episode_0030

“It’s a short meeting, but should we exchange names? I’m Beck. Nice to meet you.”

“…I see.”

“You’re quite stiff, huh?”

After smoothly escaping the back alley under Allen’s escort, the curse magician who revealed himself as Beck as they walked towards the inn continued to chatter incessantly.

‘This is getting annoying.’

“In fact, curses can be surprisingly useful. People tend to ignore and condemn curses outright, but it’s a kind of great magic in its own way!”

“Can’t we walk a bit more quietly?”

“Haha! That’s difficult. I’m feeling good after a long time.”

“…”

Allen hoped that Beck would return to his attitude when they first met.

A relationship where they each get what they want, cleanly calculated, easily parting ways.

At least Allen wanted that kind of relationship with Beck.

“Here we are.”

“Oh? It’s a better inn than I expected.”

“…I have my reasons.”

“Well, no problem. So… who is the target for the curse?”

“A child.”

“What? Someone cursed a child. As a curse magician, that’s disgraceful.”

Listening to the man continue to talk, Allen opened the door to the inn room he had secured.

“Kuuu…”

“Is this the child?”

“Lower your voice.”

Fortunately, Lily was still asleep.

Allen quietly entered the room with Beck.

Even if Beck had other intentions, as long as he was there, there was no problem.

“I know how to check a body with magic, so do it cleanly without any tricks.”

“I mean, those who swindle money on this street don’t live long. It’s common sense.”

Grumbling bluntly, Beck sought permission from Allen with his eyes before gently placing his hand on Lily’s forehead.

“Hmm… Huh…?”

“…”

For the sake of the curse removal, Beck, who was trying to figure out the type of curse, froze for a moment.

“…What’s going on? Surely you’re not saying you can’t remove the curse.”

“…It’s possible to remove the curse. But… let’s go outside and talk first, Hyung.”

“?”

If the curse could be removed, why not do it right away?

Although Allen found it hard to guess the reason, he obediently followed Beck out of the room.

“…In life, there are cases like this.”

“What kind of curse is causing this?”

“…”

As if unable to speak easily, Beck hesitated with his lips as if about to speak.

“Sigh… Well, if you’ve received this much money, you should provide a service. Hyung. That girl… she’s not an ordinary human, right?”

“…Right.”

Since Allen must have felt discomfort during the process of identifying the curse type, he simply nodded his head.

“Ha… This is something. Well… removing the curse is possible. But the problem is… it’s a curse that makes you wonder if removing it is the right thing to do.”

“Will removing it put a strain on the body?”

“In a way, you could say it’s straining.”

After taking a moment to catch his breath, Beck continued.

“The curse on that young lady… to put it simply, weakens her racial traits.”

“Traits… you say.”

Beck had already noticed what mixed-race Lily belonged to, but he didn’t mention it directly.

“The common feature of this curse is that growth is significantly slowed down. Even though the girl sleeping there looks about 14 years old on the outside, she’s probably not that age.”

“…Is there a way to promote growth without removing the curse?”

“It’s difficult.”

In other words, if they were to remove Lily’s curse, her Ma’jok traits could become even stronger.

However, if they didn’t remove the curse… Lily’s growth might truly come to a sudden halt.

“Rather, there’s an effect of growth being delayed, and reaching this level of growth is a sign of tolerance.”

“Is it that serious?”

“It’s serious. Very.”

“…”

In a situation where he couldn’t make a choice, Allen felt a throbbing in his head.

No matter what choice he made… it didn’t seem like it would bring happiness.

“…Hyung. How about asking yourself if making a decision is difficult?”

“…What?”

“Well, the one cursed is that lady, so at least ask for her opinion.”

“…That’s not wrong, but that child doesn’t even know they’re cursed.”

“Then tell them.”

“Don’t you think about the pain that child will endure?”

Allen felt a bit angry at Beck’s seemingly indifferent words.

Even though it wasn’t his own business, wasn’t it too irresponsible a statement?

“Hyung. There are no eternal secrets in this world.”

“What?”

“Someday that lady will also realize she’s been cursed. Who do you think she’ll feel the most betrayed by then?”

“…”

“I understand your feelings, Hyung, but I believe it’s best to decide whether to curse or not when you can.”

Beck earnestly presented his argument to Allen.

“…”

As it wasn’t a wrong statement, Allen also found himself deep in thought.

‘Surely she won’t ask for a refund if I don’t curse her.’

Of course, from Beck’s perspective, it was better to grant the curse, but that was just his opinion.

“Fine. If she’s going to find out eventually anyway.”

“You’ve thought well, Hyung.”

*Kiiing-*

“!”

“Sir.”

Taking a breath, Allen quietly opened the door, only to see Lily standing in front of it.

‘Wasn’t she supposed to be sleeping?’

In such a bewildering situation, Lily took Allen’s hand as he stood speechless.

“Sir, I want you to curse me.”

“…Lily.”

“I’m sorry. I already heard everything. But I want to become an adult.”

“How about thinking a little more carefully…?”

Allen was afraid.

If Lily turned out like the many demons he had encountered… he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

And… he would have to finish it with his own hands.

“Sir, I know what you’re worried about… but please trust me.”

“…”

With his arms crossed, Beck listened intently to the conversation between the two.

‘This… is an interesting situation.’

In fact, Beck already knew exactly what kind of blood Lily’s half-blood was.

While Allen vaguely suspected that it was demon blood.

“If it’s your choice, I’ll believe in it.”

“Thank you.”

In the end, Allen couldn’t break Lily’s determination.

‘There won’t be any refunds.’

“You made a good choice, Hyung. If you delay the curse even a bit, the opportunity for growth might disappear.”

Since the decision had been made to curse, Beck entered the room first.

It was better if there were no onlookers around.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes…!”

Finally, Allen and Lily followed Beck into the room.

Beck was already preparing for the curse, muttering an incantation while holding his staff.

“Phew, I’ve blocked all sound for now.”

“Why did you block the sound?”

“Just to prevent any leaks.”

Saying that, Beck gestured for Lily to lie down on the bed.

“…”

With a mix of fear and hope, Lily obediently lay down on the bed.

“Just so you know, even if I curse you, it won’t change right away. It will gradually change, like a dam slowly breaking.”

“Got it.”

“Well, let’s start the ritual.”

Beck placed his hand on Lily’s forehead.

“…”

Then, with his eyes closed, Allen chanted an incomprehensible and eerie spell.

Although Allen was almost ignorant of magic, he could see Beck’s magic flowing into Lily.

“Ugh…”

Perhaps feeling some pain during the process, Lily let out a small groan along with cold sweat.

“Hold on a little longer. It’ll be over soon.”

Looking at Lily with anxious eyes, Allen offered a kind smile.

“Yes…”

Seemingly relieved by Allen’s smile, Lily also smiled faintly.

After about 10 minutes, Beck successfully lifted Lily’s curse.

“Phew… Performing rituals after a long time is tough.”

“… Is it done well?”

“Perfectly.”

“… That’s a relief.”

Breathing a sigh of relief at being able to safely lift Lily’s curse, Allen exhaled in relief.

“Ugh… I feel queasy.”

Moist with sweat trickling down slowly, Lily murmured.

“Just wait a bit.”

Swish-

“?!”

Unexpectedly, Allen pointed a knife at Beck’s neck.

“Why, cousin!? The ritual was completed perfectly, wasn’t it?”

“… Swear that you will keep what you witnessed here today.”

“…”

Only then did Beck realize Allen’s intentions.

“Thoroughly despicable.”

However, since there was no other choice, Beck nodded his head.

As many clients desired secrecy, Beck held many secrets in his mind, never once revealing them.

Revealing them would mean his own death.

“You’re really thorough. But secrecy is essential in our industry anyway. There was no need to resort to a knife.”

“…”

With a slightly puzzled expression, Allen sheathed the knife.

“Now, I swear from this moment. I will not disclose to anyone what happened in this room today.”

Humming-

A self-imposed oath.

As usual, Beck skillfully gathered magic in his hands and brought it to his heart.

“Ugh… Can I trust this level?”

“… Yes.”

Seeing Beck speak calmly despite the gripping pain in his heart, Allen felt ashamed of himself for doubting this man and holding a knife to him to swear.

“I’m sorry. I acted too sensitively.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Beck smiled as if it were nothing.

Knowing that revealing his demon hybrid status would lead to terrible consequences, Beck was aware of what might happen.

“Lily, go rest first.”

“Yes…”

Perhaps due to the recoil of the ritual, Lily still had a dazed expression.

Leaving her like that made Allen a bit uneasy, but he decided to keep his promise.

“I’ll escort you home.”

“As expected, you are conscientious, cousin.”