Doctor Demon

"Yes," the demon confirmed. "I had nothing to do with their deaths! Those two fools killed themselves and have now reincarnated into you and that little detective you run around with."

Jina? Hobin's eyes widened with realization. They were the reincarnations of Daesung and the Priestess?

That explained why Jina was able to kill demons. But why did they reincarnate? What was their purpose?

Suddenly Shinho's warning was echoing in his ears.

"The promise we made to protect Jina, will also be a curse…"

The curse…

Hobin looked at the demon who was now glaring back at him with pure hatred. He could not read the demon's thoughts but the demon was now able to read his.

"You think that you can have her," the demon taunted him but there was a hint of sadness in his words. "She might love you now. But she will be the end of you. Reincarnating for her over and over again but it won't do anything. If you want to protect her, leave her and go to Hell. These spirits are only the beginning. If the throne stays empty for too long, more such spirits and demons will come for her!"

"No."

Hobin was adamant. Leave? Never. He did not make the promise to protect Jina simply to leave her behind. 

He made the promise to be with her. Forever.

"I'll stay here and protect her," he vowed. "You can do whatever you want, but I'm not going anywhere! Demons? Let them come. I'm not scared."

The demon was now visibly angry and punched the glass, smashing it to bits. But Hobin turned to another mirror and saw the demon was still in his reflection. 

"You can't make that choice!" the demons roared. "You can't stay here! What right do you have to stay here? She died because of you! Do you want her to die again?"

"I have no intention of letting her die-" Hobin was saying but the demon smashed the glass again. This time, a stray glass cut through Hobin's cheek but he did not flinch. He calmly turned to another mirror, glaring at the demon again.

"I won't let you have her!" The demon challenged him. "You killed her last time but this time, I'll not let you have your way! I'll take over your body soon, Ohm Hobin!"

"I'd like to see you try."

The demon glared at his cocky attitude but then smirked. 

"You think you can stop me?" he sneered. "But I know your weak point, Doctor! You can't control yourself when your loved ones are in danger. Remember Wang Taehee?"

Hobin froze. He tried not to let the familiar feelings of rage and helplessness engulf him but Taehee's story always filled him with guilt. His fingers clenched into a fist but he was not going to give into the demon's taunts. The creature wanted him to fall for the bait.

"Taehee's death was unfortunate," he gritted through his teeth. "None of us could do anything-"

"You know very well who really killed Taehee!" the demon hissed. "Or rather...what killed Taehee?"

He chortled out loud. Hobin was blank because the demon was correct. Even though it took him years to figure it out, he finally knew what really happened to Taehee.

"It was a demon," he whispered.

"And no ordinary demon," the demon said. "The highest level of demon. He's going to come for you and the Priestess someday. And if he gains control over the throne in Hell, everything will be ruined. You won't be able to protect anything!"

"Who is he?" Hobin demanded. "Tell me!"

"Leave her!" the demon challenged. "Go back to Hell and rule it. Don't ever come back again!"

"If I go, then you'll have to go with me. How is that going to help you?"

"It'll protect her at least!"

They glared at each other. Hobin was not going to give in to his bait but the demon was now snarling. His eyes were glowing brightly and his skin was starting to become redder by the second. Sharp teeth were beginning to emerge and Hobin watched in horror as the demon began to change.

It grew larger, sprouting upwards. The wings on its back were beginning to come out, spreading so wide that they were out of the mirror's range. The auburn hair was turning darker and the demon's eyes glared down at its puny human host.

Why did the Priestess choose him? Why was he with her? What right did he have to be with her?

"You're a curse!" the demon said in a deep tone. "You don't deserve the Priestess' love! I do! I love her and I can protect her."

"You can't do anything!" Hobin challenged. "You know it very well. She won't love you-"

His words were interrupted by the sudden sounds of glass breaking. 

In slow motion, the mirrors were being smashed into thousands of pieces. Glass flew all around him as the demon let out a loud roar of anger and sadness. Hobin's words were piercing its very soul, making him angry and bitter at the thought of being unloved by the woman he desired.

"You can't force someone to love you!" Hobin shouted over the sounds of breaking glass. "We're humans! You can't force your will on anyone!"

The demon was enraged and within a swift motion, he tried to reach out of the mirror but he was trapped in it.

"You fucking fool!" he cursed. "You think you can control me? No! I'll take over your body someday and you can't do anything! I'll drag you to Hell if I have to but I won't let you kill her again! You hear me?"

"We want the same thing but why are you so insistent on-"

SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!

The demon was now on a rampage, breaking everything within the mirror world. His body was alight with the red hue and he was only turning stronger every minute. Hobin suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.

The demon was trying to come out!

"If not by hook, I'll take over your body by crook," the demon declared. "But I will take over. You'll beg me to do it!"

"AGHHHH!" Hobin screamed in pain as the chest pain aggravated. He bent over, crouching in agony. Black spots were appearing in his vision and he felt as if he was going to die.

"Tell me to take over!" the demon commanded.

"N-No!"

"You-"

Before the demon could do anything, Hobin felt a hand on his forehead. That touch was…

"Bro!" he gasped. 

Siwan was not looking at him but his eyes were on the creature in the mirror. He had seen this creature before and he now knew what it was.

The demon was also glaring back at him. There was no fear in Siwan's eyes but sheer hatred for the thing which was making his brother's life hell.

"You…" Siwan whispered. "STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!"

The demon snarled and was about to reach but Siwan took out a charm from his pocket and put it on Hobin's head. 

A bright light flashed everywhere and the brothers disappeared in thin air, leaving the demon behind. 

The demon watched them leave, feeling helpless. 

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" 

His screams broke every single mirror, echoing far and wide in the infinite room until there was nothing left but shards of broken glass.