chapter - 8

 **Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novel about the soul.**

However, it wasn't about the soul in a spiritual sense. It was closer to a tangible character that made us weigh norms and impulses in our actions.

The appearance of such a soul is revealed externally through the 'potion.'

Hyde's form is pure evil. It is pure yet also subservient to the person named Henry Jekyll. Thus, in the beginning, when Henry Jekyll was reluctant to embrace evil, Hyde appeared small and timid.

[My evil nature, transformed into a man's body by the potion, was weaker and less developed than the body of the recently banished good personality.]

But as Henry Jekyll lost control over his evil side, Hyde grew bigger and stronger—eventually emerging despite Jekyll's piety and service to others. Just as Hyde was dependent on Jekyll, Jekyll was also dependent on Hyde.

"Ah! Welcome! I'm alchemist Galen Lanyon! It's an honor to have the esteemed author Homer visit my humble laboratory. I worry my place might seem too shabby for such a distinguished guest."

And now, I had come to meet the creator of a certain 'potion' inspired by Henry Jekyll's potion.

The reason was simple.

"What is this potion?" I asked.

"Haha! So, you came here curious about that. The story's creator said—"

I couldn't guess the nature of this potion at all.

"What about my potion intrigued you enough to come here?" he inquired.

...

Although the contest had a free format, I hadn't expected an entry titled 'The Recipe for the Potion in the Story.' I couldn't just open the bottle and test the potion randomly. It could be a concept for a hastily written recipe-based story, and who knows how such an occult object might work? If I ended up consumed by 'Hyde' like in the story, it would be a problem.

So, I decided to meet Galen Lanyon directly.

"How did you make this potion?"

"The story's creator crafted a work that inspired me like a shining star, and I followed that inspiration to blend the potion. If you ask how I made it, wouldn't I be just as curious about how you created such a novel? Haha!"

"...So, what does this potion actually do? Are you saying it can separate evil from the soul and embed it in the body, like in the story?"

What exactly is a soul, anyway?

People often talk about 'soul stars' or works that 'touch the soul,' but these are just expressions of emotions or sentiments. It's not like there's a real, physical soul.

"The potion reveals the soul's appearance externally. Hmm, it would be quicker to show you! There’s a spare potion inside... but it would be rude to keep you waiting, so how about handing me the one you’re holding? I'll demonstrate myself!"

With that, the alchemist snatched the potion from my hand and, without hesitation, uncorked it and gulped it down.

"Ahh, it tastes great, even though I made it. It's strawberry-flavored."

"…."

"It’s strawberry-flavored."

Before I could process his unsolicited comment about the taste, the alchemist grimaced and began to groan.

"Ugh, ugh, ah—."

His face contorted, eyes bloodshot, and his facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.

Watching him, a scene from 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' flashed through my mind—the moment when Hyde drank the potion in front of Dr. Lanyon.

["I will astound you with a miracle that would make the devil himself wonder!"]

[He seemed to swell. His face suddenly turned ashen, and his eyes and nose melted and changed like wax.]

[Before my eyes, the trembling man with a pale face was none other than Henry Jekyll!]

The description matched the alchemist’s current transformation perfectly.

"Ugh, it hurts quite a bit. It's like being beaten up by thugs! Haha. But doesn't my new look suit me?"

His face had turned pale as a canvas, and his eyes gleamed with an oil-paint mixture of colors.

His whites of the eyes were slightly transparent, and his fingers had elongated, making it seem easy to grasp and release anything. Overall, he looked eccentric.

"This is the appearance of my soul. It's incredibly comfortable and pleasing. Much more natural and refined than a polymorph potion. It feels like shedding a layer!"

"What exactly do you mean by the soul's appearance?"

"I don’t know either!"

"Excuse me?"

"It's just that everyone has an ideal, comfortable form they find 'natural.' Perhaps it might even be an ugly and blatant form like Hyde’s. For someone wearing a mask, their shabby home appearance might be their 'real' self. That very sincerity might have turned Dr. Jekyll into Hyde!"

At this point, I realized that trying to understand a madman's words was quite futile.

Still, I did learn something.

"Ah, the effect lasts for about a day. Would you like to try one? I have several; I can give you some!"

The potion tasted like strawberries.

...

"Is this the appearance of your 'soul,' sir? You look somewhat exotic."

In the end, I couldn’t resist the curiosity and tried the potion.

Since it was supposed to wear off after a day, I decided to give it a shot. The result was somewhat different from my expectations.

"It does feel comfortable, like wearing clothes that fit perfectly."

"Alchemy is indeed fascinating."

In the mirror, my face was a mix of my 'past life' and my 'current life,' half and half. It felt both unfamiliar and familiar.

My voice was the same—a blend of the tones from my past and present lives.

"But what to do with all of this…."

In the corner of the room, there was a pile of 'potions' given to me by Galen.

What should I do with all these?

"Why not offer them as prizes?"

"Huh?"

"I heard you are holding a 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' fanfiction contest. If the potion doesn't have any adverse side effects like in the story, wouldn't the winners appreciate it? They could directly experience the potion from the novel."

"Oh."

Indeed, the contest participants would all be fans of 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'

Even if not fans, they must have read the story carefully.

So, they would likely be thrilled to experience the protagonist's adventure firsthand.

"Great idea! Zion, you have a good sense for these things!"

"You flatter me."

"Alright, let’s take these to President Kindersley. Zion, get ready."

"Yes."

...

Despite the smooth progress of the fanfiction contest, the work 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' itself had less influence in high society compared to 'Don Quixote.'

Unlike 'Don Quixote,' which belonged to the chivalric literature genre, it was unfamiliar and shorter in length.

However, it spread much faster among the general public. Its dry prose, sensational events, and brief length perfectly replaced existing popular novels.

"Hyde represents human nature! Jekyll is merely Hyde's shackle! If we didn’t care about others' opinions, wouldn't everyone behave like Hyde?"

"Honestly, it felt refreshing. Much better than those hypocritical knights."

The violence and tragedy elicited a sensational response.

The cold and ruthless nature of Hyde resonated with some people tired of life. Unlike the traditional chivalric literature that emphasized honor or the romance novels disguised as erotic tales, it was different.

It was similar to the craze for 'cider novels' in the web novel world of my previous life.

There was a demand for refreshing violence, and some popular novelists quickly churned out stories to meet that demand. It wasn’t too difficult to write dry, violent stories without chivalry and romance.

"Hey, have you read this 'Hamet's Revenge'? It’s so satisfying!"

"What’s it about?"

"It's about revenge! It’s incredibly refreshing!"

"Revenge for what?"

"Um, what was it again? Who cares! As long as it’s refreshing, right?"

The low entry barrier and high demand, the pursuit of stimulation, and the indiscriminate mass production of works.

"Ugh, really? Are you getting all excited over such a story?"

"Well, what are you reading then?"

"Mad Hammer! It’s about a tough guy with a hammer smashing everything!"

"That does sound exciting!"

The genre of 'hard-boiled' was blossoming in this world.