“Fairy?”

Johan slightly furrowed his eyebrows.

“Aren’t fairies already extinct?”

“No, they haven’t gone extinct.”

The demon chuckled as he answered.

“If that were the case, the world wouldn’t be like this now.”

“What does that mean?”

Johan’s silent red eyes flickered.

“Ah, never mind.”

The demon expressed doubt about Johan’s reaction.

“Is it okay if I don’t ask for more information about fairies? It’s extremely difficult to find out about fairies.”

“Even for demons worldwide, there’s no need to ask more about a being that can’t be handled. I have something that can handle anything, no matter what curse or what price.”

“What’s that?”

“Fairies.”

The demon laughed, revealing sharp fangs through the torn mouth.

“You just have to offer fairies as a sacrifice.”

“Demons and fairies, what a comparison. You, who barely rose through a good lineage, are only fit to be a sacrifice.”

“Having a good lineage is also an ability.”

“At best, there’s only one thing left! You, who can’t make good use of even a good lineage, are rolling around miserably, unable to surpass demons.”

“If you could make good use of it, it would mean surpassing demons.”

“I’ve been an existence since the beginning of time. If you compare based on nobility, no one can stand beside me.”

Excited, the demon’s form twisted wildly.

“With such insignificant power, you can’t change anything compared to fairies[hyphen]!”

Revealing a sinister aura, the demon closed his mouth. He looked at Johan and chuckled mockingly.

“This, this, trying to get information from me for free like this?”

“There’s no reason to hesitate about offering something without a price.”

Johan shrugged nonchalantly. The demon, who had spat out information about fairies in vain, was left gaping, falling far behind Johan’s cunning.

“Johan, aren’t you afraid of demons?”

The demon extended a clawed hand as if to tear Johan apart.

“You’ve already offered a happy future to me in exchange for revenge against Libertan. A happy future won’t be given to you. Aren’t you afraid of unpredictable misfortune?”

“So there’s no need to be more afraid.”

Johan laughed as if mocking the demon’s threat.

“Since it’s a predetermined misfortune, it doesn’t matter what actions I take.”

“Yeah. That’s what you are.”

The demon’s violet eyes glanced interestingly at Johan. To the demon, who had lived for countless years, Johan was indeed a fascinating existence.

Even when he couldn’t possess anything, Johan, who excelled more than anyone else.

A common human, who would be overwhelmed just by standing in front of a demon, not only traded equally with the demon but also didn’t fall behind in the most important thing for humans, ‘happiness,’ even when it was mortgaged.
“But be careful. If you’re planning to gain something by making a contract with a demon, you should worry about what you can afford to lose.”

“Demons are quite considerate. They even worry about the future of humans.”

“You seem arrogant like a human. I can even teach you a way to offer fairies as a sacrifice, especially since you’re interested in it.”

“Does a demon have hearing problems as they age?”

Johan was well aware of the trap the demon was setting for humans.

‘Generally, the path that seems the most convenient is not a good choice.’

The nature of demons is vile. While offering fairies as a sacrifice might be the easiest path, there are likely many ulterior motives hidden beneath.

‘Especially since fairies are beings I know little about.’

If you trade something you know little about in the first place, you will only be manipulated by the other party and face destruction. Therefore, it is wise to avoid the supposedly easiest path and choose another method.

“I’m not interested in things like fairies. Tell me about another method.”

“Alright, if that’s your will.”

The demon’s eyes narrowed as he fell into a brief silence. An eerie malice swept through his violet eyes.

“The sanctity of the Holy Empire, the heart of Athea.”

The greatest treasure that brought the Holy Empire into existence.

“And gather all 12 relics, the pride of the Holy Empire, and dedicate them to my altar. Then, I will reveal the curse on your lady.”

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, the black leopard, Masu, rushed over, swaying its tail.

“Choco!”

It had a star pattern on its forehead, and I was going to name it Star, but somehow, it felt awkward to have a name so similar to mine. So, I decided to name it after my favorite dessert.

Choco, educated as it was, immediately stopped in front of me and waited for my touch.

“Well done, Kkamang. So lovely.”

“Meow.”

“I missed you a lot. I also missed Choco a lot.”

Choco playfully bumped its forehead against my hand, then lay down and thoroughly enjoyed my touch.

Strangely, Choco moved well on its own, probably afraid of hurting me with its large size and strength.

Even the fierce sounds, true to its nature as a black leopard, had somehow changed into a cute feeling.

“Meow.”