When, one day, a mysterious man in martial arts-style attire, with long, flowing hair reaching his waist, suddenly appeared and introduced himself as the Heavenly Demon.
How many people, I wonder, could just accept that with an I see? Fortunately or unfortunately, I was one of those people.
"Wretch, why are you suddenly silent?"
The mysterious man said, looking down at me with a haughty expression.
"Have you been pitifully frightened? Worry not. This master's mood is not so bad, so you may speak comfortably."
In the 21st century, if someone used this sort of archaic speech, it would be normal to suspect they were a patient escaped from a psychiatric hospital. But I clasped my hands together as politely as possible and asked back.
"Ah, erm… I apologize, but may I ask for your honorable name again?"
"It seems you do not believe me so easily. Very well, I shall personally tell you again, wretch."
The mysterious man clasped his hands behind his back, and his sleeves flapped magnificently. Yes, his sleeves flapped. That is a sound utterly impossible to produce with 21st-century clothing.
Because of the sound of his flapping sleeves, his talk of wretch and whatnot didn't even register in my ears. The mysterious man wore attire that looked straight out of a martial arts novel and had hair flowing down to his waist, which did not look like a wig. In fact, it seemed even better cared for than the hair of our agency's female idols. The mysterious man, standing perfectly straight as he looked down at me, had no trace of the forward head posture known as turtle neck, the so-called chronic affliction of modern people, nor even the slightest slouch.
That was why, despite his next words being utter nonsense, they felt strangely credible. The mysterious man spoke without a shred of shame.
"I am the Heavenly Demon. The Heavenly Demon, Wi Hwajin."
"Oooh…."
For the record, I was not admiring the fact that he was the Heavenly Demon. I was admiring the realization that if someone's appearance is of this caliber, even their insane ramblings are worth listening to.
In truth, one would normally assume this was an extreme, concept-obsessed Heavenly Demon cosplayer. However, after considering the various circumstances, I concluded that he was the real Heavenly Demon.
By 'various circumstances,' I mean—even setting aside the attire that looked straight out of a martial arts novel—the sense of intimidation radiating from his strangely red eyes, or the way his sleeves and hair flapped despite there being no wind. Of course, the window that man smashed to enter, and the fact that this is the 4th floor of the building, also constituted strong circumstantial evidence. That's right. This man, claiming to be the Heavenly Demon, had smashed through our office window just five minutes ago and was now speaking while gracefully perched atop my office desk.
In numerous web novels, I had seen plenty of extras who, despite someone so powerfully insisting they were the real deal, talked back and promptly got split in half. I was not that foolish. In any case, for him to introduce himself so confidently as the Heavenly Demon—if he wasn't the real deal, wouldn't he have to be an extraordinary kind of madman? And above all, I am immune to this sort of thing.
Because I am an idol manager in my 8th year. What does being an idol manager have to do with it, you ask? In this world, there exists a species known as concept-obsessed idols. If you call someone who adopts a specific concept and acts accordingly concept-obsessed, then concept-obsessed idols are those who maintain that concept, aligned with their group's worldview, throughout their entire idol careers. Concepts like superpowered beings from outer space were popular at one time. The idol group I am in charge of is also a concept-obsessed group. Specifically, they are martial arts-dols.
"I heard you manage the Gupailbang wretches here?"
"…I do manage them, but Gupailbang is just the name of the idol group."
"Yes. That idol thing."
The Heavenly Demon, lifting the corners of his mouth into an arrogant smile, continued.
"This master shall do it as well."