Soul Devourer Chapter 2 Episode 20 — The Alarm That Blew the Drunkenness Away
After getting in touch with Matsumoto, a Huntuber and A-rank Hunter, we visited a high-end establishment he highly recommended.
“Welcome. Thank you very much for coming.”
A woman in her forties, wearing a beautifully arranged kimono without any makeup, placed her hands together on the floor and bowed deeply.
“Matsumoto-han. Thank you kindly for always patronizing our establishment.”
(E/N: Basically -san suffix for Mr. So-and-so but in Kansai dialect which is spoken in the west-central part of the main island of Japan, Honshu. Famous cities include Kyoto, Ōsaka, Kobe, Nara, etc.)
“The pleasure’s mine! Thanks to this place, I can keep giving my all in my Hunter activities!”
“Well, it’s mutual then. And today, it seems you’ve brought a guest with you… I feel like I’ve seen your face somewhere before—”
“This gentleman is a super-famous figure who’s been all the rage on TV and social media! The fifth S-rank Hunter, who single-handedly conquered an S-rank Dungeon that even a major clan led by an S-rank Hunter couldn’t clear! And that man is, Matsubara Yuito!”
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, I protested to Matsumoto.
“Um… Matsumoto-san. Could you please stop introducing me like that? It’s incredibly embarrassing. Just saying something like ‘a Hunter acquaintance’ would be fine.”
As I said that, Matsumoto looked like he was about to respond, but before he could, the woman cut in with astonishment lacing her words.
“What are you saying—?!”
“Well now!? The fifth S-rank Hunter-sama is here!? Ah, I’ve kept you standing all this time! M-my sincerest apologies! I will guide you immediately!”
Even a seasoned proprietress was clearly shaken by the appearance of a newly risen S-rank Hunter, and things became hectic after that.
Well, it’s embarrassing and feels a bit overwhelming, but I don’t exactly dislike this kind of treatment.
Once we were seated in the private room, food and alcohol were promptly brought in.
Soon after, two beautifully made-up maiko entered the room, placed their hands together on the floor, bowed deeply, and then took their seats.
They sat beside Matsumoto and me respectively, and with refined movements, poured sake into our ochoko.
(E/N: Y'all might've seen those vodka shot-size ceramic glasses for drinking Sake, Japanese alcohol. They're used to drink mindfully, and are called Ochoko)
“Allow me, presumptuous as it may be, to lead the toast! To celebrating my encounter with Matsubara-san, the fifth S-rank Hunter— Cheers! And by the way, tonight is on Matsubara-san!”
“Eh!? I never heard anything about—”
““Cheers!””
My protest was completely drowned out by the voices of the two maiko.
♦︎♢♦︎♢♦︎♢♦︎♢♦︎♢
“Matsumoto-san. That earlier part wasn’t right, was it? Normally, the senior would treat, or at least we’d split the bill.”
“What are you talking about! Matsubara-san, you’re an S-rank Hunter! Your earnings are on a completely different level than mine!”
“But A-rank Hunters earn plenty too, right?”
“Well, sure… if you’re a solo Hunter who can rack up kills, you can earn quite a bit. But for a typical A-rank Hunter, once rewards are split among the party, it’s usually somewhere between tens of millions to a hundred million.”
“That still sounds like more than enough to me…”
“Then, forgive my rudeness for asking, but how much did you earn in that dungeon, Matsubara-san?”
“Th-That is…”
“You’re both curious too, right?”
“I would never normally ask a customer something like this, but I’m terribly curious.”
“So am I.”
“…F-Four hundred million.”
“Oh my!”
“That’s incredible!”
“…So, Matsubara-san. Even after that, you’re saying I should be the one treating you?”
“…Understood. I’ll pay.”
“Much obliged!”
After that, the alcohol began to flow nicely. We watched the geiko dance to shamisen performances and songs, and enjoyed traditional parlor games…
When suddenly—
『Emergency Evacuation Alert! Emergency Evacuation Alert! A Stampede has occurred! Evacuate immediately to the nearest shelter! This is not a drill! Evacuate immediately to the nearest shelter!』
The instant we heard it, the drunken haze vanished from both Matsumoto and me in a flash, and we sprang to our feet at once.
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E/N:
This would be a lesson for Yuito, these damn swindlers!
Never ever, ever, share details of your income or salary or anything related to how much money you earn. This is not preaching but a reminder!
I know, Yuito is a young guy and naive in these matters but if y'all find yourself in any such swindling cases, sing "Hell to the Naw, Naw~!" and gtfo! 🤣
Stay tuned!
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Check out my other translation -
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