Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 83 The Ghost of the Pride Ring

"...I know what I'm saying might sound a bit too idealistic, but I do have the confidence and means to make you stand shoulder to shoulder with the strongest sinner lords in the future—and I shouldn't need to prove my strength on my own anymore, right?"

After explaining how far Alastor's abilities as a broadcasting demon could be developed under your guidance, in order to complete the deal and to emphasize that you wouldn't just make empty promises, you suppressed your concerns about Alastor out of the importance you placed on this game.

"While your reputation may be tied to restaurants, your broadcasts will also become synonymous with mystery and nobility in this new era of screen overload."

Because your goal is to package the medium of broadcasting with "exclusivity and unconventionality," and you, who can fully foresee the future trend, deliberately added this sentence to the broadcasting demon in front of you in a persuasive tone.

Who wouldn't like to have someone praise something that represents them?

Even though Alastor seems quite pleased with the future you've envisioned for broadcasting, he remains unmoved, sticking to his usual posture.

Looking at the still elegant, even seemingly pleased, sinner lord before him, a subtle emotion stirred within him, and he sighed inwardly again.

You're fortunate that the demons at the inn know you well; you're definitely not the kind of demon who only has a fleeting interest. And Alastor naturally understands this too.

His complete indifference perfectly illustrates why you're unwilling to do business with intelligent people.

The radio demon, whose smile never wavers, makes it impossible to discern his stance or genuine joy or sorrow; every micro-expression on his face is merely a reaction to your current actions.

Alastor proved through his actions that he was listening carefully to your conditions and statements, but he did not completely conceal his emotions—which might even allow you to guess the outcome—which seriously affected your judgment of the male demon in front of you.

The other party's greedy silence is forcing you to keep throwing out your chips... and you know that if you want Alastor to cooperate with you, you have no other choice but to raise the stakes.

"However, although I said I could make you shine again, I must say... I cannot let you be at the peak of your career on your own like before, and that is something I need to remind you of beforehand."

Before investing in Alastor, you honestly told your potential partner about your limits, not wanting to hinder them.

You are incredibly strong, that's true, but in the end, it's just brute force.

If Alastor wants to go head-to-head with seasoned veterans in the business world, it's almost impossible for him to catch up with the top three sinners in a short period of time.

To be honest, if you only consider physical strength, Alastor is definitely one of the more monstrous among the sinner lords.

After all, he had disappeared for seven years, and when he returned, his territory was not only in ruins but had also been divided up.

Despite his power being so severely diluted, Alastor still managed to remain among the top sinner lords.

It's hard to imagine just how glorious the radio demon was seven years ago.

Similarly, it is precisely because you understand that his Pride Ring seven years ago was a top-tier lord with extremely high prestige that you find it surprising that Alastor can remain calm now.

Sometimes he appears quite nonchalant, while at other times you feel as if he equally hates everything in the new era... especially electronic high technology.

However, aside from the fact that the broadcasting demon cares a lot about profit, you feel completely unable to understand what he's thinking.

Therefore, in this transaction, you have always emphasized matters of interest.

You firmly believe that if Alastor continues to remain silent, then it means you haven't given enough.

"...But in the final analysis, this matter is still about equal exchange and mutual support. If you want to develop your own industry and catch up with the strongest sinner lords later, I won't mind."

After frankly admitting the limits of your abilities, you took a few steps back with your hands behind your back, maintaining a relatively polite distance from Alastor with a calm expression.

"And you can treat the restaurant and radio as your own businesses, while I'll only be responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations, personnel adjustments, and future planning. I'm willing to share the funding with you, and you can act as the CEO of these businesses, representing me at various events. And as for what I mentioned before, if you want to go out on your own as soon as you have enough ability, that's fine too."

“…Hmm?”

Before ■■■ said that, Alastor, who had been listening to the other party's voice, was humming along to the radio in the witch's room.

But when she said, "When you have enough ability, you can go out and work on your own right away," he stared in surprise, his expression becoming confused.

Although his cook always said surprising things, Alastor, who had never seen a demon, or even a human, do business this way, felt a sense of absurdity that either he had misheard or the cook was wrong, after she tacitly agreed that he could leave her without any cost once he matured.

Because this is equivalent to ■■■ saying that they are willing to be their own stepping stone.

No side effects, no excessive costs.

When he talked about his plans earlier, he was so meticulous and thorough that it was as if he had already woven the future into a coherent tapestry. But when he talked about his part, it was as easy and simple as taking a breath.

The ending she gave him was so easy and perfect that he felt she was giving him special treatment.

If he had heard of anyone offering such a level of benefit to their trading partner in the past, he would have ridiculed the person for being foolish and careless...

Perhaps it's because her abilities are sufficient to pay these costs?

...But he had even prepared himself to leave her, and even acted as if he didn't care at all.

Alastor narrowed his eyes, a strange displeasure rising within him. He was not used to being "disrespected" by a certain demon like this.

Even though she was willing to set him free unconditionally, the radio demon, who always enjoyed being the center of attention in transactions, felt like a rose she had abandoned.

He should have been a red rose carefully cultivated and blooming in the very center of the garden.

But at the end of the garden's bloom, he said to her, "You can leave my garden and bloom freely elsewhere... If you wish, I would even give you my garden."

Ha! What a noble yet absurd character! His cook was willing to let him go unconditionally and without consequence after the evil he had sown had ripened, and even kindly gave him an entire garden in the end.

It's really strange. Is it ■■■ that's hard to understand, or is it Alastor?

The broadcasting demon lowered his head and then inappropriately let out a canned laugh through his microphone.

■■■ seemed so nonchalant about the possible betrayal of the sinful lord that he felt he wasn't actually that important to ■■■—and that she might even be using him.

As a veteran sinner lord from hell, Alastor believed that since his trading partner desired him, the other party should try to keep him from beginning to end.

Although he is indeed the kind of demon who gets tired of trading with someone on equal terms very quickly... but hey, don't forget this is hell!

If hell isn't a place full of betrayal, misery, and fun, then isn't this place just as absurd as the dear chef?

While the freedom to come and go is certainly desirable, as it saves him a lot of trouble, he is not used to the subtle feeling that his business partners have already anticipated his departure.

That would mean he'd lose a large portion of his enjoyment.

Perhaps Alastor would rather see him looking miserable and desperately trying to keep him than let him go.

Alastor, whose thoughts were impossible to guess, habitually tilted his head.

The demon's huge and terrifying smile gradually expanded until it reached the threshold of his entire face, at which point the subtle changes in his facial expressions ceased.

Unfortunately, Alastor wasn't the kind of demon who would show her unusual emotions on her face. She wasn't a mind reader who enjoyed smiling, so she naturally had no way of knowing Wendigo's inner dissatisfaction.

"Perhaps the great inn facilities manager still has any questions? As a token of my desire to work with you, I can answer all your questions."

Having pretty much exhausted all the benefits you could offer Alastor, you let out a long sigh of relief, as if to summarize this long conversation.

“I certainly hope you will consider my invitation… After all, sometimes a restaurant’s reputation and media coverage can complement each other, dear Mr. Broadcasting Devil.”

Fortunately, Alastor appreciated your politeness and manners throughout.

Unfortunately, you can't discern even a trace of bias in the results from the trading guru's broadcast.

Alastor's decision to reject your plan after hearing it, mock you, and then walk away is more in line with his image and more like the script he would act in.

"Oh...darling, I really want to know what your clever and intelligent mind is thinking all day long."

Just as you stand there expressionless, contemplating all the worst possibilities, Alastor suddenly bursts into laughter and sits up from his seat.

Wendigo, who seemed to be in a good mood, walked briskly to your side and then brazenly reached out and touched the top of your head.

"I think I understand what you mean. It's such a wonderful guess, I'm almost tempted!"

Holding a cane and displaying an exaggerated expression, the broadcast demon spread his arms in the air. He stared wide-eyed at something interesting, with an "innocent" look on his face, as if he were envisioning your bright future.

But this illusion that made people think, "The broadcasting devil has agreed to make a deal with me!" quickly disappeared.

Alastor, who had deliberately created this cat-like toying posture, suddenly lowered his voice without warning after saying those words in a high-spirited manner.

He interlaced his eight fingers, his eyes lowered as he gazed at you.

“But I must remind you, miss, if you want to achieve all of this… ah! You yourself said that your restaurant must have enough fame.”

Alastor tilted his cane in mid-air and then moved it a distance by dancing with his fingers on it.

The broadcasting demon only raised its head just as its fingers were about to reach the end of the cane.

His dangerous red eyes were swirling with tension—as if a terrifying beast was lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.

"So I'm curious... how will the young chef, as a fledgling restaurant, overcome the harsh conditions and become a giant that can afford the demanding starting condition of 'exclusivity'?"

Alastor has actually noticed that you've been telling him your expectations of him during normal conversations.

You keep emphasizing that he doesn't have to take on too many troublesome things, basically using the idea of ​​a windfall to get him to do something for free.

He, as a radio demon, can indeed fill an important gap in the passion of young people, but what about the other half that she lacks?

■■■ herself has said that she has no fame, and he can indeed help her as a brand and a medium for promotion; but how can the gap in the restaurant itself be filled?

The chef's skills are indeed amazing; even if someone said she was the best chef in all of hell, Alastor, no one would disagree. But that doesn't mean her skills can compensate for the restaurant's appeal—at least not at first.

Or is there some other gimmick regarding this part? If besides him, will ■■■ invite other demons?

Alastor believes he has the right to know who the other person is.

"...Of course I'll call in more people! I've already said I'm not famous anymore!...I can't just rely on handing out tasting flyers to promote my restaurant, can I? If I did that, what would be the point of being high-end? I might as well set up a small stall and sell pancakes."

To the surprise of the certain scarlet gentleman, the Eastern sinner, who seemed to have known he would ask such a question, simply raised one eyebrow in response to his question, which was full of doubt and distrust. His tone was both helpless and amused.

The young guy even had the leisure to joke with him.

Alastor's emotionally charged broadcast paused for a moment, as if the tape had jammed.

Almost immediately realizing that you had a backup plan, the broadcasting demon revealed an interested expression and straightened his upper body, which was slightly leaning towards you.

"Oh! So who do you plan to have run your restaurant, my dear?"

The broadcasting demon, his voice tinged with amusement, tapped his shoulder lightly with his cane.

"To the stars."

Faced with Alastor's question, you answered in a completely calm tone without any hesitation.

However, to your surprise, the sinner lord in front of you actually showed an expression that said, "I know this guy."

...Really?

Has Stars' Initiation become so famous that even an old gentleman like Alastor, who has absolutely no interest in the internet, knows about it? ...Poor Stars' Initiation, isn't he supposed to be an internet celebrity in the Pride Ring?

Facing Alastor's thoughtful gaze, you unconsciously pursed your lips.

"Hmm! That name sounds familiar—a 'philanthropic' gourmet who's been making headlines lately!"

After shouting the title in an excited tone, Alastor, whose emotions were hard to decipher, shook the microphone cane in his hand.

Alastor not only added a sarcastic emphasis to the word "charity," but also made the end of the sentence sound slightly flippant.

It's clear that although the old sinner lord in front of you knows about "the stars' personal message," you can tell just by looking at his attitude.

Alastor doesn't really like having stars personally open the app.

"But how can you invite Him? An old friend of mine said that His whereabouts are very mysterious, and even he couldn't reach an agreement with Him."

Although he doesn't think much of that arrogant internet celebrity, Alastor still shows a certain amount of respect for you.

After you uttered "The Stars Reveal Him," the Broadcast Demon seemed more concerned with how you could find Him than with seeing the mysterious Stars Reveal Him.

...Or perhaps he just wanted to see you as a loser after you couldn't find the stars to awaken.

"I know the chef is incredibly resourceful, so I'm curious, how do you plan to find a ghost with the Pride Ring?"

Alastor, leaning on his cane, looked at you with his usual mockingly innocent expression.

It's a real shame, though; you're probably going to disappoint that radio demon who always loves to watch others fail and have bad luck again.

"Who said we were going to go looking for it on purpose?"

You, with an air of self-righteousness, flashed Alastor a smile that only appears on the face of a victor.

The serene and confident expression on the face of the Eastern sinner was strange.

But before Alastor could ask any questions, you spoke up first, speaking calmly.

"Isn't the specter of the 'ring of pride' standing right in front of you?"

……

"?"

My old radio got stuck on a cassette tape.

You crossed your arms, let out two short laughs as if it were perfectly natural, and let your eyelids droop lazily.

In a subtle silence, a beautiful, androgynous Eastern sinner stood before him and loudly proclaimed:

"Is there even a need to guess? I am the one personally initiated by the stars."