1.
"Block them! Block them―!"
A man in ragged clothes bellowed the order. Siege weapons rolled in alongside hordes of soldiers and heroes.
"How the hell are we supposed to block that, you bastard!"
His friend, who was firing arrows beside him, spat out a curse. A red arrow streaked through the air and landed in the midst of the soldiers.
Boom―!
A fierce explosion erupted, flames swirling in every direction. Dozens of soldiers perished, but even more enemies surged over the hill.
The battle had long since turned hopeless, now utterly collapsing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Surrender vote has begun.
With no hope left, the surrender vote popped up before his eyes.
"Hey, this is hopeless. Let's surrender."
"Ugh, look at our team luck. It's disgusting, seriously gross. How do we get matched with these guys in the final promotion match? This has to be rigged matchmaking."
"Cut the bullshit and vote to surrender. I'm getting hungry. Let's get out. I already ordered ahead."
"You're paying?"
"Well, you bought last time. My turn this time."
His friend said that while averting his gaze. It seemed suspicious, but he nodded for now.
"Okay."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 5 in favor. 0 opposed. 0 abstentions.
As soon as he voted to surrender, his teammates hit yes like they'd been waiting. It meant everyone had sensed the defeat.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Vote result: Majority agrees, ending the game.
The fortress they were defending exploded, bringing the game to an end. Massive letters floated over the burning ruins of the buildings.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Defeat.
"Good game."
At the voice in his ear, he clicked his tongue and exited the game.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Disconnecting.
His consciousness flickered briefly, and then a translucent glass panel appeared before him. He groped the wall for the button and pressed it.
Hiss―
Air hissed out as the lid slowly opened. In his foggy mind, he slowly sat up.
"Ugh..."
Maybe because he'd played for over three hours. His head spun. VR games were great and all, but the stamina drain was a real issue.
"Ah, damn, that was so close. If the top laner had just held a bit longer, it would've been winnable. What a letdown."
The capsule next to him opened, and his friend climbed out.
"Eh, what can you do? Team RNG screws us in trash games like this."
As he chatted with his friend, a strong smell hit him. He turned to see kimchi fried rice and zero cola on the desk, with ramen beside it.
"Hey, what's this?"
He scowled, pointing at the kimchi fried rice. His friend plopped into a chair and started slurping the ramen.
Slurp―
"Hey, where's my ramen?"
He sat in the chair next to him and asked. His friend swallowed a mouthful of ramen and replied.
"Right here. Kimchi fried rice. Eat this."
"Ugh, cut the crap. You know the pretty staff sister here can't cook for shit."
"That's why she didn't make the cut as my ideal wife. I like girls who make killer pork stir-fry."
"Quit messing around. What do we do with this?"
"Dude, food's here, and it's paid for. That's it. What else can you do right now? Huh? Nothing but shove that kimchi fried rice in your mouth."
"Are you seriously insane?"
He got serious, but his friend replied nonchalantly.
"Hey, you never know. Maybe the sister had an awakening and leveled up her cooking skills."
"You mocking me?"
"Took you long enough."
He started to say something, then let out a deep sigh. Getting mad here wouldn't change anything. And he was hungry, so he picked up the spoon.
'It's a bit different from last time.'
Shiny red rice grains topped with a plump yolk and seaweed flakes. Visually, it looked perfect.
'No. Don't judge by looks.'
Last time he'd fallen for that pretty face, ordered food, and left it all behind. How much that had hurt his wallet.
"Phew."
He poked the egg with the spoon tip. The bouncy yolk burst softly, golden liquid flowing out.
Gulp―
Entranced by its beauty, he swallowed and mixed the rice. The moment it was all blended, he scooped a big spoonful and shoved it in. He couldn't hold back anymore.
Munch―
The kimchi's crisp sourness crunched delightfully. Spam oil had soaked into the grains, blending savory umami and saltiness perfectly. Even a subtle smoky char between the fluffy rice.
"Whoa, fuck..."
It really got tastier with every chew. The perfect fried rice.
"Why do you look like it tastes so bad?"
His friend asked, but he ignored him and kept shoveling in the kimchi fried rice. Once he started, he couldn't stop.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
His friend seemed flustered by the sight, but he didn't care. His mind was filled only with the need to eat this.
"Hoo..."
In the end, he devoured the kimchi fried rice in seconds and immediately chugged the cola.
Gulp gulp―
The fizzy carbonation in the ice-filled cup swept away the lingering spice and greasiness.
"Ahhh..."
He grimaced fully, body shuddering. True bliss wasn't just anywhere.
He leaned back in the chair and slowly closed his eyes. He wanted to savor the taste a bit longer.
"Hey, was it that bad?"
His friend asked apologetically. To him, it must've looked like he'd scarfed it down because it was awful.
"Uh... yeah."
The man hesitated, then nodded. Revenge for ordering without asking. He'd monopolize it for a while.
"Sorry, man. I didn't think it'd be that bad. Next time, real ramen for sure."
"Nah. I'll order from now on."
"Fine, whatever."
"Hey, done eating? Next game."
He patted his friend's back as the guy ate his ramen and stood up.
"Right now? Not tired?"
"Nah? Weirdly, I'm not tired at all today."
Just out of the capsule, he'd felt drained, but now energy overflowed.
'No way?'
He glanced at the empty bowl, then chuckled and shook his head.
'Impossible.'
Like good kimchi fried rice would suddenly energize him. Ridiculous. It wasn't some buff.
"Come on, hurry."
"Wait, my ramen's not done."
"Ugh, seriously."
He sighed deeply and sat back down. Leaning against the chair, he stared blankly at the empty bowl.
'Ah, wanna eat it again...'
2.
"Alright then, Hayul. See you tomorrow!"
The Boss saw me off all the way to the first floor. I bowed politely and headed out.
'Finished way later than expected.'
I looked up at the pitch-black night sky.
I was supposed to finish at 6 p.m. But kimchi fried rice orders kept coming, so the Boss pleaded with me, and I ended up staying till the end.
In the old days, I'd have ignored him. But after traveling with the Hero's party, my personality had changed—I couldn't refuse such a earnest request.
'Serian definitely would've helped.'
Somehow, her way of thinking had seeped into me. Well, I'd admired and truly followed Serian.
And honestly, it didn't feel bad. No, it felt good. Pride swelled knowing someone loved my food.
'Just up to there, though.'
Asking for my number while serving was routine. Some blatantly stared at my chest or butt, or pretended to trip and grope. I'd snapped their wrists on the spot.
Especially the students harassing me, showing off. Pork stir-fry this, that. What nonsense.
'These modern kids raised without beatings?'
Nothing like that in the other world. Harass the Hero's party? Your head rolled immediately.
The modern world was great in many ways, but this was uncomfortable. No death looming made them rude.
'At least I confirmed my skills are still intact.'
The Boss said he'd pay extra, but I'd quit soon. It wasn't my choice to begin with.
I pulled out my phone and opened the map app. Typed in a very familiar address.
Over a year had passed, but it remained vivid in my memory. Our home together.
'Shall I go?'
Late night, but Korea's safe. Even if not, no problem. I could handle them all.
'Let's go.'
I headed to the bus stop. Boarded the waiting route and got off at the usual spot.
Leaving the main road, the crowds thinned sharply. I passed deserted streets and climbed steep inclines.
No proper roads—just narrow, steep alleys and cramped stairs endlessly. Shacks and rough concrete walls haphazardly built.
'How the hell did we live here?'
At the alley corner leading to our old home, I stopped and turned.
Seoul's nightscape sprawled below. Tall apartments and lights in the distance.
'Sister must've walked these paths alone for a year.'
When I was around, I'd always meet her. The paths were treacherous, and dark spots without streetlights were pitch black.
I bit my lip hard and turned back toward home. Upon arrival, I couldn't help but stare blankly.
"What the..."
The home where Sister and I had lived... it had collapsed.
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