Chapter 21: Gaslighting expert Kang Jin-young

Lee Seong-han collapsed, blood splattering everywhere.

It was because of the blade that was lodged squarely in his abdomen.

“Is he dead?nR-really?”

Kang Jin-young gathered her scattered breath.

The scene before her was unbelievable.

It had been 5 minutes and 32 seconds since Lee Seong-han’s movements had stopped.

It was impossible to continue the battle any longer.

‘Act like a professional.He’s alive.There’s no way he’s dead.’

Kang Jin-young thought.

It wasn’t perfect, but she had fought one-on-one with a hatchling.

How could he die so easily?

He was a fool who would sacrifice his life to save others.

He was like that when they first met.

Surely, God wouldn’t just take such a talent away?

‘He’s mine, mine.I won’t give him to anyone.’

Kang Jin-young held onto her resolve.

Even if he was broken, it didn’t matter.

If he died, she could just revive him.

No matter who broke him, who stole him.

She would just put him back together.

[‘Kang Jin-young’s’ ‘Mental Barrier’ is responding to symptoms of mental disorder.]

“First, that bastard.”

Kang Jin-young quickly chanted several spells.

“Lightning Strike!”

“Ice Lance!”

“Fireball!”

The target?

The target was the Ronin Doll, catching its breath.

Since her ally was bleeding, it was only right to return the favor.

[‘Kang Jin-young’s’ trait, ‘Double Magic’, is activated.]

Double Magic.

Ordinary magicians can only chant one spell at a time.

If they try more, their brains will fry.

It’s common sense.

Kang Jin-young was different.

Double.

Triple.

Quadruple.

She could use any magic simultaneously.

The power was somewhat reduced, but it was better than having her brain fried.

“Kill that thing.”

Kang Jin-young flicked her hand.

Quantity over quality.

She fired projectile spells such as [Fireball], [Ice Lance], and [Lightning Strike] in rapid succession.

“Kuo!”

Spells filled with malice.

They hit the Ronin Doll one after another.

[The 《Lonely Wanderer》 is overwhelmed by the powerful firepower.]

[HP 37%]

A massive explosion occurred as it was hit by magic.

The Ronin Doll’s remaining health was greatly reduced.

It was because Lee Seong-han had bought time.

And she had reinforced her spells.

“Kuooot!”

Whoosh!

The Ronin Doll used [Drawing Sword].

It instantly closed in on Kang Jin-young.

If she hadn’t used Blink to teleport backward about 3 meters.

If she had been just a few steps closer?

Her head would have been cut off.

The blade was aimed at Kang Jin-young as if to pierce her deeply.

It was instant death if it hit.

“Barri-“

Kang Jin-young was about to cast a defensive spell.

Flick!

“Tsk.”

The Ronin Doll rushed at her at breakneck speed.

It was so fast that she couldn’t even think that it was being controlled by strings.

Kang Jin-young fell to the ground.

The blade came down on her.

She quickly twisted her body to the side.

Thud.

The blade was embedded in the ground, making a deep indentation.

“Get off.You, damn bastard!”

“KuoOOOO!”

The Ronin Doll was right on top of Kang Jin-young.

It tried to stab her heart with the sword held in reverse.

“I won’t die easily.You bastard.”

Kang Jin-young grabbed the blade.

Although there are differences in physical abilities among awakened individuals, she focused her mana and pushed her physical abilities to the limit.

‘I have to hold on.’

She was buying time by squeezing the blade, but it was natural that she was being pushed back since her opponent was, well, her opponent.

An A-rank hunter.

Not quite S-rank, but a first-rate force that South Korea could utilize.

Moreover, it was loaded with all sorts of buffs.

Than an ordinary person.

“KuoOO.”

But the Ronin Doll’s condition was strange.

The hand holding the sword trembled as if it was about to lose its breath.

It was losing strength.

“…KuoOO.”

[The strings of the 《Lonely Wanderer》 are about to break!]

It was as if its strength had been taken away.

Just as Kang Jin-young’s energy was almost depleted.

The string attached to the Ronin Doll snapped with a pop.

[The 《Lonely Wanderer》 has been defeated.]

“Ugh!”

Kang Jin-young pushed the doll that had fallen on her.

It was heavy, just like the original.

Someone staggered towards her from afar.

“Seong-han?”

“Ha, hahaha.I got it.”

Lee Seong-han grinned awkwardly, showing his teeth.

He was waving the string that had been connected to the Ronin Doll with his relatively intact right arm.

The string that was connected to the Ronin Doll.

‘Is he, is he alive?’

Kang Jin-young caught her breath and carefully got out from under the doll.

His arm was on the verge of being severed.

His whole body was covered in blood.

He was a complete mess.

Kang Jin-young resented Lee Seong-han.

He acted on his own again.

And this time, it was far too dangerous.

….’

[‘Kang Jin-young’s’ obsession is manifesting.]

“I, I’m fine.Were you very surprised?”

Even as he approached Kang Jin-young, Lee Seong-han felt a sense of eeriness.

South Korea’s biggest narcissist.

The number one blabbermouth!

That woman was silent as if her mouth was zipped shut.

Should he call it a person’s unique pride?

It was completely gone, and she just glared at him with dead eyes.

It gave him chills.

“……”

“J-Jin-young?”

Kang Jin-young approached with a serious expression.

She tightly hugged Lee Seong-han, who was covered in blood.

Like a big teddy bear.

[You have angered ‘Kang Jin-young’.]

‘Uh.’

Squeeze.

Crack.

The sound of bones and flesh breaking.

An unprecedented pain coursed through Lee Seong-han’s body.

‘Block, block, block.’

[This is a type of affection, so the trait ‘Block’ is ineffective.]

Damn it.

Lee Seong-han forced a smile, enduring the pain.

“I-I can’t breathe.”

“Shut up.”

A chilling tone.

Her eyes looked like they would actually kill him if he said more.

She hugged him so tightly that his clothes ripped.

[You have triggered ‘Kang Jin-young’s’ possessiveness.]

[‘Kang Jin-young’ shows her obsession with you.]

Their eyes met by chance.

A cold blue light.

Lee Seong-han remembered that her eyes changed like that when she used her abilities.

‘What the.Why is she suddenly using skills?’

Tzzzzz-!

[Essence Grasp Lv.Max]

[Exploration Lv.Max]

[Memory Search Lv.Max]

[These skills can negatively affect affection, so ‘Block’ removes the effects of these skills.]

[From now on, these skills cannot affect you.]

When her abilities didn’t work, Kang Jin-young clicked her tongue.

“It’s not working.I thought it would work this time.”

She tilted her head.

She stayed like that, their faces close.

They examined each other’s wounds.

His eyes burned.

As if only burnt ashes remained.

“Seong-han.”

“Yes.“

“Name.”

“…Yes, Jin-young.”

“Do you want to die?”

“N-no.”

“Then why do you do such dangerous things, huh?Without even discussing it with each other.”

Lee Seong-han avoided her gaze.

Because this was the only plan.

‘Moreover, Kang Jin-young.I can’t put that woman on the front line.’

That was a complete strategic blunder.

If a physically weak mage went to the front, she would just cast a few spells and get cut in half by a sword.

“Look at me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s an order.Look at me right now.”

Snap!

“Look at me.Why is everyone so eager to ignore me?Answer me.Why is that? Without even asking for my opinion.”

Lee Seong-han reluctantly looked into Kang Jin-young’s eyes.

There was no light.

Her gaze was as cold as ice.

It made him feel cold to the bone.

“I thought I had to protect you.”

“If someone told you to die, would you die? To save someone you don’t even know?”

“No.”

“You did it again just now.You rushed out despite the danger and almost died alone.”

Grab.

Lee Seong-han was grabbed by the collar.

He let out a faint groan.

The wound stung.

The pain was gradually returning to normal.

“Everything has a limit.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Me too.I have a limit in my heart.There’s a limit to how much I can tolerate someone.But why do you keep crossing it?”

Her pupils disappeared.

They were blurry like a corpse’s eyes.

[Limbs.Should I cut them off?]

Lee Seong-han got goosebumps when he heard her inner thoughts.

“I’m sorry.From now on, I will refrain from acting independently and follow Agent’s instructions for safe operation-“

“Name.”

“Huh?”

“Name.”

A fierce tone.

Her blue pupils turned purple.

“Call me by my name.Don’t use any other titles, and call me by my name in front of others too.Is that difficult?It’s my job to protect you, so what does that make me?”

Lee Seong-han lowered his head.

It was indeed too dangerous.

“I’m sorry.”

“As long as I’m alive.If you ever do that kind of crap again.Especially in front of my sister.I’ll really cripple you with a hammer and stuff you in my office.”

She smiled coldly as she spoke meticulously.

The atmosphere was like thin ice.

Like a funeral home.

Lee Seong-han had his own reasons.

“This was the only way for me too.”

“That’s why.

Why are you acting on your own?

You should have at least told me.”

Kang Jin-young replied sharply.

Kang Jin-young bit her lip.

In fact, she knew it too.

A small, confined space.

And fighting a knight in full plate armor required extreme measures.

Her eyes trembled.

They kept fluctuating as if various emotions were mixed.

“Sigh.”

A low sigh.

Kang Jin-young quietly released her grip.

“…I’m glad you’re alive.”

“It’s better to be alive.”

“That’s right.I don’t want to easily let go of the National Intelligence Service’s lifelong talent, and furthermore, South Korea’s best investment.Just follow my words.Okay?Just don’t think.”

Kang Jin-young hugged him warmly.

[Don’t die.Stay with me for a long, long time.]

[You have unlocked ‘Kang Jin-young’s’ obsession.]

[Additional abilities are unlocked according to the awakened traits.]

[Rationalization]

• Any negative action ‘Kang Jin-young’ takes against you is considered right, inevitable, and natural.

[Extreme Possessiveness]

• ‘Kang Jin-young’ applies various psychological pressures to possess you.

“You don’t look good.Do you, perhaps, dislike it?”

“It’s the best!”I have to survive for now.