Chapter 5

EP.5 You Can’t Let Your Guard Down

“All you can think of is pork cutlet? Why not eat something more expensive…”

It was Sehwa’s complaint, her arms resting on the dining table.

You fool, if you eat something expensive, your wallet will get thinner.

Since you’re not mine yet, I have to cut you some slack.

I said this while chewing on the pork cutlet.

“I like pork cutlet. I can eat it every day and not get tired of it.”

“No wonder you always eat pork cutlet at the school cafeteria…”

“Speak properly. I ate pork cutlet often, but I didn’t eat only pork cutlet, right?”

“That’s what I meant…”

“Anyway, it’s good that it worked out. It was insurance fraud, right?”

“Yeah. I almost got framed because there was no evidence, but Attorney Lim helped me out, so I just have to pay back a little debt.”

“Isn’t that still being framed?”

“Well… I’m just grateful it turned out this way. I could’ve ended up as a credit delinquent or a criminal.”

The world is tough to live in without power.

Marcella, you did well.

I nodded and brought the pork cutlet to my mouth, asking,

“So now you just have to pay back the debt?”

“Yeah. My boyfriend found a job yesterday. He got hired right after the interview and started working immediately. He came back and sent a text saying he’s going to sleep. He’s probably snoring by now. It’s a night bar with a lot of college students… The pay is really good.”

As expected, he made an excuse.

Still doesn’t know Sehwa well… What a fool.

Thank you for giving me a chance to get closer to Sehwa.

“There’s no law saying you have to die.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I wanted to help by working part-time or using some saved money… But my boyfriend told me to focus on school. He said not to use my money at all. And not to work part-time either.”

“Wow… You guys really love each other, huh?”

At that, Sehwa’s face turned red.

“Well, just a bit…”

She was dodging the question, but her expression gave it away.

For some reason, jealousy surged within me.

Hiding my feelings, I started devouring the pork cutlet.

Sehwa saw me and chuckled.

“Eat slowly. I’m not going to take it from you.”

“I’m going to eat yours too after I finish. Seeing you still not eating makes me want it.”

“That won’t do.”

Sehwa laughed and started cutting the pork cutlet.

After lunch, while I went to the restroom, Sehwa finished paying and went outside.

I scratched my head as I opened the restaurant door.

“I was going to pay.”

“I said I’d treat you.”

“Don’t you need to save money? I have a lot of money.”

“Ugh… You’re so annoying.”

“That’s what I said. Anyway, thanks for the meal. Next time, I’ll treat you.”

“I won’t eat cheap stuff, though?”

“Feel free to mooch off annoying me.”

Sehwa nodded with a faint smile, saying nothing.

Sehwa isn’t the type of girl to think of me as a sugar daddy.

In the past, she would’ve drawn a line, saying there’s no need for that, this is just returning the favor.

This is proof that our relationship has progressed.

I was feeling down because of that love talk earlier, but now I feel energized again.

Alright, Yoo Seunghyun is busy with work and his schedule is flipped, so I need to speed things up.

I said,

“Want to go watch a movie? I heard something interesting just came out. If we go back, I’ll just be stuck at home, so let’s hang out. I’ll buy the tickets.”

Sehwa thought for a moment,

“Hmm… Should we?”

She nodded.

I smiled inwardly, cheering.

And so, starting today, I was able to get much closer to Sehwa.

**

“Are you guys always together these days? Did you catch feelings or something?”

A male classmate asked.

For the past month, Sehwa and I often had lunch alone or went to the library together in the evening.

It was about time for such comments.

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Feelings? Sehwa has a boyfriend.”

“Still, it’s a bit suspicious…”

Glancing at Sehwa, she just stayed quiet, not saying anything.

Does she want me to handle this?

Let’s make sure Sehwa isn’t uncomfortable.

“Don’t misunderstand… Do I only hang out with her?”

“Well, that’s true. But you’ve gained weight lately, haven’t you?”

What a simpleton, I tried to divert the conversation, but he turned it around.

Quick, answer…

“He’s been working out. He has gained a bit of weight.”

Sehwa answered the classmate’s question for me.

What’s this? This will only cause more misunderstandings…

“Ooh… Showing interest? Does Jihyuk seem like a man now or something?”

See?

That nosy guy is misunderstanding again.

Sehwa doesn’t have feelings for me yet, she just thinks of me as a very comfortable friend.

Wait, no… Seeing how she didn’t deny that awkward question earlier, it seems she does have some affection…

But whether it’s friendly affection or romantic affection, I can’t tell for sure.

But she’ll deny this question, right?

Ah… I don’t want to draw the line here…

Ding!

‘Damn, saved.’

Marcella sent a text at the perfect timing.

The phone’s notification sound was so loud that the conversation abruptly ended.

I tapped the male classmate’s back and checked my phone.

Then, with a serious expression, I stood up abruptly.

I had received a shocking text.

Creak!

The chair made a loud noise as it was pushed back, drawing everyone’s attention.

But I didn’t have time to care about that.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

The male classmate asked, confused.

I packed my bag and said,

“I… I have to go.”

“Huh? Class is about to start.”

“Self-study… Yeah, self-study. I’m leaving.”

“You’re doing self-study…? Hey! Take your books!”

The classmate shouted from behind.

Books? Damn it, books aren’t important right now.

I ignored him completely and dashed out the door.

I ran non-stop to the office apartment and immediately turned on the TV.

Marcella was looking at the monitor with a serious face.

Seeing me, she skipped the greetings and said,

“Demon King! Something big has happened!”

“I know. Yuria has been found, right?”

“Yes!”

Marcella, who was making a fuss, showed me the screen.

There, a very beautiful lady with thick blonde hair was walking somewhere.

I knew this woman’s identity better than anyone.

It was Yuria Elenard, the heroine of Part 2.

Beast Slayer Yuria.

“What the hell is going on?”

Out of the five heroines of Beast Slayer, two are from Earth.

The other three are heroines from different galaxies or other worlds.

If Yuria were from Earth, I wouldn’t be making such a fuss.

It wouldn’t be strange for her to exist somewhere at the same time as Sehwa.

But Yuria is from Erandel.

Meaning she’s a heroine from another world.

And Erandel is Tairat… No, it’s been a long time since I conquered it.

Her royal palace burned down, and her parents turned to ashes.

Part 2 starts with Yuria barely surviving the burning palace, researching portals for a long time, confirming that I’m on Earth, and coming to find me.

After being defeated by Sehwa in Part 1 and barely reviving, I face another trial…

That’s the flow of each part of Beast Slayer and the happy ending route.

But this flow has changed.

Marcella stomped her feet and said,

“I have no idea what’s going on either…”

“Could it be that not just you and I have returned to the past?”

“I don’t know that either. What should we do, Demon King?”

The more frantic Marcella became, the colder my mind grew.

This is my fault.

Thinking about it, I only know the story up to Part 5, not Part 6.

The idea that Part 6 starts with my return to the past is just a guess; it might not be the starting point of the story.

It’s clear that I made a mistake by treating that guess as fact and letting my guard down.

“I’ll go there right now.”

After saying that, I entered the portal in the bedroom.

**

Yuria was walking around the streets like an ordinary citizen.

In Korea, no less.

It was Daejeon, somewhat far from Seoul where Korea University is, but I know Yuria meets Dr. Cash.

Of course, that’s at the start of Part 2…

‘Since Yuria, who shouldn’t appear now, has appeared, the path has already deviated.’

So it’s not strange if Yuria meets Dr. Cash at any time.

This is a bit troublesome…

“Wait…”

Troublesome?

No, this could be an opportunity for me.

It’s definitely a big deal.

But if I handle it well, I can proceed smoothly.

“Demon King…”

Marcella called me in a sullen tone.

She seemed worried about getting scolded.

Don’t worry, my advisor.

“I was too focused on Leona and didn’t think about important matters. You and I both made mistakes. It’s our collective fault, so don’t be too discouraged. What about tracking Yuria?”

“From now on, all cameras around Daejeon will track Yuria.”

“That’s not enough. Attach a tracking demon to monitor her 24/7. Didn’t you say you were modifying something last time?”

“The modification was recently completed. Should I attach it?”

“Yes. Can I receive information directly?”

“You can definitely get location information. With more modifications, I can show you video too, but…”

Since this is an urgent situation, I should deploy what we have now.

“Attach it immediately. Search the entire world for other Beast Slayers. Especially find Rose as soon as possible.”

Marcella nodded hurriedly.

“You know who the Slayers are, right?”

“Of course.”

“Start right away.”

“Yes!”

The real names of the Beast Slayers are, starting from Leona,

Yuria Elenard,

Stella Hailey,

Silvia Reeves,

and finally Adeline.

Among them, Sehwa and Stella Hailey are the heroines of Parts 1 and 3, respectively, and are from Earth.

Parts 2, 4, and 5 are from other worlds.

We’ve already found Leona and Yuria.

Finding Rose is just a matter of time.

I scolded myself for not figuring this out earlier.

‘I can’t stay idle.’

I need to finalize all plans regarding Sehwa.

Then, send out Amducias.

First, we need to confirm the process of becoming a Beast Slayer.

If Sehwa successfully becomes Leona, I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Anyway, Yuria came for revenge, so she obviously knows I’m on Earth.

Of course, she doesn’t know I’m disguised, but if Yuria’s movements seem even slightly suspicious… I’ll have to send Amon to hypnotize her.

It’s a shame I can’t let it happen naturally, but I can’t afford to screw up.

Ding!

[Jihyuk, what’s wrong? The professor asked where you went. I told him you had an emergency and left… Was that okay? I have your books. I’ll give them to you later.]

Sehwa’s text.

She’s really worried about me.

At this rate, it should be okay to speed things up.

Looking at the ceiling, I envisioned the future and sent Sehwa a message an hour later.

[Remember the deal we made about your boyfriend’s accident?]

Ding!

The reply came immediately.

[Of course I remember.]

[I’m going to use it today. Come near my place at 7 PM. It’s nothing burdensome, so don’t worry too much.]

I stared at my phone, and when the confirmation reply came, I clenched my fist.

Then, I went to Marcella and had her attach a tracking demon to Seunghyun separately, so I could get location information.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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