Eun Jun stood firm, despite the sweat forming on his brow. Daki's cold hand gripped his neck with the weight of a thousand deaths. Her eyes glowed an eerie blue, demonic energy radiating from her in a suffocating wave.
"I need you," she said in a low voice, almost like a threat. "That sword is no ordinary weapon. It's a lost blade of hell—The Ardrah Sword. It vanished long ago during the Great Demon War. Many killed for it, and many more died trying to hide it. If you're dreaming about it… then you can find it. You're a rare kind of freak, even by demon standards."
"I'll help you," Eun Jun replied, trying to stay calm. "But only on one condition."
Her head tilted slightly. Her smile disappeared.
"Are you… negotiating with a devil?" she said coldly.
Suddenly, she stepped in—too close—her grip tightening around his neck. Her nails dug in slightly. Her voice dropped into something darker, something ancient.
"You have some guts, human. I'm not like you. I'm not kind. I'm not forgiving. I'm evil. Beyond evil. Do you understand? I will crush you and destroy you. Forget the sword—I should kill you right now."
"Wait—" Eun Jun gasped, both hands on hers.
"No," she whispered. "I think I'll end it now."
Just then, Eun Jun blurted out, "I'm sorry! All I wanted to say is… I'll help you if… if you stay with me!"
Daki paused. Slowly, her fingers released their grip, leaving red marks across his neck.
"Stay with you?" she repeated. "That's… crazy. I can't stay with a human. I'd rather eat you than do that."
Eun Jun swallowed hard. D-demons eat humans? he thought to himself, now sweating from more than just fear.
"I just thought…" he said, gathering his courage, "maybe it'll help. If we're going after something as powerful as that sword, we'll need to be prepared. You said yourself I'm the key. So protect your key. Use me—but stay with me."
Daki turned away, folding her arms, clearly irritated. She stared out the window into the dark city.
"You really are pathetic," she muttered.
"I've heard worse," Eun Jun replied with a weak grin.
There was a long silence.
Then, Daki said quietly, "Fine. But don't forget—I'm not your friend. I'm not your pet. I'm not your roommate. I'm your worst nightmare wearing pretty skin."
"I believe you," Eun Jun said, rubbing his neck. "Just… don't kill me in my sleep."
Daki sat on the couch again with a sigh. "You're not worth the nightmare energy."
He laughed nervously and turned away to hide his blush. I can't believe a demon just agreed to live with me.
Eun Jun blinked as the tension finally eased. Daki had calmed down—at least a little. Her glowing blue eyes slowly faded to their usual sharp, cold stare.
"I didn't ask you…" Eun Jun said, watching her carefully. "Why are you even on Earth? Did you, like… run away from home or something? Oh—wait, no. Sorry. You came for the sword."
Daki turned her face slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Yes," she replied smoothly. "I came for the sword."
That wasn't the whole truth. In fact, it wasn't even half of it. But she didn't flinch. She had no intention of telling him her real reason.
"Don't worry," Eun Jun said with a reassuring smile. "As long as we have a deal, I'll help you find it."
Daki scoffed lightly. "You're really making a deal with a devil."
He grinned and stepped forward, raising his hand toward her. "That reminds me. What's your name?"
Daki blinked, as if the question was irrelevant. "Name?"
"Yeah. You didn't tell me. You already know mine."
"…I'm Daki."
His hand was still in the air, waiting for a handshake. He chuckled awkwardly. "That's a strange—I mean, good name. For a demon. But don't you think of changing it?"
Daki's eyes narrowed, her expression quickly darkening. "Nothing is wrong with my name. Or do you find it disturbing?"
The glare she gave him was enough to silence an entire room of humans. Eun Jun quickly waved his hands. "No, no! Not at all. I love the name! Very… demonic."
She stared at him for a second longer, then looked away.
Trying to ease the mood, Eun Jun awkwardly cleared his throat. "So… I don't know—will you sleep in my room? I'll take the couch for tonight."
Daki shot him a look, unamused.
"No. Keep your room. I'll stay here."
Eun Jun scratched the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed but oddly relieved. "Right. Got it. Couch demon. Makes sense."
Daki folded her arms and rested her head against the back of the couch, still suspicious and distant.Eun Jun stretched and turned toward the hallway.
"If you need anything," he said over his shoulder, "just call me, alright? I'll hear you."
Daki didn't respond. She simply gave him a glance, her arms folded tightly across her chest, cold and distant as always.
Eun Jun gave a nervous smile, then disappeared into his room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Daki remained on the couch. The lights in the living room dimmed as she slowly leaned her head back and shut her eyes. It seemed peaceful.
But the air shifted.
Suddenly, the room was no longer the quiet space of a lonely human home—it was drenched in crimson. Shadows pulsed across the walls, and the temperature dropped. A deep, ominous wind swept through the closed room.
A swirling black portal opened mid-air, and from it emerged a towering figure clad in dark, molten armor—the air itself bowed to his presence. One of the Seven Demon Kings.
Daki immediately stood and dropped to one knee.
"My King."
The Demon King's voice was low and layered, as if it came from deep within a cavern of screams.
"The rogue demon has been retrieved. You are working hard."
"Yes," Daki replied without lifting her head. "I will continue tomorrow. I will not fail."
But her voice carried a faint quiver. She wasn't lying—but she wasn't telling the full truth either. And the Demon King could sense it.
A long silence stretched between them. Then, without warning, the King's form began to dissipate, his presence retreating into the swirling shadows.
Daki remained kneeling until the red hue vanished and the room returned to normal. Then she slowly rose.
She didn't move for several seconds. She just stood there, glaring at the wall, her expression unreadable.
"…That's right," she whispered coldly. "A secret should be kept as a secret."