"Another?"
"Yes."
"Abriyon is sure there's someone who is wiping his entities out."
"I would need to be careful until I can make him believe that it's nothing like that. But…I'm curious why he isn't coming himself to the Earth?"
"It's risky. His presence is compelling, and Eravus can catch him if he ever steps on Earth. Eravus would be aware of his presence even if he came in disguise."
"So he's sending substitutes for himself cause his pretty ass is scared."
"But if he's sure that there is nothing wrong, maybe he would stop sending the disguises. He was getting powerful by consuming human souls killed by his monsters, but after some time had passed, he became weaker. Everything has to end at some point. It is the rule of this world that one gains something, but for that, he has to sacrifice something precious, his life."
"As it should be. But for the time being, I would need to be watchful. F*ck that bastard."
"Be careful, master."
Si-Hun nodded.
"Uhmm, master…but what was Su-Yeon doing at your apartment?"
"We met at the park. You know I go there often. Today, when I got there, I saw her sitting there. We were talking, but unfortunately, my jacket's button opened up and the wound was open to the whole world. She said she is in a nursing major, so I trusted her with this."
"Ohh, it's a good thing you got your wound treated before it got worse. Knowing you, you wouldn't even have gone to the hospital."
"It was still fine."
"It was."
Si-Hun poked his inner cheek and looked the other way.
"It's late. I'm heading to sleep."
Kuro nodded, and Si-Hun left.
The day was long, and Si-Hun immediately fell asleep as he lay down.
(In the morning)
"Master! Get up!"
"What!?"
"You slept so long today. Even after the workout, you dozed off. Get up!"
"Yah! What time is it?"
"It's 10!"
Si-Hun sighed and got up.
Right after he came out of the bathroom, he heard knocking on his door.
Si-Hun was just wearing a towel draped low around his waist.
He went to open the door in that state.
Si-Hun opened the door lazily, only to see…Su-Yeon.
"Yahh!"
Su-Yeon immediately looked the other way; her cheeks heated up.
At first, Si-Hun couldn't understand what was wrong, but then he looked down and realized.
Embarrassment filled his face as he stuttered while apologizing.
"O-oh, I-I'm sorry! I'll change, you can come in!"
Saying this, he quickly went away to change while Su-Yeo peeked from behind and saw him leaving.
"What was he thinking?" She muttered low under her breath.
Si-Hun came after finally changing into his clothes.
"I-I' really sorry…I just came out of the shower and didn't realize I was just in my towel."
Si-Hun said while rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's okay. Aside from that, how's your wound? Did you apply the tube I asked you to?"
Si-Hun forgot to apply it, but he still nodded.
"I did."
"Hmm. Here, this is chicken Juk(죽) and some tangerines. This should help you get better." She said, smiling while extending her arms to give it to him.
Si-Hun looked at her and thankfully accepted it.
"Thank you so much, Su-Yeon. It actually…means a lot."
Su-Yeon looked at his expression, slowly faltering, but returning to the charm before.
"You're welcome. I like to take care of people." She seemed innocent, too innocent for his world.
"O-okay, I'm leaving! I have to go to my university. I'll visit you again if you don't mind!"
"Bye…Yes, you can."
Su-Yeon softly smiled and left, while Si-Hun was left standing there, watching her leave.
After she left, she looked at the basket of tangerines and the chicken juk.
"Why did she make me all this? She said she likes to take care of people…well fits her profession perfectly. No one really thought about me like this."
He said while still looking at the stuff in his hands.
Just then, Kuro came walking lazily.
"What's this? It's packed nicely. Who brought this?"
"Su-Yeon, she did."
"She's doing so much."
"She said she likes taking care of people…"
"She's kind and cheerful unless, like you, who's so reserved and as cold as an iceburg."
Si-Hund didn't even hear what Kuro was saying; his mind was lost in thought.
He was feeling cared for for the very first time.
His mom never cared for him like this.
His dad never even paid attention to how he was doing.
They never even gave him anything he ever wanted.
He didn't even want much, just things a child would want from their parents.
Toys in his childhood were never bought for him, food he liked was never even served on the table, praise he deserved was never given to him, and love he deserved was never received.
[Flashback]
One night at dinner:
"The food's really nice." His father spoke.
"I made the chicken soup especially for you." His mother spoke.
"Yes, Mom! The food is delicious." Si-Hun said, trying to get his parents' attention.
"Focus on your food, Si-Hun. Don't interrupt adults' conversation."
"But mom-
"Eat your food, Si-Hun!"
Si-Hun looked down and quietly ate his food, knowing it was of no use if he even tried to get his parents' attention.
"Ahh! Mom, Dad!" Si-Hun said as he spilled the hot soup on his hand.
"Ughh! Why can't you eat your f*cking food carefully!"
"This boy is a waste of money!"
Si-Hun looked at them, tears in his eyes, a faint red mark on his hand.
He got up and left from there, crying.
He was just 7 at the time.
He locked his room's door and sat against it.
Tears were rolling down his cheeks while his breath hitched every time he breathed.
"Why-can't-Mom-Dad-love-me?" He said, his breath hitching on every word.
He was sitting there for the entire night, not knowing when he fell asleep right there on the floor.