TORMENT 

In the midst of the celestial clash between angels and devils, Azazel remains steadfast in his allegiance to Irene, the future queen of hell, whose wrath knows no bounds after her human lover is slain by an angelic foe. As the war rages on, tragedy strikes when Irene's father, the devil king, falls in battle, intensifying her grief and plunging her deeper into darkness. With her daughter left vulnerable on Earth, Irene entrusts Azazel with the task of safeguarding the infant, ensuring she remains beyond the reach of the angelic forces.

“Please keep my baby safe, Azazel..” Irene pleaded, her voice heavy with sorrow and determination, unaware that these would be her final words before succumbing to an endless slumber. Her plea echoed in Azazel's mind, a solemn reminder of the trust placed upon him in the face of impending darkness.

Despite the chaos of war, Azazel remained steadfast in his promise, ensuring the safety of the child amidst the relentless onslaught and devastation of battle. However, as Irene's despair reached its zenith and she finally succumbed to an endless slumber, the balance of power within the realms shifted irrevocably. With their queen dormant and their forces faltering, hell found itself on the brink of defeat in the ongoing conflict against the angelic host. 

In a final act of devotion, Azazel carefully placed the baby on the doorstep of a humble dwelling, disguising himself as a regular man to evade the watchful eyes of the angelic forces. Peering from the shadows, he observed as the kind-hearted man emerged and tenderly scooped the infant into his arms, a flicker of relief crossing Azazel's features. With a silent vow to return when the time was right, he slipped away into the darkness, his duty fulfilled, yet his heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty.

Upon his return to the hellish realm, Azazel was confronted by an angel of unparalleled power, their clash leaving him grievously wounded and ensnared in a three-year-long slumber. 

Awaking to a realm in complete devastation, Azazel knew he had to take charge in the absence of a ruler, restoring order and stability to the chaotic underworld. Despite his newfound responsibilities, his thoughts never strayed far from the infant he had sworn to protect.

Yet, upon seeking out the child and her caretaker, Azazel was met with a chilling realization – both had vanished without a trace. With the weight of guilt and responsibility heavy upon his shoulders, Azazel embarked on a desperate quest for answers, driven by the need for redemption and the elusive promise of peace amidst the turmoil of war-torn realms. With each step, he delved deeper into the shadows of his own past and the secrets of the supernatural world, determined to uncover the truth and fulfill his vow to Irene, the sleeping queen of hell.

——————

Seulgi and Yerim groggily awoke, their eyes blinking open to the dimly lit room in hell. As the reality of their situation set in, they exchanged nervous glances, hesitant to venture beyond the safety of their shelter.

Seulgi whispered, her voice tinged with apprehension, “Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

Yerim nodded fervently, her grip tightening on the blankets. 

“There's no way I'm stepping out there with those demons roaming around. I'd rather stay right here.”

The irony of their predicament wasn't lost on them—technically they are already dead and now in hell, they found themselves cowering in fear of the very creatures they had heard tales of in life.

As they waited anxiously for Joy and Wendy to arrive, Seulgi couldn't help but wonder about the two beautiful devils.

“What do you think of Joy and Wendy?” Seulgi asked Yerim.

“Well, both of them are beautiful. Joy is kinda feisty, but Wendy is...” Yerim paused, searching for the right words. “She's intriguing. They're both my ideal type, but they both ignored me when I asked if they prefer girls or boys," she said, feeling slightly disappointed. Seulgi just laughed at the younger girl remark.

When the silence enveloped them, the surreal blend of life and death made their hearts race. Yet, amidst the chaos, one thing remained constant—they had each other.

“Unnie, it's funny we're still together even in hell,” Yerim chuckled.

Seulgi smiled softly. “Because we're an inseparable duo.”

Yerim gazed at her unnie, emotions suddenly swelling. 

“Unnie, don't ever leave me, okay?” Seulgi nodded with a warm smile and enveloped Yerim in a tight hug, reassuring her without words that she would never leave her side.

——————

“I still can't believe this is hell, this place is amazing!” Seulgi exclaimed to Joy, her voice filled with awe as she looked around. 

Joy, the usually snobbish devil, chuckled for the first time, surprising Seulgi with her sudden warmth.

Leading Seulgi to the area where she would be tasked with her punishment, Wendy and Joy needed to separate Seulgi to Yerim for the meantime. They knew all too well that the combination of Seulgi's mischievous nature and Yerim's penchant for chaos would only lead to further delays in completing their punishment.

Joy explained, “Well, indeed. Hell Paradise is reserved for those who committed mild sins in life like you and Yerim.”

As she spoke, Joy couldn't help but shake her head in disapproval. “You and your sister,” she continued, her voice tinged with disappointment, “liked to con the innocents, stealing their money and even playing with their hearts.”

Seulgi's curiosity piqued, she asked, “Then where are the people who committed grave sins on Earth?” 

Joy smirked mischievously. “Oh, they're in the VIP section, reserved for the truly diabolical souls. But don't worry, you'll get used to it here in no time.” 

Joy led Seulgi to a hidden place known only to high–ranking devils like Joy and Wendy – a mystical forest filled with shadows and secrets. The wind whispered eerie tunes as they entered the enchanted realm. Seulgi's heart raced with excitement and a hint of trepidation.

“This is where you'll complete your first task as a new devil.” Joy announced, her voice oozing with wickedness.

Seulgi's eyes widened as she nervously looked around. The forest was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The trees towered above them, their gnarled branches casting long, twisted shadows on the forest floor. The air was heavy with a mixture of anticipation and otherworldly energy.

Joy handed Seulgi a small vial containing a silvery liquid. 

“Your task is to capture the essence of a human emotion.” she explained. 

“Tonight, you will steal the essence of joy from an unsuspecting human.”
Seulgi listened intently, her curiosity piqued. She had always wondered what it would be like to be a devil, feeding off human emotions and causing mischief.

As the moon rose high in the sky, painting the forest with an ethereal glow, Seulgi and Joy ventured deeper into the mystical woods. The sound of laughter echoed in the distance, drawing them closer to their unsuspecting target.

They finally came upon a clearing, where a young girl danced freely beneath the moonlight. Her laughter echoed through the night, filling the forest with a contagious joy that seemed almost tangible. Joy motioned for Seulgi to approach the girl silently. With tentative steps, Seulgi crept toward her, her heart pounding with a blend of excitement and guilt. She carefully uncorked the vial and held it close to the girl, capturing the essence of her boundless joy.

Just as Seulgi had collected enough essence, a sudden pang of empathy filled her being. She looked at the girl's innocent smile, her glowing eyes, and wondered if stealing her joy was truly the right thing to do. Before she could fully co