The Demon In You

Rian was confused by the sudden turn of events. She never saw Hyunjae act so strangely. The man who was always shamelessly cheerful and self-centered suddenly lost his cool. For once, he looked... Scared.

"Did something happen?" she wondered out loud.

"Something did," came a snide voice. Rian looked around to see Lambark sitting on the couch opposite her desk.

"What happened?" she asked curiously. Lambark pointed towards the television set which was playing in the background. A news flash appeared on it. A solemn looking reporter was narrating the news.

"Choi So Min, former idol and actress was found dead in her apartment. Her body was discovered by her manager in the early hours of the morning. The police suspect it was a suicide."

The news showed a body bag being carried out of the building. Walking by it was...

"The CEO?" Rian frowned. Even though Rian was not a fan, she knew who Choi So Min was. She was part of a popular girl group for years. News broke out that she was dating another idol and from then on she began to receive an outpour of hate comments from fans. The abuse got to an extreme point and she was forced to quit her group.

After shedding off her innocent image, Choi So Min began to be more bold and assertive in her actions. She was outspoken about s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e topics like feminism and s.e.x.u.a.lity, something which is looked down upon in the country till this day.

However, the fans' backlash did not stop. They kept on sending her threats and abusive comments which spiraled her into depression. She lost all her contracts and endors.e.m.e.nts, leaving her quite destitute. The only contract she had on her hands was from TNT Corps.

"They seemed quite close," Rian commented.

"Does that make you jealous?" Lambark sneered.

Rian ignored the demon. Her gaze was fixed on the screen. Hyunjae looked distraught. He lost a close friend and nothing could bring her back.

Rian took out her phone and dialed Jo Sun's number. He picked it up on the third ring.

"Hello, Secretary Jo Sun," Rian greeted. "I just saw the news about Ms. Choi. Can I help in any way?"

"I think you should go to the hospital," Jo Sun replied. "And assist in the funeral proceedings. The CEO is all alone there. He may need help. Both me and Shua are going to be busy with the tasks he assigned us. So you should go to him."

"Understood," Rian replied.

"Good luck, Ms. Oh," he said before hanging up.

Rian put the phone away and turned to Lambark. "I'm heading over to the hospital," she announced.

"The hospital?" Lambark asked. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

As a Demon Seer, the hospital is a danger zone for Rian. It's a place where rogue demons roamed free, trying to escape death if their vessel dies. Since Rian can see those demons, they may try to reach out to her to save them. Some may even try to possess her, thereby breaking the rules of the demon world.

"I have to," Rian flinched. "The CEO needs someone by his side right now."

Lambark shrugged. "Suit yourself," it said. "Just try not to get possessed. I don't wanna go to that sad place. Those whiny demons bore me."

Rian nodded before heading off. She hailed a taxi and rushed towards the hospital.

After half an hour, she reached the Seoul National Hospital. Stepping outside of the cab, she took a deep breath.

Rian cautiously walked towards the hospital. As soon as she entered, a wave of cold air crashed into her.

In front of her stood the black and white figures of thousands of demons. They stared at her, eyeing her hungrily.

"Want me to accompany you, little girl?" one of them sneered at her.

"Back of Ryok, this one is mine," another one attempted to reach out to her.

Another demon tried to touch her, but Rian flinched away.

Stay away from me, she pleaded inwardly. Someone help me please. A few nurses passed by her but they did not notice her distress.

I can't get easily scared, Rian thought. I must be strong. I have to help the CEO.

Ignoring the pairs of dark, cold hands c.a.r.e.s.sing her, she made her way to the hospital's fifth floor. The demons followed her, mocked her and tried to pull her back. But she continued headfast, not letting any of them take her away.

By the time she reached the fifth floor, she was panting heavily. The CEO stood outside the forensic lab, looking lost. Rian went towards the nearest water filter, poured some water in a disposable cup and headed back to him. She held up the cup of water for him.

"Sir," she called. "Please drink some water."

Hyunjae looked up, his eyes devoid of any emotions.

"Please drink some water," Rian requested.

"What are you doing here?" he asked wearily.

"Secretary Jo Sun asked me to accompany you," she replied. At those words, Hyunjae raised his brows but said nothing. He took the cup from her hands and drank the water, mumbling a soft "thanks" to her.

The demons behind Rian were restless but they held back. They were being pulled back by some unknown force and did not dare to come forward. Rian did not notice this.

She sat down next to the CEO, simply waiting.

"She was one of my closest friends," the CEO suddenly said. Rian did not say anything but waited for him to continue.

"She was just 14 when we met," he went on. "A lively girl. In fact, she was your age. I was a rising designer back then. She was my first model and she had a lot of faith in me. When everyone shunned my designs, she wore them like a crown."

"We were like siblings. When she started to face the online abuse, I tried to help her. I always supported her during those times when the world abandoned her. She was strong. Even after her break up with her boyfriend, she continued to be herself. I thought she will rise again. But now... She will never rise."

His voice was heavy with emotions. Rian did not know how to console him.

"She was brave," she said softly.

"She was a goddamn fighter," Hyunjae smiled as he remembered her. "But I guess, even great warriors fall."

They sat in silence. So Min's body was still being examined. After an hour, the doctor came out. Rian sat up but Hyunjae remained seated.

"We did the preliminary examination," the doctor informed them. "The results aren't out yet, but it was suicide."

Rian thanked him and bowed deeply. He gave a somewhat consoling smile and walked away.

"Suicide?" Hyunjae snorted. "It was murder."

Rian understood the meaning behind his words. He was right. So Min was killed by her abusers. Their actions led to her death.

Suddenly, Hyunjae stood up. His whole body was on alert. Rian noticed, the demons around them were also restless. They hushed down and became mute.

Hyunjae closed his eyes, listening hard. Rian looked at him curiously as he tried to concentrate. Suddenly, without any warning, he sprinted off.

"Sir!" Rian called after him as she chased him through the corridor. But he was fast. He ran off outside.

By the time Rian exited the hospital, it was raining cats and dogs. She was getting drenched as the rain fell hard.

"Sir!" she cried for him. She was afraid he would hurt himself or worse. He was not in his right mind.

She noticed a familiar figure darting into an alley.

"Damn it!" she cursed as she headed towards it. "Sir, come back!"

She headed to the alley only to find a dead end.

"Where is he?" she wondered out loud.

"Hu hu hu," an evil laugh made her freeze. "I came here for the demon lord. Instead, I found something even better."

Rian was frozen to her spot. Standing in front of her was a demon she had never encountered before. It had a peachy white skin. It's long hair reached up to its waist. The demon was not black nor white. It looked human. It was an exact replica of the woman who was currently lying cold in the morgue.

"Choi So Min?" Rian gaped. "But you only look like her. You can't be her..."

"That pathetic human?" it scoffed. It even sounded like her. "She was just a simple sacrifice. She was worth nothing. Watching her made me puke. It's a good thing I was able to break free from her after she killed herself. At least I can roam around free."

"What do you want?" Rian asked, fear rising in her heart.

"I was simply asked to attack the Demon Lord," it said lazily. "But what good luck I have! I found something in the rain. I ran into a Demon Seer instead. If I take you to Boram, I will be greatly rewarded."

Its face contorted into a twisted smile. So Min's beautiful face looked deadly and hungry. Rian stepped backwards till her back hit the wall.

"Now, Demon Seer," it reached out to her with its pearly white hand. "Let me take you to your destiny."