The Man with Hypnotic Powers Doesn't Hold Back the Second Time Around-Chapter 177

The *Academy Opening*, Week 15, Final Exam Week, and the Chairman’s Assassination Incident.

This major event truly shook the entire world.

Even if Seol Hayeon were wearing a uniform that didn’t suit her age, she’s still S-Class.

And not just any S-Class, but one that directly relates to national security, unlike any other country.

But, for her to be attacked? And with her life still uncertain?

From the perspective of the South Korean government, this was the ultimate provocation.

If a shell were fired in the middle of Seoul, it would be less of a crisis.

Sure, a bomb-like blast did go off in Seoul recently, but anyway.

Naturally, South Korea went on high alert.

Foreign countries followed suit, also entering a state of emergency.

If the perpetrator was Korean, it would be a domestic issue, but...

What if, *what if* the attacker was foreign?

It would be tantamount to declaring war.

S-Class Awakened are strategic assets for each nation, and openly attacking one was an act of war.

The possibility of it being foreign was very high.

In recent times, with the Academy Festival and such, many foreign Awakened had entered South Korea.

Moreover, South Korea is known as a villain-free zone.

They had recently eliminated Winterer, the almost singular threat.

Because of this, foreign media began cautiously speaking of war.

If a country jealous of South Korea had used the festival to eliminate Seol Hayeon...

The moment the perpetrator was revealed, war would begin.

The war against South Korea, the strongest nation of Awakened individuals.

"Ha, right now, Seol Hayeon is exactly what we need..."

"Didn't you hear about Seol Hayeon’s condition, Ryu Soyeon? The Chairman is currently in critical condition and unconscious."

"It was just a passing thought. Ha..."

In a meeting room, the Awakened gathered, all sighing at once.

Such a big incident had happened, yet they had to figure out what to do.

But with the one who normally led all operations absent, even proposing an agenda wasn’t easy.

They were suddenly realizing how important Seol Hayeon was.

"Anyway... we have to deal with the immediate issue first."

"Are you talking about the Academy Festival?"

"Yes. With everything going on, how can we go ahead with a festival?"

Thus, the first topic discussed in this heavy atmosphere was whether or not to proceed with the Academy Festival.

Everyone immediately started voicing negative opinions.

The students were already uneasy, so would others even come to enjoy the festival?

It was more like a funeral than a festival, and they couldn’t push ahead without considering that.

Things like this were said by many.

From just listening, it seemed like they were about to cancel the Academy Festival immediately.

"Well, it seems decided then..."

"Wait, though. This is something Seol Hayeon almost single-handedly handled as the Academy Chairman."

"...What?"

"We don't have the authority to cancel it."

But canceling it wasn’t easy.

The Academy Festival was a project Seol Hayeon had led almost entirely on her own.

No one in the association even knew the full details.

In fact, the Academy Festival was something she had pushed forward under her authority, against a tight schedule.

To overturn it would require much more authority.

Even if the association’s full power was mobilized, it would not compare to Seol Hayeon’s.

Trying to forcefully cancel the festival now was...

*‘A challenge.’*

A foolish challenge to take on the feats Seol Hayeon had built over 40 years.

This was why the expressions of the Awakened were grim.

If the Academy Festival continued, they would be criticized endlessly.

But if they tried to cancel it, the backlash would fall squarely on their shoulders.

The cancellation fee alone would be astronomical.

If they made a mistake handling the process, the blame would fall on them entirely.

In this situation, no one wanted to step forward.

Everyone was hesitant, realizing how much Seol Hayeon had been carrying on her shoulders.

And in the midst of this urgent moment, the association wasted precious time due to the absence of a decision-maker...

- *Bang.*

"Ah, the meeting room is here... Hello~."

"...?"

A fresh breeze blew into the heavy meeting room.

A man entered, casually opening the door.

His absurdly handsome face made everyone widen their eyes in surprise.

"Yujin?"

"S-Class Rank 7, Seoyujin? What are you doing here...?"

"Isn’t it obvious? As an S-Class, I should have the right to attend meetings."

"...Ah."

For a moment, the Awakened nodded in agreement.

An S-Class had every right to be present at discussions concerning Awakened matters.

The only problem was his age.

At just 20 years old, he was the youngest one there. But...

No one brought it up.

Expectations for Yujin were so high that no one questioned his attendance.

*‘Well, he’ll manage, he’s S-Class.’*

*‘I’ve heard he’s the one Seol Hayeon is grooming to be the next Association Chairman. He’ll take care of things.’*

A sense of relief briefly passed over everyone’s faces.

It felt like a key had come to help resolve the stagnant situation.

Seol Hayeon would probably say, *‘This is why I didn’t step down as chairman.’*

But of course, Yujin didn’t care about that.

"Anyway. I couldn’t come yesterday because I was busy. Has anything been decided by the association?"

"Nothing yet."

"It’s been a whole day since the incident, and nothing’s been done? What were you all doing?"

"..."

"Well, at least something has been sorted out."

Yujin pulled something out of his pocket.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

The eyes of the Awakened widened.

- *Swoosh.*

"Fortunately, I’ve been appointed as the temporary Association Chairman for the weekend. I’ve taken full authority."

"Yujin? Could it be...?"

"It’s the Association Chairman’s seal."

"...!!!? How did you get that?"

"You know how things are with her, right? Something felt off, and she handed it over to me. She said if something happened to her, I was to take over."

"Oh, oh!!!"

Everyone internally cheered.

As expected of Seol Hayeon. She had everything planned out.

Yes, with Yujin, everyone would follow without a doubt.

He was S-Class, on the same level as the Chairman.

And the fact that Seol Hayeon herself handed it to him made it even more certain.

"......"

*‘Isn’t anyone suspicious? A hypnosis user bringing this after a terrorist attack? If it were me, I’d start by cutting off a hand.’*

Yujin was caught off guard by how no one seemed to question it, but this wasn’t because they were naive.

It was because of the solid image Yujin had built up over time.

Everyone bowed their heads toward the new temporary chairman.

Under Seol Hayeon’s absence, the young man was now wielding the immense power she had built.

In the midst of everyone’s expectant gazes,

Yujin made the first declaration of his new role as the temporary chairman.

"First of all, the Academy Festival will proceed."

"...!!!!?"

"Additionally, all personnel assigned to track down the Chairman’s attacker will return. During the Academy Festival, all personnel will focus on the Academy."

This caused a stir.

Everyone thought, *‘Wait, proceed with the festival?’*

Wasn’t this the decision that would attract the media’s attention?

If things went wrong, Yujin would bear all the responsibility.

No matter how much power he had as temporary chairman, it seemed impossible to proceed with such a choice.

That’s why no one had dared to continue the festival in the first place.

"Why does everyone look like that?"

"Well, about that..."

"We have to catch the culprit."

But Yujin remained calm.

He wasn’t someone who hadn’t thought about how to persuade them.

"Think about it. The attacker went after the Chairman, the 4th S-Class in Korea."

"Right. That’s why..."

"So, who do you think the next target will be?"

"...Ah!!!"

The room was filled with startled gasps.

All eyes turned once again to the same place.

The new S-Class in Korea. The man who was rumored to be Seol Hayeon’s successor.

If the attacker’s goal was to weaken South Korea’s power, the next target was clear.

"Of course, it would be me, right?"

"Sorry! We were so distracted by the Chairman’s attack that we didn’t consider the possibility of further attacks..."

"I’m not blaming you. But if they plan to attack me, there’s no need to keep pursuing me. We can use me as bait."

Everyone froze in shock.

Yujin alone, however, smiled brightly.

His willingness to use his own life as bait was chillingly reminiscent of Seol Hayeon’s own demeanor.

*‘Well, they probably won’t target me. If they leave me alone, I’ll just watch the fight.’*

In fact, there were differences in how they’d handle

risks, but for now,

Yujin continued with his speech in a surprisingly composed and charismatic manner.

The former S-Class Rank 1’s experience dominated the meeting room.

"The team pursuing the attacker will be sent to the Academy. Make sure no one gets hurt."

"I’ll also ask the Cheonha Clan to assist, so don’t worry about that."

"Externally, we’ll release a positive message. The Chairman is fine, the attacker has been caught, and if anyone is injured, we’ll offer a tremendous compensation under my name."

"If you don’t know how to proceed, contact me. I’ve learned a lot helping the Chairman, and I can help."

Yujin continued talking for a while.

The Academy Festival, which would take place tomorrow.

He was determined to make it a spectacular success.

"Oh, and prepare a bouquet as well. For the winner of the martial arts competition."

"...Huh? Why suddenly?"

"Heh, it’s a must-do."

- *Grin.*

It was a little personal. He subtly slipped in a request to confess to his mentor, but that was just Yujin being himself.

However, no one seemed to notice this small abuse of power.

Everyone was too busy trying to follow his lead.

"Also, the online broadcast..."

"Yujin?"

"Yes?"

"Even so, it’s risky to use yourself as bait."

Someone finally spoke up.

The uncomfortable truth:

The fact that even Seol Hayeon, ranked 4th in S-Class, couldn’t protect herself from the attacker meant using Yujin as bait was dangerous.

It was a risk. No one could guarantee Yujin’s safety.

And what was Yujin’s response?

- *Chuckles.*

‘Risky? Me? From that guy?’

Yujin couldn’t help but laugh.

It was absurd, so much so that he involuntarily snorted.

To others, it seemed like a display of overwhelming confidence.

"Don’t worry. No matter how strong they are, we’re stronger."

"Oh, oh..."

Indeed, Yujin exuded confidence.

Because of this, the atmosphere among the Awakened began to lighten.

This showed just how crucial it was for a leader to remain unshaken during a crisis.

"And... have you forgotten who my mentor is?"

"Ah."

"Well, if it’s Ninomiya, nothing will happen."

While it also demonstrated the importance of a true powerhouse,

the atmosphere in the association changed completely.

From a disorganized group lost without Seol Hayeon,

they were now an elite force, unified under a single leader preparing for a counterattack.

- *Clap!*

"Alright! Everyone, overtime! Let’s show everyone that we’re not just ordinary people without the Chairman!"

"Yes!!"

And so, people began moving swiftly.

For the perfect execution of the Academy Festival, prepared by Seol Hayeon and Yujin.

Yujin’s first task as temporary chairman had been successfully completed.

---

**Meanwhile, Saturday arrived.**

With everyone’s concerns in mind, the Academy Festival was officially underway.

"Hey... Yujin? Wait a second."

"Yes? What is it?"

- *Whoosh.*

[President Morrison secretly sent an Awakened unit to the South Korean government. He told me to prepare for combat. Do we have a special operation?]

"......What?"

But even bigger things were beginning to unfold.