Sometimes, I felt afraid of Noah.
Back then, when I couldn’t withstand Noah’s gaze and kissed the back of his hand. A while ago, when Noah kissed me deeply.
And right now was one of those times.
“Older Brother, why is that kid acting like this?”
“Hehehe…”
“…Older Brother? Try to speak without trembling!”
“I’m trash…trash that shouldn’t exist in this world…”
The Demon King continued with a tone that seemed to sigh in exasperation.
His voice carried a slight tinge of contempt.
“You stop laughing and explain! What on earth happened to make you act like this?”
“The Demon King might get hurt if he knows.”
“Kk…treating me like a kid!”
“Hohoho. A kid. Kids are good. Especially if it’s my own child, even more so.”
Ososo…
It sent shivers down my spine.
“Noah…that…”
“I’m hungry.”
“…! Alright, just wait a moment. I’ll prepare something right away. What do you want to eat?”
“Hmm…anything?”
“Alright. I’ll prepare everything you like. There should be something that catches your fancy among them.”
Everything Noah likes.
I intend to prepare all of it.
It was my futile struggle to escape even a little from the guilt.
“Hmm…Ah.”
“Why? Did something come to mind?”
“Hmm…I’m already full.”
“Full? What did you eat?”
“Huh?” As I expressed my doubt, Noah’s expression changed.
Ah, that expression.
That’s the look he often wore when cornering me.
“Because you fed me so much yesterday…I’m set to be full for about ten months…”
“…”
“Ing? Ten months? What could you have eaten to stay full for so long!”
“Hohoho.”
“Unfair! It’s unfair! Why didn’t you give any to me!”
“…”
“Unfair! Make me full too!”
At the Demon King’s words, my hands trembled.
Noah is 17 years old, but the Demon King is only 7.
Not trash, but waste.
Yeah, waste that’s difficult to incinerate by fire.
Even though I’m a villain, would I really do such a thing?
“To the Demon King, I’ll buy something else. Just wait a moment.”
I turned on the delivery app and ordered various items.
The jingling sound of money leaving stung.
Already at this point, if it really does happen—
“…how will I earn the money?”
Now, worries about the future start to creep in.
Though the destruction of the world and such things are frightening, isn’t my life here at rock bottom since I don’t have anything?
I didn’t even graduate from college, and the only thing I possess is the less-than-honorable title of a villain.
What if we really have a child?
Can we manage with Noah’s salary… No, Noah would also need to take leave.
Would working at a convenience store cover it?
…Do I need to rob a bank or something?
“Auntie!”
“…Huh!? Ah, yeah. Noah.”
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“…Just.”
This is reality now.
It means that after all the battles end, I must live an ordinary life here.
‘Thinking about career choices at this age?’
Such thoughts crossed my mind, but I shook my head.
First, I need to completely end the fight.
That way, I can prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
“Hmph…”
“Haha.”
Noah looked at me and laughed “haha.” His lips curved slightly upward, and a red hue lingered on his cheeks.
Despite what happened last night, he looked genuinely happy.
Honestly.
Where does that composure come from?
“Rather, let’s plan ahead.”
“Plan…”
“I mean, I don’t want to die leaving behind so many precious things.”
His tone was light, but his eyes were far from it. They reflected a firm resolve.
“Isn’t there some way? I’ll try to think hard about it too.”
A way…
“…As reluctant as I am, there’s nothing left to do but go see that person.”
“That person?”
“Yes. Noah, just checking, but you still haven’t thrown away the cauldron, right?”
“Yes. I still have it, but why?”
Good.
Though uncertain, I know someone who might have a possibility.
The only problem is that I’ve already done something bad to him, even if it was for my sake.
When I visit him, I should definitely return it properly.
…
…
…
…
…
…
One week later, Saturday.
“Alright, are you ready?”
“Yeah~”
“Yes!”
With the witch’s cauldron in tow, the three of us prepared to depart.
However, there had been a slight change in the team members.
“Take care, Taehwa.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find it for you.”
The Demon King went to spend time with Seo Jin-a and Yoo Yul.
In exchange, Taehwa joined our group to help find the way.
Taehwa released a hawk onto his palm. It was an unusual hawk with a body that glowed like starlight.
Stella’s skill: Guide.
That’s right.
Although this skill isn’t very useful in combat, it’s perfect for navigation.
And it’s also necessary to reach our destination accurately now.
“Then, let’s begin!”
QQQ flaps its small wings. A small gust of wind followed, tearing through the space slightly.
It was a kind of dimensional portal.
Through this, the owner of the cauldron, the witch, awaits.
I can only hope she has a solution.
Even if it requires some hardship, it’s better than having no solution at all.
“Let’s go then.”
“Yes.”
“Alright.”
Holding the cauldron with my tentacles, I stepped into the dimensional portal.
+++++
“Damn magic girls…”
Grinding her nails in the crevice of dimensions was a woman with purple hair.
Dark circles lined her eyes.
“When are you going to return it…”
Ha Yun-seo, 25 years old, commonly known as the Purple Flame Witch.
She detested two things: having her belongings stolen and going outside. Recently, the addition of magical girls made things worse.
So, it must have been her worst day ever.
She had to go out to retrieve her stolen item and ended up meeting the magical girls.
“Idris…Stella…You despicable ones…Taking it when you wanted and now returning it?”
Ha Yun-seo recalled the two magical girls.
The blue one was somewhat manageable.
She wasn’t impossible to handle and hadn’t treated her too harshly.
The problem was the pink one.
Just thinking about it makes her body tremble.
‘No time for jokes. Sister, will you lend it to me? Or do you want to fight me?’
Fight me?!
How dare this fresh-faced brat say such a thing?!
Her head hasn’t even dried yet, and she dares to speak like that?!
How could she bear hearing such words?
Of course!
“…What the hell…that monster…”
Indeed, she almost got beaten up before she could react.
That damn magical girl…
Fortunately, she’s here to return it now.
‘Never seeing her again today!’
Ha Yun-seo resolved this as she moved her steps.
Unfortunately, thanks to her forcibly taken contact details, she had no choice but to comply when summoned.
Wooong—
The dimensional gate emitted a sound.
Apparently, they’re coming.
“Ugh…”
She trembled as she waited.
Once the sound ceased, figures emerged—
“Excuse me.”
A rather handsome man appeared.
“Oh my?”
“Our children caused trouble, we heard. Here, we’ve come to return this as an apology.”
“That’s appreciated…”
But where are they?
Before she could ask, they appeared from the other side of the portal.
Only, they felt a bit different this time.
“I apologize.”
“We were wrong.”
Suddenly bowing their heads—was there some hidden intention?
Ha Yun-seo, bewildered, asked.
“What is all this…”
“Please forgive them. They did it for my sake.”
“Huh?”
“They needed your cauldron to help me. I truly apologize.”
Ha Yun-seo lost her words at the shameless yet confident attitude. Being someone who rarely conversed with others, it affected her even more.
Already aware of this fact, Shin Hyun pressed on relentlessly.
“And, I have a question.”
“What now?”
“Have you ever conducted research on homunculi?”
“Wha-what are you saying by coming here suddenly!”
“…Don’t play dumb. We already know everything.”
Who is this guy?
Is he some kind of police officer? Or a hero?
Did he come to arrest me?
Feeling as if she’d met a messenger of death, Ha Yun-seo gulped.
The only fortunate part was that he showed no aggressive stance despite asking such questions.
“I didn’t come here to fight. First, I came to return your item. Second, to apologize.”
“…”
“Third, I’m asking if you know a method to extend the lifespan of artificial life forms.”
Extending the lifespan of artificial life forms.
Coincidentally,
“…I do know.”
It was a study she successfully completed recently.
“Good. Could you possibly use that technology for me?”
“…No. Why should I?”
“Of course, it won’t be free.”
Tshak.
The man pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.
It was a contract.
“If you sign this contract, you’ll be able to use me three times wherever you wish.”
“A contract…? Wait, do you even know who I am?”
“Of course, the Purple Flame Witch. Aren’t you an A-class villain designated by the Association?”
“So what? Offering a contract to someone like me? Telling me to use you as I please? Hilarious—”
“I’m not joking.”
“…Hmm. Your expression says otherwise. Then, let me ask you something.”
“Anything.”
“Could you attack heroes if I told you to? Can you?”
The man closed his mouth.
Right. There’s no way he could.
Ultimately, this contract is just a shiny useless thing—
“Certainly.”
“…Huh?”
“Which hero would you like me to attack? Perhaps…those who bullied you during school days and are now playing the hero?”
“…How do you know that? Who are you, anyway?”
“Me?”
At Ha Yun-seo’s question, Shin Hyun closed his eyes briefly.
Kkomkmu melted off his back, merging with his mana.
His entire body was covered by a robe, and a mask adorned his face.
Slowly opening his eyes, Shin Hyun spoke to Ha Yun-seo.
“My introduction was delayed. I am S-class villain Kraken.”
