- Jang Hyunseung's POV -

(PRONUNCIATION: Hyon-sung)

IT WAS A COLD SUMMER night. My mother met my father at a bar called Angelus et Daemon. Usually when you visit a bar, falling in love wouldn't be on your agenda, but it seems that the two did just that.

     The two of them enjoyed hours of talking and drinking. And something we call a one-night-stand happened. 

     One-night-stands don't always end in a good note, but for my parents, it was different. Both of them fell in love that night. And after an incident that was supposed to be forgotten, my father stood by my mother's side when she got pregnant with me. We were both his greatest treasures.

     Everything was well for a long time, but the happiness they shared didn't last long. With no explanation, my father left, and I was born in a world not knowing who or what he even looked like.

     My mom never had a grudge. It was as if she understood why he had to leave in the first place. So when I'd ask about him, she would usually satisfy my curiosity by sharing stories of how they met and how they fell in love. But as I grew older, the stories that my mother would tell me didn't convince me anymore.

     There was a time that I asked her directly about who my father is, but like always, she would answer, "When the time is right, I'll tell you who he is."

     And so I did wait. But I never got my answer up till now.

     I wasn't a rebellious kid because my mom brought me up as a good child. Well good, while she's around of course. Because growing up, becoming this 'good boy' was almost impossible for me. People kept on staring at me, both girls and boys alike. Sometimes staring wasn't even enough for them anymore too so some would bravely approach me to get a quick touch. I can't even count how many times I've been harassed now.

     My mom said that the reason why they keep on staring at me could be because of my strong pheromones. But I don't think a normal person would attract as many people as I could. I think I caught someone having an orgasm by just staring at me too, which made things creepier and harder for me to be friendly.

     Nonetheless, it was an okay childhood. And regardless of what we've been through, I love my mom because she sacrificed so much for me. So I have to try my best to pay her back and protect her. No matter what.

"Jang Hyunseung! Wake up! You have classes today!" My mother shouted from outside my room.

     I stayed in bed for a couple more minutes before opening my eyes, only to be welcomed by this insanely bright light that escaped from the curtains of my window. I adjust to the brightness, cursing at the sun while rubbing my eyes in annoyance. When I got up from the bed, I lazily walk towards the bathroom like a zombie and did my business.

     I got ready in a flash and ran downstairs. My mother was placing food on the table. When she saw me, she said, "Good, you're ready. Here, eat some breakfast before you go." 

     I sat down on my usual seat and took a piece of toast. While I was munching on it, I suddenly felt something rub on my leg, quickly making me look under the table.

     "Oh, morning Luxuria," I greeted as I picked up our cat named Luxuria so I could caress her back.

      Luxuria is a sphynx cat that my father gave to my mother before I was born. It's the only gift that I received from him so I took care of it well. Luxuria's been here for years so she's more of a guardian in our house than a pet.

     When mom sat in front of me,  Luxuria quickly jumped off of my lap so she could rest on hers instead.

    "Hyunseung, do you have something to do tonight?" Mom asked while I took a sip of my coffee.

     "I'm free tonight, why?"

     "Well since you've forgotten about it, then let me remind you that today is your 18th birthday, and I want us to go to a restaurant and have dinner so we could celebrate it," mom reminded me.

    Oh yeah, it's my eighteenth birthday. How is it possible that I forgot about the day when my father left us?

     "Okay." I simply answered back.

     "Great! Your class ends at six right? Then we'll leave at seven." My mom happily stated as she started eating her oatmeal. 

     I stared at her for a second before finishing my toast and coffee. Then I looked at my watch, surprised by the fact that it was already 8:12 AM, and my class starts at 9.

     "Shit! I'm going to be late," I cursed as I bolted up from my chair and ran to the living room in a hurry.

     "No cursing Hyunseung," mom scolded as she continued eating breakfast.

     "Sorry," I answered as I took my bag from the sofa, kissed my mom on the cheek, and left the house.

    I rode my bike and eventually arrived at the campus.

     Holy Angels University – a Catholic all-boys university - is just a few miles away from where I live. Other than being near and convenient, HAU also has a system where all the first-year students must finish the minor subjects first, so on our second year, that's the time we'll choose a degree or program, and we'll only be focusing on the core or major subjects.

     As I cycle my way to the bicycle area, I notice the students staring at me from head to toe that for a second I thought I had dirt on my face. Well, this always happened so I should already be used to it, but the problem is, I never really did.

   When I got down from my bike, a pair of hands held onto my shoulder. I turned around and got ready to push the culprit away from me, but then I saw a familiar face. It was Lee Minhyuk, my best friend who was expectedly eating a large bag of chips.

     I immediately stopped myself and moved away from him. Minhyuk wasn't even surprised by how defensive I was as he smiled at me and greeted, "Hey JS."

     By the way, my nickname's JS (Jang Hyun-Seung). If you're having a hard time remembering my name, you can call me that.

     "Hey Minhyuk. Chips for breakfast again?" I asked him as I stared at his greasy fingers in disgust. 

     "You know I can't live without these bad boys," he answered, quickly making me dodge the chips that started splattering out of his mouth.

     I sighed as a concerned friend as I locked the chains on my bike. "You know I don't get it. You eat a lot but you're so damn fit." I told him, and Minhyuk just devoured a handful of chips before smiling innocently.

     I sighed again and just walked my way to our building. Minhyuk licked his fingers and ran beside me so he could catch up. While we were walking, Minhyuk's eyes suddenly widened like he remembered something that he was supposed to tell me earlier, "Oh yeah, another guy approached me today. He's asking me if you're free tonight."

     Honestly I thought he remembered about my birthday, but what he said was something that I expected more than the birthday greeting, "You know Minhyuk, you shouldn't entertain anyone. Especially when I'm a guy!" I angrily told him, and Minhyuk just shrugged his shoulder.

     "But seriously though, are you free tonight?" He still dared to ask me.

     I massaged my temple and answered him anyway, "No, I have a dinner date with my mother."

     Minhyuk ate another handful of his chips. He stared at me for a second before finally realizing it himself, "Oh yeah! Today's your birthday!" He then paused for a second and continued with excitement, "And so is mine!" He cheerfully added.

     Well, I did forget about mine so it's only natural that I'd forget that we coincidentally share the same birthday too.

    "Well Happy birthday to you too Minhyuk," I greeted with a small smile, and Minhyuk smiled back, draping his arm around my shoulders as we got inside the busy corridor of our building. 

    While we were walking and avoiding the people around us, we suddenly saw the biggest bully in our year - Kim Sunggyu - walking in our opposite direction. Everyone around him moved away since he was glaring at anyone who got too close. He wasn't even doing anything but I already felt his jerkiness oozing from all the way to where Minhyuk and I were standing.

     When we were about to walk past him, we avoided him like everyone else, but Kim Sunggyu purposely bumped onto Minhyuk, causing my dear friend to drop the bag of chips that he was holding.

     "Watch where you're going you glutton." Sunggyu barked out aggressively. 

     Minhyuk pulled his arm away from my shoulder and stopped walking. He was about to approach Sunggyu, but I quickly stopped him from doing so because the last thing that I want to do on my birthday is to drag my best friend to the clinic.

     Sunggyu glanced at us and smirked. Then he stepped on the chips and went to his good-for-nothing friends who were waiting for him at the end of the hall.

     "You okay?" I asked Minhyuk who was staring at the scattered chips on the floor.

     "Yeah. But someday I'm gonna beat the hell out of that guy, and I'm not letting you stop me." Minhyuk declared, clenching his fist from anger.

     I held onto his shoulder to calm him down. When he looked back at me, we suddenly heard a low church-like bell ring throughout the campus.

     "Shit, we need to get to our lecture," Minhyuk stated, and the two of us ran to our first class.

*****

"Okay, that's all for today, class dismissed." Our professor stated, and all the students stood up from their chairs and got ready to leave.

     I placed my notebook and pen back in my bag before standing up from my seat. Minhyuk on the other hand yawned and rested his head on his desk.

     "So, how are you going to celebrate your birthday?" I asked Minhyuk while I arranged his things for him.

     With his eyes closed, Minhyuk answered me, "Well, my mom told me that I should directly go home after class because she'll be giving something to me."

     I zipped Minhyuk's bag and hit him with it. Minhyuk groaned and lazily got up from his seat, thanking me for arranging his things for him.

     "Well isn't that good? It has been a while since you and Aunty Lee bonded," I told him, and the two of us walked out of the already empty room. We headed back to the bicycle area, ready to head home and call it a day.

     "So, see you tomorrow?" Minhyuk asked, watching me unlock the chains on my bike.

     "Yeah, see you tomorrow," I answered without looking back at him, and Minhyuk patted my back and left.

     I hid the chains inside my bag and turned to look back at Minhyuk who was walking away with his hands inside his pocket. While staring at his back, I smiled and whispered, "Happy birthday big guy."

     When Minhyuk was already out of sight, I hopped onto my bike and left in the opposite direction, cycling straight back home. 

     It didn't take long for me to get back. I got inside, and the first person to welcome me was not even a person, but my cat Luxuria instead. She started rubbing herself on my leg, making me carry her up to cuddle her.

    "Hey there little girl," I said as I squeezed her against my chest a little, making her shake herself away from me because she never really liked cuddles.

     I closed the door behind me, and mom finally went downstairs to welcome me back. She was all dressed up, looking like a divorced woman who's about to go on a date with a man who works as a president in a company.

     I gently placed Luxuria on the floor as my mom grabbed something on the sofa before walking back to me again.

     "So are you ready?" She suddenly asked, surprising me.

     "Wait, right now? You're not even gonna let me change my clothes?" I asked her, but my mother already looked so excited that I knew that she couldn't wait much longer.

    "Fine, let's go then," I said in defeat, quickly making her grab my hand so she could drive me to wherever she plans to take me.

     After a few minutes, we reached the restaurant that she mentioned earlier. I was surprised because it looked very classy and formal; no wonder my mom looked dashing. I could have at least grabbed a coat if I only knew that this was where we'll be eating.

     "You know mom, we don't have to celebrate my birthday in a place like this. We've always celebrated at a local diner anyway." I honestly told her, and mom gave me a warm smile and answered back, "Well we could, but today is a special day. I have something important to tell you." 

    I looked at her with a confused expression, but she ignored me and gave the car key to the valet instead before heading inside. I took a deep breath and followed behind her. The moment we got in, almost everyone looked at my direction, instantly making me feel uncomfortable. 

    "Good Evening ma'am, table for two?" The receptionist asked when she saw us enter.

    "We have a reservation under the name Asmodeus." My mother suddenly answered, surprising me.

     "Asmodeus? Who the hell is Asmodeus?" I thought to myself as the receptionist checked her list. Seconds later she smiled at us and said, "Yes, please come this way." The receptionist then brought us a private room.

     My mother sat on the chair and I sat on the other chair opposite hers. When the receptionist left, a waiter soon replaced her and took our order. It didn't take long for the food to arrive, and both of us started eating.

    Mom didn't talk throughout our dinner. She just smiled at me and continued eating, freaking me out a little because something strange was seriously going on.

    When we were finally finished eating, the waiter cleared our table and placed a bottle of wine for my mother. My mom took a sip from her glass, afterward, her smiling face vanishes and was replaced with a serious expression.

     "You can now ask questions about your father Hyunseung." My mother suddenly revealed, catching me off guard.

     "W-What? Are you sure?" I asked, surprised that she told me that since she always dodged my questions every time it was related to my father.

    "Yes." She answered.

     When she gave her answer, thousands of questions immediately formed inside my head. I wanted to ask them one by one, but one question stood out from the rest.

    "Who is my father?" I finally asked, and mom took another sip of her wine before answering me. When she finished her glass, she took a deep breath and looked back at me, "Your father is Asmodeus, the ruler of the realm lust...in hell." My mother casually answered.

     I looked at her for a couple of seconds, and then started laughing..

     "Nice one mom," I said in between my uncontrollable laughter, but my mom remained serious.

     My laughter slowly died down as my mom continued to look at me with a dead-serious expression.

     The hair on my skin instantly stood up.

     No fucking way.

     "Y-You're not lying. You're seriously telling me...my father's a demon?!" I practically shouted. Good thing we were in a private room or else people might be weirded out from our conversation because I certainly was.

    "He's not just a demon. Your father is one of the Seven Deadly Demons of hell," my mother calmly explained further like all this was normal and I shouldn't be surprised at all.

    "That's not the issue here. How did he even-" I paused and looked back at my mother, "Did he tempt you? Was I a mistake?"

    "Don't be ridiculous. And besides, he didn't tempt me. I tempted him instead." She explained, confusing me even more.

    "Mom if this is some kind of joke you can stop now," I told her, hoping my mother was gonna burst out laughing any minute.

    Mom took a deep breath. I knew it was hard for her too, but it was just impossible for me to comprehend it at the moment, "What I told you about how we met was not a lie Hyunseung. I was the one that tempted your father and he gave in. But he loved us so much that he even stayed with us," she said, making my mind go all blank.

     "How is that possible? How can you even tempt an actual demon?" I confusingly asked her.

     "Your father changed when he went back to earth, which was why he was able to love. To love me. To love us. But..." my mom then paused.

     "But what?" I quickly asked her.

     Sadness was instantly painted on her face as she explained, "But the King of Hell called him back and he did. He had no choice."

     "Had no choice? If he loved us, he would stay and be with us," I said, ignoring the fact about the demons and the King of Hell thing that my mother just mentioned.

     "If he did, the King of Hell will kill us, that's why he left. He left us for our safety," she explained further, and I was already so confused and so speechless that the only thing I could do was slump myself in my chair and massage my temple.

     "I didn't know Demons...had the capability to...l-love," I honestly told her, making my mom smile and say, "That's because your father...was never a demon to begin with."

     My eyes widened from shock on what my mother suddenly revealed, but I couldn't ask about it any further. All this information about my father being a demon is still not sinking in. So while I was in the midst of breaking down, mom took out a small, old box from her bag and placed it on top of the table.

     "What's this?" I ask as I look at the box that was in front of me.

     "This is a present from your father. He gave this to me while I was still pregnant with you. He said that I should give this to you when you reach 18," she explained.

    I scanned the old-looking box, somehow afraid to touch it, "What's inside?" I asked my mom, but she just shrugged her shoulders as an answer. 

    Without saying anything, I took the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a ring and a letter. The letter read...

Happy 18th Birthday Hyunseung.

From this point your mother had finally told you about me being a demon, and she is right. I am one of the Seven Deadly Demons, and you, my son, is what everyone calls a human-demon child.

I hope that there is no hatred in your heart. I never forgot about you. I have always been protecting you through Luxuria. She has my eyes as I watch you grow.

I know it was hard for you. You experienced such uncomfortable and horrible things because you have some of my powers, but now that you are 18 you will experience even greater harm. That's why I suggest you wear the ring. The ring will help you suppress your pheromones and other unknown abilities. It will also unleash a weapon that will be helpful for you in the near future.

You might be wondering why I am telling you this. The reason is because someone is after you. Our kinds archenemies, the archangels. These archangels are just like you my son, they are human-angel children. But even so, please be careful, because they are here on earth to kill and destroy you. But be warned, you alone can't kill them.

There are six more like you, they are also sons of the Seven Deadly Demons. The ring will also help you look for them. It will light up when someone like you is near. Unite with them and fight the Archangels. I know I can count on you my son.

Please be strong, and may the King of Hell be with you, and your spirit.

- Asmodeus.

     After reading the letter, I placed it aside and stared at the ring that was still inside the box. I was confused and puzzled. Is there even such a thing as a demon? Well, my father is one so I guess there is.

    And the staring and sexual harassment; it was all because of my father's powers? A normal person wouldn't believe in this thing but I trust my mother and I guess I trust my father on this too. I have no other choice but to believe that I'm a demon-child. And when you think about it, it's kinda like I'm the prince of Lust, which is pretty cool if you ask me.

    "So, do you have any more questions Hyunseung?" My mom suddenly asked, snapping me back to my senses.

     "Guess that's enough for today."

*****

We got home, and I was completely worn out after everything that happened at the restaurant. Mom never mentioned it again and just told me to rest. So I went to my room and saw Luxuria playing with her yarn. I kneeled and stared at her, "Dad, can you see me?" I asked.

    *Meow*

    "Yup. I knew it you were gonna say that." I said as I took a deep breath and walk to my desk so I could place the box there.

     I wanted to go to sleep but I suddenly had the urge to open the box again. It was like it was commanding me to do it. 

      I stared at the box for a second before slowly opening it to take out the ring. The ring had a dark blue gem. It had hands surrounding the gem too, so if you look closely it was very demon-like. But as I was staring at the ring, it suddenly lit up, almost making me drop it because of surprise.

     My heart started beating faster. I thought I was going crazy because the ring felt like it was luring me.

    Without any hesitation, I wore the ring. And as I wore it, everything went black, and I didn't notice that I already fainted.

- END -

To those who might be confused about the demons who I used to represent the Seven Deadly Sins, I used "The Lanterne of Light's classification of demons" as reference.