Son Oh-gong stood in the middle of Ji Seon-mi's pristine living room. His face masked with frustrated agony. He was a great demon, and yet here he was, forced to feel an overwhelming sense of affection for a mere human. He tried to ignore the pain and focus on anything else, but every time she moved, a pang of protective shot through his heart, a feeling as foreign and unwelcome as a splinter in a soul.
Seon-mi, now confident in her new power, watched him from the bedroom, a small triumphant smile on her face. The silence she had craved for so long was finally hers, and the constant fear had been replaced by a cautious, exhilarating sense of security.
The front door chimed, and Jeo Pal-gye, a popular pop star with a charming, friendly smile walked in. He was a handsome young man, his hair styled perfectly, and he carried a large shopping bag filled with snacks and groceries. Pal-gye was not just a pop star, he was a pig demon, and his handsome look were a facade to hide his gluttonous nature. He looked at Oh-gong with a mixture of fear and respect.
"Oh, Great sage ", Pal-gye said, bowing Slightly. "I heard you were back. I brought you some food".
Oh-gong grunted, annoyed. "I'm not hungry. I'm cursed.
Pal-gye eyes widened as he saw the bracelet on Oh-gong's wrist. The legend of the Geumganggo was well-known among demons. He quickly turned to Seon-mi.
"So you're the Samjang", he said, his voice a mix of awe and terror. "The one with the special scent. The one he's bound to".
Seon-mi nodded, a little taken aback by this sudden reverence. Pal-gye bowed to her as well. "I am Jeo Pal-gye. it's pleasure meeting you ".
The sudden arrival of another demon rattled her, but this one seemed harmless enough. Just then, another chime sounded at the door. Ma Jeo-young, the Devil king's loyal assistant, walked in a sleek, venomous look on her face. She was a dog demon, forever in the service of Woo Ma-wang. "Lord, Ma-wang would like to invite you for a cup of tea, Miss Seon-mi ". she said, her eyes flicking with distaste to Oh-gong. "He has a proposition for you.
Seon-mi agreed, and within minutes, she found herself in the grand, opulent office of Woo Ma-wang. He sat behind a large, mahogany desk, sipping from a delicate tea cup.
"Welcome, Samjang", he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him. "I see, the geumganggo is working. I'm so glad my little gift has brought you some protection ".
Seon-mi sat down, a wary look in her eyes, "What do you want, Devil king?"
He smiled , a cold, calculating look in his eyes. "I want to hire you. I want you to be a consultant for me. There are many demons that need to be dealt with, and you with the help of your new.... bodyguard, can do it".
He then showed her a series of photos of various demons, from a Zombie girl haunting a hotel to a malevolent spirit that possessed a child's toy. The photos were an eerie, disturbing world of demons she was now a part of.
"You see", Ma-wang explained, "It's your destiny to protect humanity from these creatures. With Oh-gong bound to you, You are the perfect person for the job ".
Seon-mi looked at the photos, a feeling of unease settling in her stomach. She had wanted to be protected, but she had never wanted to be a hero. She just wanted a quiet and normal life, and now she was being asked to be a spiritual warrior.
"And what's in it for you?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Ma-wang's smile did not reach his eyes. "I am a good person, Samjang. I want to save humanity, just like you. And if you help me, I will make sure the geumganggo never breaks, and that Oh-gong remains by your side, a loyal protector. Always ".