Three Meals of a Reincarnator

Ho Sung Lee felt like crying when he saw Min Sung.

How could he return so suddenly without warning?

Of course, since he was in the Demonic Realm, it couldn't be helped. But in any case, seeing how he was overwhelmed with so many emotions, he must've been having a hard time.

The thought that it was all over and he could now escape from the heavy burden of the position he was in made him feel free.

"Are you crying?" Min Sung asked as if he was annoyed.

"It's been hard."

"Stop crying. I'll kill you," said Min Sung with a straight face.

In response, Ho Sung Lee sucked in his tears.

"… Yes, Sir."

"Let's eat."

Min Sung entered the house.

Bowl and Repone realized that their master had returned.

Bowl shook his big head and ran over while Repone flapped his wings, and Ssol, who practically lived in the garden, ran over with grass all over his body.

Just like that, Bowl, Repone, and Ssol stuck onto Min Sung like glue.

With all three of them on his body, Min Sung went to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and took out the water.

Chug! Chug! Chug!

He chugged all the water.

The taste of the clean water upon returning from the Demonic Realm was refreshing and delicious.

It felt as though the dust that accumulated in his body got washed away.

"Phew."

Just as Min Sung let out a sigh, Ho Sung Lee rolled up his sleeves and entered the kitchen.

"Is there anything you'd like to eat?" Ho Sung Lee asked with a bright face.

"Anything Korean."

Min Sung put down the water and headed to the living room with Bowl, Repone, and Ssol on his body.

While Ho Sung Lee prepared the food, Min Sung laid on the sofa and closed his eyes.

Since he was waiting for his food to be ready, Bowl, Repone, and Ssol also enjoyed a nap close to Min Sung.

***

"Sir, the food is ready!"

In response, Min Sung opened his eyes and got up.

He hadn't eaten anything during his time in the Demonic Realm. It felt like there was thunder inside his belly.

But he didn't let himself get excited.

Patience was not always necessary, but he was able to wait.

And the wait would result in fruits blooming from the tree.

He had starved significantly during his time in the Demonic Realm. Since he starved after eating so plentifully, he felt even more hungry.

Min Sung sat down at the table with great anticipation.

The meal Ho Sung Lee prepared was very fancy.

The grilled deodeok was the main, and beside it were grilled short rib patties and other side dishes.

He wondered when he had the time to make all of it.

Min Sung picked up his chopsticks and began his meal.

He took a bite of the rice before his chopsticks headed toward the main, which was the grilled deodeok.

He then immediately chewed on the grilled deodeok.

As soon as he did, Min Sung experienced an amazing scent.

The deodeok itself was very fragrant, and even the marinade was simple and delicious.

The grilled deodeok proved just how superior Korean food was.

Min Sung's chopsticks couldn't' stop.

That was because there were way too many side dishes.

The next dish Min Sung's chopsticks headed toward was the steamed stingray. It was very soft, and just by looking at it, it looked like it was soft, and it was true.

As soon as he put it in his mouth, it chewed softly, and then the stingray soon disappeared.

The next dish was kimchi, which he put on top of rice.

Min Sung looked down at it for a long time.

He suddenly felt very touched.

When he went to the Demonic Realm, he prepared himself to some extent.

He knew that it was possible he would never return, so he felt relieved that he actually came back.

And that was why the kimchi on top of the rice made him feel so touched.

He quickly wrapped the rice with the kimchi and put it into his mouth.

Om nom. Chomp.

The refreshing scent of the cabbage and the spicy red pepper flakes allowed him to experience the extreme beauty of Korea.

He added green onions and onions on top and ate another piece of the grilled deodeok.

No matter how many times he ate the grilled deodeok, he couldn't get sick of the scent.

Bracken, peppers, and strong seaweed soup, due to the deep flavors of the Korean meal, Min Sung just had to get another bowl of rice.

Ho Sung Lee's food was still spectacular as ever.

It was near perfection.

It was as if Ho Sung Lee's skills got even better.

***

Min Sung went out to the yard in order to enjoy a little tea time after dinner, and Ho Sung Lee followed.

Min Sung, who drank his warm tea while drinking his warm coffee, looked at Ho Sung Lee and opened his mouth.

"Brief me," said Min Sung.

And in response, Ho Sung Lee informed him of everything that happened while he was in the Demonic Realm.

In order to brief Min Sung properly, Ho Sung Lee had written in his journal every day of everything that was happening.

For that reason, he reported in a smooth manner.

No matter how simple the information, there was a difference that preparation made, and in that sense, Ho Sung Lee's report was flawless.

Min Sung listened to the briefing and nodded.

"Good work."

In response, Ho Sung Lee sighed.

"Um, Sir."

Min Sung drank his hot Americano and sat down on the bench.

"Sat down."

Min Sung pointed at the seat next to him.

"That's all right."

Min Sung didn't refute any further.

"You want to ask me about the Demonic Realm, don't you?"

Ho Sung Lee's eyes sparkled.

Min Sung didn't hesitate to tell him about how he defeated Rucifer and Hellcard, but Ho Sung Lee's response was strong.

"Y-y-you obtained the great god's powers?"

"Yeah. But not anymore," replied Min Sung calmly.

"I-I see."

Ho Sung Lee's pupils shook from left to right.

Min Sung spoke as if it was no big deal, but the one listening couldn't feel the same way… because it almost sounded like an ancient myth.

But since it actually happened, it was surprising.

"Where's Woong Jang?"

"Oh, I let him know that you've returned, so he'll be back by late afternoon."

"Okay."

"But about what Ethan said about how more hunters will get involved with crimes."

"What about it?"

"Is there a way to prevent it?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"… I'm sorry?"

"That's what you and the hunter leaders should work out."

Ho Sung Lee froze up.

"… Me?"

"Then should I?"

"Yes… Well, I should do it, but you'll be the one making the decisions, right?"

"What kind of decisions?"

"About the issues."

Ho Sung Lee's face turned yellow as he watched Min Sung contemplate.

"You must. I felt so pressured that I had to make such big decisions while you were away. You have to take over the responsibility. That's what makes it meaningful."

"Do I have to? I don't want to be bothered," mumbled Min Sung while clicking his tongue.

"You must. They'll only listen to you. They won't listen to what a representative says. And rather than someone like me, I think the Central Institute's Commander Ji Yoo Kim…"

"Not her."

"Why not?" Ho Sung Lee asked as if he wasn't able to understand.

"I think it's better to leave it to someone dumb but knows how to act, rather than someone who's smart, but doesn't do anything about it."

"I'm thankful that you see me that way… Or am I? Anyway, what should we do from now on? Now that there are no dungeons or monsters, the hunters will soon resort to crimes when they lose their jobs."

"That's not for me to worry about. That's your problem. Like I said, all I do is make the decisions."

"Why me? There's the Central Institute. Won't they take care of anything as long as you ask?"

"I can't trust the Central Institute. They're corrupt, too. So you take care of it."

"Um, Sir. Then since you have money, please give me a helper. It's better to work it out with someone smart than struggle all by myself."

"You can do that as long as you don't make my surroundings noisy, but make sure you pick the right person."

"Thank you."

"Anything else?"

"… No, Sir."

"Then I'm going to get some rest."

Ho Sung Lee bowed and returned to the living room.

Ho Sung Lee plopped down on the couch and grabbed his face with both hands.

He thought things would become easier now that Min Sung Kang was back, but that was nothing but his false hope.

"I should still stay positive."

Now that he was back, all he had to do was follow orders.

And as for the difficult issues, he just had to employ smart minds.

'Yeah. I won't make this complicated.'

Ho Sung Lee nodded and immediately called Central Institute's Commander Ji Yoo Kim.

***

"You need someone smart and trustworthy?"

"Yes. I need to find someone who can help me find resolutions to the hunters who'll get involved with crimes later on."

"That's not difficult, but was that Min Sung's idea?"

"No. I didn't want to tell you this, but he said he can't trust the Central Insitute. So he told me to take care of it on my own. Sigh…"

Ho Sung Lee dropped his head and sighed.

Ji Yoo Kim looked at Ho Sung Lee and smiled.

"I'm sure you'll do a good job. You've done a good job so far, right?"

"Haha, that doesn't comfort me at all."

When Ho Sung Lee lifted his head again, Ji Yoo Kim flinched

That was because his eyes were covered in dark circles.

"I'm going to go for a smile."

By the time Ho Sung Lee struggled to get up, Ji Yoo Kim's phone rang.

Ji Yoo Kim answered the phone, and her face quickly turned stiff.

Ho Sung Lee watched Ji Yoo Kim look nervous.

And as soon as she hung up, she smiled bitterly at Ho Sung Lee.

"Ethan was right."

"… Have the hunters started acting already?"

Ji Yoo Kim nodded heavily.

Ho Sung Lee was then reminded of what Ethan told him.

That what was scarier than a powerful enemy was evil that wouldn't go away.