WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

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◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 52: World Peace Through Fine Dining

Choi Hyunju immediately went to see the bureau director. Usually, he handled matters like this better.

"Bureau Director. The Special Advisor has just gone to Japan."

"Huh? All of a sudden?"

"Yes."

"I didn't get any notification though?"

"What notification?"

"Shouldn't I get an automatic alert when he passes immigration?"

"Hahh."

Park Taejun's carefree reply made her sigh without thinking.

"Do you think the Special Advisor even has a passport?"

"Huh? Doesn't he?"

If he weren't her superior, she would have already smacked him for that answer.

"Hahh, right now, the Special Advisor, Remi, and Ed teleported to Japan."

"Huh? That teleportation of his works over such long distances?"

"I already unlocked the overseas block on the expense card."

"Yeah, good. Nice work. Did you unlock roaming too?"

"I did."

"Do we know his location?"

"Tokyo, Ginza."

"All right. What do we do now?"

Park Taejun now behaved as if he were the subordinate.

"Judging from the circumstances, it seems he went to Japan just to eat."

"Heh, last time he went all the way to Andong just for jjimdak."

"If he went as far as Japan, maybe it was for sushi. Or maybe for yakiniku?"

"I couldn't say."

Choi Hyunju sighed.

"It's more serious than it sounds. If the Special Advisor gets into a scuffle in Japan, there's a good chance Remi will step in."

"We're screwed. We absolutely have to stop that."

If Remi stepped in, blood would be spilled. A Korean stabbing incident in Tokyo? That would immediately freeze relations between South Korea and Japan. In the worst-case scenario, tensions could escalate to the point of serving as a pretext for war.

"I should report this to the president..."

Park Taejun bit back the words. For some reason, he pictured the president breaking into a wide grin upon hearing the news.

Right now, Kim Seungtae was like a man with his hand on the launch button of a "new weapon," waiting to press it.

"I'll contact Japan directly to request their cooperation."

"Yes. Whatever happens, please make sure the Special Advisor has his meal without incident and comes back."

"Deputy Bureau Director, leave it to me."

Park Taejun picked up the phone.

Ring–

[ Moshi moshi? ]

"Hey, hisashiburi! Yunosuke! I'm sorry to bring bad news."

Park Taejun said with a smile over the phone.

* * *

Psychic Awakening Agency, Japan.

"Chikushou!"

After hanging up the phone, Commissioner Yunosuke Kuroda's anger did not subside.

"Ganbare, he says! Those damned bastards!"

Why couldn't South Korea's Hunter Management Bureau control even one of their own hunters, causing such trouble for Japan?

"Why, what's wrong, Commissioner?"

"The Mad...South Korea's Special Advisor is in Tokyo's Ginza right now."

"Ehhh?!"

"Nani?!"

The agency's capable staff were startled. Everyone knew that Kim Junyong was most likely the Mad Monarch. But no one could say it.

"Attention, everyone!"

"Yes!"

"From this moment on, the Psychic Awakening Agency is on emergency footing! Consider this a quasi-wartime state!"

It was a serious situation. A bomb that even South Korea couldn't manage had now come to Tokyo.

"The Special Advisor, the unknown swordsman, and the cat are wandering Ginza. Their objective is to enjoy a meal steeped in Japanese culture."

Yunosuke Kuroda's voice was full of grim resolve.

"Our mission ends only when they have a satisfying meal and leave."

At that, a capable staffer raised their hand.

"Ryusuke. Speak."

"What menu do they want?"

"Not knowing that is the core difficulty of this mission."

"Could South Korea have deliberately withheld the information?"

"No. As annoying as he is, Park Taejun isn't someone who would joke around."

Yunosuke Kuroda and Park Taejun had been friends since their study abroad days in the United States. Knowing Park Taejun's personality well, Yunosuke Kuroda dismissed the idea of a "Korean conspiracy" outright.

"The only hint is that it's a dish steeped in Japanese culture."

"That's troublesome."

"Even worse, we don't know which restaurant they'll enter."

"How about urgently dispatching agents and assigning them a guide?"

Yunosuke Kuroda shook his head.

"That would be too contrived."

"Pardon?"

"He values local food and wants his ordinary life to remain undisturbed."

"What the–?!"

It was like a world-famous pop star wanting to walk the streets unnoticed.

"M-Muri desu! Isn't this far too irresponsible and carefree?"

"Then we must accomplish the impossible."

They could send a guide or assign security.

But could they control the mob that would gather upon mistaking him for a celebrity? No, would the Special Advisor tolerate such a commotion?

"Ryusuke, do we have an answer for how he got here?"

"Ugh, I'm sorry."

"There's no choice but to respond as naturally as possible."

"Please show us the way, Commissioner!"

Yunosuke Kuroda immediately ordered.

"Inform every restaurant in Ginza! If a Korean group of one man, one woman, and one cat arrives, treat them like VIPs on par with the president of the United States! The Japanese government will cover all expenses!"

"Yes! I'll send the official directive immediately."

"Wait!"

"Yes? Time is critical, Commissioner!"

"You weren't planning to use fax, were you, Ryusuke?"

"Ahh!"

Yunosuke Kuroda frowned deeply. Procedure and tradition had their place, but flexibility was needed in an emergency.

"This is urgent! Use the phone!"

"Yes!"

"You may mobilize all personnel!"

"Yes!"

There were countless restaurants to contact, so manpower was crucial. As Yunosuke Kuroda watched his staff scurry about, he narrowed his eyes.

"Chikushou..."

The Mad Monarch. No–he could no longer be called that. South Korea's Special Advisor had come to Japan for a single meal.

Teleportation...

Unless Park Taejun had concocted a vile scheme, he would not have provided false information. Assuming all the information provided was true...

This is a powerful warning.

They could not block his entry. Kim Junyong appeared in Japan's capital through the absurd ability of teleportation. It was an immense show of force, proving that he could launch a surprise attack at any moment he wished.

If he put his mind to it, wouldn't assassinating the prime minister be child's play?

No matter how much security they added, what good would it do? This was the same Special Advisor who had forced Ryu Jai, East Asia's guardian deity, to her knees in an instant.

"Chikushou!"

As bitter as it was, Yunosuke Kuroda had to acknowledge reality. It was a warning, but perhaps also an opportunity.

"Show him the finest taste Japan has to offer!"

O artisans of Japan! Give it your all!

Japan's future lies in your hands.

After all, no regular would want a restaurant that satisfied them with fine dining to disappear.

Yunosuke Kuroda's eyes gleamed.

With the world's best cuisine, we will safeguard Japan's security!

He would showcase Japan's value and win the Special Advisor's protection. With this splendid plan, he immediately prepared to report to the prime minister.

* * *

Ginza Street. At a Michelin two-star sushi restaurant.

"Oh."

"Hm."

"Nyaa?"

From the first dish, the two humans and one cat were impressed.

"Nyaa, Earth's culinary standards are quite high, nya."

"Hm."

Remi too, for once, wore a satisfied face. Seeing his familiars content, Kim Junyong's delight was even greater.

It was like...should he say, the feeling of introducing his homeland, Earth, to friends who had come from faraway abroad?

"Delicious, isn't it?"

"It's the best, nya! This thing called sashimi is much softer than I expected, nya!"

He had expected the distinctive fishy smell and springy chewiness of raw fish, but it was unexpectedly tender.

"Sore wa jukusei sareta sashimi dakara desu."

"Nyaa? What's he saying, nya?"

"The chef says it's because it's aged sashimi."

"Ohh, nya."

The chef, introduced as the owner, was a graying man who appeared at the counter reserved for Kim Junyong's party. He was skilled and kind, but the language barrier spoiled the fun of him introducing and explaining the food.

That was why a staff member had been assigned to stand beside him as an interpreter.

Edmond was disappointed by the awkward communication.

"Nyaa, what's your name, nya?"

"My name is Mitsuko."

Edmond handed Mitsuko, the interpreter, a green orb.

"Good. How about I trade this for your Japanese, nya?"

"W-What is this?"

"A Lucky Stone, nya. For a human of your level, it will have an effect strong enough to change your fate."

Mitsuko was extremely flustered, but under the pressure around her and the atmosphere that seemed to demand it, she was compelled to agree.

"I understand."

"Good, nya."

Edmond placed the green orb into her hand.

"With this, the contract is established, nya."

"Huh? Ah, yes."

Flash.

The green orb seeped into Mitsuko. Edmond turned to the chef.

[ Now there's no need for an interpreter. Let's talk directly, nya. I have so many questions! ]

[ Oh? Suddenly your Japanese is fluent. With that accent, I would believe you were born in Tokyo. ]

Of course, he had stolen the native tongue of someone from Tokyo.

[ Mitsuko, you may leave now. ]

"Eh?"

Mitsuko was flustered. She could no longer understand the chef.

"Nyaa, you can leave now, nya."

"Ah, yes."

She could easily understand the cat's "Korean," but the chef's "Japanese" was incomprehensible. It sounded like an unfamiliar foreign language.

As Mitsuko left, Kim Junyong shook his head.

"So, you're not limited to Luck Plunder?"

"Nyaa! That's right, nya."

"Language Plunder, huh..."

"Nyaa!"

Edmond puffed up proudly at the supposed praise.

"Such a waste of a Lucky Stone. A Mind Slime could have extracted it in a few days."

"Nyaa! Plundered languages can be copied too, nya!"

Edmond said proudly, working a bit of magic and producing two orbs. He held one out in each hand.

"Hm?"

"Japanese, nya!"

Kim Junyong took one and infused it with mana.

Flash.

"Oh?"

Just like learning a new skill from a skill book, the language firmly took root.

"Whoa, it's just like taking in information extracted by a Mind Slime."

"Nyaa."

"You little rascal, I guess that Lucky Stone was well spent."

Once they could communicate, the three continued their satisfying meal.

Edmond chattered endlessly, and the chef became completely absorbed in the conversation with the cat, who surprisingly had a vast knowledge of cuisine.

It felt like masters of different paths discussing their common subject–food.

"This is my Stargram account, nya."

"Hehe, I followed you. If it's you and your companions, contact me anytime. I'll personally provide the service."

"Nyaa, and if you visit Korea, let me know, nya."

By the time the meal was over, Edmond had become friends with the Michelin two-star chef.

"Ah, that was delicious."

"It was good, for once."

"Nyaa, Renji Kurokawa is quite the fellow. I would even like to snatch him up and use him as my assistant, nya."

It was high praise coming from a demon.

"Since we're here, should we also have dinner before we leave?"

"Nyaa? Then can I try street food, nya?"

"...Master. Let's stick to the pattern."

"Pattern?"

"Café after meals."

At Remi's subtly expectant words, Kim Junyong couldn't help but chuckle.

"All right, let's go get Remi her sugar fix."

When the three of them entered a nearby café, the owner rushed over and showed them to their seats. For some reason, they were given the best window seat, where they could enjoy dessert while gazing out at Ginza Street.

Edmond, who was fluent in Japanese, ordered everything he wanted to to try, which pleased Remi.

"It's peaceful. Very good."

Well satisfied with the day's schedule, Kim Junyong was looking out the window when someone approached. Thinking it might be another fly drawn to Remi's beauty, he turned to look.

"It's an event! Spin the wheel and you're guaranteed a prize."

"Nyaa! I want to try, nya!"

Edmond excitedly spun the wheel. In addition to decent prizes like plush toys and wireless earbuds, the needle landed on a tiny slot.

"Oh! You won a one-day pass to Ginza's best pub! Very lucky indeed."

"Nyaahaha, I'm lucky, nya."

"The pass is only valid today, so please use it. You'll be able to taste every kind of liquor in existence."

"Nyaa!"

Alcohol, no less varied than Korean food, was also one of Edmond's interests, so his fur bristled.

Kim Junyong stared quietly at the man who had deliberately forced the wheel to a stop under the guise of an event.

The man, who had arrived full of tension, desperation, and fear, left feeling relieved, accomplished, and reassured after handing over the ticket.

"Hmm, a deliberate approach."

"Nyaa, Master. Let's go here, nya."

"Well, why not."

Kim Junyong grinned. Sensing the mood, Remi downed her smoothie in one go.

"Let's go then, as post-meal exercise."

Her face brimmed with excitement.

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