#80. Chapter 20. Sparring (1)
Partus smiled faintly and replied,
"[Your words grow so exaggerated they're starting to grate on my ears.]"
Of course, he knew it was sincere without a shred of falsehood. But at the same time, it was utter nonsense.
The strongest Demon King. The wisest Demon King. The bravest Demon King. He was no such being. He hadn't aspired to any of that.
"[Always remember: survival is paramount. The petty qualities of a single being are powerless before time and space. The more one denies or ignores this, the closer they edge to death. History is the record of those who know this truth triumphing over those who do not. Without a single exception.]"
From before the invasion of this world to the present, Partus had lived countless ages. In that time, nearly a hundred Demon Kings had been born and died.
Among them all, he couldn't claim to be the mightiest. Nor the wisest, nor the bravest. Others had held those titles. Paradoxically, those very ones met their ends earliest. Partus, who had survived two thousand years, knew this all too well.
Personal strength, accumulated knowledge, flawless character—such things offered no real advantage to survival. More precisely, they were hindrances.
The strong Demon King amassed enemies unwittingly. The wise one inevitably went mad before a millennium passed. The brave one, overconfident, was little more than reckless.
Thus, they had all fallen long ago. Among those remaining, Partus stood supreme. Only now, in this era where no new Demon Kings emerged...
"[The survivors cling to life because they grasp this truth, more or less.]"
Originally, there were fourteen beings worthy of the title Demon King, lord of demons. As one died, another was born, keeping their numbers steady. But after the battle twenty years ago, everything changed.
Only six survived—fewer than half. Since then, not a single new one had arisen. The divine entity that had birthed them, staying neutral in their quarrels, had vanished.
No one knew how long it would take for a demon with Demon King potential to naturally awaken fully. Twenty years was laughably short. Fifty, a hundred, perhaps two or three hundred years.
And Partus and the other five survivors had no intention of idly watching a new rival emerge. Kill demons with potential. Eliminate current competitors. That was their ultimate goal.
This plan was crafted toward that end.
Partus rose slowly from his jade throne. His appearance was beautiful, strikingly so—a tall man nearing two meters, sleek as a statue.
Shuuu... Thick demonic energy rippled around him, warping space.
Tick. He snapped his fingers lightly. The mist-like energy coalesced into a small orb. Partus commanded his subordinates,
"[I grant you the time of ten nights. Refine this power to lead me to enemy lands and bring it to completion.]"
It was the power to expand the phenomenon humans called rifts—the same that had brought strange misfortunes and defeat at the hands of insect-like foes in the past.
Partus had to descend to the world beyond the rift without the other five knowing.
"[I feel it. The traces of the ancient god call to me.]"
Because fragments of the vanished god lingered there.
May 14th, Friday, just past noon.
Heading to the cafeteria for lunch, Yoo Hae-bin sensed something odd.
...What's this?
She shifted her gaze to the backs of the two leading the way: Lee Sea and Jin Yu-ri.
They'd grown close lately, so eating together wasn't rare. But then she'd endure their talk of training, feeling betrayed and left out... Today, though, not a word passed between them. They just walked in silence, lips sealed.
Come to think of it, have they talked at all today?
Fridays had regular classes like any high school. They'd been in Class 1 together all morning, but she hadn't seen them chat during breaks. Same on the way to the cafeteria now.
Without conversation, their pace quickened naturally. Why not eat separately? Instead, they walked ahead, hyper-aware of each other, staring straight forward. It baffled Yoo Hae-bin.
Hands in her pants pockets, she trailed whistling softly, yawning as she thought,
Whatever it is, maybe eat separately today?
Today's menu looked great—she was looking forward to it. Sandwiched between their awkward vibe, she doubted she'd enjoy it.
So Yoo Hae-bin slowed subtly to put distance between them, but a memory surfaced.
Hae-bin, look after Sea and Yu-ri until the end of May.
Lee Dojin's request from last night. She scowled inwardly.
I'm putting up with this for my Dojin...
Grumbling, she strode up and tried chatting, but neither Jin Yu-ri nor Lee Sea responded warmly. They seemed to have fought—curiosity piqued about why.
At the cafeteria, the three grabbed trays and utensils. Yoo Hae-bin piled her plate high with the main dish, braised short ribs, and scanned around.
Where to sit.
Plenty of seats, but better somewhere less crowded. And...
As she picked a spot, her eyes widened at a bizarre sight.
What's she doing?
Lee Sea headed straight to the back corner without hesitation. Her target was clear: Lee Dojin, eating alone.
Her brother's table.
Did something really happen yesterday?
Compared to early March, it was a staggering change. Back then, she'd pick seats as far from him as possible. Later, she'd sit nearby if open. Now? Heading to eat with him.
Yoo Hae-bin couldn't help thinking,
It's like befriending a tiny animal.
Fierce at first, gradually opening up, finally allowing closeness. Like a dramatic documentary.
Not a cat—too tsundere. Dog doesn't fit either... Hmm.
Something smaller and cuter, but nothing came to mind. Anyway, Lee Sea had reached Lee Dojin. Jin Yu-ri, glancing sidelong, hurried after.
Yoo Hae-bin joined swiftly, but the two sat first: Lee Sea opposite Lee Dojin. Jin Yu-ri hesitated a second, then took the diagonal spot beside Lee Sea.
Hehe, idiots.
Grinning inwardly, Yoo Hae-bin plopped down beside Lee Dojin. "Professor, how's lunch today?"
"Delicious."
"On a scale of stars?"
"Like four and a half?"
Lee Dojin answered, mildly surprised by the trio's arrival. Ignoring Lee Sea and Jin Yu-ri's glares, Yoo Hae-bin pressed on.
"But Professor, no classes today—must've been a drag coming in. Fridays are light for me too, but still annoying. Others do clubs; student council means endless meetings."
"Not really for me. Some work to handle, and I can head out after lunch anyway."
"Ah, then buy me ice cream after. Before you clock out."
"Talking like you've outsourced ice cream to me, Hae-bin."
"C'mon, you promised last time."
She meant last night's casual promise: ice cream from the shop if they bumped into each other.
This much is fine, right?
Even if Lee Sea or Jin Yu-ri asked, she had excuses. Nothing risky, and Lee Dojin seemed unfazed.
Then, out of nowhere, Lee Sea grilled him.
"Why mix polite and casual like that? Not fully formal, not banmal either."
She stared straight at her brother across the table.
Yoo Hae-bin winced inwardly; Lee Dojin looked flustered too.
Did I overdo it?
At school, Lee Dojin used polite speech with students— even his sister. It wasn't full casual, but to outsiders, it seemed too chummy.
Lee Sea picked up a rib with chopsticks, bit in, and said coolly,
"People will talk."
"Well... Hae-bin and I got close sharing a room on the math trip."
"They'll talk."
A warning brooking no argument. Lee Dojin and Yoo Hae-bin ate quietly after that. She thought, half-bemused,
She thinks I'm a guy and she's jealous of me too...
For Lee Sea, maybe gender didn't matter. Any time or connection her brother shared privately—she guarded it fiercely.
Realizing this, Yoo Hae-bin muttered lowly, gravely,
"Cheating from the spectator seats..."
"Huh? What'd you say, Hae-bin?"
"Casual again."
"...Uh, what did you say, Hae-bin ssi?"
"Nothing."
Somehow amusing, the exchange continued. Yoo Hae-bin checked the seat opposite: Jin Yu-ri, silent throughout, looked near tears, sadly picking at her rice.
Lee Sea aside, this one was clear: a haughty cat peeking cautiously, squeezing out mews—ignored. Pitiful.
Not that she pitied her...
Just karma, Yu-ri. No other way to see it.
After lunch—ice cream for the kids too—I returned to the lab as the preparatory bell for afternoon classes rang.
Professor Seo Sang-wook had left early without lunch, busy. I was free to stay or go home.
Pondering briefly... I'd stay till the kids finished school. Escort Lee Sea and Jin Yu-ri to Charlotte Tate after.
Kill time researching my second paper: correlation between mana attributes and specific spaces. Proving a link would skyrocket land values in certain areas. A paradigm shift in mana training.
Can't just release that publicly—need safeguards for later. Research progressing smoothly; that's my focus.
Around 1:30 PM, my phone buzzed on the desk.
Caller: Arnaud Duré.
Wondering what, I answered. He blurted excitedly,