Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: DaDa All Things Hardware Store
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DaDa All Things Hardware Store.
Power tools, electric lighting, safety gear, welding supplies, woodworking tools, hydraulic products, gardening implements, and so on. From the tiniest screws to clothes drying racks.
It was a hardware store that had everything except the kitchen sink, and a territory frequented even by gods and yokai.
Screeech.
A white van pulled into the parking lot in front of DaDa All Things Hardware Store.
Click.
As the door swung open, Jang Chaewon emerged, blue energy pouring from her eyes, followed by the Heavenly Demon wearing a face full of dissatisfaction.
"Good grief."
Jang Chaewon gazed at the Heavenly Demon with an incredulous expression and muttered softly.
"Why on earth do you need new tools?"
Thanks to the team dinner the day before, which had fostered some camaraderie, the Heavenly Demon had recently been throwing himself into regular interior construction jobs—not just divine requests—with enthusiasm.
But whenever a task required tools rather than bare hands, he would suddenly refuse to work. And the reason was even more absurd.
"These are not tools made for me."
The Heavenly Demon wouldn't touch other workers' tools or anything stocked in the warehouse.
Unable to withstand his stubbornness any longer, Jang Chaewon had come here to buy him his own dedicated set.
"Tools are tools, no matter who uses them."
At her scolding, the Heavenly Demon set his jaw firmly.
"I am the Heavenly Demon."
"So?"
"Everything I've ever used has been custom-made for me."
He crossed his arms and declared proudly.
"How could the unparalleled master of all ages, known as the Heavenly Demon, deign to hold what lesser men have used?"
"Sigh..."
Jang Chaewon let her shoulders slump.
Well, whatever—he handled divine requests with ironclad reliability, botched a few jobs but still worked hard on regular interiors.
It was tricky to argue when all he wanted was his own work tools.
"Fine, got it. But you have to work hard in return."
Realizing persuasion was futile, she'd brought the Heavenly Demon along to buy the tools.
"What? No KingPro tools?"
Jang Chaewon's eyes widened as she scanned the power tool display.
"Did KingPro go bust? Why are they the only ones missing?"
The elderly man behind the counter shook his head, his eyes nearly shut.
"That's just how it is, strangely enough."
"Huh?"
"There were definitely some in stock..."
"Hmm."
Jang Chaewon shut her mouth.
The old man was the owner of DaDa All Things Hardware Store and the Land God of this plot.
Having guarded this place for eons, his memory sometimes flickered.
Knowing this, Jang Chaewon smiled and pointed to the nearby Daddy's Hand brand.
"Then let's go with Daddy's Hand. These are pretty good too."
"I refuse."
"What?"
"Only KingPro tools befit my stature—the pinnacle of toolmaking. I won't use lesser products."
'You little...!'
Suppressing the urge to grab him by the collar, Jang Chaewon snapped curtly.
"I'm not holding out on you on purpose. They're just not in stock."
"Then we'll return when KingPro restocks."
"Hmm."
Jang Chaewon grimaced like she'd bitten into a rotten persimmon.
"Elder, when will the KingPro tools come back in?"
"Ah, come back in four days."
"Understood. We'll return in four days then."
At the Heavenly Demon's resolute expression, Jang Chaewon let her shoulders slump again.
Four days later.
"What? Still not restocked?"
Returning to DaDa All Things Hardware Store, Jang Chaewon blinked at the shelves.
No matter how she looked, high and low, no KingPro tools in sight.
The Land God must have stepped away; the store was empty inside.
"Guess it hasn't come in yet. Let's try again next time."
At Jang Chaewon's words, the Heavenly Demon turned away with a dissatisfied frown.
Three days after that.
"Elder, the KingPro still hasn't come in?"
The Heavenly Demon and Jang Chaewon visited DaDa Hardware again. But still no KingPro tools.
"What's that nonsense? They definitely came in then. Haven't arrived?"
The Land God, peering with narrowed eyes, shuffled over to Jang Chaewon and checked the shelves.
"Hmm?"
His slit-like eyes widened slightly. Astonishingly, the KingPro spot remained empty.
"What's going on? They definitely came in."
"Maybe there's been some mix-up?"
"Hmm. Perhaps. Looks like this old one's memory failed again... Heh heh heh."
Rubbing his temple with those narrow eyes open, the Land God paused as the Heavenly Demon's red eyes flashed and he whispered in Jang Chaewon's ear.
"It's theft."
"Wh-what?"
Jang Chaewon waved her hands in disbelief.
"You think this is some regular store? This is a Grade 5 territory. Territory!"
"So what?"
"You're kidding? Only territory operators and their staff can even enter this place."
"Again, so what?"
"So!"
Jang Chaewon furrowed her brows deeply.
"Who receiving divine requests would steal from another territory? Everything they've built would go up in smoke!"
"Tsk tsk. Even the shopkeeper doesn't grasp worldly truths."
"What?"
The Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Theft isn't just born of poverty. As you say, those with much accumulated are often the ones who steal from others."
"What are you talking about? Why would the well-off steal?"
"Heavens no. It's quite common. Recall the ghosts of Wuyuan Silent Sect, who won't die from eating their fill of years alone."
The Heavenly Demon thought of Jeong Nyeom, sect leader of the Wuyuan Silent Sect, the sacred ground of the martial world.
"They protect Muhak's martial arts and treasures, yet fleece money at every turn. That alone shows human desire knows no bounds, and the more one has, the more one covets others' possessions—that's the way of the world..."
Mid-ramble, the Heavenly Demon fell silent at Jang Chaewon's whisper.
"Shut it."
"Hmm. No matter how I think, theft here is impossible."
Just then, a sharp glint shone from the Land God's half-lidded eyes.
"Old as I am, who could fool my eyes and steal?"
"But the world has no 'never.' Unexpected things happen all the time."
"Hmm. Not likely."
The Heavenly Demon, head bowed, smirked.
"Frankly, I already suspect who the culprit is."
"What? Who?"
As Jang Chaewon jumped in surprise, the Heavenly Demon pointed knowingly at the empty shelf.
"Among all tools, KingPro is the finest made. The thief targets only these. Can you guess why?"
"Hmm... Selling them on, probably?"
"Good deduction. But there's one thing the shopkeeper overlooked."
"What's that?"
"Ordinary folk—or non-experts in interiors—don't know KingPro is the best-made tool."
The Heavenly Demon crossed his arms, face grave.
"I read interior books more diligently than anyone. I know which tools cost more. To the public, the luxury brand is this BlueSnap!"
Like a detective in a mystery novel, he scoured the shelves and continued.
"But interior pros all call KingPro the ultimate luxury. Because they've used the tools themselves."
"Hmm. Fair point."
Jang Chaewon nodded at the logic.
As the Heavenly Demon said, the public knew BlueSnap, not KingPro, as premium.
KingPro was even cheaper than BlueSnap, the famous import.
Because KingPro was domestic.
"Yet the thief swept only the pro-favorite KingPro. Meaning the culprit has deep tool knowledge and expertise."
"Ooh."
Jang Chaewon and the Land God nodded, entranced by the sharp reasoning.
"Your words have merit. But how does that reveal the thief?"
"Think carefully."
"I truly haven't a clue."
The Heavenly Demon clasped hands behind his back and shook his head.
"Elder, have you heard? The culprit always returns to the scene."
"Eh?"
"Or that the culprit is always close by."
His gaze on the Land God blazed like a blade.
"One with expert tool knowledge, positioned to steal from the shelves anytime. Who could that be?"
"Who?"
"It's you, Elder. You are the cul..."
"Hahaha!"
Jang Chaewon burst into loud laughter and leaped, wrapping her hands around the Heavenly Demon's head.
"What the..."
Clamping his mouth shut, she hissed through gritted teeth.
"Are you insane? Don't spout nonsense."
But the Land God's face had hardened, as if he'd heard.
"I'm so sorry. This guy's always a few screws loose..."
"Heh heh heh. If this old one wanted tools, I'd just take them. Why steal my own stock?"
The Heavenly Demon sprang up, looking wronged.
"Elder, that statement has a contradiction. Do you know?"
"Contradiction?"
Rising, he clasped hands behind his back, eyes sharp once more.
"I once met a young man from the Divine Territory Management Team."
"Divine Territory Management Team?"
"Yes. He told me something fascinating."
"What?"
"Territories have grades. He said stores in Grade 5 and above aren't personally run—they're consigned by headquarters."
The Heavenly Demon pointed at the Land God's sleeve with gleaming eyes.
"Meaning these tools belong to headquarters. You're just the manager. You can use them, but not dispose of them at will."
"Hmm. True enough."
As the Land God admitted readily, the Heavenly Demon smirked triumphantly.
"So you admit secretly selling the tools?"
"Hey."
Jang Chaewon bowed her head deeply.
"You know who the Elder is, right? And you say that?"
"I heard he's the Land God."
"Yes! The Land God who owns all the land here! He could buy out KingPro Tools wholesale! You think he'd sneak tools to sell?"
But the Heavenly Demon's gaze didn't waver.
"I said it already. Having much doesn't prevent theft."
"Hey... Don't you know that's blasphemy? Apologize now!"
Mocking a god wasn't a laughing matter. As Jang Chaewon's face paled, the Heavenly Demon declared boldly.
"You think my suspicion is baseless."
"What?"
"I have proof."
"Proof?"
Narrowing his eyes, he pointed at the Land God's wrist.
"Look closely at your sleeve, Elder!"
"Sleeve?"
Jang Chaewon peered at the Land God's sleeve, where shiny silver flecks clung.
"Eh? What's this metal dust?"
The Land God waved his hands, inspecting his sleeve.
"Heavens, I truly have no idea."
"Elder, now reveal the truth."
Staring intently, the Heavenly Demon pressed.
"Those flecks are from KingPro tools—you know that best."
The Land God examined the dust closely. As the Heavenly Demon said, it was unmistakably from KingPro—the finest refined steel among top tools.
"If you confess now, headquarters might show leniency."
"R-really. I swear I know nothing. Believe me."
"Then why the KingPro metal dust on your sleeve?"
Flustered, the Land God pointed to the warehouse inside.
"All I did today was tidy the warehouse."
"Heh heh heh. So you pocketed the KingPro from there?"
As the Heavenly Demon relentlessly pressed the Land God,
Creeeeak. Creeeeak.
A massive clang suddenly echoed from the warehouse—like metal being sheared by immense force.
"Huh? What's that?"
Jang Chaewon headed to the warehouse and opened the door.
"Oh my!"
An exclamation escaped her lips.
In one corner of the warehouse stood a weasel-like creature, white as snow and glowing like starlight, staring blankly.
And in its mouth was a half-severed pair of pliers.
"It's an Iron-Eater?"
The weasel-thing was none other than the legendary divine beast, the Iron-Eater.
"Iron-Eater?"
Hearing that, the Heavenly Demon and Land God rushed over.
"Come here!"
Jang Chaewon whistled clearly,
-Kyu?
The adorable chick-like creature hopped onto her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.
"Aww, so cute. And it understands speech."
Spotting the metal dust caking the Iron-Eater's mouth, the Heavenly Demon gaped.
"What's that?"
"Iron-Eater. Top-tier among divine beasts."
"But why's its mouth full of metal dust?"
At the Heavenly Demon's question, Jang Chaewon sighed deeply.
"Sigh, Iron-Eaters love eating fine steel. This little guy's probably been hiding here, munching only on KingPro tools."
The Heavenly Demon and Land God exchanged looks.
"Ah, that explains it. Hahaha!"
"So the thief was an Iron-Eater. Hahaha!"
Vroom.
In the van, Jang Chaewon glanced sideways with a bewildered expression.
In the passenger seat, the Heavenly Demon sat slumped, utterly dejected.
Like a man freshly heartbroken.
And no wonder—the furious Land God had kicked him out on the spot and banned him from DaDa Hardware for the foreseeable future.
"Told you not to make accusations that stick to no one."
At Jang Chaewon's jab, the Heavenly Demon looked indignant.
"My deduction was logical. How could I not suspect with KingPro dust on his sleeve?"
"Sure, that's why the Land God let it go at that. Otherwise, your nonsense would've gotten you permanently banned."
-Kyukyu.
The white Iron-Eater on Jang Chaewon's shoulder chirped cutely.
"Still, it was worth it. I've always wanted a divine beast pet."
-Kyukyu.
Pleased with Jang Chaewon, the Iron-Eater had left the warehouse and clung to her shoulder ever since.
"You plan to keep that weasel?"
"Of course. Aww, so cute."
"Where?"
"That sturdy doghouse you made last time."
The Heavenly Demon bristled and shook his head.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"That's the Ten Thousand Demon Palace I built."
"Sigh. Silver Wolf God already told me everything? I get it hurts, but we can't leave it outside forever."
Lost for words, the Heavenly Demon whipped his head away.
"Absolutely not. I won't give my masterpiece to some weasel."
-Kyukyu!
"Quiet, weasel! The Ten Thousand Demon Palace is for dogs only!"
Jang Chaewon's van rumbled back to the shop amid the noisy chaos.