translation by mourningmoor
The members of ARCHE, who had returned to Korea, jumped straight into activities without even having time to adjust to the time difference.
First, they’ll be appearing on music shows starting Thursday.
This is purely for fan service.
They’ll only be on music shows for two weeks before diving straight into concert preparations.
In the meantime, they’ll have to appear on a few variety shows and film some of their own content.
In short, they’re extremely busy.
Right now, they’re in the middle of a meeting for their own variety content.
Noah leaned lazily against his chair, half-listening to the PD’s flood of words.
“We haven’t been able to show a lot of different sides of you guys while you were in the States, right?”
As soon as the PD said that, Younghoon immediately countered.
“No, we still managed to broadcast once every ten days even during that busy time. We even rode Kingda Ka at Six Flags.”
“Right. Jaeyun threw up after getting off Kingda Ka.”
This time, Jino chimed in.
“Let’s take a break from extreme stuff for a while. I thought I was going to die. Noah-hyung and Yoonseo-hyung aren’t scared of that kind of thing, but the rest of us are dying.”
“Hey, it’s not like I’m completely fine either?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll include Younghoon-hyung in that group too.”
The PD made a bitter face.
“But the response to you guys doing extreme stuff…”
“We know. Jaeyun’s reactions are so good that everyone enjoys it. That’s why we endure it, but if we keep doing this, our lifespans are going to shorten.”
At Younghoon’s words, Jaeyun and Jino nodded in agreement.
Sabi and Ken, who are still a bit shaky with Korean, did the same.
Then, as if they had planned it, they all turned to look at Noah.
By now, it was clear they wanted the leader to say something.
“PD-nim.”
Noah, who had been leaning back on the sofa, straightened his back.
“It’s great to grind the kids to boost views, but can we hold off for now? We have to prepare for the concert.”
Noah also didn’t enjoy riding roller coasters.
Not because he was scared, but because it was too noisy.
Jaeyun’s screaming was so loud that he thought his eardrums would burst.
But fans love this kid’s reactions, calling them cute.
It’s like they enjoy seeing someone suffer—what a bunch of sadistic perverts.
“Extreme is extreme, after all. Bungee jumping, rafting… If even one of us gets hurt, we won’t be able to perform on stage.”
At Noah’s words, the other members nodded in agreement.
“And who do you think the fans will blame if that happens?”
This time, the PD’s face turned pale.
“You, PD-nim.”
Honestly, if anyone spreads the rumor on SNS that Jaeyun threw up after riding a roller coaster, it’s game over.
Even the sadistic perverts will suddenly become maternal.
And then they’ll go looking for someone to blame.
“Let’s keep it simple.”
The PD, unable to hide his disappointment, rummaged through a pile of documents and pulled out a sheet of paper.
“Then, pick something else. I brought a few formats.”
As Noah lifted the paper, the ARCHE members huddled close. In an instant, it became noisy as they debated which one to choose.
Noah, who had been quietly looking through the list, pointed at one with his finger.
“What’s this? <Introducing My Friend>.”
“It’s where each of you brings a celebrity best friend and throws a party. You cook and decorate everything yourselves.”
“Then let’s do this.”
It’s relatively simple.
It’s meaningful as a homecoming party, and it won’t be too physically demanding.
But the PD’s expression still looked uneasy.
“Are you really going to do this?”
“Why? Is there a reason we shouldn’t?”
“You’ve always said no to this format before.”
Thinking back, he’s not wrong.
This is the format this kid always rejected.
A very on-brand choice for someone who finds people annoying.
Younghoon immediately chimed in.
“Right. You said no because you didn’t have anyone to bring…”
As he spoke, Younghoon tilted his head and gave a strange smile.
“Oh, Yoo Noah. You’ve gotten close to that L.I.T kid, huh?”
L.I.T kid.
Yeah, if I have to bring someone, it’s gotta be that L.I.T kid.
“Let’s do this. I’ll bring the L.I.T kid, just like you said.”
Noah slowly got up from his seat.
“Everyone, decide who you’re inviting and reach out to them.”
Then he walked toward the meeting room door.
It was his way of saying the concept meeting was over.
As he turned the doorknob, Noah looked back.
“Oh, and no girls.”
At that, Ken, who had been searching for a phone number, bit his lip with a sour expression.
“Let’s keep it professional, guys.”
* * *
After leaving the meeting room, Noah closed the door and looked around.
The fact that his heart was pounding meant that this reckless mage had done something again.
But this time, it wasn’t the unpleasant pain like last time.
It was just a gentle wave, like riding a current.
Then, at the end of the hallway, a faint blue light flickered.
“Huh?”
It was coming from the terrace garden.
“What? You came here?”
Noah followed the light down the hallway.
At the end of the hallway, in front of the terrace garden’s glass door, the source of the blue light came into view.
The shimmering figure was leaning against the railing, looking down at the building below.
You crazy bastard. Looks like you succeeded after all.
Noah let out a small laugh and opened the terrace door.
“Hey, Jess. No nosebleed today?”
The L.I.T kid—no, the Archmage—turned around.
“Nope. I succeeded in reaching the 5th Circle.”
He looked incredibly pleased with himself.
“I can see that.”
What an amazing guy.
To jump two circles in such a short time.
Ah, but an Archmage who’s reached the 9th Circle isn’t even human anymore, right?
Well, once you’ve been promised three divine powers and eternal life, it’s hard to call yourself human.
In the end, whether it’s the Demon King or the Archmage, they’re both monsters.
Monsters who disrupt the world’s order and the laws of nature.
“Still, I’m honored. You came to brag to me first.”
“Don’t call it bragging.”
The Archmage, with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his black hoodie, walked over with a somewhat rebellious expression.
“You little brat. How did you figure out my condition? Did you do something to my body?”
His cool eyes glinted with a blue light.
It meant his mana was fully charged.
The blue light flickering at his fingertips showed he was ready to attack if necessary.
“I saved your life, and this is the thanks I get?”
Noah smirked and stared straight at the Archmage.
“Now that I think about it, I regret it.”
“What?”
“I should’ve done something back then. When you were drunk and out of your mind, I should’ve planted some kind of device in your body. A location-tracking spell or a tracker or something.”
I should’ve done that.
I should’ve tried to infiltrate your body while you were asleep. Of course, I would’ve failed, but still.
“But unfortunately, I didn’t. I didn’t need to.”
The Archmage’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You left a part of your soul in me, so whether I like it or not, I can feel it.”
This is the funniest part.
Whenever something happens to the Archmage, my heart starts racing.
When he was drunk and stumbling around, that dizziness was transmitted to me too.
Even when he overworked himself to the point of passing out, it was the same.
“So please, take care of yourself.”
This is why I can’t harm this disrespectful, arrogant, and prideful Archmage. Because whatever happens to him affects me too.
“There’s more than one or two people whose lives depend on that body of yours.”
Just then.
The terrace garden door slammed open.
“Yoo Noah…?”
Of course, it had to be Younghoon.
* * *
I missed my chance to escape.
No, maybe I should’ve just run.
If I had teleported away right then, Yoo Noah would’ve erased Younghoon’s memory.
Well, maybe not.
That bastard Yoo Noah might’ve left the memory intact just to mess with me.
“Hello, sunbaenim.”
I bowed politely to Younghoon.
Younghoon, with a strangely altered expression, smiled brightly and approached.
“Well, if it isn’t the L.I.T kid—no, wait, isn’t this Ichan hoobae?”
After glancing at Noah’s expression, Younghoon turned back to me.
“What brings you here? Did Noah call you?”
Then he checked the time on his wrist.
It’s pretty late for a casual visit.
It’s almost midnight.
Tilting his head, Younghoon continued.
“So that’s why Noah left in the middle of the meeting.”
He concluded on his own and suddenly stuck out his hand.
I guess he wanted to shake hands.
Hesitating, I took his hand, and he shook it enthusiastically.
“Nice to see you again. I’ve been watching your broadcasts. They’re fun.”
“That’s enough. Let’s go back inside.”
Noah intervened.
When Younghoon didn’t let go of my hand, Noah forcibly pulled it away.
Younghoon, looking disappointed, rubbed his hand on his clothes and asked.
“Did Noah tell you? About the party?”
No, I already sensed it through your thoughts, you brat.
“Yes, I heard about it.”
“Are you coming?”
“Well, I said I’d think about it. I’m pretty busy too.”
Quietly observing, I noticed Yoo Noah’s expression looked like he’d just bitten into something bitter.
He must be feeling gross because I read Younghoon’s mind.
I kind of like this, though.
Just then.
Noah flicked his finger.
“Mind giving us some space?”
Younghoon awkwardly smiled and stepped away. Yoo Noah had used his ability, albeit very subtly.
“This is fun.”
I laughed as I watched Younghoon’s retreating figure.
“You’ve got a pretty terrible image, huh? What was it? ‘Loner Noah’? ‘The Lonely Psychopath’?”
That’s what Younghoon had been thinking earlier.
《Wow, Loner Yoo Noah finally made a friend. Sure, it’s a bit awkward since he’s five years younger, but whatever. At least he’s not the lonely psychopath anymore. Just don’t develop in a weird direction, Noah.》
Loner Noah and the Lonely Psychopath.
Looks like the Demon King picked the perfect body for me.
“He also called you socially inept, right?”
I openly laughed, and Yoo Noah openly showed his displeasure.
“There’s a saying in this world: ‘The pot calling the kettle black.’”
Yoo Noah smirked and tilted his head.
“I guess that’s why they call the Archmage a reclusive sociopath. You’re the last one who should be talking.”
“What?”