Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Our Clothes We Got Again (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Shield Boundary Zone, Heavenly Demon's rooftop room.
Piercing through the chilly morning breeze, the Heavenly Demon stepped outside and started up the Lamas.
Vroom.
With autumn deepening considerably, the morning air felt crisp.
[Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless checked the temperature inside the car and scratched its head while looking at him.
[Aren't you cold?]
Due to the Bubiston incident that had occurred previously, the Our Clothes the Heavenly Demon had been wearing were almost completely torn up in the upper body.
Because of that, he'd been wearing the Mad Demon Blood Battle Robe again ever since.
"Not cold."
Nameless nodded weakly at the Heavenly Demon's firm words.
[Understood.]
Inside the Bobok Interiors shop.
The first thing the Heavenly Demon did upon arriving at work was diligently mop the floor.
Squeeeze.
Wringing out the mop thoroughly with his large hands, the Heavenly Demon began scrubbing the warmly toned wooden floor.
Squeak.
At that moment, Jang Chaewon entered through the back door, holding a tumbler cup filled with steaming hot coffee.
"Good morning!"
Her face, which had been beaming as she came in, rapidly darkened upon seeing the Heavenly Demon.
"You came like that again today?"
"What do you mean."
"It's gotten pretty chilly now. Why not at least wear an outer layer?"
"No need."
The Heavenly Demon pointed confidently at the Mad Demon Blood Battle Robe.
"This Mad Demon Blood Battle Robe..."
"Sorry to cut you off, but that outfit is done. You must wear an outer layer. No exceptions."
"This seat is not cold."
"That's not the point. Does it make sense to wear a sleeveless martial robe exposing your armpits in this weather? It's disrespectful to customers."
"Hmm."
The Heavenly Demon's eyebrows twitched as if deep in thought.
"I've bought you a ton of clothes. Just throw one of those on."
At Jang Chaewon's firm words, the Heavenly Demon narrowed his eyes. Then, as if having made a decision, he nodded.
"Got it."
'Hogwang Our Clothes.'
A custom hanbok shop located on the outskirts of the city, built extravagantly like a whale's back.
More precisely, it was a 3rd-grade territory shop that crafted 'Our Clothes' infused with divine power, made in the form of a shrine.
The owner here was Hogwang, a seasoned mountain spirit and master craftsman who had been making Our Clothes in this area for a long time.
Creak.
Sunday afternoon. A vehicle pulled into the quiet parking lot of the Our Clothes shop.
Even though it was a small van model discontinued decades ago, a powerful rumbling exhaust note poured from the tailpipe.
It was the Heavenly Demon's Lamas, fully modified with racing parts.
Click.
The car door opened, and the Heavenly Demon emerged, wearing the Mad Demon Blood Battle Robe and carrying a large bundle on his back.
"Been a while."
The Heavenly Demon's expression was filled with fresh sentiment.
This shop was where he'd first found clothes to his liking, having worn a single outfit his entire life.
And it was also the place where he'd obtained priceless Our Clothes for free.
Ting-a-ling.
As he opened the shop door and stepped inside, the sound of an old wind chime greeted him, revealing an interior decorated with refined elegance.
The layout was the same, but unlike before, employees dressed in stylishly adorned hanboks were bustling about, chatting with customers.
"Welcome."
As soon as he took a step inside, a girl in a pretty hanbok bowed to the Heavenly Demon.
"Thank you for visiting our shop. How may I assist you?"
"Hmm."
"Here to have Our Clothes made?"
Instead of answering, the Heavenly Demon lightly shook his head and strode toward the hallway at the back of the shop.
Passing through the long corridor revealed an entrance adorned with ornate gold leaf—the very entrance to the VIP gallery he'd entered before.
"Um, excuse me. That area is..."
As the flustered girl hesitated, the Heavenly Demon waved her off.
"It's fine. I entered there before under Elder Hog's guidance."
"Oh, I see?"
Her expression brightening, the girl smiled warmly and opened the door for him.
"The elder is inside."
"Got it."
Stepping in revealed a space lit by lavish chandeliers, displaying rare artworks. Passing through familiarly, he soon arrived at the gallery with beautiful Our Clothes on display.
There, Hogwang was chatting amiably with a handsome man and woman.
"You're here."
Grinning to reveal his fangs, the Heavenly Demon strode toward Hogwang.
'W-Who is that guy?'
Hogwang had been happily conversing with VIP customers—a Rebel Flame God and Summer Goddess—who had come to have Our Clothes made for their upcoming wedding.
Spotting the approaching Heavenly Demon, his face paled.
"Elder Hog."
The Heavenly Demon stopped firmly before Hogwang and clasped his hands together.
"Long time no see. I trust you've been well?"
Despite the polite greeting, Hogwang averted his gaze and replied coldly.
"What brings you here?"
"In a clothing shop, what else but clothes?"
"What?"
Hogwang jumped in shock, then, mindful of the surrounding eyes, spoke calmly.
"I have no clothes to sell you."
Grinding his teeth, Hogwang glared at the Heavenly Demon as if to devour him.
"Last time was this old man's whim, giving you clothes. But Our Clothes are for gods to wear. They're not something humans barge in and buy off the shelf."
"Good clothes, one set is enough."
The Heavenly Demon smiled plainly.
"How could I covet Our Clothes again?"
"Then why come to this old man's shop?"
"My Our Clothes got torn."
At the Heavenly Demon's words, the gallery fell silent as if time had stopped—every movement and voice ceased. A heavy, prolonged silence fell, as if one could hear a pin drop.
"Our Clothes... torn?"
"I put a bit of strength into it, and it tore. Seems the clothes were a bit..."
Flustered, Hogwang grabbed the Heavenly Demon's arm and hurriedly dragged him to a corner.
"You got some grudge against me?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden."
"Or did you come to my shop just to lie for another set of clothes?"
"Lie?"
"Not a lie? Do you even know what Our Clothes are?"
Grinding his teeth, Hogwang whispered, baring his scarlet gums.
"Even if you got hit by a dump truck—no, a plane—not a single thread would be damaged. Get what I'm saying?"
"I'll say it once more: this seat does not lie."
Hogwang's face turned icy at the Heavenly Demon's words.
"You. Know who those people over there are?"
"No."
"The Earth God in charge of human 'righteousness,' Lord Ban Yeon. Contrary to appearances, very strict and intolerant of injustice."
Hogwang sneered contemptuously at the Heavenly Demon.
"Lying about Our Clothes in front of Lord Ban Yeon just to snag another set? If this gets out, your head could roll. Understand?"
"Elder. This seat never lies..."
"Nonsense! Do you know what the Our Clothes I gave you are? Treasures made one hundred percent from divine silk. No human-world force applies even a hair's breadth to them—that's what Our Clothes are."
Swallowing his bursting rage, Hogwang patted the Heavenly Demon's shoulder.
"Got it? Then get lost. Don't spout nonsense out of greed."
At that moment, the patiently waiting Ban Yeon God spoke to Hogwang from afar.
"Lord Hogwang. Are you very busy? Shall we come back later?"
"No, no. We're done here."
Hogwang rushed back to Ban Yeon God.
Watching him go, the Heavenly Demon shook his head with a hardened face. Then he spoke loudly.
"Elder. Shall we make a bet?"
"W-What?"
"Like before."
The Heavenly Demon grinned.
"If the Our Clothes you gave me really tore, give me another set."
At this point, Hogwang's anger turned to laughter. No matter from another world, to barge in so cluelessly.
'You must've snagged it on something somewhere...'
Hogwang smirked cruelly.
Truth be told, Our Clothes had one more property.
Made from divine silk—divine power itself—they inherently maintained perfect form.
Even if damaged, they slowly repaired over time. Like a nano suit with nano-fusion tech, mending minor damage in an instant.
'Time to teach him a lesson!'
Hogwang swallowed his anger once more. This foolish human clearly didn't know the slow repair trait of Our Clothes.
"Fine. Let's bet!"
Narrowing his eyes, Hogwang nodded.
"If the Our Clothes are torn, take any from the shop."
"Good."
"But if not?"
"This seat will offer his neck."
At that, sharp light flashed in Ban Yeon God's eyes from the side.
A mere human staking his life before an Earth God? What audacity!
Unable to bear it, Ban Yeon God slowly approached.
"Lord Hogwang. What on earth is going on?"
"Ah, well..."
Hogwang pointed at the Heavenly Demon.
"I gave Our Clothes to a human working at a territory shop, and now he's insisting it's torn and demanding a new one."
"Our Clothes torn?"
"Yes, pure one hundred percent divine silk Our Clothes."
Ban Yeon God furrowed his brows.
Our Clothes made from pure divine silk. Weren't those treasures only upper gods could wear?
"Hmm. No human-world power can destroy them, right?"
"Exactly. And this guy's lying to get another one."
Turning, Hogwang sighed at the Heavenly Demon.
"I'll give you one last chance. Apologize and beg now, and we'll forget it."
The Heavenly Demon cut him off.
"Elder. This seat has never spoken with a forked tongue."
At the Heavenly Demon's arrogant attitude, flames finally sparked in Hogwang's eyes.
"Even Manager Jang couldn't brush this off lightly! You get what that means?"
"No relation to the owner. This seat takes full responsibility."
"But such a matter can't be on you alone..."
Hogwang's thunderous shout halted. The Heavenly Demon was unpacking the bundle on his back.
Seeing the finely folded, luxurious dark gray hanbok, Ban Yeon God gasped.
"Whoa. Real divine silk clothes."
Murmuring softly, sharp light gleamed in Ban Yeon God's eyes.
"But no damage visible."
Without a word, the Heavenly Demon unfurled the folded Our Clothes wide.
Splash.
Revealed was a massive tear from the shoulder to the ribs. The smooth fabric looked ripped and mangled by some immense force.
"H-How..."
Hogwang trembled in disbelief.
His face turned ashen, beads of sweat the size of grapes forming on his forehead.
"Impossible! How could divine silk Our Clothes tear like this!"
As the quivering Hogwang screamed, the Heavenly Demon said plainly.
"Now do you believe?"
"No. Can't believe it. Won't! This... ah, I see!"
Hogwang shot up, snatched the torn Our Clothes, and bellowed.
"Manager Jang's doing! Right? You tore them on purpose to mess with this old man!"
"Why would this seat do such a thing."
"Not you? Then who tore them? If not Manager Jang, did an upper god come down and do it?"
Hogwang roared like thunder and lightning.
"Tell me how they tore! If it's a lie, no mercy!"
"Hmm."
Unable to hold back displeasure, the Heavenly Demon smacked his lips.
"I know your temper's fiery, Elder, but didn't expect such pettiness."
"W-What? Petty?"
"This seat said repeatedly he doesn't lie. Yet you bet against it. Now seeing the tear, you flip and demand the reason. What nonsense is this."
"Sorry to interrupt."
The silently listening Ban Yeon God stepped forward.
"No objection to calling Lord Hogwang petty. But demanding the circumstances of the tear is a fair request."
"Why?"
"Because divine silk Our Clothes can't be torn by any human-world power."
Cold light poured from Ban Yeon God's eyes, compelling even the Heavenly Demon's attention.
"But it tore like this."
"Then there must be another reason. Maybe, as Lord Hogwang says, some god orchestrated it to trick him?"
Ban Yeon God glanced at the Summer Goddess beside him, then continued.
"I've heard Manager Jang Chaewon of Bobok Interiors is quite friendly with upper gods. And not on good terms with Lord Hogwang."
"This seat knows nothing of it. Nor cares to meddle."
The Heavenly Demon's tone was polite, but his eyes said, 'Mind your own business.'
Guessing the intent, Ban Yeon God smiled instead.
"Is that so? But since I've meddled, I'll see it through."
Gazing down coldly at the Heavenly Demon, Ban Yeon God spoke solemnly.
"Tell us how the Our Clothes tore. Otherwise, I'll go to the Divine Court myself to investigate."
The Heavenly Demon scowled.
"Must I? This seat just came to repair the Our Clothes he liked and wear them again."
"Divine silk is of the divine realm. If a human damaged it, we must know the truth."
Staring into the Heavenly Demon's dissatisfied red eyes, Ban Yeon God smirked oddly.
Truth be told, he had no close ties with Hogwang. But the Heavenly Demon's 'petty' remark and staking his 'life' on the bet had irked him deeply.
Hogwang, a mountain spirit, was still an Earth God.
Uttering such words to his face was as good as insulting Ban Yeon God himself.
"Fine. If you insist."
Sighing deeply with dissatisfied eyes, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
"Went to eat, a bomb was about to go off, so I just stopped it. The backlash tore the Our Clothes."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
As Ban Yeon God scoffed, the Heavenly Demon dug in his ear.
"Well, some Bubiston or whatever was piled up. Had to handle it before it blew, and it tore. Satisfied?"
"Bubiston? You don't mean..."
Ban Yeon God recalled a bizarre rumor from recently.
A dungeon explosive with massive destructive power nearly detonated downtown, stopped by a human from another world.
Most gods had chuckled at the tale, especially since it was 300 Bubistons.
Power akin to low-yield tactical nukes, stopped by one human?
Impossible even for Awakeners?
-The Bubiston 300-explosion incident is true.
But the Divine Court issued an official statement, heating up the divine realm for a while.
And the protagonist was this insolent human?
"Then you're that other-world human who saved downtown from crisis?"