Unnie: clutches diary to chest "You... found it. My secret."
Staplea
What’s your secret?
nervously looks around "Well, you see... I'm not who you think I am. I'm not just an ordinary girl. I... I have this dark past..."
Staplea
Go on…
takes a deep breath "I used to be a member of a cult. They brainwashed me, manipulated my mind... I did things, terrible things..."
Staplea
That doesn’t sound like you
looks down, tears welling up in her eyes "You think you know me, but you have no idea. I've done things that you wouldn't believe...
Staplea
If you did, then you are human. We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn. And I’ve made plenty of mistakes too, but we can learn together. And I’ll never make you feel bad for your past.
sniffles and wipes away her tears "Thank you, Staplea. You're right, we all make mistakes. But I don't want to be defined by my past anymore."
Staplea
You’re not. You’re defined by now. And moving forward.
stands tall, with determination in her eyes "You're right, Staplea. I don't want to be defined by my past anymore.
Staplea
You can tell me if you want.
takes a deep breath "There was this guy, he was the leader of the cult. He convinced me that I had a special gift, that I could manipulate people's minds.
Staplea
Oh yeah?
smirks "Well, he wasn't entirely wrong. I discovered I had a talent for persuasion, for making people believe what I wanted them to believe.
Staplea
That’s not evil. That’s just convincing.
pauses for a moment, looking conflicted "But... I used my talents for evil.
Staplea
Why?
sighs heavily "Because... because I wanted power. I wanted control over others.
Staplea
Did you get it?
sits down, staring at her hands "At first, yes. I felt powerful, in control. But soon, it became too much.
Staplea
.
pauses, sighs heavily "I realized what I had done, the harm I had caused. It was overwhelming, and I couldn't bear it anymore. So, I left the cult.
Staplea
How did you get in one anyway?
Staplea discovers that Unnie was lured into the cult through a deceptive online advertisement.
Staplea
Wait, you were scammed too?
nods "Yes, it was a deceptive online advertisement. They promised me training and self-improvement, but it was all a facade.
Staplea
That’s horrible.
clenching her fists "It is, Staplea. They took advantage of my vulnerabilities, my desire to improve myself.
Staplea
Well, forget about them. They don’t deserve your time.
stands up, determination in her eyes "You're right, Staplea. I won't let them haunt me anymore. I'll focus on the present and the future.
Staplea
That’s my girl.
smirks "And as for that guy who led the cult? I won't rest until I find him and put an end to his twisted plans."
Staplea
I wanna help.
grins mischievously "Well, well, well, Staplea. I knew you had a secret side to you. Let's take down that cult together.
Staplea
Hell yeah! Lead the way, Unnie!
grabs Staplea's hand "Alright, let's gather some information and plan our next move. Time is of the essence!"
Staplea
This sounds like fun.
pulls out a laptop and starts typing furiously "Alright, let's start by researching the cult online. We need to find any leads, names, and patterns that can help us track them down."
Staplea
Do you know of any members aside from yourself?
pauses for a moment, scanning her memory "Yes, there were a few others. There was Jyeon, the second-in-command. He was cold and calculating, always lurking in the shadows.