<div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><span lang="en-us"> </span><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">스무 번째 면접에서 떨어진 뒤 연우는 자취방에서 혼자 울었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">왜 이렇게 되는 일이 하나도 없을까</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">변변치 않은 집안</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">의지박약</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어디에나 있을 것 같은 흔한 외모</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 무엇 하나 특별한 것 없는 자기 자신을 원망했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">우울증으로 처방받은 수면제에 몇 번이나 손을 댔지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">죽는 것 역시 쉽지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">차라리 악마라도 있었으면</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 어릴 적 보았던 소설의 내용을 떠올렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마에게 영혼을 판 남자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">파우스트의 이야기였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">차라리 영혼이 없어도 좋으니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지금 이 고통에서 벗어나고 싶다고 몇 번이나 소리 없이 외쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">정 그렇게 원한다면 소원대로 해 주지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">눈물을 닦으며 앞을 바라보자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뿔이 세 개 달린 남자가 연우 앞에 서 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">누구세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">너와 계약을 하러 온 악마다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자신을 대악마라고 소개한 남자는 연우에게 계약서를 한 장 내밀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이 계약서에 서명을 하면 너는 이제부터 악마가 되어 활동할 수</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하겠어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">마치 마지막 기회라도 되는 듯 연우는 악마의 손에서 계약서를 낚아채 서명을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">정식 악마가 아니라 계약직이었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그런 것쯤은 사소한 일처럼 느껴졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뭐</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">직접 겪어 보는 것도 나쁘진 않겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약서에 서명하는 연우를 보던 악마는 의미를 알 수 없는 말을 중얼거렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그리고 계약서를 확인한 뒤 연우의 서명 아래쪽에 사인을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좋다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약이 끝났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마의 말이 끝나자 연우의 머리에서 뿔이 돋아났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하지만 연우의 뿔은 대악마의 크고 아름다운 뿔과 달리 작은 혹정도의 크기였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마를 따라 연우는 마계로 들어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">살벌한 악마들이 도처에 득실거릴 거라는 예상과 달리 마계는 평화롭고 조용한 곳이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">중심가에 있는 빌딩에 한곳에 들어간 연우는 거기서 양복과 악마증을 지급받았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마증에는 크게 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">’ </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이라고 적혀 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대악마는 빌딩의 사무실에서 연우가 해야 할 일에 대해 설명을 해 주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">사후 영혼계약은 한 명당 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">점</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">너처럼 직원을 고용하는 경우에는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">10</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">점을 준다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그럼 총 몇 점을 모아야 되는 건가요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“1,000</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">점을 모으면 정식 악마가 될 수 있고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, 10,000</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">점을 모으면 중급 악마가 될 수 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">고급악마 부터는 얼마나 계약했느냐가 아닌</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">영혼의 질이 중요하지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대악마가 자신의 뿔을 툭툭 건드리며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">열심히 하겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대악마는 크게 웃으면서 연우에의 어깨를 두드렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">참고로 한 달 동안 실적이 없으면 악마로서의 가치가 없다고 판단되어 소멸되니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">참고하도록</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 악마가 된 그날부터 다리에 불이 나게 인간 세상을 돌아다녔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">처음에는 기분이 좋았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">마치 공짜로 전 세계를 여행 다니는 것 같았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">보고 싶었던 곳</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가고 싶었던 곳을 질리도록 다녔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마증은 연우가 원하는 시간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">원하는 장소에 도착할 수 있게끔 도와주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그렇게 일주일이 지난 어느 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마증이 작동을 멈췄다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">고장 났나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?” </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이리저리 돌려보고 흔들어 보다 연우는 악마증의 뒤에 있는 사용설명서를 보게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이 악마증은 계약 사원전용으로 일주일간만 무료 사용 할 수 있습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">추가로 사용을 원할 경우 인간의 영혼을 넣어 주세요</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 문득 자신이 악마와 계약을 했다는 사실이 떠올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">한 명 쯤이야 간단하지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하지만 연우는 곧 자신이 미국에 있다는 사실을 떠올렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">영어를 할 수 없는 연우는 계약은커녕 말 한마디조차 걸지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">한인 타운으로 가서 한국인들을 만났지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">사정은 크게 달라지지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어설픈 말투</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뿔도 하나 제대로 없는 어눌한 악마를 사람들은 사기꾼 대하듯 취급했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그러던 사이 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">2</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주가 지났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 점점 초조해지기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이대로 한 달이 지나면</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자신은 소멸되고 만다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">거울을 보니 어설프게 악마 흉내를 내는 자신이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">처음 악마와 계약하기 전 느꼈던 우울한 감정이 그대로 되살아나 연우를 덮쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어째서 이런 엉터리 계약을 맺은 거지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하다못해 한국이라도 갈 수 있었으면 </span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 자초지종을 말해주지 않고 자신을 속여 계약했다며 악마를 원망했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어리석은 녀석</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그 모습을 보다 못한 대악마가 연우 앞에 나타났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">네 녀석을 한국으로 보내주도록 하겠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대신</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대신</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">앞으로 일주일 안에 계약을 하지 못하면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">너는 소멸되고 만다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 알겠다고 대답하며 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">눈을 뜨자 연우는 한국에 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 자신의 자취방으로 돌아와 친구들에게 전화를 걸기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하지만 돌아오는 대답들은 하나같이 쌀쌀맞은 것들뿐이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">나 요새 회사 일이 바빠서</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좀 만나기 힘들겠는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">미안</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">나 이번에 결혼했잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">몰랐어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">혹은 만나더라도 계약에 관한 이야기가 나오면 전부 난색을 표했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">너 도대체 무슨 일을 하는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좀 제대로 된 일 좀 해라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">평소 연락도 없더니 이럴 때만 부르냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어느새 악마가 정해준 일주일이 다 지나가고 있었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약은 도통 이루어질 기미가 보이지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">대학교 동창들 사이에서는 연우가 사이비에 빠졌다는 소문이 돌았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">절망적인 심정으로 고향에 내려간 연우는 중</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">고등학교 친구들을 찾기 위해 집에서 앨범을 뒤졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어느덧 저녁이 되고 연우의 앞에 다시 대악마가 나타났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마가 들고 있는 회중시계는 앞으로 연우의 수명이 한 시간 밖에 남지 않았다는 것을 알려주고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">제발</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">제발</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">조금 더 시간을</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 대악마 앞에 무릎을 꿇고 빌었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하지만 대악마는 아무 말 없이 연우를 조용히 지켜보기만 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">혹시 연우 왔니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">소멸까지 시간을 십 분 남긴 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">방문 밖에서 익숙한 목소리가 들렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우의 엄마였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">집에 올 거면 온다고 이야기나 하지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">거기서 뭘 그렇게 중얼거리고 있니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">밥 차려 줄 테니까 얼른 나와서 밥 먹어라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">조용히 지켜보던 대악마의 표정이 즐거운 듯 일그러졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 떨리는 손으로 계약서와 펜을 들고 부엌으로 나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마는 부엌에서 쌀을 씻고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">너 몸을 왜 그렇게 떠니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어디 안 좋니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">걱정스럽게 바라보는 엄마에게 연우는 계약서와 펜을 내밀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">여기 사인 좀</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마는 계약서를 들고 조용히 읽어 내려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">사후 악마에게 영혼을 바칠 것을 계약합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뭐니 이건</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마의 물음에 연우는 답을 하지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">회중시계는 째깍거리는 초침이 앞으로 시간이 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">분 남았다는 것을 알려주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우가 엄마를 재촉하려는 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마가 계약서에 사인을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어지간히도 급한 모양이구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">들어가 쉬려무나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">얼른 밥 해줄 테니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 엄마에게서 계약서를 받아들고 쓰러질 듯이 방안으로 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">방 안에는 정지된 회중시계를 든 채 만족스럽다는 듯 웃고 있는 대악마가 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">크하하하하</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">첫 계약자로 자기 부모님을 고르다니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어지간한 녀석이로군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좋다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">마음에 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 그제야 자기가 무슨 짓을 했는지 실감할 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">내</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">내가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">내 손으로 엄마를</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">쉴새없이 쏟아지는 눈물을 손으로 닦으며 연우는 집을 뛰쳐나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">엄마가 연우를 불렀지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">도저히 뒤를 돌아 볼 자신이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그 이후 연우는 꾸준히 계약에 성공했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">첫 계약이 어려웠을 뿐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">다음 계약부터는 식은 죽 먹기였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약을 할 때마다 악마증의 기능이 좋아져</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">더 큰 계약을 할 수 있게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">허영심 많은 사람에게는 구두와 차를 선물로 주고 계약을 맺었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">능력을 원하는 자에게는 능력을 주고 계약을 맺었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">신앙이 독실한 자에게는 쾌락의 끝을 보여주고 계약을 맺었으며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">의심이 많은 자는 독사의 혀로 현혹하여 계약을 맺었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우의 머리에는 어느새 작은 뿔 대신 크고 늠름한 세 개의 뿔이 자리 잡고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">저런 인간 따위가 뭐라고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">근본도 없는 놈 주제에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">흥</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그래봤자 한 순간 일거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자신을 멸시하는 온갖 악마들의 수모를 이겨내고 연우는 고급악마가 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 자신을 무시하던 모든 악마들을 부리게 되었으며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">처음 자신과 계약을 맺은 대악마의 딸과 결혼하여 행복한 가정도 이루었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">마계의 모든 악마가 권력과 부</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">사랑하는 가족을 가진 연우를 부러워했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하지만 연우는 매일 괴로워했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">단 하나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자신의 첫 계약 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">악마와 계약한 인간은 모두 지상에서의 삶을 행복하게 살았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">많은 돈</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좋은 능력을 대가로 받았기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그렇지만 연우의 엄마는 혼자서 힘겹게 살았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그저 연우에 대한 사랑으로 아무 것도 받지 않은 채 계약을 했기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그리고 때가 되면 자신을 홀로 키워주신 어머니의 영혼을 직접 받으러 가야 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그 괴로움에 연우는 매일같이 뼛속이 사무치는 고통에 시달렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">사랑하는 아내와 딸이 연우와 같이 울어 주었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">슬픔은 더 심해질 뿐이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">차라리 계약하기 전으로 돌아갈 수 있었으면</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">매일 그렇게 애원했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">되돌아 갈 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그리고 결국 어머니의 영혼을 받아야 하는 날이 다가왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자신이 살던 고향으로 내려온 연우는 조심스럽게 집 문을 열었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어머니는 옛날 살던 그곳에 그대로 살고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이제는 낡았지만 낯익은 가구들이 눈에 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">거실로 들어가니 엄마가 아침 햇살이 비치는 소파아래 앉아 잠들어 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">죄송합니다</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연우는 눈물을 뚝뚝 흘리며 엄마 앞에 섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">평온한 모습으로 잠들어 있는 엄마의 영혼을 거두려는 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주름진 손이 연우의 손을 쓰다듬었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오랜만이구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그동안 잘 지냈니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">다음 순간 하늘에서 굉음이 들려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">계약이 완료되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그리고 연우는 커다란 빛에 휩싸여 정신을 잃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">눈을 뜨자 어머니의 모습은 보이지 않고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">낡은 소파가 조용히 햇빛을 받고 있을 뿐이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font> </div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></font></div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font> </div> <div style="letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"> 원래 이런 엔딩이 아니었는데, 쓰다보니 달라졌네요(...) 너무 무난한 엔딩 같아서 좀 그렇습니다만, 기존건 쓰다보니 도저히 구성이 어려워서 ㅠ_- 아무튼 서울은 춥군요. 역시 남쪽이 좋아요. 다들 감기 걸리지 않게 조심하셔요! </span></font></div>