Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 197

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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As expected, Makina, who had stolen the telegram, sent word that he would craft the radiation detector I’d ordered and bring it to me.
I’d thought the Machine King might arrive faster if he dispatched his subordinates the way he’d sent me a healing robot as his avatar, but when I mentioned I was going to meet the Underworld King, both Gerth and Samryong said they’d come too, so word arrived that we’d all be gathering together.
Were the Demon Kings having a family reunion this time? It felt rather heartwarming.

◇ ◆ ◇

We decided to first rendezvous in Sungkuk Kingdom. I couldn’t bring Eugene to a Demon King gathering, so I’d watch Samryong in Eugene’s stead, and Eugene would protect Apet in mine.
When Samryong flew down from the sky, there was a brief commotion, but the Sung King stepped forward personally to calm things and assured the other priesthood members of our safety. I wondered why he didn’t use the straight-line flight dragons typically employed, but it turned out Gerth had come laden with bundles of food.
“Evan!”
“Gerth!”
We embraced to celebrate our reunion and spun in circles for five minutes. Perhaps he’d sorted through his feelings during the time apart, for Gerth happily reported his emotional state to me.
“Evan! I’ve been thinking about the relationship between Iyongi, me, and you!”
“Yes!”
“I’ve decided not to worry about it!”
“That’s right!”
I’d already been thinking that since Mother created us but we’re different species with no blood relation, there was nothing to fret over—but Leri apparently drove the point home with a single remark.
If we were family simply because Mother created us, then by Leri’s logic, humanity’s ancestors and the Demon Kings would also be family. He’d gained great insight from that.
“Now I just need to eliminate that Apet. I’ll stop eating lemon pie.”
“That won’t be a problem. Once I finish negotiating with the Sung King, I’m divorcing her.”
“!”
Gerth was delighted that I’d thought it all through, lifted me up, did a reverse Lion King pose, and spun in circles again.
“Evan. I’m so happy that you’re getting divorced.”
“Where there is meeting, there must be parting.”
“We shall not part unless death separates us.”
“I desire that greatly too!”
“Stop being theatrical and let’s go.”
Here was someone celebrating a reunion, and I was calling him theatrical. But Gerth was so excited he looked ready to bite my head again, so I took Apet’s advice to heart.
“Makina, you brought the materials, yes?”
「Of course. I dug through Mother’s knowledge and made it. But is radiation really that harmful to the human body?」
Even searching through the Akashic Records connected to Mother’s knowledge, information about radiation and nuclear fission was scarce, so Makina questioned me. Had that Mother figure actually plastered radiation warning symbols all over Cha Cha’s eyes while concealing information about it? I couldn’t fathom her reasoning.
“In any case, let’s hurry. This is the first time all the Demon Kings have gathered in one place, isn’t it?”
「Right, we’ve only ever met the Underworld King by video call, haven’t we?」
“I’ve never even seen him on video! He’s been asleep the whole time!”
Suddenly it struck me that Samryong really was the youngest. Watching him excited about meeting his eldest brother for the first time, everyone’s hearts grew warm, and we all stroked his head, shoulders, and back. How adorable. Whether they’re two hundred or three hundred years old, the youngest ones are always adorable.
Around the time Samryong was getting tired of being fawned over, we boarded the dragon airship that Gerth’s group had arrived in, and Samryong took flight. When I asked Gerth what he’d prepared, he said he’d brought rice cake soup ingredients, japchae, and braised short ribs.
Well, it was getting close to New Year’s season. An excellent choice.

I rang the well like a doorbell with a ding-dong sound, and as I fell through, Cha Cha, who had come to greet us in advance, quickly wrapped us in a protective shield. Unlike our last meeting when he wore a hazmat suit, he was dressed quite fashionably, and I was about to compliment him when my attention was stolen by another presence.
“Kyaaaah! The Panda Butler!”
This insanely adorable panda wearing butler’s attire was absolutely massive and impossibly cute!
I let out a squeal and rushed forward, jumping and clinging to the panda without hesitation. He was incredibly cute. So fluffy and incredibly cute. The panda was the best.
“Evan! You’re supposed to find me cute too!”
“Yeah. Cha Cha is cute too.”
“You’re totally fawning over the Panda Butler right now!”
Cha Cha whimpered and tried to pry me away from the panda, but since I possessed considerable strength, I managed to keep clinging. I buried my face in the panda’s soft chest fur and breathed deeply, when the panda patted me gently and held up a sign.
[Please maintain your dignity, young lady.]
Wow, this panda can communicate! The handwriting is incredibly neat—adult-level penmanship! Is he middle-aged? So I’m hugging a middle-aged panda? That makes it even better.
“Let go already!”
“Evan. The panda’s fur is about to be plucked out.”
Oh no, that won’t do. Gerth’s words snapped me back to reality, and I released the panda. The sight of his fur sticking up everywhere from where I’d rubbed my face against him was absolutely perfect. I wanted to bury myself in it one more time.
“Did it hurt? I got too excited.”
[It’s quite alright.]
The panda wrote gently and pulled out a brush, smoothing down his chest fur with practiced strokes. It was wonderful. I wanted to cling to him again. But I had to restrain myself. I couldn’t impose any further, so I bit my lip firmly.
“Cha Cha. You’re looking quite dapper today.”
To divert my attention from the panda, I complimented Cha Cha’s outfit. Apparently anticipating everyone’s arrival, the Starving Child was dressed in a neat tailcoat with a bow tie tied smartly in place.
“Yeah! I made an effort since you were coming back!”
“Old-timer, we’re invisible no matter what, aren’t we?”
“Who’s calling me old-timer?! When did I ever say you two shouldn’t come? You mechanical hag!”
“Hey, Samryong! Because you keep calling me a hag, even the Underworld King is acting like this!”
Hmm, it’s noisy and pleasant. Gerth seemed to enjoy this lively atmosphere too, grinning as he approached the Panda Butler. The first thing Gerth sought upon setting foot in the Underworld was the location of the kitchen.
“Makina, where’s the radiation detector?”
“It’s right here! Just a moment!”
After sending Gerth to the kitchen, Makina, now perched on my shoulder, retrieved a measuring device larger than his own body from his bundle and pressed the power button.
Boom!
The needle tilted endlessly to the right before the machine exploded. The Machine King, taken aback, quickly extracted a screwdriver and soldering iron from his mechanical arms and spoke to me.
“Just wait a moment! I’ll fix it right away!”
The adjustments would take time. In that case, let’s go eat the meal Gerth is preparing. Everyone agreed with my suggestion, and Cha Cha, saying that Gerth and the Panda Butler were already inside, took my hand and led the way. Cha Cha, humming a tune and hopping in rhythm, looked absolutely delighted.
He said something cold earlier, but it seems he’s happy to see his brothers after all. I felt a pang of regret that the Department Head Professor wasn’t here too. And I could do without Iyongi. I’d prefer if Iyong simply exited my life as things stand.
Stepping into the Underworld King’s mobile underground tomb, which I’d only known through text, I felt advanced civilization with my entire being. The Machine King’s Bunny Land was impressive too, but what is this high technology? A near-future landscape that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie unfolded before me.
There seemed to be some kind of Research Laboratory inside, and the Living Room had some kind of culture medium where something alien-like was growing. There was also a restricted area, so I asked Cha Cha what it was, and he said it was a biochemical weapons laboratory and I absolutely must never enter.
I won’t enter even if it kills me.
“Come in. The food is ready.”
“Hey! I’m the master here, aren’t I?! Why are you acting like the host!”
As Gerth arranged the food on the table, the Underworld King, annoyed that someone so young was taking liberties, promptly sat in the seat of honor. Then he pointed to the chair on his right and told me to sit.
“This is Evan’s seat! Sit down quickly!”
“Understood. Don’t be fussy.”
Cha Cha hasn’t stopped smiling since earlier. Is he really that happy to have his brothers gathered? I chuckled softly and picked up my chopsticks, eagerly snatching up some braised short ribs.
“Come to think of it, Gerth. I need your cooperation.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like you to marry me.”
I need to be recognized as Mother Goddess’s daughter-in-law, after all. The thought spilled out of me so abruptly that Gerth dropped his ladle with a clatter.
“Hey, hey! You little thing! Why are you trying to get married already!”
For someone saying that, Cha Cha was actually smaller than me. When I seized on his words and pressed the point, the Starving Child vehemently opposed my marriage, insisting that such matters weren’t the issue at my age. His objection seemed to stem primarily from my youth.
“But I’m already experienced in marriage.”
“…What?”
“On the Surface World, wasn’t there a blonde little one beside me? He’s my husband.”
“…Huh?”
Cha Cha, who had been filled with shock and confusion, soon brightened, his voice brimming with anticipation.
“Evan, you… you got married to that little one?”
“Yes. We held the wedding ceremony not long ago.”
“You actually wanted to marry that little thing?!”
“Isn’t it beautiful? It’s within acceptable parameters.”
Cha Cha patted both cheeks as if coming to his senses, then drew a sharp breath before making a bold proposal.
“Then cancel it with him and marry me instead!”
“Hmm….”
Now that I thought about it, the Underworld King was also created by Mother Goddess. As the first Demon King she made, she might regard him as her most favored child. Would he have a higher chance of being recognized as a son-in-law? If so, Gerth wasn’t strictly necessary. I reached my conclusion and answered Cha Cha.
“Marrying Cha Cha could work too. I have no objection.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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