A few days later, in the hotel lobby in Yeouido.
The members and I were riding in a car driven by The Star Hated by All as we entered the underground parking lot. An employee, already aware of our visit, guided us to the designated parking space. I adjusted my mask, preparing myself. When I glanced behind, I saw the staff car following closely, carrying our makeup and coordination team.<We will head to the suite first to get ready.>
Turning to the back seat with his usual indifferent expression, The Star Hated by All spoke.
The members were holding back yawns, clearly exhausted. We had been busy with rehearsals these past few days, so it was understandable.<There are about three hours left before the party starts.>
He checked his watch.
<Since reporters will be present at the party, we must finish preparations beforehand. Make sure to move quickly. While you’re getting ready, I will have a brief conversation with Michael. It seems he has already arrived.>
“Understood, Satan.”
Han Iro weakly waved his hand. By now, the members had fully accepted that The Star Hated by All was, in fact, Satan himself, the one who challenged ‘The Savior Who Is One and All.’ The time spent together had built trust. From The Star’s perspective, it must have been a relief that they no longer called him “Mr. Kim Saetbyeol.”<Do not call me Satan in front of the cameras.>
The Star said bluntly.
<…Please call me Mr. Kim Saetbyeol.>
He frowned, clearly displeased.
“It’s cuter that way anyway!”
Jeong Noeul chimed in, stifling his laughter.
“Right. The name Satan doesn’t sound very pretty.”
Min Heejae shrugged.
‘See? They agree.’
I smiled inwardly and spoke to The Star in my mind.
<Just a thousand years ago, humans would tremble at the sound of my name…>
The Star grumbled, biting his lower lip. Well, that may have been true once. But nowadays even churches use “Satan” more as a curse word. I shrugged at the thought.
I exchanged glances with Madojin, who nodded.
The Star, who could read my thoughts, must have already understood our intentions. While he met with the Demon God, Madojin and I planned to talk with Vanessa Bernstein. The fact that The Star made no comment meant he was implicitly permitting our plan.<You catch on quickly.>
Suddenly, The Star’s voice echoed in my mind.
While calmly stepping out of the driver’s seat to speak with the staff, his voice continued to reach me telepathically.
<Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.>
His tone was like that of a parent scolding a child, which made me a little spiteful.
‘Look who’s talking.’
If you revealed your wings in a crowded place like this, there would be chaos. And not just any wings—those gray, corroded wings. No one would take that well.
<Alright. Everyone, get out and take the elevator.>
Ignoring my reply, The Star addressed the members. We groaned and followed his instructions.
“Vanessa is staying in this hotel.”
As we walked, Madojin whispered quietly beside me.
“We will meet her in the banquet hall after we finish preparing. Since reporters will be everywhere, we must approach her discreetly.”
“But you’re an angel.”
I bit my lip and spoke.
“Can’t you use telepathy or something?”
“I can. But I can’t predict how she might react to it…”
“That’s true.”
I sighed. I had gotten used to hearing The Star’s voice inside my head, but I imagined how Vanessa might react if she suddenly heard a deep Korean male voice in her mind. If she wasn’t accustomed to such powers, she might scream.
‘Our goal is simply to talk to her…’
A smooth approach was necessary.
“Let’s just walk up and talk. Ask if we can have a word.”
“Are you confident in your English, Eunyul?”
“…No. I don’t know if you remember, but I dropped out of middle school. I took the GED later, but my highest education is middle school.”
I scratched my neck awkwardly.
“What about you, Dojin?”
Madojin had been given knowledge by Enoch. Since he’d even been granted knowledge of cryptography, surely languages were included too.
“Didn’t Enoch teach you English?”
“He did, somewhat. But only reading comprehension. And that was more a byproduct of learning Latin. Enoch mainly gave me knowledge related to Latin.”
“Well that’s…”
Very biblical and impractical, I muttered with a sigh.
“Don’t worry, Eunyul.”
Madojin smiled at me.
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Ah… sure…”
There were few declarations more frightening than that.
I bit my lip.
Inside the hotel suite.
‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ gazed out the window. His stern reflection faintly shimmered on the glass as the dim city lights leaked from the darkened skyline.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking broke the silence.
He sighed.<Come in.>
At his calm command, the door unlocked, and ‘The Star Hated by All’ appeared, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall with his usual indifferent face.<The kids are getting ready.>
He spoke bluntly.
<My contractor and your disciple seem intent on speaking with Vanessa Bernstein. My contractor’s unpredictable nature is understandable, but I didn’t expect your apprentice to know about our plan. Your lips aren’t usually that loose…>
Did they figure it out with magic? he asked with a mocking smile.<Dojin realized it himself.>
‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ glanced back at him.
<He didn’t deduce everything, but he figured out that I was hiding something, and that I was lying to cover it up. So I told him the truth.>
<Ho…>
‘The Star Hated by All’ narrowed his eyes.
<Seems your rigorous training wasn’t wasted after all. Neither of us easily reveals our true thoughts, yet he’s developed a keen insight.><Of course.>
The Archangel smiled faintly.
<I’ve guided countless believers. My methods remain the best of Heaven.><Not quite.>
The Star’s gaze slid to the floor. Having witnessed his brother’s teaching firsthand, he couldn’t fully endorse that boast.
<In any case…>
The Star cleared his throat.
<While coming here, I surveyed the magical presence throughout the hotel. I sensed no trace of the Demon God’s power. ‘The Savior Who Is One and All’ truly reduced the Demon God to human form.><I see.>
The Archangel picked up a tie draped over the chair.
<I’ve often wondered what purpose Father had in turning the Demon God human… Though He is endlessly merciful, He is also cruel. I thought He should have punished the Demon God outright.>
While fastening his tie, the Archangel muttered,
<To become human—that is too generous a grace for her. While you may see saving the Demon God as your duty as King of Hell, Father had no reason to bestow such favor.>
<Why do you think living as a human is grace?>
The Star shrugged.
<The Demon God probably sees it as nothing but humiliation. Whether noble or wretched, she would have thought death more fitting. Just as I once did.>
I never imagined I’d inherit Hell’s throne, he chuckled.
<I thought I’d simply vanish, not end up ruling Hell. In that sense, Father’s judgment is fitting. For the Demon God, this thriving world is Hell itself; Vanessa is the daughter of her enemy; and the human body is a wretched prison.>
<Hmph.>
The Archangel snorted.
<Shall we move?>
He straightened his tie, looking back at his brother.<Very well.>
The Star nodded and prepared to leave. Though their wings were hidden, the power emanating from their hands stirred the hotel’s atmosphere.
<Don’t release too much power.>
The Archangel warned as they walked.<It could harm those gathered here. Especially your power.>
<Do you think I don’t know that?>
The Star sighed.
<And for the record, my power isn’t filthier than yours. We both operate on divine force.>
<No, it’s different. Yours is much stickier. Disgusting, not beautiful at all.>
<Oh, please.>
A twisted smile curled on The Star’s lips.
<I’ll accept that, since you’re my brother.>
<For once, I’m grateful to be your younger brother.>
A brief silence.
<Are you ready, Lucifer?>
At the Archangel’s quiet whisper—
<Of course, Michael.>
The Star nodded.
The brothers’ forms vanished, melting into the air.
Little Pink Starfish 
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