메모리 손실

달콤한 독

*Sweet poison* 


Step step step

Her footsteps echoed across the deathly silent realm. Her frightened expression was met with eyes of worry and others of indifference. They had this same scene replayed over and over again so many times they've lost count. 

Demons don't usually survive long when returning from a failed mission. Gwi-ma made sure of it. 

As the demon slowly stepped closer and closer to the ever terrifying king of demons, she saw a familiar face poking out from the crowd. Their gazes met for a few moments, moments that both knew would be her last. Silent words were passed through their expressions. Apologies, promises, and a few regrets that this was how it ended. 

But they couldn't change anything.

Her fate was already decided.

She stopped just short of stepping up the stairs, hesitating for a moment. 

I could run, could try and escape. We could escape together.

But her plans were useless. The 마왕 왕 could already see what she was planning. 

Her patterns burst into glowing pink, dragging her forwards like invisible chains. And in a way, that's exactly what they were. Chains that dragged her down due to all the mistakes she had made. And unfortunately, this failure would be her last. For Gwi-ma was getting impatient.

"Let me guess," Their voice filled with knowing as they continued, "They got away again?"

"The...the hunters, they're too strong," She stammered, curling in on herself as she prepared for the worst. But what came out of the glowing fire's mouth shocked her.

"I understand."

"You...You do?" They turned their gaze back towards her king, her 왕. She almost sat down and wept right there on the ground out of relief. If not, from Gwi-ma turning the situation around once more.

"I understand THAT YOU ARE WEAK".

A horrified scream cut across the cold stone stage as the fires of hell enveloped the demon. Her skin was set ablaze as she cried and begged for mercy. Gwi-ma spat out insults at them as every cell in their body was reduced to nothingness.  All that was left of her was her ashes and the memory a certain demon still carried. One who wiped his tears silently before slipping away. His heart was heavy in his chest. 


"Don't you idiots know?" The 왕 hissed, his voice tinged with agitation. "Once the hunters turn the hoonmoon gold, it's over for us!" 

As if to emphasize his words, the shield above them glowed with strings of gold. Showing how close the demons were to losing their only means of life. For if the hoonmoon were permanently sealed. They would starve. Starve surrounded by memories of their past mistakes.

One demon specifically started sobbing, covering their face with their hands as uncontrolled tears ran down their face like waterfalls.

But before Gwi-ma could snap at them and perhaps even turn them to dust, a chord was strung. Catching everyone off guard as they turned in search of the mysterious melody. While they did, an almost angelic voice rang out. 

"There was once a mighty demon king. Stop me if you've heard this once before."

A man, perched upon a gigantic gate made out of stone, wore a black, tattered hanbok, one that resembled that of the old Korean folklore entity: jeoseung saja. The equivalent of the Grim Reaper. In his hands was a bipa. He struck the cords with precision, as if every move had been practiced hundreds of times until it was nothing but perfection.

"He was in total control; he feasted on souls, the world trembled when he roared."

He then stepped off the gate. Letting himself float down towards the large group, all while still maintaining his calm and controlled demeanor. 

"But then some hunters sang some songs, and now all he does is starve." 

They landed on the ground with a soft thump. Along with it came a feline-like growl as two glowing eyes shone behind him. A large creature wove its way to their master, growling at anyone who dared to move even an inch too close. Every shameful creature stepped back, opening a path for the mysterious man to walk through. They stayed silent, wanting to hear more of his voice and melody. 

"Can't get at the souls, and his flame grows cold. Just a whisper in the dark"

(DANG IT HE'S HOT- THEY JUST HAD TO GIVE HIM NECK TATTOOS DIDN'T THEY?!)

"And will he let the fire go out? Is this the end of him now? Dying king with the crumbling crown. Will he let the fire go out?"

He finished his song just as he and his tiger stood perfectly in the demon king's sight. And their reaction was anything but delight. 

"I let you keep that voice, Jinu." They remind him, "And you dare to mock me with it?

"I'm not here to mock you, I'm here to help you," The singer, now revealed as Jinu, clarified. A smile made its way onto his lips as he was joined by five new demons. Each was wearing an exact replica of his outfit, except for one. 

 "It's time for a new strategy."

Jinu lifted his arms as he and the other demons were lifted into the air, landing softly at Gwi-ma's stage. 

"We fight the hunters where they least expect it. Going after the very thing that powers the hoonmoon. The fans"

(Cue their obnoxious pose theme)

The five demons struck a pose. But one of them didn't, they stood on the side, observing silently while holding a ... is that a clipboard?

...

"A demon boy band?" 

A second later, Gwi-ma's villainous laugh cut through the air. While every other demon was forced to laugh along with him, hoping that the demon king wouldn't unleash his annoyance and anger on them.

"What makes you think that could work?" the 마왕 questioned. Sounding rather skeptical. 

The mysterious person on the side held back a grin, "Jinu? Show them," They urged, waving their hand vaguely. The leader gave a nod, snapping his fingers together as the sound of a can being opened filled the air. Mere milliseconds later, each member of the band had transformed into gorgeous men. Each is clearly inspired by the K-pop idol stereotype. 

The demon who had urged Jinu had also changed. They now had long black frizzy hair tied up in two bubble braids. Her smile never wavered as he rested her hands on her lap along with her clipboard. The look in their eyes showed that they were extremely excited to be here. Like she knew something, something that they hid from themselves.

The demon band's new appearance earned everyone but Gwi-ma's complete trust. 

"Okay..." They murmured skeptically before returning to his usual voice of power.

"I know you, Jinu. In 400 years, you've never done a single thing that didn't serve yourself."

Jinu's calm demeanor faltered for a split second as images of his mother and sister were shoved into his head. The screams of his sisters as the spears pointed her way. The sad and scared look his mother gave him as guards surrounded them. Everything flashed in front of him, reminding them of everything they had done, every mistake and every regret. That is what the demon kind feasted on, the shame. And Jinu had enough for a feast.

The girl noticed, she gave him a soft look, nodding her head for him to continue. She understood exactly what Jinu was going through, maybe even better than Jinu himself. 

Jinu gave her a nod back. He turned to the entity that had ruined his life, ruined his everything. The thing that Jinu hated with every fiber in his being. They took a shallow breath, steadying themselves to speak.

"The memories. I want them erased."

Author notes:

Korean words used: 

-마왕: Demon king

-New mystery person? Who might this be?

-The plot is plotting everyone! I repeat, the plot is plotting!

-I thank everyone who took the time out of their day to read my silly little fanfic I decided to write. I will be sure to make every chapter as best I can. And if I miss a day where I publish a chapter, you have my sincerest apologies.

-Also, yes, I did give the flight attendant demon a sad (sorta) backstory. Sue me.

-I hope you all have a great day! 

-V