Welcome to the Demon’s Cabin - Chapter 13

“Then get plenty of rest, Mr. Idris.”

Irene, who had been waving with a smile through the crack in the door, disappeared beyond the threshold with a click.

After chattering excitedly about spring flowers for quite some time, she had suddenly dashed out, startled by the darkening view outside the window. Something about sleep being the top priority for recovery.

In the room that had finally fallen silent, Idris exhaled a low sigh while staring at the dusky ceiling.

Now that the taut tension had slackened, the forgotten pain came rushing back. The aches throughout his body were a given, but his mouth and throat also burned. It was the result of gulping down the hot soup in a hurry, fearing she might spout some nonsense about feeding him herself if he dawdled. Idris knit his brows and closed his eyes.

‘Still, I managed to get through it somehow……. Demon or not, I have succeeded in living one more day.’

Yes, that was enough.

‘It is okay. I can do this. She even mentioned showing me around once I have recovered. She has no intention of killing me immediately.’

He only needed to play along sincerely with this eccentric demon who was mimicking a human. It would be easy enough as long as he could endure those eerie red eyes. He had to make it happen.

He would observe his own revulsion and loathing as if they belonged to someone else, feeling them only in small increments. Fortunately, this brand of evasion was his specialty. It was a byproduct of living a life where his mental limits were constantly tested by a multitude of enemies and nowhere to lean.

To all those who tormented me without end. Thank you truly. I am finally seeing some benefit from your efforts.

Regardless, he had kept his eyes closed ever since he first laid eyes on Irene. He could not maintain his sanity otherwise.

Just as he was closing his eyes to calm his mind, the door slowly opened.

“……!”

Startled, Idris snapped his eyes open. Then, catching sight of Irene’s silhouette in his field of vision, he hurriedly closed them again.

He wondered why she was coming back in when she had just told him to sleep well. He did not even have the energy to feel indignant anymore.

The sound of a chair dragging was followed by the sound of something being placed on the table. Though he could not see with his eyes shut, it seemed she had taken a seat.

As he sat chewing on curses inwardly, the sound of fabric rustling began to drift over. He tried to gauge her movements, but with his ruined senses, it was impossible to guess what she was doing.

The only certain thing was that he could feel that tedious gaze upon him once again.

‘Please, just leave me alone…….’

He felt like striking his own neck just to force himself into sleep. He did not know what to do if Irene refused to leave. If he stayed up all night with his nerves this frayed, his already precarious lifespan would likely shorten even further.

As he kept his eyes firmly shut in the pitch-black darkness, the sound of clothes rustling and the frantic thumping of his heart created a loud concerto.

Idris furrowed his brow in frustration. He could not toss and turn, nor could he open his eyes. After grimacing for a long while, he finally relaxed in abandonment and let out a thin sigh.

‘I do not know. If I stay like this, I will fall asleep eventually.’

“Are you having trouble sleeping?”

Then, a low voice broke the silence and filled the room.

It felt as if he could see Irene beyond his closed lids, tilting her head slightly with a faint smile. He felt as though cold sweat were breaking out across his entire body. He did not think a ruse like pretending to sleep would work, but having it confirmed felt dismal.

Before he could even begin to agonize over how to respond, Irene continued in a voice that was horrifyingly beautiful.

“Well, since you must be in a lot of pain……. it makes sense that it would be hard to fall asleep.”

‘No. It is not the pain; you are the problem.’

“Still, you must sleep. They say deep sleep is essential for recovery.”

“…….”

Should he open his eyes and answer? Idris, who had been debating this, soon closed his mouth again. It did not seem like she was speaking in expectation of an answer anyway.

“……Hmm……. I really think it would be best for you to sleep soundly by any means necessary, what do you think, Mr. Idris?”

He took it back. Apparently, that was not the case.

Eventually, Idris’s eyelids slowly opened. In the dark room, Irene was sitting at the table holding some cloth and a needle, smiling brightly as she looked at him. For the first time, Idris resented his keen night vision.