The Frozen Player Returns

t’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did you get injured?”

“Oppa… I really like you, but…” She raised her hands.
They were shaking violently.
“Why… Why do I want to kill you?”

“……!” Marco couldn’t say anything in shock.
He looked up at Seo Jun-ho, trembling. 

“…Do you get it now? That’s what a fiend is.” Violent and savage.
Once they drank the blood, they all became the same way.
They would be able to use the power of the demon clans, but they would have the constant, uncontrollable urge to kill. 

I’m sorry, Anna’s eyes seemed to say as she met Seo Jun-ho’s eyes. 

She was still a young child.
She was at an age when she needed the warmth and support of a parent.

It was unfair that she had to die before she could learn to read. 

“…You understand now, don’t you? Why society rejects and hates fiends so much.”

“……”

Marco squeezed his eyes shut.
He didn’t respond.
He did understand. 

…Because they kill the people they’re precious to.

Fiends weren’t humans.
They were monsters that always wanted to kill—even those that they loved.

“Don’t come any closer,” Seo Jun-ho warned, an edge to his voice.
But the children couldn’t control themselves and continued forward.

He let out a long sigh and grabbed Anna’s wrist to break it.

A series of messages appeared before his eyes.

’

[You sense Arch-level Demonic energy from the target.]

[You can absorb Demonic energy with the ‘Watchguard of Darkness’ skill.]

[Your Magic stat will increase upon absorption.]

 

“……!” Seo Jun-ho’s eyes flashed.
He read over the message several times.

Arch Demonic energy? And I can absorb it? This is…

It was the same message that had appeared when he treated Choi Sun-hee’s Nine Yin Severance Syndrome.

His head started to spin. Impossible.
I’ve killed hundreds of fiends, but this has never happened before.

Had Watchguard of Darkness developed a new ability after 25 years? He shook his head.

If there’s a reason why this is happening, it’s because of them, not me.
Maybe…?

Seo Jun-ho’s eyes widened.

That’s it.
That’s the only difference between them.

Most of the fiends that Seo Jun-ho encountered had been players who were tempted by a stronger power.
That was it—they were players.

“…Specter-nim.”

Marco bit his lip and raised his head.
He looked like he had made a decision.
“Please… Please let me be the one to end it.”

He was talking about his siblings.
Someone had to take care of them, and Marco thought that he should be the one.

“…Are you sure? This will follow you for the rest of your life.
You won’t ever forget it.”

“I’ll carry the burden and push through.
That’s what you told me.”

Specter had told him that a player kept going even if the people they loved died in front of them.

Both Seo Jun-ho and the Frost Queen patted him on the head.

“I’m proud of you.”

“You should be proud.”

’

As he looked down at Marco’s confused face, Seo Jun-ho felt sure that he would become a great player.

There aren’t many players who cry for others.

“Too bad.
I don’t think you need to carry all that just yet.”

Seo Jun-ho poured his magic into Anna, pushing it into her circuits.

Consume it.

Seo Jun-ho expelled the small amount of Demonic energy stuck in her circuits with a single push.
Watchguard of Darkness lapped up the crumbs.
It only took three seconds for his magic to travel all throughout Anna’s small body.

[Your Magic stat has increased by 0.05.]

 

The amount of magic he gained was also small.
But beneath his mask, Seo Jun-ho was grinning wide.
Anna’s eyes faded back to normal.

“Huh?! Anna, your eyes!”

“You can touch her now.
She’s your sister again.”

“How… Anna! Are you okay?!” Anna fell to the ground, and he rushed to help her.

“Oppa…? M-my brain feels foggy.
My memory’s vague… and I’m tired.”

“You idiot.
Thank God… Thank God…”

“…Ew, why are you crying on me? Give me some space.” 

Seo Jun-ho watched them fondly.
The Frost Queen saw him and cackled.

“My goodness, is my Contractor weak to children?”

“…Shut up.
I’m not.”

“You are a man with many weaknesses.”

“I said I’m not.
I don’t have any weaknesses.”

“Fufu.
So you say.” The Frost Queen stuck out her tongue and took her seat on his shoulder.

They were both smiling.