Chapter 36 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Housewarming
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An apartment interior construction site.
Whiiirrr. Rrrrrumble.
A cacophony of noise mixed with dust scattering like mist spread out beyond the window.
In the living room bathroom, tile artisan Kim Chanwon was crouched down, cutting tiles with a grinder.
And at the entrance to the foyer, the Heavenly Demon—with his sleeves rolled up—was loading waste materials.
"It's definitely got a different vibe now."
Jang Chaewon nodded as she watched the Heavenly Demon at work.
The Heavenly Demon, who once exuded such a chilling, murderous aura that just being near him sent shivers down the spine.
But now, he felt as ordinary and calm as any other contractor.
"Hey, Mr. Cheon."
At that moment, the woodworker Park, who had been removing the old moldings, approached the Heavenly Demon and spoke.
"Waste bags are only for non-combustibles. If you just toss everything in like that, pickup will..."
"What did you just say?"
The Heavenly Demon straightened his back and turned his head, flames of Blood Flame Radiance surging in his eyes.
When Park locked eyes with the Heavenly Demon's gaze—like the fires of hell—his body trembled, and he shook his head.
"N-no. Keep up the good work."
Jang Chaewon shook her head as she watched Park hurry away.
"No matter what, that face of his is unavoidable."
"Indeed."
Kim Chanwon, the tile artisan who had been in the kitchen, now stood beside Jang Chaewon and let out a sigh.
"That face makes him seem like that, but surprisingly, his personality's not bad."
It seemed like only Kim Chanwon treated the Heavenly Demon so warmly, come what may.
As she watched the Heavenly Demon silently loading waste from the side, Jang Chaewon muttered softly.
"That guy's not feeling lonely, is he?"
"Hm?"
"Oh, nothing."
As Jang Chaewon waved her hands dismissively, her phone rang with a trill.
"Oh, I forgot about that. Yes, I'll head out now."
After a long phone call, Jang Chaewon handed the plastic bag containing cream buns and milk to Kim Chanwon.
"Share this with everyone working."
"Sure."
Then Jang Chaewon approached the Heavenly Demon and said.
"It's hot out, so take it easy. I'm off to give a quote."
"Understood."
"And when you're done, no need to come to the shop. Just head home."
"It'll be done in less than half a day. Isn't that too early?"
"It's fine. Just go home."
As she turned toward the door, Jang Chaewon seemed to remember something and asked.
"After work today, you'll go straight home, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Nowhere else, straight home?"
"Of course."
"Got it."
Jang Chaewon waved without looking back and stepped outside.
A gentle breeze blew in from the balcony.
Kim Chanwon stood side by side with the Heavenly Demon on the balcony, eating cream buns and drinking milk.
With their stomachs filled by the snack, the two stood shoulder to shoulder, enjoying the pleasant, rustling breeze.
"Man. As expected, your stamina's on another level, Mr. Cheon."
Kim Chanwon, having chugged the last of his milk, said to the Heavenly Demon.
"The demolition team takes all day for this, but you handled it in half a day."
Kim Chanwon, unsure what to say but feeling he should say something, praised the Heavenly Demon's stamina.
Praise makes even whales dance, after all. There's no better way to start a conversation with someone.
"Manage your stamina as you age."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Seeing you impressed by work like this makes me pity you."
Unfortunately, praise didn't seem like a good icebreaker for the Heavenly Demon.
Kim Chanwon groaned and changed the subject.
"How's it going lately? You still practicing laying tiles sometimes?"
"Of course. Whenever I have time, I take leftover tiles from the warehouse and practice."
"Yeah? Where'd you lay 'em? I can check it out for you."
"The 'Red Roof' dungeon at the far northeast end of Safe Dungeon."
Kim Chanwon's face, which had been smiling like crescent moons, hardened instantly.
"What're you talking about? A dungeon?"
"There's no good place to lay tiles nearby. So I found a dungeon with little foot traffic and started tiling inside the F-grade one called 'Red Roof.'"
"No way!"
Kim Chanwon's face paled as he waved his hands frantically.
"You can't just slap tiles anywhere in a dungeon! That's asking for trouble!"
"Why not?"
"Dungeons can destabilize. Monsters could pop out."
Even stable dungeons accelerate toward destabilization when exposed to modern objects, especially fire hazards.
If carelessly slapping on tiles turned it into a Variable Dungeon, it'd be more than anyone could handle.
"This Seat doesn't care."
Not only was he brazen, but he was impossible to reason with. As Kim Chanwon opened his mouth, the Heavenly Demon said with a face full of pride.
"Besides, the inside of that Red Roof dungeon is filthier than an abandoned building. Thanks to this Seat tiling the walls and floors..."
"No way! Won't that drag Bobbok Interior into it too?"
Kim Chanwon placed his hands on the Heavenly Demon's shoulders and shook his head vigorously.
"Anyway, no. Got it, Mr. Cheon?"
"Hmm..."
The Heavenly Demon hummed thoughtfully and nodded with a strange expression.
"There are so many restrictions here. Back in the martial world, nothing stood in this Seat's way..."
Standing tall and gazing at the distant sky, the Heavenly Demon exuded the air of a transcendent grandmaster.
No matter the saying that all professions are equal, the Heavenly Demon didn't look like a laborer hauling dust and waste.
"Come to think of it, Mr. Cheon, you were pretty high up in that world of yours?"
The Heavenly Demon shook his head at Kim Chanwon's words.
"Not high up."
"Huh? But I heard before..."
"I had reached the pinnacle. In martial arts and status. No one in the martial world was above this Seat."
There seemed to be a deep regret in the Heavenly Demon's voice.
He never imagined that he, who had surpassed human limits and reached the zenith of martial learning, would end up doing menial labor in another world.
"I see."
Kim Chanwon nodded heavily, as if reading the Heavenly Demon's mind from his eyes.
The Heavenly Demon might bungle jobs daily or spout odd things, but that was just him failing to adapt here.
"By the way, Mr. Kim, your speech has always struck me as strangely mixed. It feels like every dialect from this land is jumbled together."
"Oh? You can even tell that?"
"This Seat's days begin and end with books. Recently, I read a manual called [Pure Korean Language]."
At the Heavenly Demon's question, Kim Chanwon said with an embarrassed look.
"Who am I? One of the top Wind Clan members in Korea, ain't I? Wandered all over the provinces in my youth, so the dialects got all mixed up as a habit."
"I see."
As the Heavenly Demon turned his head, Kim Chanwon asked.
"Mr. Cheon."
"What is it."
"That place... you don't miss it?"
The Heavenly Demon didn't answer Kim Chanwon's cautious question right away.
'Miss it...?'
Was the martial world something to miss?
After seizing hegemony, his daily routine was holing up in the Ten Thousand Demons Palace library reading books.
The only one who never submitted to him: Murim Alliance Leader Jeong The Heavenly Demon.
Without him, the Heavenly Demon couldn't have endured that silence and solitude.
"I don't know."
A quiet aura lingered in the Heavenly Demon's eyes as he gazed at the distant sky.
"Wherever this Seat is, he gives his all."
Yes. The Heavenly Demon had always given his utmost to everything given to him.
As a result, he mastered demonic and orthodox arts deemed impossible for humans simultaneously, earning fame for ages.
Even the profound loneliness and isolation that comes at the peak.
"I see."
Kim Chanwon stared at the lonely profile of the Heavenly Demon and changed the subject.
"Then, no hobbies you like?"
"Hobbies?"
"You know, stuff you enjoy. Like fishing or whatever."
"None."
"Hmm."
Kim Chanwon was an elder who had tasted life's bitter and sweet.
He could clearly guess the Heavenly Demon lived a life as barren and dry as his face suggested.
Arms crossed in thought, Kim Chanwon nodded.
"Mr. Cheon, what're you doing after work today?"
"This Seat plans to return to his dwelling."
"Ah, that Shield Boundary Zone building that Two-Faced Ghost dude rented out?"
"Yes."
"I see. Got it."
Kim Chanwon nodded thoughtfully.
All the work was done.
The Heavenly Demon sauntered out of the site toward the subway station.
Glancing up at the clock on the station wall, it was just past four.
"Out early for once."
Tomorrow was Sunday, so he planned to hole up in his nest and binge books and TV hard.
As he walked near the station, he heard people glancing at him and gasping in realization.
"Hm."
The Heavenly Demon cleared his throat lowly after checking his reflection in a mirror and headed to the platform.
Whoooosh.
After exiting the subway and passing through the residential area, the Heavenly Demon unleashed his movement art, Night Moon Extreme Speed.
Even with only about half an hour's worth of internal energy, his body glided through the air like a single gust of wind.
A few people spotted him leaping onto rooftops but dismissed it as some Awakener commuting to a dungeon—no big reaction.
Screeech.
Entering the rooftop room, a quiet air hung still.
The Heavenly Demon arranged his shoes, hung up his clothes, and entered the bathroom to turn on the shower.
Shwaaaaa.
Cold water soaked his body. The cramped bathroom forced him to crouch while showering.
"Huuu."
Lightly circulating his energy, his skin blazed like charcoal, and with a sizzle, all the water on him evaporated into steam.
"Dinner's still early."
The clock showed just past five. The Heavenly Demon, naked, strolled out and donned his Mad Demon Blood Battle Robe.
Sitting down, he habitually pulled out a book.
The cover boldly read [Common Interior Construction Site Terms] in red.
Swoosh.
Seated properly at the low table, he opened the book. The rooftop room was silent, without a single stray noise.
"It's similar."
The Heavenly Demon gave a wry smile as he looked at the book.
Yes. His current routine was no different from his days in the martial world.
Rise in the morning for training (site work), enjoy books (or TV) in the evening.
Just that without internal energy, he added predawn meditation, and the occasional duels with Jeong The Heavenly Demon were gone—otherwise, the regular, quiet life was the same.
[Similar? What do you mean?]
Nameless, lounging lazily in its charging station, blinked. The Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"Nothing."
"Grumble."
Just then, a low groan and presence came from outside the door.
Puzzled, the Heavenly Demon closed his book. No one even passed by around here—who'd come up to the rooftop?
Stepping out to the foyer, there was Jang Chaewon, beaming with arms full of large bags.
"Ta-da! Surprised?"
-Cheep cheep! (Ugh, bachelor stink!)
The Sparrow on her shoulder let out a glad cry.
-Cheeeep! (No hot water at home, meow? Wash up.)
"Yes, it's this Seat."
The Heavenly Demon, ever interpreting the Sparrow's cries his own way, looked at Jang Chaewon.
"What brings you here, shopkeeper?"
"What do you mean? You moved here and haven't even had a housewarming yet."
"Housewarming? What's that?"
"Um, like a welcome party after getting a new place."
Jang Chaewon grunted and set the plastic bags down on the rooftop platform. They were stuffed with vegetables, meat, drinks, and more.
"What's all that food?"
"Oh, I thought we'd do a housewarming兼 company dinner."
"Manager Jang?"
Then, at the rooftop room entrance, an elderly man laden with stuff appeared. It was tile artisan Kim Chanwon.
"Oh? Mr. Kim."
"What brings Manager Jang here?"
"Oh, Heavenly Demon moved, so I thought we'd do a dinner here for once. But Mr. Kim..."
Jang Chaewon eyed the bags in Kim Chanwon's hands, packed with soju and various side dish ingredients.
"Oh, I heard Mr. Cheon moved and came for the housewarming兼 a drink. But looks like you beat me to it."
"Oh no, I just came uninvited."
Jang Chaewon smiled brightly.
Kim Chanwon was a tile artisan but skilled in all sorts of construction—she trusted him.
Moreover, despite being a high-grade yokai, he got along great with the Heavenly Demon, practically Bobbok Interior's second full-timer lately.
"I was wondering if I should invite you too... perfect!"
"Hahaha, why hesitate over that? I'm always down for a drink."
"Wait. This is this Seat's sacred dwelling..."
Before the Heavenly Demon could speak, Jang Chaewon thrust a large plastic bag at him.
"These are wraps and mushrooms for grilling. Oh, no. I'll wash 'em."
She snatched the bag back and barged into the rooftop room.
"This is the sacred dwelling of this Seat..."
"Mr. Cheon. You like charcoal grilling?"
As Kim Chanwon waved his hand, a whoosh of wind brought up a large drum barrel and grill to the rooftop.
"Just wait a bit. This body'll grill you some real tasty charcoal BBQ."
With sleeves rolled high, Kim Chanwon grinned wide. The Heavenly Demon could only clamp his mouth shut.
[Guess I'm sitting this one out.]
Nameless, watching quietly, rolled back inside.
Crackle crackle.
The firewood in the drum barrel crackled like sweet music, and the millions of stars in the night sky blinked in rhythm.
The Heavenly Demon gazed at the night sky with a stoic expression. A low voice reached his ear.
"Mr. Cheon. I ain't drunk yet, one more... I'm Kim Chanwon. Kim Chanwon..."
On the platform table, dead-drunk Kim Chanwon sprawled, mumbling nonsense.
Empty bottles piled like mountains around the platform, half-eaten meats and sides scattered everywhere.
"So this is a drinking party in this world."
It had been a mad feast.
He thought it'd be light charcoal grilling and drinks, but once they got buzzed, Jang Chaewon and Kim Chanwon dragged him to downtown bars.
Second round there with heavy drinking, third at karaoke with a wild dance party.
Then "last round" back at the rooftop with tons of booze for a total binge.
"Hmm."
The Heavenly Demon gathered the food trash strewn in the living room and opened the rooftop door.
There, drunk Jang Chaewon and the Sparrow huddled asleep in the middle of the platform.
"I can't drink anymore..."
-Cheep.
Rubbing his forehead, the Heavenly Demon draped his outer coat over Jang Chaewon from the door.
She faintly opened her eyes and murmured drunkenly or in her sleep.
"You... why're you so fine?"
"This Seat is immune to all poisons. Alcohol poison included."
"Oh. I see."
With a look like a riddle solved, Jang Chaewon smiled brightly and fell back asleep.
'She'll head home once sober.'
Entering the room, the Heavenly Demon picked up the book from the table and sat before the platform. But for some reason, the words wouldn't enter his eyes.
"I suppose so."
Closing the book again, the Heavenly Demon gazed at the dawn sky with a strange expression.
"Not similar at all."
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