Averie, reading an article online while lounging on his bed, clicked his tongue.
'This isn't a good.'
It was about Belphegor and Beelzebub's lack of impact on the plot of BSPH.
'A missed opportunity, is it?'
The article went into detail about how Beelzebub and Belphegor existed for the sole purpose of providing exposition. Many critics considered the pair to be the only weak link in an otherwise perfect show.
"They always find something to pick on. That hasn't changed."
Even the comments under the article seemed to agree.
It wasn't something everyone predominantly criticized, but still, it was a topic of discussion.
Scrolling through his feed, Averie came across Jae-Won Kim's blog.
'Didn't Rin say good things about him? He is a great critic or something...'
Visiting the site, Averie read the recent entries. Most of them were reviews of BSPH episodes.
Averie was impressed.
The critic knew what he was talking about.
One of the topics caught Averie's attention.
I see a rising sentiment among the journalists and audience alike, and it concerns two characters: Belphegor and Beelzebub.
I do understand that it is easy to dismiss them as nothing more than a pair of voices for the writer to familiarize the audience with the setting.
But I believe differently.
We have seen Asmodeus's danse macabre—his most extreme form of lust.
Now, I ask you: Was it simply a dance?
Most would answer: No, it wasn't.
And you would be correct. We understood a little more about the character called Asmodeus through that very special scene.
Then, can we say with extreme certainty that the writer is utilizing Belphegor and Beelzebub as nothing more than her mouthpieces?
Again, the answer should be a resounding no.
I believe there is more to the pair.
Just as how the complexity of Asmodeus's character is shown through a dance, the story of the two brothers is told through idle conversation.
I believe more could be revealed if we look closely at two elements: the detail and the most obvious.
Running a hand through his hair, Averie laughed.
"You are one smart man, Jae-Won Kim."
The old man was exactly right.
'It is often easy to discredit what is right in front of your eyes. But when it clicks, they will see the whole picture. It may not be perfect, but the pair of Beelzebub and Belphegor too have a story.'
In Averie's belief, those two were tragic characters, expected forever to bury their sorrows in their own sinful ways.
There was sadness in the leisure of Belphegor, and Beelzebub's never-ending gluttony was a desperate attempt to fill the void.
"The question is 'Will they manage to hide their sorrows from the audience till the end?'"
Averie shook his head. That didn't feel right.
'No, they will understand the depth of their sadness once the last three episodes air.'
Right then, the doorbell rang.
'Is Rin back?' Averie clicked his tongue. 'You have the key, don't you? Open it yourself, dumbass.'
He begrudgingly walked up to the door and opened it with more force than he had any reason to. But there was no Hyerin in sight—only an old lady with a kind smile.
He knew who it was.
'Damn, it's the landlady.'
"Hello, how are you, dear?" the old woman eked out through her creaking jaw.
'How old is she? Planes from World War II wouldn't make the kind of noise her jaw does.'
"I am just dandy, Mam." Averie cleared his throat and stood straight. "Is something the matter? I believe I already paid this month's rent."
The old lady laughed. "Oh yes, you did, dear."
'Don't tell me she wants more. Nah, nah, that can't be. This isn't a charity, lady. Go back to your dungeon and brew some vile potions. It might just save you from the witch hunt.'
"How may I help you, then?"
"Oh, you wouldn't mind helping out? What a good man you are."
'You sly dog.'
Averie wanted to curse her openly. But it was never a good idea to fight against the infirm. They never seemed to lose the battle of sympathies.
'If you pull something funny, I swear to Lucifer, I will shit on your doorstep and blame it on the neighbor's dog.'
"The thing is—oh, how should I say it; it's so embarrassing."
"Don't then," Averie whispered.
"Sorry?"
"Go ahead; I don't mind, is what I said."
"What a nice young man. You see I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving me an autograph terribly?"
Averie was surprised.
'Is this old coot enjoying the show I put on?' He was rather offended. 'You like watching a young man like me half-naked at your age? What a sick dirtbag. You should be ashamed lady.'
But outwardly, Averie simply smiled.
"Of course, it is always a pleasure." He signed the paper she had brought from home and returned it. "Thank you for your support."
He didn't want to say those words, but Hyerin had nagged him into compliance.
But no matter how much she begged, he was hellbent on not doing it again.
'Either they like me or they don't. I'm not some helpless, drunk broad they are looking after. I provide a show for them, and they enjoy it. It's a mutual thing; why should I thank them for anything? Nope, screw that. Praise me when I act good and pelt me when I act bad.'
That was how he preferred it. That was how he had lived; that was his way.
"Oh, thank you, dear," the old woman whispered.
Hurriedly, Averie tried to step back and close the door, but the old lady—with agility unbefitting her age—jammed one of her feet in, holding the door open.
Both wore friendly smiles on their faces, but neither looked genuine.
"What?" Averie bluntly asked.
"How odd." The landlady waved a bunch of papers in his face. "You forgot to sign the rest."
Averie looked at her with disgust in his eyes. Was she planning on handing them around like last night's leftovers?
"Right," Averie whispered. "How clumsy of me."
The friendly smile hadn't left his face.
'If I find these being sold online, I will break into your home and choke you in your sleep.'
Despite being in a foul mood, Averie signed a dozen or so autographs. Apparently, she was planning to gift them to her grandchildren.
'So, you don't want to spend money, old woman? What a cheapskate.'
Once the landlady had left, Averie slammed the door shut, cursing under his breath.
And to his ire, the doorbell rang again.
'This lunatic... what more do you want? Want me to sign your ass now, huh?'
He angrily opened the door and yelled, "WHAT, BITCH?"
But standing in the doorway was a scared Hyerin. The poor girl was shivering with tears in her eyes.
Afterward, Averie spent a long time apologizing to her, and she accepted his apology once the situation was cleared.
"You shouldn't yell at old ladies—or anyone, for that matter," she complained. "What if someone starts spreading rumors? What then?"
Averie grinned. 'I will beat some sense into them.'
Hyerin mistook his silence. "You don't have an answer for that, do you?"
'Oh no, I do, baby. I just won't speak it.'
"That is why you need to be polite to others, okay?"
Averie nodded. "So, it's fine to solve my grievances while being polite?"
Hyerin gave him a suspicious look. "Yeah, I suppose."
"Alright, I understand."
Averie wrote down something profound in his diary.
'Be polite while beating others.'