"I saw the video and am dissatisfied with the product."
"Sorry to say, sir, but that creature was something that even the Perfect Certificate holder couldn't defeat."
"I didn't waste my money for these lame excuses. It would be better if you gave me a satisfactory result as soon as possible."
"Ok, sir."
Glancing at the forest, which was descending into deep darkness, a broad-shouldered man closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
No matter how many times I deal with this, I find it overbearing.
Do they need a groom?
No. Then why?
Do they need a guard?
No. Then why?
Opening his scrutinizing eyes, he sighed at his own fate.
One mistake has led me to what I hate today.
I don't even know what they do with these boys, and I'm ... helpless.
Releasing all the stress in one puff, he murmured, Again, another boy needs to live an inhumane life.
But amidst all of this, his composure remained the same as a coin: everything mattered to him, yet nothing did.
Casting a glance at the camp, his shoulders slumped. I don't know who's going to take my place. It's better to remain a nobody than this...
His hand vibrated, feeling a sensation from the walkie-talkie he held.
Human devourer. They should be called beasts.
"How could he fail? Don't you know his capabilities?"
"I know, but someone's wish is impossible."
"I've got time."
"The investor wants that boy to defeat the Perfect creature."
"What?? Is everyone insane? Night is going to descend, so it would be better if he sleeps and fulfills his wish. Rubbish!"
Shrugging his shoulders, he asked, "Want to talk with him?"
"I don't talk to dreamy guys. Don't worry. You can calmly recover your loss if you auction him."
"Ok, sir."
"Ok. I'm hanging up."
With a faint smile, he muttered, "It's better this way; I won't have to deal with this after one year."
Rotating his walkie-talkie, he connected to another line.
"Sir, negative result."
"Out of ten, nine are defective products, or you can say the buyer's wish is too impossible. Anyway, I'm busy."
"Ok, sir."
Calmly raising his head to face the sky, now glowing with the scattering light.
This country won't survive if things get out of control.
***
Carrying a beast carcass on his shoulder, a short man grinned while caressing his stomach.
"It took one day; I hope they wouldn't mind," he said and increased his pace.
Nothing to worry about; I've already left them enough Osmanthus leaves and food.
Glancing at his shoulder.
This should be enough for three days.
Shortly after, he reached his destination, a cave.
Entering, his eyes widened.
The next moment, everything inverted in his sight.
What happened?
Rolling on the ground, his vision became still as he saw a human approaching. The foot grew larger in his view.
After enduring all of it, I died?
These were his last thoughts, and in the end, he calmly accepted his fate.
Puchi
His head burst.
"Sir, mission accomplished."
***
A 10-year-old girl stomped her feet and puffed her cheeks. "I don't want any uncle as my bodyguard," her voice trailed off.
"Everyone in my class has bodyguards their age, and mine?" Her face showed pure disgust.
Caressing the girl's head, a middle-aged man, around 40 years old with silver hair, smiled. "Don't worry. This time, I'll fulfill my princess' promise."
"Really?"
"Hmph! Have I ever broken a promise?"
Raising her hand towards the silver-haired man, she couldn't refute the blatant lie.
The man laughed. "Is my princess searching for the dictionary?" he teased, flicking her forehead.
"Dad, I'll get angry," she said, turning her back to him.
"Ok, my princess," he replied, picking her up in his arms.
"Dad, I'm an adult now."
Raising his eyebrows, the silver-haired man flicked her forehead again. "You're still just a child to me. How's everything going in your class?"
"I'm the topper," she said proudly, puffing her chest.
"I know. My princess is so smart."
"Hmph! No one can beat me at anything," she declared, cutely punching the air with her small fist.
"You inherited my genius genes, so of course, you're going to outsmart everyone."
"But Dad, I'm curious. Who's going to be my bodyguard and is he really my age?" she asked, her teary eyes displaying her acting skills.
Choking on his words, the silver-haired man laughed. "Of course. It was arduous, but I won him at an auction. You can own him."
"Oh," the girl replied perfunctorily.
"What happened? Is something worrying you?"
Lowering her head, she said, "I don't know, but..." Peering into her dad's eyes, she added, "Isn't it inhumane to take away a 10-year-old boy's freedom?"
The silver-haired man smiled at her innocence. "You could raise him as your boyfriend if you want."
"Dad, I'm serious," she said, showing no blush and wearing a hard expression, as if interrogating him.
"You really want to know?"
Her lovely face became slightly serious, making it even more endearing. "You always say that instead of answering."
"There's no fairness in the world. The only undeniable fact is this: You're enjoying all of this because you were born into the Verma family," he explained.
Glancing at her, waiting for a reluctant answer, he added, "If the Verma family disowned you, do you know what would happen?"
She shook her head, her face still serious.
The silver-haired man sat her on his head. "But that day will never come because I'm your father."
"Father, I'm eager to meet him."
"Hmm. You can learn a lot from him. But do you know the difference between that boy and the assassin?"
"I don't know."