Hell.
Of the countless afterlives, it is the swamp where the most sinful fall.
A land where eternal flames and endless pain await.
Thus, the nickname “Walking Hell” could not have suited me more perfectly.
The moment he became self-aware, Geahrzimen understood this.
This body was forged by burning countless demons.
…Truly, a lump of hell itself.
“Indeed. We created you with that very goal in mind,”
The Demon God said.
“You are a body composed of death that lurks in hell. Wherever you tread, corruption like hell itself shall spread.”
Despite the imposing title of “Demon God,” she appeared far too frail.
A body devoid of any detectable magical power.
An expression without a trace of dignity.
Brittle, ashen-gray hair.
Truly no different from one of the countless low-ranking demons of hell.
“…However, you do not need to follow our wishes,”
The Demon God spoke, standing before the massive, newly-formed body of Geahrzimen.
<Ha…>
Geahrzimen let out a bitter laugh.
If the Demon God’s words were true, then what a joke of a life this was.
<If… I do not align myself with your wishes, then what meaning does this life have?>
Geahrzimen ran a hand over his body—
A form where dark red liquid swirled together to shape arms and legs.
<No, it isn’t even life. These deaths, what are they even…?>
This body was not made of life.
It was composed of countless deaths.
<…What meaning could there possibly be?>
“You are mistaken,”
The Demon God said, stroking Geahrzimen’s form.
“All life needs countless deaths to begin.
A womb must consume countless lives to give birth.
At times, it must even sacrifice its own life to bring forth another.
That is life. The deaths that make up your body are nothing special.
You may betray our desires at any time.
The demons who make up your body died knowing that.
After all, betrayal is a profoundly demonic emotion.”<What nonsense…>
Geahrzimen’s body trembled with rage.
“This is no wordplay.
It is simply the world’s logic that feels like a joke.
This world itself is a prank of ‘The Savior Who Is One and All.’
I created you to end that ancient prank.”
But…
The Demon God trailed off.
“Seeing you alive and breathing like this… it’s so beautiful.
And because it’s beautiful…”
Smiling, she said,
“…It feels like none of it even matters.”
I opened my eyes.
Throwing off the covers, I sat up.
Thunk!
“Ugh…”
My head hit the ceiling.
I forgot I had fallen asleep on the top bunk.
I could hear Jeong Noeul’s steady breathing from the lower bunk.
Returning late to the room, Noeul and I had barely exchanged a few words before collapsing into sleep.
We must’ve been exhausted from Geahrzimen‘s grotesque labor.
Who would have thought they’d make us clean up after their so-called banquet?
I glanced down at Noeul, hugging the blanket tightly, then carefully sat at the edge of the bed.
‘That dream just now…’
Was it Geahrzimen’s memory?
I couldn’t recall the details clearly.
All I had was a strong certainty that it had been Geahrzimen’s memory.
Why would Geahrzimen’s memories flow into my dreams?
There was only one reason.
I closed my eyes and murmured in my mind.
‘「Invitation to the Stage of Stars」.’
As I said that, I opened my right palm.
Flutter—
A piece of old parchment fell from the air onto my hand.
The letters inscribed on the parchment glowed a dark crimson in the dimness.
Strange characters, belonging to no known country.
And yet, I could read them.
‘All life needs countless deaths to begin.’
It was a strangely familiar phrase.
I turned my attention to the description window floating translucently next to the “Invitation to the Stage of Stars.”
[Invitation to the Stage of Stars]
- Artifact Grade: Relic
- Description:
“O God who embraces all magic,
if You truly intend to let all malice act as it pleases,
then I shall surely betray You.”
This is the declaration of Geahrzimen, the Walking Hell who manifested in the human world.
Having been fascinated by the human stars, Geahrzimen decided to live among them.
Thus, his heart also began to change.
The “Invitation to the Stage of Stars” grants the user the authority to construct a mental world that embodies Geahrzimen’s transformed heart.
- When used, a 100-meter radius is transformed into Geahrzimen’s mental world, “The Lost Stage of Stars.”
- Durability: Same as Geahrzimen’s lifespan.
- Duration: Up to 1 hour.
Holding the artifact and declaring “Open the Lost Stage of Stars” will activate it.
Declaring “Dismantle the Lost Stage of Stars” will deactivate it.
“Hmm…”
I examined the “Invitation to the Stage of Stars” from various angles.
I hadn’t had time to explore Geahrzimen’s mental world yet.
Maybe I should take a look now—
<Creature.>
Suddenly, the voice of The Star Hated by All echoed.
I turned to face the opposite bunk.
There, not deterred by the night, golden eyes shone brightly.
The Star Hated by All was watching me in his childlike true form.
<What are you doing?>
“I was thinking of using this.”
I said, fluttering the parchment.
<Now is not the time. The reincarnation of Abrilah might get caught up in it.
We still don’t fully understand how Geahrzimen’s mind is structured.
Considering his nature, there’s a high chance it’s filled with grotesque traps.>
“You… You’re really mad at Geahrzimen for working you to the bone, huh?”
<Hmph.>
The Star Hated by All snorted.
<Don’t worry. Even if there are traps, they’ll be trivial at most.
A bit annoying, perhaps, but hardly lethal.
I don’t believe the heart of a demon who chose to stay in the human world would be fatally dangerous.>
“So that’s why you told me to take it?”
When I asked, the Star Hated by All narrowed his eyes.
<Of course.
That creature is now too weak to even be called a demon.
If this were the Hunter era, it would have been exterminated immediately.
Physical strength aside, once the heart is broken, it loses the right to be called an opponent.>
“I see…”
I let go of the “Invitation to the Stage of Stars,” and it vanished, leaving only a dark crimson shimmer behind.
“By the way… why did you keep it a secret that Noeul is Abrilah’s reincarnation?”
Lying down, I asked.<I simply wanted you to confirm and judge it for yourself.>
“Is that really all?”
<You doubt me?>
“No, not exactly. I was just wondering…
If I hadn’t been able to accept it, how would things have turned out?”
<Then Abrilah’s reincarnation would simply have been our enemy.>
“You’re surprisingly considerate of me, huh?”
<Don’t be absurd. That creature’s survival or demise is like a small fry to me.
Whether it lives or dies, it makes no difference.
Thus, I left the choice to you.
Right now, I have only one wish.>
“And what’s that?”<That you do not die.>
“What?”
I abruptly sat up.
Thunk!
“Ow…”
Grimacing, I grabbed my forehead.
Stupid Ryu Eunyul, hitting your head again…
<Kuhuhu…>
The Star Hated by All chuckled quietly.
<Why are you so surprised?
Surely you weren’t thinking of dying?>
“Of course not…”
I said, frowning.
“I was just surprised that you care about my life.”
<I told you before. You are my contractor.
As long as you are my contractor, I must value your life.
If you die, I’ll have to find another contractor—what a bother.>
And then, the Star Hated by All quietly added:
<…So don’t die, creature.>
The next day, Jeong Noeul and I left the guesthouse, seeing off Geahrzimen.
“Will you come visit again?”
Geahrzimen asked, wearing a practiced smile.
“Yeah, yeah! We’ll come after CYB ends!”
Noeul chirped, sounding like a child on a field trip.
“…Well, I guess I’ll be coming back to keep an eye on you.”
I muttered, pouting slightly.
“Oh dear, how harsh.
But I’m just a hornet without a sting now.
Of course, I could still easily take a human’s life anytime if I felt like it.
Ordinary humans can do that too, right?
So…”
Geahrzimen laughed creepily and held out a phone.
“Give me your number? So you can properly monitor me.”
She wanted to monitor me too, no doubt.
“…Sigh. I can’t believe the day has come where I’m saving a demon’s phone number.”
I let out a hollow laugh and exchanged numbers with Geahrzimen.
Noeul did the same, and we headed to Andong Station.
Clatter clatter.
We boarded the KTX and watched the scenery pass by.
So much had happened at the guesthouse that I hadn’t realized it, but…
Being alone with Noeul felt incredibly awkward.
Maybe because it was the first time?
The Star Hated by All stayed silent, hidden inside something he called the Iron Manor,
and the Traveler from Asteroid B-612 couldn’t appear here either.
“Should we talk?”
I decided to engage in secret conversation with Noeul.
“Yeah. Thanks for encouraging me.”
Noeul smiled warmly toward the air.
“Eunyul hyung!”
Then he turned toward me and called out brightly.
“Uh, yeah…?”
Caught peeking at him, I accidentally made eye contact.
“Ah, why were you looking at me?”
Why would you ask that?!
“Did you have something to say?”
“Not really…”
“Then can I talk?”
Noeul had seemed strangely down when talking about his past life, but—
this was the bright energy he showed during the 3rd preliminaries.
“Sure. What do you want to talk about?”
Arms crossed, I asked.
“Well…”
Noeul’s expression softened.
“Thank you so much… for what you said in the laundry room.”
He bowed his head lightly.
“I’ll continue to treat my past life seriously.
But because you said you’d take it lightly, it won’t be painful anymore.”
“Ah… I see. I’m glad.”
I smiled—and unconsciously tugged Noeul’s cheek.
“Ah! Why!”
“Sorry. You looked too serious—I wanted to make you smile.”
I released his cheek.
“Geez… You’re really forceful about my facial expressions, hyung…”
Rubbing his cheek, Noeul said:
“Anyway, let’s do our best in the finals too!
I really want to rank high in CYB.
If I could be in a project group with you, hyung, that’d be amazing.
I’m really glad I chose to compete in the boy idol category instead of dance.”
Right.
Originally, Noeul had planned to enter the dance division.
His dancing skills were definitely enough to take the main dancer position,
even mastering a tough song by Holly.
“You were right after all…”
“Representative?”
“Yeah. Our company rep suggested I enter the boy idol division instead.
They said world competitions are too tough in the dance category,
and that it would be better to compete among peers my age.”
Thinking about Noeul’s age, that advice made sense.
By the way, his agency…
Hyacinth Studio was so small that I didn’t even remember the CEO’s name.
Unlike YN Entertainment, maybe the CEO personally cared for the trainees?
“What kind of person is your CEO?”
I asked, and Noeul’s face lit up.
“Such a wonderful person! They personally cast me, and also…”
Noeul looked into the air again.
Looking into the air meant—
“They’re together with my Constellation…”
That is, The Traveler from Asteroid B-612.
“…They’re the one who defeated Abrilah.”
“…Ha.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
This kid’s situation was twisted beyond belief, too…
Little Pink Starfish 
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