Sitting at her desk was a young man, who was probably at the age of twenty, running his fingers over his face, like he wasn't sure it belonged to him. The half of his face occupied by his reaper side was gone. Ye-rin was about to shout when she remembered Ji-ho was nowhere to be found.
His white hair stood out, reflecting the sun rays dancing on his hair. Perfectly framing a sharp jawline. His electric blue eyes locked onto her with playful glint. Broad shoulders and a chiseled chest led to a lean, sculptured torso, every muscle accentuated as he reclined in his chair.
For a moment, Ye-rin couldn't move. It was like she had seen a Greek god come to life. Ye-rin gaze dropped lower, and she realized he was naked. Her heart skipped a beat as she instinctively clutched her towel tighter. ''what the hell?!'' she shrieked, her voice cracking. The man, no Ji-ho she realized with a mix of horror and awe, as she raised an eyebrow. Am I that appalling, even to you humans?"
Ji-ho had always been ostracized for his looks back in Nekronis because he didn't look like them, but here it was a different story. ''NO!, you're probably the most handsome man in the country,'' Ye-rin whispered to herself scratching her cheek as she took a quick glance at him again.
''Noo! I'm just surprised, but first of all put some clothes on," she shouted, her voice chasing the nearby birds, her cheeks red. ''Ohh shit,'' said Ji-ho, who had just realized he was naked. Unable to think properly he dashed to her wardrobe and grabbed a greyish small towel from Ye-rin's wardrobe.
"That's only covering your... you know," Ye-rin shouted her face had become more flustered and embarrassed. "I'm just gonna have my bath," Ji-ho said trying to escape this awkward situation.
Ye-rin stood there frozen, trying to process what she saw. "Wait! that's my...'' but Ji-ho was already inside the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
She heard the faint sound of water running, and her jaw dropped in disbelief. ''Unbelievable,'' she muttered to herself flopping onto her bed.
''A Grim reaper is in my shower.'' She buried her face in a pillow, torn between frustration and the lingering image of his body. From behind the bathroom door, Ji-ho's voice echoed, ''thank you for not saying I look awful,'' his voice was bitter and carrying a hint of appreciation.
You're welcome I guess," Ye-rin replied. Taken aback by his heartfelt appreciation. He didn't feel like he was happy or boastful of his looks despite the fact that he looked like a character out of a manga. But she could tell his words were sincere and pure.
''Still, who would ridicule you for your looks, now my fear is my sister doesn't try to steal you too. Wait why do I care, I mean I don't want Ji-ah stealing him, ugh, this is annoying.'' she groaned as she buried her face into her pillow.This was going to be a long day.
The evening sky over Seoul was painted in warm hues of orange and pink, a soft breeze carrying the scent of street food through the air. The city lights flickered on one by one, blending with the fading sunlight.
Creating a peaceful yet lively atmosphere, despite the 50-meter wall surrounding that loomed over.
"The wind feels nice today," Ye-rin whispered, twirling in place with a smile wearing a Flowy white sundress. "I get that, but why do I have to wear these tight clothes?" Ji-ho grumbled, struggling to stretch in skinny jeans. He wore a silver top and blue tight jeans. Ye-rin laughed. "It's for my ex. This was the only thing he left at my place before we last saw each other," she said, trying to force a smile.
Ji-ho noticed the shift in her mood. He reached for her hand without thinking "W-wait! What are you doing?!" Ye-rin squeaked, her face turning red as she tried to pull away. "Stop shouting, people are staring," Ji-ho muttered feeling embarrassed.
"Look at that, it's the former chief director's daughter she's gotten a new boyfriend," the whispers began to increase into a full-blown gossip. Ji-ho looked at Ye-rin, he wasn't aware she was famous, or rather he wasn't aware of how famous the Han family were.
Before Ye-rin could dissuade the ongoing gossip, a horde of girls suddenly started running towards Ji-ho and Ye-rin or rather they were coming to meet Ji-ho. "His a model," "no way let's get an autograph." A sudden wave of jealousy and entitlement washed over Ye-rin.
She grabbed Ji-ho's hand properly this time, "run!" Ye-rin shouted as they darted across the streets, Ye-rin took the lead and Ji-ho followed behind her slowing down his pace to match hers. She's fast for a girl Ji-ho thought, then again he wondered how many girls he had actually met.
"Jump!" Ye-rin shouted as they jumped over scattered debris on the floor, escaping through a narrow street. As they ran further they came across a large deserted field.
"H-huh, we lost them," Ye-rin said gasping for breath, her hands on her knees. "Yeah we did," Ji-ho said pretending to be out of breath. "What were you thinking," Ye-rin pouted staring viciously at Ji-ho.
"Sorry you were spacing out," Ji-ho said in self defense, "besides I didn't know you were a diva," he added with a chuckle. "D-diva," Ye-rin said giving Ji-ho a puzzled look.
"How do you even know these words," she cried. Ji-ho was about to say something when a little boy stumbled in front of him, causing the little boy to trip and fall. "Oww," he cried.
"Hello little guy what's wrong," Ye-rin said kneeling in front of the child. The child crying now stopped and looked at Ye-rin in terror, "I don't wanna die," he shouted grabbing onto Ye-rin tightly.
Ye-rin quickly picked him up, her expression turning serious. "Hey, what happened?"
The boy took a shaky breath, then burst into tears again. He pointed towards the dark alley behind them. "A demon!" he sobbed.
Ye-rin's face changed instantly. "Where's the EDC?!" she muttered. Then she grabbed Ji-ho's arm. "We need to leave. Now!" she said, her voice filled with panic.
Ji-ho still confused, hesitated. "Wait, w...." A voice interrupted him.
The atmosphere suddenly became grim, a wave of bloodlust washed over Ji-ho, Ye-rin and the little boy. "My snack!" A gust of wind blew the trees violently. Ye-rin's face went completely pale. She covered her nose as if trying to block out a smell. In her panic, she accidentally dropped the little boy.The child looked up and screamed. "The demon!"
Ye-rin collapsed against Ji-ho's chest, her body trembling. It wasn't because she was weak, it was because the demon radiated its aura around the vicinity knocking down weaker prey.
With weak, barely audible words she muttered, "Please… save the child…" Ji-ho gently laid her down and turned to the little boy. "Hey, kid who's the big bad over there?" The shadows in the alley shifted. Two glowing red eyes peered through the darkness.
"Big… big bad?" the demon repeated, as if trying to understand Ji-ho's words. Then, suddenly, it let out a bloodcurdling screech. "MY FOOD!!!"
The trees shook again as the demon stepped forward. Ji-ho sighed, placing the terrified child next to Ye-rin. "Don't worry, kiddo," he said with a reassuring smile.
The demon stepped into the dim glow of the streetlights. It was very tall, hunched over, with a body covered in dark cracked skin. Its arms were unnaturally long, fingers tipped with jagged claws. Its mouth stretched into a twisted grin, green viscous saliva dripping from its sharp teeth.
Ji-ho narrowed his eyes. Since when do demons talk? He had heard stories of mindless demons, they had waged war against the Grim reapers long before he had been born, but this one was speaking, even if its words were scattered.
"G-give back food!" the demon snarled, eyes locked onto the trembling child. Ji-ho crossed his arms. "And what if I don't?" The demon screeched. "Then die, human!"
With a burst of unnatural speed, the demon lunged forward swinging its arm. Trying to shift the area of the battle from affecting Ye-rin and the little boy, Ji-ho took full force of the attack.
The impact rattled him as he skidded across the field, his body rolling in the sand. "You pack quite the punch Ji-ho smirked wiping of the dirt. "Human, no energy, human weak," the demon taunted glaring his long sharp teeth. It wasn't that Ji-ho didn't have a similar energy, it was that no one except him could sense it.
Ji-ho clicked his tongue. "Damn. That's a soft spot you know," he said as rolled his shoulders," Guess I'll have to end this quickly."
The demon roared and charged again, swinging its claws wildly. Ji-ho ducked under the first swipe, the sound of the slash rang inside his ears, the demon suddenly stopped and shifted his attention towards Ye-rin and the child.
"Heyy!" What are you doing I'm your opponent!" Ji-ho shouted at the demon but it simply ignored him. The air shimmered, almost like heat waves. mana coalesced in between its large mouth. This demon was condensing mana to form something large, powerful and precise. Firing almost instantly at Ye-rin and the little child.