012: Tainting Memories

Friday, 31st January, 2025

Music pulsed through the premises, exuding both class and edge. As always, Eden was never short on attention. High-profile guests frequented the establishment, all seeking a place to let loose. The service remained impeccable, the staff dressed in elegant yet enticing attire.

Eden was divided into four sectors. First was the bar, where only the finest beverages were served. Second was the lounge, where guests relaxed as they pleased. Third was the indoor casino. And lastly, the Enter Lounge — where, much like a strip club, the establishment’s most attractive and seductive entertainers offered their clients the illusion of ownership over their heart, mind, soul, and body… all for one night. All for the highest bid.

While all this unfolded, the club’s founder, Liam, had gone out for a late-night run in an attempt to clear his mind. He had been running for over half an hour before finally stopping near the park, exhaustion catching up to him. Panting heavily, he allowed the thoughts he’d been suppressing about the blonde to resurface.

It had been nearly two days with no answers, and irritation was beginning to set in. What had Adam meant by “keeping his whereabouts confidential” when Liam himself never got even an ounce of privacy?

The rustling of leaves drew his attention upward. Perched casually on a tree branch was Nathan, looking far too comfortable for someone who had clearly been waiting.

Liam rolled his eyes, fully intending to ignore him. After all, Nathan was the one who had given him The Art of Seduction in the first place.

“So,” the redhead began lightly, “planning on finally admitting that you fell for the book’s effects instead of your target?”

Did the remark bother him? Absolutely not. There was no way in Hell he would fall for something so childish. Besides, he was an incubus — the seducer, not the one being seduced. Him falling for an angel?

Not in a million years.

“Well, if you must know,” Nathan continued, “your dear beloved archangel is currently under Heavenly trial. So I’d rethink that statement if I were you.”

LIAM

The night was dark and empty — just how I liked it. I’d never really been one for late-night runs, but tonight I needed to burn off the tension clawing at my chest.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I getting so worked up over nothing?

My fingers drifted to the necklace around my neck, lingering on the now-dull ornament.

There’s no way he’d fall for someone so quickly. He probably just felt guilty for standing me up. Yeah. That had to be it. He’s already holding up his end of the bargain somehow… but we’ve barely made any progress on the scroll’s whereabouts.

Fuck. Am I going to be stuck with this guy for life? No parties, no sneaky links, no causing mayhem… Could this day get any worse?

As if on cue, lightning split the sky — and moments later, rain began pouring down.

Perfect.

Guess the Heavens really were punishing me for trying to seduce an archangel.

I dragged a frustrated hand through my hair. The downpour intensified, soaking me within seconds. I could have run for shelter. I could have shifted forms.

But at that moment… nothing seemed to matter.

“Where are you, Adam?”

The scene shifted to the training grounds of Heaven.

A shirtless blonde sparred with another soldier, his movements precise and elegant rather than brutal. One hand wielded a sword while the other rested behind his back, his footwork fluid and controlled — the perfect poise befitting one of the Heavenly army’s top generals.

Every strike was flawless. Every motion deliberate. And his expression remained completely stoic.

Within minutes, his opponent was disarmed and defeated — and Adam hadn’t even broken a sweat.

As he sheathed his sword, a familiar voice rang out.

“You never cease to amaze me, do you, Adam?”

He didn’t need to turn to recognize the speaker. Once the other soldiers dispersed for their break, only the two of them remained on the grounds.

At first glance, they couldn’t have been more different. Adam was cold, reserved, nearly emotionless. The white-haired male before him radiated warmth, energy, and optimism. Yet somehow, their friendship had endured for years.

“So,” Raphael said with a grin, “how does it feel to be a soon-to-be archangel?”

“It doesn’t feel any different.”

“Oh, it will,” Raphael replied. “You’ll finally get to visit Earth instead of being trapped in the archives your whole life. Especially if you’re being mentored by Archangel Michael himself.”

He paused, voice softening.

“Even if it means I’ll barely see you anymore.”

Adam raised a brow at the shift in tone. His new role would station him mostly on Earth, while Raphael remained bound to the archives.

“Hey,” Adam said, waiting until Raphael met his gaze. “Just because I’m getting a new rank doesn’t mean I won’t visit. You still owe me a few books, remember?”

Raphael chuckled softly.

“I suppose I do.”

Present day.

Adam stood on the same training grounds — now unrecognizable.

Where lush grass once grew, only barren earth remained. Vegetation had withered away, and the once-blue sky burned red, stained like an open wound. The curse had ravaged the land far worse than he’d imagined.

“Long-term memories don’t die easily, do they?”

The voice snapped him from his thoughts.

Turning, Adam found himself face-to-face with his former mentor — Archangel Michael. Ebony hair stirred in the wind, golden eyes as warm as ever.

Adam immediately bowed, respect ingrained too deeply to ignore. Yet he could not bring himself to meet his master’s gaze.

“No need for formalities,” Michael said gently. “I have only one question.”

A pause.

“Why throw away everything you’ve worked so hard for… for a single night of pleasure?”

Adam hadn’t expected such bluntness, but he answered honestly.

“If I’m being truthful, Master… I don’t fully understand it myself. It was never something I would have considered doing. And yet… I don’t regret it.”

His voice hardened slightly.

“Heaven may be paradise to most. But to me, it’s nothing more than a cage — one I no longer have a reason to remain in.”

Michael did not react. When the curse had been cast and the punishment declared, he had anticipated this outcome.

With a quiet sigh, he simply nodded.

“I wish you well on your new path.”

Then he turned and walked away.

After one final look at the ruined grounds, Adam followed suit.

Back in Seoul, Yoon was reviewing the mansion’s accounts in his master’s study when Adam suddenly appeared and collapsed onto the sofa, exhaustion evident in every line of his posture.

The butler greeted him calmly and delivered a report of everything that had occurred in his absence. The school had been notified. The household was stable.

When Adam asked about Liam, Yoon explained that the raven-haired demon had gone out for a late-night run after the staff refused to disclose Adam’s whereabouts.

That had been over two hours ago.

And he still hadn’t returned.

Adam’s fatigue vanished instantly.

Staying out late was one thing. Staying out late while being targeted by high-ranking demons was another entirely.

Closing his eyes, Adam reached out with his senses. Now that he was no longer an archangel, his mana restrictions had loosened. Even without sunlight, he could access a portion of his power.

Once he located Liam’s presence, he teleported immediately.

He arrived in the Abyss’s main lounge.

It was empty.

Except for Liam, who lay sprawled across one of the luxurious sofas, fast asleep.

Adam approached quietly, noticing the damp strands of dark hair clinging to the demon’s face.

Was he out in the rain?

The question lingered.

He had intended to wake Liam roughly — but instead, he leaned down, voice low and almost teasing.

“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”

Liam didn’t stir. Instead, he turned away instinctively, as if rejecting the disturbance even in his sleep.

Adam rolled his eyes and sat beside him.

Honestly, he had expected this reaction. He had disappeared without explanation — again. Liam had every right to be annoyed.

“Look, kid,” he said, voice softer now, “I didn’t bail on you. I had important matters to deal with. So stop sulking and wake up.”

“…waited… for you long enough,” Liam mumbled, still facing away.

Adam chuckled quietly.

Then his expression grew serious.

“We’re leaving the mansion tomorrow.”

Liam shot upright instantly.

“What?”

When their eyes met, Liam noticed it — the silver hue replacing Adam’s usual brilliance. His gaze dropped to the rosary around Adam’s neck. Once radiant, it now hung dull and tarnished.

Realization dawned, but the words refused to come.

What had he expected after a night like that?

The mansion had been one of the few perks of the contract… along with the opportunity to annoy Adam whenever he pleased.

Still… there had to be a silver lining somewhere.

He just hadn’t found it yet.

To be continued.