WeTried Translations

Translator: Yasi

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Precious Demon King

Chapter 88: Time of Choice

Demon Realm Forum, Regional Community (South Korea) 

– Holy crap, a new G-rank popped up in Korea.

– Cheon Yubeom? What? Who's that?

– He's a Hunter Management Bureau-affiliated hunter.

– What? I looked it up, he's a Rank 3 hunter? A namesake?

– No, it's him. The person who recently became SR and ranked 50th.

– Wow, suddenly 2nd? What is this?

– Crazy. What's going on with Korea these days?

– But does this ranking have credibility?

– Who knows, it's not like hunters of that level can actually fight each other.

– Honestly, since that person came, all the rankings look like crap, haha.

– That person, hahaha.

– Who's that?

– Mad–

– Hey, are you crazy, typing that?

– Bastard, shut up!

– What, is he insane?

The thread was suddenly bombarded, and one comment disappeared.

Anyway, the ranking mechanism was based on experience points.

Experience was essentially the same as mana capacity, but you couldn't increase it just by hunting a lot.

If you kept hunting the same type of monster, the amount of experience gained decreased.

Hunters had to kill a wider variety of monsters–and the more demons, the better.

Experience was experience itself, and mana capacity increased the number of times you could use skills. Therefore, it wasn't entirely incorrect to say that ranking equaled combat strength.

However, it was difficult to evaluate absolute strength this way. It was nearly impossible to determine who was stronger by pitting hunters against each other, as was done in martial arts.

Sometimes hunters did end up fighting when disputes arose. But, given the nature of superpowers, someone was bound to die. This kept fights rare.

The ranking was long considered equivalent to a fighting ranking, though this was never spoken of. However, everything changed when South Korea's Special Advisor appeared.

He wasn't even registered on the ranking, yet he had suppressed Ryu Jai.

Nowadays, people simply perceive the ranking as a "veteran index."

Even so, Cheon Yubeom's case was special.

– No matter how crazy you are about hunting, does it make sense to go from rank 50 to rank 2?

– This is kind of strange.

– Is he a G-rank hunter?

– That's a dual blessing.

– What's that?

– Is this bastard an idiot?

– Everyone who knows anything knows–Guardians use the Goddess's power.

– So what does that mean?

– I don't know the details, you idiot. I'm not a Guardian.

– Wow, a Guardian in our country.

South Korea wasn't the only country stirred up.

Kim Junyong's appearance was shocking yet understandable. Those familiar with his past all acknowledged his strength.

However, until recently, Cheon Yubeom had only been a Rank 3 hunter. Could such rapid growth be possible in such a short time? If so, could others do it too? Who is Cheon Yubeom, and how did he achieve this growth?

Once again, the world's attention turned to South Korea.

* * *

Psychic Awakening Agency, Japan. Yunosuke Kuroda summoned Yoichi Sasaki.

"Yoichi Sasaki! At the Commissioner's call, I have rushed here!"

"Oh! Yoichi Sasaki! As expected, you are the Psychic Awakening Agency's most agile agent!"

"Hai!"

"You are the face and pride of the agency! I've called you today to entrust you with a very special mission."

"Just give the order! I am prepared to give my life!"

"Starting today, you will be going on a long-term business trip to South Korea!"

"South Korea, you say? What am I supposed to do there?"

"Stay close to your sworn brother."

"...?"

Yoichi Sasaki did not understand the order. Being with his sworn brother was a personal matter.

"Do you want me to deliver something?"

"No."

This wasn't about representing Japan.

"Then, is it a vacation?"

"Yes, it would be good to think of it that way!"

"With great power comes great responsibility! I, Yoichi Sasaki, cannot abandon my country just to enjoy a vacation by myself!"

Oh no! Yoichi Sasaki was a patriot who valued his country more than his own safety or profit. When dealing with him, personal rewards or temptations only had the opposite effect.

Yunosuke Kuroda had to start by shouting.

"Yoichi Sasaki!"

"Hai!"

"Don't you understand the meaning of this undercover mission?"

"Un-Undercover mission?"

"Yes!"

"W-What is it?"

"On the surface, it's a vacation. But this mission has a deeper meaning."

"...?"

Yoichi Sasaki thought for a moment.

"W-Wait! Are you telling me to do spy-ninja work?"

Yunosuke Kuroda winced. Stubborn and single-minded!

He had let his guard down, having managed to handle the difficult Yoichi Sasaki thus far.

"I, Yoichi Sasaki, may lay down my life for my country, but I cannot betray my brother! Order me to commit seppuku instead!"

Shit. Going soft wouldn't work here. He had to go all out.

Smack!

Yunosuke Kuroda slapped Yoichi Sasaki abruptly. He must not be given time to think.

"Yoichi Sasaki! Did you think I would order such cowardly behavior from Japan's finest?!"

Seeing Yunosuke Kuroda shout furiously, Yoichi Sasaki asked back in bewilderment.

"Then...what is the mission?"

"..."

Yunosuke Kuroda gulped nervously. Damn, it really was spying.

The secret to Cheon Yubeom's rise in rank. He had to find that out...but, whatever.

"S-Study abroad!"

"Study abroad?"

"Even if you discover secrets there, you don't need to report them to me!"

"Is that true?"

"You're not a spy! Would a proud Japanese hunter like you stoop to such petty things?"

"You have judged Yoichi Sasaki well!"

"Go learn and train! The way to repay your country is to come back stronger!"

"Hah!"

"Now do you understand the true meaning behind my calling it a vacation?"

Thud!

Yoichi Sasaki knelt before Yunosuke Kuroda.

"I've misunderstood Commissioner's deep intentions!"

"I've already forgotten it!"

Yunosuke Kuroda lifted Yoichi Sasaki up, his expression solemn.

"You are the future of Japan! This is not personal growth, but the rise of Japan's national power!"

Yoichi Sasaki bit his lip.

"Yoichi Sasaki will endure the pain of broken bones and torn flesh. I will learn, train, and return stronger!"

"Good! You are Japan, and Japan is you!"

"Hah!"

Yoichi Sasaki was visibly moved. Yunosuke Kuroda felt the time was ripe.

"Go, settle your affairs, and depart for South Korea!"

"Hai!"

"The time limit is indefinite! Don't even think about returning until you become at least SR-rank!"

"Hai! I, Yoichi Sasaki, will build my strength for the sake of Japan's national power!"

"The country's future rests in your hands!"

Yunosuke Kuroda suddenly pulled Yoichi Sasaki into an embrace. With tears in his eyes, he sent Yoichi Sasaki off.

Once alone, he let out a deep sigh.

"Hahh, looks like I'll have to change my method."

Sending Yoichi Sasaki to uncover Cheon Yubeom's growth method was a lost cause. Given his personality, no matter what he saw, heard, or learned, he would never say anything.

As a spy, he was worthless. Who would have thought his loyalty would be as steadfast as his patriotism?

"I had hoped for blueprints, but all I can get is a single battleship..."

It was a compromise. In any case, Yoichi Sasaki's ranking was 999th (R-rank). Fortunately, his absence wasn't significant.

If he returned as an SR, Japan would benefit either way.

* * *

Sophie Giraud. She, the current 1st rank Guardian, had not taken a single step outside her home.

"He went back to South Korea."

The Mad Monarch had returned to South Korea. Her house arrest–half voluntary, half forced–was over.

"All of Europe is making a fuss."

Europe was losing its mind over South Korea's Special. The presidents of Italy and France had scrambled to go to South Korea.

Shameless.

Italy, with the weakest hunter force in Europe, okay. But why on earth was the French president acting like that?

The pride of France, the hunter of France, the Saintess of France–she herself was still here, wasn't she?

"Unbelievable."

The French president had scurried off to South Korea to sign a dimensional defense treaty. According to a close aide in the Special Security Bureau, the president decided to go immediately after a long meeting with the bureau director.

"What nonsense did they spout?"

How dare they, with her still here. They wag their tails at the likes of the Mad Monarch?

Didn't the president and the bureau director know his true identity? Why on earth with a villain...

"Italy's ridiculous too."

Everyone else had left, yet they were treating one of the Mad Monarch's family members who remained as if she were a guest of honor. They blocked off tourist sites and restricted traffic–the full treatment given to a state guest.

What angered her was that she hadn't received that kind of treatment when she visited Italy last year to conquer an A-rank dungeon.

"She's just family, isn't she? Just the villain's sister!"

How dare they treat the villain's family better than her, the Saintess of France?

What should she do?

If she is harmed...

The Mad Monarch's sister was traveling in Italy. If she were harmed, where would the Mad Monarch's fury be directed?

If Italy were turned into a wasteland, Europe would become tense.

Then once again, all attention, interest, and expectations would turn to her...As she smirked at the sweet imagination, her face hardened cold again.

"...The risk is too high."

Would the Mad Monarch's anger really stop at Italy? No one could dare predict him. A feeling of fear arose.

"Phew."

Just stay put. After all, he was a villain.

Ultimately, the world would shudder at his brutality. And of course, a hero would appear in times of crisis.

Survival is strength.

Current 1st rank Sophie Giraud went into endurance mode.

The Mad Monarch would eventually explode. Whether it was Vikram or someone else, she quietly burrowed down, hoping someone would hurry across the line and deal with him.

* * *

"Then, we'll see you tomorrow!"

"You worked hard. Take a few days off."

"Oh, no, not at all. We should come in right away."

Cheon Yubeom and Lee Mina clocked out of work. As they walked along the construction site road, the two praised each other for surviving and returning from the Demon Realm.

"Ha, Deputy Director Lee, you worked hard. Get some good rest."

"Yes. But...what are you going to do?"

"Hm? About what?"

"The Hunter Management Bureau."

"Ah."

The two had already received a cautious offer from the Hunter Management Bureau. They were guaranteed a salary increase and a promotion. Currently, Cheon Yubeom was a Rank 5 Assistant Director, and Lee Mina was a Rank 6 Assistant Officer.

They were both promised treatment as a Rank 2 Director-General. That was right below Deputy Bureau Director Choi Hyunju, who was Rank 1.

"I've actually been flooded with contacts from guilds too. Team Leader Cheon, isn't it the same for you?"

"That's why my phone's on silent."

They both laughed because their situations were similar.

"I plan to stay."

Cheon Yubeom nodded at Lee Mina's words.

"I'm going to quit."

"...?"

Lee Mina's eyes grew wide.

"W-What did you say?"

She never saw it coming. Was Cheon Yubeom planning to emigrate?

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