The Precious Demon King - Chapter 60

WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 60: The Shelf Life of Divine Power

The United States government was already aware of the general outline of the operation.

From the beginning, they supported Logan Hayes's trip to Japan. They were also the ones who had forged identities for him, Jose Ramirez, and Arjun Mehra.

Through their close working relationship, the government and Logan Hayes had built mutual trust.

So, when Logan Hayes said he needed to eliminate South Korea's "Special Advisor" and his companion, "Kim Remi," for the sake of world peace, the government actively supported him. This support stemmed from the trust they had built together.

Therefore, the government was entitled to be informed of the process and results of this failed operation.

"Well, if there's anything you want to ask, go ahead."

"Ah, no. We've only been assigned to escort you."

"The analysts are waiting for you at Sentinel's Los Angeles branch."

Logan Hayes nodded.

The two agents who had come to escort him were extremely tense, but unlike their worries, Logan Hayes was in a very stable state, both mentally and physically.

Ryu Jai was right.

The once unruly Warrior of the Goddess had become the Knight of the Arbiter.

Why did this limited freedom gained within control feel more welcome than complete freedom weighed down by unlimited responsibility?

Now, the heavy responsibility, worries, and mission concerning "world peace" or the future "Demon King invasion" were no longer his to shoulder.

It felt like he had been demoted from protagonist to supporting role in an instant, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. In fact, this feeling of lightness was good.

And so they arrived at Sentinel's Los Angeles branch.

In the spacious reception room, three people were waiting. The Sentinel bureau director, the Los Angeles branch director, and a combat analyst.

All three were aware of Logan Hayes's operation.

"We were worried, but you look fine."

"Of course."

The bureau director shook hands with Logan Hayes, studying him with puzzlement.

"What do you mean, 'of course'?"

"Because I've found my true place."

"Hmm. Shall we start from the beginning? Let's sit down first."

After shaking hands, Logan Hayes sat down on the sofa.

"Where should I begin?"

"From the very start."

Logan Hayes began with his departure from Los Angeles by plane, his meeting with Jose Ramirez and Arjun Mehra, and the sudden intrusion of the Japanese yakuza boss and Kenchi Takahashi. He told the story up to that point.

"And then I went to him."

"Wait, Logan. 'Him'? Are you referring to the Mad Monarch?"

"Let's be precise. He cannot possibly be the Mad Monarch."

"What? Sentinel has already verified this, Logan."

Kim Junyong, the Korean hunter appointed as a special advisor, was in fact the Mad Monarch of Belhaim. This was a cross-verified fact.

"Absolutely not."

"Logan, I don't understand why you're suddenly defending him."

The three of them were suddenly on high alert. Logan Hayes's attitude was just like Ryu Jai's.

Since he changed after meeting the Mad Monarch, they could not rule out the possibility that he had been subjected to psychic manipulation.

"I understand. If I were you, I would have suspected psychic manipulation too."

"Hmm."

"Feel free to test me if you wish."

"Let's continue the conversation for now."

Logan Hayes nodded.

"Jumping to the conclusion that he's the Mad Monarch just because of a resemblance is dangerous."

"...But if he isn't the Mad Monarch, then how could he have possibly grown so strong in such a short time?"

"That's also a false assumption."

Logan Hayes spoke with conviction.

"He is the apostle sent by Goddess Belhaim."

"...He's a returnee. He's a man from Earth who lived in Belhaim. And you're calling him an apostle?"

"I don't know the full will of the Goddess myself...but he is someone she holds dear. Knowing Earth's circumstances, she must have sent him here."

Upon hearing Logan Hayes's cautious speculation, the Sentinel bureau director and the core executives grew even more perplexed.

"Either way, he is nothing like some low-class Demon Realm monarch."

"...All right, Logan. Then what happened next?"

"Jose and Arjun couldn't withstand the apostle's judgment and died. As for me, I was barely forgiven for my sins and was granted a new chance."

"We would like to hear the details."

Logan Hayes recounted the events in detail. It was something honorable, with no need to hide and no reason to. In any case, Earth would be saved by the apostle.

"Ryu Jai and I dropped in the rankings because the apostle withdrew the Goddess's power from us."

"...And what happened to Kenchi Takahashi?"

"Kenchi Takahashi, who dared to slander the apostle as some filthy Mad Monarch, had all his energy drained and died a mummy."

"..."

It was a shocking development.

"Not just Sentinel–America as well. I advise you not to rashly brand the apostle as the Mad Monarch and incur his wrath. No, even I myself can barely restrain my anger."

"..."

The conversation with Logan Hayes, who seemed nearly fanatical, left the Sentinel executives confused.

After sending him off, they held a meeting among themselves, but the conclusion was obvious.

"Good grief. Logan has become a fanatic."

"That's not even the worst of it. Jose and Arjun are dead."

"India and Paraguay still haven't grasped the situation."

They had both left doubles behind as alibis. Their governments were only now beginning to realize it and would search for the real ones, but they could never return.

"The Mad Monarch–no, rather, the Korean hunter's skill 'Judgment,' as far as is known, exerts absolute power over G-rank hunters who possess divine power."

"Vikram must absolutely never be allowed to face him."

"As for Logan...hmm, we still need to keep an eye on him. However, we may have to treat him as being outside our power structure."

"That leaves Vikram as the only G-rank across all of North and South America."

"And it's awkward to hold South Korea accountable for this incident."

"If an A-rank demon disaster occurs, we may need to ask South Korea for help."

"Perhaps we should use Japan to probe South Korea's stance."

"That seems to be the best course of action for now."

The Sentinel executives diligently prepared their presidential report. A report wasn't just a summary of facts; it also had to predict countermeasures and their consequences.

After many meetings, they presented their report to the president of the world's strongest nation, the United States.

* * *

The Demon Realm Forum had been noisy since late last night.

– Holy crap, three G-ranks are gone.

– Logan's ranking dropped.

– Jose must've fallen below rank 1000. He's not even listed anymore.

– Arjun's gone too.

– What happened?

– So does that mean only ranks up to 7th are G-rank now?

– That guy above is an idiot. There were seven Final Heroes, but that doesn't mean G-rank only goes to 7th place.

– So three are left.

– What is this? Why did they suddenly disappear?

– It's the same as Ryu Jai. Maybe they met him too?

– That makes sense, but Arjun is in India right now.

– Jose is in Paraguay too.

– Logan is in Los Angeles right now.

– What? Then it doesn't seem like it's because of that Korean hunter.

The alibis they created for assassinating Kim Junyong were instead serving as alibis for him.

– Wait, maybe it's this: the Final Heroes could fight demons easily because they received an extra blessing from the Goddess.

– No way, really?

– Idiot, who doesn't know that?

– I just found out.

– That just makes you an idiot.

– Where are you, bastard? What country are you from?

– Take your fight elsewhere, idiots.

– Anyway, what I want to say is, maybe that blessing has a shelf life?

– Oh.

– Ohhh?

The "shelf life theory" proposed by someone in the Demon Realm Forum was oddly persuasive, and in the end, most ended up accepting it.

* * *

Sophie Giraud, better known by her epithet "Saintess" than by her name, was a hunter from France.

"What nonsense is this?"

She couldn't believe her eyes when she read Logan Hayes's posts in the chat room where the G-rank idiots gathered.

– Jose and Arjun have returned to the Goddess's embrace.

– What do you mean? They're dead?

– Yes.

– Suddenly? At home?

– No. We met him. Ryu Jai was right.

– And you? How are you still alive?

– Like Ryu Jai. He gave me a chance. You must all meet him soon and beg forgiveness. That's the only way to survive.

"Utter nonsense!"

You have to have sinned to be punished. No–more than that, who was that bastard to talk about granting or denying repentance?

– I'm leaving this chat. This isn't even a gathering of G-ranks anymore.

And with that, Sophie Giraud exited the chat room. For some reason, she didn't want to be involved with it anymore.

Logan Hayes was still putting on airs, but his ranking had plummeted to 451st.

"...So now I'm number one."

It was like being the second-place student who suddenly found themselves first after the top student disappeared. The strongest of humanity. The strongest hunter.

"...Not bad."

Sophie Giraud felt a thrill so intense that it made her body tremble. She remained dazed for a while.

What should she do now? No–was there even any need to do anything?

That Korean hunter.

"Unsettling."

Whether he was the Mad Monarch or an apostle, what did it matter? She would never face him.

Death or submission. Neither was a good option.

"I just won't cross paths with him."

Why should she care about the affairs of other continents? A-rank dungeons or demon descents? Well, that conceited Korean hunter would handle it.

Her focus was on Europe alone. She had no intention of setting foot in the barbaric countries beyond. Especially not South Korea.

"I like things just as they are."

She would never meet him. Then there would be no problem at all.

* * *

"Wow, it's really delicious!"

Yu Jihun devoured the meal Edmond had prepared. As school time drew near, he reluctantly said goodbye.

"I'll get going, Uncle."

"Come by often."

"Really? Then can I come again after school today?"

"Of course."

"Awesome! I'll really come! I'll have dinner here too!"

Kim Junyong chuckled softly at Yu Jihun's joy. Looking at his family, he felt that other people's happiness could also become his own.

Was this what they called vicarious happiness?

"Jihun."

"Yes, Uncle!"

"Is there anything you want for dinner?"

"Uh...then pasta!"

"Oh! Got it."

In any case, he wasn't the one cooking.

"Okay, then I'll see you tonight!"

"All right, go safely."

"Yep!"

Yu Jihun waved and ran home. Kim Junyong looked at Edmond.

"Nyaa! YouTube has detailed instructions for making pasta, nya. Today I'll practice on the gourmet slaves, nya!"

"Hey! We need to show my nephew proper taste!"

A mere YouTube imitation wouldn't suffice.

"Nyaa?"

"Where's pasta from originally?"

"...Nyaa?"

Was his Earth-born master really asking a Belhaim demon cat about the history and cuisine of Earth? He quickly searched Naver, South Korea's largest internet portal site.

"Nyaa! It's from Italy, nya!"

"Good. I'll take Jihun out for dinner later then."

"Nyaa! I want to go too, nya!"

"Fine, whatever!"

"Meow!"

As Edmond was leaping for joy, he suddenly grew curious and asked.

"But can non-hunters teleport too, nya?"

"I can make it happen."

Kim Junyong logged into the Demon Realm Forum and sent a message to the "Admin." He had to meet with him anyway to deliver the divine orbs.

[ Kim Junyong: It's possible to awaken ordinary people, right? ]

[ Admin: Ah, of course, Hyungnim! Who should I make into a hunter? ]

Oh. If he awakened his sister's whole family as hunters, would family trips be possible too?