Two thousand dollars was deposited into my account.

My fingers twitch. I was holding back a grin.

It felt so simple.

So supernatural.

Earning money as a demon mercenary.

There’s probably some correlation between the spirit realm and mortal realm. Else, exchanges like this wouldn’t have been possible.

That said, to think you could earn money like this as a mortalborn demon..

Doesn’t this mean I no longer need to panic about making my debut as an artist? Working as a demon to earn my main income while I work slowly to build up my career, patiently, without having to rush.

When the income I can generate through creating art exceeds a certain threshold, I can then decide to quit as a supernatural mercenary.

Novelle must have rigged .

This is crazy.

Now I’m wondering if there are other, easier options of earning money as a demon? I need to look up the available contracts.

On one end I have a voice telling me that I’ll get myself too deep into this angel-demon war and lose sight of my initial goal. On the other end, there’s a voice telling me to YOLO because being a demon isn’t something normal people get to experience.

Moreover, I have cheat attributes when it comes to handling weapons.

I don’t really know how to feel about this.

“Haah..” I pressed my head against the table.

[Are you okay Avner?]

“I’m fine. Just in a dilemma.”

Seeing possibilities open up like this, I’m exhilarated. What else is there to this angel-demon world?

“But I need to focus. I need to choose one or the other.”

Would it be better to live my life as a mercenary, or as an artist?

It’s one or the other.

Or maybe both.

“I know. I’ll relegate my study time. I’ll take art classes for senior high school.”

Then I’d be following the main storyline of . Avner is a student in class 4A, if I recall. Rurita Nightingale, and where the story takes place is in class 4I.

I know that my parents told me to take science classes. However, seeing as they aren’t here, I get to do whatever I want.

“It’s decided.”

[Have you come to a decision?]

“I have, yes.”

[Congratulations then, Avner.]

“Speaking of which. Randell, can you give me an honest answer to a question I have?”

[What would that question be?]

“AIs, are the product of the spirit realm, correct?”

There’s no way AIs with such a deep level of understanding could ever be born so early in the year 21XX. There has to be some supernatural influence behind them. That’s the hypothesis I came to.

[Are you talking about TinyArmies? They recently have an update where you can venture into the twilight forest.]

“I don’t mean that. You know, nevermind.”

Maybe they were programed to play dumb. In that case, I’d be better off not knowing.

Stretching my arms, I rose from the floor.

The time now was 6 in the morning. I’ve been drawing since 4 am.

Grandma and grandoa should wake up soon.

[“Good to hear that. Sorry for the late reply.”]

[“Thanks. It’s alright.”]

Randingo had been off the grid for a few days and only replied today. I learnt that he wasn’t a member of 7SEAS. I wonder where he went?

[“How did it go? Were there any conflicts? If you have anything, we’re here to help.”]

Demons or angels, both were unexpectedly kind and logical. Like any society, whichever side you’re on, both considerate and indiscreet individuals exist.

I’ve seen angels outside that acted as if they didn’t see me. I’m sure the same happens for demons that encounter angels. Whichever faction you’re part of, everyone has their own lives to care about.

[“For now, all is well. Thank you for providing me. I’m now part of a fleet.”]

[“Which fleet?”]

[“7SEAS.”]

[“Nani?!”]

[“What?”]

[“That’s last year’s fifth place holder for best fleet in Alska. They just allowed you to join?”]

Competitions and rankings are part of this experience. Can’t forget that.

[“Yes?”]

[“No fucking way. I’m speechless. Be careful, they usually take on some fairly dangerous contracts. Opt out of it if it’s too dangerous. I’m sure Lucifer wouldn’t mind.”]

[“Will do.”]

[“Stay safe. My fleet recently just had an out war against a full armada trying to intercept a mercantile fleet. We had a few casualties. Hope that serves as a reminder not to bite off too much then you can chew.”]

[“Okay..”]

[“I’m serious alright? Then see you. Till next time.”]

…

No doubt about it. There’s a lot I can do as a demon. I just need to dig deeper and explore.

[“Good morning.”]

[“Good morning, Avner, Lia, how are you two doing over there? Have you woken up yet?”]

It’s mom and aether.

[“Lia is still asleep.”]

The sound of the door opening. I noticed my grandparents yawning while holding their backs.

“Good morning grandma, grandoa.”

“Up early again boy? Did you sleep enough?”

“Good morning.”

[“Want a video call? Grandma and grandoa are already awake. I’ll go do something about Lia.”]

[No need, Innis is already on it.]

That’s convenient.

Lia came out of the bedroom, hirs hair bedraggled. Using hirs arms, xe rubbed the sleep out of hirs eyes.

[“Morning Lia.”]

My parent’s AR hologram greeted hir.

Lia put on hirs glasses.

“Mom, aether, father.. good morning!”

[“Just woke up I see.”]

[“You don’t normally sleep so late. It’s because we’re not there, isn’t it?”]

“Um..”

[“What are your plans for today?”]

“Nothing special. We’ll just go out with grandma and grandoa for breakfast later.”

“They’re good boys and good girls, don’t worry about it. How’s sister-in-law?”

The hologram shifted.

There was the sight of my mom’s mother on the bed.

[“Good morning dears.”]

“Good morning grandma.”

“Morning!”

“Oh, it’s been a while.”

[“Haha, how have you been?”]

Our grandparents had a small banter amongst themselves. The hologram split. Lia and I talked with our parents; father’s parents with mother’s grandma. Two calls happening simultaneously.

We spent an hour in conversation.

[“Take care alright. Call when you’re free.”]

“We will. See you and take care.”

“Take care grandma, see you.”

“I pray for a miracle sister-in-law. Stay strong.”

They waved goodbye, the holograms sizzled into static and disappeared.

“How pitiful. Having cancer so young.”

“Remember to take care of your health, Avner, Lia. You don’t want these diseases growing in your body.”

“Yeah.”

“What do you two want to eat today?”

“The usual, I suppose.”

“To the breakfast place again.”

“There’s still some barley water. I think we can finish it this morning, I’ll bring a cup for everyone.”

===

“Big bro.”

We were at the zebra crossing. A caution sign was floating above the road, the light hadn’t turned green.

“What?”

Today was especially cold. Snow could be seen collecting on the roads and sidewalks. Shovel bots were busy displacing the snow which had piled up over the night.

Blowing out frosty mist from my mouth, feeling my nose heating over, I tucked both hands into my jacket.

“What happened to..”

A green, chunky animation of a crossing man in green began playing. Cars came to a halt.

Lia cut of hirs sentence and we began to cross.

I tuned into my heart.

My feet touched the other side of the road, the feeling eased.

I turned to Lia.

“Yes?”

“What happened to.. Pu’er.”

“Oh. That. I rejected hir.”

“You.. okay. No wonder hirs ShareWiw posts are.. do you want to know?”

I shook my head. Xe looked disappointed. Nevertheless, xe held back from showing me anything.

We reached the old-school breakfast spot and found a seat. Grandma and grandoa ordered the usual, I took my hands out of the pocket, about to order when I heard a pin drop.

I looked at the ground.

The black hairclip which I left in my pocket.

I accidentally dropped it.

The black hairclip which Novelle used to pin on my hair as a joke.

I hadn’t thought too much of it previously.

So why did I only recall its past now?

===

dotturndot: Wooozies. A lot of seeds scattered here and there– a deep history and lore behind Avner’s situation.. wait, is his name even Avner? Anyhow, fighting kaiju starfish and becoming a mercenary, do you think it’s an interesting world mechanic? Too bad it’ll be boring if I write the same thing next time. Need to switch things up a bit.