Mister Will Buy You Candy -2

The situation calmed down, and I spoke up again.

“What’s certain is that if we bring the Demon King, we can figure out quite a bit.”

“That’s the point. The problem is how to bring that Demon King.”

It was Noah speaking.

Perhaps Noah was thinking of defeating the Demon King and forcibly questioning her.

But there’s no particular need for that.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time with the Demon King there.”

“So?”

“The Demon King is, how should I put it… hmm… yes, just like how you used to be, Noah.”

“Like how I used to be?”

Noah pointed a finger at herself and tilted her head. At that sight, I gladly described Noah’s past self.

“Dark, looking lonely, but snappy when approached.”

“W-wait a minute.”

“Pretending to dislike it when someone’s by your side, but when they try to leave, clinging to their leg and not even thinking about letting go. That kind of cute kid.”

“Was I like that in the past? Geez…”

Noah fanned her face with her hand. In the midst of that, suddenly the fan stopped.

“Wait… did you say cute?”

“Huh? Why so suddenly?”

“…Mister, don’t tell me you’ve developed an interest in that Demon King child—”

She’s saying something dangerous!

“I haven’t! She’s only about seven years old!”

“You never know! You’re interested in high school girls, so you could be interested in kindergarteners too!”

“I’m not!”

I pressed my temples hard. She really takes her jokes too far. Or is it not a joke…?

Well, anyway.

“I have an idea, want to follow me? We’ve finished eating anyway.”

I downed the remaining soju and got up first.

“Check, please.”

After finishing the payment and leaving the restaurant, the magical girls followed behind me. As I was leading them, Noah let out a big yawn.

It was no wonder. Late dawn, after eating a warm, hearty meal.

I would have preferred to rest a bit before going.

“Girls, let’s hang in there a little longer.”

“We’re just really sleepy… are you okay, mister?”

“Actually, this method is only possible now when I’ve used up most of my magic power. Inherent magic power is difficult to hide.”

“What kind of method are you thinking of…”

“Wait, I’ll tell you when we get there.”

After looking around for a while, we entered a dark alley. Not stopping there, we went further in, even deeper.

The place we arrived at was an empty space between buildings. Simply put, it was a very small open area.

“This should be suitable. No cameras around, quiet and dark. A perfect place to be victimized by crime.”

No wonder there’s so much crime when places like this are abundant.

And now, that kind of thing is about to happen.

“Oh, my back…”

I lay down in the middle of the open area. The magical girls’ eyes were filled with questions. Regardless, I did what I needed to do.

“Kkomul-i, you get ready too.”

“Wow, we’re really doing this.”

“Of course. It makes me look too pitiful, but what can I do? This is the best way to lure her out.”

There was a benefit to keeping Kkomul-i’s identity completely hidden until the end. I can use him efficiently in this operation. That’s worth it.

Just then.

“Mister.”

Noah came over and poked my body.

“If you sleep here, your mouth will get twisted.”

“Whew… I’d rather be sleeping. Let’s finish this quickly so I can rest…”

“Yes. So let’s finish quickly. It seems Kkomul-i knows what’s going on, but what should we do?”

What those guys need to do from now on is a very simple task. Something they’ve done a lot of until now.

“Step on me.”

“…What?”

“Trample me thoroughly. Get a lot of dust on my clothes. Make me look completely beaten up to anyone who sees. Got it?”

Gulp.

When I turned my head, I saw Noah’s face had turned pale blue.

“I… I’m not a sadist… but if that’s what the mister likes, I’ll… I’ll try my best!”

“No, it’s not like that, it’s just part of the plan?”

“At least it’s a relief. That the mister isn’t the one doing the hitting… Ah! O-of course, if the mister wants, I’m ready to take anything from you.”

…No, that’s not what I meant.

+++++

Kkomul-i headed to the Demon King’s castle.

‘Really, he’s too rough to be rolled around.’

How long has it been since he operated alone like this? He searched for the way, zipping around with his small tentacles.

Certainly, the instruction to keep his identity hidden seemed to be the right decision.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen you before!”

“Yes! I’m Kkomul-kkomul, who just joined!”

“Is that so…? Welcome to the Demon King’s army. Let’s color the world together.”

“Yes!”

It was this easy to pass through. If it had been known that he was Shin Hyun’s companion, he would surely have received suspicious glances.

After crawling for quite some time, Kkomul-i. The place he headed to was the Demon King’s playroom, simply put, her playroom.

‘Now, let’s try to lure the Demon King.’

Although he was uncomfortable with becoming an accomplice in a mass kidnapping case.

+++++

The Demon King was bored.

‘Brother… he’s really gone…’

It was because the person who came to play with her every day had disappeared.

Shin Hyun.

That name had become a significant presence in the Demon King’s daily life.

‘I’m lonely… I’m so lonely…’

She aimlessly grabbed a toy and shook it hard.

“What shall we play with today?”

It was the pink rabbit doll, the girl’s favorite. Opposite it was a black cat doll. The doll he often held and interacted with.

Normally, he would have said something like, “Yeah, what do you want to play?” In a lowered voice that didn’t suit him at all.

“…Sigh… this is boring…”

The Demon King threw away the toy.

“Will I be able to see him again…”

She missed him.

“Brother… I miss you… I want to see you…”

She wanted to see him again. This was the first time the Demon King had felt this way. Before being the Demon King, she was a girl starved for attention and warmth.

It’s natural that such a girl, having once tasted light, can’t return to darkness.

That’s why the girl was all the more tormented. Because the remnants of light he had left behind sparkled so brightly.

“Brother is too much…! If he was going to do this, he shouldn’t have made me expect anything!”

The Demon King rolled on the floor.

Terrible loneliness tormented her.

“Haah…”

The Demon King, who had been sighing constantly, suddenly turned her head toward the door.

There was a life form she had never seen before. With its black tentacles, it seemed to resemble an octopus she had seen in an encyclopedia.

Of course, compared to the real thing, it had a more character-like feeling.

“Who are you?”

How on earth?

How did that creature get in here?

Kkomul-i flinched at the Demon King’s sharp question. But he didn’t back down and spoke firmly.

“I… I’m Kkomul-i.”

“Kkomul-i?”

It was a name she had never heard before.

Could it be that he wasn’t part of the Demon King’s army?

“Was there someone like you in our army?”

“Of course… not.”

“…Not?”

Purple flames rose in the Demon King’s eyes.

“Then how did you get here?”

“That’s…”

“Don’t say ‘by chance.’ This is a place for my amusement. It’s a place where chance can never lead one to flow in, and only those who are permitted know the way. If you don’t speak quickly, I’ll roast and eat you—”

“Shin Hyun.”

Flinch!

“Would you believe me if I said Shin Hyun sent me?”

“Brother!”

The Demon King, realizing she had spoken loudly, cleared her throat.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, I am Kkomul-i, Shin Hyun’s partner.”

“Partner?”

“Yes. Kraken is a villain created by the fusion of Shin Hyun and me.”

“Oh.”

“So I could say I’m his closest partner.”

So there was such a secret.

“So? Why did brother send you?”

At the Demon King’s words, Kkomul-i made a fuss.

As if something really big had happened.

“It’s terrible, Demon King! The magical girls are trying to capture Shin Hyun!”

What?

The Demon King’s expression distorted. So those things called magical girls.

“They’re trying to capture brother?”

“Yes!”

“Then… what will happen?”

Tension filled Kkomul-i’s words.

“Maybe, he might never be able to meet the Demon King again… sniff… he sent only me to request help.”

“This…”

“Please hurry and follow me, Demon King! I know the way!”

“…Haah… this won’t do. Originally, I was bound to this place by contract, but…”

Crack.

The Demon King clutched her chest strongly, and the sound of something breaking was heard.

“Demon King?”

“Kugh… I just forcibly broke the contract.”

“Are you okay?”

“It hurts enough to die… it’s painful enough to die… but, to meet him, this is the only way.”

The Demon King hated being left alone more than pain.

Being left alone again.

“Lead the way! I must go to brother’s side right now!”

“Yes! This way!”

My magic power has decreased due to the recoil… but it doesn’t matter.

‘Wait, brother! I’m coming to save you now!’

The Demon King followed Kkomul-i and ventured outside for the first time.

The cool air and neon signs welcomed the girl, but she didn’t care about such things.

“Over there!”

“Brother!”

The Demon King landed, emitting a black aura. She could see in her eyes.

The dusty figure of Shin Hyun and the four magical girls standing nearby.

It was too late.

Anger welled up.

“You… you… you rotten ones!!!”

Magic power filled with hatred tore through the air and echoed.

“I won’t leave you alone! I’ll separate your bones and flesh, don’t even think about returning unharmed—”

“Ugh…”

“…Brother!”

“Demon King…”

“Brother, wait just a moment. I’ll come to save you right now. First, I’ll take care of these guys… kugh… the aftereffects of breaking the contract…!”

“First, calm down. Hmm… yes, do you want some candy?”

“How can candy go into my mouth now! Wait a bit. After I get rid of all these guys—”

Swoosh.

The man who put Black Heart’s sword to his own neck shouted.

“I’m… I’m a hostage! Lower your magic now and give up on fighting!”

“Brother…?”

“I’m your brother, bro-ther. Want to see what happens to me!? Lower your magic right now and let’s resolve this through conversation!”

What on earth is he doing?