-OldTimerFan: You see episode 2? I seriously thought after that U-Live ended so abruptly last time that maybe the kids are real murim folk hiding it while active? Like, should I keep it secret too?
└PrettiestSword: Right?! lololol Was it a hidden cam? lolololol
└ShamanWho: Oh, so I wasn't the only one thinking that?? No wonder it was so quiet after that U-Live ended lololol
-OldAwakening: Jaha looked like he was gonna faint lololol Seriously, what about that bird chest lololol
└JahaMarryMe: Cursing from shock was kinda cute lololol
└RealJahaReal: But Heavenly Demon flying off like that, the wire was so obvious lololol
└JahaMarryMe: The door opened all unnatural like X, maybe staff hooked up a rope and yanked it, just guessing
-WorldRank0BestSword: Alliance Leader and Heavenly Demon sharing a room must've gotten close. Them plotting a hidden cam together is too cute lololol
└AllianceDuoGongduNim: Those two big lugs putting their heads together and coming up with jumping off the balcony is the funniest part lololol
└HeavenlyDemonIsPrincess: Alliance Leader takes good care of the rookies, nice to see
└BabyHeavenlyDemon: Company subtly pushing that duo combo? Roommates, opening act, that's how I see it
└PrettiestSword: Their faces look good together when side by side… But why's everyone's speech like that up there?
└AllianceDuoGongduNim: Heavenly Demon fans even got their speech patched to Heavenly Demon style lololol
-WhatTheDemonPossession: Gupailbang manager… extreme job....
└OurBabyBaldNo: Right, who knew he'd grab the manager and jump off lololol
└OldTimerFan: For real extreme job. Some staff who used to be with them posted proof—Heavenly Demon has to keep the concept going all the time, ignores seniors and all, so manager's always taking the hits and apologizing instead
└OurBabyBaldNo: Concept or whatever, does the manager really have to go that far?
└OldTimerFan: Heard Gupailbang manager's salary rivals a big corp exec's annual pay
└OurBabyBaldNo: If they pay that much, sure...
└WhatTheDemonPossession: Even with big money I couldn't do it
└108ArhatJin: Manager-nim, thank you always ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ThreeGreatJongnamBurnout: Manager-nim you're handsome
└WhatTheDemonPossession: No joke, he really is
└WorldRank0BestSword: Back at debut everyone thought the manager was a member too
└WhatTheDemonPossession: With so many heads back then it was even more confusing lololol
└ShamanWho: But why does the manager look so tired lately? Dark circles down to his chin
└WhatTheDemonPossession: Yeah, prepping next activity already?
└OldTimerFan: No way full album?!?!?!???!?!
└WorldRank0BestSword: Full album already? Abs quivering
└ShamanWho: Would love a real full album ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
* * *
"Hyung, didn't sleep again last night?"
Jaha spotted my face as soon as I stepped into the living room and asked in surprise.
"Yeah, a bit?"
"That's more than a bit? Go to the hospital. Or take a vacation."
"That bad?"
"Hyung, you look like you're about to collapse any second."
I rubbed my face sheepishly.
Rough, prickly skin.
I knew my face had been a mess lately.
Ever since the rooftop incident, I'd been tossing and turning at night.
The CEO calling Heavenly Demon here to this world.
Who could sleep easy after hearing that?
The CEO might really have summoned Heavenly Demon to this world.
That reaction when I first brought him over.
I'd thought it was just heart demon possession messing with his head back then, but looking back, he was weirdly calm.
'But how the hell?'
How did the CEO summon Heavenly Demon?
The CEO I knew was a total maniac for wuxia novels, sure.
But aside from having more money than most, he was just an ordinary guy.
No word from the departed members, and Heavenly Demon.
My head throbbed like it would split just thinking that far.
'S should've at least asked if the other kids are doing okay.'
Shin Tae-eul hadn't shown up since the rooftop.
Even with that bizarre incident, Heavenly Demon's next schedules kept piling up, so here I was, dragging him to another variety shoot.
Today's show was one where you transcribe song lyrics.
Heavenly Demon nailed every single line without missing a beat as they played the songs.
"Wow! Got all the lyrics after just one listen!"
"Thanks to Hwajin, we'll wrap recording quick today?"
I'd worried we wouldn't get enough footage since he transcribed so confidently.
"Uh, spelling's all wrong!"
"Monster number for real?"
"Tch. They said write what you hear, so I did. Which rhythm am I supposed to match?"
"Hwajin has that idiot charm."
"Hey, cut Heavenly Demon some slack, he's from the Central Plains!"
Since Heavenly Demon's spelling was always off despite getting the lyrics, the other cast fed him answers to fill the footage.
"Heavenly Demon-nim, you got it right—now do the sexy dance!"
"Company banned it."
"Must be managing his image as a rookie."
"Ah, cringey stuff's fine."
"?"
The set vibe was great.
Heavenly Demon stepped forward after getting his one-take.
I made a gesture covering my eyes like I couldn't bear to watch.
A camera caught me for reaction shots, I could feel it.
...And honestly, I didn't want to see it either.
But then the surroundings started buzzing oddly.
"You, what's wrong with your condition."
Heavenly Demon was suddenly right in front of me.
I panicked, forgetting we were live, and stammered.
Even Heavenly Demon, who knew nothing but fighting, was worried—my face must be that bad.
But Heavenly Demon's impromptu act didn't stop there.
He turned haughtily and addressed the cast.
"As you see, my manager's in no state, so this lord must take his leave."
I was stunned.
The cast froze, unsure if it was real or for the show.
I saw the staff faces crumple.
'Is this punk Hwajin gonna screw up another live after the U-Live fiasco?'
I shot up and spoke playfully into Heavenly Demon's mic.
"Our Hwajin's pulling a stunt cuz he hates dancing~ Take him away quick!"
The set relaxed at last.
"Oh, that's what it was?"
"You scared us, Hwajin!"
"No way, thought he was really leaving."
"If you hate it, just say so! We don't force it these days~ Sit, sit."
Heavenly Demon stared at me intently for a moment but obediently returned to his seat.
Shooting wrapped safely, and in the van back, Heavenly Demon said nothing.
I didn't nag him during the shoot about why he'd done that.
Back home, I headed to my room, but Heavenly Demon followed me in.
This old man's acting weird today.
"Heavenly Demon-nim, you're rooming with the Alliance Leader now, right?"
"You're really off."
"Huh?"
Who're you telling?
"You're the weird one. Do you even realize you're an idol?"
"That's why I danced that bizarre Zero Two whatever."
"Then why keep trying to walk off during broadcasts? Why beg to debut if you're gonna do this?"
"...."
Was Heavenly Demon even listening? He stared at me blankly, then spoke.
"Was gonna let it slide."
He furrowed his brow.
"Your reaction's too weird. Gotta ask."
"About what?"
"You—how do you know the CEO?"
That was the same question Shin Tae-eul had asked me on the rooftop.
The one I couldn't answer.
"...Why's that interesting to you?"
"I told you. Your reaction's too weird."
Heavenly Demon crossed his arms and continued curtly.
"That Jongnam Sect punk said the CEO summoned me to this world."
"...! That was real?"
"This lord doesn't know if it's true either."
"You don't know?"
Heavenly Demon's expression darkened briefly.
"...Right, I don't. This lord knows only what he must do."
"What he must do?"
"Idol debut."
"Doesn't make sense."
Heavenly Demon shook his head slowly.
"There's complicated circumstances. Anyway, if the Jongnam punk's telling truth, you got duped by the CEO. Normally you'd feel betrayed or call the punk crazy. One or the other. But you were neither."
"...I was just a bit confused."
Heavenly Demon scoffed.
"This lord's eyes can't be fooled. One suspicious guy's enough—the CEO. So answer what this lord asks."
Heavenly Demon's eyes grew redder, darker.
That demonic eye from when he taught Jaha the Huashan secrets.
Instinct screamed to bolt, but my body wouldn't move.
"Just what the hell's your deal with the CEO."
Heavenly Demon stared straight into my eyes and demanded.
"Do you feel guilt over the CEO's deeds?"
An overwhelming compulsion hit—no choice but to answer.
Something foul burrowed into my head, prying at every brain crease.
Even after dancing Zero Two, he was still Heavenly Demon.
I'd let my guard down seeing only his sloppy sides.
My mouth opened against my will.
"I...."
...Screw it, might as well admit it.
Heavenly Demon was right.
Guilt hit before betrayal.
Nights tortured me with grim imaginings.
What happened to the departed members?
What about the ones still here?
Shin Tae-eul had said it clear.
-Hyung, heard anything about the departed members?
-You need to know.
-Or you'll die.
Need to know to live—flip side, you might die.
We were all scouted directly by the CEO.
Just for our wuxia-novel-style names, huge signing bonuses and sweet deals lured us to Kichi.
Same for me.
"I was... originally gonna be... a Gupailbang member too...."
The CEO cast me, brought me here.
Prepped a year to debut as Gupailbang.
If I'd debuted then.
I might be one of the vanished now.
If I dodged disaster by flopping debut.
If some other kid took the fall for me.
If the current kids might still get hit...
My stomach churned.
Then Heavenly Demon, demonic eye withdrawn, stared blankly and asked.
"That's it?"
"...Huh?"
"That's the full reason for your guilt?"
"So, I luckily dodged debut while..."
Heavenly Demon let out a short, incredulous laugh and pressed.
"Did you help the CEO with human sacrifices?"
"No...."
"No mass slaughter?"
"Not at all?"
"Then what's the problem?"
"...."
"Tch, figures. All worked up over that little..."
Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue like I was pathetic.
...Keep forgetting this guy's Heavenly Demon from the blood-soaked, mad Central Plains.
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