Little Pink Starfish

Humans are such insolent creatures.

When the time of judgment arrives, they say the four horsemen herald the apocalypse. The path of the white rider brings plague. The path of the red rider blazes with war. The black rider leaves famine in its wake. The pale rider carries death itself across the earth. Yet, what a hollow disaster this is, for plague, war, famine, and even death are all accomplishments humanity can achieve on its own.

Thinking thus, the Demon God smiled.

His absurdly light body crawled across the marble floor.

A blade touched his flesh.

Blood scattered.

His hair was seized.

His powerless body slid along under human hands.

“…Disappointing.”

A man’s voice reached the Demon God’s ears.

“For one called the Demon God, you’re nothing but a low-ranking demon.”

“That goes for you as well.”

The Demon God replied to the man’s lament.

“You would have preferred me to be a stronger demon, wouldn’t you? If I had physical strength, I wouldn’t have been defeated like this.”

“How laughable, foolish demon.”

The man chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.

“The beings above us are Stars—great and unreachable. How dare you challenge the authority of Stars with such a filthy form?”

The Demon God’s lips twitched at the man’s words, but the man didn’t wait for a reply.

Grabbing the Demon God’s hair, the man began to walk. The clinking of thick armor echoed with each step. Listening to the sound of metal, the Demon God gazed up at the sky in a daze. The heavens, tinged with the color of flames, rained down winged monsters like falling stars. Flashes of light spread everywhere, so holy in their futility. Awaiting the Demon God, whose body had been shredded, was the distant basin of holy water. Should he be submerged there, he would vanish without a trace. Finding it an unpleasant ending, the Demon God opened his mouth.

“Hey, hunter.”

“Mateo Bernstein.”

“Alright, Mateo Bernstein.”

The Demon God declared, facing the man—Mateo.

“I despise you.”

“That makes two of us. I can hardly wait to kill you.”

“Then answer me. Do you love humanity?”

“That’s quite a difficult question.”

Humans are arrogant and stingy. Prone to jealousy, quick to anger. Wracked by lust, greed, and even sloth. Mateo recited humanity’s sins with a calm voice, sighing as if exasperated by their incorrigibility.

“So ultimately, I must hate humanity.”

“How very human of you.”

The Demon God spoke with a sigh.

Humans despise one another. Yet, when threatened by something stronger, they band together astonishingly quickly. Like worms that devour each other, yet move as one before a predator.

“I’m curious.”

The Demon God blinked, his gaze vacant.

“How did someone who despises humanity become a hero who seeks to save all humans?”

Mateo’s steps halted.

He turned to look down at the Demon God.

Such a pitiful sight. The magic emanating from his battered body was barely a flicker. His malice, which should naturally fill any demon, was faint. He wouldn’t even be a match for an inexperienced hunter. And yet, how had such a weak demon reigned under the name Demon God?

And why, before humanity’s greatest hero, did this weak demon remain so composed?

“…Ha.”

Amused, Mateo’s face lit up like a boy’s.

“It’s simple.”

He whispered into the Demon God’s ear.

“Because, as one who hates humanity, I’m not swayed by its weak emotions. Relying on humanity would only lead to weakness. Depending on friendship, being seduced by love—those foolish sentiments would only make one prey for creatures like you. I severed my humanity long ago. That’s why I could rule over all mankind.”

“I see.”

The Demon God chuckled.

“You are a truly impoverished hero.”

Mateo gave no response to the Demon God’s assessment, merely resuming his walk.

At the end of his steps awaited a pool of holy water, crafted by the powers of the Stars. A pristine basin glimmered under the radiance of the Savior Who Is One and All. Though the surroundings were littered with tangled corpses, the holy water between them remained pure.

“Demon God, you will be purified.”

Mateo spoke, staring at his reflection in the water.

“…Purified?”

The Demon God burst into laughter.

“What exactly will you purify?”

“Your malice.”

“In that case, it’s not purification. It’s annihilation.”

Creatures of hell were born from malice. The Savior Who Is One and All had created them for that very purpose. True purification leaves something behind—like a tainted spirit ascending after being cleansed. But for them, no such conclusion existed.

At last, the sound of water.

The Demon God’s body was submerged in the holy water.

And instantly, his form dissolved into light.

‘Ah…’

With a smile, the Demon God thought.

‘…What a wretched world it was.’

---

The chandelier lights were bothersome.

Narrowing her eyes, Vanessa thought.

The dazzling lights reflected off her golden hair. As she absentmindedly twirled a strand and brushed it across her cheek, it tickled. That summed up her impression of tonight’s party.

“…Pardon me.”

A voice reached Vanessa’s ear.

Tilting her head, she turned toward it. A man in an immaculate suit smiled, eyes filled with pure admiration. To wear such a suit and maintain such a pure expression at a lavish party required significant impure wealth. Vanessa knew this all too well.

“May I ask you just one question?”

“Go ahead.”

Resting her chin on her hand, Vanessa responded.

“What would you like to ask?”

“Well…”

The man cleared his throat.

“How does it feel to live as the daughter of a hero?”

How dull.

Suppressing a yawn that threatened to burst forth, Vanessa stared at his earnest expression.

“A hero…”

Drawing out her words, she smiled.

Yes, she was indeed the daughter of a hero, or so she was perceived.

Mateo Bernstein. The hunter known for slaying the Demon God. While the world praised her father as a hero, Vanessa had never felt anything particular about it. After all, she had grown up not even knowing her father was a hero until after his death.

So there was no special sentiment about her father’s existence.

But such blunt words wouldn’t do.

Pretending to ponder briefly, Vanessa delivered her rehearsed answer perfected over countless interviews.

“…It’s a life of constant pressure.”

“My father killed the Demon God and saved humanity. As his only child, I feel compelled to live up to his legacy. It’s a tiring life in many ways. But… perhaps that’s what makes it meaningful.”

Her name had been given by the one who saved humanity. Her surname, even more blatantly, was inherited from a hero.

Thus, she strove not to tarnish her late father’s glory. A tense and sometimes exhausting life, but one that heightened the potential for achievement. She moistened her lips with wine as she spoke.

“I’ve answered this countless times in interviews. What made you ask me directly?”

Rising from her seat, Vanessa asked.

“Was that unpleasant?”

The man raised an eyebrow.

“I already knew you’d answer like that. I’ve seen all your interviews. But fans long to hear the words directly from a global superstar’s mouth. Besides, look.”

He gestured toward the front of the hall.

A grand speech honoring Mateo Bernstein was underway. Vanessa had been invited here as his daughter.

What was today’s occasion? Vanessa tried to recall. Was it the anniversary of her father’s death? The day he killed the Demon God? Perhaps the day he slew a specific monster or saved a city? She wasn’t sure.

“To meet Mateo Bernstein’s daughter on a day like this—what an honor.”

So who exactly was this man, smiling and chatting so warmly? A government official? A former hunter? Or perhaps some celebrity whose name she couldn’t quite recall? She wasn’t sure. But anyone invited to such a party was surely someone whose name she should know…

“It was an honor meeting you too.”

With that, Vanessa turned to leave.

What is it like living as the daughter of a hero?

She mulled over the question as she headed toward the exit.

Before stepping outside, she glanced back.

Projected behind the speaker was an image of Mateo Bernstein’s smiling face.

‘May I ask you something too, Father?’

Vanessa asked silently.

‘If you saw me now, how would you feel?’

At that moment, a woman in sunglasses approached. Vanessa immediately noticed the red gleam behind the lenses—burning with an emotion close to hatred.

With a shameless grin, Vanessa took the woman’s hand.

“Let’s go. I can’t stand another minute of this.”

Speaking coldly, she pulled the woman along.

“Why? I think it’s nice. Let’s stay a bit longer.”

The woman teased playfully. Vanessa glared at her.

“I said I can’t stay any longer.”

She pulled the woman firmly.

“Alright, alright.”

As she was led away, the woman glanced back.

‘Mateo Bernstein…’

The hero who saved humanity.

Staring at his face, the smile faded from the woman’s lips.

‘I told you once, didn’t I? You are such a pitiful hero.’

The woman—

The crimson eyes of the Demon God shimmered with scorn.