Lumina the Delivery Rider
“Hellooo……”
A lizardman staggered inside.
His face was reptilian, with hands, feet, and even a blue tail to match, yet he was dressed in a suit. It felt kinda off.
Taepyeong City really wasn't the Earth I knew. That much was crystal clear.
“Hot in here. Where's the ice cream?”
“Over there in the freezer.”
“Thank youuu……”
The lizardman fanned himself as he headed to the freezer.
He stood in front of it, let out a deep sigh, and then flopped right on top.
“Ahhhh…… so cooool……”
I'd heard about customers like this sometimes.
Instinct they couldn't help, since temp control was tough for them, right?
The lizardman office worker, sprawled atop the freezer without a care for his suit soaking through, eventually snapped out of it. He opened the door and grabbed two ice creams.
“Thanks for looking out.”
He scratched his head sheepishly and brought them to the counter.
“Here.”
Beep!
Buy one, get one free item.
A crisp mechanical chime rang out with the barcode scan.
“Two thousand won.”
“Have one yourself.”
The lizardman handed me an ice cream.
“This?”
“Yeah. Weather's brutal today. Cool off while you work, part-timer.”
“Thanks.”
Lizardmen were kinder than their tough looks suggested, or so the rumors went.
Now I got why.
“Thanks.”
“Take care.”
The stress from that earlier jerk? A bit melted away.
Yeah, wounds from people heal with people too.
Not every customer was a nightmare.
Sure, jerks were common, but good ones like this balanced it out.
Gave me a little boost.
During a lull, I checked the gallery.
-You bastard, that'll actually kill 'em!
-└ You undead?
-If you're stronger than the hunter, just knock 'em out.
-└ If I could, I'd be hunting.
-Damn hot
-Check that body lmao
-Fuck off furries
-When lamia sis?
-I like humans.
-Milky beastkin tits are peak.
-Thicc halfling tits are peak.
-└????
-└Hold your breath longer.
The gallery was full of bored randos chatting among themselves.
Most of it was brain-off reading.
Munching the ice cream the customer gave me, one post caught my eye.
Work here's no joke at this convenience store—did the newbie already bail?
Heard a Death Knight was active today. Other branches quiet, so probably hit the newbie's spot.
Tasted level 5 and quit, huh.
[Comments 12]
Under the post genuinely worrying about me, a suspected undead anon and a species-hater were flame-warring hard.
I couldn't help clicking in.
Right after posting that.
Ding!
A notification and PM popped up.
From an anonymous user.
Chat history showed it was the one who'd given me jerk-handling tips before.
From jerk tips to gallery safety.
Real helpful user.
Guess I gotta watch info leaks.
Thought hiding species was enough.
But if location slips, they know everything about me.
Need to be careful.
Still adapting to this world, after all.
Then.
Rrrring!
The counter phone blared.
Good evening~.
Manager's voice from the receiver, sleepy and rough—like she'd just woken up.
“What's up?”
Minchul, food logistics coming early today. Can you handle? Nothing special—just check counts like handover and stock shelves.
That was easy.
“What time?”
30 mins. Busy time soon, Jinjo heading in prepped, but calling ahead just in case.
“Got it. I'll handle when it arrives.”
Ok.
30 minutes later.
A heavy roar shook my eardrums.
Vroooom!
Thinking it was a big truck, I stepped out—and did a double-take.
“Not a truck?”
A massive navy bike, sleek curves and beefy frame.
But my eyes went straight to the rider straddling it.
Tight black leather jacket hugging her body, pants clinging like a second skin.
Deep cleavage spilling from the top.
Long, slender legs stretching from leather boots, smooth curves that stole stares from anyone.
The black full-face helmet hid her face completely as she eyed me.
That flicker inside the helmet—a blue flame?
“Hunter Tower branch. Logistics delivery.”
A husky, cool woman's voice echoed from the helmet, laced with static.
“Ah, the one Manager mentioned?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, right. Thanks for the hard work.”
I approached awkwardly, and the helmeted rider stared right at me.
“Something wrong?”
“……Human?”
“……Yeah. Why……?”
“Weird. Haven't seen one in ages.”
Humans must be rare, yeah.
Everyone had to comment.
Odd. Fewer humans than lizard-head folks.
She tilted her head at me.
“Not scared of me?”
“Pardon?”
“Just what I said. Am I not scary?”
“……Not really.”
If anything, I was struggling where to look.
The tight pants and jacket made it awkward.
Crop top underneath dipped low, cleavage on full display.
Up top: pale cleavage.
Down below: hips popped just right.
Problem.
“Huh. Everyone points and calls me scary.”
“No way. You're way too attractive.”
“……”
Her helmet turned to me.
Tint too dark to see in, but probably shocked.
“Weird human.”
She opened the delivery box on the bike's rear.
Her slim arms moved, lifting boxes my height—three or four—like feathers.
All that in the bike's tiny compartment?
Possible?
“Whoa……”
Mouth agape at the impossible sight, she snapped her fingers.
A white paper fluttered down before me.
“Logistics list. Check it.”
“Ah, yes. Got it.”
While I verified, she unpacked.
Power from that delicate frame—unbelievable.
No time to gawk.
In just three minutes, all cargo unloaded.
“What, early arrival?”
It was the manager.
Blue vest on, she rubbed sleepy eyes—freshly up.
“Rough night?”
“Ugh…… Admired figures till dark yesterday. Your fault! Bring such a cool limited edition, how could Jinjo not roll the gacha?!”
“My fault?”
“Obviously! Jinjo was always an early-to-bed, early-to-rise proper adult!”
Hm.
Seemed like bad sleep management to me.
But no backtalk to the boss.
She paid my keep.
Gotta listen to the owner.
“Sorry.”
“N-no need to really apologize. Jinjo was joking. Actually glad—got to see treasured prize up close. Grateful to loyal retainer.”
Puffy-faced manager stretched with a massive yawn.
“Haaah.”
She approached the rider.
“You didn't do anything weird to Jinjo's retainer, right?”
“As if.”
“Touch Jinjo's retainer, and even you won't get a pass. Jinjo and retainer are tightly bound!”
Manager balled her fist dramatically; rider's faceplate turned to me.
“Tightly bound…… I see. Jinjo's bloodkin or something. Explains no fear.”
“Nah, just hourly part-timer.”
“Hourly? Then why's Jinjo say 'tightly bound'……”
“Ah, well, that's 'cause—”
I started on our shared mobile gacha game.
“S-stop! No need to spill Jinjo's and your secret to outsiders!”
Manager cut in, clamping my mouth.
“Mmph!”
“……Bonded over something pointless again.”
“Not pointless! So important!”
“If it's big, share with me too.”
Her cool jab fired up the manager.
“No! Absolutely not! You couldn't get it!”
“……Don't bully the clerk. Looks competent. Hey, if Jinjo overworks you, come under me. Good pay.”
Manager jumped in at the finger-snap.
“Wh-what?! Top-tier full-board lodging, fat blood-suck bonus—divine job! Trying to poach Jinjo's retainer?! Delivery done? Scram!”
“Kidding. Receipt.”
Rider extended hand, unfazed.
I signed the paper quick and handed it; she took it in gloved hand.
“Cargo checked. Out.”
No lingering—she swung long legs onto the bike easy.
Lumina twisted helmet, glancing at manager before starting.
“Oh, Manager.”
“Wh-why call?!”
“Drool on your lip. Kills dignity.”
“Eek! Jinjo doesn't drool in sleep!”
Manager wiped frantically with sleeve.
No drool there to begin with.
“Heh.”
Low, sultry laugh from the helmet.
Ignoring flustered manager, she turned to me last.
“Oh, part-timer.”
“Yes?”
“Seeing you often—names?”
“Kim Minchul.”
“Minchul…… Unique. I'm Lumina. See ya around.”
She nodded.
“And thanks for the attractive compliment. Rare these days. Like you, human.”
“Safe ride.”
“Catch ya later, Minchul.”
Vroooom!
Throttle twist shook the lot with roar.
Huge bike vanished, trailing blue flame afterimage.
I watched it go, impressed.
“Cool in every way.”
“Grr……! Mocked Jinjo and leaves?! Next time, no mercy!”
Manager flailed fists cutely, fuming.