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

Chapter 176

Seol Hayeon lived through a tumultuous era.

In the 1980s, when Awakened individuals were treated like monsters.

Without any support, her comrades, who had just awakened, were sent to the battlefield and killed, simply for the reason that they had awakened.

It was a horrifying time she still sometimes dreams about.

Because of that, she valued her life above all else.

Even if she was rolling in a pile of dog poop, life was still better than death.

This wasn’t just a saying.

...But, in an ironic twist, she now cursed her own survival.

- *Shudder.*

‘I should’ve died earlier!’

The memory of what had just happened flooded Seol Hayeon’s mind.

If she had just said she was going to the bathroom, none of this would’ve happened. Instead, her pride got in the way, and she ended up showing Yujin the most embarrassing thing.

Because of that, she had allowed the search team to close in.

‘How, how could I have let that happen in front of those young brats...!!!’

In the end, she had peed herself right in front of the search team.

In front of her much younger subordinates, including Shia, a mere cadet, and Yujin, the successor she had chosen.

A total of five or six people, all of them witnessed it.

Yujin had cleverly made sure no one noticed, but...

That didn’t mean it could be erased.

Even her steely mental fortitude had faltered.

Tears were welling up in her violet eyes. Full of shame.

‘Damn it, damn it...’

"......"

[Hypnotic Construct’s eyes are welling up with tears.]

‘I won’t forget your sacrifice, my partner...’

If Seol Hayeon had seen Hypnotic Construct, soaking wet in front of her, the self-loathing would have doubled. But anyway...

After what felt like an eternity, those watching the sudden urination resumed their search.

Talking about roe deer tracks or something.

The chairman’s mental fortitude had taken quite a hit from the incident.

- *Squeak.*

"...Chairman, that is..."

"Ugh, hick..."

A low sob escaped her mouth, one that sounded utterly unbefitting of a legendary Awakened individual.

It was a sorrowful cry that even Yujin flinched at.

Her tear-soaked violet eyes turned towards Yujin.

"This, this damn... damn..."

But the scolding didn’t come easily.

She knew it herself.

That her pride had led to this moment.

If she had just said she needed to go to the bathroom, this wouldn’t have happened.

Instead, she was too ashamed to admit she had to pee. She had to hide it, and this was the result.

So, the arrows of blame turned back on herself.

Damn it, old hag, what did you try to save your face for at this age? You could’ve just said it outright.

You were too embarrassed to say you had to pee and now look at the mess you’ve made.

- *Sigh...*

‘And then, Yujin... What will I do about him now?’

Her cheeks turned red with excessive shame.

Even her glare at Yujin showed confusion.

Honestly, Shia and the other Awakened might be able to calm themselves and forget after a little rest.

But in front of the successor she had chosen, her humiliation would probably stay with her forever.

And then Yujin...

"Wait, I know you’re angry, but was that really the best option?"

"...What?"

"Let’s forgive each other. Let’s forget about what just happened."

Yujin quickly began to smooth things over.

Interpreting Seol Hayeon’s expression as one of rage, he spoke in a calm voice to persuade her.

We’ve all seen things we shouldn’t have. You weren’t the only one embarrassed.

This situation doesn’t need to turn into a fight.

It will only make things worse.

"So, let’s just forget about it. I can use my hypnosis to wipe it from our memories."

"...?"

"Shia and the search team didn’t see anything, right? So, if we forget, it’ll be like it never happened."

- *Lifted.*

‘Hypnotic Construct... huh? Why does it feel so damp?’

[Hypnotic Construct smiles, saying it used hypnosis to block the scent.]

"Yes... my master isn’t to blame... I’ll bear the pain alone," it muttered softly.

The tragic irony of placing Hypnotic Construct on his head, unseen by anyone else, was still a secret to them.

Nonetheless, Yujin quickly began heading down the mountain, carrying Seol Hayeon on his back, with Hypnotic Construct atop his head.

...Unaware that the chairman’s face was strangely red.

[AAHHHHHHHHH! My eyes....]

‘Yujin said he’d help me forget, but why does it still feel the same...?’

The reason her face was red.

Unlike Yujin, she had a clearer memory of what happened.

She had forgotten about the urination, but the memory of Yujin screaming when he saw her was still vivid in her

mind.

So, she accepted the situation like this:

She had been caught peeing. Yujin, who suggested they erase the memories.

But only Yujin had forgotten. She was left with her memories intact.

[Forget everything we want to forget about today...]

‘Could it be that I didn’t really want to forget it?’

This was why her face was red.

She had cried and wished to forget it, but deep down, she didn’t want to.

What a complicated mess of feelings she had inside.

She was so, so embarrassed.

"Chairman, you know? When you’re in the ICU, don’t do anything. You can pretend to be treated, and Soyeon will make sure to block any visitors."

"Got it..."

"And should I use the Association President’s name? Can I borrow it?"

"Go ahead..."

"Oh, by the way, I overheard the conversation with Pyemon earlier. You were really impressive. I respect you even more now."

"......Don’t speak to me. No, just stop talking."

"Eh? Oh, yes."

At this, Yujin thought, *Huh? Is she embarrassed about the tears from earlier?*

But no one would ever know the truth.

***

Meanwhile, near Incheon Airport.

A brown-skinned girl, her chest so large it seemed ready to burst, was standing proudly.

After a moment of huffing and puffing, she began to fiddle with her horns.

It was a way to calm her anger.

"Damn it. How dare some insignificant creature talk about being a ruler in front of me? How foolish. Powerless justice is so utterly futile."

Fortunately, her rage quickly subsided.

The reason? Seol Hayeon’s explosion.

She was certain of it.

...Though, what she saw was only the precursor to the explosion.

Seol Hayeon wasn’t dead. She was currently being carried by Yujin, undergoing some mysterious, humiliating ordeal.

But that was something Pyemon would never know.

Pyemon’s eyes gleamed.

Swoosh.

"Strength is everything. The overwhelming magic of my master will prove him by burning this world to the ground."

The source of her strength. The symbol of the magical power she had accumulated over decades.

She lifted her chest, reaffirming to herself that she was the truth.

"Well, anyway. The most troublesome one has been dealt with, so shall we enjoy the rest at a leisurely pace?"

Meanwhile, back with Yujin and Seol Hayeon:

"Yujin? Could it be...?"

"On the chairman’s orders, I’m temporarily taking over as the head of the association this weekend."

"No, but even so, with everything that’s happened, how can you still proceed with the academy’s event?"

"That’s right. Foreign media are all raising concerns..."

"It’s fine."

Grin.

"No matter how strong they are, we are stronger."