Del Narcissus was famous. A face so beautiful that it could captivate those who saw it. A unique temperament known for playing with others’ hearts, a favorite flower of the empire steeped in pleasure and desire, he loved only himself. Family, friends, and lovers meant nothing to him. People rushed to Del Narcissus like moths to a flame.
“I don’t understand why he’s so great. No, now I hate and despise him. I can’t hate him so much for not meeting me.”
“That bastard stole my fiancé. I’m going to ruin his life too.”
“I love Del Narcissus. It’s okay if he doesn’t love me back. But no one else should love him. No one can have that Daffodil”
“My son is sick because of Del Narcissus. Bring him to me.”
Countless people sought the services of the Cruel Guild. Del Narcissus was the most frequently mentioned name in the guild. People with various reasons, united by the common cause of not having their hearts reciprocated, could harbor such intense resentment towards one person.
Taking on these requests was just Andrea’s curiosity. At first, due to the thought that they couldn’t risk the honor of the Cruel Guild (even an illegal guild that carries out assassinations had its own honor). To not be put on the line over a simple political fight such requests related to “Del Narcissus,” were ordered not to accept any requests related to him. However, requests filled with mixed emotions of affection and malice towards Del continued to knock on the doors of the Cruel Guild persistently. Hearing reports that the twelfth assassination request for Del Narcissus had come in, Andrea thought, “What on earth is the imperial flower doing to attract such requests?”
At this point, it might have been easier to simply kill him cleanly. So, Andrea personally took on the assassination request for the young nobleman, a target that he would normally not even consider. That’s how he ended up heading towards the Count Narcissus family.
Perhaps because he had a son who only went around causing trouble, the security at the Narcissus family was quite strict. However, for an assassin who moved like a shadow, entering the emperor’s bedroom was child’s play. Andrea easily knocked out the guards and avoided the servants, then entered the second-floor target room.
The most popular target in the empire was sleeping under a canopy on a bed covered with a silk quilt. The bedroom was so luxurious and extravagant that Andrea thought he had entered the emperor’s room. Whistling softly, Andrea walked to the side of the bed. When he lifted the canopy with the edge of his knife, the face of the target hidden in the darkness was revealed.
Ah, Andrea had never seen anything so beautiful since the day he was born. Growing up in the alleys, scraping by on people’s leftovers and making a living as a street rat, beauty was like a distant illusion to him. But now, the man lying on the silk bed in front of him was undoubtedly ‘beautiful.’
Just then, as ashen clouds tinged with darkness flowed by, moonlight spilled into the room. Del Narcissus’s long and delicate eyelashes shimmered with a crimson glow, kissed by the moon. His round and smooth forehead, a nose that rose elegantly and was sharply cut at some point, an angelic and meticulously sculpted face, lips that were tempting and plump, and a jawline that could only be described as perfect… The moonlight settled over that face, so beautiful and precious that it seemed almost a shame.
The high-ranking nobles and aristocrats spend hours gazing at a single piece of art, shedding tears. They sponsor artists, guaranteeing a luxurious life while supporting them with a lifetime of funds. For the first time, Andrea understood the sentiments of these patrons.
Andrea wanted to kneel before Del Narcissus. He wanted to capture his beauty in his eyes for the rest of his life. He hoped that Del would experience all emotions in the world, displaying a variety of expressions. If he could speak, sing, and share laughter, Andrea felt he could even sell his soul. If Del raised those sacred and holy eyelids, looked at him knowingly…
Andrea realized that his face had turned extremely red. Only now did he notice that his knife had already fallen to the floor. He couldn’t recall when he had let go of the knife, a dangerous item that he had never let go of during the first time at twelve-year-old when he started killing people for the first time.
He quickly picked up the knife and securely placed it back in its sheath. It seemed inconceivable to bring out such a dangerous item in front of Del Narcissus. Andrea, with a foolish expression, gazed at Del for a while and then escaped through the window. From that day on, whenever customers came to request the assassination of Del Narcissus, Andrea sought them out and ensured they met with an “accident.”
Andrea lay on his own bed, staring intently at Del in a Magic Tower robe. If anything, Del was even more noble and beautiful than before. He did not fit with lowly humans who carried the scent of blood and death, like Andrea.
“I’ve possessed someone.”
Lost in thought, Andrea toyed with the dry tips of his fingers. It seemed better to first respond to that statement and investigate the truth. He waited silently for Del to wake up. Waiting was something Andrea excelled at, so it wasn’t difficult at all.
Del, seemingly wanting to sleep deeply while unconscious, slept until morning. Andrea silently guarded his side without making a move. Finally, Del opened his eyes.
“Ahh!”
Del jumped up with a startled scream the moment he woke up. Andrea, in a relaxed and calming posture, leaned back in a chair, waved his hand with a cheerful smile.
“Hello, did you sleep well?”
“Oh, you’re the one who knocked me out earlier!”
Del complained, covering his backside with his hand like a startled chick. Like a petty little chicken. Andrea had that thought when suddenly, a sensation akin to someone punching him hard in the depths of his chest. What was that? However, Andrea didn’t show it and just shrugged with a smiling face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s eat breakfast.”
He gently escorted the still frightened Del down to the first floor. Andrea was getting his meal at “A Cup of Sugar”, a bar that was the headquarters of the Cruel Guild. Del, looking around the empty tavern, shivered.
“Here. A Cup of Sugar”
“How did you know?”
“Well, in the game…”
“Game?”
“Well… I’ve once heard people talking about this place, while playing card games.”
Del explained, rolling his large eyes as if making excuses. It was clearly a lie. How would this mysterious guy, claiming to be another soul possessed, know about such a popular tavern? Truly… amusing. Andrea, still with a smile, seated Del at the bar table. Then, he skillfully lit the fire, took out eggs and bacon, and began cooking.
“Do you like your eggs runny or fully cooked?”
“… Runny.”
“Sure.”
Sizzle. The smell of eggs and meat grilling in pig fat wafted gently. The tavern, which had felt empty and dull, was now filled with the appetizing aroma and warmth. Del, who had been sitting stiffly with shoulders hunched, seemed to relax a bit at the scent.
“This tavern is mine. Well, technically, I’m just the bartender.”
Andrea winked at Del and continued the explanation.
“When I was young, I heard somewhere that sugar tastes like heaven. So, I always thought I should try it before I die. If I earn money, I’ll buy sugar and try it. I lived with that thought for almost half my life. Cute, isn’t it?”
“Uh……yes……”
Del reluctantly responded, but Andrea didn’t seem to care.
“And when I turned eighteen, I tried sugar for the first time… Unbelievable! It’s out of this world! It’s like heaven.”
He flipped the egg on the pan with a snap of his wrist.
“It was truly delicious. Now I understand why they call it heavenly taste. It’s like paradise.”
Andrea reduced the heat, brought a wooden spice shaker, and vigorously sprinkled white contents over the eggs and bacon. Fine and sparkling powder poured down.
“Just a moment. Is that, by any chance, sugar?”
Del asked in astonishment, halfway raising his body. Andrea chuckled and nodded towards Del.
“Yes, I sprinkle it especially heavily.”
He continued to sprinkle sugar with his hands.
“Eating like that can give you diabetes!”
“What’s diabetes?”
Andrea innocently asked with a puzzled face, still sprinkling white sugar evenly over the plate in front of Del.
“Ta-da!”
“…Is this also a method of assassination?”
Del mumbled absentmindedly.
“Haha, it’s my own way of doing things. “I’m sorry for hurting you yesterday.”
Andrea pointed to my chin with his finger. Del seemed to realize that he had a wound on his face. Andrea, who had been watching Del wrap the outer edges of his face, handed him a fork with the other hand.
“For now, eat. We need to fill your stomach before going back.”
“Are you going to send me back to the Magic Tower?”
“Hmm? No. You need to go home.”
Andrea kindly added to Del’s still confused face.
“To the home where your soul originally lived.”
Del Narcissus was famous. A face so beautiful that it could captivate those who saw it. A unique temperament known for playing with others’ hearts, a favorite flower of the empire steeped in pleasure and desire, he loved only himself. Family, friends, and lovers meant nothing to him. People rushed to Del Narcissus like moths to a flame.
“I don’t understand why he’s so great. No, now I hate and despise him. I can’t hate him so much for not meeting me.”
“That bastard stole my fiancé. I’m going to ruin his life too.”
“I love Del Narcissus. It’s okay if he doesn’t love me back. But no one else should love him. No one can have that Daffodil”
“My son is sick because of Del Narcissus. Bring him to me.”
Countless people sought the services of the Cruel Guild. Del Narcissus was the most frequently mentioned name in the guild. People with various reasons, united by the common cause of not having their hearts reciprocated, could harbor such intense resentment towards one person.
Taking on these requests was just Andrea’s curiosity. At first, due to the thought that they couldn’t risk the honor of the Cruel Guild (even an illegal guild that carries out assassinations had its own honor). To not be put on the line over a simple political fight such requests related to “Del Narcissus,” were ordered not to accept any requests related to him. However, requests filled with mixed emotions of affection and malice towards Del continued to knock on the doors of the Cruel Guild persistently. Hearing reports that the twelfth assassination request for Del Narcissus had come in, Andrea thought, “What on earth is the imperial flower doing to attract such requests?”
At this point, it might have been easier to simply kill him cleanly. So, Andrea personally took on the assassination request for the young nobleman, a target that he would normally not even consider. That’s how he ended up heading towards the Count Narcissus family.
Perhaps because he had a son who only went around causing trouble, the security at the Narcissus family was quite strict. However, for an assassin who moved like a shadow, entering the emperor’s bedroom was child’s play. Andrea easily knocked out the guards and avoided the servants, then entered the second-floor target room.
The most popular target in the empire was sleeping under a canopy on a bed covered with a silk quilt. The bedroom was so luxurious and extravagant that Andrea thought he had entered the emperor’s room. Whistling softly, Andrea walked to the side of the bed. When he lifted the canopy with the edge of his knife, the face of the target hidden in the darkness was revealed.
Ah, Andrea had never seen anything so beautiful since the day he was born. Growing up in the alleys, scraping by on people’s leftovers and making a living as a street rat, beauty was like a distant illusion to him. But now, the man lying on the silk bed in front of him was undoubtedly ‘beautiful.’
Just then, as ashen clouds tinged with darkness flowed by, moonlight spilled into the room. Del Narcissus’s long and delicate eyelashes shimmered with a crimson glow, kissed by the moon. His round and smooth forehead, a nose that rose elegantly and was sharply cut at some point, an angelic and meticulously sculpted face, lips that were tempting and plump, and a jawline that could only be described as perfect… The moonlight settled over that face, so beautiful and precious that it seemed almost a shame.
The high-ranking nobles and aristocrats spend hours gazing at a single piece of art, shedding tears. They sponsor artists, guaranteeing a luxurious life while supporting them with a lifetime of funds. For the first time, Andrea understood the sentiments of these patrons.
Andrea wanted to kneel before Del Narcissus. He wanted to capture his beauty in his eyes for the rest of his life. He hoped that Del would experience all emotions in the world, displaying a variety of expressions. If he could speak, sing, and share laughter, Andrea felt he could even sell his soul. If Del raised those sacred and holy eyelids, looked at him knowingly…
Andrea realized that his face had turned extremely red. Only now did he notice that his knife had already fallen to the floor. He couldn’t recall when he had let go of the knife, a dangerous item that he had never let go of during the first time at twelve-year-old when he started killing people for the first time.
He quickly picked up the knife and securely placed it back in its sheath. It seemed inconceivable to bring out such a dangerous item in front of Del Narcissus. Andrea, with a foolish expression, gazed at Del for a while and then escaped through the window. From that day on, whenever customers came to request the assassination of Del Narcissus, Andrea sought them out and ensured they met with an “accident.”
Andrea lay on his own bed, staring intently at Del in a Magic Tower robe. If anything, Del was even more noble and beautiful than before. He did not fit with lowly humans who carried the scent of blood and death, like Andrea.
“I’ve possessed someone.”
Lost in thought, Andrea toyed with the dry tips of his fingers. It seemed better to first respond to that statement and investigate the truth. He waited silently for Del to wake up. Waiting was something Andrea excelled at, so it wasn’t difficult at all.
Del, seemingly wanting to sleep deeply while unconscious, slept until morning. Andrea silently guarded his side without making a move. Finally, Del opened his eyes.
“Ahh!”
Del jumped up with a startled scream the moment he woke up. Andrea, in a relaxed and calming posture, leaned back in a chair, waved his hand with a cheerful smile.
“Hello, did you sleep well?”
“Oh, you’re the one who knocked me out earlier!”
Del complained, covering his backside with his hand like a startled chick. Like a petty little chicken. Andrea had that thought when suddenly, a sensation akin to someone punching him hard in the depths of his chest. What was that? However, Andrea didn’t show it and just shrugged with a smiling face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s eat breakfast.”
He gently escorted the still frightened Del down to the first floor. Andrea was getting his meal at “A Cup of Sugar”, a bar that was the headquarters of the Cruel Guild. Del, looking around the empty tavern, shivered.
“Here. A Cup of Sugar”
“How did you know?”
“Well, in the game…”
“Game?”
“Well… I’ve once heard people talking about this place, while playing card games.”
Del explained, rolling his large eyes as if making excuses. It was clearly a lie. How would this mysterious guy, claiming to be another soul possessed, know about such a popular tavern? Truly… amusing. Andrea, still with a smile, seated Del at the bar table. Then, he skillfully lit the fire, took out eggs and bacon, and began cooking.
“Do you like your eggs runny or fully cooked?”
“… Runny.”
“Sure.”
Sizzle. The smell of eggs and meat grilling in pig fat wafted gently. The tavern, which had felt empty and dull, was now filled with the appetizing aroma and warmth. Del, who had been sitting stiffly with shoulders hunched, seemed to relax a bit at the scent.
“This tavern is mine. Well, technically, I’m just the bartender.”
Andrea winked at Del and continued the explanation.
“When I was young, I heard somewhere that sugar tastes like heaven. So, I always thought I should try it before I die. If I earn money, I’ll buy sugar and try it. I lived with that thought for almost half my life. Cute, isn’t it?”
“Uh……yes……”
Del reluctantly responded, but Andrea didn’t seem to care.
“And when I turned eighteen, I tried sugar for the first time… Unbelievable! It’s out of this world! It’s like heaven.”
He flipped the egg on the pan with a snap of his wrist.
“It was truly delicious. Now I understand why they call it heavenly taste. It’s like paradise.”
Andrea reduced the heat, brought a wooden spice shaker, and vigorously sprinkled white contents over the eggs and bacon. Fine and sparkling powder poured down.
“Just a moment. Is that, by any chance, sugar?”
Del asked in astonishment, halfway raising his body. Andrea chuckled and nodded towards Del.
“Yes, I sprinkle it especially heavily.”
He continued to sprinkle sugar with his hands.
“Eating like that can give you diabetes!”
“What’s diabetes?”
Andrea innocently asked with a puzzled face, still sprinkling white sugar evenly over the plate in front of Del.
“Ta-da!”
“…Is this also a method of assassination?”
Del mumbled absentmindedly.
“Haha, it’s my own way of doing things. “I’m sorry for hurting you yesterday.”
Andrea pointed to my chin with his finger. Del seemed to realize that he had a wound on his face. Andrea, who had been watching Del wrap the outer edges of his face, handed him a fork with the other hand.
“For now, eat. We need to fill your stomach before going back.”
“Are you going to send me back to the Magic Tower?”
“Hmm? No. You need to go home.”
Andrea kindly added to Del’s still confused face.
“To the home where your soul originally lived.”
