Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Chicken and Cola
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48,000 won.
It had been over half a year since this body began residing in this world, yet this was the first time such a sum had come into my possession.
Rather than joy, the feeling was something indescribably strange.
If this money had been a rightful reward for my hard labor, I wouldn't have felt this way.
"Is it because of my appearance...?"
I tilted my head.
Truth be told, even as I posted it, I hadn't imagined it would actually work.
Before even weighing the possibilities, it was simply the best option among those I could choose.
But astonishingly, it had happened, and money had flowed into my account.
"More than enough to buy the game with some left over..."
I'd been hit with a 14-day ban, but since it wasn't the full 30 days, it meant they were cutting me some slack. No need to worry much about the community side of things.
The tournament participation should be fine, so as planned, I'd use this money to buy the game.
I'd bought two 3,000-won games,
but money still remained. I considered returning it, but first place was as good as mine anyway.
I'd win it later, no doubt.
In other words, this money was effectively mine right now.
"In that case..."
Even in this frail state, shouldn't I bestow a special reward upon Madness, who remains loyally by this body's side?
This world had quite decent food, and equally decent services.
After pondering the options, I nodded decisively.
"Chicken it is."
I'd never tried it before, but as the most popular and iconic takeout food in this country, there was no way it could taste bad.
No way the best-selling food would be bad, or the most popular takeout for that matter.
I opened the delivery app for the first time—usually just browsing the pictures before closing it without ordering—
and immediately shut it again.
"...What kind of delivery fee is 4,000 won?!"
A delivery fee more expensive than the game itself.
If they were at least cooking it themselves and the food cost 4,000 won more than expected, I might not complain.
But for mere errand boys delivering ready-made food, wasn't this pricing way out of line?
"Looks like I'll have to go myself."
It would be wiser for me to walk out and pick up the chicken personally.
No matter how much money I had, I had no intention of wasting it frivolously.
I began simple preparations to head out.
I didn't have many clothes, and only two outfits suitable for going out, so either would do. I'd already washed up right after waking.
"Preparations complete."
A bit frayed but still wearable oversized white tee and short shorts.
It had only been three days since laundering, yet it seemed to carry a musty smell, but there was nothing for it.
As long as no one was burying their nose in my clothes to sniff, it wouldn't be that bad.
No separate wallet, so I stuffed my debit card into my pocket and left the basement room.
I frowned at the unnecessarily bright weather and walked aimlessly.
Chicken joints were everywhere in this country, so I'd surely spot one eventually.
"...These stares sting."
Just walking down the street, yet for some reason, I felt eyes on me.
I couldn't fathom why, but my body shrank a little.
Was it the smell?
I didn't think it was that bad, but maybe I'd grown too accustomed to the stench in that room?
Once the suspicion hit, my thoughts spiraled.
My body huddled further.
Tension made my palms sweat; I gripped the hem of my shirt tightly.
"I want to return... to the Demon Realm."
If I could go back, I'd restore my great true form, shore up my domain, and never eye another world again.
The further I strayed from my small territory into foreign lands, the more something trembled within.
I'd always known the obvious truth: invaders who fail fall endlessly.
But I'd never imagined it would be this body.
Hunched tightly, I walked and walked until I finally spotted a chicken place.
An unfamiliar name—not a franchise, it seemed.
"Found it."
It was just past 3 p.m., fortunately the shop was open, so I cautiously pushed the door and entered.
"This one has arrived."
To my tentative greeting, the man who seemed to be the owner—lounging on the sofa watching TV—glanced over, his gaze lingering.
Then, with a pitying grin,
he spoke up.
"Oh... yeah, what'll it be?"
His unexpectedly kindly tone eased my tension a bit. I raised one hand high and made my request.
"F-fried and seasoned, half and half...!"
"Got it, got it. Uncle'll fry up something tasty real quick. Running an errand for your parents?"
"This one has no parents."
Beings of the Demon Realm are born from coalesced mana in the void,
so we of the Demon Realm are natural phenomena and thus have no parents.
Was my answer unexpected?
I tilted my head at the chicken shop owner's visibly flustered expression.
"S-sorry..."
"No need to apologize."
I shrugged. This was his domain, not mine.
My power was ephemeral; I couldn't seize it by force.
Thus, it behooved me to observe etiquette—trivial questions could be repeated endlessly for all I cared.
"I'm used to it."
Back before I holed up in my little basement domain.
Every job hunt brought the same query.
Why they always asked about parents, I'd grown numb—nay, weary of it by now.
The chicken shop owner clamped his mouth shut, and only the sizzle of frying and oil scent filled the air.
"What a stimulating aroma..."
I closed my eyes, savoring it.
Compared to meals of moldy rice with salt or tap water sweetened with sugar, what I'd ordered was absurd luxury.
Fallen though I was, I still held the pride of a king,
and as king, my reward to Madness must be commensurate in value.
"Uh, wanna sit a bit? It's frying, might take a little."
"I may sit?"
"...Of course."
"Then I'll gratefully accept the courtesy."
I settled onto a chair. Home chairs or these—unnecessarily tall, leaving my feet dangling unpleasantly in the air. I swung my legs idly.
"Might keep an extra box at home."
Could use it as a footrest; this wouldn't do.
Sometimes the dangling was amusing enough to swing for fun, but later it always scratched fiercely at my pride.
How long did I wait?
Roughly 15 minutes, and the chicken shop owner called me.
"Alright, let's settle up."
"Indeed. 19,000 won, correct?"
The menu clearly listed one whole chicken at 19,000 won, and he nodded confirmation as he took my proffered card and processed payment.
19,000 won vanished in an instant, a pang in my heart, but thinking of Madness's face upon receiving it—and turning back to me—made it bearable.
"Madness... no, Sister will eat it, so I hope it's delicious."
The owner's twitch at my mutter puzzled me briefly, but with business done, I headed home.
"Then, hopefully we'll meet again sometime."
"Y-yeah."
I waved grandly; he responded with a timid wave of his own,
and satisfied, I left the shop.
"Not a bad fellow."
His initial smile had irked me, but after the parent question, his serious frying demeanor left an impression.
"Still..., it's heavy. Chicken, that is."
This body's frailty hit home vividly again, leaving a sour mood.
...And,
as soon as I exited, the stares prickled even sharper than before entering.
Were they after this body's chicken?
I couldn't let them have it.
Frail as I was, I couldn't lose a gift for my loyal subordinate.
Clutching the chicken bag close, I scanned surroundings warily and quickened my pace toward my domain.
The complimentary cola sloshed, fresh-fried chicken steamed hot and humid, but I could endure;
at last, I safely brought the chicken to my domain.
Breath ragged, I collapsed flat, gasping. Three minutes lying there, perhaps.
Heart still pounding, but breathing steadied.
My space.
This musty, cramped hole felt so secure.
I exhaled deeply, unfolded the table, and set down the chicken.
"Hm..."
A sudden thought struck.
Chicken for Madness, sure—but couldn't I drink the cola?
I'd bought it fair and square, so why not?
The reward was just the chicken anyway.
I'd never planned on cola.
Perfectly fine for me to have it.
Thirst parched me from the rush.
Droplets trailed alluringly down the cola bottle; inside, dark liquid bubbled faintly, asserting its presence.
"Y-yeah... I'm not taking her chicken, right?"
Chicken solely for Madness.
That preserved my dignity.
But cola...
"L-later, I'll buy Madness her own."
For now, it tempted too fiercely to quench my thirst.
By my own reckoning, a foolish expression as I pulled out the cola,
"Waaahhh...!"
Punishment for coveting my loyal subordinate's gift.
The cola, jostled all the way, erupted wildly upon opening,
and despite hastily pressing my mouth to the rim, the sting forced me to pull away soon enough.
I tried blocking it with my hand, to no avail; the spray persisted.
When it finally stopped, more than half the cola was gone, the floor soaked.
"M-my cola..."
Wronged and sad.
Thirst quenched, but greater self-loathing followed.