Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

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Chapter 198: The Queasy Feeling

My insides churned. The space twisted, and the skin of the world tore apart in a golden spectacle. Seeing that, Yeon-woo couldn’t help but notice.

‘So that’s why I couldn’t find the main entrance—it was stuck inside a gate!’

Of course, it was impossible to find it. This was the Demon King’s Gate we were talking about. The very fact that there might be an entrance on Earth was questionable. Placing a store in a separate dimension made it all the more extraordinary to find it.

“We’ve arrived, esteemed guest.”

With a smile, Jiz stepped back. The queasy sensation that enveloped my body had vanished without a trace. After blinking my dazed eyes a few times, the once-blurry scenery finally became clear.

Beneath a sky darkened as if the sun had disappeared, there it was, shining on its own. It was like the sun had fallen to join us; the only light source in my line of sight was that one entity.

“What an awful taste!”

“Haha, it wasn’t intentionally decorated like this, I assure you.”

A giant’s skull, glowing with its own light. The Golden Desire was built inside that very skull. No, it might be better to say it was integrated with the skull rather than just being inside it.

It wasn’t an automatic door, but the upper jaw of the skull lifted, opening a gateway. Inside the shop, gold, silver, and splendid jewels sparkled radiantly.

Yet it didn’t give off a cheap vibe, like something a nouveau riche would create, but instead felt unbelievably clean, reminiscent of a high-end department store.

“Please, come in. The owner should be awaiting your arrival.”

“What if they weren’t here today?”

“They likely had nothing else to do and would wait until you arrived anyway.”

…Saying that would surely diminish the Demon King’s dignity. Ignoring Yeon-woo’s displeased expression, Jiz strode ahead.

There were many questions I wanted to ask about the skull and other things, but overwhelmed by the scenery inside, Yeon-woo silently followed behind Jiz.

The interior was not just filled with employees; there were also quite a few customers. It felt like I had stumbled into the VIP section of a department store.

‘Not that I’d know, since I’ve never been.’

Among them, Yeon-woo’s presence, guided by Jiz, drew notice; everyone passing by glanced curiously at him. How embarrassing.

After a bit of walking while taking an elevator, Jiz finally stopped her footsteps. Yeon-woo raised his head to gaze at what was in front of him.

It was a door. Darker than the overall splendid ambiance of the building.

“You may enter. I will wait here. If you wish to leave, just let me know.”

“Okay. So, Leviathan is inside?”

“Yes, indeed. I hope you enjoy your time.”

At that moment, the door opened. A black darkness peeked through the crack, flicking its tongue.

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo stepped into the darkness.

*

Death comes with responsibility. This applies even to accidental deaths. Someone had to take the blame.

This was no different for the ‘Suppressed Friday.’ Someone had to take responsibility. Unsurprisingly, the gaze fell upon the one who brought this disaster—Leviathan.

People thought it was ridiculous. What could one demand from a visitor from another realm, an entity of overwhelming power?

Besides, she had already done her part. Hadn’t she poured a significant portion of her wealth into recovering the fallen?

It would be fortunate if she was simply ignored or didn’t change her mind and turn hostile. Excluding a few malicious individuals who aimed insults at her, most were waiting for the official announcement from the Golden Desire.

Before long, Leviathan presented herself at the official meeting. She did not disregard the matter. Amidst the astonishment that accompanied her presence, her first words were even more shocking.

“Behold, the sixth Demon King has now been born. The Friday Demon King, Leviathan.”

The woman declared this with an exceedingly bittersweet expression. She would not emerge unless it was something special, but the door to the Golden Desire would always remain open.

With that, the sixth Demon King, Leviathan, vanished into her dwelling, the Gate filled only with darkness and gold.

Coincidentally, this happened over a decade ago. Yeon-woo barely spoke at that age, so he hadn’t witnessed it directly, but a certain old man had once told him this while he sought ways to visit the Golden Desire.

– I never imagined a time would come when one would trust a Demon King more than a human….

Chuckling to himself, the old man’s eyes held a deep regret. It was absurd; such a time had indeed existed.

Of course, Yeon-woo didn’t recklessly rush into the Demon King’s territory just because of the old man’s words. Coincidentally, Leviathan truly was a trustworthy Demon King.

It was later revealed that she had invested vast resources through various routes to maintain humanity’s frontlines and reinvested her acquired wealth without hesitation. This was all discovered right before Yeon-woo regressed.

‘Although that must have been based on commercial calculations too.’

Still, that was as far as his trust went. There was no reason for excessive faith, so Yeon-woo slowly lifted his gaze toward the light.

“Nice to meet you, little one. So, you came to collect a gift, huh? Just so you know, this is a deal where I end up at a loss.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Perched precariously on a plush, gigantic chair was a girl who looked about fourteen, with violet hair, cheerfully shouting those words as Yeon-woo quietly nodded in response.

‘Lately, I seem to meet many kids.’

“Hey? You were thinking something strange, weren’t you?”

‘Can’t help being perceptive, just like an annoying little sun god….’

Yeon-woo averted his eyes, vaguely recalling that bratty sun god.

*

“So, you came rushing over for the bait of a gift, eh? I wasn’t expecting you to fall for it so easily, but that’s a pleasant surprise. So, let’s start by hearing what you want?”

The Friday Demon King, Leviathan, seemed to have a pretty direct and cheerful personality. This was Yeon-woo’s first real encounter, and the image of Leviathan portrayed in the media was quite majestic, so this was somewhat unexpected.

Of course, he knew about her appearance. A Demon King resembling a girl…. Given that most Demon Kings were reported to look monster-like, she was clearly an exceptional case.

But a gift, a gift. Countless things surfaced in his mind. Yet, if he were to ask what he could only receive from Leviathan….

“Information. I want information, Leviathan.”

“…Oh?”

At Yeon-woo’s words, Leviathan’s eyes curved delightfully. Her reaction clearly showed interest, and without hesitation, Yeon-woo continued.

What he said next would undoubtedly sound provocative. Yet, the truth was, there was no one else he could ask except for her.

“What is a Demon King? What do I need to do to kill a Demon King?”

Leviathan’s eyebrows twitched at those words. Naturally, it was an outrageous request. Asking a Demon King how to kill a Demon King was the same as sticking one’s neck out to be executed willingly.

Yeon-woo awaited her response. It felt like waiting for the descending blade of a guillotine, but he was confident he wouldn’t die. He might not know much about the Demon King before him, but he did know a few crucial things.

“Me? I am a Demon King, you know? Are you seriously asking me to create the very knife that might pierce my heart? Isn’t that a bit too audacious?”

Leviathan smiled coldly. The pressure she exerted was incomparable to Jiz’s, crushing Yeon-woo’s body.

‘Ugh, gasp…!!’

Electric shocks coursed through him!!

His senses, his Aura sensed the imminent threat to life and began to run wild throughout his body. To keep from losing consciousness in this chaotic state, Yeon-woo bit his tongue deliberately.

With the bitter taste of iron in his mouth, he felt a small respite from the tremors throughout his body.

However, the murderous intent pressing down on him from Leviathan hadn’t disappeared. Of course, Yeon-woo didn’t recklessly defy Leviathan in the first place. With the Aura he had barely gathered through sheer desperation, he finally managed to speak.

“…I don’t want to, I just want to kill the others!!”

“Oh?”

Finally, he felt the fierce pressure that had been crushing him dissipate.

“Cough, wheeze….”

He could taste blood mixed in with his cough. Not only from his tongue but apparently he had also sustained internal damage. Damn it, did I overdo it?

“Do you think I’d believe you if you said you had no intention of killing me?”

“Well… that would depend on our conversation moving forward.”

“Ha, fine. Let’s chat, dear guest.”

Leviathan said with a provocative smile. With just a snap of her fingers, a golden liquid erupted from the spot Yeon-woo had occupied, taking the shape of a chair.

Feeling no aversion, he plopped down into the chair. To be honest, his legs were shaking so much he could barely stand anymore.

As Yeon-woo finally settled into the golden chair with a cushion that had miraculously formed, a woman dressed in a fluttering suit, a blend of maid and formal wear, stepped out from the shadows and sighed.

“…Levi, it’s not good to threaten guests. If rumors spread that the Friday Demon King threatened the dragon contractor, we’d have no way to respond.”

“Huh? No way to respond? That can’t be…!”

“There are seven Demon Kings, but the dragon contractor is uniquely you, dear guest. Moreover, since you are cooperating with humans, your voice carries substantial weight.”

“Uh, uh… but I’m the only Demon King cooperating with humanity…. Why don’t I get special treatment….”

Seeing the Demon King, who had just threatened Yeon-woo’s life, now spluttering like this was utterly bewildering.

“I apologize, dear guest. Let me offer my sincerest apologies on her behalf. Shall we move to a private room?”

“…Wait, hold up. Where are we going to a room for? I only accept apologies that have material benefits.”

Setting clear boundaries with that peculiar-looking attendant as she spoke, Yeon-woo was mindful. He felt that if he didn’t draw clear lines now, it might cause problems later with Nea.

“…Tsk, you sure catch on quickly.”

“I just heard you trip over your tongue. I heard it all.”

“Not possible for me to trip over my tongue in front of a guest like you. It must be an auditory hallucination. The old man is probably up to his tricks again. Cease the illusion magic!!”

As the attendant shouted, the presence outside the door startled. It felt like there was a hint of indignation even from here.

“Phew, I’ve broken the illusion. So, you don’t hear any tongue-tripping sounds, do you?”

“…No, I don’t hear anything….”

Yeon-woo was about to comment that it was simply because she hadn’t tripped over her tongue, but he decided to abandon that discussion. He assumed it’d only cost him his time to continue the futile argument.

“So, concerning this individual…”

“This is my subordinate, Behi! Behi, this is our guest, Choi Yeon-woo! Let’s exchange greetings!”

“…”

“…”

At those words, the two faced each other. The moment for pleasantries had long passed…. But as Leviathan observed them with sparkling eyes, they both lightly nodded at one another.

“Alright, let’s kick off the conversation. First, dear guest, what makes you think I wish to kill the other Demon Kings?”

With an unfazed expression, Leviathan asked. Yeon-woo had only one answer.

“Because you are the Demon King of Greed.”

“…Hmm, is that all?”

“No, it’s not just that, Leviathan. You chose to cooperate with humans unlike the other Demon Kings.”

As Yeon-woo spoke while idly drumming his fingers, Leviathan stared at him with a frown, looking like an innocent child who had been caught playing a prank.

“The greedy you, aiming for humanity, wouldn’t team up with other Demon Kings who seek humanity’s extinction. Isn’t that right?”

“…Ha.”

Leviathan scoffed as if dropping a toy she held in her hand. Her face flushed brightly, as though she had been exposed.

“The world of dragons really do tell you things? This is tricky. What should we do, Behi?”

“…It wouldn’t do to admit that, my lady.”

Is this really the world’s top merchant…? Yeon-woo couldn’t help but think.

(To be continued in the next chapter)