Chapter 93 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Fire-Watching
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Though he had filled one jiazi of internal energy, the Heavenly Demon still hadn't chosen a demonic martial art that he could wield with both yin and yang energies.
The reason was simple.
Necessity.
Up until now, the Heavenly Demon had dispatched monsters in a single blow using the ancient secret art known as the Heavenly Demon's Supreme Ability. He hadn't felt any need to unleash powerful martial techniques.
Six days had passed since he achieved one jiazi of internal energy.
Sunday afternoon. In front of a commercial building in a bustling city street.
Gazing up at the building adorned with white bricks, the Heavenly Demon spoke in a grim voice.
"This is the place."
The first-floor shop had floor-to-ceiling glass windows that let everything inside be seen clearly, and above the entrance hung a gleaming gold sign.
-Plump Macaron.
The letters were shaped like cute, chubby macarons rolling about.
Guided by Nameless, the Heavenly Demon had arrived at "Plump Macaron," a dessert café hailed as the best among the best.
Staring impassively at the sign, the Heavenly Demon slowly made his way to the entrance.
[Heavenly Demon.]
At that moment, Nameless, perched on his shoulder, spoke up.
[If it's all right with you, how about visiting somewhere else first?]
"What are you talking about?"
Nameless gazed at the scene beyond the glass windows before speaking again.
[The seed hotteok and japchae hotteok across the street at that opposite building get rave reviews too.]
On his day off Sundays, the Heavenly Demon often visited eateries with Nameless. Plus, this week he had completed one jiazi of internal energy and just received his paycheck.
With all these good things happening, he had come downtown with Nameless in the morning to explore the food scene.
Nameless had chosen sweet treats as the theme for this week's food crawl—for the sake of the Heavenly Demon, who had been unable to enjoy sweet bingdanghoro due to past memories.
"Have you lost your nerve?"
At Nameless's sudden attempt to dissuade him, the Heavenly Demon narrowed his eyes.
"Whatever. Fine."
[What?]
"This lord has no particular expectations for sweets anyway."
Before coming here, Nameless had read him internet reviews raving about heavenly sweetness, melt-in-your-mouth fantastic confections, and the like.
But now that they were here, it was urging him elsewhere? The Heavenly Demon figured Nameless had belatedly lost confidence.
[That's not it, Heavenly Demon. Actually, there's something I hadn't accounted for...]
"Out with it."
[The atmosphere.]
"The atmosphere?"
The Heavenly Demon furrowed his brow.
"This lord doesn't care about atmosphere. Only the taste matters."
Nameless nodded at the unwavering gaze in the Heavenly Demon's eyes.
[Very well. Then please, go on in.]
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, the Heavenly Demon pulled the handle and opened the door. As the glass door swung open, the interior unfolded before him under dazzling lights—cute and quaint.
The place was awash in pink, with Plump Macaron characters grinning adorably everywhere.
Not only that, but every table was occupied by clusters of young women enjoying drinks and desserts.
"So that's what it was."
The Heavenly Demon flinched for a moment. He finally understood why Nameless had been worried.
Sparkling pink tiles, cutesy decorations, fixtures and knickknacks so round there wasn't a straight line to be found anywhere.
This place, brimming with loveliness, seemed utterly intolerant of a rough, fierce being like the Heavenly Demon setting foot inside.
[Shall we retreat?]
At Nameless's words, the Heavenly Demon scowled. He had never entered such a humiliating word into his dictionary.
"Not a chance. We're going in."
[Understood.]
"Welcome..."
As the Heavenly Demon strode into the shop, the clerk at the counter bowed her head—then gaped.
He wore a stylish jacket, but the fabric strained over bulging muscles ready to rip through.
His disheveled hair was like a lion's mane. His crimson eyes flashed every time they darted left and right.
If they had met anywhere but the shop, the clerk would have screamed first.
"Recommend something."
"Huh?"
"It's for Nameless."
[Are you sure about this?]
Nameless scanned the interior once more.
The moment he entered, the female customers' piercing stares had converged on him. But the Heavenly Demon paid them no mind, maintaining his blank expression.
"This lord doesn't care about the ambiance of an eatery."
[Understood. I'll begin the explanation.]
Perched on the Heavenly Demon's shoulder, Nameless pointed to the display case of various macarons.
[The main item here is these macarons. They range from 2,000 to 3,000 won. There are 31 flavors—pick whichever you like from the shelf.]
The Heavenly Demon's eyes narrowed as he eyed the vibrant pastel macarons in the case.
The round pastries' surfaces and colors looked unnatural, overly artificial. Even their size and shape left much to be desired.
[Mint chocolate is the famous one here, so I recommend that.]
"Enough. Just order."
[Understood.]
As if expecting that, Nameless hopped down to the counter and addressed the frozen female clerk.
[Excuse me. May I order?]
The round nanobot spoke fluently, and the clerk nodded with saucer eyes.
[Then, peach yogurt, vanilla, green tea, honey cheese, and mint chocolate, please.]
"F-For takeout? Boxed sets start at six pieces."
[We'll eat in.]
At Nameless's smooth handling, the clerk's rigid expression softened bit by bit.
"Drinks as well?"
Nameless glanced at the Heavenly Demon, who stood glaring down at the clerk with arms crossed, and shook his head.
[No drinks. Just a glass of ice water, please.]
A tray was placed on the table with five macarons and a cup of water. Squeezed into a corner seat, the Heavenly Demon stared blankly at the macarons before him.
"Sweets, huh."
Back in the murim world, having savored every delicacy under heaven, the Heavenly Demon had only sampled desserts occasionally as afterthoughts.
Not because he disliked sweets. They simply never came in decent portions.
'Why the hell do they always make sweets in such pitiful little amounts!'
He had always wanted to bellow that, but as the lord of the demonic path, he didn't want rumors spreading that he scarfed sweets like a child.
When cravings hit, he'd secretly order sweetly made porridge or honey-pickled peaches on the sly—that was the extent of it.
"Heh heh heh."
A low chuckle escaped the Heavenly Demon's lips as he gazed at the macaron.
But this was a different world. No status as demonic overlord, no reputation to uphold.
He could enjoy sweets leisurely without a care for onlookers. Even devouring a hundred wouldn't tarnish his dignity.
Eyes alight with anticipation, the Heavenly Demon popped a vanilla macaron into his mouth whole.
[How is it?]
Instead of answering, the Heavenly Demon channeled internal energy into his finger and pressed it to the peach yogurt macaron.
Sizzle.
The macaron split in two, revealing peach chunks embedded in cream filling between chewy pink shells.
"Not bad."
[I'm glad.]
Nameless was well versed in the Heavenly Demon's peculiar speech.
'Impressive' or 'quite the taste' meant 95+ out of 100. 'Not bad' was 80 to 90. 'Passable' was low 80s.
In short, these macarons suited the Heavenly Demon's palate quite well.
[Shall we order more flavors?]
"No, save the rest for next time. Plenty of time to enjoy anyway."
Savoring the sweetness lingering on his tongue, the Heavenly Demon suddenly said.
"You mentioned something good across the street earlier."
[Ah, the seed hotteok. It's in the shopping center right across...]
Nameless's words trailed off as he pointed out the window.
[What in the world...]
Black smoke was billowing from the top of the opposite building, screams ringing out as people fled.
Woo-woo-wee-ooo.
Soon, blaring sirens announced the arrival of two fire trucks. But illegal street parking blocked their path, keeping them from reaching the building.
"What do we do? It's on fire!"
"They're issuing those new fire-resistant suits made from dungeon materials this time. Should be fine."
"I heard they just announced it but haven't replaced them yet?"
"Oh, seriously? What now!"
The shop's customers buzzed, peering out the window. Silently watching the burning building, the Heavenly Demon cocked his head.
The firefighters wielding hoses or entering the structure moved so sluggishly and slowly.
"What are those fools doing?"
[They're firefighters, specialists in putting out blazes. Public servants who risk their lives for the citizens.]
"Specialists in firefighting? Those clowns?"
To the Heavenly Demon's eyes, even their all-out efforts looked sloppier than green rookies fresh to the jianghu.
Realizing the mockery in his tone, Nameless sighed.
[They're ordinary people, not Awakeners.]
"Ordinary people?"
[Yes. Awakeners are a tiny fraction of the population. Outside the capital region, hardly any live in rural areas anyway.]
"Then just mandate Awakeners live in those areas."
Nameless paused before letting out a strange, sighing remark.
[It wouldn't help.]
"Wouldn't help?"
[Truth is, Awakeners can't become frontline public servants like police, military, or firefighters. Nor pro athletes.]
"What's that supposed to mean?"
[Fairness.]
"Fairness?"
[Yes. Even a 9th Grade Awakener is several times stronger than any athlete. If Awakeners entered every field, ordinary people would have no place. Especially sports—and all key positions would go to Awakeners.]
"Doesn't make sense."
Guessing the intent behind the Heavenly Demon's mutter, Nameless replied in a low voice.
[As I said, Awakeners are a minority. Ordinary folk don't want to be ruled by those with special powers and skills.]
"They shun Awakeners for that alone?"
Sneering, the Heavenly Demon continued flatly.
"The strong dominating the weak is the natural order. Yet this world's humans constantly suppress the strong to secure their own survival."
[From a pure survival-of-the-fittest view, it's irrefutable. But this world's social system isn't that simple.]
Watching firefighters rush to the scene, Nameless continued.
[For instance, a veteran 1st Grade Awakener team of ten outmatches a fully armed infantry division. Ten Awakeners could wipe out 15,000 jobs in one go.]
"Hm."
[From ordinary people's perspective, Awakeners are just spoiled brats handed powerful bodies and skills without effort. Hardly endearing.]
"Foolish. Even among the same species, innate talents vary wildly."
Gazing down at Nameless with contempt, the Heavenly Demon said.
"Humans always hinder their own progress with greed, envy, and jealousy."
Nameless kept his gaze fixed under the table, offering no rebuttal. He looked up at the Heavenly Demon but said nothing.
He had deleted the question: 'Heavenly Demon, why do you view fellow humans so lowly?'
Turning back to the fire, Nameless changed the subject.
[They haven't excluded Awakeners from professions entirely. The Association coordinates special Awakener teams for military, police, and fire services—but only for major, high-risk incidents.]
"Hm."
[Unfortunately, a simple fire like this won't warrant calling the Association.]
Glancing between the fire and the Heavenly Demon, Nameless spoke regretfully.
[They can only hope some passerby Awakener lends a hand.]
The words carried an overt plea. But the Heavenly Demon, feigning disinterest, picked up his last honey cheese macaron.
"Then let's go get that hotteok now."
[Through that fire?]
"What's it to you? The fire's not at the hotteok place."
Swallowing his exasperation, Nameless said.
[That blaze could spread to the whole building soon. Looks like seed hotteok will have to wait.]
Gazing at the smoky upper floors, the Heavenly Demon frowned in dissatisfaction.
"No other shops nearby?"
Nameless stared the Heavenly Demon squarely in the eye and replied firmly.
[None.]
* * *
The fire scene roiled with acrid smoke and roaring crimson flames.
Even in fire gear, the heat wasn't fully blocked. The suits offered only enough insulation to endure escape time from the blaze—not perfect protection.
-Aaagh!
Darting through the inferno, faint screams seemed to pierce the thick black smoke.
Hallucination? No. Real cries from somewhere.
"Where are you!"
Firefighter Lee Seok-gi bellowed, charging blindly through the flames.
"Wait!"
He halted at his squad leader's thunderous shout.
"Seok-gi! Don't rush ahead—follow orders!"
"Got it!"
But contrary to his words, Lee Seok-gi's body veered toward the screams' source.
"You idiot! Not that way—it's collapsing soon!"
"Victim inside!"
"What?"
"No time!"
"Hey, you..."
Ignoring his leader's yells from behind, Lee Seok-gi plunged deeper into the building.
'Awakener specialty shop?'
The cries came from inside an awakener shop sealed by a hefty pawnshop-like steel door.
Stepping through the open door revealed piles of animal feathers and horns, with a display case of gem-like treasures on one side.
'No Awakeners?'
An Awakener's help would be ideal.
But being Sunday morning, no customer Awakeners seemed present.
"Cough cough!"
Then a short cough echoed from somewhere.
Pushing through a half-burned door led to a warehouse displaying awakener weapons and gear.
"Help!"
In one corner, a middle-aged woman lay pinned under what looked like a massive shield. Lee Seok-gi rushed over and gripped the metal shield with both hands.
Sizzle.
White smoke rose from his heat-resistant gloves as they seized the scorching shield.
'This isn't ordinary fire!'
It was singeing his high-temp gloves in seconds?
No time to think. Hands burning or not, Lee Seok-gi shoved with all his might.
"Urgh."
But no matter how hard he pushed, the shield wouldn't budge.
"Squad leader. Victim in the end shop on the 15th floor. Pinned under a shield—can't move it with my strength..."
As Lee Seok-gi shouted into his shoulder radio.
Boom!
A massive explosion rocked the shop entrance, flames erupting.
Whoosh.
Hot air and cement chunks rained down. Fortunately, the blast toppled the shield away. Lee Seok-gi swiftly pulled out the middle-aged woman.
"Put this on first!"
He fitted a portable oxygen mask over her face and said.
"Do they sell explosives here too?"
"Boom Stones on the display side."
"B-Boom Stones?"
Despair bloomed in Lee Seok-gi's eyes.
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