Running on Empty to the Flame Palace
Running and running on my pathetic stamina, I finally succeeded in safely evacuating all the way to the Flame Palace.
As Beda had said, I boiled up some ramen and waited, but those two didn't come back until the noodles were total mush—and in the end, it all went to Dahyun and Tteoksoon-i, who had been eyeing it hungrily the whole time.
After waiting and waiting with no sign of them, I logged out, leaving behind some soup stock and a few ramen ingredients. No one doesn't know how to boil ramen, so they'd figure it out. It wouldn't taste as good as mine, but what can you do?
That logout was just yesterday.
Today was Saturday.
"Ugh... ahhh!"
I stretched with a massive yawn. The louder the stretch, the better it felt. Rolling around on the bed, I savored the rare day off. It felt like the first real rest in ages.
And no wonder—this past week had been nonstop work. At the snack bar, I'd turned into a tteokbokki-making machine; in Pangwol, a ramen-cooking machine, sweating bullets as I churned out dish after dish.
But it had been fun, too. And I'd made a nice chunk of change. My bank account was steadily filling up.
"Saving money's pretty addictive, huh?"
I muttered, staring at the numbers on my banking app. At this rate, moving out might not be just a pipe dream anymore. Sure, it was still a stretch right now, but I was earning way more than I spent. If this kept up, I might actually escape this tiny studio someday.
From monthly rent hell to a full deposit place? Or heck, maybe even own my own place? Nah, that's too pie-in-the-sky.
"Heh heh heh."
Just imagining it was enough. I sprawled out on the bed like a starfish, giggling to myself.
Today was Grandma's birthday. Well, not exactly today, but it was the closest weekend. The family would gather like always to celebrate.
Hmm... If I headed over around lunchtime, I'd have an hour or two to kill. As I plotted maximum lounging time, my phone buzzed.
Bzzz—
"Huh?"
It was my sister.
"Hello?"
—Hey, little bro. I'm on my way, so come out when I call again.
"Already? Isn't there still time?"
—Gotta swing by Auntie's to pick her up and Geokiseora on the way.
"Auntie's?"
—Yeah. Uncle's got work, so he's coming later. He told us to grab Auntie, Eunbi, and Eunhui first.
"Got it."
—Family gathering or not, it's Grandma's birthday. Dress properly. No slacking like last time.
"...When have I ever slacked?"
—Just get ready.
"Okay."
I threw on some clothes haphazardly and was prepping to head out when my phone rang again.
—Come down.
"On my way."
A sleek black sedan was idling smoothly in front of the villa. The window slid down with a whir, revealing my sister grinning ear to ear.
"Hey—our unofficial ranker's here?"
"Shh! Keep it down!"
Scared someone might overhear, I dove into the passenger seat. The moment I buckled in, her signature Cool Water perfume assaulted my nose.
...Not like you're some old dude.
"Miss me? Been good?"
"What kinda question is that?"
She ruffled my hair playfully as I fastened my seatbelt, then gripped the wheel. The car glided onto the road.
"Mom and Dad?"
"Already there, helping Grandma."
"We eating at her place again? I thought Dad convinced her to go out last time."
"Failed. You know her stubborn streak. Won't rest till she cooks herself."
"...Yeah, fair."
My sister glanced at me with a teasing smirk.
"Oh right, we've got a pro chef right here. Shoulda picked you up earlier to help."
"...I'm just a snack bar drone."
"Heard you killed it selling stuff in Harten."
"...It wasn't a big deal."
My lips twitched upward anyway, betraying me. She chuckled.
"Still buzzing online about it. Articles are everywhere. You know?"
"Articles? What?"
"Duh. That much hype in Pangwol? Had to blow up. Your tteokbokki stall, that video of you... Articles been popping up steady."
"News to me."
"This one's huge—articles pouring in like crazy. How's it feel, Mr. Famous?"
"Surreal. This the superstar life?"
She snorted, eyes on the road.
"Videos too. You vs. Sap Gisa. Well, almost fighting."
"Ugh, heart still races thinking about it. That lunatic kept demanding a rematch."
"And clips with Molrangkau and Beda. Seen the comments?"
"Nah, haven't even watched the vids."
She giggled.
"Know what people are calling you?"
"What?"
"...Nah, see for yourself later."
"C'mon, spill."
"Pangwol Emo Jjomo did a whole Hura special preview. Super hype."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Drops today or tomorrow—check the comments then. Epic."
She laughed like it was the funniest thing. ...Probably just a flood of hate, right?
I shoved my half-pulled-out phone back in my pocket and stared at her profile.
"Sis."
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell Grandma I'm into cooking, okay? Just in case."
Pfft—she burst out laughing.
"Duh, dummy. I know she hates chefs. Why would I?"
"Good. But why? She cooks great herself."
"Adult stuff, kiddo."
"...I'm an adult."
"Still a baby."
Car stopped at a light. She reached over and pinched my cheek hard.
"Ow~ Mr. Adult now~?"
"Hey! Cut it out."
"Cuw it out~"
"Jerk."
I grabbed her squishy cheek and yanked back.
"Green light! Let go! Truce!"
We released, and the car sped off. Rubbing my stinging cheek, I caught her glancing over cautiously.
"...But seriously, bro."
"Yeah?"
"Did Dahyun go there?"
"Yeah, she did. Helped a ton."
"...She actually went."
She sighed deeply.
"No fights with Ji-hyun?"
"They clashed on sight. I was stuck mediating."
"Ah..."
Her sigh was pure regret—worries come true.
"But I kinda set up a chance for them to talk?"
"You did that? Nice. How'd it go?"
"Dunno exactly, but seemed like a truce?"
"Oh, good."
"Yeah. Now they chat instead of snapping."
"Relief."
She exhaled in relief. I eyed her.
"...How'd you know Molrangkau's Seo Ji-hyun?"
"Huh? What?"
"That."
"...Oops."
Hand to mouth, but too late—the cat was out.
I eyed her bulging eyes suspiciously and pressed.
"You two know each other?"
"W-what? No."
"How'd you find out?"
"I didn't."
"Met her?"
"No."
"You did."
"Nooo."
"Totally did. Obvious."
"No proof!"
"How? Dahyun tell you?"
"...Not listening, are you."
I clapped, muttering.
"Knew it. That's why you teased her so well."
"Teased?"
"Pro-level. Not her usual vibe."
"Oh? Made you wanna smack her?"
"Yup. Felt like you."
"Heh... yeah?"
Smug grin. Bingo.
"See? You met."
"Whoa! Here already! Auntie's waiting—let's go!"
"......"
She parked frantically and bolted. No use pushing; I just tossed a casual warning.
"She's tough on the outside but soft inside. Don't scare her."
She shot me a 'what's that look?'
"Didn't you say you didn't meet?"
"...Fine. C'mon."
Her expression unreadable, she hit the elevator button.
In the elevator, she asked,
"How long since you saw Eunhui and Eunbi?"
"Dunno. Feels forever."
Pinch.
"Heartless punk. They adore you—haven't shown your face."
"Ow! Been busy!"
She let go.
"Play with them more now. Always asking where you are."
"...Got it."
Rubbing my cheek,
"How old are they now?"
"Second grade soon. Eight."
"Already?"
"Already? Brat."
Smack on the back as doors opened.
I reached for the doorbell; she stopped me.
"......?"
She texted instead.
"Auntie said no bell—call."
"Why?"
"Dunno. Hey, Auntie—us. Right outside."
Ding—the door opened quietly. A elegant mid-thirties woman emerged.
"Auntie! Long time!"
"Hi!"
We greeted warmly. She was Mom's much-younger sister, always played with us like friends as kids.
"Shh!"
Finger to lips urgently, waving excitedly with the other. Her frantic gesture clashed with her poised vibe.
"...Why?"
We whispered. She beckoned us in silently.
Creeping after her, she pointed to a closed door. Peeking quietly: Eunhui at a desk, "studying." Or not.
She told the AI speaker,
"Let's play word chain."
—I'll start. Joy.
"......"
Pondering, then,
"No 'y' in joy."
—I'll start. Sodium.
"......"
She slumped, mumbling,
"No 'm'..."
Ruthless AI, no mercy for kids. I closed the door softly.
Sis whispered to Auntie,
"Where's Eunbi?"
"Didn't say? With her dad."
I asked,
"So, secret talk while Eunhui's out? No doorbell?"
"Sharp as ever."
She led us to another room and got to it.
"You know Elsa dress?"
"Nope. What's that?"
She showed her phone: elegant blue-glowing dress.
"Ooh, pretty."
"For Eunhui?"
Somberly,
"Check the price."
"...Gasp."
We inhaled sharply.
"Kids' clothes this pricey?"
"Sigh... Eunhui's throwing fits for it as a birthday gift."
"Get a cheap knockoff?"
"No—only that one. Stubborn as a mule, wonder who she takes after."
Auntie sighed, shaking her head. Then eyed me.
"Hura."
"Yes."
"You with the silver tongue slicker than any con man."
"...Yes?"
Her face serious.
"One favor."
"Listening."
"Convince Eunhui she doesn't need that dress."
"Hmm... Been a while since a job. Fee?"
"...One bill."
"Shop elsewhere."
I stood; she grabbed my arm desperately.
"Hey~ First time in ages, don't be cold. Heartless much?"
"...Fine, old times' sake—one more chance. Name your price carefully."
Two fingers.
"...Two?"
"Forget it."
"Hura! How could you? I played with you tons as a kid!"
"Past is past! You were bored then anyway."
"No! Super busy—squeezed in time for you guys!"
"That dress costs a fortune—two bills? Thief mentality, Auntie!"
"Please! Family!"
"Wanna say nice things to Eunhui too."
"Fine! Three! No more!"
"Upfront."
Palm out.
"...Tch. Total fox now."
She slapped three bills (cabbage leaves? Wait, no—Korean 10,000 won bills look like cabbage) onto my hand. I grinned, standing.
"Heh heh... Just wait a sec."