Shopping with the Demon (2)
The fitting session kicked off. First outfit. Wide navy slacks paired with a black shirt—the only pants in the store that actually fit. She left the top two buttons undone, rolled the sleeves halfway up, and cinched a slim belt around her waist. Isol let out a gasp of delight.
"Whoa, that's it! Perfect for you, sis."
Dahong's response was indifferent.
Second. An ivory linen jacket over wide pants. Clean and put-together.
"It's safe, but kinda overlaps with your usual style, right?"
"Yeah."
Third. A black long skirt with a cream sleeveless shirt. A calm, refined combo. Her tall frame and expressionless face lent it a mature elegance. Isol clapped her hands.
"Wow, you're so pretty. Super soft vibe. What do you think, Seha?"
"Uh? Oh, uh... yeah."
Seha had been staring blankly at Dahong's transformation, caught off guard by Isol's sudden question.
Fourth. An ivory turtleneck under a dark khaki trench coat. As Dahong stepped out, Isol narrowed her eyes.
"You look so intellectual. Glasses would suit you too."
"Not bad."
Dahong replied midway, then glanced off somewhere. Isol noticed.
"Sis, what've you been staring at since earlier?"
Dahong didn't answer. Isol followed her gaze to a colorful donut shop in the opposite corner.
"...Sis, do you want a donut?"
"Yeah."
Isol blinked. Despite her sharp, intimidating look, she seemed kinda cute. Isol poked Seha in the side.
"Hey, Summoner. Sis wants a donut."
"......"
Seha reluctantly pulled out his card.
***
A massive truck was parked by the roadside. Low growls leaked from the double-sealed steel cargo hold. Two men in work clothes stood nearby, smoking.
"All set?"
"Yeah. Five in total. Sprayed 'em with the sedative, so they'll calm down soon."
Clang! As if on cue, sharp claws poked through the iron bars of the cargo hold.
"Five Hellhounds? That's a lot."
"Academy ordered 'em. For first-semester combat training."
One man exhaled smoke as he spoke.
"Hellhounds are C-rank, aren't they? Releasing C-ranks on students?"
"Weakened ones. Sedatives cut their mana output in half."
"Still C-rank."
The man muttered uneasily, but his partner shrugged.
"That's why it's Korea's top academy. Their students rival pro hunters these days."
"Really?"
Clang! The cargo hold shook again.
"Whoa, touchy. The smoke bugging 'em?"
"Probably the fire smell. Their noses are ten times keener than a dog's."
The man tossed his cigarette butt irritably.
"Let's roll."
"Yeah."
They climbed into the cab. Moments later, the engine roared to life, and the truck lumbered off.
A while later, it entered the city center. The Hellhounds were all slumped from the sedatives. Then.
Sniff. One nose twitched.
Sniff sniff.
"...Grrr?"
The Hellhound lifted its head after a few sniffs.
"...!!!"
Its eyes snapped wide. The truck driver hummed obliviously, steering into downtown.
***
The trio emerged from the department store after shopping. Dahong strolled munching a donut; Isol kept pace beside her. Seha trailed behind, lugging two bags.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah. Good."
"You like donuts?"
"I like all tasty stuff. No food in hell."
"You really came from hell..."
Isol murmured in awe. Whether Dahong's hell matched the human idea of it was unclear—she just called it that. But if not hell, what was? Dahong saw no need to correct her.
Then.
Screeech!! Boom!
A sharp screech of tires and crash echoed from afar. Seha and Isol whipped around. Two blocks down the avenue, a huge truck had smashed into a row of trees and halted. The driver's door flew open; the man tumbled out.
"Monster escape! Hellhounds loose! Everyone, run!"
Clang! The cargo doors burst open, spilling black masses.
"Grrrrr!"
Waist-high black bodies. Flames licking their paws. Smoke from their maws. Eyes glowing like lava. Hellhounds. Five of them.
"Arf!"
They rolled across the asphalt, then sprang up and scattered every which way. Screams erupted as people fled.
"Monster!"
"Run—!"
"Any hunters around!?"
"Damn it!"
Isol swiftly drew her wooden practice sword from its sheath on her back.
"Seha! Guide the civilians to safety!"
"Huh? O-okay!"
Seha dropped the bags and dashed toward the crowd.
"This way, everyone! Come on! Stay calm!"
Seeing him start, Isol accelerated. Target: nearest Hellhound. She caught up easily, gripped the hilt short, and slammed the side of its head.
Crack!
"Yelp!"
The Hellhound tumbled aside. It rose quickly but met Isol's finisher and perished.
"One."
Isol caught her breath, scanning for the next.
'That way.'
Two were bolting across the avenue. Isol sprinted after.
"Aaaah!"
A civilian collapsed at the sight. But the Hellhound didn't pounce—instead, it veered past without slowing. Isol caught up and slashed its flank.
"Two!"
Splat! Lava-like blood sprayed the pavement.
"Th-thank you...!"
"Go that way!"
"Y-yes!"
Isol neatly bisected it with her wooden practice sword and exhaled.
"...?"
Something was off. The Hellhounds were bypassing people.
'What's going on?'
Hellhounds were aggressive—they attacked anything in sight. But these ignored the alley crowd and the fallen civilian, fixated on one direction.
'Prioritize cleanup.'
Isol pursued one turning toward an alley. It spotted the packed crowd and swerved; she finally caught and struck.
"Three!"
"Yelp!"
Two left.
"...Hoo!"
Hellhounds topped out at 60 km/h. Rounding up the scattering pack wasn't easy, even for Isol.
Then.
Rustle.
Dahong pulled the last donut from her bag. Strawberry.
Crunch.
As pink lips bit in.
"Grk!?"
The Hellhounds' eyes bulged.
Splat! Massive holes tore through their centers.
Thud thud. Chunks hit the asphalt.
"...!!"
Isol panted, turning to Dahong. Dahong popped the remnant in her mouth, meeting her eyes. Isol grinned and thumbs-upped.
Wooo-ooo! Sirens neared. Two police cars pulled up.
As things wrapped, Seha rushed over, breathless.
"Isol, you okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks to her."
Isol sheathed her sword.
"You go ahead. I'll handle cleanup."
"Alone? You sure?"
"Class pres duties. Gotta report anyway."
"Okay..."
Isol shrugged, pointing at the bags.
"Oh, grab those. Sis's stuff."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Dahong sis."
Isol turned to her.
"Thanks for the help today."
"Donut payment."
"Pricey donuts."
Isol chuckled at Dahong's quip and turned as a cop approached, flashing her student ID.
"Hello. Isol, Korea Hunter Academy first-year class president. I'll explain the scene."
The officer nodded at her ID. Watching, Seha said to Dahong,
"Let's head out."
"Sure."
***
On the way home, Seha muttered while carrying the bags.
"Isn't Isol amazing?"
"......"
"Taking down Hellhounds with just a bokken? Not easy. They're C-rank."
"Hm."
Dahong hummed vaguely.
"Plus her judgment and guts. Honestly, I admire her."
Fair enough. Responsible, decisive, skilled. She'd survive hell decently.
"She's probably the strongest first-year."
Seha continued.
"Famous since middle school. Placed in swordsmanship tournaments pre-awakening, then two consecutive losses in youth hunter sparring after awakening. Top combat admission here."
"Written?"
"Second. Smart too."
"Hm..."
"Childhood friends. But she's always so confident, says her piece, gives her all."
Seha's voice dipped.
"I wanted to be like that."
Dahong listened silently. Seha stared at the ground.
"Can't even summon, always failing. Too timid to stand up to bullies... Next to her, I feel so pathetic. Maybe Sangjun's right—should've gone general track."
Dahong clicked her tongue softly. This cowering vibe reminded her of her own hell-drop days. Irritating.
So she said,
"You look pathetic now?"
Seha glanced up.
"...Well."
"You're number one."
"Thanks to you."
"Did I take your written exam?"
"......No."
Seha fell quiet. Dahong said flatly,
"Wanna be confident? Be confident. No waiting."
"Not that easy."
"I know."
Dahong cut in sharp.
"Do it anyway."
Seha looked at her instinctively. Dahong stared ahead, impassive.
"No strength? Build it. No knowledge? Stack it. Think confidence comes from nothing?"
"......"
Seha said nothing. They walked side by side. The evening sunset stretched long.