Suffering for Nothing – 4

“It’s been a while, Persona.”

I was on my way back after turning a monster with a crow’s face into a pile of ash.

Kang In-ho, who had landed on the rooftop of a suitable building and canceled his transformation, was suddenly approached by a lanky man.

Kang In-ho frowned at the man’s appearance without any warning, as if he had been there all along.

“Who are you?”

At the blunt question, the man’s eyes widened for a moment.

“Your personality has changed a lot since I last saw you. You even make eye contact with me. Heh heh….”

He gave a chilling smile. Seeing that smile reminded me of my old colleagues who used to be intimidated.

However, the old colleague I met after a long time had changed a lot more than I thought.

“…….”

Fatigue and annoyance were clearly visible in the eyes behind the half-mask.

Crown, perhaps embarrassed by the expression he had never seen before, cleared his throat.

“Surely, you haven’t forgotten this Crown, have you?”

“Crown….”

“Oh dear… oh dear… Did you perhaps lose your memory?”

Crown expressed his dismay at Kang In-ho’s question.

His exaggerated gesture irritated Kang In-ho.

“It would make sense if I lost my memory.”

“Don’t mumble to yourself, tell me too.”

“Haha, I never thought I’d see you talking to me like that….”

At Kang In-ho’s continued words, a vein popped out on Crown’s forehead.

“Persona. Let me tell you your true identity.”

“…?”

“You were originally one of the Four Heavenly Kings, a loyal servant of the Witch.”

“I know.”

“I don’t know why you lost your memory, but the Magical Girl took you in… You know?”

Crown’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. I know. And I know one more thing.”

Kang In-ho moved his neck, and a cracking sound echoed.

“What…!”

Before Crown could finish speaking, Kang In-ho’s hand pierced through his chest.

“You’re going to die here.”

“…….”

Even with his chest pierced and his insides burning, Crown didn’t move.

Kang In-ho quickly noticed the strangeness.

“What are you?”

“You noticed quickly. Yes, this is a dummy. I saw Lilith and Tols die like that, did you think I would appear before you without any precautions?”

Kang In-ho clicked his tongue and pulled out his hand, and Crown, with a gaping hole in his chest, smiled at him.

“So, why did you go to the trouble of making a dummy to appear before me?”

“I thought you had lost your memory, so I was going to recruit you. But from the way you talk… it seems you know you’re one of the Four Heavenly Kings and still sided with the Magical Girl.”

“Well, you could say that.”

“I’d like to ask why, if you don’t mind.”

“Because this side has a better chance of winning?”

“Hahahahaha, a chance of winning? Are you trying to make me laugh to death?”

Kang In-ho frowned as he clutched his stomach and laughed.

“What’s so funny? Two of the Four Heavenly Kings are already dead.”

“Hahaha, ah~ I’m sorry. I laughed too much.”

Crown’s eyes welled up as he struggled to suppress the burst of laughter.

“Your skill in dealing with Tols is certainly impressive. You’ve become twice as strong as before. Perhaps the Magical Girl’s magic has made you stronger?”

Kang In-ho didn’t bother to answer the question.

Regardless, Crown continued his story.

“But even if you and the Magical Girl attack together, you won’t be able to defeat the Witch.”

“We’ll have to see about that.”

“Persona, did you hit your head hard in the last fight? You know the Witch’s power very well, don’t you?”

Crown let out a hollow laugh.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You’re weird?”

Kang In-ho, who had been listening to him blankly, narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

Crown spoke as if he had nothing to hide, but Kang In-ho didn’t let go of his suspicious gaze.

“If you were so confident, you wouldn’t have shown up like this.”

“…….”

“There’s such an overwhelming difference in power, and you’re trying to win me over? To break my spirit? Are the Four Heavenly Kings such kind beings?”

“Your mind has gotten better in the meantime. So, what are you trying to say?”

Crown erased the expression from his face and looked at him, Kang In-ho raised his middle finger.

“No matter what the conditions are, I don’t negotiate with the forces of evil. So, don’t waste your time and get lost.”

“…Your will. I understand. I hope you stick to that will until the end.”

“Yeah, get lost~ And don’t even think about putting a tail on me, you’ll just die more painfully.”

As if waving goodbye to a departing friend, he raised both middle fingers and stuck out his tongue, provoking him to the end.

Crown gritted his teeth so hard that a cracking sound could be heard, turned around, and his body crumbled like a collapsing building.

As he disappeared without any warning, the masked Kang In-ho let out a sigh of relief.

“Sigh… things are going to get complicated.”

Why did I have to play vigilante when it’s not even in my nature….

It’s just unnecessary suffering.

A few days later.

Kim Sung-ah, who was eating the food he had prepared and getting ready for school, looked at Kang In-ho worriedly.

“Are you okay, Mister?”

“I can handle it.”

“You went out again today, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, those crazy bastards came in the early morning. They have no sense of business ethics.”

“It must have been hard to get up… I really struggled to get up early too.”

She glanced at him furtively.

“Mister, why don’t we just move in two shifts….”

“Let’s think about it after the college entrance exam. For now, focus on taking the exam.”

“How can I study in peace when you’re nodding off like a sick chicken?”

“Is that why your mock exam scores were like that?”

“…When did you see that?”

“It was on your desk when I went to wake you up.”

“…….”

“I used to work overtime a lot when I was working, so don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of myself.”

“I wouldn’t care if you were a stranger, but I’m worried about you.”

Kim Sung-ah pouted and grumbled.

“Well, they won’t be barging in again today. I should get some sleep after you go to school.”

“You need to make up for your lack of sleep. You have to sleep, okay?”

She said again as if trying to get a promise.

He nodded and rubbed his eyes. His dry eyes showed no sign of getting better.

As Kim Sung-ah headed for the front door after finishing her meal, he also moved to see her off.

He looked at her back as she put on her shoes for a moment and opened his mouth.

“Ah, let’s eat out today.”

“I’d love to. You should get some rest too, Mister.”

“Okay, I’ll go to your school on time. Let’s meet there.”

“In front of the school…?”

“Yeah, why?”

Kim Sung-ah hesitated for a moment at his question.

“Um… it’s nothing. See you in front of the school. But don’t stand in front of the school gate.”

“Why?”

“Just know that.”

With a sunny smile, she opened the door and stepped out.

“I’m off~”

Kang In-ho sees her off as she leaves with a refreshing smile.

It feels a little strange to see someone off.

“…I’m sleepy.”

He rubbed his dry eyes again and headed for his room.

He needed to get a good night’s sleep now to get his body back to normal.