CHAPTER 44: DO NOT UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER! MISTAKE!!

(A//N: Chapter 46, I was preparing for privilege and ended up uploading it by mistake and can’t delete it. My deepest apologies :( It will be reuploaded later in order. Sorry for the inconvenience again.)

Chapter 46 – Manipulation and Honesty

"Jack... Is this your doing?" Alex whispered to his friend, still taken aback by the scene. Countless people were cheering and crying as if they had just heard the best news of their lives.

"You could say so. It was more of a little request I gave to the general than anything," he replied casually. ’This is the exact reaction I was looking for. People in fear are easy to manipulate and control. I can draw any image I wish of myself, and they’ll believe it.’

Whether that image was of a hero or a villain, an ally or an enemy — it didn’t matter. As long as it made a little sense, they would eat it up because that was what they wanted. They wanted something, anything, to blame or to target their frustration toward.

They were completely vulnerable to any information they received, and that was why it didn’t take them long to believe what he said.

The reason he wanted them to know was so they’d see Jack favorably — as a hero, as someone they owed their lives to — which wasn’t far from the truth.

’The more positively they see us, the easier it is for us to do what we want. Nobody will question what the heroes do,’ Jack mused. ’They don’t have the right to utter their complaints.’

It was all for one single goal: their complete freedom. He didn’t want these people to hinder them.

"You’re something else..." Alex smiled faintly before looking away. "Always coming up with unexpected ideas."

"Extraordinary times require extraordinary ideas," Jack retorted sarcastically. Then, he stepped forward and stood on the podium, gazing at the people.

"Thank you all for welcoming us in. We didn’t do anything that many others wouldn’t have done had they been in our position. We were granted these powers and decided to help those in need. As long as we are here, we will try our best to keep this base safe and everyone in it."

"Such a kind young man..."

"He sounds so reliable..."

"So mature for his age. He speaks so confidently."

"THANK YOU FOR SAVING OUR LIVES!!"

"YOU ARE TRUE HEROES!!"

Yells came from every direction as people expressed their deep gratitude to Jack and the others. The boy simply watched in silence after that small speech. Not much else needed to be said.

"You really made them completely support you without doing much," Liliana said as she watched the scene. "Aren’t you a bit too good for this kind of job?"

"Anyone with an understanding of human emotions could do this. The human brain is rather simple when you break it down."

’And who taught you all of that when you’re barely seventeen?’ Liliana almost blurted out. ’This kid doesn’t even realize he shouldn’t possess such knowledge and wisdom at his age.’

After cheering for several minutes, Jack finally descended from the podium and handed the microphone to the general.

"Now, you have a motivated crowd. We’ll talk later about how you can channel that motivation into something useful," he said.

"... You..." The general looked confused, but before he could speak, Jack had already walked away.

"I’m going to rest. We’ll talk later."

"This kid... What kind of person am I even dealing with?" Watching his silhouette disappear into the hallways, the man sighed and rubbed his forehead. He could tell that this boy named Jack was far from an innocent kid.

He felt like he was talking to a seasoned and cunning warrior rather than a high school teenager — something eerie to even think about.

"I wonder what he’s planning."

***

Jack and the rest of the group returned to the room assigned to them.

"Woah, so spacious!"

"Hmm, even the beds are comfy."

Inside, Luna was still asleep — clearly exhausted from the day. The group made sure to speak quietly so as not to disturb her.

Jack chose the bunk bed in the corner and sat down, cracking his neck and stretching his sore muscles. Just thinking about the fact that he could finally get some well-needed rest made him sigh in satisfaction.

Taking off his bloodied shirt, he remained in his tank top as he lay on his back. His body immediately relaxed upon touching the soft mattress.

"Mmmm, I wonder if Luna will wake up soon..." Emi said as she sat next to her friend.

"Jack said she’s just exhausted... and she does look like she’s just sleeping."

"Let her rest as much as she needs. She worked really hard," Evan said as he stared at the sleeping beauty with gentle eyes. "She put her life on the line for us."

"You’re right..."

"Well, we should also head to sleep. Are you going to sleep here, Alex?"

"No, I’m heading back to where my parents are. I don’t want to stay away from them for now..."

"Yeah, I also want to spend time with my mother," Emi replied. "Are you coming with me, Evan?"

"No... I’m going to sleep here, in case Luna wakes up confused."

"Fufu, you never change, big brother," Emi chuckled with a teasing look.

"Whatever, off you go. I’ll come later."

"Sure thing~"

With that, Alex and Emi walked out of the room, leaving behind Jack, Luna, and Evan. The latter chose to lie down on the bunk bed above Luna.

"That boy sure loves her," Liliana muttered. "Is he a childhood sweetheart of hers?"

"I don’t know," Jack replied as he pulled the blanket over his head. "And I don’t care."

"So cold~" Liliana laughed. "Here, let me cuddle you to sleep so you can have a peaceful rest."

"Get away from me. This bed only fits one."

"Don’t worryyy~ If we hug each other tightly, it’ll fit us both," Liliana said as she wrapped her arms around Jack from behind. Her gentle fingers rubbed his chest as he felt two soft mounds press against his back. The feeling... was heavenly. It was unlike anything he had experienced before in his life. Her smell, on top of that, was the sweetest he had ever smelled. Not even the most fragrant flowers in the world could hold a candle to it.

Just a mere touch from this seductive demoness could make the purest of hearts lose all sanity and ravage her right there and then.

However, Jack exhaled a long breath before he spoke. "Liliana."

"Yes~"

"Let go."

"Make me~ Use your strong hands on me~"

"..."

’This demon...’ Jack cursed inwardly. "I need to sleep, and I can’t do that when you’re this close."

"Whyyyy~? Am I harming you?"

"Sigh, you know what you’re doing..."

BOING

"What do you mean, love?"

Feeling her chest pressed against his back, he could trace every detail of it — something that made him clench his fists.

"It’s not the time for this, Liliana."

"Oh, you mean we can do it sometime later~? So bold, Jack..."

"..."

"Hehehe, do you think I’m attractive?"

"..."

"Come onnn, answer me. Am I attractive in your eyes?"

"..."

"Hehe, I guess I’ll just have to start exploring your body until you answer."

Swish

Suddenly, Jack turned around in the bed to face the surprised Liliana. The two stared directly at each other, their faces mere inches apart — Jack’s clear eyes locked with Liliana’s red orbs.

"Yes, you are attractive. Annoyingly so."