Little Pink Starfish

“It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”

Jeong Noeul smiled brightly.

“…It has.”

I answered while hugging my knees.

The faint scent of trees tickled my nose. The thick grass swayed in the breeze, creating a pleasant sound, and beyond that, Han Iro could be seen calmly enjoying the scenery.

We were at Geahrzimen’s guesthouse. We had arrived last night and slept soundly past noon. Thanks to Shatbyeol’s prior arrangements, we were the only guests staying here. Perhaps Geahrzimen wasn’t thrilled to lose business while we stayed, but whether Shatbyeol had bribed him or not, he didn’t show any signs of discontent.

Jeong Noeul and I sat side by side on a bench, reminiscing about last year’s events.

“I never imagined I’d run into you then.”

It was the same for me. I almost fainted when I saw Jeong Noeul at the next table.

“I never imagined you would be the reincarnation of Abrilah.”

“And it was pretty surprising to hear you made a contract with Satan.”

“Of course it’s surprising. In fact, you brushed it off way too easily back then.”

“Well… that may be true.”

Jeong Noeul shrugged.

“But Satan’s image was so demonized that I didn’t really feel much aversion.”

I could understand what he meant.

From a religious standpoint, Shatbyeol was undoubtedly a wicked existence. Yet, there had always been a substantial number of narratives offering a more nuanced or even sympathetic depiction. So much so that the continued existence of scriptures relentlessly preaching his evil seemed rather ridiculous at times.

“Besides, look.”

Jeong Noeul pointed to one side of the guesthouse building.

“No matter how you look at him, he doesn’t seem like a bad Star.”

Where he pointed stood Shatbyeol.

<So, what is it you’re saying? You want more money?>

Shatbyeol frowned with his arms crossed. Opposite him, of course, stood Geahrzimen.

“I don’t want more. I just want the full amount you originally promised. Business transactions should be clear. That’s how human society works.”

<Did I not say that Michael would cover the remaining costs? This is all I have on hand right now.>

“Oh, so I’m supposed to trust an angel? Even though I’m a demon born of hell?”

<…If we’re going there, I am the King of Hell.>

“Exactly. Are you in your right mind, Your Majesty? Have you thrown away your dignity as King of Hell? You didn’t even mention that feathery bastard would be coming here. You just said you’d come to rest and discuss future plans.”

<So what do you want me to do?>

“Give me more money.”

<You’ve become thoroughly corrupted by the mundane world, walking hell.>

“What’s wrong with living a worldly life? If you’re so dissatisfied, you shouldn’t have created the world this way in the first place. Either way, I’ll handle this properly.”

<…You should be grateful that I’m not destroying your guesthouse right now. There aren’t even any hostages staying here, are there? Cutting off your flesh to build this place, how bold of you.>

“Go ahead and destroy it, Your Majesty!”

With her hands on her hips, Geahrzimen shouted.

<…Good grief…>

Shatbyeol clenched his teeth and looked away.

I laughed helplessly. It had been a while since I’d seen such a scene, making it feel strangely nostalgic.

But with the heightened senses granted by the power from Shatbyeol, I was detecting things I hadn’t before.

For example, the demonic energy surrounding the guesthouse. A semi-transparent barrier formed by Geahrzimen enveloped the guesthouse like a shield. That was understandable as a defensive measure, but the real issue was the guesthouse itself.

I felt a physiological revulsion from the neatly constructed building.

An eerie sense from its exterior and surrounding environment. Though everything appeared normal visually, my intuition recognized that the entire guesthouse was practically made by cutting off parts of Geahrzimen’s body, and that the surrounding nature had been unnaturally constructed.

‘…It’s rather unsettling.’

Scratching my neck, I thought to myself.

“You’ve become quite tainted, Master.”

Sensing something, Komuri, who was sitting between Jeong Noeul and me, spoke up.

“You received power from that strange fallen angel, right?”

“Uh… well, yes.”

I answered Komuri.

“Master’s body feels quite similar to that of the Prince of the Otherworld.”

“That was my past life, but I’m Jeong Noeul now….”

With a displeased expression, Jeong Noeul spoke.

“Call me Noeul hyung.”

“Prince of the Otherworld.”

“Noeul hyung.”

“Prince of the Otherw—”

“Both of you, stop.”

I narrowed my eyes and interrupted.

“I only borrowed Shatbyeol’s power temporarily. I plan to return it. The things that required this power are done.”

“That’s a relief…”

Komuri rolled his eyes.

It was an odd feeling seeing him sitting there in a form resembling my younger self.

Not like facing my childhood self, as Komuri’s personality was far more curious and mischievous. It was simply hard to believe that so much of myself contributed to his formation.

“Listen carefully, Master.”

With a serious expression, Komuri spoke.

“While living here with Geahrzimen, I observed many humans. People who come to stay here all have one purpose.”

To rest.

Komuri murmured.

“The need for rest means they’re incomplete. Their bodies or minds cannot fully endure this world, thus they tire. I think that imperfection is what makes humans beautiful. But right now, you’re too complete. You haven’t slept much lately, right? You probably didn’t even feel hunger after skipping meals. That’s not beautiful.”

“Well… I agree with that.”

Jeong Noeul chimed in.

“Since everything with Aiden has wrapped up, how about telling Shatbyeol to take back his power? Nothing good will come from keeping it. You’ll only end up seeing spirits and losing sleep.”

Or… murmuring, Jeong Noeul narrowed his eyes.

“You’re not actually satisfied with your current state, are you?”

“Of course not.”

I sighed.

“Sorry, but I’m not that ambitious.”

Honestly, ever since receiving Shatbyeol’s power, I felt an unpleasant alienation. It was like being forcibly awakened as an S-rank hunter—suddenly acquiring immense power. But that sensation felt extremely uncomfortable.

“Of course.”

Han Iro spoke, having approached us.

“Do you think that feels good? This isn’t some comic book…”

Frowning, Han Iro glanced at Shatbyeol and Geahrzimen.

“Well, I haven’t lived in your body… actually, I did for a few days. Anyway, I don’t fully understand how it feels, but omnipotence isn’t a pleasant sensation.”

“Omnipotence…”

I mulled over Han Iro’s words.

Omnipotence.

It seemed like the perfect word to describe the alien sensation of receiving Shatbyeol’s power. Far superior to ordinary people, liberated from the desires tied to living beings—it might well appear omnipotent from an outsider’s perspective.

“But that’s an illusion.”

Komuri spoke.

“Humans polluted the environment, thinking they were superior to other animals. Stars, thinking they are above all creatures, repeat mistakes. I’m just glad you’re not satisfied with your current state. If you were, I would’ve forcibly stripped you of that power.”

“Oh my.”

Han Iro patted Komuri’s head.

A mischievous smile appeared on Han Iro’s face, much like how he treated Jeong Noeul, making me uncomfortable. Komuri and I looked nearly identical except for our age difference, which made me feel like I was being bossed around as a younger brother.

“This one’s cute.”

Han Iro said to Komuri.

“I think so too.”

Komuri responded, his eyes wide.

“So you may keep petting my head as much as you like, until you tire of my cuteness.”

“I never taught you to speak like that. In this situation, you should say: ‘Take your hand off me.’”

Scolding Komuri, I sighed and stood up from the bench.

“I’m going to tell him.”

Looking at everyone, I spoke.

“Tell Shatbyeol to take back his power.”

Saying for them to wait here, I turned and started walking.

That had always been the plan. Once things with Aiden were settled, I would return the power to Shatbyeol. I had no regrets. Keeping such power wouldn’t help my idol activities anyway.

Still, I could see why Komuri was concerned. Life for creatures exists to fulfill desires. When given power, one naturally desires more. I had just witnessed where that road led.

What if humans had never become aware of Stars?

What if humans had never contracted with Stars to wield certain powers?

Had that been the case, how would Aiden have accepted Jeong Hangyeol’s death? Or what path would I have taken to free myself from my trauma?

I didn’t know. I had no knowledge of such an era.

In any case—

“Hey, Kim Shatbyeol.”

I grabbed Shatbyeol’s arm, who was still arguing with Geahrzimen.

<No.>

“No.”

Both Shatbyeol and Geahrzimen spoke to me at once.

“…What?”

I asked, bewildered.

<You were about to tell me to take back the power, weren’t you? That’s why I said no.>

“Yes. But before you decide, perhaps you should hear us out a little longer?”

Despite their earlier argument, Shatbyeol and Geahrzimen now calmly addressed me.

Then, Shatbyeol grabbed my right arm, Geahrzimen my left, and they began leading me away.

<Let’s talk somewhere quiet.>

“That would be best, before that feathered bastard arrives.”

…What is this?

With determined expressions, Shatbyeol and Geahrzimen began carrying me off.