#85 I'll Let It Slide, Usually.
Theo stepped into the house for a moment, then tilted his head in confusion.
[......?]
The log cabin was unusually quiet today. Off in the distance, he could see the newly completed mansion after construction had wrapped up. What the hell is that thing? Who in their right mind builds a house in this freezing hellscape?
Choi Kang-ho absolutely hated anyone knowing where he lived. As a result, only a tiny handful of people were aware of his residence—some of the older folks from the city hall or nearby village.
Given how famous he was, the fact that no one ever came snooping around his place was a dead giveaway.
[Hmm......]
Theo pondered deeply, then glanced down at his busted smartphone. The "renewed newtype father" process had birthed this disaster, plunging him into profound sorrow and loss.
[Damn it. Where the hell is everyone?]
No Kang-ho, no Seol-a, no King. Theo stepped back outside, scanning around for Furball. The massive Shabel Tiger that usually prowled the area whenever it had a chance was nowhere to be seen today either.
[Ha...... This is a real pickle.]
Theo was still clueless about the local geography. Without his smartphone, even a former warlord who once ranked fourth in the Demon Realm had no idea how to navigate the modern world. With that, the man flopped down onto the log cabin bed.
Theo pulled a skull from his pocket and stared at it quietly.
[Father.]
The skull said nothing.
[I wanted to show everyone our proud father.]
Pride and a faint longing filled his face. The image of his father—a magnificent and mighty demon—was still vivid in Theo's mind. A fearless warrior of immense strength, the strongest man even in the strong-eat-strong Demon Realm.
[......]
War, war, war. His life had been defined by endless battles. And his father had perished in one of those wars. It wasn't particularly unusual in the Demon Realm. Many demons lived to fight, grew strong for the sake of battle, and died in combat. That was why absolute rulers rarely held power there for long.
The reason Theo had come to despise war was because he'd realized its futility. Endless identical fights only doubled the number of enemies.
War bred sacrifices, and those sacrifices dreamed of revenge. That cycle probably played a big role in keeping the Demon Realm's population in check.
As he lay on the bed, gazing at his father's skull and lost in such thoughts, there came a knock.
Knock knock knock—
Theo bolted up and flung open the door with a delighted expression.
[Hey! Check out what I pulled off this time......]
It wasn't King or Kang-ho standing there.
[Huh?]
"Huh...?"
Standing there was Phantom. She'd ditched her usual black full-body suit and goggles, opting for pretty ordinary clothes instead: a beige long coat, tight black pants, and a scarf. Her swaying hair carried a pleasant fragrance, and her eyes sparkled with vitality—but Theo couldn't have cared less.
His excitement faded, replaced by a flat, disinterested gaze as he asked,
[What are you doing here?]
Phantom looked hurt.
"That's a pretty cold reaction."
[Feeling's mutual, since it's you.]
Theo turned and headed back to the bed, adding,
[Come in if you want.]
Phantom stepped inside and closed the door.
"Where's Mr. Choi Kang-ho?"
[No clue.]
"No clue?"
[Everyone just up and vanished.]
"Hmm......"
She glanced around the house, then set down what she'd brought on the table.
[What's that?]
"Oh, this? Mushrooms from the forest. Rare ones that bloomed after ages, apparently. The elder asked me to deliver them."
[Mushrooms......]
Theo wasn't big on mushrooms. In the Demon Realm, they were mostly colorful poison varieties, and only idiots ate them.
[Grab some water or tea from the kitchen if you want.]
She watched him for a moment, then headed to the fridge. Peeking inside, she found it completely empty of food. Seol-a's sky-high appetite lately had demolished days' worth of supplies in no time.
"Don't you have anything to eat in the house?"
[Beats me. Oh, right.]
Theo remembered something and pulled out his smartphone, showing it to her.
[Take a look at this.]
"Huh?"
The screen was utterly shattered.
She stared at it for a bit before asking,
"What'd you do to wreck it this bad?"
[Father clocked me.]
Theo grinned. Around his neck hung the wireless headset she'd gifted him once.
She stared at him blankly, then smiled brightly.
"That's totally trashed. You'll need to fix it or get a new one."
[Yeah?]
Theo thought it over, then nodded.
[Then take me with you.]
"Pardon?"
[I don't know the way. I'll get lost on my own.]
She stood there, fiddling with her temple, before replying,
"It's on the way to the city, at least."
......
[What the hell is all this?]
Seoul was buzzing with festival vibes everywhere.
"The festival starts next week. That's when the World Ranking Matches kick off."
[Humans in this world slap excuses on fights to make 'em into spectacles.]
The world felt far from bad to Theo, despite clashing with demon sensibilities.
[Who's fighting who?]
"Hm... This one's a prelim: ranks 10 and 11."
[Oh ho.]
Theo had already witnessed Agareth's crew in action. These must be on that level.
"Main event's ranks 5 and 6."
[Got it.]
Theo nodded, then asked,
[What's Kang-ho's rank?]
"Mr. Choi Kang-ho isn't on the rankings. If they opt out, they don't get listed."
[Huh.]
Theo tilted his head.
[So there must be some unranked monsters who are stupidly strong?]
"Pretty much. Though those are usually for other reasons besides opting out."
[Other reasons?]
"Like pissing off a major organization, or being a criminal."
[I see.]
"On that note, current rank 5, Xiao Shin, gets a lot of buzz. You could say eastern China is basically his playground."
[Why?]
"......"
She stared at him wide-eyed. Theo had bought a cotton candy from a street vendor and was holding it out to her while eyeing his own like, What is this crap?
"Th-thanks. Well... his shadowy forces have a nasty rep. China's split into four factions now, and his is the strongest. They specialize in underhanded crap..."
[What a world. Humans are wild. What's their main gig?]
"Oh, all sorts. But lately..."
She shrugged.
"Illegal trafficking's their big thing. Rare magic beasts and artifacts are hot items."
[Rare magic beasts, huh...]
Theo pictured Seol-a in his mind. SS-rank Fantasy Beast, White Fang. A subspecies, no less. Probably the rarest across dimensions.
But then he chuckled.
[Our Seol-a's in the safest spot in the world.]
No idiot would dare covet her. Steal Kang-ho's Seol-a? That country might vanish off the map.
* * *
Seoul's five-star hotel, Celuna's suite room.
A man in a black suit sat pouring premium cognac into a glass. He looked mid-thirties, with calm, sunken eyes. His short black hair was neatly trimmed. From fingers to necklace and earrings, he was decked out in gold.
The man's name was Xiao Shin. At thirty-five, he'd conquered eastern China, earning the moniker "devil's talent."
World rank 5. China rank 2.
He slowly turned to face forward.
"Long time no see, Big Boss."
Big Boss tilted his head crookedly as he stared at Xiao Shin.
"Indeed."
"Still kicking, huh."
"Says the pot to the kettle."
Big Boss adjusted the collar of his signature white suit and removed his pitch-black sunglasses. His distinctive red eyes fixed on Xiao Shin.
"What's your business in this country?"
"Business?"
Xiao Shin flashed a white-toothed grin. Big Boss scowled at the sight, prompting him to answer.
"World Ranking Matches."
"That all?"
"What else? Or something beyond that?"
Big Boss raised a hand, halting Ghost mid-twitch.
"Heard you and Muramasa pulled something recently..."
Xiao Shin pulled out a cigarette, slotted it between his fingers, and nodded.
"You swallowed up Muramasa, huh?"
"Nonsense."
"Not saying it's bad. Thanks, even."
Xiao Shin smirked.
"Not that into other stuff. Just a few recent interests."
He continued.
"Need Muramasa's sword. Looks like it's in your hands, so let's negotiate."
"Muramasa's not with us."
"Then?"
"No clue where it is."
"Still a smooth liar. Fine, we'll find out."
Xiao Shin locked eyes with Big Boss. Mana surged through him—a chilling pressure down the spine.
Big Boss countered without hesitation, mana flaring.
The brief standoff ended, and he rose slowly.
"Xiao Shin. Whatever you're scheming, one warning. Heed it."
"Warning?"
"There's someone in this country you must never touch."
"Someone, huh..."
Xiao Shin nodded knowingly.
"Ah, that Choi Kang-ho or whatever?"
"......"
Big Boss slipped his sunglasses back on, murmuring,
"Don't provoke him. I'll let it slide, usually. But if he moves, your whole clan becomes mincemeat."
"Kukukuku."
Xiao Shin cackled.
Big Boss stared him down.
He's gotten stronger.
Thirty-five, in his prime—Xiao Shin's prowess had soared beyond before. And his artifacts were no joke. Even world rank 2 Ian Rampage wielded nation-buying wealth, but this guy matched it. That confidence stemmed from cash and skill.
He waved it off like a bad joke.
"Sure thing."
Big Boss eyed him steadily before turning away.
After Big Boss and Ghost left the room.
The door opened again, and a man entered. He bowed to Xiao Shin.
Xiao Shin asked in a low, calm voice,
"The item?"
"Secured, sir."
The man before him bowed deeper.
"Where was it?"
"Yes, sir. In this country's coldest region, they say. Bitter winds year-round. Found it smack in the middle of the snowy plains."
"It didn't sprout legs. Someone moved it there..."
"No settlements nearby. But close to a monster zone cordoned off by Awakeners, there were two annexes."
"Annexes?"
"Yes. Marked with Rampage logo. Likely Ian's."
"Hmm......"
"The area's a dispute zone fenced by this country's Awakeners—investigation's tricky. Exposure risks international incident. Shall I dig deeper?"
Xiao Shin shook his head.
"No. As long as no traces were left."
He stood, stretching.