The Precious Demon King - Chapter 86

WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 86: Each One's Role

"Kehh, it's been a while since I've gotten a soul worth using."

With proper nurturing, this soul could grow to the level of a "monarch." Only such a soul was worthy of becoming one of Kim Junyong's familiars.

"...If you value souls like that so much, why leave that Japanese alone?"

"What, who? Yoichi?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, that one..."

Of all the souls Kim Junyong had seen on Earth, Yoichi Sasaki's was the purest. His potential was enormous as well, but...

"He's still alive."

"Then kill him."

"Wow, what a genius you are."

< Murder conspiracy is a crime. >

Kim Junyong laughed when the scale interjected with fright.

"It's a joke."

"It's not."

"You wouldn't think so, would you."

"..."

Remi pouted.

"Anyway, I'm not killing him."

"Tch."

She couldn't make sense of her master's intentions. He enjoyed collecting high-potential souls, yet he left that one alone.

The Demon Sword Reminox found his reasoning far too human to comprehend.

"Come on, let's go."

They had eaten, slept in a wide, soft hotel bed, and gone sightseeing. Now, he was starting to feel like heading back.

External schedules were good too, but wasn't home the best?

"Aren't you going to materialize him?"

"Hehe, I'll take care of that once we're back."

Ferus was a human who had died long ago, so if materialized, he would only be either a man or a woman.

It could be done in South Korea. No–that was better. That way, he would have an East Asian appearance and not stand out.

"Let's go home."

"Huh? Already? I wanted to see the Vatican."

"Then go see it."

"Eh? How could I do that without you?"

As Kim Jangmi faltered in disappointment, Lorenzo stepped up.

"Ma'am, may I have the chance to be your guide?"

He looked at Kim Junyong earnestly.

"I'll personally ensure the tour is safe and enjoyable!"

Kim Junyong gave a faint laugh.

"Ed."

"Nyaa!"

"Watch over my sister."

"Nyaa! Don't worry, nya!"

With Edmond there to protect her, Kim Jangmi felt more at ease. After all, going back home only took a single click on her phone.

She had come to Europe without taking the long plane ride, so she wanted at least one more day to enjoy herself.

"What about you two?"

"I'm going with Uncle."

"I'll go home too."

Yu Jia and Yu Jihun chose to leave without their mother. Remi, who had been protecting Yu Jia more often than Kim Junyong lately, naturally decided to return as well.

Kim Jangmi and Edmond were the only ones who decided to stay in Rome.

"See you tomorrow, then."

"Mom, don't be too late."

Flash.

They vanished in an instant.

"Nyaa! Let's go too, nya! With Master gone, we have to hurry, nya."

Teleporting by dungeon coordinates was Kim Junyong's ability. Without him, traveling to tourist sites had to be done by vehicle.

"Ah, understood."

Lorenzo quickly requested support from the Special Security Bureau.

This person's influence is immense.

The world watched South Korea's Special One with caution. If anyone could rein him in, it was the woman standing before him–Kim Jangmi.

Rose Kim.

He had to leave Italy etched in this woman's memory, no matter what it took.

"Nyaa! Let's go, nya!"

That cat, with its constant food critiques, was just a bonus. Lorenzo set out as a guide with a grave face.

* * *

Flash.

The house yard where the base core was located.

"Oh."

After just one night away, the house had changed drastically. Even though it was midnight, the construction site was brightly lit. People and machines came and went.

"That's so fast."

"Wow."

"There are so many people."

Lines of trucks had been deployed, along with traffic police to control them.

The appearance of the Conquest Monument at the construction site, where work was being carried out under the guise of a cultural heritage excavation, resulted in the entire area being declared a restricted zone.

Residents were evacuated to shelters "for safety reasons," and the main road of Hansan 2-dong, which had been on the verge of revival as a commercial street, was shut down.

"Ah, Special Advisor!"

"Waaah, Special Advisor!"

At that moment, Lee Mina and Cheon Yubeom, who had been eating, rushed out from the first floor.

"Oh, there are results after all."

"Hic, we really suffered."

"We almost died."

"What kind of talk is that? It's facing death that makes you grow."

You only grow stronger when faced with a life-or-death crisis. Looking at human subordinates No. 1 and No. 2, who had now become fairly useful, Kim Junyong took out the prepared gifts.

Flash.

"Here, take it."

"Hahh? What's this?"

"Eh, could it be...?"

Expectations shone in their eyes. When they received it, sure enough, it was a void pouch.

It was an exceedingly rare and precious artifact. While it couldn't rival Kim Junyong's subspace magic that spanned entire dungeons, it was still remarkable.

"Wow, to see one of these for real! Kehh, thank you!"

"I'll put it to good use! The space is at least double..."

It was a practical belt pouch. Instead of a button, it had a drawstring opening, which was actually more secure.

As Lee Mina examined the artifact, she was startled.

"W-Why is the space like this?"

"What about it?"

"It-It's way too big!"

"Hm?"

Kim Junyong held out his hand, and Lee Mina passed him the pouch. He looked it over.

Not that big, though?

Upon inspection, it measured about two meters in width, length, and height. For such a small pouch, the amount of space it expanded to was enormous. But wouldn't it have to be at least this big to be usable?

The contents are intact.

It was crammed with magical equipment, precious medicinal ingredients, staffs, and other items.

"Whose did you take?"

"From a court mage of the imperial palace."

At Remi's words, Kim Junyong gave a faint laugh. It seemed the court mage's position in the empire would now be vacant.

In any case, Kim Junyong moved all the items into his storehouse and handed the empty pouch back to Lee Mina.

"Use it well."

"Yes!"

The pouch that Cheon Yubeom received came from Belhaim's dungeon tribute storage. It was empty to begin with, but its internal space was about the same.

"And Luciel?"

"He said he couldn't set foot in a house without its master."

"That guy."

He was sharp. Then again, maybe it was only natural. After all, he had once served as the Demon King's butler.

"Luciel."

Whoosh.

At Kim Junyong's summons, Luciel appeared. He had changed his appearance, wearing a crisp suit with his hair slicked back and round glasses that suited him perfectly. He looked every bit the elite office worker.

Since he was modeled after Cheon Yubeom, he appeared to be in his thirties. Rather than looking too young, his clean look gave off a professional air.

"Wow, clothes do make the man."

"Proper attire is a matter of courtesy, isn't it?"

He had chosen attire befitting a butler on Earth. Fortunately, it seemed his master was pleased.

"You trained the kids well."

"I gave it my utmost."

Luciel bowed politely. Now that he had been praised, he was all smiles.

Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina's faces turned pale as they recalled the training. Nevertheless, the results were remarkable. They had actually become SR-rank hunters. Their progress was still hard to believe.

"Are these the new pets?"

"Hm? My niece and nephew?"

"...!"

Luciel froze. The Master's niece and nephew? He had messed up.

Hm? Was his master human? No, before that, he needed to fix this first...The new master was the Mad Monarch! Lies wouldn't work on him.

Thud.

He prostrated himself.

"I have offended the young master and young lady."

"N-No, it's fine."

"P-Please, stand up."

Startled, Yu Jia and Yu Jihun tried to stop him, but he did not budge. His attention was directed toward Kim Junyong.

"Get up."

"Yes."

Kim Junyong laughed faintly as he looked at Luciel, who bowed deeply.

Just from the word "pet," he could vividly picture how Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina had been treated in the Demon Realm.

"I'll accept any punishment."

Since he was begging for forgiveness, he had to be punished. The rewards and punishments for familiars had to be clear.

"From now on, you are not to leave this dungeon."

"I will obey."

"This is where I, my familiars, and my family live."

"I will treat and guard them as if they were my master."

Kim Junyong nodded.

"Good. You'll be the dungeon keeper."

"Such an honor is far too great for a sinner, but I shall serve with all my being."

Luciel bowed politely, placing one hand on his chest. As the dungeon keeper, he would be able to perceive the entire dungeon. To entrust him with management, authority had to be granted.

As for Edmond, he could just be left to the restaurant. His real talent was plundering luck anyway.

"Let's rest, then. If we get hungry later, shall we order chicken?"

"Ah, sounds great!"

"Me too."

"All right. Go on. Call me if you're hungry."

"Yes, Uncle."

Yu Jia and Yu Jihun made their way to their still unfamiliar new home.

"Phew, it was an incredible trip. Right?"

"Yeah."

"What? Noona didn't like it?"

"No."

"Then why are you so lukewarm about it?"

"..."

"Hey, have you ever been to the Demon Realm?"

"Uh, what?"

Seeing Yu Jihun's flustered face, Yu Jia narrowed her eyes.

"You've been there."

"Uh, yeah."

"How was it?"

"W-Why would Noona ask something like that?"

"Huh?"

This time, it was Yu Jia who was flustered.

"Noona, are you interested in hunters?"

"No!"

"Wow, what's that? They say a strong denial is a strong yes."

"I don't know!"

Yu Jia stormed into her room.

"Goodness, what a temper."

Yu Jihun went into his room, turned on the computer, and logged into the Demon Realm Forum, as was his habit.

He was no longer an "ordinary person," but a hunter.

Now, he could read public posts and secret posts for hunters only.

"Hahh."

It wasn't as enjoyable as before.

The second-year middle schooler who had admired hunters from afar and lived vicariously through them had become one himself.

However, the monster he encountered in the Demon Realm was on a completely different level than he had imagined.

"I'm an idiot."

He had become what he had fervently dreamed of. In his mind, he would swing his weapon and bravely hunt monsters. But when he actually faced them, his body froze and he couldn't move.

The difference between imagination and reality was stark and brutal.

He was just glad he hadn't wet himself.

"Hahh. Still, it's fortunate that Uncle changed me."

Student wasn't a real class. Now he was officially a magic class–a spirit master.

He looked around. There was no summoning medium. He went out, got some water from the dispenser, locked his door, and looked down at the cup.

"Hello?"

Splash.

A stream of water shot up from the cup and formed a small dolphin.

"Can I do well?"

[ Kyuu, kyuu. ]

"Aw, how cute."

He grinned at the dolphin-like water spirit's antics.

Yeah, it was fine to go slowly. How could he possibly overcome trials and hardships as smoothly as the heroes did?

He was just a hunter who had been lucky enough to awaken thanks to having a good uncle. Step by step, then. His next growth goal was to make it to the third year of middle school.

First, he had to become an adult.

* * *

Yu Jia flopped onto her bed. The light was too bright, so she shielded her eyes with her arm.

"Hahh."

Her chest felt heavy. Nineteen years old. She was a high school senior, and the college entrance exams were less than two months away.

"Jia, Jia. What's wrong?"

She muttered to herself. She just couldn't steady her mind.

It felt as if the life she had lived diligently was invalidated. It felt as if something hidden deep within her heart was writhing.

No matter what she did–whether traveling or enjoying good food–this thirst never left her.

Stifling.

Knock, knock.

The knock made her shout out instinctively.