The convenience shop was small but lively.
Morning sunlight streamed through the glass windows, reflecting off neatly stacked shelves of snacks, drinks, and instant meals. Customers came and went, the entrance bell chiming every few minutes.
Jin Tae-Hyuk sat quietly at a small table near the back of the store.
In front of him sat a bowl of instant noodles.
Steam curled upward from the container.
He stared at it with deep concentration.
Han Seo-Yeon stood across the table with her arms folded.
"You've… never eaten instant noodles before?"
Tae-Hyuk looked up at her.
"Is it poisonous?"
Seo-Yeon blinked.
"…What?"
"You said it cooks in three minutes using hot water alone."
"Yes."
"And it remains edible afterward?"
"…Yes?"
"Then it must contain some form of preservation technique."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then she laughed.
"You talk like someone from a historical drama."
Tae-Hyuk picked up the chopsticks carefully.
"I simply wish to confirm it is safe."
Min-Jun groaned loudly from the counter.
"This guy is seriously weird."
Seo-Yeon ignored her brother.
"Just eat it."
Tae-Hyuk lifted a portion of noodles and took a cautious bite.
He froze.
Seo-Yeon leaned forward slightly.
"Well?"
Tae-Hyuk slowly chewed.
His expression remained completely serious.
Then he took another bite.
And another.
And another.
Within seconds, the noodles disappeared.
Seo-Yeon blinked in surprise.
"…You like it?"
Tae-Hyuk placed the chopsticks down.
"This food is remarkable."
Min-Jun snorted.
"It's ramen, not divine medicine."
Tae-Hyuk tilted his head.
"Yet it is prepared instantly and tastes acceptable."
Seo-Yeon tried not to laugh again.
"You're really strange, you know that?"
Tae-Hyuk simply nodded.
"I have been told that often recently."
A few minutes later, Tae-Hyuk stood near the shop entrance watching customers pass by.
Everything still fascinated him.
People walked while staring at glowing rectangles in their hands.
Machines dispensed drinks automatically.
Music played from invisible speakers.
Seo-Yeon approached him quietly.
"You said earlier you needed shelter," she said.
"Yes."
"You don't have anywhere to stay?"
"No."
She hesitated.
"Family?"
Tae-Hyuk paused.
"…No."
Not anymore.
Seo-Yeon noticed the brief silence and didn't press further.
"My father is kind," she said softly. "But we can't just let strangers live here forever."
"That is reasonable."
"But…" she continued, "we do need help around the shop."
Tae-Hyuk looked at her.
"You are offering employment?"
"…Yes."
Min-Jun suddenly appeared beside them.
"WHAT?!"
He looked completely horrified.
"Noona, are you serious?! We don't even know this guy!"
Seo-Yeon frowned.
"He's clearly not dangerous."
"How do you know?!"
Min-Jun turned toward Tae-Hyuk.
"You! If you're staying here, you better not cause trouble!"
Tae-Hyuk looked at him calmly.
"I will not."
Min-Jun crossed his arms.
"You say that now."
Then he stepped closer.
"Let's settle something first."
Seo-Yeon sighed.
"Oh no…"
Min-Jun pointed at Tae-Hyuk.
"If you're gonna work here, you should at least prove you're not useless."
Tae-Hyuk blinked.
"Explain."
"Fight me."
Seo-Yeon smacked her forehead.
"Min-Jun!"
"What?! It's just sparring!"
Min-Jun stepped outside the shop door.
"Come on."
Customers inside the shop began glancing over curiously.
Tae-Hyuk followed him outside.
Seo-Yeon rushed after them.
"Both of you stop—!"
But Min-Jun had already taken a stance.
It was clumsy.
Aggressive.
Completely untrained.
Tae-Hyuk studied it for a moment.
Then Min-Jun rushed forward.
His punch flew straight toward Tae-Hyuk's face.
Tae-Hyuk moved slightly.
Just slightly.
Min-Jun stumbled past him completely.
The boy spun around, shocked.
"What the"
He threw another punch.
Again, Tae-Hyuk simply stepped aside.
Effortlessly.
Min-Jun attacked again.
And again.
Each time Tae-Hyuk avoided him with minimal movement.
To outsiders, it almost looked like Min-Jun was just missing repeatedly.
After the fifth attempt, Min-Jun stopped, breathing heavily.
"How…?"
Tae-Hyuk looked at him calmly.
"Your balance is poor."
Min-Jun's face turned red.
"HEY—!"
Seo-Yeon grabbed her brother's collar.
"That's enough!"
She turned to Tae-Hyuk.
"…You're surprisingly good at dodging."
"It is a useful skill."
Min-Jun muttered angrily.
"Tch… lucky."
But he didn't try again.
Later that afternoon, Han Dae-Sung stood behind the counter, watching Tae-Hyuk carefully stock drinks inside the refrigerator.
The old man smiled faintly.
"He works hard."
Seo-Yeon nodded.
"And he learns quickly."
Min-Jun grumbled from a nearby chair.
"He's still weird."
Behind the counter, Tae-Hyuk quietly arranged the bottles in perfect rows.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world…
He had a place to stay.
A job.
And people who did not treat him as an enemy.
But deep inside, his senses still remained alert.
Because somewhere in this vast city…
Hidden warriors still moved.
Hidden sects still existed.
And sooner or later.
The world of Murim would reach him again.