‘Eating Well Even Without Side Dishes.’

It’s just rice and soup, nothing more. Yet, he eats as if he’s been served a grand feast.

‘He eats well. He could film a mukbang.’

Watching him eat made my mouth water. Lee Moon-Ik had skipped lunch just to come here during his break.

“Would you like to eat together?”

Seo-jun had already finished packing up.

“Haha. No, I’m fine.”

“Judging by the look of it, you skipped lunch too.”

“How did you know…?”

“Just a hunch. Sit down. I’ll bring it right out.”

In the end, Lee Moon-Ik hesitantly took a seat. Seo-jun quickly brought out rice and oyster soup.

‘Judging by how good the gochujang pork belly was, he must have some skill in cooking. But his own meals are so humble.’

The rice was just plain white rice.

The oysters weren’t even in season.

So, without much expectation, Lee Moon-Ik picked up his spoon.

Rice would taste like rice, and oyster soup would taste like fresh oyster soup, right?

That thought shattered the moment the soup touched his tongue.

‘D-Delicious!’

Of course, a soup made with oysters and radish was bound to taste good, but this was beyond expectations.

The sea-like aroma of the oysters blended with the subtle sweetness of the radish.

On top of that, it was refreshing.

Not just normally refreshing—this was refreshment beyond reason.

Slurp—

After drinking last night, his stomach was a wreck, but with just one spoonful of soup, it felt completely soothed.

‘Should I have a drink?’

Didn’t I swear just yesterday that drinking makes me a fool?

But the moment my stomach felt better, the thought of alcohol popped into my head. The refreshing taste of the oyster soup was calling for it.

‘It would be perfect with soju.’

Alright, let’s set the scene. Fill a soju glass to the brim, scoop up some oysters and broth with a spoon.

Then, down the soju in one shot!

Before the sharp burn of alcohol could be felt in my throat, soothe it with the warm broth!

‘Ahh!’

I can’t help it. I have to order it. Not drinking soju with a dish this good would be a crime. It would be an insult to alcohol itself.

“Boss, I’m sorry, but could I have a bottle of soju?”

“I don’t see why not, but aren’t you going back to work?”

“Well, yes… but this oyster soup is so good, I’m craving a drink. I’ll just have a little as a side. If I get caught, I’ll just say I met a source and had a drink. Haha.”

When Seo-jun brought the soju, Lee Moon-Ik poured it into his glass with reverence.

Gulp!

The thought of pairing oyster soup with soju made his mouth water.

‘Anyone watching would think I’m an alcoholic.’

Grumbling, Lee Moon-Ik drank the soup. Just as his stomach felt completely soothed—

Gulp!

The soju burned down his throat. It wasn’t as sharp as the old soju, but the slight bitterness still tingled.

This is it. This is the moment to take another sip of the soup.

Slurp—!

“Ahh~ This is it!”

Hearing his own thoughts echoed from beside him, Lee Moon-Ik turned his head. A staff member, having finished his meal, was drinking a can of cola in satisfaction.

“Ahh~ You really have to drink cola when you’re full.”

What a funny guy.

Lee Moon-Ik smirked before voicing his own admiration.

“Ahhh~”

This was it. This was the reason to endure life’s hardships.

Forget the luxury of a cup of coffee.

A glass of soju with a meal.

‘The rice is cooked perfectly, too.’

The oyster soup was amazing, but the rice was just as good.

‘Alright, let’s do it again.’

Down the soju, take a spoonful of soup, then some rice.

The resolve to stop at half a bottle didn’t last. How could he stop with such a perfect dish?

In the end, Lee Moon-Ik emptied the entire bottle.

“Ah, that was satisfying.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes. Just rice and soup, yet it felt like a feast. How much is it?”

“Two hundred thousand won.”

“But the rice and soju together shouldn’t cost that much…?”

“I was the one who offered the rice. How could I charge you for it? As for the soju… consider it a service for a good article.”

“I feel bad if I don’t pay… Haha.”

Lee Moon-Ik handed over his card. As Seo-jun processed the payment, he spoke up.

“I heard things are getting tense with the gangs in District 12. Are you okay?”

“I do hear gunshots more often. Other than that, I’m not sure.”

“Do the police respond?”

“I see them once in a while, but not regularly.”

“If it’s just occasionally, then it’s a token effort.”

“Seems that way. Would you like a receipt?”

“Ah, just throw it away.”

As he took back his card, Lee Moon-Ik handed over a business card.

“A friend of mine works in District 12. He’s skilled enough to be in charge of Dungeon 12-Q. I think he’s a C-rank awakened?”

“Is that so?”

“I’ll give him a heads-up. If the gangs cause trouble, call him. He’ll get there faster than the police.”

Seo-jun smiled and nodded.

“Thanks for looking out for me.”

“No need for thanks. We help each other out. Oh man, look at the time… I better get going!”

Seo-jun stared blankly at the business card.

Lee Jin-dong… could it be that guy? The one guarding the dungeon entrance with a mohawk?

‘Now that I think of it, I should restock on pork belly.’

They were all out of stock.

Groaning, Lee Jin-dong and the guards got up.

“……”

Lee Jin-dong let out a silent sigh.

“…It happened again.”

A subordinate guard spoke.

“Yeah. Check the CCTV.”

“Is there any point? Last time, nothing showed up either…”

“You never know. Maybe we got lucky this time.”

“Yes, sir.”

After checking, the subordinate shook his head.

“The footage cuts off exactly when we blacked out.”

“What the hell is going on?”

At first, it was frustrating. But after this kept happening, frustration turned to fear.

Lee Jin-dong lit a cigarette and contacted headquarters.

-Again?

“…Yes.”

-Understood. Stay put. We’ll send some researchers.

“With all due respect, you should send A-rank guild members instead.”

-Do you think A-rank guild members grow on trees? There’s no evidence of stolen mana stones or artifacts, right?

“That’s true, but this keeps happening…”

-That’s for command to decide. Send us the CCTV footage.

“Understood.”

After ending the call, Lee Jin-dong ruffled his hair in frustration.

“This is driving me crazy.”

12-Q.At the report of Dungeon Security Captain Lee Jin-dong, all the executives of the Abyss Guild gathered in the conference room.

“What is the opinion of the field officer?”

Guild Master Park Young-moon asked.

“Rather than sending researchers, they are requesting the deployment of A-rank guild members.”

“What does the research team think?”

Park Young-moon turned his head and looked at the head of the research team.

“The researchers have already attempted detection three times.”

“That’s true.”

“All three times, there was no ether reaction or any other detection. Further attempts would be meaningless.”

“We can’t send A-rank guild members, so disposal, as the Vice Guild Master suggested, seems to be the answer.”

Vice Guild Master Han Sung-tae nodded.

“Yes. It’s completely unprofitable. Besides, the government will soon put Dungeon 98 up for public auction, and the guild funds are already lacking.”

“The ones who contacted us last time were Blood War and Supernova, right?”

“Yes. Blood War offered 290 billion, and Supernova offered 280 billion.”

At that moment.

The conference room door burst open, and Kim Chul-jun appeared.

“Sell it to me instead.”

He plopped down into an empty seat without hesitation. No one stopped him.

“It’s already been decided, Chul-jun.”

“So sell it to me. You said Blood War offered 290 billion? I’ll buy it for 300 billion.”

“Are you saying you want to go independent?”

Individuals who own dungeons usually establish corporations. Another name for a corporation is a guild.

In the end, saying he would buy the dungeon meant he intended to become independent.

“Yes.”

Park Young-moon let out a sigh. If Kim Chul-jun left, the guild's combat strength would take a major hit.

“I understand how you feel.”

“What do you mean, understand? That video you edited and uploaded? I told you not to upload it.”

“I told you, it was an unavoidable decision for the guild.”

“I don’t care about the guild’s position. Why would you embarrass me like that? I didn’t even take down that Hydra.”

“Are you really going through with this?”

“I am.”

Park Young-moon stared at Kim Chul-jun. He seemed to have already made up his mind. Kim Chul-jun had always been as stubborn as a bull.

Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. Letting out another sigh, Park Young-moon pulled out a cigarette.

“340 billion.”

“You're negotiating right away?”

“You should at least consider the gap in guild strength your departure will create.”

“Fine. 340 billion, deal.”

“And on top of that.”

“More?”

“I want us to establish a guild agreement.”

A guild agreement meant an alliance. In fact, this was actually a beneficial condition for Kim Chul-jun.

Allied guild members could use dungeons owned by allied guilds without restrictions.

“Deal.”

Soon after, the news that "Demon King Kim Chul-jun has declared independence from Abyss Guild" spread worldwide through the media.

[Demon King Kim Chul-jun Goes Independent... Guild Name Registered as Hydra]

At that moment.

Park Yeon grumbled nonstop.

“That damned Demon God had to send me on an errand at this time!”

It was obvious he had planned this.

He had even celebrated his birthday, so he had let his guard down for a moment. But of course, the Demon God wasn’t one for nothing. That cunning bastard!

“Today was finally the day I was going to get close to Seo-woo….”

Shaking with frustration!

Seo-woo was exceptionally cute, quite unlike the Demon God’s nephew. Everything he did was just so adorable…

But Seo-woo always followed the Demon God. If not him, then he would only play with Yeoksam.

“But today was different!”

Maybe it was because it was his birthday. Finally, the opportunity came. Seo-woo had approached him first, saying he needed a playmate for house play.

Park Yeon cheered inwardly.

Great! This time, I'll get close to Seo-woo! Demon God, I’ll make you feel the same helplessness I did!

That resolve shattered in less than an hour.

- Could you get some tofu?

So he really had been jealous of him getting closer to Seo-woo. He was so cunning that he even lured Seo-woo into it.

- Oh, right! I have to hurry and buy tofu!

Clenching his teeth!

That cowardly bastard… As expected of the Demon God, using innocent Seo-woo like that!

After finishing his errand in a fit of anger, Park Yeon returned to the store, only to tilt his head in confusion.

The lights in the store were off, unlike when he had left.

“Demon God?”

The Demon God, who had been prepping ingredients just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen. Yeon-jun was gone too, and Seo-woo, who had been sitting in front of the TV, was also missing.

He expanded his sensory perception. Strangely, he couldn't detect any living beings.

Had the Demon God even accounted for this?

Grumbling, he walked toward his tiny room. And just as he opened the door—

“Hehe!”

Seo-woo jumped out, wearing a party hat.

“Seo-woo?”

“Surprise!”

“Congratulations, Park Yeon.”

Yeon-jun held out a cake.

“What is this?”

“Why didn’t you tell us? It’s your birthday, isn’t it? We almost missed it.”

“...Demon God?”

Seo-jun shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t say anything. Yeon-jun had simply guessed it from the cake in the fridge.

“It’s not much, but this is a gift. I thought about getting soda, but it turns out my brother already bought some. If you need anything, buy it with this.”

Yeon-jun handed him a paper envelope. Inside were ten crisp 10,000-won bills.

“T-ten thousand won?!”

With this, he could buy ten pairs of rubber gloves—this was a huge amount of money.

“Are you sure it’s okay to give me this much?”

“Of course. Park Yeon, you’re basically family now.”

“Family…”

Park Yeon repeated the word.

He had no family. He had been abandoned at the temple as an orphan and raised by priests.

As his eyes grew red, Seo-woo held out the cake. Three candles were burning.

“Uncle, hurry up and blow out the candles. You know you have to make a wish, right?”

“A wish?”

“You blow on the candles and make a wish when they go out. You didn’t know that?”

“...I didn’t.”

“Hurry up! I want to eat the cake!”

He couldn't keep Seo-woo waiting.

He took a deep breath and blew.

As the flames flickered out, he made a wish.

As the small ritual ended, Seo-jun said indifferently,

“If you're done, eat the cake and clean the bathroom. The store's opening soon.”

“Oh, come on, brother. It’s his birthday! Let him rest today.”

With his eyes still red, Park Yeon shook his head.

“No! I’ll do it! Today… Today, I will clean even harder! Until the floor shines like new!”