Lewd Yokai After School

We stayed in Black Moon Village for three days, gathering necessary information. This place, where demons came and went along streets adorned with red lanterns, had an atmosphere entirely different from the human world.

"What's the best way to get to White Demon Village?"

The map spread on the table glowed faintly under the dark red moonlight. Han Chaeyeon pointed to a spot with a slender finger.

"It's too far to walk. Plus, we have to pass through Bloodshot Gorge in the middle."

"Bloodshot Gorge?"

"It's an area swarming with Black-grade or higher demonic beasts. Ordinary demons wouldn't dare set foot there."

I looked slightly puzzled at her words.

"Black-grade... means they're quite strong?"

Han Chaeyeon nodded and explained.

"The grades of demonic beasts here start from Common-grade. The lowest Common-grade are just minor demons, and above them are Human-grade and Profound-grade. They're usually on par with humans or slightly stronger."

"And above that?"

"It's different from Black-grade onwards. They are demons with considerable power. Above them are Spirit-grade, Heaven-grade, Divine-grade, and Demon-grade... the higher you go, the more dimensionally different they become."

Baek Miho interjected.

"I heard there's a Void-grade too?"

"That's a grade that only exists in legends. No one has actually seen one."

Han Chaeyeon pointed to the map again and continued.

"To pass through the gorge, you need a special mount. At least a Black-grade mount is required."

The demon market in Black Moon Village became even more vibrant as night deepened. Various demons bought and sold rare items, murmuring under the red lanterns.

"This way."

The place Han Chaeyeon led me to was a massive stable located deep within the market.

"Looking for a mount?"

A husky voice was heard. Turning around, I saw a giant demon with an eagle's head standing there. Its black feathers, like the night sky, and its sharp, golden beak were impressive.

"I'm looking for a mount capable of passing through Bloodshot Gorge."

At my words, the eagle demon's eyes changed.

"The gorge, you say... then it would have to be at least Black-grade."

He led us inside. There were various demonic beasts in the stable: shadow wolves emitting blue flames, and even ghost horses floating in the air.

But Han Chaeyeon's expression was unusual.

"These won't be able to withstand the gorge."

"Hmm... a difficult customer, indeed."

The eagle demon smiled meaningfully and pointed to the innermost iron gate.

"In that case... how about this one?"

-Thump!

The heavy iron gate opened, and dark red flames leaked out. Inside, there was a massive horse, easily capable of carrying two or three people.

It had skin like the black night sky, a mane made of flames, and black fire rising from its hooves.

"What's the price?"

"A thousand gold coins."

Baek Miho's eyes widened in surprise.

"A thousand gold coins! Isn't that too expensive?"

The eagle demon chuckled.

"Heh heh, if you don't have the money, there's another way."

"Another way?"

"If you can tame it yourself... I'll give it to you for free. Honestly, we've given up on taming the Black Flame Steed ourselves. It's a crazy horse that just eats money, so the losses are considerable."

The Black Flame Steed glared at us with its red eyes. The flames rising from its hooves were scorching the ground.

"Seoyun-a, it's dangerous..."

Han Chaeyeon spoke with a worried look, but I had already made up my mind and stepped forward.

"Interesting. Shall I give it a try?"

"You look human, so be careful... one kick from its front hoof could burst your body and kill you."

The moment the eagle demon swung the iron gate wide open, black flames erupted as if exploding. The Black Flame Steed roared and raised its front hooves.

-Hiiiiing!

Its cry carried the oppressive aura befitting a Spirit-grade demonic beast. The other demonic beasts in the surrounding stables cowered in fear.

"You can still give up now, you know?"

The eagle demon's voice was heard, but I was already walking towards the Black Flame Steed.

"Seoyun-a!"

Han Chaeyeon and Baek Miho's worried voices reached me. The Black Flame Steed's red eyes glared at me. The black flames rising from its hooves grew stronger.

"For a horse, your neck is too stiff."

I drew internal energy from my dantian and approached step by step. The aura emanating from my body made the Black Flame Steed's flames waver.

-Hiiiiing!

The Black Flame Steed reared up on its hind legs and swung its front hooves. Black flames poured out like a storm. The surrounding iron bars glowed red, and the other demonic beasts cowered in terror.

"Oh, so you want to show off your strength, huh?"

I slowly approached, raising my aura. My presence pressed down on the entire stable.

-Hiiiiing!!

The Black Flame Steed raised its front hooves high, threatening me as if on guard. Dark red flames surged. But I didn't budge.

"You call yourself a Spirit-grade demonic beast, and that's all you've got?"

A powerful internal energy exploded from my dantian and spread outwards.

The air pressed down heavily, and the Black Flame Steed's flames flickered for a moment. For the first time, a hint of caution flashed in its red eyes.

"A mere horse dares to pick its master?"

As I took another step closer, the Black Flame Steed stomped its hind legs and recoiled. But as if in a final act of defiance, it enveloped its entire body in black flames and charged at me.

-Kugugugung!

The ground around us cracked, and the iron bars warped. However, I lightly twisted my body, dodging the Black Flame Steed's charge.

In an instant, my hand shot out like lightning and roughly grabbed its mane.

-Kwajik!

As I pressed down hard on its sturdy neck, the Black Flame Steed screamed and thrashed. But my aura pressed down fiercely.

"Submit."

As I pressed down harder and harder, the Black Flame Steed's resistance weakened. Soon-

-Thump.

In front of a stronger being, it instinctively lowered its body, folded its legs, and bowed its head to me.

"Good. Now you're listening."

As I patted its forehead and stood up, the eagle demon's jaw dropped in shock.

"He, he tamed it by force...!"

Baek Miho looked up at me with sparkling eyes.

"Wow, that was really cool...!"

Han Chaeyeon also nodded with satisfaction.

"It must have fully recognized you as its master now."

I mounted the Black Flame Steed. Its flames no longer rejected me. Instead, it docilely complied, as if welcoming its master.

I pulled the reins and smiled.

"Let's go, to White Demon Village."

***

-Clack, clack.

A steady sound of footsteps echoed on the cold stone floor.

The damp air of the prison, a narrow and stuffy space illuminated only by a faint lamp.

Beyond the iron bars, a light meal tray on the floor was roughly pushed inside.

"Hey, it's food."

Yoo Sohyun.

As the prison officer, she was in charge of monitoring Kim Hyunwoo.

She peered beyond the iron bars.

Kim Hyunwoo was sitting leaning against the wall.

His hands and feet were bound by specially made iron chains, and his entire body was tightly wrapped in blue glowing sealing talismans.

As if to prevent him from moving, firmly restrained.

He showed no reaction.

With his eyes closed, he was as quiet as if trying to erase his very existence.

Yoo Sohyun let out a light sigh, opened the iron bars, and stepped inside.

"Tell me if there's anything you want to eat. I'll bring it if I can."

She spoke in the softest voice possible. But Kim Hyunwoo still didn't react.

"...Sigh."

She muttered in a tired voice.

"What sin could you possibly have committed...?"

A fate to die simply for being born.

Yoo Sohyun looked at Kim Hyunwoo and suddenly felt her learned values waver.

A half-demon.

Both the organization and her family had taught her that these beings must be thoroughly eliminated.

"I..."

At that moment, Kim Hyunwoo's lips slowly parted.

"What... will happen to me?"

It was a small voice.

But it was a heavy, hollow echo, enough to fill the entire prison.

Yoo Sohyun was speechless for a moment.

There was no anger, no fear, no despair in his voice.

Just... an empty void.

That silence felt even more cruel.

Yoo Sohyun looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

The faint moonlight seeping deep into the prison brushed her face.

"Well..."

She muttered weakly.

"Probably... won't you die?"

"......"

"You'll be transferred to headquarters tomorrow."

It was cruel, but it was reality. A half-demon caught by the Exorcist organization does not survive.

A fate already decided.

Yoo Sohyun leaned against the wall and slowly sat down.

Side by side with Kim Hyunwoo, but at a suitable distance.

Then, a very faint, yet distinct bitter smile spread across Kim Hyunwoo's lips.

From his voice, emotion emerged for the first time.

But it was resignation.

"...Heh heh."

As if mocking himself.

Yoo Sohyun could no longer bear it and stood up.

And quietly exited the prison door.

-Clank.

As the door closed, the prison sank back into darkness.

The hallway.

Yoo Sohyun walked slowly, letting out a deep sigh.

'This... is wrong.'

The teachings she had heard countless times: half-demons are enemies of humans from the moment they are born.

They are evil, beings who deserve to die.

However, Kim Hyunwoo, currently imprisoned, had never once threatened humans. He was even the son of an exorcist who had killed the most demons that threatened humans.

"...Haa."

She clenched her hands tightly.

"Yoo Sohyun."

A cold, oppressive voice. She stopped walking and turned her head. A man slowly emerged from the darkness.

Kang Mujin.

A man who boasted powerful skills within the Exorcist organization.

He was also the person in charge of this prison.

His very presence filled the hallway with pressure.

"Kang Mujin sunbaenim..."

Yoo Sohyun swallowed.

"His condition?"

Kang Mujin asked with an expressionless face.

"He was still quiet. He didn't seem to have any intention of escaping either."

Kang Mujin nodded.

"He's quieter than I expected."

"...What will happen when he's transferred to headquarters tomorrow?"

Yoo Sohyun asked cautiously. But when Kang Mujin's gaze met hers, her throat involuntarily tightened.

"You have sympathy for a criminal."

"...That's not it..."

Yoo Sohyun tried to protest, but Kang Mujin's firm voice cut her off.

"Half-demons are dangerous beings. You shouldn't be fooled by their appearance."

His gaze was cold and sharp.

"Monitor him more thoroughly until he's transferred to headquarters tomorrow."

"...Yes."

Yoo Sohyun bowed her head. Kang Mujin passed her and said,

"Yoo Sohyun, we are exorcists. Don't forget our mission."

His footsteps faded down the hallway.

Yoo Sohyun stood still in that spot for a long time.

The cold, quiet hallway. But her mind was complicated.

'Is this really... right?'

Kim Hyunwoo's hollow eyes came back to her.

A fate to die simply for being born. Was the 'justice' she knew truly correct?

Her fingertips trembled.