Chapter 99 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon, Drinking with Dongwon (1)
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Monday morning.
The Heavenly Demon arrived at Bokbok Interiors, riding in his freshly washed and gleaming Ramas.
"Oh, the hero of our city, Heavenly Demon! Come to work?"
Jang Chaewon, who had come from the back room into the shop, greeted him with both hands raised.
"Why not rest a bit more?"
"My body's fully recovered."
"Really? The shop's been slow lately anyway."
Jang Chaewon subtly pointed to the empty schedule sheet, but the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"If the shop's slow, that's even better."
With a grin, the Heavenly Demon hauled in a stack of interior design books and set them on the reception table, looking ready to devour them all at once.
"Then I'll get to work."
Evening. Having finished all his tasks, the Heavenly Demon left Bokbok Interiors and climbed into the Ramas.
Click.
Confirming the cheerful sound of the metal key fob slotting in, he twisted the key to start the engine.
Vroom.
A low, throaty exhaust note roared out, unbelievable from a small delivery van.
It might look like just a plain delivery van on the outside, but the Heavenly Demon's Ramas was built entirely from high-performance parts, engine included.
Screech.
Shifting into second gear manually, he lightly tapped the accelerator, and the vehicle glided forward smoothly.
"Hmm."
Letting out a yawn-like murmur, the Heavenly Demon said softly.
"Same route every time—it's getting boring."
Nameless, perched on the dashboard, replied.
[Shall I suggest a different route?]
"We'll do that next time."
Before he knew it, the Ramas had entered the Shield Boundary Zone.
Passing the villa where the Special Response Team stayed, he parked at the building with the rooftop room, and Nameless spoke.
[Mom's Hand Set Meal straight away?]
"Hmm."
After a moment's thought, the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"No plans. Just heading in today."
And as he approached the entrance to the rooftop stairs.
Whoosh.
With a sound like an air bubble bursting, a faint shadow appeared behind the Heavenly Demon's back. As the shadow moved, subtle waves and light intertwined, flicking on the ceiling sensor light.
The figure that emerged.
Neatly combed hair, impeccably dressed in a suit—a young man in his late twenties. It was Dongwon.
"Heavenly Demon! Just getting off work?"
Dongwon waved with a bright smile, tilting the Heavenly Demon's head in curiosity.
"Do you have business with me?"
The public servant from the divine realm wouldn't show up here by chance or out of boredom.
At the Heavenly Demon's blunt question, Dongwon scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"Sorry for dropping by so suddenly. I wanted to see you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Timing's perfect too."
Clearing his throat, Dongwon leaned in with a sly smile.
"How about dinner together, if you're free?"
"Dinner?"
"Yeah. There's something I need to tell you…"
"No dinner tonight. Just say it here."
"Huh?"
Dongwon, mouth agape, wore a troubled smile.
"It's a bit hard to say here…"
Glancing around the building, Dongwon smiled faintly.
"Or how about a drink? Soju?"
"Soju?"
The word made the Heavenly Demon's stomach rumble. Truth be told, he wasn't one to drink often. But since coming to this world, his tastes had shifted a bit.
This place had liquors surpassing the famed wines of the martial world, paired with delicious foods that enhanced their flavors. Soju, though not the highest quality, paired wonderfully with any dish.
"That sounds good."
At the Heavenly Demon's crisp reply, Dongwon beamed.
"Is there a good bar around here?"
"No."
"Then let's go. I know a quiet spot with great ambiance."
Grinning like a bellboy who'd hooked a customer, Dongwon extended his hand.
* * *
The taxi dropped the Heavenly Demon and Dongwon at a Korean restaurant near the bustling downtown.
Inside, all rooms were luxuriously appointed—perfect for dining or conversation.
But looks could be deceiving. It was packed with customers.
"Sorry, Heavenly Demon. Forgot it's promotion season… lots of company dinners."
Stepping back outside, Dongwon bowed his head.
"I'll take you somewhere else."
"No need. I know a place."
"Huh?"
"There's a good liquor spot nearby."
The Heavenly Demon pictured Jang Geumseon pouring drinks at the counter.
Soju was fine, but it couldn't compare to the Three Blessings Brew from the old liquor shop.
Sure, the price was laughably high… but that wasn't a concern for the Heavenly Demon, who got his drinks for free.
"Is it quiet there?"
The Heavenly Demon eyed him curiously, and Dongwon scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Good booze is great, but tonight I'd prefer to avoid crowds."
"Crowds are a problem?"
"Well, I have some important things to discuss…"
It didn't seem like a casual "let's grab soju" invitation.
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, eyes narrowing as if recalling something, the Heavenly Demon mused.
"A bar with no ordinary folk. No customers."
"You know a place?"
Dongwon's eyes sparkled, and the Heavenly Demon nodded.
"Of course."
Arms crossed confidently, he said.
"Follow me."
A quiet alley away from the bustle, under a culvert—a tented street food stall.
So remote and desolate that passersby wouldn't even know it existed.
And once you visited, the bizarre side dishes ensured you'd never return.
But the Heavenly Demon strode right in without hesitation.
"Ooh, this is nice."
Dongwon, following, let out an impressed gasp. Unlike the bleak culvert outside, the warm bulb-lit interior exuded cozy charm.
"Welcome…"
The owner, standing behind a table of ingredients, looked up mid-bow and widened her eyes.
"What."
Eyes blazing, she gaped at the Heavenly Demon.
"What brings you here?"
"What kind of question is that."
Facing the street stall owner, Go Eunjin, the Heavenly Demon replied flatly.
"Why does anyone come to a bar?"
"You're drinking here?"
"That's right. Five bottles of soju. Room temperature."
As the seated Heavenly Demon ordered, Go Eunjin approached gruffly, waving him off.
"Go somewhere else. Plenty of good bars in the nearby downtown."
"This place is fine."
"…What'd you say?"
"I said this place is fine."
Go Eunjin froze for a moment.
'No way, because of that time?'
Suddenly, memories flooded back of serving him endless dishes in the Symbiosis Dungeon.
Did he remember those? Or crave my cooking?
Even the dancing game, grooving happily—her cheeks flushed.
"F-Fine."
Averting her gaze, Go Eunjin cleared her throat.
"If you're that craving my side dishes… I suppose I can oblige."
"No side dishes needed."
"What's that supposed to mean."
"Came to talk quietly."
At the absurd remark, Go Eunjin snorted.
"Go to a café if you wanna talk. Why come to a street stall?"
"No place as quiet as this."
Go Eunjin gaped in disbelief.
"So you came here because there's zero customers?"
"Exactly."
Scanning the stall flatly, the Heavenly Demon nodded.
"Dark back alley, slapdash tent under a culvert—no ants, no birds. Scream your lungs out, no one'd hear."
"Hea-Heavenly Demon."
Dongwon looked troubled, but the Heavenly Demon continued indifferently.
"Stick to skewers for sides. Unless you've got my taste for fishing bean sprouts from the gutter."
White steam rose from Go Eunjin's head.
"You here to pick a fight…?"
"What've you heard so far."
"Hea-Heavenly Demon. Let's stop now."
Dongwon sweated bullets, holding him back.
Go Eunjin's gray eyes, gripping her kitchen knife and trembling, had rolled back white.
"Get out! I don't serve your kind!"
Seeing her yell, the Heavenly Demon blinked.
"Chasing out a customer? Have you lost your mind?"
"J-Just go somewhere else! No booze for you!"
"Well, if the owner insists."
Rising smoothly, the Heavenly Demon smirked at Go Eunjin.
"Last time seeing you as successor, then. Good luck."
"What bullshit is that? My shop's got nothing to do with it!"
"Didn't know?"
Grinning at the fuming Go Eunjin, he pointed to Dongwon.
"This is Dong Deputy Manager, high-ranking official from the Divine Territory Management Team. Oversees territory grades and staff supervision."
"Di-Divine Territory Management Team?"
Go Eunjin stared at Dongwon, mouth agape.
Now that she looked, a subtle divine glow emanated from his refined features.
"Dong Deputy Manager. This yokai just joined the main store staff."
At the Heavenly Demon's gesture toward Go Eunjin, Dongwon stood and bowed.
"Pleased to meet you. Dongwon from the Divine Territory Management Team. Heard about you from my superior. Said you do great work…"
"See that? Your territory staff picking and choosing customers on a whim. Utterly unprofessional."
"I-Is that so."
Forcing a smile, Dongwon edged back.
Go Eunjin looked ready to cleave the Heavenly Demon's skull with that knife.
'Drinking casually with Heavenly Demon is impossible.'
Ever the storm-bringer, the Heavenly Demon excelled at riling people up.
Even in the martial world, not just enemies—righteous masters ground their teeth at his name.
"Curious what punishment she'll get."
"It's fine, Heavenly Demon. This isn't territory grounds."
"Your staff hurling abuse and chasing customers like rabid dogs."
"Well…"
The Heavenly Demon said sternly.
"I hear territory staff must uphold appropriate dignity."
"T-That's true, but."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Dongwon pleaded.
"Heavenly Demon. Let's just go elsewhere…"
Thwack!
Before Dongwon finished, Go Eunjin slammed her knife into the chopping board, gnashing her teeth.
"Please!"
Eyes rolled back white, scarlet gums bared, she said.
"…sit and enjoy."
Skewers, yukhoe, and soup made from fresh dungeon ingredients appeared one by one.
Eyes still rolled back, but Go Eunjin prepared them meticulously.
Not out of fondness for the Heavenly Demon, but because of the Divine Territory Management Team official, Dongwon.
"Kuu, delicious."
Dongwon downed his soju with a satisfied smile.
"Great vibe… tasty food. Found a gem."
Picking up a skewer, he said to Go Eunjin.
"Gonna be a regular here."
"Stick to skewers for sides. Unless you've got my taste for fishing bean sprouts from the gutter."
Remembering the Heavenly Demon's words, Dongwon stuck to skewers.
Go Eunjin, prepping wriggling dungeon ingredients, beamed at that.
"Welcome anytime, as long as you don't bring that hatchet-faced predecessor."
"Beware the gray-eyed yokai with the wandering mind. Drunk, she might put a spell on you."
"Worry about drunken awakeners not coming as customers. Might mistake you for a monster and hunt you."
"Gray-eyed yokai with a motor mouth is rarer."
Dongwon, smiling broadly, whispered, head down.
"P-Please stop fighting. I'll get indigestion."
Under the warm yellow bulb light, the stall felt timelessly still.
After a few rounds, Dongwon flushed happily tipsy.
'Do gods feel intoxication?'
The Heavenly Demon watched Dongwon loosen his tie and sip, no different from an office worker after hours—minus the divine aura.
"Heavenly Demon."
Pouring soju into the Heavenly Demon's empty glass, Dongwon bowed.
"Thank you sincerely. You worked so hard."
"What for?"
"You saved this city."
Setting the bottle down carefully, Dongwon said softly.
"Without you handling Boviston… the damage would've been unimaginable."
"Didn't save it."
Downing his glass, the Heavenly Demon set it down.
Clink.
Shaking his head flatly.
"Just how it turned out."
"Whatever the reason, you saved countless lives. Thank you."
Refilling the glass, Dongwon smiled.
"I'd nominate Bokbok Interiors for Territory of the Year right now."
Setting the bottle down with a wry smile.
"Though my superior would refuse."
"Strange."
Gazing at the filled glass, then to Dongwon.
"Didn't you say you don't interfere in human affairs?"
They'd said themselves the divine realm stayed out of it, no matter what happened to humans.
Hadn't they even tried punishing him for saving the convenience store girl Kim Hyewon, claiming it disrupted order?
"Not wrong, but…"
Dongwon sighed, head low.
"Not all gods are like that."
At the meaningful question, Dongwon stared into his clear glass.
"There are many gods who cherish, love, and care for humans."
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