Chapter 9

Chapter 9 — Second Level Up

I was walking aimlessly down the street.

Technically, I had left work early without permission, so that old-fashioned Chief would probably throw a huge fit later.

But I simply couldn't stay in the Violent Crimes Division any longer.

It was painful to sit there and watch Heo Na-young being questioned by Detective Park.

The world itself seemed unreasonable for punishing that woman.

“Damn it!”

Unable to hold back the anger rising inside me, I slammed my fist into the wall of a nearby building.

BOOM!

“...Boom?”

The sound was like a bomb exploding.

A deep dent appeared in the building wall, and chunks of stone and powder came raining down.

Everyone walking along the street turned to stare at me.

I was just as shocked as they were.

I hurried away from the scene and ran into an alley that looked deserted.

“Huff... huff... What the hell was that?”

Only after reaching somewhere without people did I stop running and catch my breath.

I had only punched the wall.

How could that have caused the wall to break apart with an explosion?

I couldn't understand it at all.

Ding-dong-ding-dong.

—Congratulations. For resolving the Heo Na-young case and capturing the wandering ghost, you are eligible for a Level Up. Would you like to accept?

Yes... I accept. But Arang, I got angry and punched a wall just now. The wall broke apart and exploded. What happened?

—It seems Your Majesty's emotions became intense, causing the energy of the Black Spirit to unconsciously gather around your fist. When your fist struck the wall, that energy exploded.

So Black Spirit energy can explode too?

—That's right. Just like Ghost Eye, it's one of the basic abilities of the Human Emperor's Envoy. Then I will begin the Level Up. You will advance from Level 2 to Level 4. First, your stamina and physical strength will be enhanced.

Wait! I'm going up two levels at once this time?

I hadn't really done that much.

Wasn't this happening a little too quickly?

—Up to Level 4, you don't need that much experience. However, reaching Level 5, where you can obtain the Second Form of the Black Spirit Demon Spear Art, won't be nearly as easy. First, the amount of information provided by Ghost Eye will increase. Information about the characteristics of evil spirits will also be added.

That's useful. Modern warfare is all about information, after all.

—A new function called Ghost Domain has also been added to the Soul-Ensnaring Demon Mirror. During battles with evil spirits, Ghost Domain can minimize damage to the mortal world.

What does that mean?

—Think of Ghost Domain as a virtual battlefield. Even if buildings are destroyed during your battle with an evil spirit, once you leave the Ghost Domain, everything will return to normal. Matters of the afterlife shouldn't cause damage to the mortal world.

So basically, I can fight as much as I want without worrying about the surroundings.

—Yes, exactly. And a Transformation function has also been added.

Transformation?

—Yes. Transformation allows Your Majesty to change into your original appearance as the Human Emperor's Envoy.

...Like Kamen Rider or something? Isn't that a little childish...?

—But it's so cool! To think I'll get to see Taebaek's noble and dignified appearance again... I really want to see it soon.

Arang. I'm starting to see your fangirl side.

—...Lastly, Black Spirit Movement has been added. Black Spirit Movement consists of the unique footwork and lightness techniques of the Human Emperor's Envoy.

And what's that?

—Footwork refers to movements used to evade an opponent's attacks, while lightness techniques allow you to move by making your body lighter. At your current level, you can use Rising Dragon Flight, Whirlwind Step, and Fierce Dragon Step.

According to Arang, Rising Dragon Flight was a lightness technique.

At my current level, I could jump roughly twenty meters with it.

If I learned to use it properly, I could practically fly from one building to another.

Whirlwind Step was a footwork technique that allowed me to dodge enemy attacks as though I were spinning along with the wind.

Fierce Dragon Step allowed me to instantly close the distance to an enemy with the momentum of a raging dragon.

—That concludes your Level Up.

Good work, Arang. But I still didn't get a single attack skill this time.

—You're right. Come to think of it, I think we need to find the Black Spirit Demon Spear as soon as possible. And... by any chance, have you been having any strange dreams lately, Your Majesty?

Arang's voice suddenly became cautious.

Why are you asking that all of a sudden?

—No reason. I was just curious. Then I'll see you later.

And just like that, my conversation with Arang ended.

At times like this, I really felt grateful to her.

Honestly, I was the problem.

Arang was actually a very nice woman.

Didn't she say today was her birthday?

Considering how badly I'd treated her until now, maybe I should buy her a present.

What kind of present would be good?

Come to think of it, I had absolutely no history of ever buying gifts for women.

A handsome, charming man like me, with a great personality, a stable career, and absolutely nothing lacking whatsoever, still being single should probably be counted among the Seven Wonders of the World.

For now, I decided to walk around and clear my head.

If I wanted to buy someone a present, I first needed to analyze the person receiving it.

Let's see... Her name is obviously Arang. Her job is Monthly Duty Envoy of Hell. And... huh? What's Arang's family name? What's her family situation? How old is she?

Thinking about it, I realized I knew almost nothing about Arang.

There was only one thing I knew for certain.

Her personality is simple-minded and short-tempered.

—What did you just say?

There it was!

Short-tempered.

The broadcast had ended, but apparently Arang was still watching me.

I've got a question. Can all high-ranking people in the afterlife read people's thoughts like you can?

—No. Even in the Heavenly Realm, only the Jade Emperor, King Yeomra, and their direct descendants can read thoughts.

What?! Then you're a direct descendant too?

—Yes. I'm King Yeomra's second daughter.

Whoa! Then you're royalty!

—Hohoho. So you finally realized.

Damn it.

I'd finally managed to lower Arang's nose a little, and now it seemed like it was going to rise again.

Whoever marries you is going to suffer. How is anyone supposed to live with a woman who can read his mind?

—Hmph! If his spiritual power is stronger than mine, I can't read his thoughts.

So you're saying I'm weaker than you?

—Obviously.

Damn.

Instead of lowering her nose, I think I'd made it grow even longer like Pinocchio's.

Arang, how old are you right now?

—Why do you want to know?

Her level of talking back had improved too.

It's just because I realized there's so much I don't know about you. Is your age a secret?

—It's not exactly a secret, but...

Then tell me.

—By mortal-world standards, I'm 1,026 years old.

“Pfft!”

You're an old granny!

—What did you say?! Do you even know how old you are?!

What? “You”? Well, considering how old you are, I suppose you can call me that, Granny.

—Then do you know that you're 1,252 years old?!

Whaaat?!

I was so shocked that my words came out weird.

Of course, that wasn't my current age.

It was the age of my previous life—the Human Emperor's Envoy.

But Arang, when I went to Knife Mountain Hell last time, I was way more popular than I expected. What kind of person was I?

It occurred to me that Arang seemed to know quite a lot about me.

—You were simply the Human Emperor's Envoy. Your real name was Taebaek.

Taebaek?

—Yes. Taebaek, the Human Emperor's Envoy—the Greatest Under Heaven, who saved Heaven and Hell from the Three Evils of the Underworld.

Is that why I was so popular?

—Of course. Taebaek was incredibly impressive back then. His dignity, his composure, his strength, his kindness... You can't even be compared to him.

But I'm the Human Emperor.

—......

Apparently, even Arang realized how illogical her statement had been.

Of course, that entire world was already illogical, so I didn't really feel like teasing her about it.

Then what crime did Taebaek commit?

—That, I can't tell you. You have to realize it yourself.

Arang. No, Lady Arang. Please tell me. I seriously can't stand being curious about something.

First strategy.

Begging.

—No.

I hadn't really expected the first attempt to work anyway.

Lady Arang, please tell me. Hmm?

Second strategy.

I attacked with my devastating cuteness.

—No. Absolutely, absolutely not.

The complete failure of my second attempt dealt quite a blow.

Seriously, you're more stubborn than an ox tendon. If you keep this up, I'm not going to cooperate anymore.

Last strategy.

A subtle threat.

—Do whatever you want. If I tell you, my sister would be pitiful... Oh!

Bzzzt—

Arang hurriedly shut off the connection.

Hmm... She definitely said “my sister.”

Once words left your mouth, you could never take them back.

From the way things were going, Arang probably wouldn't show herself for a while.

She knew perfectly well that I would grab onto that slip of the tongue and keep questioning her.

Anyway... 1,026 years old, huh?

Now that I knew her age, I needed to find a present that a woman over a thousand years old would like.

But people in the mortal world barely live past a hundred. Does something like that even exist here?

At times like this, it was best to ask an expert.

Unfortunately, the expert I had in mind probably hated me quite a bit.

Since I was the one asking for a favor, I figured I'd have to create the right atmosphere first.

On my way home, I stopped by a convenience store and bought five bottles of Gyeongju X-ju, one of the most popular ceremonial liquors, along with every kind of snack I could grab.

It cost me around fifty thousand won.

Since I was spending this much money, I fully intended to get my money's worth tonight.

I returned home with my arms full of alcohol and snacks.

My place was a studio apartment of about ten pyeong, so there was enough space for a few people to sit down and drink.

I unfolded a low table and arranged the alcohol and snacks on top.

All right. Shall I invite today's expert?

I opened my right palm and gathered spiritual power.

The Four Spirits Supreme Plaque floated above my hand.

“Reveal yourself before me. Captain Jeonghu of the Covert Envoys!”

I summoned Jeonghu.

A moment later, Jeonghu appeared before me wearing an envoy's uniform, his body frozen in an awkward stance.

At a glance, it looked like he'd been practicing some kind of martial art when I'd suddenly summoned him.

As expected, he's the diligent, hardworking elite type.

I was practically impressed by my own ability to judge people.

At this point, my eye for people might even be better than that of a professional physiognomist.

“Did Your Majesty summon me?”

Jeonghu looked around before asking.

“Yeah. I called because I wanted to ask you something.”

“Me? What exactly is the matter?”

“Wait a second. I'm calling one more person.”

I had a feeling this other expert would also be very helpful.

I summoned the Four Spirits Supreme Plaque again.

“Reveal yourself before me. Mancheon, Prison Guard Envoy of Knife Mountain Hell!”

This time, Mancheon appeared inside my home.

He was holding something that looked like a plastic bag.

“Huh? Where is this? I was definitely on my way home.”

Like Jeonghu, he looked around in confusion.

“Oh my! Isn't that Your Majesty? But Your Majesty, where are we? Oh my! Captain Jeonghu, isn't that you? Why are you here too?”

Mancheon kept bowing his head as he looked back and forth between Jeonghu and me.

Fortunately, it seemed Jeonghu and Mancheon already knew each other.

“Sorry, Mancheon. I had a personal matter and summoned you without permission.”

“What?! Then... are we in the mortal world right now?”

“Yeah. This is my house in the mortal world.”

“Oh my goodness. Then I've actually entered Your Majesty's residence. What an incredible honor.”

Mancheon's reactions were much more exaggerated than I'd expected.

He was even worse than my old-fashioned Chief.

He'd said before that he was over nine hundred years old.

Maybe he'd spent so long dealing with society that he'd ended up like this.

I made a mental note to remember that excessive years of social life could have side effects.

“How did Envoy Mancheon come to know His Majesty?”

Jeonghu, who had been watching from the side, asked him.

“Ah, well, that is...”

I explained it to Jeonghu in Mancheon's place.

Since Jeonghu outranked him, I figured Mancheon might feel uncomfortable explaining everything himself.

“I see... So that's what happened. But what exactly did you summon us here for today...?”

The way Jeonghu trailed off made it obvious that he was still wary of me.

“Don't just stand there. Sit down and make yourselves comfortable.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Oh my! Then, by Your Majesty's command, I'll sit as well.”

At least the two of them obediently followed my instructions.

I was the one who needed their help, so naturally I had to treat my experts properly.

“I prepared this because I thought you envoys might like it. This is the most famous ceremonial liquor in the mortal world. It's called Gyeongju X-ju. It's so popular that it's difficult to even find.”

First, I threw in one blatant lie.

Depending on their reaction, I'd be able to judge how much these experts actually knew about the mortal world.

At my words, Jeonghu and Mancheon exchanged glances.

Hmm... That kind of look usually means one of two things.

Once, I'd arrested several gangsters and questioned them about a crime.

When I'd asked them, “Which one of you planned this?” they'd exchanged exactly the same kind of look.

Usually, that was called silently conspiring with one another.

But surely these two weren't exchanging glances because they needed to conspire over something like this.

My question wasn't exactly something that required a secret discussion.

Which meant there was only one possibility left.

Something was wrong with what I'd said.

“Um... Your Majesty.”

Instead of Jeonghu, Mancheon cautiously spoke up.

Apparently, they'd decided the lower-ranking Mancheon should take responsibility for saying it.

“This is the alcohol that envoys hate the most. Wherever we go, people always give us this stuff... Your Majesty, imagine drinking the same alcohol for fifty years. Wouldn't you get sick of it too? Hahaha.”

So the second possibility had been correct.

It wasn't that they lacked knowledge about the mortal world.

Mancheon had just informed me that I knew absolutely nothing about the afterlife.

“Really? Fine, then don't drink it. I'll drink it myself.”

I opened one of the bottles and pretended to pour myself a glass.

Their next reaction would determine whether I kicked these so-called experts straight out of my house.

“Oh my! Your Majesty can't pour your own drink! Respect for one's elders applies equally in both the mortal world and the afterlife.”

Mancheon panicked and quickly snatched the bottle away.

Passed.

Thanks to Mancheon, Jeonghu had narrowly escaped getting kicked out along with him.

“Still, hearing you talk about respecting elders feels kind of strange. No matter how I look at it, I look younger than both of you.”

“Hahaha. Based on Your Majesty's true age, you're about three hundred years older than even me. What are you talking about?”

“Really? Then why isn't Jeonghu saying anything?”

That bastard still seemed to be holding a grudge over what happened before.

“I... don't really drink alcohol this weak. If the alcohol content isn't high enough, it feels bland to me. I'd honestly rather drink water.”

I was wrong.

Jeonghu was the true Russian funnel.

In other words, he was the type who poured hard liquor straight down his throat.

“Should I go home and bring some of the alcohol I normally drink?”

“Well, do whatever you want.”

If he was willing to go that far, then he clearly disliked the alcohol I'd prepared.

“Then please send me back with the Supreme Plaque and summon me again in ten minutes.”

I did as Jeonghu asked.

“I'm back, Your Majesty.”

Around ten minutes later, I summoned Jeonghu again.

He placed a large and magnificent ceramic liquor bottle on the floor.

“Whoa! Isn't that Hell Fragrance?! The legendary liquor enjoyed only by high-ranking officials even in the afterlife! Kyaaa~ My liver is going to have the time of its life tonight!”

The instant he saw the bottle, Mancheon became incredibly excited.

However...

That bottle was the signal announcing the beginning of the worst day of my life.