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[Translator - Night]
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Chapter 44: Good Morning.
The Count-rank demon, Albania of the Illusion, was born in Hell and had lived for hundreds of years.
Having lived such a long time, perhaps she had gained a certain perspective.
She had always known it, but as she aged and accumulated mana within her body, she felt it more keenly.
Even in Hell, where fighting day in and day out and exploiting subordinate demons was routine, there was still an absolute order that governed everything.
It wasn’t some vague philosophical enlightenment like chasing clouds.
It was a simple and clear truth:
—The strong are justice.
In Hell, where only the powerful could assert their rights, this was a given.
Those who thought knowledge in their heads was a weapon would scoff at this saying, but after getting punched in the face by a magical fist, they quickly changed their minds.
‘Yeah, being strong seems like a good thing, right?’
‘…Yes, I believe so.’
‘Let’s do better from now on, okay?’
‘…Yes.’
When a low-ranking demon talks back to a high-ranking one, they usually get beaten to a pulp and end up realizing, “I was too full of myself.”
This was a world where the strongest tyrant owned everything.
It was a paradise of power where everyone dreamed of becoming that tyrant and growing stronger.
Not just in words—but in truth, it was a society run by the law of strength.
For Albania, who had risen to the rank of Count in such a world, deciding to follow the great master Shin Yuseong hadn’t required much thought.
‘Well, he’s ridiculously strong, isn’t he?’
It wasn’t like she’d been subdued through trickery, poison, or ambush.
She had been utterly overwhelmed by sheer power—and as a high-ranking demon, she had instinctively sensed death.
Even when she recalled the moment over and over, the conclusion was always the same: if that sword had struck her, she would’ve died.
Even if it was a power that disrupted the mind, being able to charm so many demons and black mages at once was still an incredible feat.
Even if it took a roundabout path, that kind of illusion becoming reality meant the wielder was truly strong.
Though weakened after crossing into the human realm, Albania was still a high-ranking demon holding the title of Count.
As a being who commanded the concept of illusion, she was not someone to be taken lightly.
Even now, she felt confident she could fight a grand mage—but to be rendered helpless by a mere human’s gesture?
That was hard to accept.
There had to be something beyond her understanding to explain that kind of disparity.
Before judging the “human” race, it had to be something that had transcended the chains of mortality.
If he truly was a being who had escaped the fate of mortality, it wasn’t such a bad thought.
In other words, he was a transcendent.
Was there any shame in losing to a god and being captured?
That was only natural—and showing respect and reverence to an overwhelmingly strong opponent was the same.
Those who trespassed into the domain of the divine and committed blasphemy had only one obvious thing to do.
When facing a hostile transcendent, the only proper response was to grovel and offer up everything, begging to be spared.
Especially when already in captivity.
Shouldn’t they be offering tributes and even ransom?
For Albania, who considered being alive at this point a miracle, it was hard to understand why everyone else looked so gloomy.
The weak's possessions rightfully belonged to the strong—and the fact they still had their lives was something to be grateful for.
Yes, no need to keep talking. Let’s just start collecting, shall we?
With that line of thought, Albania reached out her hand with a composed expression.
[So, hand over something valuable. One by one.]
[…]
[Before you all die.]
A truly demonic act of tyranny.
* * *
“Ugh, I hate life.”
Sephine Alavad had recently found herself becoming more and more dejected.
She was the daughter of one of the world’s most prestigious magical families.
If she put her mind to it, she was talented enough to aim for the position of heir at any time.
She never really wanted to become the best in the world, but she’d always been confident she could live a comfortable, normal life...
…So how on earth did things end up like this?
She now found herself tangled in this and that, realizing just how lacking she truly was.
She had studied magic her whole life.
But outside of manipulation and transformation magic, she was a complete idiot.
“…Ah, seriously, I’m such a dumb idiot.”
Now, she couldn’t even figure out what birthday gift to give the guy she had a crush on.
She shut her eyes tight and knocked her head lightly in frustration.
She really had no idea.
Not just a friend—someone she wished her relationship with could go further.
What should she give such a person?
A bouquet might feel strangely burdensome.
Buying him clothes?
She didn’t really know his tastes yet.
Of course, there was an outfit she’d love to see him wear.
But that was entirely based on her own preferences, and she worried he might think she was being pushy if she gave it to him.
And if she gave him something like a gaming device, it might make her seem like some kind of cringey nerd.
‘You like this kind of thing?’
‘Uh, I mean, I didn’t really need something this elaborate…’
Sure, he’d said he liked games—but maybe he’d only dabbled briefly.
It wasn’t uncommon for someone who hadn’t even played 100 hours to say, “Huh, I think I like games,” on a whim.
More than anything, Shin Yuseong absolutely didn’t look like someone who sat in his room playing games all day!
He was too handsome—he didn’t look like the type to hang out at clubs or bars like other guys either.
More like someone who’d go to an art gallery alone to appreciate paintings, or listen to classical music while sipping tea at home.
‘Is it really okay to give someone like that a game console?’
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[Translator - Night]
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Sure, it might be the right answer—but as a gift for someone she had a crush on, didn’t it seem a bit nonsensical?
Or maybe she was just being too hasty.
If she just approached this as a gift between friends, then maybe it wasn’t such a bad choice after all.
‘Maybe it’s not a bad idea, surprisingly.’
Yes, no need to rush things.
He didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d fall for her quickly even if she made a move anyway.
A game console—preferably one of those expensive ones that’s tempting but not quite worth buying yourself.
Sephine Alavad had finally settled on a direction for the birthday gift.
She’d heard that he liked food too, but gifts like burgers, chicken, or mobile coupons felt blatantly thoughtless, so those had been ruled out from the start.
Sending luxury ingredients out of the blue… That would be even more nonsensical than an expensive game console.
“Why would I send this?”
If he reacted like that to the gift, it would be a disaster.
‘Let’s go with a more familiar, friendly game console.’
Finally seeing a clear path, Sephine imagined Shin Yuseong happily receiving her gift, and the corners of her mouth twitched into a smile.
The happy thought seemed to flood her brain with endorphins and adrenaline, improving her mood dramatically.
She sprang out of bed, threw on some clothes, and headed to the department store.
“Hey, Auntie. Do you know much about game consoles?”
All in the name of preparing the best possible gift.
* * *
Strictly speaking, the human concept of “gifts” probably held many meanings.
Because it was a special day.
Because they were friends.
Because they loved someone.
“Let’s discuss the matter of giving a 1.43 million won game console to a person of interest. What do we think about a friend suddenly giving this kind of gift after only doing some group and outdoor activities together?”
Sometimes, there were places where people meticulously debated, all to win favor with just one person.
In the depths of the Yeongnak First School.
Under the watchful eyes of the guardian lion Emir, the Church’s intelligence division held an emergency meeting with serious expressions and solemn tones.
“A game console, huh.”
“Not an easy one.”
Though the topic sounded light on the surface, they answered after deep thought.
“I mean, wouldn't he think, ‘Why such an expensive gift? Do I really look like someone who’s that into games?’”
“We’re friends, but we’ve only known each other for two months, and it’s a bit much for people just starting out in society.”
“Well, they do all come from well-off families, and they made decent money from dungeon work, so maybe it’s fine?”
“Still… 1.43 million won is a lot.”
“Honestly, I’d just be happy to get it.”
“That’s because you’re a girl. Think like a guy. You’re a handsome, top-performing, popular guy. How would you react?”
“Uh… would a guy like that even be into games or anime?”
“Right, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Good angle. Even if he said he liked games, taking everything he says at face value would be disgraceful for an intelligence officer.”
“I’ve seen someone who only watched Crayon Shin-chan and One Two Piece call themselves an otaku.”
“Relying on such rare examples to confirm a bias isn’t ideal, but I do agree we should be cautious for such an important matter.”
“Hmm, yeah, these days a lot of guys play games, but usually FPS or cute-looking ones. Console games can feel a bit too serious or niche.”
“Let’s lower the bar a bit?”
“Yeah, like the Kintendo.”
“Not bad.”
While listening to the detailed discussion involving every available male and female agent from the First Church's intelligence branch, Emir, who had been quietly nodding along, suddenly came to her senses and furrowed her brow.
‘…Why does it feel like we’re holding a meeting about something weird?’
But it was a critical moment—trying to earn favor with a potentially dangerous individual.
‘I’m seriously questioning my identity right now.’
If only he were the type of person who made a wishlist on Messenger or social media.
“Then it’s down to choosing between the 890,000 won Kintendo Special ‘We-Ah’ and the 400,000 won Kintendo ‘Reach’.”
“I like the sound of ‘Reach’.”
“‘We-Ah’ seems more geared toward co-op play, though.”
…Hmm.
Is this really the right direction?
Emir, suddenly overcome with a wave of existential doubt, smacked her lips and forced herself to refocus on the meeting.
She had to concentrate.
* * *
A little more time passed, and the weekend arrived.
Midterms were starting Monday, right around the corner.
His first school exam in 20 years!
He wasn’t planning to come in first like he did on the level test, but he didn’t plan to flunk either.
There was a strange sense of excitement and tension about it.
It was time to buckle down on studying—and also the day his brand-new, high-end apartment was to receive its very first guest.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang.
I hurried to the door and opened it to welcome my first-ever visitor.
Her distinctive blue hair, her pale skin still noticeable despite her improving condition—
Seol Yeonhwa shyly looked away and greeted me softly.
“…Good morning.”
It was the kind of line that should make your fingers tingle.
Combined with her looks, it could have sparked romantic feelings—
But I kept calm.
Not because I wasn’t interested in her, but because…
[A romance event?! Finally!]
[(ㅎ-ㅎ)]
[The goddess squeals in glee, pounding the cushion next to her with excitement.]
…The goddess watching from the heavens seemed even more invested than me.
Hmm.
That kind of killed the mood a bit.
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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