# Chapter 113
“Is there someone trustworthy at Peace?”
“Just an average person won’t do.”
“It should be someone influential, who wouldn’t be strange becoming the next director.”
But it was hard to imagine such a person existing at Peace. All this tragedy was planned by Raymon, who held the highest power at Peace. His close associates would certainly all support him.
Even if someone opposed him, they couldn’t be certain that person would be qualified to become the director. Just because someone opposed Raymon didn’t mean they were a good person.
After becoming director, they might even plan something more vile than Raymon. So they needed someone they could definitely trust.
However, no matter how much they thought about it, no suitable person came to mind, so everyone maintained their silence.
“…I can think of someone.”
Kay opened his mouth again. But as if lacking confidence, his voice was as small as if he were talking to himself.
“Who?”
Fenil, who couldn’t think of anyone, tilted her head and asked. After hesitating for a moment, Kay finally spoke.
“Ben, who is acclaimed as the current top hero.”
An unapproachable silence fell after Kay’s words. Everyone seemed surprised and just stared blankly at Kay.
Though a hero everyone knew, they hadn’t thought of Ben as someone to install as the next director. Not only had they never met him directly, but Ben had been a hero affiliated with Peace since childhood. He received all his education through Peace, and Peace was promoting him to the extent of doing tremendous publicity.
It was natural for Ben to be loyal to Peace. So they couldn’t help but be bewildered when Kay designated him.
Haylen stared at Kay as if drilling through him, unable to take his eyes off. Kay had infiltrated Peace before and had also been a researcher there. So it wouldn’t be unreasonable if he had built a friendship with Ben.
But he couldn’t mention Ben based on a shallow acquaintance. It could even ruin the plan if they weren’t careful.
If that was the case, it meant Kay trusted Ben considerably. Even knowing that Ben was an enemy.
What kind of person was Ben that made Kay speak like this? Kay’s eyes, filled with righteous light, showed not even a hint of anxiety.
At that gaze, Haylen became impatient and displeased. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust Kay. It was because he was jealous of Ben, who received Kay’s trust.
For a moment, the pen in front of Haylen rose slightly. He had unconsciously used his telekinesis out of anger. But no one noticed it.
Haylen, realizing he had no right to be jealous, skillfully hid his emotions. The supernatural ability he had been using also disappeared instantly.
On Haylen’s face, as always, the piercing look in his eyes disappeared and a picture-perfect smile appeared.
“It’s true that if it’s Ben, with his recognition, he’d be suitable…”
Fenil ruffled her hair as if troubled. Being currently the most famous superhuman and hero, if he became director, there would be no opposition. Instead, people would be busy acclaiming him with cheers.
Though his administrative capabilities were a concern, all they needed was someone to replace Raymon. It didn’t matter if the director was just for show.
The problem was that they couldn’t trust him. Even if it was Kay’s word, it wasn’t something they could decide immediately. Fenil, judging that they should think about it thoroughly at least until the next meeting, was about to suggest discussing it later.
“Is he a trustworthy person?”
Melia, who had been deep in thought, looked at Kay and asked. Though it was a fundamental question, her tone wasn’t pressuring, so Kay conveyed his honest opinion.
“Yes, he’s someone we can trust.”
Melia stared blankly at Kay’s eyes, which were full of trust in Ben without any lies.
“…”
She soon opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind, not turning her eyes away from Kay.
“Let’s go with Ben…”
“Melia?”
Fenil called out to her, surprised at Melia’s words. But Melia didn’t back down.
“Because it’s what Kay is saying.”
If Kay could be certain, then Ben could be trusted too. From the beginning, the executives here and Haylen had strong caution due to their long organizational lives.
Having lived in a world where betrayal was routine, they couldn’t casually trust others. And naturally, they became skilled at understanding others’ inner thoughts.
Therefore, although Kay might be the most soft-hearted among them, he could easily discern others’ true intentions.
Knowing this, Melia supported Kay’s words without hesitation. Because Ben, whom Kay trusted, couldn’t possibly be false.
“Thank you.”
Kay, who had been looking at Melia as if surprised for a moment, smiled softly.
Alex, who had been watching Melia and Kay, changed his mind about opposing. If Ben wasn’t suitable for the plan, they could overturn it anytime. So he thought it would be fine to decide on Ben for now. Besides, he couldn’t think of anyone else either.
Fenil seemed to think the same, as she nodded, loosening her stiff expression.
“Alright, then can you bring Ben to our side?”
They would have to investigate, but in the current situation without any good options, there was no more reasonable method than Kay’s opinion.
Also, it wasn’t a matter that would end just because they decided among themselves to put Ben in that position. There was also the possibility that Ben wouldn’t accept. First, Kay needed to try to persuade him.
That persuasion would determine the direction of the operation.
“I’ll try.”
Kay wasn’t unaware that it was a difficult task, but he answered with determination, believing that besides Ben, there was no one suitable for the leading role.
* * *
Sometimes in life, there are moments you want to avoid. For Ben, this was that moment. He felt Raymon’s gaze on him, but there was nothing he could do.
Before him were people slumped as if dead. They were all barrier ability users whom he had to brainwash.
Raymon periodically called Ben to brainwash barrier ability users. To make them into perfect puppets who could even sacrifice their lives for him.
Ben didn’t know what Raymon would do with these barrier ability users, but until now, he hadn’t questioned it.
Because for Ben, this was natural. If Raymon wanted it, that was enough. There was no need to think beyond that.
But today, unlike any other time, he couldn’t brainwash without hesitation. From Tade’s words, he knew how to proceed.
He had resolved not to live being swayed by others anymore. So now, brainwashing at Raymon’s command inevitably caused him to feel aversion.
Following him would be equivalent to admitting that his resolution was just an empty promise.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah… yes.”
But Raymon was there. A person he could never defy. Not doing anything in front of him was almost the same as saying he wanted to die.
Sweat began to form on his hands from tension. Heat rushed to his head in this complex situation of being unable to do either. Ben hesitated, clenching his fists again and again.
He didn’t want to do it, but he had to. Not being able to do it would prove he was useless. And Raymon hated useless humans.
Then he would be discarded.
“…”
Having thought that far, Ben closed his eyes tightly, then opened them, and finally had no choice but to activate his ability. His past of struggling to survive ultimately couldn’t accept a future of dying.
As his eyes began to feel hot, he felt a strange power being released. Those receiving the brainwashing began to stir and gradually rise.
At a glance, they looked like ordinary people, but there was no vitality in their dazed eyes. They just stood still like puppets.
Feeling guilty at that sight, Ben dropped his head toward the floor.
“You can go now.”
Perhaps annoyed at Ben’s behavior, different from usual, Raymon sighed and gestured for him to leave.
“I—”
But Ben didn’t leave and called to him carefully. Raymon’s brow furrowed.
“What is it?”
Ben hesitated and chose his words. His eyes trembled nervously.
“Nothing… sir.”
After contemplating for a long time, Ben finally couldn’t say what he truly wanted to say.
The door closed with a small noise. Ben exhaled the suppressed sigh and walked toward the emergency exit.
He thought he should change. But turning thoughts into actions was much harder than he had imagined.
He already knew what to do, but his body wouldn’t move readily. Perhaps due to being accustomed to orders all this time, it seemed like his body was refusing to betray Raymon.
For him, disobeying orders meant death. That fact was deeply embedded in Ben’s mind.
But he couldn’t continue like this either. So Ben took courage. He changed the direction of the brainwashing without Raymon noticing.
With this, the barrier ability users would move according to Raymon’s orders, but they wouldn’t be blindly devoted to the point of sacrificing their lives. Of course, if Raymon found out about this fact, he would be in danger.
But for now, this shallow trick was all he could think of. Ben gnawed on his innocent lips.
“…Haa.”
The motion-detecting lights in the dark emergency stairwell emitted light. Ben, who opened the door with powerless feet, slid his back against the wall.
