Ch. 23
Yet, just as I was enjoying myself, his eyes suddenly snapped open and with a piercing glare, he cried: “Who dares?!”
I watched in bafflement as he yelled at me, then closed his eyes in satisfaction. I couldn’t help feeling a bit miffed–how is it that, even in his dreams, he doesn’t forget to bully me. But if I think about it carefully, this is pretty much his mantra. Kind of like how the Monkey King,* regardless of whom he’s up against, always yells: “Demon, where do you think you’re going?” Or like how humans, regardless of the time, always begin their conversations with, “Have you eaten?”**
So thinking, I forgave him.
I bent down next to him and whispered in his ear, “Phoenix, do you remember that you still owe me 600 years of magic?”
His breaths were deep and even, his demeanor at peace.
“Could it be that you’re going back on your word?” I continued asking him in complete seriousness.
His breaths remained deep and even, his demeanor remained at peace.
“It’s the law of nature to repay your debts. Thus, I shall retrieve the magic myself and save you the trouble.” I can’t imagine that there are many considerate creditors like me left in the world.
From the Eye of the Snail 