The alarm rang at exactly 6:30 a.m.

Riven groaned and buried his face deeper into the pillow.

"Five more minutes..."

A gentle chuckle came from beside him.

"You said that ten minutes ago."

Warm fingers brushed through his messy black hair before lightly poking his cheek.

"If you're late again, your manager will scold you."

Riven cracked one crimson eye open and found his husband smiling down at him.

Ethan.

Tall, handsome, and annoyingly perfect.

He wore a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and a gray apron tied around his waist. The smell of buttered toast and freshly brewed coffee drifted into the bedroom.

To anyone else, Ethan looked like an ordinary office worker.

To Riven...

He was home.

"...Morning."

"Morning."

Ethan leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Breakfast is ready."

Riven smiled despite himself.

"You're spoiling me."

"I married you," Ethan replied with a laugh. "Spoiling you is part of the job."

Riven's heart warmed.

How had someone as wonderful as Ethan agreed to marry someone like him?

Even now, after three years of marriage, he still couldn't believe it.

Their apartment wasn't luxurious.

It was small but cozy, filled with houseplants, framed photographs, and a lazy orange cat named Pumpkin sleeping on the sofa.

It was peaceful.

Normal.

Exactly how Riven liked it.

Because normal was safe.

No one here knew he wasn't human.

While Ethan packed their lunches, Riven quietly slipped into the bathroom.

He locked the door before looking into the mirror.

For a brief moment, the illusion faded.

Two small black horns peeked through his messy hair.

His crimson eyes glowed faintly.

A thin black tail swayed nervously behind him.

"...Still ugly."

With a sigh, he snapped his fingers.

The illusion returned.

The horns disappeared.

His eyes became an ordinary dark brown.

The tail vanished.

Now he looked like every other young man in the city.

Perfect.

No one could know.

Especially not Ethan.

Humans feared demons.

If Ethan learned the truth...

Would he still smile at him like this?

Riven didn't dare find out.

"You're spacing out again."

"Huh?"

Ethan placed a lunchbox into Riven's hands.

"You've been doing that a lot lately."

"O-Oh... just thinking about work."

His husband frowned.

"They're still bullying you?"

Riven froze.

"...A little."

"You should report them."

"I can't."

"They're your coworkers."

Riven forced a smile.

"It's fine."

Except they weren't ordinary coworkers.

They were demons.

Stronger demons.

Riven worked for one of the countless companies secretly owned by the Demon Realm.

To humans, it was just another corporation.

To demons, it was a place where status meant everything.

And Riven ranked at the very bottom.

Weak bloodline.

Weak magic.

Weak body.

Weak everything.

Even low-ranking demons enjoyed picking on him.

Ethan sighed.

"If anyone hurts you..."

"I'll be okay."

"You always say that."

Riven laughed awkwardly.

"I survive somehow."

If only Ethan knew.

The moment Riven entered the office, the peaceful morning ended.

"Well, look who finally showed up."

A tall demon blocked his path.

Victor.

Upper-rank demon.

One of the strongest employees in the department.

One of Riven's biggest headaches.

Victor smirked before flicking Riven's forehead.

"Late again, runt?"

"I-I'm only two minutes late."

"So?"

The other demons laughed.

Riven lowered his head.

He had long since learned that arguing only made things worse.

Victor snatched the lunchbox from Riven's hands.

"Oh?"

"A homemade lunch?"

"Give it back."

Victor ignored him.

"What did your pathetic little self cook today?"

"I... I didn't."

"Your mommy made it?"

"My husband."

The office suddenly fell quiet.

Victor burst into laughter.

"You?"

"Married?"

The room exploded with mocking laughter.

"I almost forgot!"

"The weakest demon somehow found a husband!"

"Is he blind?"

"Or desperate?"

Riven quietly took back his lunchbox after Victor tossed it onto his desk.

Fortunately...

Nothing inside was damaged.

He carefully wiped the lid with his sleeve.

His husband had woken up early to make it.

He wouldn't let anyone ruin it.

Victor clicked his tongue.

"What are you smiling about?"

"...Nothing."

"Pathetic."

As the others walked away, Riven released the breath he'd been holding.

This was normal.

This happened almost every day.

He could endure it.

Because every evening...

He got to go home.

Home to Ethan.

And that was enough.

Outside the office windows, dark clouds slowly gathered over the city.

Far above them—

Beyond the reach of ordinary humans—

A pair of brilliant golden eyes silently overlooked the world.

No one noticed.

Not the demons.

Not the angels.

And certainly not Riven, who simply smiled as he looked at the photo of himself and his husband on his desk.

He whispered softly,

"I'll be home for dinner."

Unaware that fate had already begun to move.

Riven hated rainy days.

Not because he disliked the rain itself.

But because rain made demons irritable.

And irritable demons usually looked for someone weak enough to vent their frustration on.

Unfortunately...

That someone was almost always him.

The office was unusually quiet that morning.

Everyone was staring at the giant screen in the lobby.

Breaking News

"Several abandoned buildings in the eastern district were destroyed overnight. Authorities suspect a gas explosion. No casualties have been reported."

Humans believed it was an accident.

The demons standing around Riven knew better.

"It was another Heaven raid."

"They're getting bolder."

"I heard three Upper-Rank demons died."

"Serves them right for being careless."

Riven quietly listened while pretending to organize paperwork.

He didn't belong in conversations like these.

Weak demons were expected to stay silent.

Victor walked over with his usual mocking grin.

"Hey, runt."

Riven flinched.

"Y-Yes?"

Victor tossed a thick stack of files onto his desk.

"These are due before lunch."

Riven looked at the pile in disbelief.

"B-But..."

"Problem?"

"I already have today's work..."

Victor leaned closer.

"You don't want me to think you're refusing, do you?"

Riven lowered his head.

"...No."

"Good."

Victor patted his shoulder a little too hard before walking away laughing with the others.

By noon, Riven's fingers ached from typing.

His eyes burned.

Yet he still wasn't finished.

Just then—

His phone buzzed.

❤️ Husband

Did you eat lunch?

A smile immediately appeared on Riven's face.

Riven

Not yet.

The reply came almost instantly.

Go eat first. Work can wait.

Riven chuckled.

My manager might disagree.

Then tell your manager your husband said your health comes first.

Riven covered his mouth to hide his laugh.

His husband always knew how to make him smile.

Another message arrived.

Don't skip meals again.

And remember to smile.

I'll be home early tonight.

Riven's heart warmed.

Okay.

Love you.

Three dots appeared.

Then—

I love you more.

Riven locked his phone with a grin so bright that even a passing demon paused.

"...You're disgusting."

Victor had somehow appeared beside him.

"So clingy."

Riven quickly hid his phone.

"S-Sorry."

Victor rolled his eyes.

"I'll never understand why a human would marry trash like you."

"I..." Riven hesitated before smiling softly. "He's kind."

Victor scoffed.

"Kind?"

"Humans are selfish."

"He's different."

Victor snorted.

"You'll see one day."

Riven simply shook his head.

"No."

"I trust him."

For just a second...

Victor looked strangely confused.

Then he laughed again.

"What a fool."

That evening, Riven hurried home despite the rain.

The moment he opened the apartment door—

"I'm home!"

The delicious aroma of curry filled the air.

Pumpkin meowed loudly before rubbing against his legs.

Ethan walked out of the kitchen wearing another ridiculous cat-pattern apron.

"Welcome home."

His smile erased every bit of exhaustion Riven had felt all day.

"You cooked curry?"

"And cheesecake."

"You made dessert too?"

"You've had a rough week."

Riven laughed.

"You're amazing."

"I know."

"You admit it?"

"I only admit facts."

Riven couldn't help smiling.

He wrapped his arms around Ethan's waist without warning.

His husband stiffened for a second before gently hugging him back.

"Bad day?"

"...A little."

Ethan rested his chin on Riven's head.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I know."

"But thank you."

For a long moment...

Neither of them spoke.

The apartment felt peaceful.

Safe.

Exactly what both of them secretly longed for.

Later that night—

Riven was already asleep.

His breathing was soft and steady.

Ethan carefully pulled the blanket higher over his husband's shoulders.

"...Sleep well."

He brushed a strand of hair away from Riven's face before quietly leaving the bedroom.

The warmth in his eyes disappeared the moment the bedroom door clicked shut.

His phone vibrated once.

A single message appeared.

Emergency Assembly. Highest Priority.

Abyss Gate activity confirmed.

Your presence is required immediately.

Ethan stared at the screen.

His expression remained unreadable.

"...So soon."

He glanced back toward the bedroom.

Even through the closed door, he could hear Riven's quiet breathing.

His gaze softened.

"I'm sorry."

He whispered so quietly that no one heard.

"I'll be back before you wake up."

He took off his wedding ring and placed it carefully beside the bed.

The silver band shimmered faintly.

Then—

A blinding golden light filled the apartment for only an instant.

When it disappeared...

Ethan was gone.

The city skyline glittered beneath the moon.

Far above the clouds—

A lone figure stood atop a towering cathedral hidden from human sight.

His warm smile had vanished.

His posture was straight.

Majestic.

Countless figures dressed in white knelt before him with their heads lowered.

None dared raise their eyes.

"The demon realm has begun moving again," one reported.

"The Abyss Gates are becoming unstable."

Another spoke.

"Our scouts detected several Demon Generals crossing into the human world."

Silence followed.

Finally—

The man standing at the edge of the cathedral opened his brilliant golden eyes.

One quiet sentence made every angel lower their heads even further.

"Protect the humans."

His voice was calm.

Absolute.

No one questioned his command.

No one ever would.

Yet, before leaving...

He looked toward the distant apartment where his husband was peacefully sleeping.

A faint smile returned to his lips.

"Wait for me."

And with that—

The night swallowed the mysterious man once more.

Meanwhile, deep beneath the city...

In the Demon Realm...

A royal summons bearing the seal of one of the Seven Demon Lords quietly arrived on Riven's desk.

He had no idea that tomorrow morning...

His ordinary life would begin to change forever.

Riven nearly dropped his coffee when he saw the black envelope lying on his desk.

It hadn't been there yesterday.

The paper was unlike anything made in the human world. It was pitch black with crimson patterns flowing across the surface like living veins. In the center was a wax seal bearing a symbol every demon recognized.

A seven-pointed crown.

The crest of the Seven Demon Lords.

Riven's face instantly turned pale.

"...Why would they send something to me?"

He was just a Lesser Demon.

Royal summons were meant for Generals, Dukes, or powerful Bloodline Demons.

Not someone who could barely use offensive magic.

With trembling fingers, he broke the seal.

«By the order of the Seventh Demon Lord, all demons currently residing in the Eastern Human District are to report tonight. Attendance is mandatory. Failure to appear will be considered treason.»

Riven gulped.

"T-Treason...?"

Before he could think further—

Someone snatched the letter from his hands.

Victor.

He scanned the contents before raising an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"The little runt got a royal summons?"

The surrounding demons immediately crowded over.

"No way."

"He must've done something stupid."

"Maybe they're finally executing him."

Laughter erupted around the office.

Riven quietly took the letter back.

"I... I don't know why they called me."

Victor folded his arms.

"You'd better not embarrass our district."

"As if a weakling like you could be useful."

Riven didn't answer.

There wasn't anything to say.

He honestly didn't know why someone like him had been summoned.

---

That evening...

He reached home earlier than usual.

The apartment was filled with the comforting smell of stir-fried vegetables.

Ethan looked up from the kitchen with his usual gentle smile.

"You're home early."

"...Yeah."

Riven tried to smile back.

Failed.

Ethan noticed immediately.

"What happened?"

"It's nothing."

"You've been saying 'nothing' a lot lately."

Riven looked away.

"I just... have to work late tonight."

"Again?"

"...Mm."

Ethan set down the spatula.

"I was hoping we could watch that movie you've been talking about."

Riven's heart clenched.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

Ethan smiled softly.

"We'll watch it another day."

He stepped closer and gently fixed Riven's crooked necktie.

"You always apologize."

"I don't like disappointing you."

"You never disappoint me."

Those simple words made Riven's eyes sting.

If only Ethan knew.

He wasn't working overtime.

He was answering a summons from the Demon Realm.

If Ethan ever discovered the truth...

Would he still say those words?

"...I'll be home before midnight."

"I'll leave the porch light on."

---

After dinner, Riven quietly slipped out.

Instead of taking the train...

He entered an abandoned alley.

The moment he crossed its shadows—

The scenery changed.

The bustling city vanished.

Ancient black stone streets stretched before him, illuminated by floating crimson lanterns.

Demons walked everywhere.

Some had horns.

Some possessed wings.

Others hid monstrous appearances beneath elegant suits.

The Human World and the Demon Realm overlapped each other like reflections.

Only supernatural beings could pass between them.

Riven kept his head down.

He hated coming here.

Especially alone.

Soon he reached a massive palace carved from obsidian.

Thousands of demons had already gathered.

Strong demonic pressure filled the air.

Riven struggled just to breathe.

"So many..."

Most of the demons present were far stronger than him.

Many looked at him with open contempt.

"What is that weakling doing here?"

"They must've made a mistake."

"He can barely survive ordinary missions."

Riven pretended not to hear.

He found an empty corner and stood quietly.

That was safest.

---

A thunderous boom echoed through the hall.

Every conversation stopped.

A figure descended onto the throne.

The Seventh Demon Lord.

His crimson eyes swept across the assembly.

"I'll keep this brief."

"Three Abyss Gates have been destroyed."

"Mysterious enemies have begun interfering with our operations."

"They wear white."

"They wield divine power."

The hall erupted into whispers.

"Angels..."

"So they've finally moved."

The Demon Lord raised one hand.

Silence instantly returned.

"Our spies have confirmed that Heaven has deployed one of its highest commanders."

"The identity of that commander remains unknown."

"They appear only during battles."

"They leave no survivors."

Riven swallowed.

This sounded far beyond anything he should be involved in.

Then the Demon Lord continued.

"Every district will increase patrols."

"No demon may reveal our existence to humans."

"Any violation will result in immediate execution."

Everyone bowed.

"Understood."

The meeting ended almost as quickly as it began.

Relieved, Riven turned to leave.

Only—

"Hey."

He froze.

One of the royal guards was looking directly at him.

"The Demon Lord wishes to see you."

"...M-Me?"

Every nearby demon turned in shock.

Victor, standing several rows away, frowned deeply.

"What does His Lordship want with that weakling?"

Riven's legs felt like jelly.

"I... I didn't do anything..."

The guard remained expressionless.

"Follow me."

---

Inside the palace...

The room was enormous.

Only the Demon Lord and Riven remained.

The pressure was so overwhelming that Riven instinctively lowered his head.

"I greet Your Lordship."

A long silence followed.

Then—

"You are Riven Ashcroft."

"...Yes."

"You've lived among humans for six years."

"Y-Yes."

"You have never failed to pay your realm taxes."

"...Yes?"

"You have committed no crimes."

"...No."

The Demon Lord leaned back slightly.

"Good."

Riven blinked.

"...Good?"

"I have a task for you."

His heart nearly stopped.

"A task... for me?"

The Demon Lord nodded.

"Because you're weak."

Riven's shoulders slumped.

"...I see."

"You misunderstand."

The Demon Lord's expression remained unreadable.

"Powerful demons attract attention."

"You don't."

"You blend into human society better than most."

Riven slowly looked up.

"For that reason..."

"You will deliver a sealed artifact to one of our hidden safe houses in the northern district."

"It is a simple mission."

"No fighting."

"No investigation."

"No opening the package."

"Deliver it."

"And return home."

Relief flooded through Riven.

"...I can do that."

"Good."

The Demon Lord handed him a small black box wrapped in crimson chains.

"Guard it with your life."

Riven carefully accepted it.

"I will."

He bowed respectfully before leaving the palace.

Neither he...

Nor the Demon Lord...

Noticed the tiny golden feather drifting silently outside the palace window before disappearing into the night.

Far above the clouds, someone had already learned that a certain weak little demon had accepted a mission.

And for the first time in years...

Heaven and Hell were unknowingly walking toward the same destination.