Siheon lay flat on the cracked rooftop, glittering holy dust from the previous fight stuck in his hair and eyebrows.
Heaven's golden aura swirled protectively around him like a cage. A warm hum filled his ears.
[DEFENSIVE PROTOCOL ACTIVATED.]
Beside him, Hell's chaotic crimson aura pulsed and whispered teasingly:
[Finally! Chaos! Show them what you've got, darling!]
Siheon groaned.
"I swear I didn't even do anything yet!"
He tried to sit up, only to be knocked sideways by a gust of wind that smelled faintly of sulfur and burning parchment.
Then it landed.
A massive shadow fell over the rooftop — too large, too dark, too heavy to be any normal being. The sheer force of its presence bent the surrounding air.
Siheon blinked.
"…Yep. Definitely too big. Probably should have eaten breakfast first."
Seraphina's voice snapped, sharp as silver:
"Siheon! Behind me!"
He stumbled, tripping over his own feet and faceplanting into the dust.
"Uh… is crouching acceptable?"
Hell laughed softly in his ear. [Adorable. Panicked humans are my favorite.]
Heaven beeped indignantly. [Stop listening to it!]
The shadow unfolded into a humanoid figure. Blackened wings stretched wide, eyes glowed crimson, and a grin that could freeze rivers spread across its face. Every step it took made the rooftop tremble.
Seraphina drew her silver-bladed weapon, the runes along its edge glowing fiercely.
"Stay still. Don't move."
Siheon raised a trembling hand.
"…Stay still? Does that mean crouching or lying down again?"
Hell purred. [Oh, this is precious. Keep panicking, darling.]
Siheon groaned, brushing dust off his clothes.
"I didn't sign up for this life!"
The shadow lunged — impossibly fast.
Siheon's body reacted instinctively. Fused gold-and-crimson energy erupted from his hands, spilling around him in uncontrolled waves. The blast slammed into the shadow, throwing it backward into the concrete wall. The rooftop cracked under the pressure, sending shards of stone tumbling into the street below.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
"…You did that… by accident?"
Siheon blinked.
"…Yes?"
The shadow's voice slithered around him.
"You shouldn't exist… yet here you are."
Siheon swallowed nervously.
"Yeah… about that… can we negotiate?"
The shadow growled, wings stretching even wider, ready to strike again.
Seraphina placed herself in front of him, silver blade poised.
"Siheon. Focus."
Heaven's voice sounded in his head.
[DEFENSIVE PROTOCOL ENGAGED.]
Hell purred again.
[Yes! Let's see them tremble!]
Siheon's entire body vibrated as the fused energy surged uncontrollably. Heat, light, and shadow tangled together around him, forming a halo of chaotic power.
He realized, with a growing sense of horror…
"I'm not just fighting it. I'm it."
The shadow hissed and launched toward him again.
Siheon felt a strange clarity: he could sense the shadow's intent, almost like reading its thoughts. Every movement, every strike — he saw it before it happened.
"Wait… I can see it… what?!" he yelled.
Seraphina's voice, sharp and commanding:
"Good. Use it!"
Before he could respond, the shadow slammed its fist down. Siheon's reflexes kicked in. Energy flared around him, forming a protective barrier. The force of impact shattered the rooftop like glass. Dust and rubble sprayed into the night air, raining down onto the streets below
Siheon coughed through dust.
"…This is why I never wake up early. Too much responsibility."
Hell laughed. [Oh, darling, the universe is just getting started.]
Heaven beeped in disapproval. *[Stop insulting the protocol!]
The shadow rose again, faster than any eye could track. Its wings cut the air with deadly precision.
Siheon's chest tightened — for the first time, he realized this wasn't just a random test. This was… a warning.
Seraphina's blade was raised, and her gaze hardened.
"This thing is fast… but it hasn't met me yet," she whispered.
Siheon looked at her, a little pale.
"…Are you sure you want to fight it together?"
Seraphina smirked faintly, though her eyes betrayed concern.
"Trust me. You'll need me alive."
The shadow spread its wings fully and leaped — and Siheon felt the ground under his feet vanish.
---
The shadow struck the rooftop, sending an explosion of energy so intense that even Heaven and Hell paused in surprise.
Siheon barely kept his balance — and realized, with a sick feeling, that this was only the beginning.