Chapter 122

EP.122 Return #2

The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was pain.

“Ugh…!”

An intense pain spread through my body.

It felt like being stabbed all over with an awl. Something must be wrong with my body.

I frowned and tried to sit up as the pain subsided, but I held back upon hearing Marcella’s voice.

“Demon King, you shouldn’t move.”

“Understood.”

The feeling of returning from a fantasy world to reality was empty and hollow.

Yuria would probably feel the same when she woke up.

No, she might feel even more hollow than me. It must feel like her hometown had disappeared.

I need to take good care of her.

By the way, it’s been a long time since I last saw Marcella.

Seeing her inspecting every part of my body made me laugh involuntarily.

“How’s my condition?”

“Not good at all. The damage to your body from Day 1 has persisted until now. On Day 6, there was significant damage to your neck as well.”

Day 1? What damage did I take on Day 1?

As I racked my brain, I let out an “Ah…” of realization.

In the dream, I had forcefully suppressed Yuria’s enhanced attack.

Since my real body isn’t as strong as in the dream, blocking the arrow attack must have taken a toll on me.

It was definitely a powerful destructive force. It makes sense that I sustained significant damage.

On Day 6, just before Yuria’s fall, I stabbed her neck with a dagger to confirm her heart. That also makes sense now.

“Is it at a dangerous level?”

“You’ll need treatment in the medical device. It should take about two hours.”

Two hours in Marcella’s medical device? The damage must be more severe than I thought.

I turned my head to look at Yuria lying next to me.

There were changes in Yuria’s real body.

The Demon Realm had expanded, and her body shape and hair color had changed to resemble her dream retainer.

It was proof that the constant reinforcement of reality had been effective.

“When will Yuria wake up?”

“She should wake up in about a day.”

“Why so long?”

“Yuria experienced a massive emotional shift. No matter how strong her mental fortitude is, she needs time to sort through those emotions. A normal human would have been completely broken… but Yuria managed to hold on.”

In the dream, she had sorted things out, but reality seems different.

If Marcella says so, it must be true.

As I silently nodded, Marcella spoke.

“Congratulations, Demon King. You’ve finally defeated the second Beast Slayer…”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

Come to think of it, I bought a house in Busan for Marcella.

I should go there soon and give her some love.

I should let her have what she wants. She deserves it.

Marcella shyly lowered her head under my loving gaze.

“I’ve had the subordinates bring the medical device. You should go in and receive treatment right away.”

“Understood.”

**

Thud! Thud!

After a tedious wait, I finished treating all the damage to my body and stepped out of the device, stretching my joints as I entered the room.

There, Yuria was sound asleep, all the electrodes and VR equipment removed.

It’ll take about a day for her to wake up… I should check on Sehwa in the meantime.

What did she do during the week I was gone? I told her not to cause any trouble… She probably acted as regent in the base, tormenting the demons.

Quietly leaving the room, I called Sehwa on my phone.

After a few rings,

“Jihyuk!”

Sehwa answered the call.

Her voice was as lively as ever, so she must be doing well.

The fact that she didn’t call me “Master” means she’s probably outside.

“Where are you?”

“I’m meeting some classmates at Handaegil. Are you done with work?”

“Done.”

“Then come here!”

“Why not!”

Sehwa’s whiny, coquettish tone was met with giggles from the other end of the phone.

Her classmates must be laughing.

But the fact that she’s acting cute in front of them means she’s probably revealed that we’re dating.

Well, it doesn’t matter now.

Anyway, I’m glad she seems fine.

“I’m too lazy. Have fun, and I’ll see you at the office apartment tonight.”

“Okay…”

After telling the sulking Sehwa that I love her, I summoned a few demons and ordered them to guard Yuria.

Then I stepped outside and stretched.

It was raining outside.

The gloomy atmosphere lifted my mood, and I started the car.

Then I called the Doctor.

“Song, what’s up?”

“Where are you?”

“At the lab. You?”

“I’m heading to the lab too.”

“What are you coming here for?”

“Just bored.”

“Alright, got it. I’ll be waiting.”

People are so honest.

No matter how hard you try to hide it, your gestures, eyes, or tone reveal your emotions.

The Doctor is no different. In the past, she would have said “Whatever.” indifferently, but now she’s speaking softly, saying she’ll wait.

It’s not a huge change, but it’s satisfying.

“It’ll take an hour. I’ll be there soon.”

“Be careful.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, I smirked.

I feel so at ease. So at ease.

**

[Iris authentication complete.]

Whoosh…

The large blast door opened sideways.

As I entered, the fragrant smell wafting through the entire lab caught my attention.

A scent of air freshener in a place that usually smells like machinery. And it was strong, like it had just been opened.

The Doctor must be subtly paying attention.

She was developing equipment at the research table, just like before.

“You’re here?”

She turned her chair and looked at me, asking.

I approached her with a smile and asked,

“Yes. What were you up to?”

“Just… had nothing to do, so I was tinkering with machines.”

I sat down on the chair next to her and shrugged my shoulders.

They still felt a bit stiff.

“Are you uncomfortable? What’s wrong?”

“Just a bit sore from lying down for so long. By the way, it’s been over a week since any demons appeared.”

“Right. Not even F-rank demons have shown up. It’s been very quiet. But…”

“Yes, we need to stay vigilant.”

“We should, but some countries seem to have gotten a bit complacent. They’re reluctant to install bomb shelters. They say it costs too much… and they’re not even accepting support from the World Union.”

Tsk tsk… After just a week of peace, they’re letting their guard down.

Complacency is a global issue.

Pathetic… I should take over soon.

As I silently nodded, the Doctor sighed.

“Why is Tairat so quiet? I don’t get it.”

Why? Because he hasn’t found Aiter yet.

He’s keeping his underlings close, preparing for any eventuality.

“Hmm… Maybe he’s preparing to make a big move all at once.”

“Don’t say scary things. Just thinking about it is terrifying. And you… have you changed?”

“How so?”

“You seem more relaxed…? Did something good happen?”

It did. Something very good.

I shrugged and smirked.

“Who knows.”

“How boring… But what were you doing for a week without contacting me? Sehwa and Yuria are one thing, but you usually drop by the lab at least once every three days unless something special is going on.”

“Were you bored?”

“Not bored, just curious.”

She’s acting all disappointed, but she was just curious.

She could have called first.

Was her pride too much to allow her to do that with the kids?

“I should have been more considerate… Sorry.”

“What… I was just curious, okay?”

The Doctor was visibly flustered.

I let it slide and looked at the machine she was working on.

“What’s that?”

“Ah, this… I was trying to make a small unmanned transport to recharge consumables during battles.”

A consumable transport… It’s unnecessary now, but she was working on it anyway.

What a waste of money. Not that it affects my finances.

Still, the Doctor’s dedication to humanity is admirable.

For someone who isn’t a Beast Slayer, she has quite a sense of justice. I want to corrupt her soon.

“You work too much. You should go see an opera or something.”

“Opera isn’t my thing…”

“Really? You seem like the type who’d like it…”

The Doctor chuckled and lightly hit my arm.

She turned her gaze back to the research table and asked,

“What do I look like?”

She’s curious about my opinion.

I deliberately stared at her face.

Enough to make her slightly uncomfortable.

After a while, the Doctor cleared her throat.

The gaze must be getting to her.

Now I can answer.

“You look intellectual.”

“Hmm… Is that it?”

“I want to say more, but I’m scared Sehwa will get mad.”

Saying I’m scared Sehwa will get mad is a roundabout way of saying I want to compliment you.

The Doctor accurately grasped the underlying meaning and was flustered.

I cut her off before she could say anything.

“Want to grab a meal? I have nothing to do today.”

“What about Sehwa?”

“She’s meeting her classmates. College friends.”

“Really…? Then… let’s go. I found a place a few days ago that was really good. Want to trust me? You won’t regret it.”

“I always trust you, Doctor.”

As I stood up, the Doctor also got up and grabbed her handbag.

She took off her glasses and squinted, looking around.

I picked up the glasses cleaner from the research table and handed it to her.

“Looking for this?”

“Ah, yes. Thanks.”

“Find it before you take them off, not the other way around. You can be a bit scatterbrained, Doctor…”

The Doctor cheerfully ignored my comment and cleaned her glasses before putting them on.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

And so, we left the lab and headed to the restaurant the Doctor had in mind.

A place close to the lab. A Western-style course meal restaurant.

Not quite at the level of receiving stars from renowned food magazines, but still quite pricey.

Seated in a decent spot, we ordered food and chatted.

“How is it? Not bad, right?”

“The atmosphere is nice. How did you find this place?”

“You told me before. To go out and refresh myself once in a while. I was following your advice and wandering around when I found this place. The food was good too.”

“Don’t eat alone. Call me if you come again.”

“Thanks, even if it’s just lip service.”

It’s not lip service, you brat. Don’t try to keep your distance from me.

Before I kidnap you to the base and brainwash you.

We enjoyed the course meal in a warm atmosphere, finished dessert, and returned to the lab.

After brushing my teeth in the bathroom, I came out and said,

“I’ll head out now.”

“Alright, today was fun.”

The Doctor spoke as if it was no big deal. I still have a long way to go to win her over.

But I’m building up goodwill.

After the first drinking session, I scored big by cooking for her… Let’s not ruin that by crossing the line and take it slow.

When I returned to the office apartment, Sehwa was there.

She ran to me and hugged me tightly as soon as she saw me.

Wrapping her legs around my waist, she showered me with kisses.

Her breath smelled of alcohol.

She must have been drinking with her classmates. I pulled her face away and asked,

“Did you drink?”

“Yeah. I missed you.”

Hmph, even in a closed space with just the two of us, she’s using informal speech.

I’ll forgive her. I’ve been away for a while, focusing on Yuria, and technically, this is outside the base.

I patted her butt and sat down on the sofa.

“I missed you too.”

“Hehe… What about Yuria? Is it over?”

“It’s over.”

“Why didn’t she come with you?”

“She won’t wake up until tomorrow. Be nice to her when you see her.”

“Okay.”

Okay? I thought she’d at least be a bit upset, but she’s being so docile?

Maybe there’s been a change in her feelings over the past week.

As I gently stroked Sehwa’s lush hair, she asked,

“Jihyuk, do you know Yunsu?”

Oh Yunsu? Of course I know her.

I remember mentioning her to provoke Sehwa’s jealousy.

She was interested in me… I wonder what she’s up to now.

“Yeah. What about her?”

“Did you know she joined an agency? She wants to be an actress.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. She was showing off a lot today. Her agency is pretty big. She kept interrupting me and bragging, so it was annoying.”

“So, you want me to get revenge for you?”

“Yeah.”

She could do it herself, but asking me means she’s starting to scheme again.

I’ll just agree.

I’ll just make her a target for the demons in a secluded place… Wait, an agency?

“Is the agency Yunsu joined focused on actors?”

“No. I looked it up, and they have singers too.”

“Including idols?”

“Probably not. Why?”

Rose… that is, Stella Hailey, is a woman with dreams of becoming a singer.

She becomes famous, topping the Billboard charts with every album she releases, but at first, she made a mistake that darkened her future.

That mistake was choosing to become an idol as her first career path.

And in Korea, she chose the wrong agency and got scammed.

The idol industry, with its centuries-old history, is still rife with scammers.

Stella fell for it, suffered greatly, and was disillusioned with this world.

She almost gave up on her dream of becoming a singer.

After wandering in the US for a while, she recovered her mental state, passed a label audition, and rose to fame.

That’s Stella’s basic story.

So, acquiring an entertainment agency wouldn’t be a bad idea… It’s the perfect bait to lure Stella.

Right now, she’s vaguely hoping to become an idol.

Currently, Aiter’s whereabouts are unknown, and Caroline and Celine are also missing… It doesn’t seem like I’ll find them anytime soon…

I should let Stella mature over time, like Sehwa and Yuria, and wait until she’s juicy before devouring her.

For now, building a relationship as mutual admirers or as a boyfriend would be good.

After roughly thinking it through, I smirked.

“I’ll get revenge for you.”

“Really?”

Sehwa was so happy she wiggled her butt.

I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Since I’ve spoiled Sehwa, I’ll set up a net for Stella while getting revenge.

But does Yunsu have a boyfriend? If she does, I’ll mark her as dessert.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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