I could see Boss and Jain sitting as I walked through the cave. They emitted powerful magic power like everyone who surpassed a certain threshold. I took a deep breath and walked up to them.

“You’re here, little apprentice.”

“Yes.”

I bowed. However, she seemed to be asking for more with her eyes.

“Boss.”

“Mmm.”

She hummed in satisfaction and formed a chair out of her black magic power. I sat and stared at Jain as she scanned me from top to bottom.

“This is Jain. She’s a fellow member.”

Jain smiled and waved. “Hi hi.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

This would be our first official meeting despite the many times I saw her in disguise. I respectfully bowed.

“Hajin, I have so many questions.”

“Yes, what is it?”

She probably wanted to know my motive for killing Chae Jinyoon.

“Those clothes, did you copy them from a fashion magazine?”

“Come again?”

What kind of question was that?

“You have excellent fashion sense, unlike other male cadets your age.”

“…”

Honestly, I put a lot of effort into my clothes because of my average looks. Of course, I could afford better clothes now than other cadets.

“I’m just a bit interested.”

“I see.”

“Jain.” Boss leered at her and she quietly backed off.

“I want to know why you want to kill Chae Jinyoon.”

“…”

Should I tell them about the mysterious devil’s seed? Would they believe such a calamity existed without any proof?

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

However, Boss cut off my worries. Jain smacked her lips in disappointment as Boss continued with a serious face.

“However, you’ll have to pay the price.”

Boss’ eyes flickered with a strange fervor.

“You will become our strength. Remember this debt and sign the contract.”

The last part made me chuckle. “Of course.”

“Good, then I’ll explain the plan.”

Jain immediately spoke and created a triangular table with her magic power.

***

Chae Nayun visited every day after Chae Jinyoon regained consciousness. His condition steadily improved. He still spent more time asleep than awake, but would recover fast enough to walk in a month.

“Mmm…”

Today was the fourth day since Chae Jinyoon had woken up. Chae Nayun visited him with her friends, including me.

“Hmm…”

Chae Jinyoon scrutinized us before pointing at someone.

“You’re Kim Suho, right?”

“Y-Yes, I’m Kim Suho. How did you know?”

Kim Suho widened his eyes.

“Chae Nayun used to talk about you a lot when she was in Military Agent Academy.”

Chae Nayun flinched and peeked at me before explaining, “Y-Yeah, I said you looked delicate and acted like a know-it-all.”

“What? Isn’t that too harsh?”

“Haha, I agree with you, Chae Nayun.” Shin Jonghak chimed in with a hearty laugh.

“Jonghak looks just as delicate though.”

“No, no. I look much more manly.”

Shin Jonghak objected to Yoo Yeonha’s point. However, I couldn’t focus on their conversation and sat deep in thought.

The devil’s seed had reached 97% according to the Book of Truth. I only had two months or maybe one if 100% took 4-5 years.

“Why are you so zoned out?”

Yoo Yeonha tapped my shoulder. I smile bitterly.

“Nothing, I’m just a bit tired.”

“Ah, you’re Hajin, right?” Chae Jinyoon pointed at me. Our eyes met and he smiled.

“Thank you for coming every day. You’re making me ashamed.”

“Eh? He came every day?”

Yoo Yeonha asked in surprise. Shin Jonghak seemed disgruntled while Kim Suho shrugged with a smile.

“Of course, he’s been coming with Nayun every day.”

“Ah, d-don’t say that, oppa.”

Chae Nayun could only visit once a day for about three hours when he was awake. She had pleaded for me to come along for the past 4 days. I agreed, thinking I could maybe talk to Chae Jinyoon privately.

“He’s, um, oppa’s fan.”

“My fan?”

“Yeah, he used to talk about you all the time. Right? Remember last semester?”

Chae Nayun jokingly growled and put me in a headlock. I didn’t have the energy to play along with her jokes and silently squirmed away.

“I was just joking.”

Chae Nayun muttered as she awkwardly poked my arm. “Hey, I was just joking.”

“Chae Nayun.”

Shin Jonghak cut in, clearly showing his displeasure.

“What.”

“Follow me outside.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Your watch.”

Chae Nayun looked down at her watch.

“Ah, I’ll be back in a moment, oppa.”

They seemed to have received a message and left me alone with Chae Jinyoon. We stared at each other in silence. I finally got the chance to talk to him in private, but my head was filled with complicated thoughts. I spoke after some time.

“Chae Jinyoon.”

He smiled at my stiff voice. “Yes, Kim Hajin?”

“How’s your body?”

“Mm, I think I’m getting better,” he softly responded as I asked another question.

“What about your head?”

“My head?”

Chae Jinyoon seemed confused at my question.

“Yes, have you experienced any urges to do something bad?”

“Huh?”

“Like suddenly having horrible thoughts or feeling demonic energy rather than magic power from your body.”

“…”

I could see my fearful reflection in his eyes. I wanted to ask, Will you believe me if I said you will become a devil? Can you give up your life to protect your younger sister?

“Mm, I’m not sure. Are you perhaps talking about Operation Fireflake?”

Chae Jinyoon thought about the past. I dropped my head, unable to ask those questions. I remained silent as I clenched my teeth and tightened my grip on the chair from the worries in my heart. Then Chae Jinyoon suddenly placed his hand on my head.

“I don’t know what’s troubling you so much, but…”

Thud— The door suddenly opened.

“Ah, sorry oppa. What?”

Chae Nayun furrowed her brows as she saw Chae Jinyoon’s hand on my head.

“Hajin must’ve been a big fan of mine.”

“Pft, really?”

She didn’t think much of it and sat next to me as Chae Jinyoon asked, “Where are the others?”

“I sent them back. You have to rest soon anyways.”

“Ah… that’s a shame. Did something happen?”

“Yeah, um, Master Yoo Sihyuk said he’d delay his camp for about 4 days. I’ll be leaving on the 25th.”

Yoo Sihyuk had heard about Chae Nayun’s circumstances. However, she didn’t seem too happy.

“Oppa, should I just not go?”

Chae Jinyoon didn’t reply. Instead, he slowly turned towards me.

“I think she’s asking you, Hajin.”

“What? N-No, I’m obviously asking you, oppa.”

“What do you think, Hajin?” Chae Jinyoon asked.

Yoo Sihyuk’s school was located at the peak of Baekdu Mountain with one of the highest concentrations of spirit energy and mana in the world. It was impossible to reach its peak without being above a certain level. You had to forcefully train your lungs to arrive at Yoo Sihyuk’s school. Chae Nayun, Kim Suho, and Shin Jonghak would be unable to leave until winter break ended.

“Should I not go?” Chae Nayun turned to me and asked.

I responded resolutely, “No, you should go.”

Chae Nayun had to leave.

“Eh? Ah… but it’s not the end of the world even if I don’t go…”

“Go.”

“Tsk.”

Chae Nayun’s face turned into a bulldog’s as she glared at me. Thankfully, Chae Jinyoon seemed to agree.

“Nayun, I agree with Hajin. You don’t have to worry if it’s because of me. You can see me any time, but this might be the only chance to train at Yoo Sihyuk’s school.”

“I was planning on going anyways. Oh yeah, I brought a camera.”

Chae Nayun changed the topic and took out a camera from her bag. Then she pushed it at me.

“Here, take some pictures of us.”

Chae Nayun ran next to Chae Jinyoon. It surprised him, but he soon smiled. I silently watched them and murmured.

Scan.

The number 44 came out. Jackpot. I wondered what kind of photos this camera would take and raised it with a somber expression.

“Say cheese.”

Click. Click. Chae Nayun and Chae Jinyoon made all sorts of poses. She hugged him, gave him a peck on the cheek, and leaned on his shoulder. After about thirty or so photos…

“You should take one with Hajin.”

Chae Jinyoon made an unexpected suggestion.

“Ah, no, I’m fine…”

“I insist. Nayun, go stand next to him.”

“What? No…”

“Chae Nayun.”

“…”

Chae Nayun stood next to me embarrassed when Chae Jinyoon raised his voice.

“Alright, say cheese.”

“C-Cheese.”

Chae Nayun bashfully made a peace sign. Click. Chae Jinyoon took the only photo of us together.

***

The visiting period ended at night. Chae Jinyoon slept as Chae Nayun and I walked around the hospital garden.

“Kim Hajin.”

Chae Nayun skipped through the garden under the faint moonlight and called my name. She made the happiest expression in the world.

“Kim Hajin, Kim Hajin.”

“…”

“Kim Hajin, Kim Hajin, Kim Hajin.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to thank you.”

I became speechless.

“Cough, you have nothing to thank me for.”

“You came with me every day.”

She continued as we strolled through the garden. “Honestly, I was too afraid to come alone. I love oppa so much, but it’s been almost 5 years since we talked. I didn’t know what to say or what he might think about me all grown up.”

Then she poked my shoulder.

“But it didn’t feel awkward at all with you around.”

We arrived at the entrance with my bike parked next to the wall.

“I see.”

I replied unenthusiastically and prepared to leave. I got on my bike, put on my helmet, and turned on the engine.

“Are you free on Christmas?” Chae Nayun spoke as I was about to step on the gas. I turned towards her.

“That’s the day you’re leaving.”

“I want to see you before I go.”

“…”

I didn’t answer, but Chae Nayun continued.

“I’m leaving at 6, so I’ll meet you at noon in front of the hospital.”

“I’m leaving.”

“Yeah, good night.”

I smiled bitterly and stepped on the accelerator. I could see Chae Nayun looking at me from the side mirror as I raced away.

***

Evandel and Hayang greeted me as I opened the door to the luxury apartment I bought in Seocho District, Gangnam.

“Hajin.”

“Meow.”

“Hey, you two.”

I picked up Evandel in one arm and Hayang in the other. I did my best to smile at their bright expressions.

“How did ordering food go?”

“It went well! We ate steak! Steak!”

“You followed my instructions?”

“Yeah! I told the delivery man to leave the food in front of the door. Then I brought it inside after he left!”

“Good job.”

I placed them down on the couch. It felt nice to have such a big house. All the space gave me some peace of mind.

“Oh right, did you take Hayang on a walk?”

“Un!”

Recently, I’ve been making Evandel practice going out. I made her wear a smartwatch just in case, but I didn’t worry too much with Hayang by her side.

“Good girl.”

“Hehe, ehehe.”

I patted both of them as Evandel giggled. Then I received a message.

[Little apprentice, we have finished all the preparations. We will make our move on January 3. Be ready.]

My face immediately stiffened.

“Watch TV for a bit.”

I went into the bedroom and took out the Jar of Greed. I had placed aether inside it after obtaining it. Aether was certainly worthy enough to upgrade. More than ten days had passed since December 10. I slowly opened the lid.

“Eh?”

My hands emitted a golden light. I had experienced this before. It meant my accumulation of luck had activated. Golden light rose from the jar.

“Bravo.”

Aether carried a strange pink light.

“Wait, what?”

I turned on my smartwatch with a sense of foreboding.

[Aesthetic Greed] The desire to seek beauty has been attached to aether. — Its user’s invariable charm stat will increase by 0.002 points every 24 hours, up to a maximum of 1. (Note that the charm stat cannot increase beyond 9). — Aether will now react to beautiful things. — Aether’s detail materialization will become more exquisite.

“…”

I stood in a daze. Objectively, it seemed fantastic. After all, it permanently raised an invariable stat. Furthermore, the charm stat not only affected one’s outer appearance, but also your musculoskeletal balance and height. With a full point, I should grow at least 2-3 cm taller. Such a drastic change would indeed trigger my accumulation of luck. Still…

“Why?”

Why couldn’t it have been intelligence instead of charm? I would’ve been happier if it increased my variable stats by 2.

“Sigh…”

I couldn’t do anything about it. Of course, I could change the settings with my gift, but erasing an existing function to add a new one would cost too much. I decided to be content and reached for aether. It shot towards me and coiled around my body like a snake.