The Precious Demon King - Chapter 37

WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 37: Invitation

The deputy bureau director's vehicle, which had been heading toward Hansan 2-dong to persuade Kim Junyong, made a U-turn and returned to the Hunter Management Bureau headquarters.

At the Special Advisor Support Division, the atmosphere relaxed somewhat after receiving the new report.

"Emergency lifted!"

"Hahh."

"Ugh, I'm so stiff. I really thought something was going to happen."

"Good thing. There won't be any conflict with Taiwan."

They had narrowly avoided a crisis, but it wasn't time to relax yet.

"Everyone, focus!"

Choi Hyunju gathered everyone's attention.

"This isn't just a simple mishap. The case is still ongoing."

It wasn't over yet. Just postponed.

"Assassination target: G-rank. The client has not yet been identified."

There were seven targets. And one of them happened to be visiting South Korea.

"Do not let your guard down until Ryu Jai returns to Taiwan. Do your utmost to prevent the two from meeting."

"Yes, Deputy Bureau Director!"

"From now on, monitor thoroughly. Deploy a large number of personnel to track Ryu Jai's movements."

"Yes, Deputy Bureau Director!"

"All right, let's keep it up until Ryu Jai leaves."

"Yes!"

The Special Advisor Support Division's morale was high. Their work was protecting not just South Korea, but the entire world. That heavy responsibility ignited their sense of duty.

* * *

While a single word from Kim Junyong caused government agencies to swing from hot to cold, Ryu Jai arrived at the Daesan Hotel and encountered an unexpected figure.

"Welcome, Hunter Ryu Jai! Hahaha!"

"We met at the end of the year, didn't we?"

"Oh, I'm honored you remember."

A man greeted her warmly with a sly smile.

Why is the successor of Daesan here?

It was Kang Changseong, the eldest son of Daesan Group Chairman Kang Mujin and the current president of Daesan Electronics. Rumor had it that he would soon edge out his brothers, be promoted to vice-chairman, and put a definitive end to the succession race.

"Thank you for so readily accepting my unreasonable request and making the trip here."

Ryu Jai smirked. She had been planning to come to South Korea to investigate the demon sword when she received an invitation from the Daesan Guild. It was like being slapped when she was already on the verge of tears–there was no reason to refuse.

"Then, shall we hear the reason?"

Why would the heir to the Daesan kingdom invite her to South Korea?

"I've always agreed with what you often say, Hunter Ryu Jai–the need for a supranational alliance."

"Oh?"

Ryu Jai's eyes glinted. An organization not belonging to any one nation, but transcending them. The Guardian Circle already played such a role.

"I'm thinking of establishing an Asian Hunter Alliance."

"..."

"We've already received favorable responses from Japan's Hardbank and China's Tenluo."

"..."

Hardbank, Tenluo, and Daesan. They were all guilds founded by large corporations, each boasting SR-rank hunters and numerous R-rank hunters.

"We would like to appoint you, Ryu Jai, as the inaugural president of the Asian Hunter Alliance, which unites the power of these three groups."

"...Why?"

At Ryu Jai's blunt question, Kang Changseong smiled.

"Because only you, Hunter Ryu Jai, can serve as the focal point for such powerful hunters."

"Well, that's true."

It wasn't arrogance. Ryu Jai's achievements and merits thus far were such that anyone would acknowledge them. What she wanted to know was not why they were trying to make her president.

"Why is Daesan stepping forward? From what I hear, South Korea is in a celebratory mood over Kim Junyong's emergence. Is there any need for Daesan to take a traitor's stance?"

"..."

As expected, she held nothing back. In response to her blunt question, Kang Changseong revealed some of his true intentions, placing a hand on the shoulder of his son seated beside him.

"This is my inadequate son."

"Kang Hyunsik."

Ryu Jai glanced at his empty left arm. He wasn't wearing a prosthetic–clearly for the sake of appearances. She had seen details about it in a National Security Bureau report.

"I've heard there was trouble with Kim Junyong. Is it beyond mending?"

"..."

Her frown deepened.

"I doubt someone running a corporation would orchestrate this out of mere personal vendetta...And as for the group feeling a sense of crisis, Daesan's roots in South Korea run deep."

Unless the government had gone mad, it wouldn't antagonize a private corporation. That would be nothing but South Korea destroying itself.

If there was a sense of crisis, it was other countries feeling it in the wake of Kim Junyong's arrival.

If this proposal had come from a Japanese or Chinese guild, Ryu Jai might have taken it seriously. But hearing it from Daesan made it hard to believe.

"Ah, I've made a mistake."

Kang Changseong stood and bowed deeply. Ryu Jai was a woman without brakes on her words. But nothing she had said was wrong.

"I plan to hold a consortium to establish the Asian Hunter Alliance. The idea is to use it to pressure the government."

"A show, then."

Ryu Jai lost all interest. She hadn't come to South Korea to be a pawn in such a show.

The demon sword.

She only needed to verify its authenticity and return to Taiwan. It was just a coincidence that Daesan had invited her. No, wait.

"That consortium. Could you also invite Hunter Kim Junyong?"

"...?"

Invite Kim Junyong to the Asian Hunter Alliance Consortium meant to counter Kim Junyong?

An anti–Kim Junyong team...with Kim Junyong in it?

Ryu Jai smiled at Kang Changseong's bewildered face.

"If you invite him, I'll attend too."

Whether or not they pressured South Korea was their business.

In truth, she wasn't interested in Kim Junyong either. What mattered were the beautiful woman with the demon sword and, more importantly, the sword's authenticity.

If it comes to it, it would be good to gather strength.

If the demon sword was real, it was no trivial matter.

An asian consortium would be a place where all the notable hunters gathered. If they somehow pooled their strength, they might be able to retrieve the demon sword without having to assemble the G7.

* * *

While the president of South Korea, the country's supreme commander, spent the night going in and out of the underground bunker running drills, Kim Junyong slept soundly.

"Mmm, slept well."

"Nyaa, I'll prepare breakfast!"

"Wake the others first."

"Nyaa!"

Edmond dashed up to the rooftop. The neatly decked rooftop had two small tents set up.

"Slaves! Wake up, nya!"

"Ugh..."

"Already?"

They were the two who had drunk too much the night before. Seeing their haggard faces, Kim Junyong chuckled softly.

"Why are you two so weak?"

"Ugh, being hunters doesn't mean your alcohol tolerance increases."

"Pathetic."

"Special Advisor, are you all right?"

"Of course."

His body had transcended countless times. A mere drink couldn't trouble his liver.

"Definitely pathetic. What are you, Rank 5 and 3?"

"Yes."

"Hm."

These human subordinates. He had taken them in for their politeness and skill with chores, but they were far too weak.

"Should I put you through special training?"

"Eh? Now?"

"No. Nothing urgent."

"Phew."

They would grow stronger if he just threw them into danger from time to time.

"I'm feeling oddly bored."

"...!"

Upon hearing Kim Junyong's words, Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina exchanged glances.

Think of something!

Make him not even think about G-rank hunters!

If he got bored and went off to take assassination requests, it would be bad.

"H-How about sobering up first?"

"Ah, good idea."

"Nyaa! I'll make the best hangover cure, nya!"

In the first-floor dining hall, Kim Junyong sat on an ornate, throne-like chair at the head of a long table.

"Nyaa! I'll make anything to order, nya!"

Edmond, wearing a chef's hat, confidently took breakfast orders.

"Uh, order whatever you like. I'll have puffer ramen."

"...I'll have the same."

"Me too."

"Nyaa! Order received, nya!"

Four bowls of ramen, including Remi's silent agreement, were served in no time.

"Slurp."

"Ahh!"

There were plenty of extra ingredients in the ramen.

"Wow, puffer ramen can taste this deep?"

"It's really delicious!"

Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina's praise made Edmond puff up with pride, but he slumped again when Kim Junyong and Remi showed little reaction.

"Special Advisor, how about a sauna?"

"Sauna?"

Kim Junyong blinked, then grinned.

"Good idea!"

It had been foolish to only visit restaurants since returning to Earth. How much there is to enjoy in modern civilization!

After finishing a quick hangover cure with ramen, Cheon Yubeom and Kim Junyong went to a sauna. They soaked in hot water, scrubbed down, and enjoyed the hot, stifling steam bath.

"Ah, it felt great."

"Let's come again!"

"Sure!"

When they returned home, they saw people lined up in the alley.

"Hm? What is this? This is my house?"

"Oh! They must be customers."

"Customers? Oh, from yesterday's business?"

Kim Junyong tilted his head. Would people really line up the next day after just one day of business?

"I-I'll disperse them right away."

"Come on, let them be. They came all this way."

"Huh? Then, are we opening today too?"

"Tell Ed to do as he likes."

After all, the chef ran the kitchen.

"Oh, got it."

Cheon Yubeom dashed off happily. All the better. It was better for the Special Advisor to have something to do at the restaurant than to get bored and go off to assassinate someone.

"Oh, I saw that person yesterday."

"Looks like they're just starting work. I guess they'll be opening soon."

Leaving the murmuring crowd behind, he went inside and found Lee Mina waiting anxiously.

"Ah! Team Leader! Why didn't you answer your phone?"

"How am I supposed to answer my phone in a bathhouse?"

"Anyway, what now? The tables are set."

"The Special Advisor says to open."

"Got it."

Despite it being only their second day, the two worked in sync. Lee Mina flung open the front door and flipped the "CLOSED" sign.

Jun Dragon Kitchen [ OPEN ]

"Thank you for waiting. This way, please!"

"Wow, I can't wait!"

"Mijin was bragging so much after eating here yesterday."

People sat down with anticipation.

After watching the scene curiously, Kim Junyong went inside.

"Nyaa! Master is early. I'll chase out the tasting slaves."

"No, I'm not hungry yet. Start with business."

"Nyaa, got it!"

Edmond began noisily preparing food with telekinesis in the kitchen while Lee Mina and Cheon Yubeom went back and forth between the kitchen and the yard serving.

Kim Junyong sat in his seat and watched, finding it strangely entertaining.

It was like the fun of playing a tycoon game. A restaurant bearing his name was running on its own.

He looked at Remi, who was sitting on a couch in a corner of the first floor decorated like a lounge.

"Why are you lazing around?"

"I'm on security detail."

"Uh-huh."

Remi had only gotten better at talking back.

"Keep staring at your phone and you'll get addicted."

"..."

Remi, who had been diligently scrolling through short-form videos, set her phone down. Her sulky face was full of discontent.

"I'm bored, so let's go to the Demon Realm."

"Why bother?"

If he went, he would have to bring his human subordinates, Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina. For all that they were his subordinates, they were far too weak.

"Close up and go."

"Let it be."

"Tch."

Remi clicked her tongue and turned on the large TV mounted on the wall.

Flash–

[ Breaking news. A consortium to establish the Asian Hunter Alliance was held this morning. Seventeen countries from East, Southeast, and Central Asia are participating in the three-day event...Ryu Jai is the leading candidate for inaugural president...AHAC's core aim is flexible cooperation beyond national interests to confront dimensional disasters... ]

"Hahh!"

Cheon Yubeom gaped when he saw the news while going in and out to serve. Kim Junyong gave a sly grin at the sight.

"Hey, looks like the hunters are having a party."

"...Y-Yeah."

"I'm bored. Maybe I'll go check it out."

"Ah, that's not for just anyone."

"Am I just anyone?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

While Cheon Yubeom floundered, Lee Mina quickly cut in.

"An invitation! You need one for places like that."

"Ah, right! Without one, you can't get in."

"Is that so?"