My Roommate is an Ancient Demon

BEHIND THE COLD WORDS

Andrea glanced at her watch. It was almost 3:30 PM. She kept glancing toward the empty seat beside her, wondering how Mercy was doing. Mercy was always chattering about crushes and gossip, but she was never the type to skip class without a good reason. By dismissal, Andrea was so worried she decided to go check on her friend right away.

Mercy lived alone in an apartment, just like Andrea had before Kael arrived. Andrea knocked several times—no answer. She pulled out her phone and dialed Mercy’s number; it went straight to voicemail. She tried calling her again through her chat app too, but there was still no reply at all.

"Mercy! Are you home?" she called, knocking again. She was just about to turn and leave when the door finally creaked open. Mercy stood there, swaying slightly.

Her hair was a tangled mess, her eyes dark and hollow like she hadn’t slept in days. Her lips were dry, cracked almost to bleeding.

"Do you need something?" Mercy asked, her voice faint.

"Are you alright?" Andrea stepped inside and guided her to the sofa. "Wait here, okay?"

"I’m fine, Andrea," Mercy mumbled.

"You don’t look fine," Andrea said gently, then hurried to the kitchen.

She came back with a glass of cold water and a hairbrush. She handed Mercy the water, then began brushing out the knots in her friend’s hair.

"I found this new game," Mercy said, pulling up an app on her phone to show Andrea. It was a MOBA with bright, cute character designs. "It feels like I’m really standing on a battlefield. It’s… so exciting."

"Did you stay up all night playing this?"

"I did. I just… I really enjoy it. I’m fine, Andrea. I just need a little rest."

Later, Andrea cooked dinner for her, covered the plate, and left it on the table.

"I have to go now, Mercy," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Thanks for this." Mercy hugged her tight.

She waved Andrea off before locking the door.

It was nearly 6:00 PM by the time Andrea got home. She sank onto her sofa, rested her head back, and closed her eyes, her chest still tight with worry.

"You’re late."

She flinched, her lashes fluttering wide as her eyes flew open. Kael was sitting across from her, watching her intently.

Just the sound of his voice made the weight on her shoulders feel a little lighter.

"I went to check on Mercy. She skipped class… said she stayed up all night playing some game."

Kael didn’t reply. He just reached for the remote and turned on the TV.

Andrea huffed a small laugh. He really acts like he owns the place.

"This is the third disappearance case since last week," the news anchor said. "All three victims reportedly vanished from their rooms—while playing the same mobile game…"

Andrea froze. Her mind flashed straight to Mercy holding out her phone, eyes bright with that strange excitement. What if that’s the exact game she’s playing?

"Kael—what if this is a Mushin?" She grabbed his hand, panic rising in her throat. "Mercy could be in danger! We have to go—now!"

Kael didn’t move. His gaze turned cold, sharp, and utterly unbothered. "That is none of my business."

"But she’s my friend."

"She is not my problem."

Andrea felt as if her heart had stopped. He’s right. What made me think he’d care about my troubles? I thought… I really thought he cared.

Tears pricked her eyes, and she stood up quickly, turning toward the door. "Right. It’s not your problem. I’ll handle it myself."

Before she could reach the handle, Kael appeared directly in front of her, blocking her path.

"So you plan to run straight into danger… just to force me to fight for you?"

His voice was low and sharp, no warmth left at all. His amber eyes turned cold as ice, and his jaw tightened like he was holding back something far more raw.

Andrea gasped, stepping back. "What? No!"

She pushed past him and ran out the door, heading straight for Mercy’s apartment.

None of my business… She is not my problem…

Andrea squeezed her eyes shut. She could still hear Kael’s cold voice ringing in her ears as she knocked frantically on Mercy’s door. She turned the handle; it swung open unlocked. "Mercy!" she called, stepping inside.

A loud crash echoed from Mercy’s bedroom, like something shattering. She raced forward and froze: Mercy was suspended in midair, a Mushin’s claw wrapped tight around her throat, choking the breath from her.

"Stop! Get away from her!" Andrea screamed.

Her shout drew the Mushin’s attention. It turned, still holding Mercy limp and unconscious, and stalked straight toward her. Andrea backed away until her shoulder hit the wall, nowhere left to run.

The Mushin stopped barely four feet away. It stretched its free hand, fingers lengthening into spear-like claws that glowed with sickly dark red light. It lunged, the claws tearing through the air to pierce her.

Then thick black smoke erupted between them. A familiar scent filled the air and suddenly he was there: silver hair spilling over broad shoulders, sharp curved horns rising from his head.

Kael.

He stood between her and the monster, catching the Mushin’s clawed arm in one firm grip like it weighed nothing.

"How dare you trespass on what is mine?" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous rumble, every word sharp as steel. "Touch what belongs to me, and you have just declared war."

His? Andrea’s mind spun. He just said this was not his problem, like he didn’t even care… but he really came when I was in danger. Did he say all that because he had no reason to help Mercy? But I am ‘his’—so touching me is declaring war against him? What am I even thinking? For sure he just helped me because of the bond… A sharp ache twisted in her chest at the thought.

"Lord Kael…" The Mushin trembled violently, shrinking back in pure terror. It dropped Mercy without another thought.

Kael made no move to catch her. Andrea lunged forward, catching her friend gently before she hit the floor. She tapped Mercy’s cheek urgently. "Mercy! Wake up— are you okay?"

Five bright white lights burst into the room, unfurling into five pairs of wings. It was Lior’s group.

They surrounded the trembling Mushin, preparing to begin their cleansing ritual.

Kael held up a hand to stop them. "This one has not fully fallen yet."

"It is still a Mushin, and must be purified," said one of the angels. The same one Kael had met before.

"Lord Kael!" the creature cried out in agony, clutching its head with both hands. The dark red glow faded from its claws, the shadowy form melting away, until it stood as a normal, shaken demon. And there on the floor behind it lay the three missing children, alive and unharmed.

Now that it had returned to its true form, Lior’s team could no longer harm it. The demon bowed once more to Kael, then vanished into thin air.

Three of the angels knelt to tend to the children. Lior stepped toward Andrea, lifted Mercy carefully, and laid her on the sofa before beginning to heal her.

Andrea followed close behind. "Will Mercy be alright?" she asked quietly.

Lior smiled gently. "I’ve restored her life force. She will be just fine."

Kael wrapped his fingers around her wrist. "Let’s go."

She pulled her arm away sharply. "No! I’m staying here. You can go ahead if you want." Her voice was sharp with anger.

Lior rested his palms lightly on her shoulders, his gaze steady. "You should go home, Andrea. We will make sure the children get back safely, and we will look after your friend."

Kael’s gaze shifted, turning darker and far more fierce as he watched Lior’s hands on her.

"But I’m worried about her!"

Lior lifted a hand, about to brush her cheek, when Kael caught his wrist in an iron grip and tossed him aside like he weighed nothing. Before anyone could react, Kael had swept Andrea up over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" she squirmed.

Lior smiled softly from where he stood. "This is our work now, Andrea. We will keep everyone safe. We must also wipe this from their memories to keep the balance and peace."

Andrea went still, and let Kael carry her away.

"Take care," Lior called, waving with that same bright, warm smile.

She didn’t see Kael clench his fist tight at his side as he walked. When they had put some distance between them and the apartment, he set her down gently on the road.

"What were you thinking, Andrea?" he asked. His voice was calm, but sharp. His gaze piercing right through her.

"You wouldn’t understand," she said, her voice cracking. "Mercy is my friend. I couldn’t bear to lose her. And that demon… we saved it too. Aren’t you glad?"

"You cannot even keep yourself safe," he said, "how did you plan to protect anyone else?"

Tears spilled over and rolled down her cheeks. She sank down onto the roadside and cried: hard, messy, letting every bit of hurt and confusion pour out.

Kael knelt beside her, then pulled her close, pressing her face to his chest and wrapping his arms tight around her. He said nothing at all, but that hug told her everything: she was not alone. She clung to him and kept crying until she had no tears left.

After a while, she pulled back and wiped her eyes. "All that crying gave me a runny nose. I need a tissue."

Kael blinked, then panicked a little, fumbling a clean handkerchief from his pocket and holding it out quickly.

She took it and blew her nose right there in front of him.

Kael stared at her, completely bewildered. "You are so vulgar."

"Vulgar, you say?" A playful glint lit her eyes. "Here. Take your handkerchief back now."

She held it out to him. Kael stepped back fast. "You keep it. It’s yours now."

Andrea laughed and darted forward, chasing him as he backed away trying to avoid it. And then, for the first time—she heard it: Kael laughing. It was warm, light, and brighter than anything she had ever seen. She stopped chasing him just to look, committing that smile to memory, wanting to keep it safe forever.