Little Pink Starfish

Rooftop of the dormitory.

Min Heejae was looking up at the sky.

[The constellation ‘The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld’ speaks.]

[Are you ready to listen to us now?]

“…Well, let’s say I am.”

Min Heejae muttered, resting his chin on the railing.

Beyond his gaze, sparks were flying from a corner of the sky.

The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld, hoping for Min Heejae to join their plan, had revealed some information. For example, the status of souls whose fragments were scattered as they returned to the underworld. But for Min Heejae, it didn’t feel quite real. Acknowledging the existence of souls was one thing; sensing their vitality was another. What form would a soul take if parts of it were missing? Min Heejae needed to understand that first.

Thus, The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld decided to show him a more tangible anomaly.

This was the scene unfolding before Min Heejae’s eyes.

‘Are they fighting?’

Ordinary beings wouldn’t see it. Even those contracted to constellations likely wouldn’t notice. The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld had bestowed Min Heejae with an authority allowing him to see the clash between The Star Hated by All and The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell in a corner of the sky.

An angel bearing brilliant wings floated in the air. The weapon in his hand shone brightly even in the middle of the night. On the other hand, the fallen angel, fluttering his ashen, withered wings, held nothing and simply smiled.

“Quite mythical.”

Min Heejae commented, shrugging his shoulders.

Then he leaned back against the railing and sighed.

“The angel must be The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell…”

And the fallen angel must be The Star Hated by All.

The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld had revealed that The Star Hated by All was Ryu Eunyul’s constellation. It was surprising. He had thought Kim Saetbyeol, whom he assumed to be only a road manager, was actually the constellation who had not disclosed his holy name. Although he had always found her appearance somewhat peculiar, he never imagined she was a constellation.

It was amusing. In hindsight, she was suspicious enough. Because of The Star Hated by All’s power to cloud minds, Min Heejae had spent all this time living alongside a manifest constellation without suspicion.

[The constellation ‘The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld’ explains.]

[Strictly speaking, The Star Hated by All is not a constellation.]

[He was stripped of his constellation rights for rebelling against The Savior Who Is One and All. Thus, it would be more correct to call him the King of Hell. However, such distinctions are meaningless to a creation like you. After all, since his descent to earth, The Star Hated by All has never acted as King of Hell.]

“How did Eunyul end up contracting with Satan?”

At Min Heejae’s question, there was a brief silence.

[Well… um…]

[The constellation ‘The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld’ stammers, then steadies themselves and confesses.]

[…His ancestor was a devil-worshiper.]

What an absurd reason.

Min Heejae stifled his laughter.

But somehow, that chaotic reasoning seemed oddly fitting for Ryu Eunyul.

[The constellation ‘The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld’ warns in a solemn tone.]

[Make a vow.]

[You must become our faithful subordinate.]

“I can’t promise to be a faithful subordinate just yet.”

Min Heejae replied, scratching the back of his neck. That was only natural, as he still didn’t fully grasp the true intentions of The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld. The desperate often resemble swindlers. Of course, it’s because swindlers are skilled at mimicking desperation. Either way, for Min Heejae, the sudden approach by The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld felt somewhat abrupt.

“Still… something is definitely happening.”

The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld had informed Min Heejae about events to come.

There were those trying to revive life even at the cost of breaking taboos, and others opposing them.

Spirits arriving at the underworld with parts of their souls missing were sacrifices consumed in attempts to resurrect life. To revive one life, countless others had to be harmed. The world indeed seemed to be structured cruelly.

‘…To revive life.’

He had never seriously considered it before. Was it a lack of imagination? Or simply less desperation? Min Heejae had merely hoped his already deceased friend would leave this world without lingering regrets.

‘It’s not about imagination or desperation.’

He must have subconsciously felt it was wrong.

Reviving a life at the cost of many others would be immoral.

If he had brought his friend back the way Aiden intended, that child surely would have suffered.

“What do you want me to do?”

Min Heejae asked the air.

[The constellation ‘The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld’ declares in a determined tone.]

[We shall temporarily grant you the authority to open the gate of the underworld.]

[Remember. When the time comes, open the gate of the underworld as we command. This is not to release spirits onto the surface. We are the ones who judge right and wrong in matters of life and death. The battleground involving the dead must rightfully be the underworld.]

[So gather everything to our domain.]

[That we may render judgment.]

As he listened to The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld, Min Heejae nodded.

“That’s not too difficult.”

Saying so, Min Heejae once again looked up into the sky.

‘Is the fight over?’

The previously flickering night sky had grown dim.

The figures of The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell and The Star Hated by All were nowhere to be seen.

To think he got to witness a fight between constellations.

Would it be useful for his work?

With such thoughts, Min Heejae moved his steps.

---

Han Iro tilted his head while sitting on the bed.

[The constellation ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ whispers with a smile.]

[Look, my lovely child.]

[I cannot allow you to be left behind alone.]

Love Born with Bubbles looked more joyful than ever.

Han Iro picked up his phone to check the time. 4 AM. On the opposite bed where Jeong Noeul should have been sleeping, no one was there.

Han Iro had awakened at Jeong Noeul’s movements. When he barely opened his eyes, Jeong Noeul’s hand was hovering over him. Muttering words like an unknown incantation, Jeong Noeul then put on his coat and left the dormitory.

The footsteps weren’t of a single person. At least two. No, it sounded like three people were moving outside the dorm.

[The constellation ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ shrugs and speaks.]

[You were exposed to a spell that would have put you into deep sleep. The child sharing your room is not an ordinary human. If I hadn’t intervened, you would never have woken up.]

[Isn’t it a shame? We couldn’t join in on such an amusing event.]

“An amusing event…”

Han Iro ran his fingers through his hair.

“Tell me, Goddess. What exactly is happening?”

[The constellation ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ whispers sweetly.]

[First, put on your coat. Let’s go follow them.]

Han Iro stood up.

He opened the wardrobe, put on a thick coat, and followed Love Born with Bubbles.

As they moved, Love Born with Bubbles explained everything that had been happening to Han Iro.

Aiden’s true purpose, and what Ryu Eunyul, Madojin, and Jeong Noeul were preparing to do in response.

The flood of information left his head spinning.

“So…”

Han Iro spoke as he watched his breath scatter in the cold air.

“Aiden… wants to bring someone back to life?”

[The constellation ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ shakes her head.]

[That is not resurrection.]

[Regeneration built on sacrifice is ultimately no different from destruction. The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld know this too and have begun to act. I couldn’t sit back either… and frankly, it all seemed too enjoyable not to get involved.]

“…You really do look like you’re having fun.”

Han Iro said with a hollow laugh.

Love Born with Bubbles asked Han Iro to perform one task in case conflict broke out. Unlike Ryu Eunyul, Madojin, and Jeong Noeul who had decided to confront Aiden, Love Born with Bubbles didn’t seem intent on opposing Aiden.

Rather, she appeared to be seeking the most peaceful solution.

[The constellation ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ whispers into your ear.]

[Child, I know too well the ugliness of conflict. The unlovely is not to my taste. Therefore, I will not pit you against anyone.]

[We shall stand before Aiden’s constellation. We will awaken what she does not yet know. That is our role.]

Han Iro wasn’t sure what Love Born with Bubbles truly meant.

He couldn’t help it. He had heard too much, too quickly.

At any rate, Love Born with Bubbles insisted that when Aiden’s constellation appeared, they must be the first to reach her. That, she explained, was the way to resolve everything without conflict.

“Well then…”

Staring at an open clearing, Han Iro thought.

Love Born with Bubbles said this was their destination.

An empty clearing with not a soul around.

What did she mean by this being the destination?

The question was soon answered.

The space, which seemed like an empty clearing, began to ripple like water.

“Good work today!”

“Yes…”

Simultaneously, Jeong Noeul and Ryu Eunyul’s voices rang out from within the shimmering space.

“I will now deactivate the barrier.”

Then Madojin’s voice followed.

As soon as Madojin finished speaking, the space, which had appeared empty, transformed.

It was still a clearing, but familiar faces appeared.

Ryu Eunyul, Madojin, and Jeong Noeul were walking toward Han Iro while conversing.

The three of them suddenly stopped and stared straight ahead.

“All of you…”

Their expressions stiffened as they spotted Han Iro.

“…What are you doing here?”

With arms crossed, Han Iro asked.