The Purple Boots
Days had passed in secret. Dr. Cash had ultimately installed portals not only across the country but in various locations around the world. There were no concerns about technology leaks. When the doctor issued what amounted to a veiled threat—warning that the portals were sensitive, that they were Leona’s sole means of transportation, and that tampering with them could prevent timely arrivals—everyone had reluctantly agreed. Besides, no ordinary human mind could hope to match the genius doctor’s expertise, so there was little to worry about.
A portal had also been installed in an empty room of my house. It was reserved for those urgent moments when the Evilion gauge spiked and a gate threatened to open without warning. In the meantime, I had been steadily increasing the device’s capacity alongside the doctor. The method was straightforward: simply expand the operational range of the Aether, which behaved much like a living entity. Aether was an extremely delicate energy; mishandling it could cause permanent loss. That was why progress had been deliberately slow.
“Song, I’m going to catch some sleep. Finish today’s capacity adjustments yourself. You two can get home on your own, right?”
“Of course. Rest well.”
The doctor, who had been running herself ragged these past few days, handed the device over to me and retired to the room prepared inside the lab. I glanced at Sehwa. She was already fast asleep, breathing softly. It was understandable—the process must have been incredibly boring for her. After all, her presence was only required when the device needed to be handled.
With no one left to watch, I began creating new space within the device. I layered a security protocol far stricter than the one Parsons, the doctor’s husband, had installed—one only I could access—and slipped in a portion of the suit I had prepared in secret. It was a pair of thigh-high boots dyed a deep purple, clinging tightly to the legs. The heels were taller and sharper than the original design, adding a distinctly sensual edge. No blade attachments had been included yet. Once Sehwa became completely mine, she would be able to wield my own demonic power. For now, she would continue slaughtering monsters with consumables and swords; later, she would plunge the world into chaos with both blade and magic.
That’s enough for today.
The boots were the only piece I had managed to craft in the spare moments. Now that I could properly work on the device, I could continue at this pace. Once the modifications were complete, I woke Sehwa.
“Sehwa, wake up. Let’s go home.”
“Mmm… just a little longer…”
“Come on, get up.”
“Don’t wanna…”
She mumbled without even opening her eyes. I leaned closer.
“Wrap your arms around my neck. I’ll carry you.”
Sehwa looped both arms around my neck. Sliding one arm beneath her back and the other under her knees, I lifted her and walked over to the table where the device rested. She stretched out one arm, patting the surface as if searching for something.
Vwoom!
The device emitted a mysterious hum, wrapped itself around her wrist, and transformed into a feminine wristwatch. Now wearing it, Sehwa curled back against me, pressing herself close. I chuckled and lightly touched my tongue to her dry, warm lips. She squirmed in pleasure and licked her own lips in response.
“The doctor’s asleep, so let’s head back just the two of us.”
“Mmm… more…”
“You want more?”
“Yeah…”
“I’ll give you plenty once we’re home.”
Satisfied with my answer, Sehwa smiled with her eyes still closed. Tsk, tsk. She looked like an innocent child. Who would ever guess that this same girl was Leona, the magical girl currently enjoying explosive popularity?
I gave her plump rear a light pat and left the lab. Even after we returned home, Sehwa refused to let go of me. The same held true when we took a flying taxi.
> Lewd acts inside unmanned flying taxis are prohibited by law. Please exercise restraint.
The taxi company had even sent that message after checking the in-car surveillance camera. Ever since I had finished inside her last time, Sehwa’s displays of affection had increased dramatically. She no longer hesitated to initiate skinship in public, stealing kisses or linking arms whenever the opportunity arose. If any of her university classmates saw her like this, her image would be utterly ruined—everyone knew she already had a boyfriend. She didn’t seem to care in the slightest.
In the end, I had to keep pushing her face away as I struggled to get us home.
**
“Mmm…”
In the morning, Sehwa rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up, spotting me already dressed in a suit. She had all but abandoned the house I had given her and was now living with me instead, like a couple cohabiting.
“Where are you going today?”
“Something came up at the company. I’ll take care of it and meet a friend afterward.”
“A friend…? Ah… that woman you mentioned before?”
“That’s right. Sharp as ever.”
“Don’t meet her.”
Sehwa’s expression turned serious. I finished fastening my belt and gently stroked her hair.
“What could possibly happen between her and me? I have you. I’ll be back soon, so just wait.”
“You can go to the company, but don’t meet that person.”
“I already made plans. What am I supposed to say?”
“Just tell them something came up at work. If I say don’t go, then don’t go. It’s the weekend. I’m bored.”
Her jealousy was adorable, and her expression even more so. I let out a helpless sigh.
“Haah… Fine. I won’t meet her today. I’ll just check on work and come straight back, okay?”
The words “today” made Sehwa’s eyebrows twitch, but she soon nodded. She probably thought she could throw another tantrum later.
“Send her a message right now. Tell her you can’t meet, then show it to me.”
I hardened my expression and looked at her as if to say, Are you really going this far? Don’t you trust me? Sensing she had gone too far, Sehwa softened her tone.
“You really won’t meet her, right?”
“Have you ever seen me lie?”
I’ve never lied about my feelings for you. But everything else has been a lie. That’s how I’ve almost completely stolen you away from Yu Seunghyeon.
“No… When will you be back?”
“Hmm… It’ll probably take at least three or four hours. The company’s in Gyeonggi Province.”
I had told Sehwa that the friend I had disguised as Yuria lived in Daegu. Three or four hours was a believable duration.
“Okay…”
“You should go out too. Register for driving school with my card.”
“Driving school? Why?”
“How long are you going to stay a pedestrian? Even if school is close, you need a car. There’ll be times you have to go to the lab alone while I’m away…”
“Why would you be away?”
“If I catch a cold or get sick, I’ll have to rest at home. Anyway, just do it.”
Sehwa’s face fell into a pout as she nodded weakly.
“Yeah… But don’t get sick.”
I could feel her genuine concern. Ah… I’m getting turned on again. Should I have a round with her before meeting Yuria? No, I had to hold back. There was work I needed her to do today.
“Got it. I’ll stay as healthy as possible. After you register, get a wax while you’re out.”
“…. Do I have to? I’ve never done it before…”
“I told you. I like it clean down there. If you do it, I’ll fulfill every single one of your requests today.”
Sehwa’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Really? You promise?”
“Yes. If there’s time when you get back, make some pork cutlets. I’m craving them today.”
“Okay.”
After receiving her answer, I pressed a deep kiss to her forehead. Pleased by the affection, she closed her eyes like a pure white baby harp seal. Smiling, I tapped her cheek with my finger and left the house.
Afterward, I opened a portal known only to me and arrived in Daejeon. My face and body had long since transformed into Kim Taegon’s. I headed to the meeting place with Yuria. She was already waiting, waving happily from a distance. I approached and greeted her.
“It’s been a while, Miss Yuria.”
“Have you been well, Mr. Taegon? How was your business trip?”
“It went fine.”
“Shall we go inside? We have a lot to talk about.”
Listen well. But not for too long—Sehwa will be waiting with her neck stretched out. I nodded and entered a quiet sashimi restaurant with Yuria where we could talk privately.
**
“…So there’s a supreme ruler of the galaxy who controls those monsters. His name is Tyrat, and you came here to kill him?”
Yuria had opened up about where she came from. I hadn’t expected her to be this honest—it was surprising. I had to fight to keep the corners of my mouth from twitching upward.
“Yes, that’s right. He’s my parents’ enemy.”
“Is the person you were looking for him?”
“Not a person—a monster. A piece of trash.”
Not a monster, but trash is accurate. I’ll give you that.
“If you had told me this story just a few weeks ago, I would have thought you were crazy and left. But with monsters pouring out of those Evilion Gates lately, I can’t exactly disbelieve it.”
“Those monsters are called mamul—Tyrat’s subordinates. The first one with a horse’s head was Amducias. The sea anemone-like one that appeared in Incheon was Aktoa. I don’t know about the others that showed up worldwide or the tiger at Mount Fuji.”
Not bad. As expected of someone who lived in Erandel.
“Oh? Then do you know anything about the heroes who defeated those monsters—sorry, mamul?”
“You mean the Beast Slayer Leona. I don’t know much about her. But I’d like to contact her somehow.”
“Why is that?”
“I want to help. I can’t just stand by while Tyrat tries to conquer even this place.”
Yuria’s eyes held a sense of justice that went beyond mere revenge. Hmm… At this rate, she’s ready to become a Beast Slayer right now. Should I start searching for the hidden Aether? Should I stir up some real trouble?
“I’d like to help too. But what can a powerless citizen like me do? All I can offer is support.”
“I know. You almost got mugged by high school students, after all.”
“Ahem…”
“I’m joking. Anyway, I just need to get in touch with them… but with my current situation, it’s not easy to move around.”
“Why is that?”
“My identity was created illegally. When I first arrived and was trying to adapt, I had to ask a criminal organization for help… Ahem, I mean, I commissioned them. That’s how I barely managed to get it.”
I know, you little bitch. And watch your wording. It wasn’t a commission—it was coercion through force. Yuria’s base physical strength before transforming was extraordinary; even career criminals who had eaten their share of knife fights would be reduced to minced meat if they tried anything. After wiping out a fairly large identity-forging organization and obtaining her new identity, I had told her to live honestly. She had even taken all the money those people had earned through blood and sweat. It had taken Marcela some time to dig up this information, and she had been grinding her teeth about having to investigate the underworld on top of everything else. Still, it was fortunate that Yuria had no one helping her.
“Ahem… Well, it couldn’t be helped. You’re not from Earth, after all. And… you were just teaching some bad people a lesson.”
“Thank you for understanding. As expected of you…”
“If you’re about to bring up the reincarnation story again, I’m just going to eat.”
“…. Understood.”
“I’ll look into ways to contact the people helping that hero. Even if I can’t get directly involved due to my lack of power, I should at least be able to manage that much. After all, you’re not a stranger to me.”
Yuria’s expression brightened considerably. She seemed genuinely happy to hear those words from me. Smiling back at her, I picked up a piece of sashimi and thought to myself.
Reincarnation, huh… How can I make use of that? If handled correctly, I might be able to manipulate Yuria as I pleased. The sashimi tasted especially good today.