The Man with Hypnotic Powers Doesn’t Hold Back the Second Time Around

Chapter 172

The girl had come with the sole purpose of eliminating Seol Hayeon.

The moment she spotted her target, she was ready to self-destruct. Despite Seol Hayeon’s age, she was still an S-Class awakened. Giving her even a moment of leeway could prove dangerous.

To the girl, whose mission was of utmost importance, immediate self-destruction seemed the logical choice.

"…?"  
*Unknown. Why would she come here knowing she’ll die?*

What held the girl back was curiosity—a deep interest in the person standing before her, trembling in the face of death yet still approaching her.

*Collect information before self-destructing. For Lord Paimon.*

*She took a slow step forward.*

"Question. Why did you come here, knowing you’d die?"

And so, the questioning began. The girl fired off one question after another.

Her self-destruction would be a pure energy explosion. With only hand-to-hand combat at her disposal, Seol Hayeon had no way to counter it. Even she looked like she knew this, with her expression grim.

So why had she come? To die alongside her would be a meaningless, empty death.

*The girl tilted her head.*

"Was it for the Academy?"

After a long series of questions, the girl arrived at a conclusion: Seol Hayeon had come to protect the Pentaon Academy, Korea’s institution for nurturing awakened individuals. Surely, she had come here to ensure the Academy was safe from the impending explosion.

It was a plausible theory. A true educator would prioritize drawing the threat away to a less populated area to protect her students.

"Well, something like that…."  
"Incorrect. Seol Hayeon is one of Korea’s most critical assets. The Academy’s value is nothing compared to her life. The target must know this."

The girl, however, quickly dismissed this notion. Someone of Seol Hayeon’s standing would know her own worth.

"…But isn’t it true? How could you put a value on a human life?"

"Incorrect. I ask again. Why did you come here to die?"

"…."

*She clenched her fists tightly.*

Her forehead creased, and she gripped her hands, now drenched with sweat. There was a sense of solemn resolve that suggested she was willing to sacrifice everything.

*How could I not come!! Yujin, that young brat, looked at me as if I could obviously handle this!! I couldn’t just run away and lose face!!*

Not that she actually intended to die…

*The girl tilted her head again.*

"Self-destruction delayed. Cause determination required. Proceeding with information collection."

Thanks to this, the girl put off her plan to self-destruct.

Seol Hayeon’s death was her intended outcome, but she couldn’t risk self-destructing hastily if it meant falling into a trap. There was something she could potentially gain here, a reason to hold back for a greater benefit.

*If I’d self-destructed immediately, it would’ve gone just as she planned… Seol Hayeon is clever, I’ll give her that.*  
*Yujin, you damn kid, do something! I’m about to burst here!*

If she could have read Seol Hayeon’s thoughts, she would have known how desperate her situation was, perhaps even triggered the self-destruction then and there. But, for now, they remained locked in a tense standoff.

The girl’s clouded eyes narrowed as she searched for intentions that didn’t exist.

"…Proposal. Join us."

"Excuse me?"

"Our goal is to eliminate you, Seol Hayeon. Not to kill you. Surrender peacefully, and I promise you favorable treatment. I swear on the honor of his horns."

"Well, that’s something."

The girl attempted persuasion. Whatever she might be plotting, why would Seol Hayeon want to die? Instead, she could betray humanity and join them. She would be promised both life and glory.

"Soon, this world will rest at his feet. You have the chance to be one of its founding heroes."

"Him? Who exactly is ‘him’?"

"I cannot reveal that just yet."

"Come on, give me more. Surely I’m worth recruiting."

Feigning curiosity, Seol Hayeon pretended to be interested. She already knew about Paimon, yet she played along as if intrigued.

Seeing her apparent interest, the girl became excited and started speaking rapidly.

"The one with the most beautiful horns in existence. The one destined to rule all."

"Destined, huh. Impressive."

"And with a chest so grand, not a single being across dimensions could stand equal. A true sovereign."

"A… chest?"

"Yes. His, no, the symbol of his overwhelming magic is in his chest! The sheer power radiating from it will turn this world into paradise."

"…?"

Seol Hayeon cocked her head, slightly confused by the girl’s abrupt change in tone.

The girl, however, didn’t seem to mind.

"Become his confidant. To him, Korea is but a small piece of land. He could grant it to you as your domain."

"You’d give me Korea as my domain?"

"Of course. Though, honestly, for someone of your caliber, Korea may feel a bit cramped. Japan and… yes, I’ll throw in half of China. If you prove yourself, you can have the other half, too!"

The enticement continued.

To an outsider, it looked as though Seol Hayeon was being persuaded. Her expression lightened, making it seem as if the offer was tempting her.

"Oh? Well, true, Korea does feel a bit small…."  
*Small, my foot. You think I’d want such a position? I spent nearly 30 years stuck as association chair.*

In reality, Seol Hayeon wasn’t persuaded at all. After having spent half her life in a role she never wanted, these offers held no appeal for her.

Her face brightened merely because her intuition had finally quieted, the sense of impending death momentarily receding.

Even in this dire situation, she remained Seol Hayeon.

"Is it wise to offer such things to an old woman with little time left? I’m flattered beyond words."

"Time wouldn’t be an issue with him! He could extend your life by 200 years, with rejuvenation as a bonus!"

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. Though, you’d have to live with slightly longer ears and eat only plants for the rest of your life."

"…."

*Well, that is a bit tempting.*

The idea of rejuvenation did spark her interest—an unavoidable sentiment for someone her age.

The girl smiled brightly.

"If you desire, come here and kiss me."

"A kiss?"

"Yes. With that, you’ll become his loyal subordinate."

She tapped her lips with her fingers, raising her shoulders proudly as if bestowing a grand honor.

"I’d rather not kiss you. Is there another way?"  
"Hm?"

"I’ve lived all these years without a single kiss. It’d feel odd if my first was with a young girl. And a girl at that."

Contrary to the girl’s expectations, the kiss was something Seol Hayeon wanted to avoid at all costs. A sixty-year-old Seol Hayeon engaging in anything that might hint at certain controversies… it was enough to make her feel queasy.

Besides, she had absolutely no intention of joining Paimon’s ranks.

"Don’t worry. He hasn’t kissed a man in over 300 years, either."

"Three hundred years? Well, that’s something."

"Yes, so come here with peace of mind."

"Hmm, if that’s the case…."

But only for a moment. Seol Hayeon began moving toward the girl, dragging her feet as slowly as possible.

The girl watched her, thinking that hesitation was natural for a first kiss.

*She bent down to tie her shoe.*

"Oh dear, my shoelace."

"Take your time."

"Oh, there’s a pebble in my shoe."

"That would hurt."

"Now there’s some dirt…."

"…."

The girl’s eyebrows furrowed as Seol Hayeon continued stalling.

"Are you testing my patience?"

"Ah, today must be an unlucky day. My apologies."

"Stop stalling and get over here before I just self-destruct."

"Tsk. Impatient, aren’t we."

Finally, Seol Hayeon approached, lowering her head…

"Come on. I’ll lead you—"  
"This is illegal, you know."

"…Excuse me?"

At the very last moment, Seol Hayeon crushed the girl’s expectations.

"What… did you say?"  
"This girl… looks like she didn’t even finish elementary school. And I’m supposed to kiss a minor? The Youth Protection Act wouldn’t let this slide."

"Is that really important right now?"

"And more than that…."

Seol Hayeon’s violet eyes blazed with conviction.

"Do you really think I’d submit to someone disgusting enough to turn a child into a living bomb?"

Seol Hayeon hadn’t forgotten.

The early days of the 1980s, when newly awakened individuals were forced into Gates. Civilians barely trained, handed swords and spears, and sent to die horrifically. Those were the days that had inspired her to establish the academy.

One of her reasons for founding the academy was to fight villains and offer basic education to newly awakened individuals, to prevent young, unprepared lives from being senselessly sacrificed.

"Who would follow a leader who sends children to the battlefield? Who would trust a ruler who strangles the future with their own hands?"  
"A ruler… a

 true leader… should follow principles and values."

"Protecting children is a duty shared across all cultures, an obligation of adulthood."

Her words held the weight of someone who had lived such ideals.

The girl ground her teeth, her pride deeply wounded.

*Grinding sound.*

"A ruler shouldn’t concern themselves with such trivial matters. A true sovereign leads with overwhelming power and authority."

"No, a ruler doesn’t walk ahead alone. They stand side by side with their followers, representing their people."  
"Such a ruler would surely be scorned! Who would follow a leader without authority?"

"That’s something only someone who brainwashes their subordinates would believe. True power is born from trust in the leader. As long as that trust remains, the ruler will always be a ruler."

"Kiiiiieekk!!!"

The girl stomped the ground in frustration, humiliated by losing an argument.

But Seol Hayeon’s expression wasn’t much better.

*A pressure began to fill the air.*

*I’m going to die. I’m really going to die…!!*

The more she taunted the girl, the stronger her fear grew. Cold sweat drenched her back, her breath quickened, and her heart pounded as if it would burst. Every second felt like an eternity.

Death loomed over her, as her long-trusted intuition foretold her end.

"Coming from such a tiny land, no bigger than an elf’s chest! And you dare judge the qualifications of one destined to rule this world?!"

"Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing."

"Arrogance. Such arrogance! I was ready to overlook your skills and noble spirit and make you my subordinate!!"

As her anger swelled, the girl’s face contorted. But then, after a surge of emotion…

"Initiating self-destruction."

The girl’s face turned cold.

"Detected no mana response within a 10-kilometer radius. Executing administrator command. Commencing self-destruction."

"…!!!!"

For Seol Hayeon, time froze.

The first thing she saw was the girl beginning to glow, her veins illuminated with mana coursing through them.

Then came the wind, scattering leaves in a turbulent burst.

And then…

*BOOOOOMMMMMM!!!*

A deafening explosion, an overwhelming white light that filled her vision. Her intuition fell silent, accepting the inevitable.

In that final moment, Seol Hayeon thought to herself, *Thank goodness I entrusted the association to Yujin.* She was confident he would carry on in her stead.

---

*Ding.*  
*[Hypnosis-chan casually puts on sunglasses.]  
*[Master… or should I say director? How do you like my performance? She chuckles mischievously.]  

"Alright, everyone, that concludes Seo Yujin’s trick show~!"

"…Huh?"  
"Our brilliant chairwoman will be following me~."  
"Wait, hold on. What is this…?"

*Before she could finish, he grabbed her and dashed off.*

"…Hngh!!!"  
*You little brat!! Running in a situation like this is dangerous!!*