Then I Guess I'll Have to Kill You?
“Dad! Why’s there no pineapple juice?”
“I... couldn’t get it yesterday.”
“I’m disappointed.”
Hye-mi shot her dad Gwang-hyeon a glare. But she wasn’t a spoiled brat or anything. She just had a lot of skin troubles.
“I’ll definitely bring some back today!” Gwang-hyeon clenched his fist and declared.
Hye-mi burst into a bright smile. “Dad, you’re the best!”
Gwang-hyeon’s shop was right next door to Seon-woo’s General Store, which used to sell camping gear before switching things up. Gwang-hyeon was famous for his killer fried chicken, so money wasn’t an issue. The downside? Chicken joints like his opened late, which meant hitting Seon-woo’s at opening time often left you empty-handed.
So today, he’d come out early. As he headed off, his wife Mi-hyeon called out.
“Honey, they say the watermelons there are amazing...”
“Ahem. Got it. I’ll sweep the place clean.”
Gwang-hyeon made a beeline for the store. Luckily, it hadn’t opened yet. But there was already a hefty line.
Seon-woo’s General Store limited customers to two of each item. Even with that ballsy policy, stock vanished in minutes flat once the doors opened. Glancing around, Gwang-hyeon figured today was a safe bet. Plenty to go around.
That’s when the owner of Seon-woo’s General Store sidled up beside him.
“Gwang-hyeon.”
“Oh, Boss Kim.”
“Haha, you in line too?”
“Yeah, Hye-mi says don’t even think about coming home without pineapple juice.”
Gwang-hyeon eyed Boss Kim with envy.
“I was gonna suggest we chat separately anyway. Got a minute now?”
“Well...” Gwang-hyeon glanced at the line.
Boss Kim grinned. “I’ll set aside whatever you want.”
“Haha, in that case...”
It was within Boss Kim’s discretion, especially for work reasons. No one would complain. They headed into the back, where Seon-woo was converting the space into a café.
“It’s a mess, but have a seat.”
“Sure.”
Gwang-hyeon looked around. Cafés these days obsessed over interiors—Korea’s were world-famous, with YouTube full of pretty café tours. But this place felt purely functional. A few tables, exposed ceiling like a warehouse superstore.
“Interior not done yet?”
“It’s basically finished. Coffee’s what matters.”
“Must be damn good, huh?”
“Not just any coffee.”
“Ah!”
That single phrase clicked for Gwang-hyeon. Pineapple, watermelon, tofu, honey—all sorts of stuff. Why else would people line up for pineapple juice? It came from a gate. Effects way beyond normal produce.
This coffee had to be the same.
“Jealous.”
“Blame my son’s good friends. I’ve known that kid since he was little, and he’s a solid guy.”
“Makes sense. So, what’s up?”
“How about trying some of this chicken for your fried chicken?”
Boss Kim pulled out a chicken. Gwang-hyeon tilted his head.
“We get deliveries... Wait, no way?”
“Yep. Gate-raised chickens.”
“Th-that precious stuff?”
“We can’t do everything ourselves. Your shop’s right next door, and you’ve got that rep for being a good guy. Our gate owner values character.”
Boss Kim knew Gwang-hyeon well. He’d seen him quietly feed hungry neighborhood kids chicken, tell them to come anytime, even deliver if they didn’t show. With that kind of heart, Si-woo had greenlit handing over Brann chickens.
“Not just any chicken, obviously. The flavor’s out of this world. Fry some up later and try it. We were hooked.”
“I see. So...”
“Boosts stamina, and best part—no weight gain.”
Fried chicken that doesn’t make you fat. Even if it didn’t slim you down, that was huge. Gwang-hyeon’s eyes lit up. Stamina boost? Nice, but secondary.
“C-can I fry some right now?”
“Sure. Bring it back fried with your secret recipe? Dying to taste it.”
“Be right back.”
Boss Kim smiled as Gwang-hyeon cradled the chicken like treasure.
“Si-woo’s treasure... How’d Seon-woo snag a friend like that? Haha.”
He poured himself a coffee. Awakening effects without side effects. Without it, his brain felt sluggish these days. No downsides, so he drank freely.
Soon, Gwang-hyeon returned with a box.
“Welcome back.”
“Here you go.”
“Already drooling.”
The smell was insane. Bigger than standard fryers, but not tough—high expectations. They each grabbed a leg.
Crunch!
Like biting into a cracker. Eyes widened.
“Holy shit!”
“Whoa...”
Top-tier flavor. No gamey chicken stink—instead, a pure chicken aroma. Mouthwatering explosion.
“H-how much for this?”
“20,000 won per bird. You’d charge way more, right? Premium gate chicken.”
“Even labeled as gate-sourced?”
“Of course. List the effects too.”
“Daily supply?”
“Start with 50? We can do as many as you want.”
“P-please, right away.”
“I’ll have them prepped and sent over.”
“Thank you, Boss Kim!”
“No biggie. Our gate owner says good people deserve good luck. Haha.”
Gwang-hyeon never thought feeding kids chicken was special. He’d opened his shop because he craved it as a poor kid. Seeing others go without tugged at him. Never dreamed it’d pay off like this.
Thus, Siho Gate’s commerce bloomed around Seon-woo’s General Store.
“Feels like something good just happened. Gut feeling, Hoya.”
Nyaang?
“What bullshit? Yeah, it is. So what?”
Thwack!
Swift retribution. Professor Hoya shows no mercy.
“Anyway. What’s in here?”
We’d ventured deeper past the forest entrance with Hoya. The scenery shifted. Nothing major yet, but tension prickled.
Six days hunting since meeting the Wind Tribe. Level 55 now. Gains slowed.
They’d return tomorrow. Ongoing trade meant I needed strength—even with Hoya, plan for when she’s not around. Weak lord? Other gate lords might swallow us whole. Unlikely, but...
“Forest, but... totally different vibe?”
Not like undead zones or the entrance. Not mines either. Stayed alert.
Whoosh!
Something flew at me. Shield up, dodged.
Thud thud thud!
Impacts on the ground.
“Arrows?”
Arrows. Shooter nearby. From the trees above.
Fired a Fire Arrow back.
Boom!
It exploded. A figure tumbled down.
“Elf?”
Dark-skinned. But elven features.
Activated Observation.
Name: Cursed Dark Elf (Level 55)
A dark elf dwelling deep in the forest entrance.
Cursed by the forest, lost rationality—pure instinct remains. Fully monsterized; no communication possible. Pure murderous intent toward all life.
Exceptional archery; proficient in close combat too.
Full monster elf. Meant real elves might live near the world tree.
The dark elf snarled and charged, rapier thrusting sharp as hell. Dodged.
Relentless. Pure thrusts, yet threatening. How’d rapiers survive thick swords? Thin blade, hard to parry.
Soon countered properly. Movements readable: pre-thrust stance, shoulder twitch, footwork.
Elven Swordsmanship (Basic) (Active) Level 1 skill obtained.
Copyable beyond other styles? Maybe my combat class wasn’t pure mage.
With the skill, read finer details. Dodging easier.
Wanted to chat with elves someday, but system said no with this monster. Kill it.
Absorbed techniques. At level 4, it tired. Thrust into chest.
“Kraaak!”
Male voice. Monster elf still beautiful, but male? Less hesitation.
Slash! Head off.
Blood scent drew two more dark elves.
“Hoya, you’re not helping, right?”
Nyaang!
Like I’d need to, said Hoya, scratching a tree furiously amid the chaos.