Chapter 3, Delicious Chicken.
Chapter 3, Delicious Chicken.
We headed to a chicken joint near the government office.
Maybe because it was Friday, the place was packed even though it was just quitting time.
This is what Friday nights are for.
The noisy atmosphere is perfect for hollering without anyone giving you side-eye.
"Three of you? This way, please!"
Following the employee's guidance, we barely snagged a spot in the corner.
No need to look at the menu.
"Two fried chickens and three draft beers!"
Kang Hyuk bellowed the order.
About three minutes after ordering.
Unbelievably fast—two whole chickens and beers hit the table.
"Wow, they are seriously quick."
Ji-hye's eyes sparkled in admiration.
Ji-hye and I opened our mouths at the same time, looking at Kang Hyuk.
"Let's eat well, hyung."
"Let's eat well, oppa!"
Just like we talked about earlier, Kang Hyuk was covering everything today.
"Yeah, dig in, you two. Our crew worked hard today too."
"The hardest worker has gotta be Gyeong-ho oppa in Civil Complaint Office."
"How the hell do you survive in there? Ugh, gives me chills."
Flattered but embarrassed, I just chugged my beer.
Those two were right—Civil Complaint Office gets the worst of it.
General Affairs Department and Disaster Management Department are quiet most days.
Kang Hyuk burst out laughing and snagged a drumstick first.
Two fried chickens.
Four drumsticks total.
The three of us amiably grabbed one each and tore into them with gusto.
Crispy fried batter and juicy meat inside.
Washed down with cool beer sliding down the throat.
Damn, company grub hits different.
"This place's chicken is always delicious no matter when you eat it."
Ji-hye said, ripping into a wing with a blissful look.
"Agreed. Top tier around here. Not surviving on luck alone."
Kang Hyuk chimed in.
Munching on this tasty chicken naturally made me think of noona and my little sis.
'I should pack some to take home later.'
Kang Hyuk smirked, noticing me zoning out.
"Thinking about noona and your sis again?"
"Well... yeah, eating this made me think of them."
Kang Hyuk and Ji-hye already knew plenty about my family situation.
Parents passed away.
And the NEET noona plus hikikomori little sis.
Even knowing all that, they never overstepped with nosy advice.
They just quietly stuck by my side.
Grateful doesn't even cover it.
"Hey, I'll get two more each to go later, so eat with your family."
"I..."
"What? For real? Kang Hyuk oppa is the best!"
Ji-hye jumped in quick.
I was gonna refuse, but now it felt impossible.
Fine, just accept the kindness.
Anyway, the crew dinner after ages was more fun than expected.
We vented our pent-up stress and had a blast.
Cool beers flowed back and forth.
By the time a nice buzz hit, the shop door swung open.
Ding-a-lang-
"Welcome!"
In came some burly dudes.
No gear on, but that signature intimidating vibe was unmistakable.
The employee took their order and left.
The guys whipped out their phones right away, staring at screens and chatting.
"You see? Gugeup-i posted again."
"That fucker pretending to post announcements while trolling hunters?"
"Guy's kinda funny though. Seems like he only does Hunter Gallery."
My ears perked up at the familiar nickname.
I knew eavesdropping was rude, but I leaned in hard on their convo.
"This bastard can't really be a civil servant, right? Dropped a no-con line the other day—kinda scary."
"Nah, no way. What civil servant's insane enough to stir shit like that? During work hours too."
"No, but check the writing style—pure civil servant talk. That 'we request' bullshit and all."
Spot on, hunters.
I am a civil servant.
"Yeah. And the replies show he knows regs inside out. Roasted some dude point by point on license renewal last time."
"Running it through GPT or something?"
"Maybe? AI's got everything all mixed up these days."
Kinda hit too close—I fake-coughed a few times.
Then Kang Hyuk and Ji-hye next to me started talking Hunter Gallery too.
"Gyeong-ho, Ji-hye. You two check Hunter Gallery much?"
"I lurk it now and then."
"Then you know Gugeup-i?"
"Yeah. Even in General Affairs, they gossip he's really one of our staff."
What?
Never heard that shit in Civil Complaint Office.
Kang Hyuk set down his beer and said,
"Guy gives off real vibes. Like, actual staff?"
"Oppa thinks he's really from Hunter Management Bureau?"
"Hmm... 50/50? Acts like a total NEET, but knows insider stuff like a real civil servant. Messes with your head."
"Come on, posting during work hours? No civil servant would risk discipline like that."
"True. Balls'd have to be outside their body. Knows exactly how we work."
Kang Hyuk laughed it off too.
Guess getting caught would be bad?
I slyly pulled out my phone.
Logged into Hunter Gallery without hesitation and started typing a troll shitpost.
[Title: Announcement from Civil Complaint Office re: Friday Commute Home.]
[From Hunter Management Bureau.]
[Due to 'Burning Friday,' expect surge in complaints from excessive drinking and partying.]
[Please refrain from drinking beyond your limit and avoid offending other hunters.]
[Weekend emergency complaints (e.g., lost licenses) cannot be handled by on-duty office—use Monday opening hours (09:00).]
[Safe commute home.]
[Thank you.]
(Gugeup-i here, gallery con)
Quitting work just to post this crap? LMAOOOO
(Me) Job off, Gallery on shift.
Crazy bastard LMAOOOOO
Gallery shift confirmed LMAO
Yeah I clocked in at my computer too~
Self-employed security 24/7 on duty
Hyung but what if I lose my license? Nothing on weekends fr?
(Me) Regs are regs. Hunter-nim's negligence.
WTF no on-duty office weekends? Where's my taxes going?
(Me) 5-day work week.
Mind your business if I drink or not?
(Me) For public safety.
So I get arrested for drinking now?
(Me) Call 112.
Watching the replies roll in, the hunters at the next table must've seen my post too.
"Hey! Gugeup-i's got a fresh one!"
"Check the reply: 'Job off, Gallery on shift.'"
"Concept this solid? Respect."
"Respect Association approves."
I choked back a laugh and chugged my beer.
Right then, refreshing Gallery showed a new post.
Right under mine.
[Title: [Analysis] Guessing Gugeup-i Bastard's Identity.]
[Speech and regs mastery = definitely current staff.]
[But constant shitposting and aggro? No way a 9th-grader noob like the nick.]
[9th-grader would chicken out.]
[At least 7th-grade assistant manager slacking in some cushy dept, Lupin-ing salary while fucking around.]
[Or Civil Complaint vet with broken mentality.]
[Disagree? You're right.]
Real talk LMAOOOO
7th-grade salary?
Bureau 7th gets decent, right?
With bonuses, pre-tax 4k easy
Nice haul DD
Brainfart tho
7th-grade honey-sucking Gallery troll DD living the dream
But real staff wouldn't get fired?
Anon anyway, how they catch lol
Caught = instant dismissal? Lol
(Me) Public Servant Act Article... (etc omitted)
Insane fuck LMAOOOO
Gugeup-i bastard hilarious AF LMAO
Dude's a psycho? Lol
[Title: Honestly, Gugeup-i does good work right?]
Pretends shitpost but sneaks in all the tips.
Tsundere lol
Crazy fuck lol
RO God?
Gugeup-i showed up lol
(Me) Nah;
(OP): Holy shit chills LMAOOOO replied in 1 sec
Gugeup-i RO God alt account clone jutsu too?
(Me) For real no.
[Title: Can I meet Gugeup-i at Bureau Civil Complaint Office?]
Wanna smash his face with "negligence."
How many windows he at?
Idk lol
Far as I know, one asshole at complaints desk.
(That Gugeup-i? Lol
Nah lol
[Title: Got fucked on license renewal by 9th-grade shithead at complaints before ㅡㅡ]
Shit happens late sometimes.
Year passed, can I file now?
Zzz lol
(OP): You be 1yr suspended for 5min late fuck off
Regs tho.
(OP): Fr.
Tho.
(OP) Fr.
[Title: Gugeup-i ain't 7th-grade? I cut my balls off]
No way that vet's a 9th-grader.
Anyway.
(Already no balls visible)
10 balls short lol
(Me) Illegal organ harvesting is a crime.
(Aw fuck Gugeup-i back lololol
Organ harvest confirmed lol
Ah, wanna hit 7th-grade ASAP.
Life'd be easier as 7th-grade civil servant maybe.
I turned off the phone screen.
After the dinner.
Packed two chickens Kang Hyuk bought and headed home.
Familiar villa 3rd floor.
Soon as I got in, knocked on little sis's door.
Knock knock.
"What."
Door cracked open right after.
Hikikomori who showers daily, exercises, and comes when called—weird hikikomori.
"Brought chicken."
Silently handed over the paper bag.
Little sis took it, paused a sec.
"...Thanks."
Mumbled thanks in a tiny voice, then slammed the door shut.
I yelled at the closed door.
"Eat up and leave trash outside."
"...Okay."
Small reply from inside.
Huge progress, like I said before.
Turned and headed to noona's room this time.
But noona opened her door before I knocked.
Like she was waiting for me.
"Back?"
I gave a wry smile and handed over the last chicken.
"Noona, eat."
"Wow, chicken! Thanks, Gyeong-ho!"
Noona beamed, took it, and hugged me tight.
Whoosh of shampoo scent.
Soft tits pressing against my chest through comfy training wear.
'Ah...'
Face flushed hot instantly.
My solo-fag dick compass pointing here of all places.
Scratched my head, embarrassed.
Noona giggled, poking me.
"What? My lil bro reacting to noona's boobs? Wanna touch?"
"N-No... not like that!"
Stammered and waved hands.
Noona cracked up like it was hilarious.
"My Gyeong-ho can touch anytime."
Noona grinned playfully, patted my ass.
"Go wash up and rest. I'll eat well."
Finally, noona added,
"Oh, room chicken trash—I'll handle it, don't worry."
"Uh... yeah."
Noona waved and slipped into her room.
Click.
Door shut.
Stood in the hall a bit, recalling noona's tits on my chest... and her hand on my ass...
Nah, just stared holes through my own hand.
'...Tired.'
Gotta wash up and crash.