Jeong Noeul recalled what had happened a few days ago.
It was right before the final stage.
Myung Suk-ja, the CEO of his agency, had come to see him.
Wary of the reporters surrounding the central headquarters of the Bichang Guild, where the CYB male idol division was taking place, they had spoken inside Myung Suk-ja’s car.
“You’ve become quite famous, haven’t you?”
Myung Suk-ja asked playfully with a grin.
“And you’ve gotten taller too…”
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
Jeong Noeul grumbled as she patted his head.
“No, you’re still a kid.”
She whispered teasingly, smiling.
“You still show your joy and anger with that fresh face… That’s what makes you a child. Adults have to hide that kind of thing.”
Well. She had a point.
Thinking that, Jeong Noeul looked out the car window.
Many people walked along the street.
Whenever she stood before the public, Myung Suk-ja acted like a calm and composed agency CEO.
But Jeong Noeul knew that a bit of mischief was always lurking beneath her surface.
He knew many other things too.
Myung Suk-ja had been an S-rank Hunter during her high school years.
Unlike other retired Hunters, she didn’t advertise her past, so over time, it became blurry and forgotten.
And most importantly—
Myung Suk-ja was the one who had ended the life of Abrilah, Jeong Noeul’s past self.
She was also the one who had granted Abrilah’s last wish—to be born as a human in the next life.
“Adults aren’t supposed to show joy or anger openly…”
Resting his chin on his hand, Jeong Noeul said,
“But sometimes, kids have to pretend to feel those things too.”
“Ha! So cute!”
Myung Suk-ja laughed heartily and gave his back a firm slap.
“Ow! That hurts!”
Jeong Noeul winced.
“Listen carefully, Noeul.”
She whispered.
“I don’t want you to pretend to act like a child. You don’t have to force it. Because you are a child. You can live a little more the way you want.”
“I know.”
Jeong Noeul smiled.
“I’m really glad I met you. I’m glad I formed a contract with the King. And thanks to joining CYB, I got to meet a lot of good people too.”
He said he no longer struggled with his identity like he used to.
“Your identity is not Abrilah’s reincarnation, but Jeong Noeul.”
Myung Suk-ja said.
“Don’t forget that.”
“…I won’t.”
“Good.”
She smiled faintly and brought her e-cigarette to her lips.
“By the way, I’m curious. Ryu Eunyul, was it? That kid who knows your identity—he looked kind of fragile on TV…”
“Eunyul-hyung, fragile?”
Jeong Noeul chuckled.
“Not at all. Eunyul-hyung is actually…”
A very strong person.
That’s what Jeong Noeul believed.
And now—
Jeong Noeul arrived on the rooftop of the special venue.
“…No way.”
The snow that had been falling hung motionless in the air. He looked up in disbelief.
A man hovered in the sky.
“O Lord, I offer the soul of this sinner for your rest.”
The man prayed with closed eyes, his expression devout.
“Let the sinner’s blood be purified by your hand.”
Drops of blood hanging from his sharp wings fell toward Ryu Eunyul, who lay collapsed on the rooftop.
“Let the sinner’s flesh repent at your breath. Lord, please guide the soul to a new life.”
Jeong Noeul recognized the man’s face.
“…Dojin-hyung?”
As if answering him, the man slowly opened his eyes.
“…Oh dear. A meddler has appeared.”
He looked at Jeong Noeul.
“Hello, Noeul-ssi. It’s nice to meet you.”
He bowed politely, his voice cheerful.
“…As you said, I’m Dojin-hyung. Would you mind not interfering with what I’m doing?”
“No. You’re totally different.”
Jeong Noeul shook his head.
“If you were really Dojin-hyung, you would’ve told me not to call you that. Who are you?”
“Who else would I be? I’m Enoch!”
The one who answered, snappily, was Geahrzimen, crouching next to him.
“You can tell from the wings! Even the cringey prayers are a dead giveaway! So can you please crouch already? Don’t you know what a sneak attack is?”
“B-But why Dojin-hyung’s face…?”
“You’re curious, aren’t you? Reincarnation of Abrilah.”
Enoch grinned.
“Of course. Curiosity is a curse upon mankind. But I’ll humor you.”
He hugged himself gently.
“The man you knew as Madojin never existed. I simply used my authority to take on the identity of a dead creature. He had no name, no body—just the soul of a child who died in the womb. And…”
He looked down at his own body, his smile twisted.
“…My descendant and living sacrifice, offered up for this sacred mission.”
<Enoch…!>
The Traveler from Asteroid B-612 shouted.
<Did you really manifest using the body of a dead descendant?! Did you resurrect and then kill a life just for your descent?! That’s strictly forbidden! You’re violating the will of The Savior Who Is One and All!>
“Silence!”
Enoch roared.
“How dare you question my loyalty?! I stand at the side of the One and All. That merciful one permitted the descent of The Star Hated by All, but I cannot stand by and watch such a primordial sinner corrupt the world. You know as well as I do! That thing is a greater evil than the Demon God himself. A Gate opening right now wouldn’t even be surprising! Whatever it takes, we must expel him!”
Muttering, Enoch looked up to the sky.
His face now bore an eerie smile.
“…Once this sacred duty is done, the Savior will surely recognize my loyalty.”
“Ugh… You’re disgusting.”
Geahrzimen muttered.
“If you want your god’s love so bad, go back to heaven and write him love letters. Or better yet, try fighting our King for real. But no, you’d lose. That’s why you’re trying to kill the King’s contractor instead. There’s nothing noble about that. Sacred mission? Get out of here.”
“Oh…?”
Enoch looked curious.
“Aren’t you the walking hellgate, Geahrzimen? I knew. I knew you faked your death and were living in the human world…. Don’t betray my kindness. If you’ve come to love this world, you must submit to heaven’s will.”
“God, shut the hell up with your self-righteous nonsense….”
Geahrzimen sighed.
“I like the human world, but that doesn’t mean I like you, chicken wings.”
“…Enoch.”
Jeong Noeul spoke.
“I have a question. What really happened to Dojin-hyung?”
“His soul ascended to heaven.”
Enoch smirked.
“I commanded him to kill The Star Hated by All’s contractor. He failed, as expected. He was too weak to carry out such a sacred duty. But I rewarded him—with eternal rest.”
“…That’s just killing him.”
Jeong Noeul bit his lip.
“One more question. What do you plan to do with Eunyul-hyung?”
“What else? That boy brought chaos to the human realm with The Star Hated by All. His sins are grave.”
“So… you’re saying you’ll kill him?”
“Wrong.”
Enoch shrugged.
“Angels don’t kill. We bestow rest.”
“Whatever. One thing’s clear.”
Jeong Noeul lowered his stance.
“…You’re a total bastard!”
Fwoooosh—!
Jeong Noeul charged at Enoch.
<Noeul, stop!>
The Traveler from Asteroid B-612 cried out from behind.
Ignoring him, Jeong Noeul gathered the magic within Abrilah’s Crown into his palm.
He aimed the sharpened energy at Enoch’s neck.
Snatch!
Enoch caught his wrist.
“…What a shame.”
Enoch whispered.
“Reincarnation of Abrilah, the Savior saw hope in you. Believed even a sinful soul could live on as a kind human….”
Zzzzt!
Power swirled violently from Abrilah’s Crown.
“Don’t make me laugh!”
Jeong Noeul shouted.
“Why should you get to judge my good or evil?! I’ll live how I want!”
He struggled to break free.
<Enoch! Let Noeul go now!>
The Traveler from Asteroid B-612 rushed at him.
<Or I won’t stay quiet either!>
“Hmph. You think a Constellation like you can stop me?”
“Then how about a charming demon tries instead?”
Shhhk!
Geahrzimen dissolved into shadow and encircled Enoch.
“A mere demon dares—!”
Enoch reached out toward her, but Geahrzimen ignored him, wrapped Jeong Noeul in shadow, and pulled him away.
Dash!
“Huff….”
Back in her humanoid form, Geahrzimen panted.
“Been a while since I used that much power…”
“…Th-Thank you, Geahrzimen-ssi.”
“I get it, you’re passionate—but maybe try picking your battles?”
<She’s right.>
The Traveler added.
<We can’t win a direct fight against Enoch right now.>
“I know.”
Jeong Noeul gritted his teeth.
He knew it all too well. Enoch’s power far surpassed his own.
“…But I just wanted to land one hit.”
“Save it for later.”
Geahrzimen said.
“When the King arrives, ask him to let you throw one punch.”
“…The King?”
Jeong Noeul asked. The Traveler replied.
<No way The Star Hated by All is letting this slide. Knowing his temper, he’s definitely bringing his true body from hell.>
“Exactly. He’s gotta be pissed.”
Geahrzimen laughed.
“But it won’t be easy for him to arrive right away. His mana is too massive. Enoch used a cheat to descend, but the King doesn’t have any descendants, right? He’s probably flying here through some oversized Gate in the middle of space.”
“Then what we have to do is…”
Jeong Noeul murmured.
“Buy time… until the King arrives.”
<Exactly. Prevent Eunyul from dying until then.>
Jeong Noeul swallowed hard.
To buy time, they had to keep provoking Enoch.
Could they endure until The Star Hated by All arrived?
‘…I’m not afraid of Enoch’s power.’
He thought as he adjusted Abrilah’s Crown.
‘I’m just afraid I won’t be able to protect Eunyul-hyung…’
“Reincarnation of Abrilah. You’re not thinking…”
Enoch looked at him.
“…That everything will be solved if you just stall until The Star Hated by All arrives, are you?”
Shhhk!
Enoch vanished.
‘Where is he?!’
Jeong Noeul frantically tracked his magic.
Enoch appeared next to the unconscious Ryu Eunyul.
“Sinner, may you sleep peacefully.”
He whispered, looking down.
And then—
“…Amen!”
He reached toward Eunyul’s heart.
That moment—
Kugugugugu—!!
Black water erupted, wrapping around Ryu Eunyul’s body.
“…Wh-What is this?!”
Enoch backed away in shock.
From within the water, crimson-black fish bared their teeth and lunged at him.
Rip! Rip—!
Chunks of flesh tore from Enoch’s body—only to regenerate immediately.
“Why are primordial sea creatures appearing here…?!”
He gestured at them.
Snap!
Space twisted, and the creatures were shredded and fell.
<…Isn’t it obvious?>
A boy emerged from the black water.
He looked like Ryu Eunyul, but wasn’t quite the same.<To protect my master.>
Eunyul had vanished.
In his place stood a boy beside Enoch—who looked eerily like him.
“…Eunyul-hyung?”
Jeong Noeul muttered at the uniformed boy.
“…Muddorok?”
Geahrzimen, on the other hand, sensed a familiar mana.
<Incorrect.>
The boy turned to them.<I am neither Ryu Eunyul nor Muddorok.>
…My name is Kkomuli.
At that declaration, Jeong Noeul and Geahrzimen could only stand in stunned silence.
Little Pink Starfish 
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