Bickering Rivals and Mechanical Traps
The bickering between those two girls finally came to a halt only when Hura pulled out his business card.
"Chaera, if you don't leave now, I'll have to call your teacher."
"...Ugh."
Lee Chaera reluctantly exited the snack shop, but not without exchanging one last fierce glare with Seo Ji-hyun.
"Hmph!"
"What're you looking at?"
Only after sending Chaera off could Hura finally focus on his work.
"What can I get for you?"
"Two hot dogs, please."
And right next to the customer was Seo Ji-hyun, plopped down in the seat Chaera had vacated, happily slurping away at her tteokbokki.
"Who the hell is that bi— I mean, that girl?"
"...That's still calling her a bitch. Why are you picking fights with a kid?"
Hura shot back with a look of utter disappointment.
"...She started it."
Ji-hyun muttered, her face all pouty.
"How's the tteokbokki?"
"Delicious. Tastes just like the stuff we used to grab after school."
Ji-hyun skewered another piece with a toothpick and popped it into her mouth.
"...Damn, this is good."
Slurp slurp slurp.
She was devouring it with such gusto. At times like this, she really did seem like a kid. Hura chuckled softly as he handed the freshly fried hot dogs to the customer.
"Hey, Lee Hura."
"Yeah?"
"What time do you get off?"
"Four."
"...Got it."
Ji-hyun replied with that haughty tone, like it wasn't even worth asking—like it was just something everyone knew. Mission accomplished, she scraped every last bit of sauce from the bowl before standing up.
"I'm out."
"Alright. Drive safe."
"...Am I a kid?"
"You fight like one, so yeah."
"Shut up. See ya."
"Yep."
As Ji-hyun turned to leave, footsteps approached. Son Da-eun, owner of Dahyun's Snacks, wiped her hands on her apron and came over.
"Oh my~ Hello there~"
"Ah, hello."
Ji-hyun suddenly shrank into a polite little bow.
"Are you Hura's friend?"
"Yes. I didn't mean to bother you while you're working. I was just passing by and stopped for a quick chat. Heading out now."
"Nonsense, bother? You could stay all day!"
Son Da-eun beamed and waved her off at the flustered Ji-hyun.
"Ahaha... Really?"
Ji-hyun gave an awkward laugh. Son Da-eun kept cooing in admiration.
"My goodness~ Aren't you just the prettiest thing? You could enter Miss Korea!"
"Oh, uh, really? Thank you."
Ji-hyun's face flushed red as she bowed again. Hura muttered while packing tteokbokki into a cup.
"...She says it's good."
Son Da-eun teasingly turned to Hura.
"Hee hee hee~ Hura's got quite the fan club, doesn't he~?"
"N-no, she's just a friend."
Ji-hyun waved her hands frantically, trying to brush it off.
"Hee hee, Dahyun's gonna get jealous."
At Son Da-eun's follow-up, Ji-hyun's awkward smile froze solid.
Just then, a customer's voice called out from the counter.
-Over here~ Boss~
"Oh, customers. I wanted to grab something for Hura's friend, but you picked a busy time."
"...No, it's fine. I was just leaving."
"Come again next time. I'll make you something tasty."
"Sure."
"Promise~?"
Son Da-eun smiled brightly and headed to the customer.
"...Dahyun?"
Left alone, Ji-hyun murmured the name. It was the same one Hura had called out while carrying her on his back yesterday.
"Hey, Hura."
"Four tteokbokki, three hot dogs, six fish cakes? That's ten thousand won. One moment, please."
"......"
Hura was swamped dealing with customers.
"Huh? Did you call?"
"...Nah. I'm going."
"Alright. Drive safe."
"Am I a kid or what."
Ji-hyun left the snack shop. She glanced up at the sign.
Dahyun's Snacks
She'd thought it was coincidence, but apparently not. Her mind started racing.
"......"
Ji-hyun trudged down the street. One possibility had slipped her mind entirely.
That Hura might have a girlfriend.
She hadn't even considered it. She'd assumed he didn't, obviously. Since she didn't have one either, he probably didn't. Or maybe she'd just assumed because she wanted to believe it.
The shop owner knew him too, so they weren't just casual acquaintances...
"...Is she really his girlfriend?"
She stopped dead in her tracks.
"No. Probably not."
She had to believe that. Ji-hyun shook her head vigorously.
"I'll just ask him later."
She let out a deep sigh, blowing away her worries, and forced her steps forward with feigned energy.
......
Meanwhile, Hura mechanically handled customers while lost in thought. His expression was gravely serious, as if pondering something profound.
"......"
Finally, his lips parted. He muttered softly, face still stern.
"If a robot uses a coffee machine to make coffee, is it a coffee machine machine?"
"...Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing. Here's your tteokbokki."
As he served customers, something suddenly popped into Hura's mind.
"Oh."
I hope Baek Bal Baek Jung made it out safely. That dramatic performance better have paid off.
"Come to think of it, I forgot to mention my sister was there."
Scratch scratch.
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Eh. It'll be fine."
He brushed it off casually and kept serving.
"Tteokbokki? One sec~"
Surrounded by all manner of machines. In the darkness, a pale blue light settled like frost.
Eerie blue gleams flickered like serpent eyes between the walls and floors of machinery.
This was the heart of Machine Hill, home to Ptah and Geriseora.
Flash—
A blue orb suddenly appeared in the center. It was actually a blue ring spinning rapidly, residual vision making it look spherical.
The ring slowed, then spat out its contents.
Thud—
A battered man collapsed to the floor.
Whirr whirr. The ring, spinning at terrifying speed, gradually slowed to a halt.
A single coin at its center dropped onto his head.
Ting—
It struck with a clear chime and fell to the floor. The mysterious man groped the ground with trembling hands until he found it.
Staring at the coin in his palm, he smiled faintly.
"Haha..."
His weak laugh grew louder.
"Haha... Hahaha!"
Baek Bal Baek Jung burst into laughter despite his wrecked state.
"I did it! Success! Uhahaha! Cough! Hack hack! Gah..."
But he soon hacked up blood and wheezed.
"Ugh... Gonna die."
Baek Bal Baek Jung carefully wiped Ptah's coin on his clothes.
"Barely made it. If not for this coin from Hura-nim, I'd be dead for real."
He tucked the polished coin away safely, then scanned his surroundings.
"......?"
One eye swollen shut, he tilted his head.
"...Where am I?"
It was unfamiliar.
"Hura-nim said this would take me to Shin-dong Village."
No lush forest here—just artificial machines blinking eerie blue eyes in greeting.
Then, a hazy figure dashed toward him—pattering footsteps.
It took the form of a young girl.
"Hura's here!"
It was the Iron Empress, Ptah.
She charged excitedly, then froze at the unfamiliar face, her expression hardening.
"...Who the hell are you?"
"Uh... Pardon?"
Her eyes narrowed, flashing a chilling blue.
Ptah crooked a finger, and machines erupted from ceiling and floor, binding Baek Bal Baek Jung tight.
"......!"
Though exhausted, he was helpless—subdued in an instant.
The girl plucked a coin from his bound pocket.
"How do you have this coin?"
"Th-this one?"
"Who are you? What did you do to Hura?"
Rumble—
A terrifying killing intent poured from her tiny frame.
"Guh... Ack."
The overwhelming pressure choked him. He couldn't speak easily.
It was strength beyond his ability to resist.
"Not talking?"
"I-it's..."
"Then I'll make you talk."
Crunch clank!
A grotesque mechanical arm writhed to life behind her like a living thing. Its tip bristled with razor-sharp blades.
"Like it?"
Ptah murmured coldly, then pointed at herself.
The arm whipped toward her at blinding speed.
"......!"
Baek Bal Baek Jung squeezed his eyes shut.
That was when—
"Ow, Ptah-nim! You can't just siphon all my power like that!"
A familiar voice. Baek Bal Baek Jung cracked his eyes open.
He spotted a dark-blue-haired woman approaching from afar.
"...Geriseora?"
Geriseora grumbled, scolding the girl.
"You could've at least asked first! Now my parts are fried!"
"B-but..."
Ptah pointed accusingly at Baek Bal Baek Jung.
"Look at this guy! He used the coin I gave Hura!"
"Huh?"
"For real! He must've stolen it from Hura!"
Geriseora approached and peered at the machine-bound Baek Bal Baek Jung.
"Oho~"
Her lips curved into a crescent grin.
"Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim. Fancy meeting you again~?"
"Ahaha... G-good to see you, Geriseora-nim."
Baek Bal Baek Jung replied, sweat pouring down his face.
Before long, it was four o'clock.
"Great work today, Hura~"
"Thanks. See you tomorrow!"
As Hura left the snack shop, he caught a suspicious presence.
A shady figure peeking from behind a utility pole. The long brim of their hat poked out.
"......"
He stared. Their eyes met as she peeked again.
"......!"
She yelped and ducked back in.
"......"
Hura walked over and stood in front of her.
"What're you doing here?"
Seo Ji-hyun finally emerged, acting all innocent.
"Huh? Oh, hey. What a coincidence. You done for the day?"
...Coincidence my ass.
"Were you waiting for me?"
"What? No! I wasn't waiting! Why would I wait for you?"
...Must've been reaaally bored.
"Whatever. I'm heading this way."
"Oh, yeah. Me too."
And so an unexpected duo set off together.
Clop clop—
A few minutes of silent walking later, Ji-hyun blurted out of nowhere.
"You. Exercise."
Was that a command? A question? Hura hesitated, and she continued.
"Saw you yesterday. Your stamina's a mess."
"That was just a rough day at work."
"Everyone's got excuses."
"Oh yeah? You try standing for six hours straight."
"I walk for six hours."
"......"
"Exercise with me every day from now on."
"What?"
At the bombshell, Hura glanced at her. She tugged her hat lower, avoiding his eyes.
"I work out around here anyway at this time. Better results with a partner, they say. So do it with me."
"...Every day?"
"Weekends off."
"Running?"
"Yeah."
Hm... Not a bad idea, actually. He'd been thinking of jogging once he got the hang of snack shop work anyway. A pacemaker would help.
"Can we walk today? Not mentally ready yet."
"Fine."
Clop clop—
"Aren't you gonna ask about your girlfriend?"
"Huh?"
He turned at the sudden remark.
"What girlfriend?"
"You know, from yesterday. Dahyun... or whatever."
Ji-hyun snuck a glance at him.
"Dahyun? She's not my girlfriend."
"Oh. Cool."
The corner of her mouth twitched.
...Is she teasing me for being single?
"Then who is she? The owner knew her."
"It's... kinda complicated."
"I got time."
Who gets this curious about stuff like this?
"We met in Fantasy World. She was the fairy who tutored me through the tutorial."
"...Fairy? The one asking questions from the carriage that time?"
"Yeah. Helped me a ton, cheered me on. Without Dahyun, I might've quit chef life ages ago."
"...Close?"
"Pretty close. Bumped into her at the convenience store by chance, and she got me this snack shop gig."
"...She's a good one."
"Yeah."
Clop clop—
Silence for a bit. Oh, right.
"Hey, Ji-hyun."
"Yeah?"
"You know a village called Harten?"
"Harten?"
"Yeah. Got business there."
Blink blink.
Ji-hyun's big eyes widened as she stared at him.
"I'm in Harten right now."
Unexpected good news. Molrangkau was in Harten.
She couldn't come out due to a quest, so he had to find her himself.
Would you like to log in as character 'Hura'?
"Yes."
Welcome to Fantasy World.
Whoosh—
His vision tinted blue, and a stunning night sky unfolded above.
He gasped in awe the moment he logged in.
"Whoa..."
The desert night sky was breathtaking. Cool desert night air, stars shining bright.
He inhaled deeply and stretched.
After getting the quest from the old man yesterday, he'd logged right out. Nice timing—straight into a stellar view.
The quiet desert night was a sea of stars.
Stretching here and there amid the silence, he spotted an unexpected sight.
"...Huh?"
Crackle—
Crackle—
A campfire dying down. A priest warming himself by it smiled gently at Hura.
"Hello there."