Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Volunteer Work (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The cargo that had been loaded onto the truck was now piled up in the orphanage's corner storage room. I leaned against the warehouse wall, catching my breath, while Sky-Shattering King Choi Sun-hong gazed at me with a beaming smile, not a single drop of sweat on him. He asked me,
"You're here for the discount, right?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"Do you drink?"
"Yes. A little."
"Then let's chat for a bit. I'll make sure you get your hours."
It wasn't exactly a welcome invitation. He gestured toward the interior of the orphanage with a grin. I didn't really want to, but it was awkward to refuse, so I nodded and followed him. His back, as broad as a playground, filled the hallway.
"Director!"
The orphanage kids spotted Choi Sun-hong and shouted. They rushed toward him, tiny hands outstretched. He laughed heartily like Santa Claus and hoisted the first kid who reached him high into the air. As the child soared upward, little hands rose like waves and clung to him.
"Oh my, look at you, Young-min. You've grown so much taller!"
He shook the kid up and down like a ride at an amusement park, drawing peals of delighted laughter. A staff member emerged from the office, herding the children like a flock of sheep while soothing them.
"Alright, kids. The director has something to talk about today, so we have to hurry. Come on, let's go."
"Okaaaay!"
The children chorused their reply and followed the teacher. Once the hallway emptied of kids, it felt suddenly vast and empty. Sky-Shattering King said,
"Shall we go? Miso! Bring some bamboo leaf liquor!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bamboo leaf liquor? I thought the gimmick was overkill. Probably just some cheap leaf wine he'd call bamboo leaf liquor. Teacher Miso nodded and dashed to the safe. Punching in the code unleashed a puff of white vapor, revealing shelves packed with white bottles etched with bamboo designs.
"What the...?"
"Something wrong?"
"No, nothing."
Calling him out would only hurt me. Whether the orphanage had booze or not wasn't my business. The Black Dragon Clan leader nodded at my brush-off and headed to the back room of the administrative office. The sparse room held just a desk and a few chairs.
Behind it stood a single bookshelf as the only decor, its shelves lined entirely with the full set of Downtown Heavenly Demon Chronicles. The clan leader sat with a warm, folksy smile. The staff placed the bamboo leaf liquor and snacks on the table, then said with a smile,
"Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks. Get back to work."
"Yes, sir."
As the door closed, the sound of pouring liquor filled the room. The clan leader had already uncorked a bottle and was filling my glass. I startled and took it. He said,
"You know that book?"
"You mean Downtown Heavenly Demon Chronicles?"
He nodded. I replied,
"I've heard of it. It was a huge hit back in the day, right? Sold a million copies or something."
"Yes. An incredible novel. It came out when I was in my twenties, and it really moved me. Do you know what the protagonist does in that story?"
"I've never actually read it, so I'm not sure. Just modern wuxia, isn't it?"
"Heh."
The Black Dragon Clan leader clicked his tongue. He clearly didn't like my description.
"Just modern wuxia? No, no. It's not like that. Downtown Heavenly Demon Chronicles isn't mere modern wuxia. It's a guidebook that teaches what a Heavenly Demon truly is."
"A guidebook?"
"Exactly. A guidebook. Like a martial arts manual. The protagonist awakens to his destiny as the Heavenly Demon, fights against injustice, and becomes a force that punishes evil. How cool is that? Seeing that, I, Choi Sun-hong, made a vow. I wanted to become like that Heavenly Demon. Someone who crushes evil and pursues my own justice."
"That's impressive."
"If you want to read it, it's yours. Interested?"
"Sorry. I'm too busy training these days. I'm intrigued, but I don't have time to read, so it's hard to say."
Even setting aside my personal disinterest, I genuinely had no time. After volunteering and meditation, it was bedtime. The clan leader looked a bit disappointed.
"I see. Fair enough. Come to think of it, the Rookie King Tournament is coming up."
"Yes, it is."
The Black Dragon Clan leader downed his glass. Then he looked me straight in the eye and asked,
"Is your goal to win?"
"Yes. It is."
I nodded. Once you've decided to become a hunter, aiming for the top is the way to go. No matter the name or personality. Choi Sun-hong refilled his glass. I tried to pour for him, but he shook his head.
Once he'd filled it, the clan leader said,
"Lately, I've hit a wall."
"A wall?"
"Do you know what people are saying about me these days?"
"Not really."
I'd only seen news of the Black Dragon Clan at charity events or hunter gatherings; I'd never looked up personal opinions on him. The clan leader said,
"They say I'm a has-been who should retire. I've been a hunter a long time. My senses aren't what they used to be, and even daily training doesn't make me feel stronger. It's like some massive wall is blocking my path, stopping me from reaching S-rank. Listen, Jeong Su-hyeon."
He'd been lamenting his woes, but suddenly called my name. He stared right at me.
"Maybe... the Omnipotent Being could be the key to breaking through that wall. That's what I've been thinking. What do you think?"
He'd tossed the question at me. I blinked and looked at the clan leader. But I couldn't give him any opening here. He had no proof I had the Omnipotent Being anyway. As long as I didn't leave any wiggle room about not knowing how to give it to him, this conversation would stay just a pity party. I said,
"I don't know."
"......I see."
Choi Sun-hong nodded and said that. Then he chugged the rest of the bamboo leaf liquor straight from the bottle and stood. As an A-rank Awakener, one bottle didn't faze him. He placed a hand on my shoulder and said,
"I want to become S-rank. How else can I put 'Heavenly Demon' before my name? If you're not strong, you're no Heavenly Demon. A-rank isn't strong enough. Not at all."
Honestly, I couldn't tell if he was talking to me or himself. As we passed through the hallway, his once-imposing back seemed a little hunched. The clan leader said,
"You haven't eaten dinner, right? Join me for a meal. My treat. I know a great place for seolleongtang."
The staff had already slipped my volunteer hours confirmation into my pocket. Five hours. Not bad pay for listening to a Heavenly Demon-obsessed old man's gripes. I nodded to the clan leader's offer again. I had to try the best seolleongtang around here at least once.
I couldn't sympathize with the Black Dragon Clan leader's ideology or motivations, but he didn't strike me as a truly bad person.
"Come on. It's close; we can walk."
Following the clan leader's steps into the back alleys, a rundown shop came into view. The sign, once reading Young-mi Seolleongtang, was now faded to ?-mi Seolleongtang, sparking odd imaginings. Choi Sun-hong pointed at it and yelled to the owner,
"I told you to fix that sign, so why haven't you?"
"Aigoo, I'd fix it if I had the money."
The restaurant lady shouted back from the steaming kitchen. The shabbily dressed patrons glanced at us entering, rolled their eyes slightly, and returned to their meals. The clan leader sat and ordered two bowls of seolleongtang. The rich, oily broth steaming away made my mouth water.
I scooped a spoonful without delay, savoring the smooth flavor sliding down my throat, eyes closing in a deep sigh. As I started mixing in rice, the clan leader grimaced and said,
"You don't know how to eat seolleongtang yet."
"Pardon?"
"Let me show you how it's done. Give me your bowl."
"Pardon?"
And then the Black Dragon Clan leader poured kimchi broth into my seolleongtang. He stirred it with a spoon and burst into booming laughter.
This fucking asshole.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
In a corner of the Black Dragon Clan's office, Seong Ha-yeon the hunter fiddled with her phone, lost in thought. Her junior, [Iron Blood Fist King], who had just returned from gate scouting, spoke to her.
"Ha-yeon sunbae. What're you doing?"
"Huh? Oh, just thinking about what nickname to change to when I hit B-rank."
"Isn't Ice Palace Goddess good? It's mysterious and cool."
"Nah. Not at all. It's not trendy like the kids these days. Using some old-school vibe nickname makes people think I'm ancient. I'm only 25, but when I go on dispatch, they all go, 'Oh, you're younger than I thought.' They see the nickname and expect a 40-something housewife."
"Nah, everyone says your nickname's cool."
"That's just polite flattery. As long as it's not some bullshit like Ada Bomber, they say that."
"Ahh, that guy."
Iron Blood Fist King Kyung-tae chuckled, picturing Jeong Su-hyeon's face. Seong Ha-yeon shook her head and shoved her phone screen toward him.
"Hey, between these two, which is better?"
"Nicknames? But can you just change it like that? Thunder Sword hyung will chew you out."
"I'll say I did it drunk. You can only change it once a month anyway. I'll live with it for that long. Still a ways to B-rank, so just pick one. Look."
"Where...?"
[Ultra Ice Girl]
[Bling Bling Ice Girl]
"You picking one of these?"
"Yeah."
"......Ice Palace Goddess is better."
"That sounds old."
"That sounds old, but these scream boomer."
"Fuck off."