Chapter 185

EP.185 Change of Heart #2

– Jihyuk! I need to go to the lab right now…

The urgent voice of the doctor came through the phone.

I spoke quietly so Adeline wouldn’t hear.

“It’s fine. I’m resting.”

– Ha, but… there are two demons…!

“I’ve already sent Sehwa and Yuria. Silvia and Adeline are on standby too. If things get messy, we can send reinforcements through the lab portal, so calm down. This isn’t something to panic about.”

The doctor sighed in relief.

– That’s good to hear, but…

“Where are you now?”

– The yoga academy… I’m sorry.

“Why are you sorry? Don’t worry and take care of your business.”

– Okay… I’ll leave it to you…

After hanging up, I glanced at Adeline, who was in the corner, giving Silvia the lab address.

“Uh, here… the address is… Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul… where in Eunpyeong-gu was it again…”

Adeline stumbled over her words, clearly flustered.

I walked closer to her and reached out my hand.

Adeline immediately handed me her phone.

“Hello, Silvia?”

– Yeah, go ahead.

“Take a flying taxi to Eunpyeong-gu…”

I clearly relayed the address to Silvia.

After hearing her say she’d head over immediately, I pressed the end call button and handed the phone back to Adeline.

I then spoke to Adeline, who was sitting on the situation board, fidgeting nervously.

“Sit next to me. Stay calm.”

“Ah, okay…!”

She quickly sat down, her body stiffening.

She was like a statue, not even blinking.

I let out a tired laugh and patted her back.

“The two demons that appeared are upper B-rank. Sehwa and Yuria should be able to handle them without issue.”

“R-really? Where are they now?”

“They arrived in Israel through the portal linked to the device. But Adeline, I heard you handled the demon at the Grand Canyon calmly… why are you so nervous now?”

“Ah, right… *sigh*…”

She placed a hand on her chest and let out a long breath.

I shook my head and operated the keyboard, showing the two portals opening near the Tel Aviv coastline on monitor 1 and the expected arrival point of Sehwa and Yuria on monitor 2.

Just as the grotesque maw of the demon portal began to open, a flash of light appeared on camera 2, and Sehwa and Yuria, transformed into Beast Slayers, arrived.

“Wow…!”

Adeline’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she watched them.

Well, they do look cool.

Soon after, the demon portal opened with a *squelch*, and two red-skinned, goblin-like demons wielding axes and spears emerged.

Adeline had been frowning since the portal opened, and when the demons appeared, she made a face like she’d just watched a brutal slasher movie.

“Ugh… they’re gross!”

Her first impression of the demons was that they were gross… you’re something else.

Since she seemed to have relaxed, I decided to score some points.

I switched the communicator to broadcast throughout the lab and gave orders to Sehwa and Yuria.

“Fortunately, you arrived before the demons could cause trouble. Handle them quickly, but your top priority is protecting the people.”

– Got it.

– Understood.

Their responses came simultaneously.

I noticed Adeline glancing at me subtly.

I couldn’t see her well since I was focused on the monitor, but she seemed to be smiling.

She must’ve noticed my concern for the people and gave me points. Just as I expected.

After quickly scanning the demons, I gave another order.

“Since they’re humanoid demons, their weakness is the neck. Begin.”

The two acknowledged and focused on the demons, who were swinging their weapons.

And then,

*Whoosh-!*

Sehwa kicked off into the air, charging in, while Yuria released her arrow.

**

The demons blocked Sehwa’s strikes a few times but were slowed down after being hit by Yuria’s arrows.

After a brief exchange, the situation was resolved.

The two demons were decapitated by Sehwa’s sword and turned to dust, disappearing.

Since it was a staged fight, it ended quickly.

After Sehwa and Yuria finished their report and left, I handed over the aftermath to the World Union under Dr. Jennifer Cash’s name.

There were no human casualties or building damage, so the World Union would handle it swiftly.

However, we’d likely receive complaints from Argentina.

They’d ask why we didn’t help them as quickly as we did Israel.

If the doctor heard that, she’d be disappointed in humanity.

It also meant her betrayal would come sooner.

Everything went smoothly. There were no loose ends.

However, since we eliminated two upper B-rank demons, the demons’ resentment would likely explode.

Still, they wouldn’t betray me, but as a benevolent demon lord, I should reward those who were close to the fallen demons.

After finishing my thoughts, I rested my head on the situation board and let out a long sigh.

“Haah…”

Adeline then asked with a worried tone.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m always tense when demons appear. I’m only now starting to relax.”

“You didn’t seem tense at all, Jihyuk.”

“As the person responsible for leading the two of them alongside the doctor, and having to prevent innocent people from getting hurt or killed… I try to stay as calm as possible until the situation is resolved.”

Adeline pulled her chair closer to me.

Then, like an owner praising a pet, she patted my back.

Her actions were both endearing and amusing, and I tried to suppress a smile.

Whether she knew my feelings or not, she comforted me in a serious tone.

“Even though this was my first time in such a situation, I think you did really well, Jihyuk. In the future, Silvia and I will also fight on the front lines like Sehwa and Yuria, so I hope you’ll guide us well.”

“I’ll do my best. Thank you.”

“You must be mentally exhausted, right? I’ll say a prayer to give you strength.”

Don’t! Please!

I’m not tired at all!

“Almighty Lord…”

She’s really doing it. Let’s think of something else.

As Adeline chattered on, emitting golden energy, I tried to ignore her prayer, but my phone rang.

Checking the caller, it was Silvia. My savior.

I raised a hand to stop Adeline and answered the call.

“Yes, Silvia.”

– I’m at the place you mentioned. What now?

“Wait a moment. I’ll be right out.”

– Out? The demons are still in Israel…

“The situation’s resolved. The demons were eliminated by Sehwa and Yuria.”

– Haah… That’s a relief. Any civilian casualties?

You really are a candidate for Aiter, with your sense of justice intact.

“None. I’ll come pick you up soon, so wait for me.”

– Okay.

**

Upon seeing the lab, Silvia was similarly impressed as Adeline.

But she didn’t make a fuss like Adeline did.

She just followed Adeline around with wide eyes as Adeline introduced the lab.

“This is the doctor’s private lounge! You can’t just go in!”

Even though she’d only been in the lab a few days longer, Adeline seriously warned Silvia about the rules, which made me smile.

I quietly watched the two until Adeline finished the lab tour, then approached Silvia.

“How is it? It’s not as good as your planet, but the facilities are decent, right?”

“It’s beyond imagination. I heard about it from Adeline, but seeing it in person is even more amazing. Even on our advanced planet, we don’t have machines like these. Especially the medical devices that can heal—they’re incredible.”

She must’ve been genuinely impressed. For Silvia, who rarely shows emotion, to react like that.

I felt a deep sense of pride.

Not because the lab was impressive, but because the doctor who built it was now mine.

“The doctor built all of this.”

“She’s incredible… You said you co-developed disposable weapons with her, right?”

“Yes. But now that Sehwa and Yuria have grown stronger, we don’t need as many disposable items. So I focus on making devices or monitoring the world’s situation from the situation board.”

“That’s still impressive… Aren’t you selling yourself short?”

“Thank you for saying that. Let’s register your biometrics in the lab. Follow me.”

– Okay.

Silvia quietly completed the scan and entry verification.

Adeline, who had been watching, seemed intimidated, likely comparing her own reaction when she first arrived to Silvia’s composed demeanor.

“All done. You’re set.”

As I operated the panel, Silvia approached and patted my back.

“Good job. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“You said the situation’s resolved, right? Are we done here?”

“Not yet. Since this is the first time two demons have appeared, we’ll stay in the lab for a day to monitor the situation.”

Silvia asked with a serious expression.

“Do you think more will appear?”

“Honestly, it’s unlikely. With two upper B-rank demons eliminated so quickly, Tairat won’t act recklessly. But just in case, it’s best to keep watch.”

“That makes sense. So what should we do? Stay here?”

“No need for that. Just a moment…”

I went into the storage room and brought out two disposable portals.

I handed one each to Silvia and Adeline.

“These are disposable portals I made when I first joined the lab. Press the button in the center and throw it on the ground, and a light will appear. It’s connected to the lab’s storage, so if I call, you can come straight here.”

Silvia examined the portal closely.

“This is really well-made…? You made this?”

“Yes. But since it’s not refined, there are side effects.”

“Like what?”

“Dizziness. The twisted space inside is… terrifying. But it’s only a complaint from ordinary people. For someone like you or Adeline, who can handle Aiter, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I see… Can I have more?”

“No. The supply is limited. I’ll soon bring a portal from Yuria’s place and install it in Uijeongbu for you.”

Meaning I’m preparing to fully utilize the four of them.

Silvia nodded with a bright expression.

“Got it. So we can head back now?”

“Yes. The doctor and I will take shifts here, so go back and rest.”

“Aren’t you overworking yourself?”

“Our job is to take responsibility so you all can live your lives. I’ve already adapted, so don’t worry.”

“Alright. I’ll head back then.”

Silvia gave me a grateful nod, then walked over to Adeline, who was standing a few steps away.

“I’m going to work out now. What about you?”

“I’ll… study the Bible with Jihyuk and then head back.”

She didn’t even ask for my opinion. I’m used to it now.

“Alright. Take a taxi back.”

“Okay, unnie.”

Silvia waved coolly at me and left the lab.

Adeline waved back until the door closed, then turned to me.

“Jihyuk.”

“Why aren’t you going to rest…”

“I thought you might be bored, and I wanted to study with you. But before that… I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

Adeline carefully placed the disposable portal I gave her into her bag.

Then she looked up at me and asked.

“Why didn’t you give me this when I first came to the lab?”

Her eyes and tone were full of disappointment.

She’s not jealous of Silvia. She’s just checking if I don’t trust her because of her childish tendencies.

Even if I advised her to speak directly, she’d approach it like this… Adeline can be quite timid at times.

I need to soothe her before she gets upset.

“Back then, there wasn’t any major trouble. But today’s different. With Tairat possibly leading an army at any moment, I thought it was necessary to prepare.”

“So it’s not that you don’t trust me?”

“Not at all. You’re misunderstanding.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I trust you? To be honest, I trust you more than Silvia.”

Adeline’s face brightened.

She spoke in a warm tone.

“Thank you, but you should trust Silvia unnie just as much. Treat her equally, okay?”

“That might be hard… but I’ll try.”

“I’ll help you! Let’s stop chatting and head to the lounge! The demons interrupted our study, so I won’t go home early today!”

After her energetic declaration, Adeline headed to the lounge without waiting for my response.

I let out a tired laugh, grabbed two water bottles from the mini-fridge, and opened the lounge door.

Adeline’s affection for me is steadily growing.

Both as a romantic interest and as a comrade.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

---