Plundering the Association (1)
The request wrapped up as resolved for now. One dead, one injured. The injured agent got treated at the Association, and the dead one's funeral went off without a hitch, apparently. The monster Yoo Hwa was fighting turned out to be the casualty—didn't know it had that kind of power.
As she said, when I got home, thirty million won hit my account under the name Jeong Seol-yoon. Insane amount for one night's work. But my head was such a mess I spent the night wide awake.
Traces of my era left behind?
Something was off. In a world where magic, mana, and even demonic energy were all forgotten, demons had appeared. Not the demons themselves, but the original power source was there too.
Why?
Humans and demons didn't just skip the war while I was gone. If there'd been no war, the demons wouldn't have vanished, and there wouldn't be human gear in the Demon Realm. The war happened, we lost, and knowing the hero's personality, he wouldn't have left a single minion alive—total extermination.
"Fuck, my head hurts."
"Shall I give you a massage?"
"Your strength won't cut it. Even if you punched me in the nose, it'd just tickle."
I spat out the curse from the rising frustration, and Yoo Hwa piped up from beside me. I was sprawled on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Yoo Hwa sat next to me, glued to a TV drama.
"Your Highness. I truly cannot fathom what sort of nation it is you desire."
"Oh my, such nonsense..."
Yoo Hwa was totally hooked on the historical drama, as expected. Maybe because it was full of stuff unimaginable back in the Demon Realm.
"Sigh."
I sighed and closed my eyes. What I wanted was a daily life free from life-threatening danger. That's why I went into hiding, emerging in the modern world centuries later. Sure, no threats to my life now. But there was way too much nagging at me.
History might fade, but not like this. It was like all records of the Roman Empire vanishing entirely.
I'd decided to ignore it for the sake of normalcy, but with artificial demons showing up, that was getting harder.
Hide again?
The thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head. Wasn't that why I'd bailed on the Demon Realm in the first place? To fully escape this mess, I'd need to hide for decades—and could I even endure that? Besides, I was sick of getting stronger; it was tough anyway. Once I completed the Great Demon King form, I'd hit my limit. Only way up was boosting total demonic energy output.
Should I investigate?
I considered it, then shook my head again. No real leads. The group was so tight-lipped even Leonard, their artificial demon, couldn't spill. How could I even approach them?
Should've made a detection spell back then.
If I could find them, torture or smash 'em for info—no problem. Finding them was the issue.
Ask the Association?
With their massive resources, they might track the group. But I'd need a high position there, which meant joining up. And to explain, I'd have to spill about demons—my identity, the hero, mana, demonic energy. Once they knew I was the Demon King who tried to end the world, would they treat me the same? If I wiped out the Association in a war, who'd protect Earth from monsters? Back to hiding.
...One way left.
It was kinda iffy, but there was a method. Body snatching.
Leonard’s corpse went to the Association.
The body I wrecked surely still held that 'power.' Shoved into his heart to turn him artificial demon—probably around the chest. Snag that, and I'd have a lead.
Infiltrate the Association, steal the power from the corpse.
Just the power, precisely.
Tap, tap.
"Yoo Hwa."
I nudged her thigh with my foot.
"Yes?"
"Ever stolen anything?"
Jin Tae-seong fiddled with his tie in the mirror for no reason.
They're coming for a tour.
It was because of today's guests. Heuk Seol-ah and Yoo Hwa, wanting a personal tour of the Association. When he asked why, they said since they'd be working together long-term, they wanted to see the place with their own eyes.
Jin Tae-seong had words for them.
I need to apologize.
After the last op, he'd changed his mindset. They were monsters, but also human. They'd barely met, yet Yoo Hwa risked her life fighting despite his insults. Heuk Seol-ah got furious at Yoo Hwa's injury but calmly evacuated agents and fought. Seeing that, Jin Tae-seong reflected on his stupidity—judging them on monster prejudice.
So he volunteered as guide. Jeong Seol-yoon was originally slotted since she knew them, but he begged and took the spot. To diligently show them around and apologize for his rudeness.
"Whew."
Out of the cafe bathroom, he returned to his seat. Thirty minutes to go. His impatient nature had him arrive an hour early, so he sipped coffee leisurely.
Then—
"Whoa..."
Every eye in the cafe locked on one spot. So sudden he thought a monster appeared and whipped around.
Whoa.
It was a monster. Waist-length black hair. Slightly sharp black eyes. Black outfit to match, confident stride. A guy who'd grabbed pens in school when others took knives and guns first couldn't describe it with fancy words. Just beautiful echoing in his head.
Heuk Seol-ah and Yoo Hwa.
Without the prejudice, they're insanely pretty.
Yoo Hwa trailing behind was stunning too. Tall, perfect proportions—idols couldn't compete. But leading Heuk Seol-ah was next-level. Snap a casual pic, it'd be a photoshoot. Too beautiful; people hesitated to approach. Her aura flat-out forbade it.
The two bounded to Jin Tae-seong's table and sat.
Ugh...
Jealous glares stabbed him like spears; he shuddered. A terror beyond life threats.
Not the time.
Association agent. He regained composure instantly and spoke.
"Good to see you again. I'm Jin Tae-seong."
Why's this guy here?
I pondered with question marks in my head. Didn't he hate me? And his face was friendly. Worlds apart from last time's open disdain.
"Hi, Heuk Seol-ah. Got a twin brother or something?"
"Pardon? No."
"Hmm... You're definitely from Special Ability Agent Team 7, right?"
"Ah... You mistook me for someone else because of last time."
He made a bitter face and said,
Thud.
"Sorry. I was rude due to my prejudice."
He headbutted the table.
"All my family died to a monster. So I saw them negatively, but meeting you changed my mind."
Sincerity rang in his voice.
"Truly grateful to you both. Thanks to you, we survived. One death in a mission that size is a miracle."
"No worries. Sorry for beating you till you passed out."
I replied to the apology and glanced at Yoo Hwa.
"I'm fine too."
She nodded at my look.
"Thank you for accepting my apology."
Jin Tae-seong lifted his head, fixed his hair.
"Drinks? On me."
"We'll get 'em."
"No! My wallet isn't so broke I can't buy drinks for my saviors—"
"Saying this for your sake. Never say that in front of Yoo Hwa."
I clamped his mouth with my hand. What a disaster waiting to happen.
"Yoo Hwa, pick from the menu."
"Uh... That one, and add this... Ah! Wanna try cake too."
One by one, items piled up; Jin Tae-seong paled.
"Asking again. You buying?"
I removed my hand.
"Sorry. Forgive this slip once."
"Forgiven."
After that, table filled with drinks and snacks. We should've fetched, but quantity had staff deliver. Their faces—unforgettable.
"Eating sugar by the kilo as snacks. Yoo Hwa, be glad you're a monster."
"Huh?"
I shook my head at Yoo Hwa stuffing cake.
Frightening.
"Anyway, back to business."
"Yes... I'm here to guide your Association tour."
To steal, scout the layout first. Tour to find the corpse, infiltrate later. Masked, of course.
"Soon as she finishes eating, we go."
I sipped my drink, smiling.