Chapter 8
The first measurement ended with an “unmeasurable” result.
The staff started bustling around as if something was wrong.
I grabbed a staff member who seemed relatively calm and asked why the measurement was impossible…
The first reason is an overwhelming amount of magic power that the machine couldn’t handle. For example, the Demon King Jeong Ha-yul was the first case.
The second reason is a simple machine error. It’s a one-in-a-thousand chance.
The third reason… I was advised not to ask because it probably doesn’t apply to me.
But humans are the kind of creatures who want to do things more when told not to.
“I’ll decide whether to hear it or not, so please tell me.”
“…Your way of speaking is more mature than mine, even though you’re 7.”
The hesitant staff member finally spoke.
“The third reason is when the magic power is significantly lower than that of an ordinary person.”
“You mean…”
“Yes… It means you’re on the verge of death.”
As soon as I heard the staff member’s words, my pupils shook.
How violently they must have shaken for me to feel it.
The third case is extremely rare.
There are only two such cases in the country, and less than a hundred worldwide.
And… all of them died within a month.
Given that I’ve even experienced possession, it’s probably a very high probability for me.
I started to feel anxious.
They’ll soon bring a precision measuring device for a second test, but even that machine can’t detect the third case.
“…Then how do you know if it’s the third case?”
“There’s no way to know. If someone who received an ‘unmeasurable’ result dies for an unknown reason, then we realize it was the third case.”
Even with an autopsy, the cause of death for the third case can’t be determined.
Ironically, because the cause of death can’t be determined, it confirms that it was the third case.
With modern technology, the only unexplained cause of death is related to magic power…
My anxiety soon turned into anger.
And that anger made me momentarily forget that I was possessing the body of a 7-year-old girl.
“Why are you doing such a poor job? You should improve the machine or create a new one to detect the third case! Is it enough to just say, ‘Oh, they died because it was the third case’ after they’re dead?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Does saying sorry fix anything? Will the dead come back to life if you apologize? Find out the cause and the treatment method! Now!”
“Yes, understood!”
“Sigh… You can go now.”
“Yes!”
The staff member bowed deeply and turned around.
Another staff member, seeing this, approached with a look of disbelief.
“Hey, get a grip. Team Leader Oh Tae-sik would faint if he saw this. The measurement management team taking orders from a 7-year-old kid.”
“Wow, for a moment, I really thought she was a superior. Her presence is no joke. You’d be the same if you were in front of her.”
“I’m sorry… I must have watched too many dramas.”
“…No, it’s fine. I almost got PTSD, but it was an interesting experience. We’ll take our leave now.”
I got too excited. They’re not even my subordinates, and yet I acted so rudely…
“Kukuku. How does it feel to take orders from a 7-year-old girl in a jumper skirt with a ribbon?”
“It was new and thrilling. I almost wanted to serve her. Satisfied?”
The cheerful staff members left, and my situation came back to me.
Please, God. Buddha. Anyone…
I’ve been possessing a 7-year-old girl, begging and scraping by for a week.
Just when I thought my life was finally turning around after meeting the Demon King, now I’m going to die like this? That’s just ridiculous.
Please save me…
As I trembled in anxiety, the second measurement began.
Jeong Ha-yul, the first hero to receive an “unmeasurable” result on a regular measuring device.
Because of her, the Association went into emergency mode, and the measurement management team worked their bones to dust to create a precision device…
But even that precision device gave an “unmeasurable” result.
And me, who can barely make a tissue flutter with my so-called telekinesis, surpass Jeong Ha-yul?
If I were that strong, I would have already pierced her palm with a pen yesterday.
Outside, chaos erupted.
They even cheered for some reason.
What the hell… Have you never seen someone about to die before?
Tears streamed down my face.
I grabbed the pants of the staff member helping with the measurement and shook them.
“Say it’s an error… Please, say it’s a machine error!”
“…This machine is the result of our team’s blood, sweat, and tears. There’s absolutely no error.”
Just then, Kang-woo walked in…
He was grinning like an idiot for some reason.
I wanted to smash that big head of his.
My anger surged, and the tears flowed even more.
Kang-woo’s expression gradually hardened.
Finally, you’re starting to realize the seriousness…?
The mascot of the Demon King’s family.
The cute youngest, Gyeoul, is going to die.
You bastard!
***
Because of the Demon King, they created a precision measuring device…
And now, because of the Demon King’s sibling, they have to develop an even more advanced measuring device.
It was the moment a massive project, which could take years, was confirmed.
Team Leader Oh Tae-sik returned to the measurement management team’s office and started preparing for overtime.
“…First, bring me the documents we received.”
“Well…”
The staff member hesitated despite Oh Tae-sik’s order.
“…Don’t tell me you didn’t receive them?”
“The Demon King just pushed them in, so I didn’t have time to…”
“You crazy bastard! Go get them right now!”
“Yes, yes!”
At that moment, in the Association Head’s Office.
“…Congratulations, Hero Jeong Ha-yul.”
“Is it something for me to be congratulated for? It’s Gyeoul’s ability.”
“You’re family, so it’s natural to be congratulated.”
Hearing the word “family,” Ha-yul smiled.
“That’s true. Family…”
As she pondered the word “family,” the door to the Association Head’s Office burst open, and Kang-woo entered.
“Ha-yul! Ah… Association Head, Team Leader, sorry. It’s urgent. I need to take Ha-yul.”
“…?”
“Go ahead. Let’s have a meal together later, Hero Jeong Ha-yul.”
Without even properly responding to the Association Head, Ha-yul was dragged out by Kang-woo.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Gyeoul is crying too much. The tears won’t stop.”
“Tears of joy, right? If her magic power is higher than mine, she’s practically guaranteed to be S-Class.”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case… She’s crying so sorrowfully.”
“…Where is Gyeoul now?”
“Still in the measurement room. Eun-chae and the staff are comforting her. Ugh!”
Ha-yul, carrying Kang-woo, raised her magic power.
“Ah, here you are. Jeong Gyeoul’s documents…”
Whoosh—
The staff member closed and opened their eyes due to the sudden gust of dust, and Baek Kang-woo and Jeong Ha-yul were gone.
“…We need those documents, but you’re busy… I’ll come back later…”
The teary-eyed staff member set out to find Ha-yul again.
Unintentionally ditching the staff, Ha-yul arrived in front of the measurement room.
As Kang-woo had said, Gyeoul was crying sorrowfully.
“Jeong Gyeoul… If you could just tell us the reason…”
“Gyeoul, what’s the problem? Why are you crying so sadly? Did these uncles do something? Should I scold them?”
“Waaah!”
“…This is driving me crazy. Ah, Ha-yul, you’re here just in time.”
“Why is she like this all of a sudden…?”
“I don’t know. She won’t say anything. You step in. She listens to you the most.”
‘Even so, she’s still wary and cautious…’
Just in case, Ha-yul stepped forward.
So worried that her tone became stiff.
“Gyeoul. It’s fine to cry… but tell me why you’re crying.”
“…Would you say it if you were in my place? Interrogating a kid…”
Just as Eun-chae looked at Ha-yul with a disbelieving expression,
Gyeoul’s mouth opened.
“I’m going to die now… Waaah!”
“Die? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“There’s no way my magic power exceeds my sister’s… I’m the third case.”
“…What’s the third case?”
The staff member who had been scolded by Gyeoul earlier trembled and stepped forward in front of the Demon King.
“That’s… when the magic power is significantly lower than that of an ordinary person.”
“What happens then?”
“Usually, they die within a month…”
“…Did you really say that to her?”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
“There are things you should and shouldn’t say in front of a child…”
“Don’t scold them… I begged them to tell me.”
Even while thinking she was going to die, she stopped the staff from being scolded.
Seeing that, Eun-chae’s heart ached, and tears flowed from her eyes too.
Most of the female staff also started sniffling.
“…Why are you crying too!”
“Is Gyeoul really going to die? Waaah…”
“She’s not going to die! She’s not! Everyone who’s crying, get out!”
It wasn’t enough to step forward and comfort the child, but they were sitting there crying themselves.
Angry, Ha-yul kicked them all out.
“So. If it’s the third case, what’s the treatment?”
“There isn’t one yet. The cause hasn’t even been properly identified…”
“…Is that what you should be saying right now? Find out the cause and the treatment method! Now!”
Ha-yul said the exact same thing as Jeong Gyeoul earlier.
The staff member felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘I feel like I’ve seen this scene in a dream…’
But there was no time to leisurely reminisce.
The Demon King’s command was on a completely different level from Oh Tae-sik’s.
“…Yes, understood!”
***
After waiting for a long time, the staff member who went to get the documents didn’t return.
“How long has it been since I sent that bastard…”
Feeling frustrated, Team Leader Oh Tae-sik headed to the measurement room himself…
But it was incredibly noisy with crying and all sorts of commotion.
Just then, a staff member who had received instructions from Ha-yul came running out.
“Manager Lim, what’s going on right now?”
“Ah, damn it! I’m busy!”
“…What the hell? …Hey!”
Oh Tae-sik, the tiger of the measurement management team with 16 years of experience.
For the first time, he was ignored by his direct subordinate.
‘What… What’s happening?’
With fearful steps, he entered the measurement room.
