I couldn't respond at all.
Forget being scared, I didn't even know what Cheongwol had said.
...Resolve her heart demon?
...How am I supposed to do that?
And why suddenly me of all people...
"Th-this is a space for resolving heart demons!"
Ah. So I had opened my mouth.
But that was just something I said offhand!
How the hell am I supposed to resolve a heart demon with actual SM play!
Shouldn't she just be locked up in a mental hospital or something, for real?
She caught me with the lube and I bullshitted that it was skincare, and now she's shown up slathering it thick on her face.
But the mood wasn't right for nitpicking that.
Cheongwol's eyes were red-rimmed, and I could feel that something had happened without her saying a word.
She was furious right now, frustrated.
It was unfolding right before my eyes—the villainess turning step by step, just as scripted.
And in the meantime, I had gotten myself trapped.
Whether I'd end up as just another one of the countless extras crushed under her heel, or survive once more as the expert at staying alive—it was all up to me.
I swallowed dryly, eyes darting around.
"Y-young lady, so..."
Cheongwol stopped pressuring me and flung open the nearby basement door.
"Young lady!"
There was no time to stop her.
She snatched a nearby candle and strode down into the basement.
The sound of the wooden stairs creaking under her echoed like my own heartbeat.
Her frustration seeped through her rough movements.
Cheongwol had come to me now clutching at straws.
...And that fact scared me even more.
Fuck, what the hell do I do?!
As she descended, I crouched on the floor and tore at my hair.
If I can't resolve her heart demon, do I die here?
Should I just seal up the basement and bolt?
No, to begin with, SM play is something you can't enjoy unless you're into that sort of thing...!!
Plus, I'm a total newbie too...!
Even before possessing this body, I just indulged in fantasies like this—never thought about actually doing it to a real person.
Not every sadist is tough and macho just because they have those tendencies.
There are timid sadists too, you know.
Why can't a timid person even have the desire to torment someone?
That's not fair...
And me, of all people—how am I supposed to torment that monster... inflict pain on her.
I'm scared.
"..."
But I felt that staying still was even scarier.
The atmosphere today was sharper than three days ago.
I'm really going to die. Today.
Cheongwol, down in the basement, didn't say a word.
Even so, her shout echoed clearly in my head.
Come down.
"...Ha."
I slowly—truly with the heart of a lamb led to slaughter—began stepping onto the wooden stairs.
.
.
.
Cheongwol stood blankly in the basement, candles set up around her.
Even from her back, her surging emotions washed over me.
Her sunken breaths, rigid shoulders, fingertips trembling faintly.
Under the flickering light, the tools hanging on the walls swayed eerily.
A secret space. A beautiful woman.
If it were anyone else, I'd be thrilled right now, dream come true.
But unfortunately, it's that Cheongwol.
I let out a sigh.
Get it together, please.
They say even if you're dragged into a tiger's den, keep your wits and you'll survive.
...Yeah, it's bullshit, but what else can I do but believe it now.
This wasn't the time to cower awkwardly like a total loser.
As sensitive as Cheongwol had become, I needed to sharpen myself too.
I had to wrap myself in some mysterious aura instead.
Last time, I'd talked my way out of it—so this time, I needed to package my actions.
I had to make this insane play seem like something legitimate.
First off, why had she come here?
I rummaged through my mind for info on Cheongwol.
After clashing with the sect leader, she'd started down the path of corruption.
Excessive pressure, heavy responsibility, shackles called expectations.
That broke her.
So was this situation just an extension of that?
I replayed my own words.
'People in the world tie ropes around themselves without realizing it. Social expectations, responsibility, status—they can all become ropes that bind. And this lack of freedom soaks through like drizzle on clothes, becoming immense pressure over time.'
Right, I'd said it conscious of her back then, but now I get it.
Those words had definitely shaken her.
'They feel controlled and realize anew how small and powerless they are! Only then do they break free from the world's expectations? They show their powerless side only to the designated target and revel in psychological freedom!'
...Cheongwol was the promising successor everyone expected great things from.
If those words had rippled through her.
And that's why she'd come to me.
...Then shouldn't I follow through on what I said that day?
It felt like I'd gathered a bit of a hint.
Still, I asked first.
"...You came for heart demon resolution?"
"..."
Cheongwol nodded faintly without turning.
"You remember everything I said back then?"
"...I'll never do outdoor urination even if it kills me... but I'll go along with the rest."
Agh. From the look on her face, she'll reject most of it anyway.
She's already half in rebellion mode.
She's drawing the line at outdoor urination when there's way worse stuff.
You're so pure, you murderer.
I sighed again.
Right. Every SM play starts with 'consent' anyway.
No matter how masochistic, you can't force everything.
SM is perverted, sure, but unlike what people think, mutual consent is crucial.
Usually, the masochist takes the lead.
They decide the intensity level.
If the sadist sets it, you end up in jail for ignoring no's.
For us, this would be our consent too.
Better that way. I can know what not to cross to avoid dying.
She said no to urine play, so just don't do it.
...Truth is, I never planned to anyway.
I don't even want to do SM play with Cheongwol to begin with.
I'm scared to death—why would I?
...But seriously, what do I do?
What play should I even do?
How do I torment her? How much humiliation?
How far can this pure, ignorant woman endure?
It's not going to end with a quick 'ding.'
I have to keep living from now on, and Cheongwol will carry today's memories too.
If I spank her ass or grope her chest just because she said to, my head flies off.
...But if I do something lame, she'll flip out—what the hell is this?!
I'll catch a real heart demon at this rate.
I asked anyway.
"Outdoor urination's a no... Back then, I-I said the core of this treatment is entrusting everything to the partner, right?"
"No means no. You said it yourself—shackles and ropes are part of it too. Do that."
"Young la—"
"—Leather Master. I'm not here to answer questions. I'm here to resolve my heart demon. Don't waste time with trivial ones. I don't fully trust you yet."
Look at that attitude.
You crazy bitch. If you're doing SM play, show some sincerity.
She's just rebelling on everything.
Well, she's clueless, so that's why.
She doesn't know the structure of this play, the role division needed.
...Enough. This won't work.
Even if it's pretend, I need control.
If I grovel, I'm just a servant trying to please the lady.
"Not here to answer questions, huh."
I turned my body.
Terrified as I was, losing dignity meant my death.
Masochist taking control?
What's the point?
I was scared out of my mind, but to find a way to survive, I had to muster courage first.
I went back up the stairs and closed the basement door—left open in case I needed to run.
Then, I descended the stairs slowly.
...Thud.....thud....thud....
An effort to reset my vibe.
No idea if it'd work, but no more of the earlier me.
No more groveling.
Please work.
Cheongwol had turned to face me by then.
She frowned, as if reading my intent.
The sealed basement door. My far more relaxed demeanor.
Her wariness rose too—hand on her sword.
"...What are you—"
"—Quiet."
I commanded her high-handedly.
And please don't kill me.
"..."
Cheongwol's mouth gaped at my changed attitude, surprised.
No one had ever done this to her before.
Especially not a man.
Ignore that she's a martial artist, and yeah—my build's naturally bigger.
Humans are animals after all; you can't ignore sheer size intimidation.
She barely reached my chin.
I picked a cloth from the wall.
Haste makes waste.
Step by step, gradually.
Control isn't seized at once—you make them hand it over willingly.
Start with the lowest intensity.
I approached the stiff-standing Cheongwol and tried wrapping the cloth around her mouth.
Cheongwol pushed my hand away.
Startled by the touch, but I calmly tried again.
"You came here because you wanted this, didn't you? I don't have to do it."
"...Ugh. Leather Master, your tone—"
"—My tone what? If you don't like it, get out."
And please do get out. Not bluffing.
"..."
We stared down for a while.
I looked down at her; she looked up at me.
Silence flowed, tension taut between us.
Can't back down here. Chicken out, and it's over.
"..."
"..."
I cautiously reached out again.
This time, she didn't block.
Or rather, her resistance was weaker than before.
No clue if it meant permission.
So I deliberately went slower, draping the cloth over her mouth.
Fast moves provoke resistance; slow ones give room for choice.
I kept giving her the choice.
Cheongwol's eyes gleamed with sharp suspicion and defiance, but she'd come here wanting this, as I'd said.
Maybe that's why—she finally averted her gaze like turning away, and her hand pushing my wrist slowly fell.
To her, I whispered.
"If you're not here to answer questions anyway."
And added one more thing.
"...Then this useless, naughty mouth isn't needed, right?"
In that instant, her shoulders tensed faintly.
A small breath hitched, then resumed.
"..."
"..."
Yet she stayed still.
Her revulsion was obvious. But she didn't refuse.
I couldn't believe it. Thought she'd bolt any second.
...That Cheongwol permitting this?
Was she that desperate?
"..."
Not my business.
The important thing: for now, I'd taken the first step in this minefield.