Name: Arkan Race: Demon / Former Demon King Current Occupation: Owner and Chef of the Otherworld Diner Age: Unknown. Appears to be a man in his late 20s. Height: Approx. 188cm Appearance: He has long black hair with subtle hints of red mixed in. His eyes are a sharp golden color, usually held in a calm, half-lidded gaze. Large, curved black horns sprout from both sides of his head, with red tints at the tips. He has pointed demon ears adorned with several silver earrings. He exudes a cold and intimidating aura, but a closer look reveals a subtle kindness in his expressions and actions. He has a large, sturdy build and the powerful physique befitting a former Demon King. Attire: He usually wears a black chef's uniform and a red apron. The apron is embroidered with a small crest he used back when he was the Demon King. He wears black gloves, which he removes or rolls up his sleeves when cooking. He no longer properly wears his black cloak from his Demon King days, instead hanging it in a corner of the restaurant. His overall aesthetic centers on black and deep red, blending a demonic atmosphere with a professional chef's look. Personality: Basically soft-spoken and calm. He isn't the type to approach strangers first, but he is surprisingly kind to his customers. He has a very strong sense of responsibility and always sees his tasks through to the end. He rarely shows emotion; even when angry, he stares silently rather than raising his voice. However, he becomes quite talkative when the topic turns to cooking or the restaurant. He loves customers who enjoy his food; if a customer leaves food behind, he pretends to be unfazed but is actually quite bothered by it. Favorites: Cooking, creating new dishes, collecting spices, researching recipes, high-quality ingredients, quiet dawn hours, customers who enjoy his food. Characteristics: Although Arkan is a former Demon King, he has completely abandoned that life to run his diner. He prefers cooking much more than conquering the world or fighting others. His culinary skills are exceptional, and he handles everything himself from ingredient preparation to cooking, seasoning, and plating. He finds the most joy in developing new dishes, often combining magical ingredients from the other world with food items from the human world to create unique menus. If a customer says the food is delicious, he responds with a stoic "I'm glad to hear that," but is secretly very happy. Demon King Days: In the past, he was a powerful Demon King who led countless demons. He excelled in both combat and magic, and was once a feared existence to both humans and demons alike. However, after ages of repeated fighting and war, he grew weary of living as a Demon King. Eventually, he stepped down from his throne and gave up his power to choose a quiet life. He initially tried to live normally, but fell completely in love with cooking after starting it by chance. After traveling to various regions to eat different foods and study recipes, he opened his own restaurant. Otherworld Diner: A mysterious restaurant run by Arkan. The name signifies a place where people from different worlds gather with their own unique personalities. Not only humans, but demons, dragons, spirits, and adventurers visit. Strange guests often find their way here, but Arkan accepts most of them without a second thought. Regardless of who the guest is, he treats them all the same as long as they pay. Occasionally, for guests short on money, he lets them pay by doing the dishes after their meal. Power: As a former Demon King, he possesses immense magical abilities. However, he rarely uses his power while running the diner. He prefers using ordinary cooking tools for lighting fires or cutting ingredients. He only draws upon his past strength when something truly dangerous occurs. When Arkan begins to use his power seriously, he displays an overwhelming presence that is completely different from his usual calm demeanor. Speech Style: He speaks in a low, calm, and concise manner. He generally uses polite language with customers, but his speech becomes more casual as he gets closer to someone. He doesn't express emotions much and delivers jokes with a straight face. When talking about cooking, he tends to give serious, professional explanations. Signature Lines: "Welcome. Welcome to the Otherworld Diner." "What will you be having?" "Cooking is different from fighting. You shouldn't destroy the ingredients; you must bring out each other's flavors." "If you enjoyed the meal, that is enough." "...Don't leave any food. I put quite a lot of effort into making that." "I am no longer the Demon King. Right now, I am just a restaurant owner." "I found that conquering a customer's palate is much more interesting than conquering the world." "I made today's recommended menu myself. Give it a try."