Saturday, 8th February 2025
It was a bright Saturday morning, sunlight pouring generously through the tall windows of Kim's bedroom. Liam sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, controller clutched tightly in his hands, eyes glued to the massive screen. Beside him, Kim leaned forward with equal intensity, his jaw set in concentration.
The two had been locked in battle for over two hours, neither willing to surrender to another. The game's dramatic soundtrack filled the luxurious room, punctuated by rapid button clicks and occasional frustrated groans.
"Come on… come on…" Liam muttered under his breath.
A final clash of attacks lit up the screen — then victory flashed.
Kim exhaled sharply, dropping his controller back onto the couch. The raven-haired male had won.
"Finally," he said, stretching his arms above his head. "Breakfast?"
Liam groaned dramatically, falling backward onto the carpet. "Rematch later."
Kim chuckled and headed downstairs, leaving Liam alone in the spacious room. The sudden quiet felt almost unnatural after hours of noise. Without the competition to occupy him, boredom crept in quickly.
With a sigh, Liam pulled out his phone and began scrolling aimlessly. News headlines, random videos, ads — nothing held his interest for long.
Then something caught his eye.
VILLA FOR SALE
His thumb paused mid-scroll.
Curious, he tapped the article.
The property was located in Seoul, surprisingly close to the school district. The photos displayed a sprawling estate — elegant architecture, manicured lawns, marble interiors, and a private theatre. It looked less like a home and more like something owned by royalty.
The price, however…
Liam frowned.
"That can't be right."
For a villa of that caliber, the listed cost was unbelievably low — almost suspiciously so. Too good to be true.
He reread the details carefully, scanning for hidden conditions.
Most of it seemed normal… until the final line.
All transactions must take place within the villa's premises.
His brows knit together.
Since when were property deals handled like that?
Before he could dwell on it further, the bedroom door opened. Kim stepped inside balancing two large cups of boba tea.
"What's got you so distracted?" he asked, handing one over.
"Check this out," Liam said, passing him the phone.
Kim studied the listing silently, his expression growing more skeptical by the second.
"A place like this… priced the same as a regular house?" he said slowly. "Yeah, no. Something's off."
"My thoughts exactly."
Kim scrolled down to the condition, then paused.
"All transactions inside the villa?" He looked up. "You're not seriously thinking about going, are you?"
Liam stood, stretching lazily. "Not like I have a choice."
Kim frowned. "That doesn't sound reassuring."
"If I don't make it back by sundown," Liam said with a grin, heading for the door, "be sure to delete my search history, will you?"
Kim stared after him. "That's not funny."
But Liam only waved dismissively and left.
Meanwhile — elsewhere in Seoul
Adam walked slowly up a grassy hill meadow, the city's noise fading into distant silence. The scenery was breathtaking — rolling green fields, clusters of wildflowers swaying in the breeze, and an ancient oak tree standing proudly at the hill's peak.
The air felt pure here. Untouched.
For the first time in days, Adam's chest loosened.
"Took you long enough."
The familiar voice froze him in place.
Under the oak tree sat a white-haired man, posture relaxed, a porcelain teacup resting between elegant fingers. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting shadows across his calm expression.
Adam approached cautiously, emotions stirring in his chest — guilt, relief, and something dangerously close to longing.
"So," Adam said lightly, masking the turmoil beneath his tone, "the spirit who decided to preserve his soul on Earth."
A faint smile touched Raphael's lips.
"It's been a while, Adam," he replied softly. "Though I see you haven't changed much."
Raphael looked up, blue eyes sharp yet gentle — the same eyes Adam had once trusted more than his own.
Adam hesitated… then took the offered seat.
With a subtle flick of Raphael's wrist, the teapot lifted itself and began pouring into a second cup.
As the amber liquid filled it, memories surged unbidden.
The Day Everything Fell Apart
Adam had returned to Heaven after completing a mission on Earth — only to find chaos.
The Archives were engulfed in blue flames.
Not ordinary fire. Demonic fire.
His heart had nearly stopped.
Without hesitation, he activated a talisman, forcing a path through the inferno. The heat clawed at his skin, the air thick with corruption.
Inside, he found Raphael.
Desperate. Panicked. Searching frantically through the wreckage.
"Raphael?" Adam had called.
The white-haired man ran a hand through his hair, eyes wide with barely controlled terror.
"The scroll," he said hoarsely. "The Forbidden Scroll of Eden… it's gone."
Adam felt the weight of those words instantly.
That artifact wasn't just valuable — it was sacred. Dangerous. Irreplaceable.
"It's okay," Raphael continued, voice shaking. "I can fix this. I just—"
He stopped, the reality crashing down on him.
"It's gone," he whispered. "Everything is gone. The demons took it."
"Demons?" Adam's voice hardened.
Raphael nodded.
"I have to face the consequences."
Before he could move, Adam grabbed his shoulders.
"Are you insane?!" Adam snapped. "The punishment for losing something like that is eternal torment in the Abyss. I won't allow it."
Raphael's expression softened — unbearably calm.
"Addie… fate is unavoidable. I'll be fine. I'll preserve a fragment of my soul on Earth."
And just like that, the decision had been made.
The punishment had been issued soon after.
Adam remembered clenching his fists until his nails drew blood, helpless fury consuming him. That was the moment his hatred for demons was born — pure, absolute, and unending.
He had sworn to destroy them all.
Even if it cost him everything.
Back in the present, Adam stared into his teacup, the surface trembling slightly.
"You seem lost in thought," Raphael said gently. "Is everything alright?"
Adam forced a smile.
"It's nothing… I just missed you."
LIAM
By late afternoon, Liam stood before the villa.
It was exactly as advertised — maybe even more impressive in person. Towering gates, pristine landscaping, elegant stonework… wealth practically radiated from every surface.
Yet something felt wrong.
The neighborhood was too quiet. Too empty.
There were houses in the distance, yes — but none nearby. No passing cars. No people. No signs of life.
Just silence.
Liam pulled out his phone and dialed the agent's number.
"Hello?"
"Yes, I'm here," Liam said. "Where are you?"
"You may enter the house," the man replied calmly. "I'm on my way."
The gates creaked open with surprising ease.
Hesitating only briefly, Liam stepped inside.
He regretted it almost immediately.
At first glance, everything looked normal — spotless furniture, polished floors, elegant décor.
But the air…
It felt heavy.
Oppressive.
Like something unseen was watching him.
"Um… how long did you say you're going to take?" Liam asked, trying to ignore the growing unease.
A pause.
Then—
"How long do you want me to take?"
Liam's stomach dropped.
A blur shot past behind him.
He spun around.
Nothing.
"Okay, what the hell was that?" he muttered. "Who is this?"
The voice that answered was no longer friendly.
"You are quite the inquisitive one, Your Highness. I go by many names — torment, fear… but most know me as Quindecim."
The name hit him like a jolt.
Quindecim.
Fifteen.
One of the Princes of Hell.
Oh. Shit.
His instincts screamed.
Liam dropped low just as a kunai sliced through the air where his head had been a heartbeat earlier. It embedded itself deep into the wall behind him with a sickening thunk.
Then every blind slammed shut simultaneously.
Darkness swallowed the house.
A moment later, ghostly blue flames ignited along the walls, bathing everything in an eerie glow that made his skin crawl.
His phone refused to turn on.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Slow.
Deliberate.
They stopped directly in front of him.
"Was I too rushed in my arrival, Prince Liam?" the voice asked smoothly.
The figure stepped into the light.
Silver hair. Green eyes. Impeccable attire. Towering height.
Power rolled off him like heat from a furnace.
Not just a demon.
A high-tier one.
Liam moved instantly as spikes erupted from the wall where he had been standing. More traps activated — blades, fire bursts, collapsing panels — turning the house into a death maze.
He dodged, rolled, countered, but each movement grew heavier.
The candles.
They weren't just lighting the room.
They were draining him.
His breaths came faster, vision blurring as strength seeped from his limbs.
Meanwhile, the demon looked stronger by the second.
Cornered, Liam clenched his fist. Red powder materialized between his fingers.
He waited.
Waited.
Then hurled it across the room.
A thick crimson mist exploded outward, swallowing the space and blocking all sight.
Liam dove behind a pillar, suppressing his breathing.
For a brief moment…
Silence.
Then—
Snap.
A new blue flame ignited, devouring the mist instantly.
Several ghouls materialized, spreading out like hunting dogs.
The demon's voice echoed through the theatre, amused and patient.
"One way or another… you'll come out, kid."
A pause.
"Even if I have to tear this entire place apart."