure this out?’

– Do you really think I can do anything you ask? Do you think I’m some magical 21st-century cat that grants wishes?

‘Eh… maybe?’

– Yikes!

Casually probing Yu-jin, Rime flinched internally.

Those puppy-dog eyes were cheating, weren’t they?

No way she could tell him there was nothing to be done while looking at those.

Though it annoyed her that he was doing this for another girl.

-Hmph! Actually, there is a way.

‘Really, Rime? You’re amazing! What is it?’

-The principle is simple. Right now, she’s been forced to expand her mind’s gap and overdraw her magic power. If we fill that void, she’ll stop.

‘How do we do that?’

-I could do it just by touching her.

After all, manipulating magic power and mind control were Rime’s specialties.

She had no idea how a human managed this, but for her, it wasn’t particularly hard.

-The problem is getting close enough to touch her. Breaking through that storm will be tough. The closer you get to Young-hee, the harder it gets.

‘Hmm.’

Yu-jin frowned, watching the storm.

It was already difficult, and it would get worse?

He started losing confidence.

-Cold hard truth: Even you might find this dangerous. Be prepared to risk your life.

‘Well, there’s no other option, right? Guess I’ll do it.’

– …Do you have to?

‘Huh?’

Yu-jin tilted his head, puzzled.

Looking at his innocent expression, Rime sighed deeply.

– You two haven’t known each other for a year yet. You don’t know each other well, haven’t talked much. Is risking your life to save her really necessary?

Scratching his head, Yu-jin considered her words.

Rime wasn’t wrong.

He didn’t know Young-hee that well.

Their interactions were limited.

Would risking his life be worth it? Honestly, probably not.

But—

‘Even if it were someone else, someone I didn’t know, I’d probably do the same.’

Yu-jin understood his own abilities fairly well.

If he could barely manage this, others wouldn’t stand a chance.

Chul-soo likely fell because of that.

Maybe he was the only one who could do it.

If he could save someone, he would.

No reason needed.

That’s who Yu-jin was.

Seeing his pure expression, Rime chuckled softly.

– ‘…Yeah, you’re that kind of guy, aren’t you?’

If not, how would he have so easily accepted someone as strange as her?

Yeah, this is the guy I fell for.

– …Anyway, you need to touch her. Push through the storm with everything you’ve got while I prepare.

“Got it.”

Yu-jin clenched his fist.

Then, he poured all his strength into a full-power strike.

– Heavenly Piercing Divine Authority: Extreme Pull!

With a thunderous roar, a path opened through the storm’s center.

Without hesitation, Yu-jin dove straight in.

Almost immediately, the swirling dark magic enveloped him.

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