The Precious Demon King - Chapter 70

WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 70: South Korea–Japan Summit

The world was turned upside down. At least, that was how South Koreans and Japanese people felt.

The unbelievable South Korea–Japan summit had concluded. Topics such as economic exchanges with minimal tariffs or joint measures against North Korea's nuclear threat didn't even enter people's conversations.

"My goodness, the Japanese president bowed his head low, even prostrating himself!"

"I cried so much...my goodness."

"Ah, did you see him go to Seodaemun Prison after the summit?"

"I did."

Political news ratings reached 34 percent. Coverage spread not only on TV, but also across broadcasts, video platforms, and SNS. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that almost every South Korean saw it.

"I never thought a day like this would come in my lifetime. Hhhk...President. Thank you. Hhhk."

A tearful interview with a former comfort woman grandmother surpassed one million views in a short time.

– Wow, insane.

– A day like this really came.

– But what did President Kim Seungtae even do?

– He didn't do anything. Once Korea got a G-rank hunter, Japan bowed on its own.

– Let's give credit where it's due, lol.

– Seriously, some guys can't even hold onto their rice bowls when they've got the advantage, but this time the negotiation was solid.

– Our national power might be huge, hehe.

– Not "might be"–it already is.

South Koreans were dumbfounded by the sudden news, but the atmosphere was generally welcoming.

What they truly wanted was an apology. When Masanobu Mishima went so far as to bow in apology on behalf of his country, it couldn't be ignored.

A heartfelt apology was bound to bring forgiveness. South Koreans' feelings toward Japan softened greatly.

Although some anti-Japanese sentiment remained, most felt it was time to get along with Japan as a neighboring country going forward.

Of course, this ultimately arose from a position of confidence and was rooted in the presence of the Special Advisor.

Even among sibling nations, there were inevitably elder and younger; that the elder was stronger and took the lead was only natural.

Naturally, the ones who were even more dumbfounded than South Koreans were the Japanese.

[ Humiliation, but the Mishima Administration Chose Pragmatism. ]

[ The Only Countermeasure Against the Disaster of an A-Rank Dungeon–an Unavoidable Choice. ]

These were Japan's two most-viewed articles. The consensus was that, when weighing the pros and cons, it was a pragmatic choice as preparation for dimensional invasions.

However, while most media outlets acknowledged it was an unavoidable choice, they strongly criticized the Mishima administration for conceding too much.

[ The Mishima Administration Conceded Too Much. Did It Really Have to Go This Far? ]

[ Plummeting Approval Ratings–Failed to Consider Public Sentiment. ]

[ Approval Ratings That Once Soared from the "War on Crime" and Alliance with South Korean Hunters Now Plunge. More Lost than Gained. ]

[ Japan's Economy Staggering–Can It Hold? ]

[ Fishing Unions Stage Collective Protests. Struggle Imminent! ]

[ South Korea–Japan Economic Exchange? A One-Sided Loss. ]

Public opinion boiled over, and online communities caught fire.

– Crazy. Bowing to South Korea?

– Takeshima is South Korean land? Bullshit!

– So now we can't even call it the Sea of Japan?

– With this, Japan has lost major straits.

– Madness. Is Masanobu Mishima a traitor?

– Japan's being ruined by kids obsessed with K-pop.

– Humiliation. Masanobu Mishima should return home and commit seppuku!

– But right now he's eating bibimbap and bulgogi?

– Is he planning to naturalize as a South Korean?

– Japan's disgrace!

While the internet seethed, western Japan was in a precarious state, like a candle in the wind.

[ An A-Rank Dungeon Has Appeared in Kobe. Local Communities Trembling with Anxiety. ]

An A-rank dungeon had appeared. Coincidentally, this occurred just as Masanobu Mishima was en route to Seoul for the South Korea–Japan summit.

– Uh-oh, we're screwed.

– It'll be fine. From now on, South Korea will handle A-rank dungeons instead of Taiwan.

– That's why the prime minister is going to South Korea right now.

– Why doesn't Japan have a G-rank hunter?

Citizens of Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto–virtually all of western Japan–watched the South Korea–Japan summit attentively.

They were shocked to see Masanobu Mishima kneel and apologize in a live broadcast, but the mood was one of understanding.

Pride or whatever, this was a matter of life or death. What was a bow compared to survival?

Why did the dungeon have to appear in the very center of the city? If it erupted, Kobe would be blown away. The remaining conquest deadline was twenty-one days.

Considering how often time-shortening phenomena have occurred lately, three weeks was not a long time at all.

The locals didn't care what Masanobu Mishima did. They just wanted South Korea's Special Advisor to be called in right away to deal with the dungeon.

If–just by some chance, really by any chance at all–relations soured and the dungeon conquest pact fell through, Japan would suffer demonic invasions with every A-rank dungeon from then on.

Give what must be given! The homeland will not remain safe otherwise.

Straits or whatever–what must be yielded should be yielded cleanly, and what must be defended must be defended. The terrible thing about dungeons was that your own front yard could become the very front line of a demonic invasion overnight.

[ From now on, South Korea and Japan will strengthen their solidarity against dimensional invasions by alien species and actively promote exchanges between civilian hunters. ]

"Waaah!"

The long-awaited statement rang out. Some felt relief, while others burned with bitterness. Some were overcome with a sense of defeat, while others, filled with anger, took to the streets in protest.

"Damn! A world where we bow to South Korea has come."

"Calm down. It's just that the partner changed from Taiwan to South Korea."

"I hated seeing Taiwanese people strutting around, but South Koreans will be even worse!"

"I don't think it's so bad. South Korea is our neighbor anyway."

"Hey, try using your brain. Didn't you learn anything about the history between South Korea and Japan? South Korea is a country that insists everything is theirs."

"Ryuji, you need to study history properly. You get that twisted view from only learning on the internet and forums."

"What, are you a traitor? We just lost Takeshima right before our eyes!"

"It was South Korea's to begin with, Ryuji."

"Hmph, you traitor bastard. There's no point in talking to you."

This was a world where diverse opinions and free expression were possible. It was something always found in any modern society.

* * *

When Yoichi Sasaki arrived in Kobe, he carried a top-grade Kobe beef gift set and smiled brightly.

"Hyungnim will love this!"

He quickly pulled out his phone and opened the Demon Realm Subjugation app. In the base list, where normally there should be nothing, one option was visible.

[ Junyong Hyungnim's House ]

It was like a grace granted only to him in Japan.

Flash.

He smiled brightly at the rapidly changing scenery, then froze.

Shing.

He hadn't even realized that someone had approached him. Seeing the sharp blade at his neck, he gave an awkward smile.

"Haha, I see you were practicing swordsmanship!"

"..."

Impossible. The moment he arrived, a sword was drawn, its tip aimed at his vital point.

If she meant to kill me, I would already be dead.

He didn't move.

"What? Yoichi?"

"H-Hyungnim."

"Tch."

Remi, who had been excited because she thought it was an intruder, lowered her sword. When the blade pressed to his neck was withdrawn, Yoichi Sasaki's tension finally eased.

"Let's just set the dungeon core in the yard."

"That would be better."

Come to think of it, the dungeon base had been revealed to quite a few outsiders. Both Choi Hyunju and Yoichi Sasaki knew. Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina were subordinates, but it would be problematic if a guest suddenly appeared right in the middle of the bedroom.

If it were an intruder, they could become the target of Remi, as she would spring up even from sleep, salivating.

Kim Junyong pulled out the sword embedded in the center of the room.

Flash.

[ Base "Junyong Hyungnim's House" has been deactivated. ]

"Oh?"

Ring–

At that moment, the Demon Realm Subjugation app flashed. When he opened the Demon Realm Forum, he saw urgent messages arriving.

[ Admin: What the–! Hyungnim! Please set the base right away! ]

[ Admin: Ah, Hyungnim! The demons are going to steal our coordinates! ]

[ Admin: Hyuuungniiiim! ]

Kim Junyong vaulted over the terrace and leapt down into the yard. He drove the sword deep into a massive landscaping boulder beside the gate.

[ Base "Junyong Hyungnim's House" has been activated. ]

Flash.

Once again, control over the surroundings centered on the dungeon core was restored.

"Wow, that's interesting."

Having safely completed the transfer of the dungeon core, Kim Junyong returned to the second floor.

"But what brings you here?"

"Ah! I heard noona had moved here, so I brought a gift!"

"Noona?"

"Hyungnim's noona is my noona too!"

"Heh."

What brazenness. But his sparkling, pure soul carried not a trace of malice. He truly believed it with pure sincerity.

To Yoichi Sasaki, Kim Junyong was hyungnim, and Kim Junyong's sister was his noona. Even his visit today was truly to celebrate.

Good grief.

Kim Junyong wanted to corrupt him. He wanted to test how ugly such a pure soul could become.

Suppressing his urge, Kim Junyong looked at the wooden box in Yoichi Sasaki's hands. It was a rather luxurious-looking case.

"What is it?"

"Kobe beef. The finest."

"Oh, beef."

Kim Junyong nodded firmly.

"You'll have to wait a bit for my sister to arrive."

"Haha, I'll wait."

"Oh, all right."

Yoichi Sasaki made himself comfortable on the sofa and brought up a hot topic of the day.

"Hyungnim, did you see the South Korea–Japan summit?"

"What's that?"

"Ah, it's about South Korea and Japan getting along from now on."

"Really? That's good."

"Yes, it is."

"Is anything else going on?"

"Haha, nothing. Ah, but an A-rank dungeon has appeared in Kobe."

"Wow, that's a big problem."

"Yes, it's a big problem."

"..."

Kim Junyong quietly looked at Yoichi Sasaki. Yoichi Sasaki looked back.

Respect, brotherhood, closeness.

"..."

It was painful to look at this guy who seemed like the perfect victim for a phone scam. It was similar to the urge to leave footprints on a snow-covered schoolyard no one had walked across.

Ugh, I might as well go run a dungeon.

If he kept waiting until his sister came, he might really end up corrupting this guy.

"Let's go."

"What?"

"You said a dungeon appeared in Kobe?"

"Ah! Are you offering to help?"

"..."

Most people would subtly imply such an intention, but this guy was completely straightforward. He was just asked if anything was going on, so he simply explained what was happening.

"Yeah."

"I'll never forget Hyungnim's grace!"

"...Got it. Just follow me."

Kim Junyong, Remi, and Yoichi Sasaki teleported toward the Kobe dungeon.

* * *

[ Breaking News - Kobe A-Rank Dungeon. Disappeared Just 2 Hours 14 Minutes After Its Appearance. ]

– ?????

– What?

– Why did the dungeon vanish?

– Who cleared it?

– The time's absurd. Even rushing in the moment it spawned, you would barely manage it.

– Hey, official announcement's up! They say South Korea's Special Advisor was there.

– Don't lie.

– (photo)

People were shocked when a photo of Kim Junyong, Remi, and Yoichi Sasaki together at the Kobe dungeon was posted.

One after another, articles began to pour out.

[ Kobe A-Rank Dungeon. Conquest Team: South Korea's Special Advisor's Group and Yoichi Sasaki. First Signal of South Korea–Japan Joint Dungeon Conquests. ]

[ Prime Minister Masanobu Mishima, Still in South Korea, Sees Rebound in Approval Ratings. ]

[ Nikkei Index Rebounds, Major Influx of Foreign Capital. ]

[ A-Rank Dungeon Cleared Before Evacuation Manuals Could Even Be Written. ]

[ Strong South Korea–Japan Alliance. Japan Now a Country Safe from Dungeons. ]

Japanese communities exploded too.

– What? How was it so fast?

– Koreans are impatient. Everything's fast.

– Insane. If it were Ryu Jai, negotiations for conquest fees alone would take a week.

– How much did they pay for the conquest?

– According to the Psychic Awakening Agency, it was just one beef set.

– ? What kind of nonsense is that?

– That's basically saying they did it for free.