15

Morning.

The sunlight poured in through the window, casting a warm glow on the bed. Birds chirped outside, signaling the start of a new day. Alejandro felt a tickle on his nose and slowly woke up.

Raising his head, he saw Ji-ah using her hair to tickle his nose, her blanket slipping off to reveal her fair, glistening skin.

"Good morning, Master!" she greeted with a sweet smile, her voice innocent yet filled with temptation, stirring desires within.

"Hiss, judging demons is indeed a strenuous task!" A tail with an arrow-shaped tip emerged from the blanket, playfully brushing against his face. Truly demonic! Wicked! Too wicked!

Alejandro glanced up to find Soo-ah busy in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

Summoning the Book of Shadows, he flipped to his attribute card:

Name: Alejandro Strength: 8 Constitution: 7 Spirit: 18 (Note: The maximum attribute for an ordinary person is 10) Abilities: Supernatural Charm, Flame Manipulation, Seven Emotions and Six Desires Evaluation: Apart from becoming even more handsome, there's nothing noteworthy!

The evaluation remained as straightforward as ever. Alejandro liked it. Strength may be a matter of versions, but being handsome is a lifetime achievement.

It seemed the Book of Shadows knew where to focus. Besides, there were the three new abilities he had recently acquired, and the mental boost they provided, far exceeding the limits of an ordinary person's attributes.

"Unlocking five demon abilities will enable more functions of the Book of Shadows. I've unlocked three already! Just two more to go!" he thought to himself.

Ji-ah slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom, likely to admire her demonic form. She seemed rather pleased with the transformation. After all, becoming a demon had enhanced not only her figure but also her facial features, making her much more attractive.

"How are the tasks I assigned to you?" Alejandro inquired as Ji-ah emerged from the kitchen.

"According to the criteria you provided, I've found several candidates," she replied. "One of them, named Lee Ji-hoon, seems to fit your requirements, but there's an issue with his identity."

"Who is this Li Zhixun, and what is his background?" Alejandro raised an eyebrow, inquiring. He naturally sought individuals with significant inner darkness and considerable strength, as Gold Su-yeon. Alejandro had also summarized a pattern in demon transformation: the demons created were closely linked to the emotional turmoil within. Gold Su-yeon and Silver Su-yeon, one repressed desires, the other indulged them, thus becoming Succubus and Lustfiend, respectively. As for Lee Do-joon, he was driven by a burning jealousy, hence transforming into an Inferno Fiend.

"Li Zhixun was previously a police officer, and even made headlines, known as a role model," continued Gold Su-yeon.

"A police officer? What has he been through?" Alejandro pondered.

In South Korea, most police officers were mere lackeys of the conglomerates. But someone hailed as a role model among them, like Li Zhixun, evidently possessed a stronger sense of honor and duty than others. Such individuals, even with their own inner darkness, would uphold their principles.

"Where does his inner darkness stem from?" he inquired.

"His wife and daughter were killed in a car accident by a scion of a conglomerate, who managed to shift the blame using some means, escaping legal repercussions," Gold Su-yeon narrated. "Li Zhixun stormed the culprit's place with a gun, but failed to kill him and was subsequently dismissed from the force."

"Shortly after, he got into a street brawl and ended up with his legs broken," Gold Su-yeon recounted.

"It's truly despair-inducing," Alejandro sighed softly.

In South Korea, the influence of conglomerates was indeed terrifying. Not only could they evade legal repercussions, but even exemplary police officers like Lee Ji-hoon faced dire consequences for crossing them.

In South Korea, the power wielded by conglomerates is indeed terrifying! Not only do they often manage to evade legal consequences for their crimes, but even the paragons among the police force dare not cross them, lest they face dire repercussions! The pervasive influence of conglomerates has seeped into every facet of society, akin to the monarchs of ancient times.

"He's the one!"

Alejandro promptly made his decision.

He disliked the conclusion of this narrative!

Rather than the dark and despairing tragedy, he favored the exhilarating, blood-soaked revenge drama.

He aimed to aid the pitiful, righteous policeman persecuted by the conglomerates, seeking vengeance!

"After all, I am also an individual yearning for justice and light. In the beginning, it was the persecution by the conglomerates that forced me to become what I am now."

After saying this, he turned around only to see Ji-ah's seductive gaze, and immediately felt a surge of desire upon him when he noticed the sultry look of Ji-ah.

"You, lascivious demon, dare to tempt me so wantonly!" he exclaimed. "Watch how I discipline you all!"

With that, Alejandro pounced on the girl before him, radiating an irresistible aura. Then, from the room came sounds that would make anyone blush.

...

In the evening, bustling streets, pedestrians, couples frolicking, laughter echoing. Onlookers smiled, but for Lee Jihun, it was just noise. He limped, disheveled, emitting an odd odor. Over his shoulder hung a snakeskin bag, containing trash, including dinner. People covered noses, avoiding him. Some cursed, telling him to stay away.

No one knew he was once a dedicated police officer. The former role model now trampled in the mud. Lee Jihun had grown accustomed. Silently leaving, he slipped into a secluded alley, crossed sewage, and returned to his makeshift home. A rudimentary shelter.

Bang! Tossing garbage aside, he prepared to eat when his expression changed. A slight crack in his door, the alarm hair broken! This meant a stranger had entered his home. Who would sneak into a homeless man's home? Lee Jihun's eyes narrowed.

He picked up a sharpened steel rod. In that moment, the demeanor of the vagrant faded, replaced by a sharpness akin to a drawn sword. He knew his leg was lame, and he couldn't outrun a normal person.

Creak! The door was gently pushed open, and he entered with the steel rod, his expression solemn. However, what he saw inside was beyond his expectations.