This arc is peak

I fcking love this arc not just because the romance was handled so well but also because the cult interrogator gained so much character development. This is a pivotal moment for him.

He was a character that has no emotions, someone who has the capacity to do the most efficient way regardless of how depraved it is simply because he truly doesn't have any guilt. He's already a great character, but continuing to be like this would make him flat. The fact that he got to know what emotions were like, absolutely floored me. They're not even halfway through the mission and yet he already succumbed to the immersion of being lady golden flower. He completely lost. And I don't think he even minded. I was so nervous when I read this part in the novel but I guess it's not even a big deal for him, he just really wants to bask in this new thing he found. This thing called emotions everybody feels but he never had a chance to know. Thinking about it, he was barely here in this arc (he was mostly immersed) but his immersion itself developed his character. I fcking love this. The author absolutely nailed this arc for both cult interrogator and Gongja (and it's not just the romance for mc but also his suicidal tendencies, that's a rant for another day tho). I'm seriously so glad this arc happened. It's perfect.