Home/Precious Little Hell-spawn, Evilyn/ch 9

Chapter 9

“Their screams are the voices of those who suffered at their hands while they were alive. They are, in essence, reciting their own sins until their throats tear apart. The more malice that fills those screams, the more valuable the sinners’ punishment becomes.”

Spare me the details.

I wanted to avoid this horrifying scene. But Lucifer had no intention of letting me look away—he shifted me in his arms, turning me toward the river.

“Watch closely. Here in this place, the screams of sinners become the flames of Hell and the power of demons. And of course, they will become a potent source of magical energy for you as well.”

Even if he said that, to me it was nothing but unbearable noise!

Sure, by now I’ve grown used to it—about as much as a speck of dust—but Lucifer probably has no idea just how despairing that moment was when I first opened my eyes in Hell. To him, I am merely a demon who resembles him perfectly.

Perhaps because Lucifer was watching, the screams soaked in agony rose even higher from the river seething with the stench of sulfur.

I wanted to cover my ears. I desperately missed the yellow earplugs I used to have in my studio apartment, but in a place where I couldn't even fend for myself, that was a luxury.

I flailed my short arms wildly. It was meant to cover my ears, but my stubby little arms, not understanding this deep intent, only ended up slapping my own cheeks instead.

“Just as I expected of my daughter. You're brimming with power. Yes, soak up all the magical energy they provide. It is all prepared for you.”

“Waaah!” (I don’t want to!)

“Such adorable antics—keep them only for me.”

What did I even do?! That makes no sense!

Lucifer flicked my small nose with his finger as if I were cute and laughed in good spirits. Then, he gently brushed aside my hair as he held me, his touch filled with satisfaction.

Was he impressed by my energetic squirming with these short limbs?

Lucifer’s words and actions were unpredictable.

Even Hell could use a little empathy, don’t you think?

Suddenly, exhaustion washed over me. With a whatever happens, happens attitude, I let my body go limp in Lucifer’s arms and against his chest.

Mmm, looks like it’s naptime.

---

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp sound of metal being struck nearby woke me up.

“Strike harder! Hey, your hands are idle over there! Do you have any idea how precious this is?! Stop dragging your feet!”

Whack!

At the sound of the whip that followed, I instinctively grabbed hold of whatever was closest to my hand and squeezed tight.

“Looks like you're awake.”

Not that I knew it was Lucifer’s collar at the time.

My chin felt damp. Whether or not Lucifer noticed that his shoulder was soaked with my drool, he patted my bottom and headed inside the building.

If he doesn’t know, it’s fine.

I secretly wiped the drool still at the corner of my mouth against his clothes and stared straight ahead as if nothing had happened.

The inside of the building was filled with heat. Furnaces and bellows placed all around made it clear that this was a smithy.

“Keep your hands moving! Your hands! Oh—Lord of Hell!”

The demon who had been lashing the workers busy at the bellows with his whip spun around sharply.

I couldn’t mistake it. The moment Lucifer appeared, the air inside instantly turned cold.

He’s a walking refrigerator, no doubt about it.

“And—the Princess as well!”

He had been about to bow hastily, but the moment he spotted me in Lucifer’s arms, his face lit up and he rushed over. His face was familiar.

Yes, that’s a look you don’t forget easily.

“Mammon.”

“You’ve arrived, Lord Lucifer.”

Though he had run over excitedly, Mammon stood before Lucifer and greeted him with impeccable formality.

Truly, a sight to warm the heart of any Confucian soul.

Even in Hell, there are ranks and orders. I found this scene—where the tension in my stomach eased so satisfyingly—so pleasing that I popped my thumb out of my mouth with a pluck.

“Hyah.” (You pass.)

His body was still crimson today, with bones hanging and clattering here and there. How could I forget the demon who first gave me that skull mobile and axe rattle?

Mammon grinned from ear to ear, delighted by my seal of approval. It was a bit creepy, but not entirely frightening.

Familiarity really is everything!

“Ahhh, the Princess herself greeted me first! What an honor to my house! Oh, that’s right! Please, wait just a moment!”

Goodness, he’s even stomping his feet over a single greeting. Seong Juyeon, you’ve become a real star here.

A chuckle escaped me at the sight of Mammon skipping away.

When Lucifer first took me on a tour of Hell, fear had dominated everything. The eyes fixed on me, the scenery before me—all of it was strange and terrifying, and thinking it was Hell made me loathe it all.

Not that I like it now, either, but still—humans are creatures of adaptation! Though my body is a demon’s, my soul is human. And through the harsh training of enduring stares since morning, I’ve grown stronger.

Guess Lucifer wasn’t interrupting my jumping practice for nothing. Thinking that, I put my thumb back in my mouth. It was damp but chewy, and somehow faintly sweet.

There’s nothing on it, so why is it so addictive?

While I was in a trance, sucking my finger, Mammon came running back carrying a heavy box from inside.

What’s the hurry?

“Here! This Mammon has crafted new toys for the Princess!”

With a merry expression, he busily pulled items out of the box. Then, right in front of my eyes as I rested in Lucifer’s arms, he carefully shook them.

“Ta-da! A brand-new rattle!”

What he held out was unexpectedly an ordinary-looking rattle. Its shape was like a hammer—similar to the weapon of a Norse thunder god—but it was still better than a sharp axe.

I took the rattle Mammon offered and gave it a swing.

Rumble, rumble.

Something was inside, and whenever I shook it, it rolled around with a clattering sound. Having been exposed to nothing but screams all this time, hearing this noise brought a surprisingly calm feeling. So this is why people listen to ASMR.

“Gya gya!” (Nice, thanks!)

“The sound is pleasant, isn’t it?”

To show my active approval of Mammon’s words, I shook the rattle once more.

Rumble, rumble.

Were there marbles inside? I grabbed the translucent hammerhead and narrowed my eyes.

Let’s see, what’s inside?

“It was worth extracting them one by one!”

Huh?

At Mammon’s cheerful remark toward me inspecting the hammer, I tilted my head with a sense of foreboding.

What… did you extract?

“Even if it’s a toy, since the Princess will be holding it, I couldn’t make it carelessly. This Mammon personally pulled out the teeth of fresh sinners who arrived this very morning and put them inside!”

Mammon puffed out his chest proudly and thumped it with his fist.

Come to think of it, now that I look closely, the translucent surface of the hammer does seem to have blood stains on it…

Thud.

“Oh dear, has your grip not developed yet?”

Mammon tried to hand the fallen rattle back to me, but I refused vehemently.

“Pwah!” (No!)

“Already tired of it? As expected, the Princess’s refined tastes pose a difficult challenge even for this Mammon.”

Mammon rested his chin as if deep in thought, then rummaged through the box he had set down.

After a moment, he turned back to me, holding a small, elegant case. Its glossy, polished surface gleamed handsomely.

“Here, this is it.”

Mammon crouched as low as his large frame would allow and respectfully opened the case before me.

“Let me give you a bracelet that suits your short, cute, chubby little wrist.”

Inside the case he opened lay a gold bracelet, gleaming not only with luster but adorned with smooth curves and delicate engravings.

This would make anyone puff out their chest even on a street full of jewelry shops!

“Wow.”

I let out an awed exclamation at the dazzling bracelet. Hearing that, Mammon seemed overjoyed and burst into loud laughter.

“As expected, a gift fit for the Princess! Truly the only child who carries the blood of the Lord of Hell. An excellent eye that recognizes quality at once!”

He took the bracelet from the case with his large hand and held it out to me.

Gold is precious. Just look at that brilliant shine! Even in the world I used to live in, it held the highest value—and here in Hell, that hasn’t changed!

I decided to accept the gold bracelet with the most generous heart, thinking of the future. My short arms may be short, but they were more than enough to express my enthusiasm.

Mammon, as if afraid that blowing might extinguish it or squeezing might break it, carefully fastened the bracelet around my wrist. His fingers, each as thick as my arm, trembled—and I couldn’t help but laugh.

And it was absolutely not because of the gold bracelet.

“Gya-ha-ha-ha!”

Clap, clap, clap.

Watching me laugh and even clap, Mammon’s eyes glistened with emotion.

When it comes to gifts, the bigger the reaction, the better. Taking it further, I opened and closed my palms, even showing off my little "clap-clap" trick.

I gave you gold—this much is only right.

Having done my absolute best with my short limbs, I leaned my head contentedly against Lucifer’s chest.

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