Target (3)
The Cheondo Society is a dangerous cult. They have a massive following, and every single member is willing to lay down their lives for the descent of the Four Evil Beasts. Plus, their leader's strength has been proven beyond doubt. It explains how they've managed to evade pursuit from the Management Bureau and the Daehan Mu-dang Association all this time.
'But I won.'
They do have considerable power, that's true. But I've clashed with them head-on and claimed victory once already. Most of their members died by my hand, and even their central pillar—the leader—fell in battle against me.
"If we fight, I win."
"But..."
"Hey! When an adult speaks, you say 'Yes, sir!'"
"Boomer..."
"What'd you say, you little punk?"
That's why I'd laid it out crystal clear for Yu-hwa. Yeah, the Cheondo Society is dangerous, but I'm not so weak that you need to worry about me. So shut up and get your ass to work.
'We're dying together, Yu-hwa!'
Anyway, I ignored her protests and dragged her to the office. By the time we arrived, it was already lunchtime. Nam Bu-jang was there in the Han-seol Tech Office, munching on his lunchbox.
"Here come the traitor and the tardy."
"Sorry for being late!"
Yu-hwa bowed her head quick as a flash, while Nam Bu-jang grumbled like a duck, something about how we'd pushed back quitting time by at least an hour, how things weren't like this back in the day, how kids these days are so lax, and so on.
"Have some of this and cool off, sir."
"Ahem! Let's get to work, then!"
Of course, one pricey cup of coffee smoothed it right over. The boss has ridiculously refined tastes, so a single cup sets you back tens of thousands of won.
'My money...'
I'd run here to save even bus fare, and now this massive hit to the wallet. It hurt so bad it felt like my bones were fracturing. All because of those dogshit Cheondo bastards. I should smash the Gonggi crew next while I'm at it.
"Save us..."
"No more overtime..."
"Ugh... heh... heh heh...!"
Anyway, we suffered through the hellish workload until late evening. Even with this monster body of mine that never aches anywhere, today my fingers, back, and throat were all screaming.
"I'm heading out now..."
"Good night!"
"Bu-jang's already... gone."
It was 9 p.m. now—a horrific hour that skipped past quitting time and straight into dinner territory.
Outside, downtown was packed with people out for fun, and the roads were jammed solid with commuters. Total gridlock.
"Should I call this good or depressing?"
Didn't matter to me, though. I was just gonna sprint home anyway. I activated the [Arbiter] I'd summoned earlier and dashed across the rooftops.
"....."
People chattering, blaring horns—it all filtered up. Every time I leaped between buildings, the neon signs painted me in new lights, my body glowing RGB like some cyberpunk fever dream.
"Hm?"
I was about to land in the alley near home when I spotted something in the corner I'd never noticed before: a weathered door.
Curious, I checked it out. Above the door hung a small sign.
[Interior Design Specialists]
"Interior design, huh..."
An interior design shop. They handle furniture and full makeovers. My place was trashed—furniture all smashed—and I'd promised Shin-nim we'd redo it to her tastes. Perfect find.
Don't ask if it's suspicious. I know it is. But how sketchy can a furniture store really be?
"Hello."
Ding-a-ling~
I pushed open the door with my greeting, and a clear bell chimed. Inside was woody and surprisingly spacious compared to the outside. Samples of interiors everywhere—pretty ones, even to an ignoramus like me.
"Welcome. Custom interior design specialists."
"You open now?"
"Of course. We operate 24 hours."
I glanced at the counter. An old man sat there, perfectly matching the serene vibe. White hair, deep wrinkles, but he didn't feel old—more like something ancient and enduring.
"Recommend some furniture. Redoing my interiors."
"What style are you after?"
"Hm..."
I pondered the shopkeeper's question. Shin-nim had insisted strongly, and unexpected events had forced the remodel, but now that it was time, I had no clue where to start.
'What do you think?'
[....]
If I lived alone, I'd just grab any old crap. But living with Shin-nim now, I needed her input. She's always by my side, so I asked... but no response.
[......]
"What."
Bam!
I stood there puzzled for a moment when a loud bang hit—the door flew open, and someone entered.
Correction: something entered. It was the stone slab.
"Shin-nim?"
[....]
It was definitely the slab from home, walking here on its own. Crawling spider-like with multiple tentacles. It moves around fine on the daily, but going out like this? First time.
"Do you have a preference?"
[....]
Obviously, the slab has no vocal cords. Go-seo vibrates to emote, but the slab? Nothing.
"Classic yet modern, dark like the deep sea but bright, lots of water-themed items..."
[!!!]
"Got it. I'll fetch the relevant catalogs."
But the slab was dead serious. It pulled a pen and notebook from behind, scribbling demands in a flash—shwick shwick.
'She means business...'
Going through me would've taken forever and risked miscommunication. She's here to nail every detail herself. Shin-nim really wanted to deck out our newlywed home. Should've shopped sooner.
"Is this everything?"
[!!!]
"Understood. We'll start construction immediately."
With the list confirmed, the shopkeeper got right to it. He picked up the corded phone on the counter, dialed somewhere, muttered a bit, and static crackled from the receiver.
"Head home in ten minutes, and it'll be done."
[....]
Over a hundred demands, done in ten minutes? Yeah, not your average interior shop.
"Payment time, sir."
"What'll it be?"
Interiors done—now the bill. Not cash, obviously. If they ask for my organs or something... well, I'd just dine and dash.
"Normally it's a bit gruesome, but that won't fly with you two."
"Meaning?"
"On the house. I value my life."
Sharp yokai. I'd been readying a spell, finger to wrist, and he clocked it. Freebie? Score.
"Thanks, then."
"Take care."
I tucked the slab under my arm and opened the door. Paused at the threshold, turned back.
"Shut down in Incheon."
"Got it."
Age brings wisdom, huh? I'd planned to kill him if he refused, but he read me and bowed.
"Other parts of Korea okay?"
"No issue."
"Heh, noted."
After dealing with annoying yokai and criminals, this agreeable one was refreshing.
Screech, thud.
Door shut, out to the alley—and the door and sign were gone. Empty alley greeted me.
"Let's stroll a bit."
[....]
He said ten minutes, so I wandered the neighborhood. Slab under arm for a walk? Prime aggro bait, but cognitive distortion magic kept issues at bay.
"Ready?"
[!!!]
Ten minutes up, we headed home. Apartment drawing near, excitement mixed with nerves. Eager to see the changes, but Shin-nim's tastes? A bit scary not knowing.
"...Gulp."
Beep beep beep—ding~
Up the stairs, front door. It looked unchanged. Swallowed dry, punched the code, and stepped into the transformed home.
"...."
Three seconds of silence. I froze at the entrance, eyes unblinking.
The view shattered my expectations.
"What the hell."
First off: a massive circular space. Main hall ringed by dozens of pillars. Felt like the central chamber of a sacred temple.
"And this?"
Not just that. Beautiful artworks dotted the hall—deep-sea sculptures and paintings like the ones from that cave. Roaring monster statues. Fish paintings that actually swam. Shin-nim's self-portrait...
"Blood from the eyes."
That last one was a masterpiece of beauty, but tough to look at often.
Other oddities too: gems pulsing eerie colors, boxes whispering strange sounds. Safe if untouched, but deadly if poked.
"Hm..."
And the crown jewel: the enormous door ahead. It dominated one wall of the vast hall—over 10 meters wide and tall, forged from some unknown metal, impossibly sturdy. Intricate carvings breathed life, radiating uncanny mana.
But the real kicker?
"Why is Shin-nim's room here?"
A nameplate at the top, stealing the show.
[Shin-nim's Room]