Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Dalgona Gentleman (2)
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No sooner had the words left his mouth than a wall embedded in front of the tunnel once more, etched with a shimmering pattern.
But this time, the pattern was indescribably bizarre and intricate.
"Hmm."
The Heavenly Demon stared at the pattern but didn't unleash the Demon Flower Blazing Extremity Technique. Instead, he strode forward confidently.
[Heavenly Demon?]
"I'm just checking how sturdy it is."
As he approached the pattern, the blocked wall shifted from dark brown to sparkling silver. Up close, it was clear the metal wall had transformed in nature.
Without warning, the Heavenly Demon smashed his fist into the obstructed wall.
BOOM!
The glowing pattern shuddered, but the metal wall didn't even scratch.
"Pretty tough."
Gazing at the hefty metal wall, Blood Flame Radiance surged from the Heavenly Demon's eyes.
"Heavenly Demon Supreme Power!"
BAM!
With pain as if his body were crumbling, red light exploded from the Heavenly Demon's form.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Thunder Human Annihilation!"
RUMMMMBLE!
A vibration like a colossal bell tolling rippled outward, shaking the ground as if an earthquake had struck.
[As expected, with just a fist...]
Crack-crack-CRACK.
Before Nameless could finish, spiderweb cracks spread across the metal wall, and with a clattering sound, the blocked section began to collapse.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE.
Nameless murmured in a sigh as he watched the metal wall shatter like a broken pot.
[...it breaks anyway.]
"It's quite sturdy. A gate that requires Heavenly Demon Supreme Power to destroy.
That was the Heavenly Demon's impression after shattering with one blow the metal wall that would take ten minutes to cut with a plasma cutter.
[We've arrived at the core, Heavenly Demon.]
Beyond the wall lay the dungeon's heart.
Unlike the metal tunnels, this area featured a small forest, each tree bearing massive fruits.
"What are these?"
The Heavenly Demon examined the fruit on the trees closely.
They resembled apples in shape, but their surfaces gleamed white, emanating a intensely sweet aroma.
[They're called Ice Apples, a dungeon ingredient. You can make sweet powder from them, but the processing costs are exorbitant. Not worth the cost, so they're rarely used in cooking.]
"Ice Apples, huh."
The Heavenly Demon plucked a white apple and popped it into his mouth. He spat with a "Ptooey."
At first bite, it was heavenly sweet, but suddenly an oddly fishy bitterness mixed in.
[Ice Apples are the staple food of the boss monster here in the Talon Dungeon core, the Moth Monkey. Because of that fishy sweetness, they're not eaten raw but refined...]
-Screeech. Chitter-chitter.
At that moment, the forest rustled violently with a cacophony of shrieks.
Likely the boss monster, the Moth Monkey, making its entrance.
[The Moth Monkey has a threat level nearing 5,000, but since only one usually inhabits...]
Before Nameless finished, grotesque roars erupted from all directions.
-Kikikiki! Screeeeech!
-Kekekekekeke!
-Kiki! Keeek!
This wasn't one monster's cry. It was at least ten—no, dozens—howling in unison.
[Th-this is...]
Clank.
A dish-shaped sensor popped from Nameless's head, emitting pale green light.
With a whirring hum, it scanned the nearby forest thoroughly. Nameless spoke.
[It seems smashing the patterned wall with your fist triggered a change in the dungeon. Regular monsters probably can't handle you, so it summoned others.]
Nameless phrased it elegantly today: 'The Heavenly Demon has predictably summoned a Hidden Monster again!'
"A change? It's just more monkeys showing up."
Nameless shook his head at the Heavenly Demon's scoff.
[No. The Moth Monkey charging now is just one. But it's ten times larger with ten heads—the Hidden Monster 'Braggart Moth Monkey.']
"Interesting."
[Threat level 30,000. Its physical toughness and ferocity differ from any Hidden Monster we've faced.]
Despite Nameless's worried tone, the Heavenly Demon bared his fangs in a grin.
"I was getting bored anyway."
Rustle-whoosh.
He looked up at the gray shadow rising from the forest, fangs gleaming.
"And there's one test I wanted to try."
[A test? What k—]
Before Nameless finished, thudding footsteps announced the colossal monster parting the forest.
A reddish-brown body like a moth with spread wings. A massive monkey with a round belly and over a dozen small faces embedded on its shoulders.
The Braggart Moth Monkey.
-Screeeeech! Kekekekeke!
The dozen heads shrieked in unison, nearly bursting eardrums.
The Heavenly Demon winced slightly and slowly gathered his energy.
ZZZAP-ZZZAP.
Pure true energy at one jia level sparked electric-blue flames around him.
"Huuuuh."
Drawing a large circle with both arms, he pointed his right palm skyward, left toward the ground.
"Divine Demon..."
His eyes turned pitch black as he murmured lowly. He was attempting the unique martial art from before, Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE!
The ground quaked as thick veins bulged on his body.
A dark vortex swirled between his widely spread palms.
"Annihilation Heaven... Ngh."
But the energy wouldn't connect.
One jia's internal energy could only link one meridian point. Executing Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm with this was impossible from the start.
'No good, huh...'
-Keeeeeee!
Meanwhile, the Braggart Moth Monkey leaped into the air.
BOOM.
A powerful shockwave swirled from its airborne form.
If it landed in that state, the area around the Heavenly Demon would shatter.
"Ngh!"
Red aura surged from the groaning Heavenly Demon. He'd activated Heavenly Demon Supreme Power.
-Keeeeeee!
But by then, the monkey's rear was inches from his face.
Unleashing Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm now might engulf even him in the palm force.
"Thousand Hands Palm Wave!"
WHOOOOOOSH!
Abandoning Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm, he unleashed Thousand Hands Palm Wave with one hand.
[This, this is...]
Nameless gaped at the surroundings.
Sizzle-HISS.
The small forest vanished entirely, smoke rising from spots.
A sun-like beam from the Heavenly Demon's hand had instantly vaporized the Braggart Moth Monkey and the forest.
[Heavenly Demon. What technique was that?]
It was neither Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm nor Thousand Hands Palm Wave.
"Huff. Huff."
Instead of answering, the Heavenly Demon panted heavily. Sweat beaded on his hunched forehead like grapes.
[A new technique?]
When Nameless asked again, the Heavenly Demon shook his head after catching his breath.
"Just a mix of two martial arts."
He'd tried forcing Divine Demon Annihilation Heaven Palm with one jia's energy.
It failed due to insufficient power, and he'd switched to Thousand Hands Palm Wave mid-motion against the agile monkey.
[I see. Impressive.]
Even at Nameless's praise, the Heavenly Demon just shook his head silently.
"Just luck."
[Huh?]
"Normally, abruptly halting the form should weaken it greatly or cause failure... but the result was odd."
He suspected his abnormally tangled meridians caused it.
Even as a grandmaster of worldly martial arts, he didn't know why.
[In crude terms, a 'fluke.']
Nameless beamed after pondering.
[But the effect was perfect. Why not use this method from now on?]
The Heavenly Demon nearly burst into absurd laughter at Nameless's ridiculous suggestion.
"You want this grandmaster of worldly martial arts to rely on luck for every technique?"
He waved it off and approached the now-barren forest. Something glittery caught his eye.
"What's this?"
Pointing at yellow clumps scattered about, Nameless explained.
[Ice Sugar. Made by removing impurities from Ice Apples. As I said, the process is tricky and costly, so it's rarely produced.]
Apparently, the Heavenly Demon's lucky strike had instantly refined the Ice Apples into Ice Sugar.
Tasting yellow powder on his finger, an indescribable refreshing sweetness filled his mouth.
"Not bad."
As the Heavenly Demon nodded, Nameless approached, hands clasped, eyes sparkling.
[Please take some of this too!]
"You've been transparently scheming since earlier."
When the Heavenly Demon glared, Nameless chuckled awkwardly.
[You knew?]
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
[So you'll do it?]
"Refused."
[Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless prostrated flat on the ground.
[He's someone fated with you regardless. And didn't you sternly enlighten him? Giving one more lesson wouldn't hurt.]
Nameless knew the Heavenly Demon best. No favors, kindness, or aid. But he could teach fools a lesson.
[Considering your fame and status, enlightening a fool once isn't bad.]
"Hmm."
Nameless, who served day and night, had mastered words to sway him.
* * *
A sunny Sunday afternoon in a quiet residential park.
The Heavenly Demon, with a large load on his shoulders, scanned the park and strode forward.
"Perfect spot."
A middle-aged man on a bench at the park's edge, head bowed, slowly looked up.
A hulking man with messy hair tied up stood there.
The bizarre fellow who'd branded him a kidnapper before—the Heavenly Demon.
"Y-you're..."
"Use this."
The Heavenly Demon set down the large cart on his shoulder.
"What's this?"
"Ice Sugar. They say using it prevents hygiene complaints."
The cart held a ladle, burner, various molds from the dungeon, and Ice Sugar.
"Why give this to me...?"
"Listen well. These ingredients are the last."
"Huh?"
Gazing sternly at the man, the Heavenly Demon declared solemnly.
"Sell them all and be done. Understood?"
"I-I don't understand."
"That candy treat. Sell it today to your heart's content, then never make it again."
With that, he turned sharply.
One can't linger in the past. Cut ties and move forward. Perhaps that's what the Heavenly Demon wanted to say?
The middle-aged man bowed to his departing back.
"Under...stood."
* * *
On his seventh week sharing dalgona in the park, the middle-aged man smiled faintly at his last Ice Sugar.
"Last sugar."
Ecstatic dalgona. Kids' smiles eating it.
Watching erased his pent-up pain bit by bit.
Because he realized the time sharing this joy—this happiness—was limited. All his time was.
"Huh? Are you selling these?"
A young couple strolling approached.
"One dalgona, please."
The young man glanced at his girlfriend, smiling sheepishly.
"She loves these."
"Oh, no, I made them for kids."
The man pointed at his sign, looking troubled. The youth bowed.
"Sorry."
As they walked off heads down, the man reached out hastily.
"W-wait."
Kids were gone, only one sugar left anyway.
The youth looked childish too, so sharing wouldn't hurt.
"Last one anyway. Here, have it."
"Really?"
The youth's teeth gleamed white.
Smiling, the man offered meticulously made dalgona on a plate.
"Shape?"
"Star."
Pressing the star mold firmly, the youth crouched eagerly picking.
"I always wanted to do this as a kid."
"Yeah? I did plenty back then."
Grinning at his girlfriend, the youth set down the toothpick. A sparkling star dalgona gleamed.
"Thanks. Money at least..."
"No. Just take it. Have a good time."
"Yes. Thank you."
The couple bowed politely and left.
Watching them go, the man tidied his empty dalgona bowl.
"Hic-hic-sob."
Tears suddenly poured.
Decades of knots seemed released. He felt he could die now.
Beaming a long-lost carefree smile, he buried his face in the cart, laughing and crying.
"Babe, what's wrong? Crying?"
His girlfriend's words startled the youth on the path.
"Huh?"
Wiping tears, he laughed.
"Huh? Why tears? Too tasty?"
"Geez."
Chuckling at her jab, he walked on.
Reason unknown, but like finding something lost. His heart warmed.
* * *
In front of the Special Response Team villa.
Screech. A white minivan stopped at the gate. The Heavenly Demon's Lamas.
"Hm?"
Yoo Eunho, teaching Han Hojo jump rope, waved grinning.
"Heavenly Demon. Hello?"
Han Hojo, holding the rope, bowed to the Heavenly Demon.
"Hello?"
The Heavenly Demon opened the passenger door wordlessly. Nameless, limbs retracted, poked his head out.
[Hojo. Use this.]
Nameless offered a small box.
Inside: various metal molds stacked.
[Heavenly Demon got it from the dungeon. For dalgona.]
Nameless recalled Han Hojo's heartbroken look when rejected.
He'd saved some molds as a gift. In the Heavenly Demon's name, of course.
"Wow."
Gazing at the intricate variety, Han Hojo beamed and bowed.
"Thank you, Heavenly Demon Uncle!"
"Hmph."
Glancing irritably at Nameless, the Heavenly Demon silently revved the Lamas away.