[What is life, anyway? Just living as it comes]
[What is life, anyway? Just living as it comes]
A middle-aged man frowned and threw the documents down in a fit of irritation.
"Fucking idiots. How the hell are you handling this work!"
"........I'm sorry."
The man who looked like an employee bowed his head to the middle-aged man, apologizing as if he had no face to show. Even so, the man's anger didn't subside, and he threw a glass of water at him.
Jjaeng-gang! The glass hit the man's head accurately and even shattered, but there wasn't a single scratch on the man.
"One department store completely burned down. 17 casualties and 89 injured. Plus, it was on live TV. It's fortunate that the Test Subject wasn't revealed; otherwise, all of your heads would be on the chopping block."
Kki-ik, the middle-aged man made a throat-slitting gesture. However, what he was talking about wasn't the 'head' of being fired, but the 'head' for silencing them.
"You secured the Test Subject thoroughly, right?"
"Yes, we retrieved it while it was being transported mixed in with the bodies of the deceased. Seeing that the Test Subject has mutated, it appears it changed due to going berserk."
"What is the estimated combat power of the Test Subject?"
"Even though it lost its reason when it went berserk and couldn't use complex abilities, judging purely by its power, it's estimated to be at the high Expert level."
"A guy who was at the User level jumped to high Expert level just like that. If only it hadn't gone berserk, it could have been useful."
The middle-aged man clicked his tongue, 'Tsk'. The world doesn't always go the way you want it to.
"The cause of death was self-collapse, right?"
"Yes? Ah, no....... The Test Subject's cause of death was caused by a blow to the head."
"What? It died from getting hit in the back of the head?"
There is a big difference between a Test Subject dying on its own while berserk and dying from a blow by someone else. The former is nothing to worry about, but the latter means someone knows about the existence of the Test Subject.
"Is there a possibility it died from being hit by building debris?"
"Since the Test Subject possesses Raf Energy, it naturally has physical resistance even if it's not a pure Enemy Species. If you wanted to kill the Test Subject with something like building debris, you'd have to drop tons of debris on its head."
"Then, as expected, the only answer is a Force User, right?"
"Yes."
The middle-aged man and the employee. One person crossed both of their minds at the same time.
The weirdo who appeared out of nowhere. No, suspicion falls on Raccoon Man, whom the news and the internet are spreading as a mysterious hero.
"His combat power is roughly estimated to be Master level. This guy is almost certainly it."
"They say there was a Force User who had just awakened at the scene of the incident, but they got caught in the explosion and lost consciousness, so they don't remember anything."
"Right, then........"
The middle-aged man thought for a moment and said.
"How many remaining Test Subjects are there? The ones that escaped."
"We secured two Test Subjects, and only the remaining two are left. It's just that their traits are suited for stealth or they ran into the mountains, making them hard to find, but if we take the time, we can definitely find them."
"Anyway, this bastard was the biggest problem? If it weren't for this guy turning the lab into a sea of fire, the Test Subjects wouldn't have had a chance to escape."
Whether it was fortunate that he died, or the opposite because they lost a Test Subject. The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, angry at an emotion he didn't even understand himself.
"You guys start by investigating this Raccoon thing or whatever. He's a Force User estimated to be Master level, so be careful."
"Yes, understood."
With that, the two men's conversation ended.
Things regarding Baek-ri and Jin Seo-ae-ssi worked out well. First of all, Baek-ri has now been hired as a full-time employee at our shop, and Jin Seo-ae-ssi has also started working there for a regular income.
She has a child at home, but our shop closes relatively early, so it's fine. If it really comes down to it, I can come out and work for a bit while sending Jin Seo-ae-ssi home early.
"A full-time employee at a chicken shop, the wording feels a bit strange."
"It's not that I don't have the desire to expand the range with chains, but then there's too much work to do. Anyway, come here. I'll pass on the know-how, so learn it well. This is surprisingly hard, you know?"
"I was a cook in the military, what could I possibly not be able to do?"
A military cook makes meals for hundreds of soldiers three times a day. On Boknal (dog days), it's their job to boil samgyetang for hours in the heat just to feed everyone at least one small chicken. If it's a matter of stamina, he's a Force User now, so he has more than enough. It's not for nothing that I'm trying to put Baek-ri in the kitchen.
"How's your strength control?"
"So-so. I've gotten used to using it to some extent, to the point where I can lift a refrigerator all by myself."
"You have quite a bit of talent, too. If you develop your Trait, you'll get even better, right? Are there no courses for that kind of thing?"
"If I look into government or corporate sectors, there might be some. Honestly, it costs money."
"So you're going to use me as a free tutor?"
"Hey, if I use Force better, business will go well, and that's good for you too, right, Hyung?"
That's true. Frying and serving triple-digit numbers of chicken a day without rest isn't easy. For a normal person, it's impossible unless they get used to it for a few years, but a Force User can do it easily.
"Choi Ak-ssi, where should I put this?"
"Ah, that's for aging, so you can just put it in the freezer. This way."
The know-how really boils down to three big things: the chicken that's been seasoned and aged well, the batter, and how to fry it.
The seasoning sauce is fine as long as the ratio is right. If worst comes to worst, I can just make it and leave it.
"You're working hard from the morning."
"Huh?"
There's a familiar voice coming in through the shop door that hasn't opened yet. I have one key to our shop, and just in case, I had one copied and gave it to Sion. What's the occasion? Someone who hasn't visited since I opened the shop?
"What is it? You could have at least contacted me."
"I also came out briefly to check the condition of the building."
"Wait a second. I'll fry you a chicken. You liked fried chicken, right?"
It's morning, but Sion isn't the type to be picky about that. She says morning chicken is good too.
Baek-ri and Jin Seo-ae-ssi cast their gazes at the guest who arrived before business hours.
"Um, Hyung. Who is that?"
"My wife and also the owner of our shop building."
".......Really?"
"Didn't I tell you before? If you just look at her, you'd think she's some little kid."
Baek-ri started looking at me with rotten eyes. Why on earth do people look down on us when we want to love each other?
"Choi Ak-ssi, don't tell me, perhaps even to our Seong-hye........"
"No, no, that's not it! I only liked her because she's my wife; I don't distinguish love by appearance. I would never do the trashy act of venting sexual desires on a real child."
I'm easily misunderstood in many ways. With my fierce eyes and Sion, who looks like a child at a glance. When we're together, one out of three times, a police officer asks if everything is okay.
"I am Sion. My husband is a bit foolish, but please take care of him."
"Ah, yes. I am Jin Seo-ae. Nice to meet you."
"Ah...... I am Ha Baek-ri. Nice to meet you, Hyung-su-nim."
"For your information, Baek-ri, even though she looks young, she's older than me."
"Really?!"
"Here is my ID card."
Sion took out her resident registration card (of course, it's all forged) from her bag. In terms of age, she's probably 2 or 3 years older than me. Even counting the actual years lived, she's that much older. However, the number of digits is different.
"Here is our marriage certificate and a photo taken together."
"Uh......? Why do you carry all that around?"
"When we go around together, the police often ask. I always carry them to use for that."
"Nah, surely not."
"I've used them about 4 times so far."
"Really?!"
"It's real, it's so real that it's sad. Fuck, I just want to love her, why!"
"Isn't the problem the object of your love, Hyung........"
"She only looks like this, but there's no problem in terms of age. She is a full-fledged adult and has the capital to support it. She just looks like this, but our married life is happy."
"We're newlyweds who got married this year, you see."
Jin Seo-ae-ssi, who has been married, smiled and congratulated us honestly.
"It reminds me of my newlywed days....... May you two be happy as well."
"Thank you."
"We're planning to go on the honeymoon we couldn't take later, so please take good care of the shop then."
Because of the shop, and because of Sion's appearance, we couldn't hold a wedding ceremony. But a honeymoon, we can go on, even if it's late.
I'm thinking about where to go right now, but I'm planning to go abroad if possible.
Nearby Japan isn't bad either....... Radiation? I won't die from eating a little radiation, and for Sion, radiation is actually not poison but nutrition. For kids who eat energy emitted from stars, radiation is meaningless.
Ah, in that respect, Japan might actually be better.
"Here, freshly fried fried chicken."
"I'll enjoy it."
As soon as I brought the freshly fried chicken out, Sion ate a chicken leg while munching on it. Hey, hey, that's going to be hot....... You'll choke. Let me open a cola for you.
"I should have a daughter who looks like my wife, not me."
"Isn't pregnancy difficult?"
Actually, we both know. If we want to have children, there's a way. It's just that since Sion is an alien, the reproduction method is a bit different, but it's not impossible.
It's just that I want to have a bit more leisure time for now. I want to enjoy our newlywed life, and above all, I'm planning not to have children before I'm settled in my main job.
Not working at a hobby like this chicken shop. I have a separate main job. What it is, is a secret.
However, it's not a job that gets good feedback. It's a job that easily earns resentment from many people.
Time flew by while talking to Sion, who was eating chicken briefly before opening the shop. She also finished a whole chicken in no time and wiped her hands, looking satisfied.
"Are you coming in as usual today?"
"I might go a bit early. When Baek-ri was a part-timer, I just sent him home, but since he's a full-time employee, I have to work him until the finish. So I might go a bit early."
"Understood. Then I will prepare dinner as usual and wait."
There was no one around but Baek-ri and Jin Seo-ae-ssi, and both are people I know. I slightly bowed my head and lightly kissed Sion.
"Blegh, you guys are so lovey-dovey as newlyweds."
"You'll be like that too when you get married, right? My wife and I will be newlyweds even after a thousand years pass."
"When time passes and you enter menopause, the relationship between the couple......... mainly in the sense of a man's pride."
"I'm enthusiastic enough to do it several times a day, so there's no need to worry about that."
".............."
Baek-ri stepped back and glared at me, filled with contempt not at the frequency I mentioned, but at the fact that Sion and I do it at all. Jin Seo-ae-ssi had the same look.
"She's an adult!"
"I should call my dad...... Ah, my dad was a firefighter."
"You look like you're about to report me to the police!"
"Hyung, pedophilia is a crime."
"You're going to die, seriously."
When I threateningly raised my fist, Baek-ri surrendered. I showed it by imbuing it with Force so only a Force User could see it, so it must have been highly persuasive.
You punk, how dare you act up.
I finished the day. The chicken was sold out; actually, there were so many customers that it was troublesome. At this rate, I'll have to limit sales to a certain amount per day like some big chicken franchise.
"Good work."
"Seo-ae-ssi, you go home first. Seong-hye will be waiting, so it's better to go home early."
"No, I still have to work until the end."
"There are two men here, so it will finish quickly. Go home first."
"Yes, Ajumma. You have a daughter, right? Go home early. The kid must be waiting."
"Ah....... Thank you both. Then I'll go home first."
Only Baek-ri and I were left to finish up the shop. Actually, there was something to talk about too.
"Alright, now that it's just the two of us, let's have a secret-friend-like talk."
"Hyung? You don't have strange tastes, do you?"
"Sorry, but I don't have a taste for men. Ah......... if it's a man who looks like a woman, I might be a little tempted."
"Unless you take female hormones or something, how can a man like that exist?"
"The world is more of a fantasy than you think. There are Force Users, so how could there not be?"
Baek-ri nodded, strangely convinced.
"Anyway, I'm going to teach you a little bit about how to handle Force. It's good to use when working."
"Ah, private tutoring is illegal."
"Before talking about illegal or legal, if you want to do it, are you going to pay?"
"They say you'd even drink lye if it's free."
"Caustic soda to make lye is sold at pharmacies for 3000 won. Should I buy that and mix it in water for you?"
"Oh my, I'm sorry, Hyung-nim."
It feels like he's getting more shameless by the day. It's just at the level of joking around, so it feels like we're just bantering back and forth.
"Come to think of it, what is your Force Trait?"
"I only have two. I just apply them here and there, so it looks like multiple abilities, but in reality, there are only two. Even then, one isn't very noticeable, so I make a living with one."
"What Trait is it?"
"'Interference'."
It's a power I've loved using since a long time ago. However, my ability is not a Force Trait, but purely my own power. The difference is that a Force Trait cannot be used without Gaia Force, but this ability can be used as long as you have the will to use it.
And a bigger difference between the ability and Force is that while Force depends on talent, anyone has the potential to awaken an ability. However, not just anyone can use it.
"If you say 'Interference', I heard it's mainly a telekinesis or similar type of Trait? I heard that you start with that Trait and it differentiates into other Traits."
"Looks like you've done some research?"
"Yes, I thought about going that way if it came to it."
The type of power Baek-ri and I use is different, but there's no harm in learning. Especially since my ability, 'Interference', has high versatility, making it easy to use in various places.
"To put my Trait simply, think of it like an invisible hand."
"Adam Smith?"
"What are you going to do bringing up the American economy. Anyway, you manipulate the invisible hand here and there. Then, telekinesis is easily completed."
As Baek-ri focused his mind, Gaia Force began to shine pure white from his body. It's not visible to the eyes of ordinary people, and only fellow Force Users or those who have awakened spiritual eyes to see supernatural abilities can see it.
In my case, I'm closer to the latter. It's better to use what I have than to use Force.
As Baek-ri focused, Force imbued his hand. And it stretched out, looking like a white hand had sprouted.
He tried to pick up the cup on the table with it, but as soon as he grabbed it, it shattered with a 'Jjaeng-gang' sound.
"I'm deducting that from your salary."
"Hyung?!"
"You need to control your strength. Force is the power of will that comes from your soul. You can exert as much power as your will. Even that hand could easily bend a steel bar, right? Just think of it as your own hand that has been physically enhanced. Just a hand that's a bit hard to handle."
"But it feels strange, so it's hard to handle."
"Just think of it as an extension of your hand. Try to make it the same sensation as your hand. If you fold one of your fingers, the Force hand should fold too."
There is a difference between being the same as something else and being literally the same. As Baek-ri focused his mind again according to my advice, the extended Force hand began to move according to the movements of Baek-ri's hand.
And he used only his thumb and index finger to lightly lift the shards of the broken glass from earlier.
"Ah, it works!"
"Hmm, I thought you had talent, but you're better than I thought. Maybe you're that type too........."
"That type?"
"It's nothing. Anyway, once you can do that, practice until you get more proficient. Not just an extension, but making a separate hand too."
I used Force to emit it and created a white hand in the air. It wasn't extended from my hand like Baek-ri's, but only the hand was floating in the air. And not just one, but dozens of them.
"If you get used to it, this is also possible."
I started cleaning up the shop, moving the Force hands freely. From throwing away trash to washing dishes, organizing items, and cleaning the floor. I do it all at the same time.
Actually, this level is simple for Transcendents. Since telekinesis is simple for those who use will in the first place. Such complex activities are also child's play.
"Wow, that's awesome......!"
"Once you get used to doing it by extending your hand, try doing multiple ones next. And then, try moving by creating a separate hand that isn't an extension. Then, try making multiple of those. Got it?"
"Yes, I'll try practicing."
"Don't overdo it, okay? Just like masturbating too much makes your bones rot, doing that too much drains your mental strength. You'll be tired, so when you think you've done enough, just go to sleep."
"Yes, don't worry too much. I'll handle it, Hyung."
I cleaned up the shop, so he can go. Baek-ri thanked me for teaching him something good and went home.
I also went home. When I arrived, Sion was preparing dinner and waiting.
"I'm home. Ah, judging by the smell, is it soybean paste stew?"
"I boiled it with beef, so it should be delicious. Good meat came into the butcher shop this time, so I used it."
"Sounds delicious. If you haven't eaten dinner, let's eat together."
I sat at the table with Sion and ate dinner. Since washing dishes is annoying, I handled it with my ability like at the shop and sat in front of the TV.
Sion sat on my lap. Her small body came right in, giving a warm and cozy feeling. And a sense of satisfaction too.
"As expected, this is my special seat."
"I like this too. Ah, do you want to watch a movie? Come to think of it, we haven't seen the Marvel movie that came out last time."
"So I've already purchased it. Of course, I haven't watched it."
Times have really improved these days. In the past, you had to go to a movie theater to watch a movie, but now you can purchase and watch movies on TV too. The times have changed so much that I'm worried if it's hard to adapt.
"I'll pop some popcorn."
"I want caramel."
"Then let's do half and half."
Sion also used telekinesis to take out instant popcorn sold at the local supermarket, put it in the microwave, and turned it on. Tok! Tok! The sound of popcorn popping started to be heard not long after.
Since Sion took charge of the popcorn, I took the cola out of the refrigerator. I put in ice that had been frozen in the freezer, poured the cola, and brought two glasses. Of course, with my ability.
Soon, the movie started in earnest.
"Going to the movie theater to watch is good too. Come to think of it, I feel like I opened the shop for no reason."
"Still, I think it's fine since a good person is running it."
Both Baek-ri and Seo-ae-ssi are good people. People I can trust and leave things to even if I'm away. They are kind people that are rare to see these days.
I started watching the movie with Sion while drinking cola and eating popcorn. Kkueu, as expected of Marvel, they sure know how to make a hero movie well.
Personally, I like Spidey more than the kids playing in space.
Before I knew it, Sion was immersed in the movie. Since she had finished her popcorn, I secretly swapped it with mine. Actually, I'm not the type to eat much popcorn when watching a movie. I drink cola.
About two hours passed, and the movie ended. We also watched the post-credits scene. Fortunately, unlike when Spidey came out, there was no Blue Skull talking about patience or whatever. I was about to burst my bladder back then....... I won't forget that.
"I enjoyed it."
"Right? I liked it too."
"The spaceship design is a bit old-fashioned, but it was still good."
"Hey, if an alien who actually travels through space talks about spaceship design, what am I supposed to do?"
"Next time, I'm thinking of modifying the spaceship design using shareholder authority."
"Hey?!"
You said you made some money from stocks, don't tell me you.......
Nah, it must be a lie.