After Ten Millennia in Hell

He was in an amusement park that looked like a reproduction of a fairytale world. There was a big castle and cute characters… The amusement park was so fascinating that it made the man wonder if he had crossed through a Gate portal into another world.

The young man was more excited than the kids in the amusement park, so much so that they even looked at him as if he were pathetic. This man was Oh Kang-Woo, the demon king and the lord of the Nine Hells.

"…"

Tian Suyan remained silent.

Kang-Woo had made fun of her, saying she had a cuter taste than he had initially thought. Yet, Kang-Woo was now looking around the amusement park like a person who had just moved from the countryside to the big city.

"Wow, I've seen this one before!" Kang-Woo said.

He patted the head of a performer dressed in a costume of a mouse character that he had seen at his orphanage. The part-timer in the costume waved their short hands at Kang-Woo, greeting him like a true professional.

"Mmm…" Suyan murmured.

She watched silently as Kang-Woo took a photo with the character performer.

Frankly, it was a bit of a turn-off for her.

'I never thought Kang-Woo would have a side like this…'

It was as if this was Kang-Woo's first time in an amusement park. No, it was like it was his first time visiting a place designed purely for entertainment. He looked so different from his usual self that Suyan couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

"Fufu. You made so much fun of me yesterday, yet you're the one who's enjoying it more," Suyan commented.

"I didn't know it was such a fun place," Kang-Woo replied, smiling in satisfaction.

Suyan trembled a bit upon seeing Kang-Woo make such an innocent child-like smile. Her heart was beating faster.

'This side of Kang-Woo isn't bad either.'

She would've frowned if it were any other man, but she found it rather charming that someone who had treated her like a spoiled child was acting like a child too. Suyan was blinded by love.

"All right. Let's go on some rides as well," she said.

Suyan casually walked toward Kang-Woo and embraced his arm.

Despite feeling something soft on his arm, he merely said, "Sure."

Kang-Woo didn't care. No, to be more precise, he wasn't in the mood to care about that sensation at the moment.

'Amazing,' he remarked inwardly.

He never knew there was a place like Disneyland on Earth. Of course, he'd seen it a couple of times in photos, but seeing it in real life felt completely different. It was completely different from Hell, which consisted mostly of desolate deserts.

'I should come again tomorrow with Echidna and Seol-Ah.'

Kang-Woo had told the two of them this morning that he wouldn't be able to join them due to urgent business. In response, Echidna nodded in sadness.

He felt guilty, but their plan was being delayed by just one day. He just needed to let Echidna have two days' worth of fun tomorrow, so he thought that it was fine.

'I'm here for research purposes today.'

Kang-Woo resumed walking. His steps were light. Although he was thinking that he was there to do research, he looked as ready as he could be to enjoy the amusement park.

"Oh, this is what they call a rollercoaster?" Kang-Woo asked, pointing at a ride that looked like a train.

He'd seen pictures of people riding it and screaming.

"Let's ride it," he said.

"Hmm… You probably won't enjoy it that much."

"Why not?"

Kang-Woo tilted his head.

Suyan didn't answer and just smiled.

After all, he would find out why as soon as he got on the rollercoaster.

'It's slow,' Kang-Woo thought disappointedly while on the ride.

The reason for this wasn't that Disneyland had been created with children in mind. It was because superhumans like Kang-Woo could easily move five times faster than the maximum speed of the rollercoaster. He could even fly using the Authority of the Sky. It was stimulating enough for a normal person, but superhumans like Kang-Woo didn't find it enjoyable.

"You should've told me," Kang-Woo said.

"I didn't think words would be enough to convince you. Also, this is all part of the experience."

"Well, that's true."

Kang-Woo nodded and went around the amusement park.

As they got things to eat and took breaks on benches, it had become evening without him realizing it.

'It was better than I thought it would be.'

Kang-Woo thought of the day he'd spent with Suyan.

He had been a bit worried because of her personality, but he'd been able to spend a day with her without any issues. If he were honest, he had enjoyed hanging out with her.

"Fufu. It's already evening," Yeon-Joo commented.

"It sure is."

"I'm glad I was able to see a different side of you today, Kang-Woo."

Suyan giggled while covering her mouth. She recalled him walking around the amusement park with bright eyes.

Kang-Woo groaned, belatedly getting embarrassed.

"Let's go back," he said.

"Okay," Suyan replied and hugged his arm.

The two people then left the amusement park. Kang-Woo got in the car that Suyan had prepared and returned to the hotel.

He had a fun and satisfying time.

Click.

Upon reaching the hotel, Kang-Woo got out of the car.

"Right then, I'll see you back in Korea," he said.

"Fufu, I had fun today," Suyan responded with a bright smile.

She lightly grabbed his arm as if she didn't want their date to end this way.

Just then, something entered her field of vision.

'Oh?'

Suyan smiled widely as she thought of a fun prank idea.

She stood on her tiptoes and raised her head. Her lips moved close to Kang-Woo's, but there was no way that Kang-Woo wouldn't be able to react to a sudden action like this. He grabbed Suyan's chin lightly.

Kang-Woo frowned and then asked, "What are you doing?"

"Hmph. How unromantic of you. Shouldn't couples have at least a goodbye kiss?"

"I don't recall ever becoming a couple with you."

"Fufu. Well, I guess that's enough for today."

Suyan was smiling although she'd failed to kiss him.

"Then I'll see you back in Korea, Kang-Woo~"

She quickly got back into the car and left the hotel.

"...What the hell?" Kang-Woo uttered.

There was something unnatural about the way Suyan left right after the failed kiss like she was fleeing.

'Was she embarrassed?' Kang-Woo wondered.

He turned around while tilting his head in confusion.

However, the moment he turned around, his expression froze. The answer to his question hadn't been far away. He now understood why Suya had escaped so fast.

"Kang-Woo?"

"Kang… Woo?"

'Fuck,' Kang-Woo cursed inwardly.

Echidna and Seol-Ah were staring at him in shock while standing in front of the hotel entrance.

"…"

There was a heavy silence. Kang-Woo couldn't bring himself to open his mouth.

The one who broke the silence was Echidna. She trotted toward Kang-Woo and grabbed his sleeve.

"Kang-Woo, was this why you were busy?"

"…"

Kang-Woo was overwhelmed with guilt. He felt like a man who'd been caught red-handed cheating on his partner.

He lowered his head silently.

'Dammit.'

Then he remembered Suyan's smiling face, and he clenched his hand into a fist.

"Kang-Woo," Seol-Ah called out as she approached him. She grabbed his hand with a smile on her face. "You have an explanation for this, right?"

"...Of course."

For the first time, Seol-Ah's smile scared Kang-Woo.

Seol-Ah dragged him into the hotel.

* * *

Five days passed by. Cha Yeon-Joo, who had been called all over the place as Kang-Woo's representative, returned to the hotel after everything was finally settled.

"Let's… go back home now," said Yeon-Joo, who looked haggard.

Kang-Woo nodded with a forced smile and replied, "Good job."

"I'm… going to make sure you pay me back for this."

From the sound of her lifeless voice, it seemed that Yeon-Joo had had quite a hard time.

The group returned to Korea by using the Hwarang Corps' private plane. They could've ridden Echidna, but since they weren't in a hurry, they didn't need her to make the effort.

After arriving in Korea, they took a taxi from the airport and quickly arrived at Seoul Station.

"It feels like it's been so long."

"It sure does."

Kang-Woo had only been in Japan for a week, but he had missed Seoul's cityscape.

"Haaa... I'm going back home to rest, so take care of the rest yourselves," Yeon-Joo announced with a tired voice.

She staggered to her apartment.

"Let's go back home as well, Kang-Woo," Seol-Ah said as she pressed the elevator button.

"You go on in," Kang-Woo replied.

"What about you?"

"I have something to do first. I'll be back in a bit."

Kang-Woo looked up at the sky. The sun was up. It was only 2 a.m.—too early to stay at home doing nothing for the rest of the day.

'Unlike Cha Yeon-Joo, I'm not that tired.'

He had been able to take a long break thanks to her. Now that he was back in Korea, his break was over. It was about time he went back into action.

"Does this 'something' perhaps have to do with..." Seol-Ah questioned, narrowing her eyes intensely like a detective interrogating an ex-convict.

Kang-Woo laughed and shook his head.

"It's nothing like that, so don't worry," he replied.

"Hmm. You'll be back by dinner, right?"

"Probably. It won't take long."

"Okay, then I'll prepare dinner and wait for you," she said with a smile.

Her smile was so beautiful that it made Kang-Woo's heart skip a beat.

"Kang-Woo, are you going off to cheat again?" Echidna asked.

"I already said no."

"...Can I go with you?"

Echidna grabbed Kang-Woo's sleeve. She had been considerably shocked by the last incident.

Kang-Woo smiled bitterly and nodded.

"You can come with me."

Echidna wouldn't bother him anyway.

Her expression brightened the moment she heard Kang-Woo's words.

She ran toward Seol-Ah and while clenching her small hands, she said, "Hm! I'll watch over Kang-Woo."

"Hohoho, please do," Seol-Ah responded.

"Leave it to me."

Kang-Woo sighed.

"Kang-Woo, where are we going?" Echidna asked.

"Someplace quiet."

Kang-Woo jumped lightly and used the Authority of the Sky.

Echidna spread her wings and said, "Should I give you a ride?"

"No, we're not going very far anyway."

Anywhere was fine as long as it was a place without people.

Echidna tilted her head and asked, "Why are we going to someplace quiet?"

"To craft equipment," Kang-Woo answered.

He grabbed the Eye of Susanoo that was in his pocket.