Chapter 240 – The Devil’s Whisper

‘What did he just say?’

Kang Hyuk-su doubted his own ears.

‘Did I really hear that?’

Seeing Kang Hyuk-su’s expression, the dark mage repeated himself.

“Why are you making such a dumb face? Didn’t you hear me? Should I say it again? Rape the woman next to you.”

“The woman next to me… Hye-won?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re… joking, right?”

The dark mage looked at him as if he was ridiculous.

“Joking? Do you think I’m wasting my time here just to joke with someone like you?”

It was clear from the mage’s eyes-he wasn’t joking, and there was a murderous intent in his gaze.

“Rape Jeong Hye-won. If you don’t, I’ll kill you both right here. So answer me. Will you do as I say?”

“……”

Kang Hyuk-su’s pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

‘How could I… to Hye-won…’

He couldn’t answer, only hesitating in torment, so the dark mage sighed.

“Why aren’t you answering? You don’t have a choice, do you? If you don’t, I’ll kill you both.”

From the mage’s perspective, it was simple. If you don’t want to die, just do it.

But Kang Hyuk-su remained silent.

The silence didn’t last long.

The dark mage brought up stalking.

“Why are you hesitating? Isn’t she the woman you like? You even stalked her because you wanted to sleep with her.”

“That’s not it. I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Are you saying you really didn’t want to sleep with her?”

“……”

Kang Hyuk-su, who had been making excuses, fell silent again.

Why did he stalk her?

‘I just wanted to know her address.’

Why? Because he liked her?

‘Yeah. Isn’t it natural to be curious about where someone you like lives?’

Then, hand on heart, he asked himself as a man who had a crush on her-did he never want to sleep with her?

‘…If I said no, I’d be lying.’

Any man would dream of sleeping with the woman he likes. Especially since he’d even imagined marrying her and having kids.

‘But not like this.’

He wanted a relationship born of love, not a forced one.

He had never imagined such a coercive situation.

“So you did want to, right?”

As if reading his thoughts, the dark mage snickered.

“You wanted this moment. As a man, I know what it’s like to want to share a bed with the woman you love.”

“But I never wanted to force her…”

“That doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is whether you want to or not.”

With a twisted smile, the dark mage tempted him.

“This is your chance. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can have the woman you love as much as you want.”

“……”

“No one’s watching. No one in the world will know you two are here. Don’t worry about that. No one will interrupt or come looking for you.”

“……”

“And I’m even giving you a push. If you don’t rape her, you die. You have no choice. Even if you don’t want to, you have to if you want to live.”

It was truly the devil’s whisper.

“I’m doing you a favor. Where else would you find a kidnapper who sets the table for you like this? You should be grateful.”

It was true.

What other kidnapper would go to such lengths to let a man have the woman he loves?

At this point, Kang Hyuk-su couldn’t help but wonder.

“What do you want from me?”

“What do I want? I told you. Rape her.”

“No, the real reason. Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t ask. I don’t know either.”

The dark mage looked genuinely clueless.

“I’m just following orders.”

“Orders? From that Jin Weizheng or whatever?”

“No.”

“Then who?”

The mage’s eyes narrowed.

“Why so many questions when the feast is before you? Aren’t you going to eat? If not, I’ll eat for you.”

At those words, Kang Hyuk-su flinched.

The dark mage caught it.

“Look at this guy. You didn’t react when I threatened to kill you, but you react when I say I’ll take her? And so strongly?”

The dark mage grinned, as if he’d had a good idea.

“Let’s change the terms. If you don’t rape her, I will.”

“What?”

“If I’m going to kill you both anyway, I might as well have some fun first. She’s got a pretty face, after all. Heh heh.”

From the lust in the mage’s eyes, it was clear he was serious.

“So, will you do as I say?”

“……”

When Kang Hyuk-su didn’t answer, the dark mage shrugged.

“Fine. Do as you like. If you won’t, I will.”

He started to approach Jeong Hye-won, as if to demonstrate.

“S-stop…!”

“Why? Changed your mind?”

“……”

When Kang Hyuk-su still didn’t answer, the mage smirked.

“I thought so.”

As the mage reached for Jeong Hye-won, Kang Hyuk-su bit his lip.

‘No…!’

He wanted to stop him, but bound by black ropes, he couldn’t do anything but watch.

The dark mage deactivated the soundproofing spell and shook Jeong Hye-won’s shoulder.

“Ugh…”

She woke groggily, then recoiled in shock at the sight of the leering middle-aged man.

“Heh, you’re even prettier up close. I’m not usually into short hair, but…”

Jeong Hye-won didn’t respond, quickly assessing the situation and equipping her hunter gear.

But the mage was faster.

Whoosh-

Black ropes appeared from thin air, binding her limbs.

“Ugh.”

With insufficient strength, she couldn’t break free.

“Heh heh, my magic power is over 4,000. With just 2,000 or 3,000 strength, you can’t break the dark bindings. Don’t waste your energy. Just stay still. I’ll make sure to enjoy you to the fullest.”

Two of Korea’s top S-rankers were utterly helpless before China’s dark mage.

If ordinary people, who thought all S-ranks were strong, saw this, they’d be shocked to learn how powerless even S-ranks could be in the face of overwhelming strength.

“Heh heh heh.”

As the mage approached with a lecherous gaze, Jeong Hye-won panicked.

Anyone could tell what he intended.

“Who are you! Why did you kidnap me?”

“I didn’t. Master Jin Weibai did.”

“Jin Weibai? Who’s that…”

“That’s not important right now, is it?”

The mage grinned as he stroked her neck and shoulder.

She shuddered at the sensation, but bound as she was, she could do nothing.

She glanced sideways.

‘Kang Hyuk-su…?’

She saw him, bound just like her, and her hope faded.

‘No… I don’t want this…’

Just days ago, she’d been excited to hunt with Min Do-jun.

Now, in the blink of an eye, she was in a strange place, about to be assaulted.

It was like being struck by lightning.

‘If only this were a dream…’

No, even if it was, she’d never want to dream something so vivid.

‘God, please help me…’

She wasn’t religious, but she didn’t deny the existence of God.

She believed her awakening was a gift from God to avenge her mother, who’d been killed by monsters.

But now, it seemed even God couldn’t help her.

Or so she thought-

“Stop!”

Thankfully, God seemed to exist.

Kang Hyuk-su shouted for her sake.

The mage, about to grope her, paused in surprise.

“Stop. I’ll do as you say.”

“What? Heh heh heh heh!”

The mage burst out laughing.

“So, you finally changed your mind?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right! Better to do it yourself than watch someone else. Heh heh!”

The mage withdrew, and Jeong Hye-won looked confused.

‘What’s going on?’

She didn’t understand why he’d stop just because Kang Hyuk-su said so.

But then something even stranger happened.

The mage released the dark bindings on Kang Hyuk-su.

“There, enjoy yourself. I’ll just watch quietly from behind. If you try anything funny, I’ll kill you both. Got it?”

Freed, Kang Hyuk-su nodded.

Jeong Hye-won looked back and forth, not understanding what was happening.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh? For what?”

He didn’t answer, just gave her an apologetic look and moved his heavy body over her.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“I’ve liked you for a long time, Hye-won.”

But more shocking than his confession was his action-he leaned in as if to kiss her.

“Are you crazy? Stop it!”

At that moment, as she struggled, Kang Hyuk-su whispered quietly in her ear.

-Don’t be too surprised. I’m just acting.

She almost widened her eyes but stopped herself, seeing the mage watching from the corner.

-Good job. Keep pretending to resist.

Sensing there was a plan, she acted as if she hated it.

“Please, don’t do this!”

Kang Hyuk-su buried his face in her neck, whispering instructions.

-In a moment, I’ll shout to distract the mage and attack him. When he’s distracted, his bindings should weaken. That’s when you break free and escape.

‘What about you?’

She wanted to ask, but with the mage watching, she kept it inside.

-I’ll give you the signal. Be ready.

She squeezed her eyes shut in response.

-Now.

At Kang Hyuk-su’s signal, he turned his back.