The First Successor
"Yeah. It's done. You pass."
Like a flower blooming, Molrangkau's face lit up brightly. She threw herself into Vesta's arms.
"I did it! I really did it!"
Vesta smiled warmly and hugged her back, patting her on the back.
"Good girl. You're the first successor to reach this realm."
Molrangkau pulled away in surprise, staring at Vesta.
"Really? Out of all those successors, I'm the first?"
"Of course!"
Molrangkau grinned ear to ear and turned to Hura.
"Hear that? I'm the first!"
"Congrats. Good for you."
"Thanks! It's all thanks to you!"
With that, she lunged at Hura and hugged him tight.
"...!"
Red hair flew everywhere. A fresh citrus scent hit Hura's nose. Caught off guard by the sudden, unfamiliar softness pressing against him, Hura froze solid.
"Uh, uh... Th-thanks."
"Huh?"
Screeech—clank— Hura responded like a malfunctioning robot. Realizing what she'd done from his awkward voice, Molrangkau jumped back.
"Ah! S-s-sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"N-no, don't be sorry."
The two stood awkwardly apart, exchanging stilted words.
"Uh... congrats on passing the test."
"Y-yeah... thanks..."
Watching them were one ghost and two cooking summons, slurping down kimchi stew with rapt interest. Each wore a satisfied smile.
Back to Monday.
"Two tteokbokki, coming up~"
Lunchtime. I was working my usual shift at Dahyun's Snacks.
"Oppa Hura. Oppa Hura."
A high school girl was staring right at me from the side.
"Miss me?"
"No, Chaera. Not really."
"Not even a little? Come on, Hura-nim..."
"......"
She bounced between "Oppa Hura" and "Hura-nim," like the terms still felt foreign on her tongue.
Please don't get used to it. Please don't get used to it.
I knew plenty of guys had weird fantasies about being called "oppa," and sure, it sounded nice... but coming from her, it was scary. I could practically see her adjusting her glasses with a glint, muttering, Hehe... Oppa Hura can't go anywhere... He's mine forever... hehehe...
Sometimes a flicker of madness flashed in her eyes...
Whether she sensed my unease or not, Lee Chaera beamed innocently and called out.
"Hura-nim. Hura-nim."
"What, Chaera?"
"I started the Tteokbokki-dan channel."
"Oh yeah?"
"And I uploaded a video!"
"...Good job."
"Yes! The response is better than I expected!"
"Glad to hear it."
I replied halfheartedly while serving tteokbokki to customers.
"But, Chaera."
"Mm-hmm. That's not it."
"Not what?"
"Call me Prakchi Chaera, or Pprachaera!"
Hey, kid. That's not a nickname worth bragging about. And the meaning behind it isn't anything to be proud of.
"...Pprachaera."
"Pardon?"
"You didn't get suspected in the Tteokbokki-dan, did you?"
"No way! Of course not! I work so hard!"
"...Good then."
"Hehe, are you worried about me right now?"
"Huh? No. Why would I?"
I waved it off, denying it flat-out, but Chaera wouldn't budge.
"You're so shy~ I know how you feel, Hura-nim."
"Don't lie. You don't know."
"Don't worry. Why would the Tteokbokki-dan suspect me? I'm doing my absolute best."
"...Just please stick to doing your best there."
"So, Oppa Hura, how old are you? How tall? Weight? Oh, ideal type?"
"Yes~ Welcome! One tteokbokki? Just a sec~"
I ignored her prying into my personal info and greeted the customer.
Bzzz—bzzz—
"Hm?"
Vibration from my pants pocket.
"Oh, phone call."
At my mutter, Chaera shot up from her spot.
"Take it. I'll watch the counter."
"No, I can't—"
"Oppa Hura. I'm the Tteokbokki Association Chair. I've worked at snack bars more than once or twice."
She thumped her chest proudly, eyes brimming with confidence—like, Trust me.
"Scoop tteokbokki, ring up fish cakes, ketchup on hot dogs. Let me help while you talk."
"...Okay. Just till I'm done."
"Leave it to me!"
Chaera grinned and took my place.
"Yes, customer~ What can I get you?"
She handled the customers like a pro, as if she'd been waiting for this. I stepped back, pulled out my phone. It was Sis.
"Hey, Sis."
-Bro. Good time to talk?
"For a bit."
I glanced at Chaera as I answered.
-No plans this weekend?
"This weekend? Uh... none. Why?"
-Grandma's birthday. Saturday. I'll pick you up.
"Oh... already?"
-Yeah. See you then.
"Got it."
I pocketed the phone and muttered.
"Hm... wonder if Eunbi and Eunhui have grown a ton."
A fond smile crept onto my face. Those cute little things.
"Chaera, call's over."
"Ah, yes. Just this customer. 1,000 won~ Enjoy~"
She was a natural with customers—her snack bar experience seemed legit. Scary at times, a bit twisted maybe, but a good kid at heart.
"Good job. Thanks, Chaera."
I swapped places with her, expressing my gratitude.
"...Pardon?"
She looked up at me with wide eyes.
Hm? Did I say something weird?
"Wh-what did you... just say..."
"Huh? Thanks for helping."
"Huuuh...! I'm... dying..."
She clutched her chest and slid dramatically to the floor.
"Wh-what? What's wrong?"
"I... can die... without regrets now..."
She sank down, leaving what sounded like final words.
"...Excuse me. Sorry, but die somewhere else. Dying here disrupts business."
"......"
Soon it was around 4 p.m.
"Good work, Hura~"
"See you tomorrow!"
My excited steps home slowed to a stomp... stomp.
It was because of the woman leaning against the utility pole ahead.
I approached hesitantly.
"Uh... h-hey."
"Yeah... done?"
"Yeah. Done."
"...Let's go."
"Okay."
Awkward. The remnants of that sudden hug lingered.
"...No hat?"
"Nah... weird?"
Seo Ji-hyun glanced at my face.
"No. Looks way better."
She whipped around and strode ahead.
"...Ready to run?"
"Uh... probably?"
"Then follow."
We picked up speed toward the park.
"Huff—huff—"
"Hoo—ha—"
Thankfully, running eased the awkwardness.
"Huff—huff—"
"Hoo—ha—"
Ji-hyun didn't bolt ahead like last time. But she wasn't slow either.
"Pant— you're too fast, aren't you?"
"Huff—huff— gotta go faster than normal pace for results. Quit whining and keep up."
"Gasp—pant— okay! I can do it!"
"Huff— 'I can do it'? You have to. Want metabolic syndrome?"
"......"
I trailed her tail, circling the park a few times.
"Pant—gasp... gonna... die..."
I collapsed on a bench, heaving. Something thrust in front of me—a water bottle.
"Here, water."
"Thanks."
I chugged Ji-hyun's water.
"Kya! Refreshing!"
"Hey! What if you drank it all!"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. Thought you had your own."
"That was mine."
"Convenience store. I'll buy you one."
"...Whatever."
We were near my usual store. We walked slowly.
Stomp—stomp—
"What'd she say?"
"Who? About what?"
"Someone wants my cooking."
"Oh, that. Meeting Wednesday. Was gonna tell you."
"Cool. Who?"
"Uh... my psychiatrist."
"Oho. Loyal fan, huh? Talking that much."
"Kinda."
Someone craving my food... nostalgic. Reminded me of those lonely braised short ribs no one ate.
"Wanna come Wednesday?"
I puffed up a bit. Haha, surprised? I'm the chef.
"Idiot. You work at the snack bar."
"Right."
Tch.
"Congrats on passing the final test, by the way."
"Eh, no biggie..."
"Now you're a true Red Witch."
"Shut up."
Embarrassed by the title, she sped up.
"I've still got a ways to go."
"...You're no ordinary chef either."
"Saw the video?"
"Yeah."
Molrangkau shrugged off her small backpack and pulled out a neatly folded paper.
"...You actually wrote it."
"You told me to!"
Her face flushed as she tried stuffing it back. I snatched it quick.
"Kidding. Good job."
I soothed her and read, ignoring her pout.
One line summed it up:
"...'Utterly brainless?'"
"Yeah! You moron!"
Ji-hyun yelled, seizing the moment.
"That Middle Eastern rich guy and Baek Bal Baek Jung were there, right?"
"Yeah."
"Don't know how you met, but ask him. Why risk yourself?"
"Well, circumstances..."
"And why hang around when that ranker's respawning? Ditching Baek Bal Baek Jung alone?"
"C-circumstances."
"Know how strong Napaladin is? Rank 11! And why act so tough?"
"...She said she had no choice."
Wait, why am I getting chewed out? Thought she'd find it funny. Dang.
Ji-hyun stopped dead and glared.
"...You have no idea how dangerous that was."
"Huh? Nah, not that bad. I disguised well to Harten. Gold Sun and Tteoksoon-i got stronger too—"
"Not that level, idiot!"
She snapped suddenly. I stared, startled.
"Rank 8 is hunting you."
"...What?"
She sighed deeply and explained slowly.
"Rankers-only community. Checked after the video, just in case. You and Baek Bal Baek Jung—surrounded by top rankers?"
"Yeah..."
"Acted all badass again?"
"Uh... but Baek Bal Baek Jung escaped, and I was fine."
She sighed again.
"Sigh—fine, good job. On-site folks bought it. Now word's spreading. They're half-doubting, but assuming you're an unofficial high ranker, top 10."
"...Isn't that good?"
She shook her head.
"Too good. Rank 8's a total psycho. Ripping everything apart to fight you."
"...Gulp."
Chills hit. I'd met subtle crazies, but outright mad?
"Jihyun... wh-what do I do?"
"Hmph. Getting it now?"
"Protect me. Rank 5 Molrangkau-nim."
I grabbed her arm.
"Eek. Wh-why? Let go!"
"Jihyunnie~ What's a friend for?"
I clung pathetically. She blushed, relenting.
"F-fine, let go. Who said I wouldn't?"
"Ha, haha! Knew it. My Jihyun."
She adjusted her bag.
"Can't guard you perfectly. She's no pushover."
"Come on! You're super strong. Chased Baek Bal Baek Jung and scorched his head bald. And stronger after the test."
"...Heard that much?"
She sighed, rubbing her temple.
"I'd win a fight, sure. But fighting and protecting are different."
She added aggrievedly.
"Baek Bal Baek Jung's an archer. She went easy not knowing I was Molrangkau. If he'd gone all out from the start, sniped."
"...Really?"
"Yeah! Think rank gaps that small mean nothing? Unless it's Cheon-gong."
"News to me."
Ahem. She cleared her throat.
"Anyway, can't follow you everywhere."
"Sigh... yeah. Gotta think seriously."
"...You helped with my test, so... I'll tag along for a bit."
"Thanks, Jihyun! You're the best!"
I grabbed both her hands.
"...Eep."
"Oh, sorry."
"N-no. It's fine."
"I'll buy the water."
"...You were supposed to anyway. You drank mine."
We chatted as we entered the convenience store.
Ding-a-ling—
"Welcome—"
Mansu froze mid-greeting.
"Huh?"
His eyes darted frantically between me and Jihyun.
"Wh-wh-what?!"