Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 74 The Demons' Difficult Later Life: From Extravagance to Frugality

To be honest, Alastor was practically implying that if Hesk continued the conversation, he would immediately start mocking him.

"...Fuck...Get out of here! You heartless, weird lunatic!"

Hesk, who looked like he had been persecuted by Alastor more than once in this matter, had a grim expression.

After gritting his teeth and squeezing out those two words, the big cat sinner angrily stood up and walked toward where Angel was.

"Hmph, what a pity."

"And those were truly hurtful remarks, didn't you think, Miss Chef?"

Although the other party left after giving him a cold shoulder, Alastor did not seem angry about Hesker's remarks.

After asking you your question in a sarcastic tone, he leaned back elegantly in his chair, his tone relaxed and casual: "Look at our poor bartender, how could he be so naive as to think I have no feelings? If I had no feelings, life would be devoid of any passion! What a boring rest of my life that would be!"

"...He probably meant normal feelings."

You, who at least agree with half of Hesker's views, can't help but say this.

But you immediately regretted it after you finished speaking.

Because you see Alastor tilting his head and squinting his eyes, while also making a questioning "rustling" sound—isn't that exactly the expression he had that day when he didn't recognize Pantheon, who had fought him twenty times!

Your lips twitched.

"Normal feelings?"

"Oh...darling! You know, there are many kinds of feelings. But if you're willing to eliminate some unnecessary feelings and emotions, I assure you, my charming chef, your days will be much more wonderful! At the same time, you'll find that this world will no longer have any unnecessary troubles to bother you."

Alastor's exaggerated hand gestures made it seem as if he was giving you a grand speech.

When the scarlet Wendigo delivers these long-winded speeches, you always clearly realize that he is a demon who has lived for a very long time.

The tone of voice and mature attitude of an elder are natural and cannot be faked.

"However, the most important thing is..."

"Only when you stop generating unnecessary emotions can you get closer to complete freedom."

When Alastor said this, you could hear a hint of resentment and anger in his suddenly muffled broadcast noise.

You stare at the broadcasting demon before you, who seems to be caught up in some kind of emotion, but the elegant gentleman only succumbs for a moment before surfacing again.

Although he was clearly upset about something, he reverted to his previous well-mannered and charming demeanor when he met your gaze.

"Excessive emotions usually make people incredibly foolish, but everyone has their own choices. It's just a pity that devils like us don't care about these things—don't you agree?"

The demon, who was watching you with his eyes narrowed, glanced at Neferti, whom you were holding in your arms, and then his gaze slowly moved from the little witch's face to yours.

His gaze reminds you of a carnivore sizing up its prey.

Unfortunately, you are not afraid of being scrutinized and examined by the broadcasting demon in this way.

Although what the other party said did make some sense, you chose to remain silent because Alastor's views were somewhat extreme.

In response to your quiet reaction, a fleeting, ambiguous noise followed, and the atmosphere between you and Alastor suddenly fell silent.

However, the scarlet Wendigo doesn't seem to care what kind of response you give.

He casually fiddled with the cane in his hand, then leaned back in his chair with an air of ease.

"Um...Miss! Would you like me to carry this bag upstairs for you?"

Just then, Pantheon, who was standing with Shirley and the others, suddenly spoke up.

"No need—these are things I brought for everyone."

Without looking at Alastor again, you turned around indifferently and walked toward Pantheon, who had rescued you from the silent standoff.

Although your mental state is already close to critical, you still plan to divide the contents of the bag before going back to your room.

"thing?"

Angel, who was slumped over the back of the sofa looking drowsy, asked in confusion.

"...I thought you were going to work tomorrow, sweetheart—but anyway, right now I'm just Santa Claus in hell."

Without batting an eye, you pull several lipsticks and a box of loose powder from the paper bag and hand them to Angel, who looks quite curious.

As he took the package and examined it with a bewildered look, you pulled a set of skincare products in black and white bottles from your bag and stuffed it into his arms.

The lipsticks you handed to the Spider Sinner appeared to be two different sets.

One of the sets resembles a slender radish, but the lipstick cap features a finely crafted spider made of gold.

The other set of lipsticks has a semi-transparent case, but each one is printed with "Angel dust" in an artistic font.

One lipstick, shaped like a slender radish, is labeled Christian Louboutin, while another is labeled Chanel. In addition, all of these lipsticks are marked as limited editions.

"I was originally going to buy a Hermès... but it doesn't matter anymore."

You shrugged, your tone nonchalant.

"I don't know how to choose colors, so I just ordered the whole set... The loose powder is the most basic Elegance, I ordered it again because you said it was good last time... Uh, I mean, let's try to use less of those hellish cosmetics, sweetheart."

Angel, whose arms were stuffed full of your gifts, seemed not to have reacted yet. You then took out several cute-looking sticky notes from the bag and handed them to Shirley next to you.

“Look, the stationery you thought was so cute last time… they’ve released new models, so I bought them all—and the Spanish books that Vicky wanted.”

At this moment, the sinner from the East, who really looks like a hellish version of Santa Claus, keeps taking things out of his pink bag.

"The Ragdoll Snake that Sir Pantheon wanted, Niffler's mixed candy, Hesk's liquor... well, since it's not convenient to keep the liquor in a bag, I've stuffed it in my sleeve. Here you go."

The female demon, who seemed unconcerned about how the demons in the inn might react to her, now looked like she was handing out cookies to kindergarten children.

The gifts you gave to the demons lined up were mostly human items. Although their aesthetic tastes were different, some of them were overwhelmingly cute, and Shirley and the others still liked them very much.

—You firmly believe that China's industry will never lose! Even hell would bow down to "Made in China"!!

After receiving your gift, Shirley's eyes practically sparkled with excitement, and she gave you a huge hug while letting out a high-pitched yelp like a puppy.

"Holy crap, a limited edition? Really? Is this spider design custom-made?"

Angel, his face contorted in shock, glanced at you, then at the object in his hand.

"Would it be a bit of a mood killer to say something like 'Hey little bitch, how about we start dating?' at this point?"

Even though you know that many people would give Angel expensive Hellish cosmetics, you'll still feel good seeing the Spider Sinner's delight at your gift... even though he says some strange things.

"...You don't have to compromise your sexual orientation for such a trivial gift, darling...uh!!"

Before you could finish speaking, Angel, who was much taller than you, pulled you into his arms and gave you a strong, wet kiss on the cheek.

Your face scrunched up from the kiss, and you felt like Angel's kiss was going to dent your cheekbones.

"...Ugh...Are you thanking me or seeking revenge?"

Hesk, clutching several bottles of wine in his arms, glanced at Angel with a disdainful look.

"You don't know anything! The fact that I didn't immediately invite her to have sex with me is already my last act of mercy!"

Angel held you, whose expression was contorted, and Shirley, who had been pulled in along with you, like a doll.

He proudly raised his head, first giving Hesk a condescending glance, then pressing his face close to yours.

"Right? My darling, asexual Michelin-starred chef? *sniff sniff*"

you:"?"

What are you doing? Are you teasing the dog?

You bared your teeth and pushed aside the seemingly deranged Angel, then quietly moved closer to the more composed Hesker.

“Well, listen, young lady, I’m not exactly the type to say thank you—but thanks anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve had this kind of drink.”

After receiving your gift, Hesk, unaware that you had simply picked it up as a package, looked unusually embarrassed.

The big cat sinner, who always acted like an all-knowing elder, stretched out a paw and touched the back of his head, saying, "I mean... human wine."

"These are not particularly valuable gifts, you don't need to thank me... I just did some small things for the demons in the inn that I could."

Your dry reply reflects your lack of experience in handling such situations.

But after saying that, you immediately realized that your statement was so clumsy and official that you paused for two seconds before quickly adding, "But that's what the inn's chef should do!"

"...Hmph, then I guess all the chefs in hell will live in your shadow."

Seeing that you were trying to explain, the big cat, who had long since figured out what kind of personality you were, raised one eyebrow and said teasingly.

He didn't seem to be in as bad a mood as before.

Pantheon and Nefertie reacted like children who received gifts from their parents, while Shirley and Vicky were already used to the things you brought back every time you went out.

Every time you receive a gift, Shirley will shower you with emotional value, while Vicky will express her heartfelt gratitude.

But you don't bring gifts for everyone because you want gratitude or anything like that... In fact, most of the time you fulfill their little wishes simply because it's something you can do on a whim.

...Maybe it's because it gives you the feeling of playing Neko Atsume (hell version).

Leaving gifts earns the demons' gratitude and favor... This kind of equivalent exchange is truly simple.

……

Huh? So you're saying you bullied the radio demon by not bringing him a gift?

Please don't misunderstand, all those black plastic bags you just put in the kitchen were for Alastor.

Alastor is too hard to understand. Apart from showing any desire for food, you can't think of anything else to give him... You wouldn't collect soul contracts for him!

"Gululu..."

……

you:"?"

"Uh."

When the untimely cries of hunger subsided, Shirley, still holding you, let out a short, awkward syllable.

But what met her wavering gaze was the shocked look in the eyes of the Eastern Sinner.

"...Shirley, are you hungry? Didn't you eat dinner?"

Suddenly, you widen your eyes as you realize that the label of "hotel chef" above your head is starting to flash.

"Uh, we did order takeout...but..."

Vicky, with the book you brought her tucked under her arm, stood beside you, looking helpless.