The Misfortune That Unites Us
It was finally the day when I would return to school tomorrow.
Instead of diving straight into the chaos, I had come to this quiet park on the outskirts to steal one last moment of peace.
Somehow, lately my body felt lighter and my sleep deeper than usual, so the urge to get outside kept pulling me here.
Who would have thought an ordinary high school boy like me would end up feeling this way?
“Ugh…”
My head was full of too many things to sort through, but I had decided not to force it today.
No point in ruining the small bit of good mood I still had left.
I just sat on the bench, staring blankly at the clear blue sky while hoping the Demon King’s Army wouldn’t show up and ruin everything.
The breeze felt nice against my skin.
No dust, no pollution—just crisp, refreshing air.
People around me seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Everyone else was out here enjoying a rare weekend without the usual threats, just like I was.
After all, when else could you just sit and breathe freely?
Some people loved staying indoors, but even they sometimes craved the open air.
Anyway.
I had been sitting there for a while, letting time slip by.
“Waaa! There are so many people here!”
A bright, cheerful voice called out from somewhere close by.
I turned my head and saw her—the white-haired girl from the tteokbokki shop yesterday—skipping energetically through the park.
“The air is so fresh! And the mood is wonderful! Ahh!”
Then she spotted me.
Her eyes went wide as dinner plates, and she immediately started walking straight toward me with a light skip.
She plopped right down next to me on the bench.
“Jung Siwoo-oppa! I was so grateful yesterday!”
“You don’t have to thank me that much. Did you get home okay?”
“Um… yes! I got home safely!”
She grinned, flashing those perfect white teeth, and her bright smile lifted my own mood.
That innocent little smile of a child was irreplaceable treasure.
“Today I brought sandwiches as my way of saying thanks! Want to share?”
She held out a small triangular sandwich wrapped in plastic.
It was tiny, just the right size for one of her hands.
“Can I really eat this?”
“Yes! It’s my little thank-you! I know one sandwich isn’t much, but I hope you’ll take it!”
“Well… if you insist…”
Maybe my parents had paid for it.
The sandwich was simple: soft white bread with a single slice of ham and cheese between them.
“Thank you. I’ll eat it carefully.”
She took a big bite.
I peeled off the plastic wrap slowly, took a small bite, and chewed thoughtfully.
The gentle taste of fresh bread followed by the salty, savory hit of ham and cheese.
“Mmm. It’s good.”
“I’m glad you like it!”
She alternated legs in the air, still smiling brightly as she ate the rest of the sandwich in a few quick bites.
By the time it was gone, her happy face made me smile too.
*Gurgle.*
But even that small sandwich wasn’t enough for her rumbling stomach.
“Hungry?”
“Ugh… yeah, one sandwich definitely isn’t filling…”
She pouted, then glanced around casually.
“What… want me to buy you something else?”
“No! I’m surrounded by food here!”
She flashed a tiny mischievous smile, then stood on the bench and spun around once.
“Oh! There’s the tteokbokki auntie too!”
I followed her gaze and spotted the cheerful owner of the tteokbokki shop walking through the alley nearby.
Just buying something for lunch, maybe?
*Crack.*
In an instant, the woman’s body was sliced clean in half.
Blood sprayed out, soaking the ground red.
And right beside me.
*Crack, crack, crunch.*
“Mmm… this is a little spicy!”
The white-haired girl was chewing something loudly with her small mouth.
People screamed in horror, and soon someone called out, drawing even more eyes to the brutal scene in the park.
But she didn’t care.
She spun around once more, then froze, clutching one cheek like she’d bitten something hard.
“W-what is…?”
“Ah, Jung Siwoo-oppa! You don’t have to worry!”
From far away, nearby, and all around came the sound of people moaning in pain.
But it was like I’d been hit once—muffled, distant, just echoing in my ears.
“I will repay every kindness I receive! No matter what happens, oppa will not be eaten, so don’t worry!”
My heart pounded wildly.
Even as I told myself there was no way, I couldn’t look away from the slaughter happening right in front of me.
The blue sky and black asphalt had turned red, blood pooling between the pavement stones.
Lines of crimson stretched and spread, like the world itself was inverting.
“You… what are you…?”
I barely managed to speak, my voice shaking.
Who.
What was her purpose.
So many questions filled my head, but I couldn’t force the words out.
Only broken, terrified fragments slipped past my lips.
“Um… speaking of which, I haven’t introduced myself! Jung Siwoo-oppa!”
She walked straight toward me with a bright smile, towering over my fallen form on the bench.
“This body is named Voracious! I travel the world hunting for the finest delicacies! I am a direct subordinate of Grimoire!”
“D-Demon King’s Army…?”
“Mhm! If you know, you’d be faster, huh!”
She smirked, placing one hand over her chest like she was proud.
As if the horror around us was none of her concern.
“I have one offer for you! Jung Siwoo-oppa, help me!”
“W-what…?”
“Literally! Even if you don’t help me, I liked you! If you do, I’ll give you a proper reward! Of course, I should consult with Grimoire first…”
Right then.
“Enough!”
*Kwaaang!*
A brilliant blue light flashed, blocking the space between me and Voracious.
She pointed her spear straight at the girl’s throat and prepared to fight.
“Siwoo-ya?! Are you okay?!”
“Oh! A new magical girl! Great, but… ugh. My stomach is full right now. Too bad, I can’t eat when the food is right in front of me!”
Voracious clasped her hands together like a tragic heroine in a play and started crying.
“Hm? Wait a minute, didn’t you call Jung Siwoo-oppa’s name just now? Could you two be friends?”
“Close your mouth!”
*Kwaaang!*
Kim Min-ah charged forward and swung her leg at Voracious.
“Ugh… even for the finest food, overeating is okay, but for Jung Siwoo-oppa’s friend… that’s a shame!”
“Close your mouth!”
“You close yours.”
*Crack.*
A crunching sound rang out.
*Thud.*
Kim Min-ah dropped to the ground like a broken puppet.
“Kim Min-ah!”
I instinctively ran over and shook her, but she didn’t move.
I turned her face and finally saw her empty eyes.
Something was wrong.
“Normally I would eat the whole body, but since you’re oppa’s friend, I only ate the soul!”
“T-that’s…!”
“Ugh… I wanted to explain… but my stomach is full! I have to go digest it now! Take care, Jung Siwoo-oppa!”
“St-stop!”
I reached for her, but by the time my hand moved, she had already jumped through a portal something like the one Harin made and vanished.
“…”
I sat there silently for a long time, then reached out with trembling hands and gently touched Kim Min-ah’s body.
“Hey… Kim Min-ah… wake up…”
I shook her shoulder, the one wearing the magical girl outfit instead of her school uniform.
But the usual cheerful, energetic girl I knew was gone.
The ponytail and scarf lay limp on the bloody ground, motionless.
Her empty eyes stared back at me.
The moment I realized it.
*Ugh…!*
An overwhelming wave of nausea rose in my throat.
She had been the one playing with me just yesterday.
The one who shared her homemade snacks without hesitation.
Now, right in front of me.
“Hah…!”
A voice calling my name echoed through the ringing in my ears.
It was faint, distant, hard to make out.
Who was calling me so desperately?
*Whoosh!*
“It’s… not… I… I…!”
Someone hugged me tightly from behind.
Smooth magic power flowed into me, along with a warm feeling beyond her body.
The moment the ringing in my ears cleared, I heard the resolute voice of the class president.
“…Siwoo-ya…!”
I blacked out.