My First Beer
Time flew by in a flash. In the evenings, he met up with Baek Bal Baek Jung and Beda in the fantasy world, hunting monsters near Shin-dong Village and treating them to his one-star Monster Tour dishes. During the day, he spent his time studying and practicing various recipes, including tteokbokki, to prepare for his new job starting Monday. Just like that, Saturday evening—the day he'd promised with Mansu—arrived.
Riiiing— He snatched up his phone the moment it rang and pressed it to his ear.
“Hello.”
“...It didn't even ring once?”
“I've been waiting.”
“Ooh... Come out to Dosarang Chicken.”
“Now?”
“Right now. I'm already on my way.”
Sure enough, the sound of cars whizzing by filtered through the receiver—he really was outside.
“Okay. Heading out now.”
“Oh, and don't forget your ID when you come.”
“......? We're drinking?”
He paused at the unexpected comment. Mansu seemed equally surprised, firing back with a question mark of his own.
“? Isn't that obvious? You weren't planning on having chicken without a cold beer, were you?”
“Why's that obvious? Cola works fine.”
“......? What the hell, man. Something's off. Why are you dodging?”
“What's off about it? I was just stating the universal truth that chicken goes with cola.”
“Whatever. What's your tolerance like?”
“...Never tried it.”
“......?”
There was a long silence on the other end.
“For real? Not even once?”
“Nope.”
“Whoa... What have you even been doing with your life?”
“Living a healthy, upright existence. Is that so weird?”
“Yeah, super weird.”
“Is a chaotic, hedonistic life really that great?”
“Yeah, super great.”
“You devil.”
Mansu—half potato, half demon—ignored him completely and barreled on excitedly.
“Perfect. I'll teach you the ropes tonight.”
“What're you on about? You some kinda drinker?”
“Shut up and bring your ID, you idiot.”
Click.
Whatever—looked like booze was happening anyway. He grabbed his ID and headed out. Free drinks? Why not. The time had come. No more running. He was finally becoming a filthy adult, pouring the demons' brew into his pure stomach as he stepped out.
He pushed open the door to the chicken joint, and a hand shot up from a window table.
“Over here!”
Mansu was already chugging a 500ml beer glass.
“Look at this lush.”
“I already ordered the chicken.”
“Cool.”
He slid into the seat across from him.
“Beer for you too?”
“Nah. I'll wait for the chicken. Heard it's bad on an empty stomach.”
Mansu snorted.
“Pfft. That's lightweight talk.”
“My dad said so.”
“...He's a hundred percent right.”
Thanks to Mansu's advance order, the steaming chicken arrived soon after. Before he could even speak, Mansu called for another round of beer.
“Ooh, looks good.”
“Yeah, dig in.”
“Grew a fine potato. Thanks, potato.”
“Saved me half the nagging from my folks, so I'm the one who's grateful.”
He speared a hot piece with a fork and took a bite.
Crunch— Crispy skin gave way to tender meat bursting with juices that seeped gently into his mouth.
Hmm... How do they get this flavor?
He dissected the piece like a chicken autopsy, scrutinizing the flesh, cross-sections, batter-meat boundary.
“Hits different after a while. ...What're you doing?”
“Huh? Oh, just curious about the inside.”
“You're such a weirdo. Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
He clinked his now-filled glass against Mansu's.
Gulp gulp—
The taste of his first booze was...
“How's it? Good?”
“...Intriguing.”
“What kinda talk is that?”
It wasn't the instant delicious! fireworks, but something subtly addictive kept drawing the glass back to his lips.
“Heh, you like it. Remember Min-cheol?”
“Yeah. What’s he up to?”
“Heard he's running a pizza joint.”
As old stories flowed and a beer or two went down, his head started fogging up. Soon, the wobbly world greeted him with its curves.
“Whoa... Mansu. The ground's coming at me...”
“Already wasted.”
“Dizzy...”
Why seasickness on solid ground? His stomach churned.
Seizing the moment, Mansu slyly probed.
“So, how'd you meet Dahyun anyway?”
“Dunno.”
“You said in-game. But IRL too?”
“Told you, dunno.”
“She called you 'customer-nim.' Buy an electric blanket or something?”
“...What? Electric blanket?”
“Lemme get one too. How much?”
“......”
“C'mon, spill. Did you ask to meet up?”
“I said I dunnooo...”
Mansu tsked and crossed his arms.
“Tch. Stubborn even drunk.”
“Talking potato doesn't need to knowww.”
Mansu refilled his glass with a sip, then unleashed more questions.
“Hey, Dahyun live nearby?”
“Dunno.”
“You got her number, right? Call her.”
“...Call?”
“Yeah, man. Just ask if she wants chicken and beer.”
Bobbing on alcohol waves, he glared at Mansu.
“......? Why stare at the bottle like that?”
“Talking potato.”
“What.”
“Think Dahyun'd come?”
“If not, whatever. If yes, great.”
“Jeez.”
“Just ask lightly if she wants a beer with chicken. Not a big ask. She says no, fine.”
This guy's gonna nag till he dials. Better let him hear the rejection and give up clean.
“Tch. Speakerphone, so listen up.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He dialed Dahyun right away.
Riiiing— Riiiing—
“Hello?”
Dahyun's voice came through the phone. Mansu was already grinning ear-to-ear at the sound alone.
“Ah, Dahyun. Hi thereee.”
“Yesss, hello, customer-nim.”
A beat, then her playful tone followed.
“Customer-nim.”
“Yesss?”
“...Have you been drinking?”
“......!”
How'd she know?!
“Hahaha, you just thought 'How'd she know?!' didn't you?”
“......! Psychic?”
“Nope. Obvious drunk voice.”
“Oh, really? Yeah, a bit of beer.”
He scratched his head sheepishly.
“With who?”
Mansu, who'd been all ears, pointed wildly at himself.
“Talking potato—no, Mansu. You saw him at the convenience store last time. Remember?”
“Ah, customer-nim's friend?”
Mansu fist-pumped silently at being remembered.
“Yeah. So, we're at Dosarang Chicken. Wanna join for some?”
“...Pardon?”
Flustered voice. As expected.
“Ah, late, right? Figured as a working adult. See you next time.”
“No, no! Customer-nim! Coming right now! Dosarang Chicken, right? Wait there!”
Frantic rustling sounds, then click.
“......?”
“......?”
He and Mansu stared blankly at each other. Mansu looked as stunned—he hadn't expected her to actually show.
For his part, the unexpected yes snapped him sober from the booze.
No way she'd actually come.
In the lush forest near Shin-dong Village, thick with verdant greenery.
“Beda hyung. This right?”
“Yeah. There. Cut like that.”
“Hura did it this way.”
Left alone after Hura's evening plans, Baek Bal Baek Jung and Beda were butchering a massive wild boar.
Now thick as thieves—hyung and dongsaeng—they mimicked Hura's cooking from memory, attempting Wild Boar Barbecue.
Attempt twelve, and already a sinister smell wafted.
“Burning! Kill the fire!”
“Yes sir!”
Too late—the Wild Boar Barbecue charred black in seconds.
Crunch— Baek Bal Baek Jung spat out his bite.
“Charcoal, hyung.”
“...How'd Hura do it?”
To them, Hura made it look effortless, but trying it themselves hammered home his ghostly skill.
Smacking lips in regret, they chucked the charcoal lump into the woods.
“Just hit a tavern.”
“...Tch. After Hura's food, nothing else cuts it.”
They walked side-by-side toward the village, chatting.
Topic: inevitably Hura.
“Lately, Hura's asking a ton about rankers.”
“Makes sense. Weird he's lasted this long without knowing.”
“Yeah, but why the Demon King's Castle questions?”
“Hm. Most don't even know it exists.”
“Asked for map markers too. Really going? Nothing there now, and the road's brutal.”
“Hura's got his reasons.”
“Oh, and lots on Rank 1.”
“...Cheon-gong?”
Beda scowled.
“Yeah. Hope they never cross paths.”
“Unless Cheon-gong hunts him, unlikely.”
“Hm. True.”
“Right. Why would mighty Cheon-gong visit a mere chef?”
“...Awkward for sure.”
Baek Bal Baek Jung brushed back his hair, eyeing Beda's grimace.
“Very. Bad vibes.”
“Total jerk too.”
“Agreed.”
Knock knock.
A tap on the window—he turned to see Dahyun beaming and waving wildly outside, like a puppy wagging its tail.
The door opened, and casually dressed Dahyun entered.
“Customer-nim!”
“Hi, Dahyun. You know him from before? My friend Mansu.”
“Ah, hello!”
Mansu shot up, bowing deeply.
“Yes, hello!”
“Beer?”
“Yes.”
“Another beer glass! And soy chicken too.”
Mansu ordered smoothly. Meanwhile, Dahyun plopped down beside him.
A nameless floral scent bloomed as she sat—like a butterfly alighting on a flower.
She beamed.
“You drink too, customer-nim? Didn't know.”
“Ah, first time tonight.”
“Reaaally?”
Her eyes widened.
“Haha, I'm teaching him.”
Mansu poured from the fresh glass the server brought, sliding in slyly.
Dahyun accepted politely with both hands, grinning wide.
“Hahaha, really? Customer-nim's such a baby.”
“...Not a baby.”
“Pfft. First time drinking.”
“Tell him I'm the owner of a healthy mind and body that shuns debauchery?”
Mansu, waiting for an opening, asked Dahyun.
“Why call him 'customer-nim'? Thought you met in-game.”
“Ah, well...”
Dahyun gulped her beer, recounting their game meeting to Mansu.
“...So, fingerprints on a bowl got him chased by Gordon at stage 10.”
“Lemme guess. He cried?”
“Didn't cry.”
“Hahaha!”
A light flush—like sunset—tinted her cheeks with the booze.
She skipped hidden class or big stuff, sticking to safe tales: dungeon jackpots, tteokbokki biz.
Entertaining enough—Mansu suspected nothing.
Not that it matters if he does.
Meanwhile, booze waves battered his senses. Mansu refilled instantly; he could barely keep up.
This potato keeps pouring... paranoia?
His eyes met Mansu's sidelong glance.
Mansu feigned concern casually.
“My friend Hura. You okay? Time to head home?”
“Huh? Customer-nim okay?”
“Haha, first time, doesn't know his limit.”
He glared at snake-eyed Mansu.
I see your game.
“No! I'm fine! Not drunk at all!”
Daring talking potato to sideline him for alone time with Dahyun? No way!
“Customer-nim really okay?”
Dahyun eyed him worriedly.
“Yes. Perfectly fine.”
“You look pretty drunk... Don't push.”
“Push? Mind's sharp. ...Why you waving?”
He asked the bobbing Dahyun.
She steeled her face resolutely.
“Nope. I'll take you home. Up.”
“Huh? No, Hura'll get home fine. Chicken and beer's left—stay longer.”
Flustered Mansu stopped her.
“No. First time, he'll puke. I'll take him.”
She grabbed his wrist, yanking him up.
“Let's go, customer-nim.”
“Go? Where?”
He wobbled like a sailor on deck.
“Home. I'll pay, Mansu head out.”
“No! My treat, I'll take him. Late—go first, Dahyun.”
“No! I'll do it!”
Mansu blinked at her firm tone.
“...Pardon?”
“Ah, uh. On my way anyway! Nothing else!”
Her sunset flush deepened.
Mansu nodded reluctantly.
“Ah, yes. Got it. Safe trip.”
“Yess... Fun chat. You too, Mansu.”
“Uh, see you again?”
At his tentative ask, Dahyun smiled.
“You work at su convenience now, right?”
“Yes.”
“We'll see plenty.”
“Ah, right!”
Leaving beaming Mansu, Dahyun tugged his wrist.
“C'mon, customer-nim.”
“Ugh.”
Like a marionette with cut strings, he staggered after her.