translation by mourningmoor
So much for being a part-timer—I was basically a handyman.
I had to serve drinks, set up tables, handle payments, and even play the piano.
On top of that, if the kitchen called, I had to rush over and lend a hand.
Since only Yoo Noah and I were fluent in English, we had to run around even more.
And tomorrow morning, we had to go back to the beach for another busking session.
By evening, I started feeling a sense of self-loathing.
Where am I, and who am I?
Why did I come all the way here to do this kind of work?
I really wanted to go back right then and there.
“Go back?”
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
“Do I even have a place to go?”
A place to go—I couldn’t help but think of the dorm where the kids were.
But that’s no longer a place I can return to.
I’ve already decided to leave this industry after this schedule. Of course, I won’t be going back there.
But why do my thoughts keep drifting back to the kids?
“Get a grip. They’re not your real comrades or anything.”
If I go back, I’ll end up being completely tied down again. The position of leader, that hollow sense of responsibility, will suffocate me, and I won’t be able to live freely.
Yeah, I’m on an emotional vacation right now.
I’m just enjoying my vacation, leaving everything behind.
“So, what are you planning to do?”
On the third day, on my way to the supermarket for Cha Juhyuk’s errand before the evening service.
Yoo Noah, who had been walking slowly behind me, suddenly asked a question.
“What?”
By now, I didn’t even avoid him when he spoke.
Looking at him, it seemed like this guy actually had thoughts.
And it didn’t seem like he had any intention of harming me. Well, at least not yet.
So, there was no need to avoid him or be on edge.
Especially when the cameras were rolling.
Across the narrow road, a VJ was filming us.
This kind of opportunity was rare.
A moment when only the visuals were being captured, not the audio—Yoo Noah wouldn’t miss this chance to have a private conversation. And for me, it was an opportunity to get information from the Demon King.
“How are you planning to leave L.I.T? Do you have a way?”
“Easy. Just don’t go back.”
“What about the contract?”
Right, I had a seven-year contract with Blade Entertainment.
Breaking the contract would result in penalties, and I could get sued for damages.
It’s not like I hadn’t thought about that.
But this Demon King bastard, without knowing the details, starts mocking me.
“As expected, the Grand Mage, who’s never made a contract before, doesn’t seem to understand how dangerous and important contracts are.”
“Lucky you. You’ve made so many contracts using people’s souls.”
The Demon King is a master of contracts. If someone breaks a contract, he takes their soul as a penalty.
Even though it was an insult, Yoo Noah smiled pleasantly and shrugged.
Yeah, I should watch my mouth. To the Demon King, even insults are compliments.
I laughed hollowly and started walking again.
“I’ll just disappear. Or fake my death.”
“Huh?”
His voice sounded incredulous.
“If that’s too absurd, will you help me, sunbaenim?”
“Kang Ichan of L.I.T goes missing while windsurfing in Hawaii, swept away by the waves. Is that what you’re hoping for?”
“Would that work?”
“Don’t you have family?”
An unexpected question came back.
“That’s cruel to your family.”
Yeah, it’s cruel.
In the end, the youngest son became a singer and then died.
But I’ve thought about that too.
I plan to write a letter to Kang Ichan’s mother.
Telling her not to worry because I’m alive. And I’ll send money from time to time.
But would that still be painful?
Still, I didn’t want to hear about cruelty from the Demon King.
“You, a Demon King… saying that?”
“You don’t seem to know, but being a Demon King doesn’t mean I’m purely evil.”
“Are you saying that because you don’t know the atrocities committed by the Demon King’s faction?”
“That’s the work of the Demon King’s faction. Not my will.”
This was also an unexpected answer.
“The Demon King’s faction is evil because they chose to be.”
Yoo Noah’s eyes, tinged with a red glow, shone with unwavering honesty.
“I merely took a part of their souls and lent them my power. Their evil deeds were their own will. Not mine.”
But no matter how honest he seems, a Demon King is still a Demon King. He’s just pretending to be honest; he can’t truly be.
“That power is evil. Controlling others’ minds, playing with their hearts—how dangerous…”
“I believe you do something similar, don’t you?”
I stopped walking and turned to look at Yoo Noah.
I had said something similar to the Demon King on the verge of destruction.
“Yeah, that’s why I said it. I’m a dangerous person too. In that world.”
That’s why I decided to disappear with the Demon King, but why are both of us still alive like this? If that’s the question, then it’s a question.
“You’re talking as if you’re not dangerous in this world.”
“I’ll live quietly.”
I’ll live quietly. Living as Kang Ichan of L.I.T is too dangerous.
For me, and for this world.
“Ha, look at this, hoobaenim.”
He seemed exasperated by my answer.
His eyes, now even redder, exuded a cold aura.
“Do you really think you can live quietly?”
Was he angry? The red in his eyes deepened.
“I can guarantee you won’t.”
The black aura around him seemed to thicken too.
“The mana of this world has already started moving toward you, and there’s no way to stop it.”
This bastard. This is why he really seems like a Demon King.
“Wherever you are, you’ll be caught in a fierce storm.”
And his final words struck a chord.
“If that’s how it’s going to be, then stay by your comrades’ side. And where I can see you. Because you have a debt to repay.”
A debt to repay?
I don’t owe this guy anything, so does he owe me a debt?
“Debt?”
At that moment, the VJ from across the road approached.
“You two aren’t fighting, are you?”
At the VJ’s question, Yoo Noah, who had dissipated the red aura, smiled brightly and turned his head.
“Of course not.”
Ha, this Demon King. As someone who plays with people’s emotions, his emotional control is impeccable. Plus, he’s quick on his feet.
“Hoobaenim just became an adult half a month ago, right? So, we were discussing having a drink together. Of course, we’re not sure if it’s possible for the broadcast.”
“Should I ask the PD?”
At the VJ’s words, Yoo Noah laughed nonchalantly.
“Does the PD have any say? We should ask the writer.”
* * *
This is all Yoo Noah’s fault.
After the evening service, a drinking session started.
Fortunately, the cameras were off, and the production staff joined in.
Because I was young, I was given a can of beer, the weakest drink, and sat between Cha Juhyuk and Yoo Noah.
Across from me were Writer Jeong Haeseong and PD Yeon Hojin.
And they were looking at me like I was the cutest thing ever.
“Aww, our Ichan. Were you craving beer?”
Writer Jeong Haeseong, I’ll definitely pay you back someday.
“No, it’s just…”
“Hey, stop teasing him. It’s normal for kids when they become adults.”
Yoo Noah, this bastard, is the worst. Is he trying to make me look bad by playing along? What a petty guy.
Then, Cha Juhyuk, sitting next to me, clinked his beer can against mine.
A rough sound echoed.
“Drink up, drink up. The first drink is always with an adult.”
Who’s the adult here?
Out of all the people here, who’s older than me?
Well, except for the 2000-year-old trash. That guy’s not human.
And I was once called the drinker of Parapara, remember?
Who are you calling a kid and teasing with just one can of beer? Huh?
I barely managed to keep my expression from twisting as I brought the beer can to my lips.
Just one sip—as I held the beer in my mouth.
Yoo Noah whispered in a threateningly soft voice.
“Hoobaenim. Don’t drink recklessly when you don’t know your limits.”
Shut up, you brat.
This is all your fault.
And it’s not like I’ll collapse from just one can of beer.
Pretending not to hear him, I finished the entire can.
Then, applause erupted from all around.
Damn, is that applause or the sound of rolling thunder? Or maybe fireworks exploding on the roof?
“Hoobaenim?”
The sounds blurred, and my vision spun.
Amidst it all, only Yoo Noah’s black eyes, tinged with red, remained clear.
“Are you okay?”
“Shut up, you Demon King bastard. This is all your fault.”
* * *
It must be a dream.
Once again, it’s that moment.
I opened the dimensional gate and pushed the Demon King in. Then, I threw myself in too.
In the dream, I’m still beautiful.
Shining brightly. Surrounded by a mysterious blue light, I glow radiantly. It’s almost blinding.
But something feels off.
It’s clearly my dream, a dream I’m having.
So why does my reflection look like it’s from someone else’s perspective? And since when did this strange light start flowing from my body?
Suddenly, a white light began to envelop me.
Then, I turned my gaze toward myself.
“I hope you live in the light in your next life too, Daimon.”
At that moment, my mouth moved against my will.
“Choosing to disappear with me. How foolish.”
What? Is this the Demon King’s perspective?
Looking at myself, I smiled faintly. At that moment, my expression was deeply bitter.
“For the prosperity of Armania, I too must disappear from this world, no less than you.”
And then, I bid my final farewell.
“Farewell, Demon King.”
Completely enveloped in white light, I quickly faded away.
At that moment, a thin blue light, like a thread, wrapped around me—no, around the Demon King. It seemed to be fragments of the light that had been emanating from my body.
As the light settled into the Demon King’s body, a final message echoed.
―Pitiful being. I hope your end is peaceful.
I thought it wouldn’t reach him.
For a brief moment, I felt pity, having glimpsed the same emptiness in the Demon King’s heart.
That’s why. I sent a tiny bit of magical power, wishing him peace.
But who would have thought my magic would save the Demon King from destruction?
As I was disappearing—no, as the Demon King was disappearing—he fell into this world, clinging to the one who slept in the highest place here.
Yoo Noah, the owner of the Troifle Penthouse.
I opened my eyes wide.
My whole body was drenched in cold sweat.
Looking around, I was in the attic of <Hotel Ohana>, and it was still night.
“Are you feeling better now?”