Things to Do During the Day - Chapter 7

Carmion looked at Ariel with ecstatic eyes, while she was looking at him with a bewildered face. How did he come to the world of humans?

‘This is all because of him.’

Carmion glared at Arsion, who staggered behind him. The eyes of the two collided. Carmion clicked his tongue as Arsion stared at him with his teeth clenched. ‘Damn bastard.’ Other humans would have lost their lives with that blow, but Arsion could hold on without losing his consciousness.

“But it’s still a human body.”

Carmion said as if he was genuinely sorry. Sadly, it wasn’t just Arsion. He turned his gaze away, not paying any more attention to Arsion. Ariel was standing there, as if frozen.

The angel who stood the closest to the goddess. When her nine wings unfolded, everyone looked at Ariel with awe. Such a being was here because of Arsion, who was not like Carmion.

Carmion recalled what happened a long time ago.

* * *

The rank of an angel was determined by the number of wings he or she had. Since they were perfect beings from the moment they were born, they do not grow over time like the imperfect creatures here. At the moment of one’s existence, one’s place was decided.

Among those born with the power of the goddess, there was an angel with nine wings at the highest point. Because there was only one such being, it could be said that she was the ‘only one’ other than the goddess. That was Ariel.

The goddess, who cared about Ariel, gave her one of her powers. So whenever Ariel showed up, everyone bowed at her feet and hoped she would use her power. In particular, the battle angels, who faced constant attacks from the demons, lowered their heads even deeper to Ariel.

Even if one’s arm was severed or one’s wings were torn, everything under her wings regained its original appearance. Anyone with wings in the greatest power loved and respected Ariel.

Carmion was one of them. With five wings, he was the one who led the vanguard of battle angels against the demons. When gold feathers fell on the battlefield against the devil, he looked up at the sky. Then there, as always, the nine wings swayed. 

At the same time, there was always a presence looking at Ariel as well as Carmion. It was Arsion.

He was so silent and expressionless that Carmion wondered if the goddess forgot to put her emotions in him. Arsion only killed the demons like a machine.

Arsion was always soaked in the blood of the demons at the end of the battle, and his wings, which were originally white, were always dyed red.

It was only when Ariel appeared that Arsion would have some sort of expression appear on his face. As always, Ariel approached Arsion, who was in a mess, and healed his wounds. Each time Arsion’s expression was reverent, it was one of worship as if he were facing the goddess herself.

Carmion didn’t know how many thousands of years had passed. For a moment, the heavens became tumultuous after the wars died down. Many angels died and were born anew in the fight against the demons. Therefore, the time had come for everyone to find a new mate.

Carmion’s heart pounded at the news.

‘Maybe……’

The only nine-winged angel. Ariel was strong, but she had no mate because she was a late-born angel. Moreover, most of the angels below her were paired.

Of the unaccompanied angels, the highest were the five-winged ones like Carmion. Besides, he was the one who led the battle angels. So… Ariel was most likely to be his match. 

Carmion saw Arsion. Four swaying wings behind him. Born for slaughter, his ability was enormous, but in the end, Arsion was not higher than Carmion. Therefore, Carmion waited for the day when his mate would be decided with ease.

But that day, Ariel grabbed Arsion’s hand. It was also the first time he saw Arsion, who was always expressionless, smiled. Everyone looked at Ariel and Arsion, saying it was amazing. Carmion looked at Arsion with envious eyes, to be exact. Who knew Ariel would choose the four-winged angel to be her mate.

From that day on, Carmion couldn’t take his eyes off Arsion. Arsion was still the same even though he was Ariel’s match. No, sometimes after a battle against the demons, he talked to Ariel with a smile while recovering under her wings.

Every time he saw it, Carmion felt something unknown in him.

Then one day, all the demons that had been quiet for a while crawled out and attacked. For countless hours, Carmion cut the demons. Cut, cut, cut, cut. Gradually Carmion realized that he was putting someone’s image over the demons.

How many was it? The bodies of demons were piled up everywhere within sight. Then Carmion found out that only he and Arsion were left.

“I think it’s over.”

In a battle a long time ago, Arsion tore three of his four wings. But now he still had four wings. It was thanks to Ariel’s recovery powers. Carmion stared blankly at his wings and approached Arsion. At that moment.

Slash!

Carmion’s sword cut off Arsion’s wings.

“……!”

Arsion collapsed without even screaming. The fallen Arsion looked at Carmion in disbelief. Carmion felt satisfied with the look on his face. In the distance, he could see the tip of the sky shining golden. Ariel noticed Arsion’s crisis.

“Well, I guess it’s over.”

Carmion struck his sword down as he said so. To exactly where Arsion’s heart was. Arsion’s life ended with his eyes open. Now, Ariel’s partner was gone. Ariel would have to find a new mate. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to be the one. But at least Arsion would no longer be her mate either. 

He left the place without regret. His five wings that were spread out were black before he knew it.

After that, Carmion descended into the world of humans. And soon, he was able to catch an angel with two wings that had descended to the human world after he did. The angel told Carmion what he was curious about – what happened after he left.

Arsion’s life was over. However, at Ariel’s earnest request, he was sent down to the human world as the weakest two-winged angel to be reborn. And after Arsion left, Ariel, too, came down, abandoning all her wings.

If so, then.

Carmion killed the angel who told him everything, and then muttered. 

“It’ll be easier.”

His wings were dyed a deeper black.

* * *

And it became today.

Carmion saw Ariel. As she descended into the human world, two faint wings appeared behind her, who chose a feminine figure. Carmion was heartbroken about it. Why did she go to Arsion, even giving up the power of the goddess? 

“I couldn’t understand. Why did you choose something less perfect.”

Carmion reached for Ariel.

Slap! Carmion’s hand was swatted away through the air with a harsh sound. 

“Gasp… Gasp…”

Drip. She could hear blood dripping. Arsion stood in front of Ariel, shielding her. As if he would never let Carmion reach her.

“You’re a terrible human being, Arsion.”

“Riel, run…… Run away…….”

Arsion pressed his hand against his wound and struggled to speak. Arsion couldn’t figure out how that happened. Who was this man who suddenly appeared unnoticed and stabbed him, and why does he speak as if he knew him and Ariel well. Also, how did he know that this man’s name was Carmion?

But one thing was for sure. 

This man wanted Ariel.

The moment Arsion realized it, he was already moving. The pain of tearing open his wound even further did not come to mind. It occurred to him that the man’s hand should never reach Ariel.

“It’s too late, Arsion. The reason why I came here today is to serve Ariel…….”

The sky became dark at that moment. At the same time, giant wings appeared behind the Carmion. At the unbelievable sight, Arsion looked at his wings without saying anything.

There was a time when the crown princess spoke to him like she was joking. ‘I sometimes see wings behind you, but the color isn’t good.’ Perhaps if the crown princess was here, she would have looked at Carmion and said. ‘I mean, there’s a worse color.’

“And to kill you completely.”

The sword in Carmion’s hand was filled with black energy. Arsion could tell without an explanation. If he gets cut by that, he would die. It would also be a very terrible death. But Arsion had no intention of avoiding it.

‘No.’

He must prevent that somehow. To be exact, he needed to stop this man from approaching Ariel.

“Riel, run…….”

Arison’s vision was already blurry. Fighting back was impossible with this body. All he could do was just be a shield. A shield that would prevent the man’s hands from reaching Ariel. A shield that would block only once.

‘I’m so useless.’

He remembered the vow he made during the wedding held on a clear day. At some point, they swore to cherish and protect each other, but he didn’t think he could keep his vow today.

Carmion shook the edge of the sword in front of Arsion’s face like he was playing a prank.

“Hmm.”

Then he moved his hand as if he had made up his mind. The sharp tip of the sword brushed one of Arsion’s cheeks. Arsion desperately tried to avoid it, but he wasn’t able to completely, thus receiving a long red line on his face. A drop of blood fell along the line.

“Sion!”

Ariel, who had been stiff with shock, screamed. Carmion swung the sword again. This time blood spattered from Arsion’s neck. At that moment, Arsion kicked the ground. He rushed towards Carmion and grabbed the hand that was holding the sword. As soon as Carmion’s posture shook, Arsion turned the sword and stabbed Carmion.

“Krugh!

A painful groan fell from Carmion’s mouth. He couldn’t believe it. Arsion was now a human being. Even if he couldn’t use his power properly in the human world, he dared to attack him?

The position of the heart shifted because the body moved after he aimed at the chest. Instead, he cut Carmion’s arm. Carmion grabbed his arm and backed away. His wings shook violently. A black energy flowed out of his eyes. 

“Arsioooon!”

The cry shook the world. In an instant, the sky became night. The ground shook and all the beasts held their breath. The villagers were surprised by the sudden change, and everyone collapsed on the ground and wrapped their heads in fear. 

Was this the end?

Arsion looked at Carmion and hugged Ariel, who was still motionless.

“Sorry, Riel.”

“……Sion?”

“I’ll protect you…… vow…….”

Arsion’s eyes slowly closed. Ariel shook her head.

“No, Sion. Open your eyes… Open your eyes!”

Arsion, however, could not answer. His body, drained of strength, fell into Ariel’s arms. Ariel sat down, holding Arsion’s body. Carmion approached the two. Ariel glared at him. She was scared, but she was angry more than she was scared.

‘How dare you.’

She chose Arsion again.

“Give up, Ariel.”

“…….”

“This time, you…….”

“……No.”

“What?”

“Shut up, you son of a bitch!”

At Ariel’s cry, Carmion was briefly dazed. What did he just hear? The nearest being to the goddess. The noblest angel. The owner of nine wings. An angel with divine power… What did … she just say?

Ariel’s eyes flashed gold. It was a color humans couldn’t have. A large wing spread out behind Ariel. Two wings.

“You can’t beat me with that power…….”

The face of Carmion, who was speaking confidently, stiffened.

“No way…….”

More wings spread behind Ariel. Three, four, five…… nine.

The darkness that Carmion had brought was gone before they knew it. The gray sky, which appeared like it was about to sprinkle snow, was slowly splitting. At the moment, when the blue sky was revealed, brilliant sunlight poured through the gap. The sun poured exactly over Ariel and Arsion.

With Arsion still in her arms, Ariel put her hand on his face. The long stab wound, which was dripping blood, quickly disappeared as if it had never been there as Ariel’s hand passed by. Only the blood that hadn’t dried up yet indicated there was a wound.

Ariel’s hand shifted to Arsion’s abdomen. There was a gold light at her fingertips, and her nine wings shook. In the blinding light, Ariel looked at Arsion’s abdomen, where her hands had touched. She could see a clean body under the blood-soaked clothes.

Only then did Ariel look away. Where her gaze was directed, there was Carmion, who was unable to do anything in shock.

“A fallen angel who killed one of his people and fled.”

“A-Ariel…….”

“You couldn’t repent on your sins, but you came here to lose your remaining wings.”

Ariel reached for Carmion.

A scream rang out to the world.