Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
Starting the ignition, Ho Sung thought back to the moment when Min Sung had killed the Lich with a single swing of his dagger. The champion’s power was beyond imagination.
‘Were miscellaneous types always this strong?’
From what Ho Sung had witnessed, their power was incomparable to that of an ordinary hunter. Realizing his folly in attempting to hand the champion over to the Shadow Guild, Ho Sung clenched his eyes.
‘Wait a minute… What if he found out that I tried to disappear or have the Shadow Guild take him out?’
Then, struck by a sudden realization, he opened his eyes.
‘Wait! He said that his house had burned down and that he was going into the labyrinth to make money to get a new place. As far as I remember, the Shadow Guild headquarters also burned down. Does that mean… this guy really did… take out the Shadow Guild!?’
“Ho Sung Lee,” Min Sung called to the driver, and startled by his voice, Ho Sung straightened his back and replied, “Y-yes, sir!”
“I should be able to sell my stuff at the same store we went to last time, right?”
“Ah! For the most part, yes, but as for the rarer items, I’d suggest you auction them at the market.”
“Auction? Market?”
“Yes. It’s where the hunters do all the trading. You have a lot of really expensive things, so the market will be the place where you’ll get the best offers. If you sell them to the merchants, though, they’ll charge a service fee, which is proportionate to the amount you’re getting.”
“How much do you think I can expect to gain if I were to sell everything to the merchants?”
After a brief calculation in his head, Ho Sung replied, “Hm… Hard to say. I’ve never seen such expensive items before…” impressed by Min Sung’s ability to find the most extravagant items.
“All right, then. Take me to the store.”
“… Yes, sir. Wait, what?! The store!?”
“That’s right.”
Ho Sung was dumbfounded by the champion practically giving away his loot for a fraction of their value.
‘The service fee alone will be insane…’ he thought, nodding as he came to terms with Min Sung’s decision. After all, even a Hell labyrinth had been a walk in the park for the champion. Swallowing his bitterness toward Min Sung and his calm, confident attitude, Ho Sung drove off. At that moment…
‘Snore…’
… an unfamiliar sound came from the back seat. When Ho Sung looked back, he saw the Lich Doll sleeping with its limbs spread across the seat. As it dawned on Ho Sung that there was a man even more monstrous than the actual monster sitting right behind him, the driver chuckled. Then, remembering that he wasn’t exactly on the champion’s good side, a sense of anxiety washed over Ho Sung. After all, the champion had even pulled out his dagger on Ho Sung at a coffee shop once.
‘He wasn’t playing around then. I’m done for the moment I let my guard down. I HAVE TO keep him happy at all times, no matter what. I gotta be sensible here. Forget the clan. When I get home, I’m putting together a list of restaurants. Sigh… Of all people, how did I end up with this freak? A miscellaneous type? Son of a bitch…’ Ho Sung thought, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his forearm.
—
Due to the sheer amount of money involved, Min Sung had no choice but to visit multiple stores. With the exception of the Orichalcon Dagger, he sold every single item for cash, which added up to 2.1 trillion won. Although he had to pay a substantial service fee to the merchants, the champion chose not to think about it too much since his priority was getting the money as soon as possible.
After selling off his loot, Min Sung sent Ho Sung to the real estate office to find him a new place. While Min Sung was relaxing in the car, Ho Sung had not only sold everything he needed to but also found the champion a beautiful home. Since money was hardly an issue, Ho Sung was able to find a good house in no time. Upon being brought to the house, which many would have considered a mansion, the champion took a tour of the place. As luxurious as it was, the interiors were flawless. In the end, Min Sung ended up signing the contract on the spot and went through the process of moving in. Thanks to Ho Sung, who went out and bought all the necessary furniture, clothes, and various necessities, Min Sung was able to have a new home in a very short time. Ho Sung was proving to be useful not only as a driver but as a handyman.
—
After cleaning the house and placing all the furniture where the champion wanted, Ho Sung realized that he was soaking in sweat. The home was finally looking like a living space, and there was nothing left to do. Or so he thought.
“The place should be squeaky clean, sir. May I… go home now?” Ho Sung asked Min Sung, catching his breath.
After Min Sung’s command to make it quick, Ho Sung had run around the house frantically, moving all the furniture, cleaning and doing various chores. Since his life was at stake, he had worked desperately and without a moment to spare. Now, exhausted, Ho Sung was desperate to go home and rest.
“Gettin’ tired?” Min Sung asked, looking at Ho Sung.
“Sir…? Oh, no! Tired? Absolutely not! It-it’s an honor and privilege to be able to work for… I mean, serve you. Haha! Did-did you need me for anything else? Just say the word, and I can be on standby 24/7!”
“Then, go ahead and do that.”
“… Sir?” Ho Sung said, his heart sinking, sweat pouring off him.
‘No, no! You idiot! Why did you say that!?’ he thought to himself, looking at Min Sung, who seemed serious. At which point, Ho Sung dropped his gaze and remained quiet, thinking, ‘You just had to go the extra mile, didn’t you?’
“You don’t really seem like you’re up for it. All right, then…” Min Sung said, opening his inventory and reaching for the Orichalcon Dagger. At that moment, Ho Sung looked up and said, “Now, that hurts my feelings. Like I said, it’s a big privilege to serve such a powerful hunter like yourself! If only you knew how I delighted I was to be here. Hahaha! I’ll be glad to wait outside.”
With that, Ho Sung bowed to the champion at a ninety-degree angle and rushed out of the front door to the front yard. Standing on a spacious lawn, he stared up at the sky in a daze and let out a sigh from the depth of his heart. At that moment…
‘Click!’
… The front door opening behind him sounded off.
‘Was it a joke? Is he letting me go?’ Ho Sung asked himself, looking toward the sound in hope. However, to his disappointment…
“Eat up. I gave you more than usual,” Min Sung said, putting a potful of rice on the ground and closing the door. Staring at the enormous pile of rice, Ho Sung realized just how stupid he had been to expect anything from the champion. In the end, he picked up the pot and started eating with his bare hands. There was no choice in the matter. Should Ho Sung decide not to eat, the merciless champion wouldn’t hesitate to pull out his weapon on him. It wasn’t long before he started choking from the sheer amount of rice that he was putting in his mouth.
“This is so much rice! He could’ve given me some kimchi or something.”
Putting the pot down, he looked up at the starry night sky with teary eyes, rubbing the rice off of his hands.
—
“Please, I beg you. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. I’ll be good, I promise. I won’t rob anybody. I won’t live like a criminal. Please, get me out of this!” Ho Sung prayed desperately. Then, in order to prevent himself from being heard by the champion, he said internally, ‘Set me free from that godforsaken piece of shit. I can be good! I mean it! Please God, I beg you!’ At that moment, while he was praying earnestly and desperately, his phone went off. When he checked the phone, he saw a text message that read: ‘Make sure to do the dishes when you’re done. – Min Sung Kang.’
“Asshole…” Ho Sung said, sniffling and eating the rice with his bare hands.
“Bark! Bark!”
A dog barked in the distance.
—
Feeling hungry, Min Sung rubbed his belly upon waking up.
‘That’s new.’
It was a sensation unfamiliar to any he had experienced in the Demonic Realm. It was as if his appetite had started to grow as he started eating rice again. Moaning and half asleep, he got out of bed, walked across the living room and opened the front door. Seeing as Ho Sung was nowhere to be found there, he went out and saw Ho Sung sleeping in his car. Walking over to the car, Min Sung tapped on the window.
“…”
Seeing as though Ho Sung wasn’t responding, Min Sung kicked the car door…
“Agh!”
… which startled Ho Sung awake. Looking around, he rushed out of the car when he saw Min Sung standing outside.
“M-morning, sir!” Ho Sung said, his hair unkempt, bowing and wiping the saliva off his mouth.
“Get ready while I go get washed up. We’re going out for breakfast.”
“Yes, sir,” Ho Sung said, nodding repeatedly, still half asleep. Then, the champion went back inside and into the bathroom. Being a luxurious home, the bathrooms were spacious and comfortable. Entering the shower, he stood underneath the streams of water falling from the ceiling. Being able to shower was a tremendous blessing, and every shower was a different experience. Brushing his hair up, Min Sung closed his eyes and savored the moment, thinking about enjoying a delicious breakfast after the shower.
—
After getting out of the shower, Min Sung looked at the set of clothes Ho Sung had set up in the closet. The clothes were simple and stylish, but not too fancy.
‘He’s got a good taste,’ Min Sung thought. Dressing in a white T-shirt, jeans and a pair of sneakers, he stood in front of a mirror and straightened his clothes. At that moment, the Lich Doll came up and stood next to him, mimicking the champion’s movements.
‘You’re a skeleton. You’re hardly wearing anything,’ Min Sung thought, chuckling. Although he had thought of the doll as a burden at one point, the familiar was turning out to be rather quiet and well behaved. Besides, it was rather cute.
“Let’s go.”
At his command, the doll jumped up and crawled into one of the pockets of Min Sung’s jeans, peeking its head out and looking around. With that, the two left the house in order to get breakfast.
Because summertime was just about to start, the breeze was starting to feel warm. Having disabled his elemental resistance ability, as usual, the champion was able to feel the temperature on his skin. Having returned to Earth after spending a century in the Demonic Realm, feeling nature was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and he was grateful for even the fine dust particles that made the air stuffy. If anything, they reminded him that he had returned home for good.
After getting in the back seat of Ho Sung’s car, Min Sung looked at the driver’s unkempt hair and asked, “Did you eat?”
“Yes, sir. Of course,” Ho Sung said, smiling with a swollen face.
“Well, go get washed up while I’m eating. You’re starting to stink.”
“Yes, sir!” Ho Sung replied enthusiastically, smiling brightly and starting the car.
‘What will I be eating today?’ Min Sung wondered, checking his steel wristwatch. According to it, the day was Saturday.
“Are there restaurants open this early on weekends?” the champion asked.
“Of course,” Ho Sung replied without hesitation.
‘I wonder what they’re like?’ the champion thought, looking out the window, looking forward to his weekend breakfast.