NOVEL WEB Chapter 22
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Iserin dashed towards Jinseong the moment he appeared, scanning him up and down. She examined him thoroughly, made eye contact, squatted down to get a better look, and leaned in so close that it seemed she might poke her nose into him.
Then she said, “Whether seen from far away or up close, it’s the same.”
Jinseong, confused by her antics, turned to face a vague shape of a demon near Iserin, piecing together the situation.
‘Looks like the demon said something.’
The shape was so faint that it seemed to waver like a mirage or a distorted landscape from steam. It was at a level where you wouldn’t notice it unless you paid attention, and even then, it was hard to register clearly.
“Um, it’s the same…? Huh? That’s not what I meant? No, I get it… I just don’t really understand….”
All he could see was that indistinct shape, making it incredibly challenging to grasp its existence. In reality, Jinseong knew Iserin had contracted with a demon, but he had no idea what kind of demon it was or what it looked like.
Moreover, with issues like the Third World War and his declining health piling up, even if he wanted to meet, it was nearly impossible. It felt as if the heavens themselves did not want them to meet.
‘Similar things attract similar things. As a little snake swims behind my eye, my own eyes will surely change to resemble a snake.’
One of his companions, a curious mercenary, asked:
“Then you’ve never seen your sibling’s demon? Don’t you want to?”
His donkey-like curiosity was relentless, nagging Jinseong to go see the demon and report back immediately. But he brushed it off, saying that if they couldn’t meet then, it was enough to focus on the magic.
If he had died or been in an accident, he would have made time to find it, but that wasn’t the case.
‘In the end, the people of this house lived safely until I die.’
Muttering this inwardly, Jinseong looked towards Iserin with eyes altered by the magic. As he called upon the symbolism of the snake’s eye, the shape of the demon that had been advising Iserin began to gradually reveal itself.
The first thing that caught his eye was a red light reminiscent of rust on metal. A dirty crimson color that would never wash away, it gleamed not even under the sun, and in the darkness, it appeared almost a deep black-red.
And those many stiff bristles covering its body were packed tightly like thorns, with long hair only at the camel’s head and tail. The long hair fell down like a virgin ghost bowing its head, making it look as though a camel were wearing a wig, and the tail, long and stiff, moved up and down as if defying gravity like a snake.
The protruding horns seemed to pulse with energy, radiating force as it looked at Iserin with a mouth that bore a tongue made of gold.
And atop the head, a lavishly adorned golden crown sat snugly.
‘I understand now.’
The moment Jinseong saw that shape, he realized the name of the demon Iserin had contracted with.
The name of the demon varied across cultures.
In some places, it was referred to as Leprechaun.
In others, it was known as Gomory.
But the most famous name was…
‘Grimoire.’
That demon, which had made countless contractors throughout human history, was a Transcendent Being that made only women its contractors. A woman who contracted with Grimoire could acquire unimaginable wealth and great power. Capable of uncovering all sorts of secrets and treasures, that demon guided the contractor’s life towards a positive direction.
It helped accumulate wealth to eliminate hunger and provided the strength to fend off robbers with treasure. With the power of medicine and healing, it prevented those around from dying in vain, acting as a lifelong companion who consistently supported them – truly a being that didn’t fit the name ‘demon.’
Except for one downside.
‘Those who contract with demons often lack something.’
Like other Transcendent Beings, demons also had preferences.
Just as people have their preferences when keeping pets.
Some like reptiles, others prefer dogs or cats – such varying tastes.
They pick based on appearance, the size of the body, or the length of the fur.
Similarly, each Transcendent Being also had preferred types of humans, with angels and demons often favoring those who lacked something. They enjoyed filling the gaps that they themselves possessed.
Angels filled the void with affection and dependence.
Demons filled it with their abilities.
In either case, the contractor becomes happy.
An angel’s contractor finds happiness by being dependent on the angel, while a demon’s contractor flourishes in life thanks to the demon’s help.
Iserin would also be happy.
She had been happy until the end before she came back in time, and this life would surely be happy as well.
The demon was a precious benefactor supporting the contractor’s happiness and at the same time, a partner to spend a lifetime with.
“Hmm.”
Jinseong released the spell and took a seat. He rubbed his slightly twitchy, dry eyes with his hand to produce tears.
‘It looks like I have something to tell that guy.’
Meanwhile, Iserin, who had been talking to the demon for a while, also seemed to be done with her conversation as she sat across from Jinseong, rolling her eyes around.
Whether it was awkward because she didn’t want to meet his gaze or if it was because she was preoccupied with something Grimoire had said, she kept glancing at the spot where Grimoire was, then at the door, bowing her head to look at the table, and never once looked directly at him.
How long did that awkward time last?
Clunk.
“I’m back~ Oh? Just the two of you?”
Someone walked in.
It was Iarin, the twin who bore the same appearance as Iserin. Unlike Iserin, who had dressed neatly for breakfast, Iarin came in, her messy hair uncombed, wearing pajamas simply having washed her face.
She resembled a lioness just awakened from sleep.
She gracefully walked over to Jinseong’s side and poked him in the shoulder.
“Hey, hey. Big brother, big brother.”
As Jinseong turned his head, Iarin chuckled softly.
“Long time no see? Right?”
Saying this, she quickly looked away, muttering, “What’s keeping you so busy, going out day after day? At this rate, I might forget your face. Right?”
Though her complaints sounded as if she were picking a fight, they were tinged with concern.
“Smelling of gold, you know. Earning money is good, but, you know?”
With that said, the restaurant descended into silence again. After saying that, Iarin swiftly turned her head, twirling her hair with a finger, and Jinseong had no words to say, falling back into a quiet silence. In Iserin’s case, it could be that the shadowy atmosphere enveloping the dining area, or perhaps her awkwardness was keeping her head down.
The silence as heavy as death was eventually broken by Lee Yang-hoon and his wife. The trio of saviors broke the awkward atmosphere of the restaurant and took their seats at the head of the table. The previously silent Iarin began to converse with Lee Yang-hoon and her mother.
Soon, with the whole family gathered, the meal commenced.
And then, silence returned.
It was a silence created by Lee Yang-hoon’s insistence on unnecessary table manners, and their breakfast being too heavy and splendid for a morning meal, along with his authoritarian attitude that regarded talking during meals as poor manners. Thus, the clinking of cutlery had to be done cautiously, and they would have to wait until after the meal to converse.
Lee Yang-hoon, sipping green tea along with the dessert in hand, addressed Iserin and Iarin.
“I hear the practical training has been canceled.”
“Yes….”
Iserin nodded at those words, while Iarin, instead, seemed to think the cancellation was a good thing, showing seemingly lackluster reaction.
Meanwhile, Jinseong looked at the three with a puzzled expression.
‘The practical training has been canceled?’
The high school that Iserin and Iarin attended was Seoul Specialization High School for Ability Users.
Referred to as “Seotukgo” for short, this school specialized in developing abilities. With students flocking who aimed to become stronger through summoning techniques, magic, and martial arts, the curriculum focused heavily on personal development. Naturally, practical training constituted a significant part of their education.
They would often tackle evil spirits or malevolent entities and assist in capturing criminals, helping with government work, and engaging in various activities to contribute to the world using their abilities.
Around this time, the two were supposed to be interning at the police station…
“Don’t be disappointed. Instead, be thankful it burst early. If a violent incident had occurred during your practical training, you’d be worried sick.”
“Uh… yes…”
“They said from the National Defense Council that it must have been a tremendous threat. If you had encountered such a vicious criminal during your practical training, it could have been a big hassle. It’s a blessing in disguise that your practical training was canceled.”
Iarin’s eyes sparkled at Yang-hoon’s words.
“Really? Those old geezers would say something like that?”
“Ah, shut it! You haven’t even reached the first class yet!”
“What?! This geezer is serious! At least buy me an elixir or something!”
“The elixir should be used to break through walls! They told you it would be a big deal if you eat it carelessly!”
“Then at least tutor me!”
“The martial arts you’ve learned wouldn’t even work for tutoring! Who told you to master that kind of martial arts….”
“Then buy me some herbal medicine!”
“No…. Ugh….”
Jinseong quietly observed the duo’s quarrel.
‘National Defense Council, National Defense Council.’
The letter made with blood floated into his mind.
‘So, they saw my letter. The National Defense Council has taken the bait.’