Little Pink Starfish

There had been ten S-rank gates in South Korea.

And four SS-rank gates.

According to the Star Hated by All, high-ranking demons that manifested through S-rank or higher gates still existed in the human world—somewhere, somehow.

But there was no need to panic. Like the Abyssal Sea King, they were merely clinging to life, quietly regathering power…

High-ranking demons that died within the gates without ever manifesting didn’t count.

Among the demons that did manifest through S-rank gates, there were three:

The Abyssal Sea King, Muddorok, in Incheon.

Geahrzimen, the Walking Hell, in Andong.

And Abrilah, the Prince of Another Realm, in Jeju Island.

Now that I’d just consumed Muddorok’s core, that left only two.

And through an SS-rank gate, only one demon had manifested:

The Bearer of the Cursed Grail, who appeared in the middle of the East Sea.

…Am I going on a nationwide tour or something?

I sighed.

“By the way, mortal—where did the SSS-rank gate open?”

The Star Hated by All asked.

I decided to answer honestly.

“…That’s classified.”

The SSS-rank gate was top secret.

All anyone knew was that a gate had opened somewhere, and the Demon God had manifested there.

Nothing beyond that had ever been disclosed.

Even after the Demon God’s death, the info remained tightly locked down.

Which meant…

Something must’ve happened.

“Could the Demon God be planning a resurrection somewhere?”

“He cannot resurrect.”

The Star Hated by All replied firmly.

“He was originally a low-class demon. If a low-class demon’s vital point is destroyed, that’s the end.”

Huh. The Demon God was a low-class demon?

Didn’t see that coming…

“Still—how exciting. So many chances left for me to grow stronger!”

He was buzzing around me, clearly in a good mood.

The deep dawn air of the park was still.

I sat on a bench in my soaked clothes, feeling gross.

I swore I could still smell the sea on me.

“Well… even if you say I got stronger…”

I looked at him.

Still just a fly.

“Doesn’t really look like it.”

“What nonsense!”

He flared up, landing on my nose in protest.

“Can’t you tell? My form has changed because my power has increased!”

I stared closer.

Wait…

His wings were gold now.

“…Are you kidding me?”

Fly or gold-winged fly—still disgusting. Honestly, the gold wings made it worse.

If he’d stayed in that catfish form, would the whiskers have turned gold?

Nope. Not going there.

I shook my head to banish the image.

“Behold!”

He shouted dramatically.

“Behold the majesty that outshines even gold itself!”

Yeah, yeah. Have your moment.

There were other things I needed to check.

First…

“Status window.”

Ding!

[RYU EUNYUL]
— Level: 49
— Titles: “Deep-Rooted Devil Worshipper,” “One Who Lit the Deep Sea’s Darkness”
— Constellation: The Star Hated by All
— Constellation Rank: ?

— Base Stats
Strength: 56
Agility: 78
Stamina: 80
Mana: 666 (+1)
Charm: 106 (+20) (–10)

— Special Skills
[Black Magic LV.20]
[Unsinkable Paper Boat LV.1]
[Wisdom from the Lowest Place LV.5]

— Status Effect
[Soaked Rat Look LV.10]

Level had gone up quite a bit—expected.

But the more important changes were elsewhere.

I’d gained a new title and a new skill.

I scrolled through the descriptions.

[Title: One Who Lit the Deep Sea’s Darkness]
Granted to those who defeat the Abyssal Sea King, Muddorok.
You now swim better.

…Well, I guess that could be useful someday.

Kind of a lame reward for defeating something like Muddorok, but considering the limitations Constellations are under, maybe that’s all they could grant.

[Special Skill: Black Magic LV.20]
You’re now a novice black magician.
Remember when you’d giggle writing your enemy’s name in red?
Now you can curse people more efficiently!
Oh, and you also get better night vision.

…So that’s why I could see clearly in the dark earlier.

I guess that’s practical?

Next up was the new skill gained from defeating Muddorok.

[Special Skill: Unsinkable Paper Boat LV.1]
The ocean loves you!
You can talk to fish for one hour per day!

“What am I supposed to do with this?!”

I shot up from the bench and yelled.

It felt like the system was mocking me.

[Wisdom from the Lowest Place LV.5]
Seriously! Everyone else is working hard while you’re over here boosting stats and drawing artifacts—don’t you feel a little guilty?

Definitely mocking me.

“Ugh…”

I collapsed back onto the bench with a sigh.

Next was the artifact I’d pulled from the premium gacha.

Violin of Contaminated Blood.

Since it was from a special pull, it had a relic-grade rating.

I murmured the command in my head.

“Use Violin of Contaminated Blood.”

Fwoosh!

A worn-out violin appeared before me.

Its body was carved in a twisted, ominous shape—looked almost demonic.

Would this thing even make a sound?

I reached toward it.

“Ow!”

A sharp sting.

A small cut formed on my finger, and a drop of blood seeped into the violin.

And then—slurp.

Gone. Not a trace.

[Violin of Contaminated Blood]
— Relic-grade Artifact

Description:
“So many have died. Can mankind never escape death? Then I shall wish for it—a musical instrument that can make even death sound sweet.”

Crafted by the cursed artisan Ernst.
Consumed by madness, Ernst created this violin using wood that grew amidst plague-ridden corpses.
It plays divine melodies—using the blood of its player.

But rumor has it… the music also attracts spirits.

— Health drains continuously while playing.
— Durability: Depends on the user’s stamina.
— Duration: Until user’s stamina is depleted.
— Cooldown: None.

…What is this thing?

I rested the violin on my shoulder.

Drew the bow across the strings.

“Agh!”

A spike of pain ran through me.

Was it the violin?

I could feel my strength being sapped away.

If it costs this much just to play, then what kind of music does it produce…?

I had learned violin as a kid…

So I began to play.

Screeee—

The wind rustled like fingers over the ground.

Leaves intertwined like they were hugging.

Moonlight shimmered like waves.

It was beautiful.

But even just a few measures in, my body was already struggling.

…I won’t be using this too often.

“Incredible, mortal.”

The Star Hated by All landed on my shoulder.

“The Violin of Contaminated Blood always produces supreme sound. I often heard it at concerts in hell. However…”

“However?”

“The nature of the sound is shaped by the performer’s heart.”

“My… heart?”

“To put it simply—if a wicked soul plays it, it produces melodies that would make angels’ ears bleed. But if a pure soul plays it, the music could tickle even a demon’s fangs. Both are supreme, just… different.”

“How did my music sound?”

“Agonizing to the point of suffocation. I’m not used to benevolence. Therefore…”

He chuckled into the night air.

“Mortal—you must have a rather beautiful heart.”

---

I returned home around sunrise.

Even Rowen and Mom—who usually woke early—were still asleep.

I peeled off my wet clothes and took a shower.

Sat blankly in the living room for a moment before heading to the kitchen.

Time to make breakfast.

Kind of pathetic, for someone who just handled a crisis-level demon core.

Even if it was a crisis six thousand years down the line.

Still, even if I destroy a bunch more demon cores, no one will ever notice.

Maybe my dad felt the same way, trying to protect the world behind the scenes.

No idea. Better just cook.

Chop chop chop—

I started slicing zucchini on the cutting board.

“You can cook?”

The Star Hated by All asked, sitting beside the board.

At the dorms, we always followed a set meal plan, so I’d never had a chance to show off my cooking.

“Back then…”

I said as I stirred doenjang-jjigae.

“I always made dinner. Mom had to work. And we didn’t get the compensation money back then, so we were broke.”

“Compensation?”

“For Dad.”

I cracked an egg.

“The state refused to acknowledge he got sick because of a gate…”

Clench.

I gripped the whisk tighter.

I still got angry thinking about it.

The government refused to admit that ordinary civilians could suffer health effects from gate exposure.

Only after countless deaths—including Dad’s—did they reluctantly acknowledge it.

Now we get enough money to scrape by every month.

But dead people don’t come back.

For the price of a life, it wasn’t much.

“The world will always be like that, mortal.”

The Star Hated by All said.

“This world is soaked in greed, inequality, and violence. People blame gods for all of it. You’ve resented them too, haven’t you?”

“…Sometimes.”

“Curse us all you want. That’s what gods are for.”

…That’s what they’re for, huh?

Unexpected, coming from him.

Aren’t gods supposed to be objects of worship?

“Heh…”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Come to think of it—I never asked something important.”

The Star Hated by All landed back on my nose.

“If you resent the gods, wouldn’t it make more sense to become an avenger? Why become an entertainer instead?”

“It’s idol, not entertainer.”

“Oops. Why become an idol, then?”

…He didn’t “misspeak.”

I sighed.

“I don’t know if this world’s really at peace or not. But…”

I smiled.

“When I’m on stage, it looks peaceful.”

The lights so bright they sting your eyes.

The audience beyond them, smiling and laughing.

When I saw those faces, it felt like I understood peace.

I used to be part of that audience, so I know.

Sure, the entertainment industry is filthy too, but…

Just then—

“What’re you muttering about by yourself?”

Rowen leaned against the living room wall.

“Ah, n-no… It’s nothing.”

I bowed my head and focused on cooking.

“How sweet,”

Rowen said, standing beside me.

“Cooking this early. Need a hand?”

I squinted at him.

“Can you cook?”

“What do you take me for?”

He opened a cabinet and started looking around.

“What kind of food does your mom like?”

“Uh… Not really sure.”

She always ate whatever I made with a smile.

“Well, not a big deal.”

He grinned confidently.

“I’ll just make something she will like.”

“Spoken like a true artist.”

And so Rowen and I both cooked our own dishes.

I made easy comfort foods—doenjang-jjigae, steamed eggs.

Rowen made a leafy salad, corn fritters, and mussel risotto.

Seeing Rowen cook with focus and flair…

Truly the life of success.

I peeked at his cooking. It looked amazing.

He’s good at everything, huh…

I tried a spoonful of the mussel risotto.

Dropped the spoon.

Clink.

“So? How is it?”

Rowen asked brightly.

“…Six out of a hundred.”

I answered honestly.

And added feedback.

“Tastes like something a toddler slapped together with mud. Honestly, I’d be better off chewing fake flowers. If a gate were open right now, I’d rip out my tongue and throw it through.”

“That bad?”

He sounded crushed.

Rustle!

I opened the food waste bin with a dramatic flair.

“You know how food scraps get turned into animal feed, right?”

“…Yeah?”

I sighed deeply.

Then shouted, full of sincerity:

“Those poor animals don’t deserve this!!”

---

A few days later.

Buzz!

A notification lit up my phone.

A message from Neobus.

I jumped out of bed.

Sat up straight and opened it.

[Participant Ryu Eunyul, you’ve passed the second round.]

[Count Your Blessings’ third round will be an ‘Entrance Exam.’]

Another step up the ladder.

Wait—

The next sentence caught my eye.

[Training for the Entrance Exam begins in one week, in Jeju Island.]

Jeju Island…

That’s where the Prince of Another Realm, Abrilah, manifested.