Common Sense Hijack System-Chapter 79

Karl still staring at his laptop screen with major anxiety. The video that popped up this time was the Interview video of Julia, Elena, and Jane that went viral. Valencia was sitting in the corner of the campervan, silent but clearly observing every detail of the situation.

The three of them were hanging on every word that came out of Julia’s mouth on the screen, as she tried to explain something to the interviewer.

"I don’t know why all of this is happening!" Julia looked like she was about to cry. "That video—it’s not me. I mean, I don’t remember doing it. How could I have done it? I have a husband, kids. This is destroying my life."

Elena, sitting next to her, bowed her head, looking ashamed and confused. "I don’t remember anything either. But everyone recognizes us, they’re hurling insults at us. They say we... I can’t even say it." Her voice broke.

Jane, who is usually firm, tried to stay calm. "This is a huge mistake. I don’t know how a video like that could exist. It’s ruining my career. I just want it all to stop."

Karl felt a chill fill his chest. The video. The video he recorded. The video that should have never existed. It all came back to him. He recorded Julia, Elena, and Jane when they were under the influence of his mind manipulation. And now, thanks to an attention-hungry streamer who found the video on his lost old hard drive, the whole world knows.

Instead of empathizing with them, Layla spoke in a calm yet sharp tone, supporting Karl as usual. She stared at the screen with a calculating look. "Karl," she finally said, breaking the silence. "You know what you did, right?"

Karl looked at her with guilt. "I... I didn’t mean for all of this. They shouldn’t—"

"Stop blaming yourself," Layla cut in sharply. "The world is cruel, Karl. You know that better than anyone. They were under your control before, and that worked. Now, you need to turn the tables."

Valencia tilted her head, her expression flat but full of questions. "What do you mean, Layla?"

Layla smiled thinly, then looked directly at Karl. "I’m saying, it’s time for you to use your powers again. You need to protect us, and the best way to do that is to ensure people like Angeline have their reputation destroyed."

Karl looked surprised. "Angeline? You want me—"

Valencia smiled, "Karl, can’t you change someone’s common sense? Why don’t you just start doing it now, to Angeline, instead of having to go out of your way to meet her and make a sex tape."

Karl initially nodded in agreement with Valencia’s suggestion after hearing it. "You’re right," he said lightly, "I don’t need to interact directly. As long as I know who she is, I can change her common sense from a distance."

Valencia looked at Karl with confidence, as if everything had already been settled. "Good. Make her the subject of public ridicule. If you can ruin her reputation, we won’t have to worry anymore." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

But as Karl was about to start his actions, Layla’s cold voice broke the atmosphere. "No," she said sharply, making them both turn to her. Her gaze was full of suppressed anger. "That’s too easy."

Karl, who had just been convinced of his decision, felt confused. "What do you mean, Layla? Isn’t this the best way? Ruining her reputation should be enough to keep us out of trouble."

Layla looked at Karl with a sharp gaze, almost angry. "You don’t understand, Karl. I want her to feel what I felt. I want her to be humiliated, looked down upon by everyone, including her own family." Her voice trembled with emotion. "I want her to know what it’s like to feel worthless."

Karl was stunned. "Layla... do you really want to destroy her life like that? Do you want to push her to that point?"

Layla stepped forward, getting closer to Karl, her eyes burning with vengeance. "Yes! Do you know what they did to me? Do you know how I lost everything? They made me like this, Karl. I won’t be satisfied just by ruining her reputation. That’s not enough. I want her to lose everything, just like I did."

Karl looked shaken. Before, he had agreed with Valencia’s advice, thinking it was a simple step that didn’t involve too much of his emotions. But now, Layla revealed a much darker and intense request, and he felt trapped between two difficult choices.

"But, Layla," Karl tried to argue, although his voice sounded uncertain. "If I just ruin her reputation, isn’t that enough? She will lose everything she has, without having to—"

"No!" Layla cut in sharply. "You said you would help me, Karl. You owe me! You promised to make those who ruined my life suffer. Did you forget?"

Karl bowed his head, remembering how he had promised Layla that he would seek revenge for her. However, this situation felt more complicated now. He felt like everything was slipping out of his control.

Valencia, who had been observing silently, finally spoke up. "Karl, this is your decision. It’s all up to you, but try to entertain me hehe..."

Layla glared at Karl. "You have to do it, Karl. This is not just about strategy. This is about justice for me. Do you understand what I went through?"

Karl took a deep breath. He knew that whatever he chose, the consequences would be enormous, not just for himself, but also for Layla and Valencia. "Okay," he finally said, although his tone still full of doubt. "I’ll decide. But I need time to think."

Layla looked at Karl with frustration. "Don’t take too long, Karl. You already know what you have to do."

Valencia grinned and muttered, "These two humans are getting more interesting," in her thoughts.

They continued their journey to Unrill, just one city away.

Karl sat back in front, next to Valencia who was driving. Karl glanced at Valencia, her straight black hair, her sharp chin making him slightly mesmerized.

Valencia chuckled, "Hey... it hasn’t been 24 hours and you’re already having dirty thoughts about me?"

Karl averted his gaze, "I.. I.. I was just looking."

Karl tried hard to keep his mind focused on the road ahead of their campervan. However, Valencia, as usual, seemed to have other plans.

"So, Karl," Valencia said, glancing at him briefly, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You seem tense. Is it because of Layla or... something else?"

Karl swallowed, trying to keep his voice and face calm. "I... I’m just thinking about the issues we need to solve in Unrill."

Valencia chuckled, her voice almost a deliberate whisper. "Issues in Unrill, huh? Not me?"

Karl immediately looked out the window, trying to ignore Valencia’s clear presence in the corner of his eye. Her black hair falling softly on her shoulder, her glowing skin under the dashboard lights, and her relaxed yet seductive posture—all starting to make his mind waver.

"So, you’re really not thinking about me?" Valencia asked again, this time with a lower voice. She intentionally tucked her hair behind her ear, showing off her slender neck. "You know, Karl, I can sense when someone is watching me."

Karl clenched his jaw tightly. Before he could answer, the notification system sounded again:

[ Quest Update – Warning! ]

[ You are starting to violate quest terms ]

[ Time reset ]

[ Time left: 48:00 ]

[ Control your mind, please. ]

Karl heard the notification like a gong shattering his reverie. "Damn. I wasn’t even doing anything!" he thought, trying to contain his frustration.

"Why is your face red, Karl?" Valencia asked with a thin smile. Her hand still gripped the steering wheel, but now she leaned slightly, enough to let Karl catch a whiff of her perfume. "Or are you thinking of something else... something inappropriate, perhaps?"

"No!" Karl answered too quickly, his voice loud and slightly nervous. "I’m not thinking about anything. Just focus on the road."

Valencia chuckled softly, satisfied with his reaction. "Oh, come on. I’m just kidding, Karl. You’re too serious. It actually makes you more interesting, you know."

Karl felt his heart beating faster. He knew Valencia was playing with him, making his task of keeping his mind clear even more difficult. He shifted his attention to the GPS screen, trying to find a way to calm himself.

But Valencia didn’t stop. "You know," she said again, her voice full of temptation, "I always wonder, Karl. What goes through your mind when you look at me? Do you see me as just a weird creature, or... something more?"

Karl took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to answer without breaking the system’s quest boundaries. But before he could speak, Valencia spoke again, this time with a softer tone but full of hidden meanings.

"You know, if you ever feel... disturbed by me, you can be honest. I won’t be angry," she said with a mysterious smile.

Karl felt his brain almost explode. "Damn. This is going to be the longest journey of my life."