Chapter 23 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Nameless Report (1)
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Ding-a-ling.
An alarm rang from the cellphone on the desk.
Jang Chaewon, who had been scribbling intently in her notebook, reached for the phone.
"..."
Propping her chin on her hand, she stared blankly at the screen before murmuring softly.
"Suspicion breeds dark ghosts... huh."
Suspicion breeds dark ghosts.
A tale from the Liezi's chapter on explanations, it meant that suspicion could conjure ghosts where none existed.
In other words, it referred to wrongly judging people due to misguided preconceptions.
"Prejudice, is it?"
What was displayed on Jang Chaewon's phone was a dense analytical report on the Heavenly Demon's actions and personality, sent by Nameless.
And at the end of the report, alongside the term "suspicion breeds dark ghosts," this note was attached:
-As the primary user, Jang Chaewon, deemed this an urgent matter regarding the territory, I have provided information on the joint user, Heavenly Demon.
-However, henceforth, without Heavenly Demon's consent, no further information can be provided. Please take note.
The implication in that brief message was a clear reprimand toward Jang Chaewon.
According to Nameless's report, the Heavenly Demon was merely a man whose thoughts and beliefs differed from others—he was no villain.
In fact, only the machine-like Nameless regarded him without any prejudice.
Even his indifference to others and his self-aggrandizing behavior were treated as a matter of course.
"It makes no sense at all."
The report even stated that the reason he had yielded the dungeon discovery bounty to Team Old-Timers before was simply because those old folks happened to catch his eye by chance.
It was because, as an unregistered awakener, he couldn't register the dungeon quickly himself.
-Heavenly Demon shows almost no interest in others. He holds a highly unique worldview where all his actions are inherently correct, so he rarely empathizes with others' emotions and feels no pangs of conscience.
-However, he takes interest in and closely observes those who enter his field of vision.
Jang Chaewon blinked as she read Nameless's report on her phone.
-Heavenly Demon does not adhere to moral principles or modern common sense; he places great value on martial prowess and wealth. He possesses extremely egocentric thinking and despises the weak.
-All choices and decisions are based solely on maximizing his own benefit. He disregards others' circumstances or perspectives entirely.
-Despite this, he does not abuse his power, and when handling tasks, he strives for rationality between ends and means. He does not plunder from others or exploit the weak.
"What the hell does this even mean?"
Setting her phone down, Jang Chaewon wore a baffled expression.
"Is he supposed to be a good guy or a bad guy? It doesn't add up at all."
Rubbing her throbbing forehead, she leaned back in her chair. Nameless's unnecessarily verbose report was only deepening her confusion.
"Hmm."
After pondering with her chin propped for a long while, Jang Chaewon muttered.
"So that's why it used 'suspicion breeds dark ghosts'? Worried I'd get confused?"
In the end, whether this way or that, it was clear Nameless viewed Heavenly Demon quite favorably as a 'good guy.'
"So, his thoughts are harsh, but he doesn't actually do bad things... something like that."
-Can I send nanobots along to verify if he's someone who can handle divine requests?
Before undertaking Silver Wolf God's divine request, Jang Chaewon had gotten prior approval to bring Nameless along.
Moreover, after it was done, hadn't Silver Wolf God remarked to her, 'You've got a fine worker there'?
"Yeah. I don't know how much he's suffered over there, but this place is peaceful. If I guide him gradually as he adapts, he'll come around."
Suddenly, Jang Chaewon had a hunch that Heavenly Demon would change bit by bit as days passed.
"Right. Starting tomorrow, I'll pay a little more attention and treat him better."
A pang of guilt toward Heavenly Demon welled up unexpectedly, and she shrugged her shoulders.
"Guess I'll buy him jjajangmyeon again tomorrow."
The next day, around noon, inside Bokbok Interiors.
Rustle. Thud.
With the cheerful sound of the metal case opening, foil-wrapped bowls were placed one by one on the table.
After setting down the final transparent bag, the deliveryman bowed his head.
"Enjoy your meal!"
"Thanks for your trouble."
Rummaging in his butt bag, Heavenly Demon handed three ten-thousand-won bills to the deliveryman.
"Huh? It's already paid for."
"It's a tip."
"Th-thank you!"
Beaming broadly, the deliveryman bowed deeply at the waist before heading out.
"He's got style."
Jang Chaewon, who had been watching, gaped.
"The food's thirty thousand won, and he tips another thirty thousand?"
As Jang Chaewon peeled open her chopsticks with a stunned look, Heavenly Demon gave her a solemn gaze.
"Considering this Lord's status and dignity, a tip of this magnitude is hardly anything."
Looking at Jang Chaewon, he continued with a proud expression.
"This Lord possesses wealth that would never run dry, even if spent like water for a lifetime."
"But right now, you're just a salaried worker here."
"It's temporary."
Dodging Jang Chaewon's pitying gaze, Heavenly Demon changed the subject.
"By the way, why jjajangmyeon again today? The ten days you promised have long passed."
Picking up a plastic bag, Jang Chaewon sheepishly rubbed her nose.
"Just because."
As Heavenly Demon unwrapped his bowl, glossy yellow noodles glistened.
Peeling open the sauce container revealed steaming white vapor, along with heaps of onions and meat.
"Hmm."
Drawing his chopsticks, Heavenly Demon poured ganjjajang sauce over the noodles.
He sprinkled in a generous heap of chili powder, then meticulously mixed the sauce and noodles with delicate motions.
Finally, he burst a half-cooked fried egg and scooped up a massive bite of sauce-drenched noodles.
"Slurrrp."
Watching him, Jang Chaewon felt her mouth water.
Grabbing a spoon, she scooped a big helping of fried rice from her plate and ate.
"Munch munch."
Heavenly Demon's eating style was quite unique.
He stuffed his mouth full of noodles, then chewed thoroughly until they could break no finer.
She wouldn't normally care, but guilt over Heavenly Demon had her overflowing with curiosity.
"Ahem."
Clearing her throat, Jang Chaewon ventured in a subtle tone.
"Isn't it better to eat smaller bites? Why stuff your mouth full and chew forever?"
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no. Just curious. Doesn't smaller bites let you savor the taste more?"
"It's an old habit. Eating like this lets you feel full for longer."
"You want to feel full longer? Why?"
After swallowing his chewed noodles, Heavenly Demon replied flatly.
"Before entering Ten Thousand Demons Palace, this Lord had never tasted proper food. Scavenging was difficult, so I picked trash from sewers or caught and ate rats and bugs on sight."
"What? Really?"
It was an unimaginable story.
To think the Heavenly Demon, with his massive frame, had lived as a beggar.
His gaze deepened as he looked at the glossy ganjjajang.
"Yet hunger never abated. Famine dragged on until even rats and bugs vanished. That's when I realized thorough chewing heightens satiety."
Jang Chaewon, holding her spoon, drew a deep breath.
"Sorry, shouldn't have pried."
"It's fine."
No trace of joy or sorrow showed on Heavenly Demon's face. He spoke of his wretched past with utter detachment.
Only then did she understand Nameless's perspective.
'I was even more indifferent to Heavenly Demon than a nanobot.'
Seeing him resume munching ganjjajang guiltily intensified her remorse.
"Want some of my fried rice? It's good too."
"No need. This suffices."
"But doesn't jjajangmyeon get old? You have it once a day."
"How could it? Something this delicious."
Heavenly Demon dove back into his jjajangmyeon earnestly. At the sight, Jang Chaewon couldn't help but chuckle.
Normally she'd think 'weirdo,' but now that stoic demeanor even seemed endearing.
'I see.'
In that moment, the term "suspicion breeds dark ghosts" from yesterday resurfaced.
Prejudice.
A fearsome word that could paint the same person as a demon or a heavenly demon.
After lunch, Jang Chaewon drove Heavenly Demon to a nearby apartment.
"What's this place?"
Stepping out and blinking, Heavenly Demon prompted Jang Chaewon to grin.
"It's the interior job site from our last contract. Oh, not a divine request—just a regular commission."
"Demolition?"
"Nope. Master Kim the tiler will be here soon to lay tiles. Help out and learn tiling."
"Tiles?"
"Yeah. Remember our promise? I asked ahead, so he'll teach you nicely."
Heavenly Demon looked surprised at Jang Chaewon's unusually gentle expression and demeanor.
"Strange."
"What is?"
Staring at her beaming smile, he shook his head.
"Nothing."
Powerful high-rank yokai rarely mingled with humans. Nearing yokai god status, many were intoxicated by privilege and superiority.
In that regard, tile artisan Kim Chanwon differed from typical high-rank yokai.
Wind Spirit Clan.
Though wielding top-tier wind-manipulating power among yokai, he mingled freely with humans and chose the tile-laying trade—even lesser yokai shunned it.
"Tile work has overlay installation and demolition installation."
Pointing to the kitchen tiles, Kim Chanwon addressed Heavenly Demon, who stood blankly behind him.
"Overlay means attaching new tiles directly over old ones. But it can't be done anywhere—the base tiles must be firmly adhered."
Kim Chanwon spoke clearly, like a teacher to a child.
"Overlay's advantages are low cost and speed, saving time and money."
"Disadvantages?"
As the youthful-looking Heavenly Demon—barely past sixty in appearance—replied curtly, Kim Chanwon's eyebrow twitched.
'He came from another world, she said.'
Recalling last night's call with Jang Chaewon, he smacked his lips.
"Well, the downside is reduced space from the added layer."
"I see."
"So, overlay here? Or demolition installation?"
Examining the kitchen tiles closely at Kim Chanwon's question, Heavenly Demon declared.
"Demolition installation."
"Huh? They're solidly attached."
"They say new wine belongs in new wineskins."
Standing tall before the kitchen tiles, Heavenly Demon crouched low.
"Since we're doing it, better demolish clean and install fresh. Don't you think?"
"Hmm. That's a choice, sure."
"Then this Lord chooses it."
"Chooses what?"
In lieu of reply, Heavenly Demon crouched deeper.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Soaring Wind Dragon Fist!"
Boom! Boom!
With each fist strike, tiles shattered, dust flying everywhere.
'No way, that guy?'
Watching Heavenly Demon pulverize the tiles, Kim Chanwon suddenly recalled his chat with demolition worker Park from days prior.
"I went to this site, and some lunatic does 'demolition' by hurling Hadokens everywhere?"
"Huh? What's a Hadoken?"
"You know, that killer move from Gouki. Don't know Gouki?"
Back then, Kim Chanwon hadn't grasped Park's references to Hadoken or Gouki.
But seeing Heavenly Demon leap and shatter tiles like cookies, he instantly recalled that iconic fighting game character from a bygone era.
'He meant that demon-looking character from the game, huh?'
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