Chapter 2: The Delivery Life

A small scooter stopped in the parking lot of an apartment complex.

On the back of the scooter was a silver metal delivery bag with the words “Jjawang” written in large letters.

The security guard watching the scene found himself lost in idle thoughts.

Delivery orders had really surged recently,

and most people used specialized delivery services now,

but there were still some places that handled deliveries in-house.

Well, it used to be that Chinese restaurants always delivered in those metal bags.

Soon, the delivery worker got off the scooter and removed her helmet, surprising the security guard.

To his surprise, it was a woman, and not just any woman she had an exceptionally attractive appearance.

She easily lifted the metal bag and walked briskly toward the security office.

Quickly turning his gaze and pretending not to notice,

the beauty with a haughty demeanor knocked on the security office window and asked,

“Where is Building 3?”

“Go to the left.”

“Thank you.”

As she finished her business and left quickly, the security guard let out a sigh of relief.

Yet, there was a hint of regret he couldn’t shake off.

He recalled her appearance, which had been even more stunning up close.

Except for the slightly severe look in her expression, there were no flaws to be found.

He quietly mumbled in admiration,

“Why would someone with that appearance be working in delivery?”

She could easily be a model, not a delivery worker.

“Was it 402?”

He read the note on his phone and got off the elevator.

When he first started this job, he’d once gone to the wrong address, and it had been so embarrassing.

Fortunately, the landlord had quickly noticed the mistake, and nothing serious happened.

But he’d learned to double-check every address after that.

He rang the doorbell, and the door quickly opened, with the landlord coming out.

“…Huh?”

There was an awkward gasp and an unmistakable gaze that made him uncomfortable.

It was a familiar situation by now,

though who wouldn’t react that way when a delivery worker from a Chinese restaurant was this attractive?

He tried to remain indifferent.

“I’m here to deliver Jajangmyeon.”

“Ah, yes, thank you!”

“I’ll just come in for a moment.”

“…Huh? You’re coming in?”

This customer’s reaction was unusually intense.

It was clear she was caught up in some inappropriate fantasy,

her eyes were shaking, and her face turned bright red.

Before she could misunderstand further, he quickly added,

“I’ll just put the food down, so I’ll only be a minute.”

“…Ah. Food. Right, that makes sense.”

Right, calm down.

Setting aside everything else, there was no way he’d be that forward on a first meeting.

Anyway, I entered the entrance and began unpacking the menu items from the metal bag.

Even then, the landlord was still looking at me with a dazed expression, nervously glancing my way.

“20,000 won.”

“Here you go.”

“Oppa! Is the Jajangmyeon here? Nice!”

It seemed like the family ordered it for lunch.

“Please leave the dishes at the door when you’re done.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re collecting them. Okay.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

Just as I was about to leave, the man grabbed me.

“Excuse me…!”

“Yes?”

“…Never mind, it’s nothing.”

I could tell right away.

He was probably about to ask for my number or try to express some interest.

Of course, it could just be misplaced confidence,

but you have to experience these things a few times to recognize the signs.

I even considered not taking off my helmet when getting off the scooter and actually tried it once.

But keeping the helmet on after getting off felt too stifling, so I quickly gave up on that idea.

After rushing out, I sighed in the elevator.

Sorry, but I’m not interested in men.

Well, more accurately, I’m not in a situation to be dating anyone, regardless of gender.

It’s obvious, isn’t it?

I went from being a man to a woman, so dating a man now seems… well, impossible.

I’ve fully adjusted to my new body after five years, but I still don’t feel the slightest desire to date a man.

It’s already been three months of this life.

Three months ago, I finally returned to the reality I had so desperately longed for.

I had spent five years on a brutal battlefield.

Although it was a game world, it felt no different from real life.

In each battle, 66 participants would fight until only one remained, killing each other over and over again.

After 100 victories on the battlefield, I finally earned a return to normal life.

Now, I’m completely satisfied with this life.

Sure, the work is pretty demanding, but…

Delivering Jajangmyeon is a billion times easier than surviving that damn game.

I got on my scooter and left the apartment.

This scooter is a 50cc model that’s over 10 years old.

In other words, it’s practically an antique.

The top speed? Well, I’ve never pushed it past 50 kilometers, so I’m not sure.

I should probably just retire it and give it a break, but…

I’ve grown attached to it over these three months.

So, I named it.

I call it “Deoldeol” because it shakes like crazy.

It’s not a bad nickname. It’s an affectionate term, after all.

Riding Deoldeol, I headed back to the shop.

Now that I think about it, this old thing works just fine for getting around the narrow neighborhood.

Of course, if someone asked if I ever wished for a bigger, more powerful motorcycle, I’d be lying if I said no.

But don’t worry, Deoldeol. I’ve got your back.

Anyway, I couldn’t afford to switch to something better.

After a leisurely drive, I arrived at the shop.

A very old-fashioned sign read “Jajang,” boldly placed in the front.

My guess is that they probably spent all their money on this unnecessarily huge sign, neglecting the actual shop.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to open a store in such a remote location in such a cramped space.

As a result, the shop was always empty.

Delivery orders were also shrinking, slowly pushed out by the franchise stores.

Carrying the light, empty metal bag, I entered the restaurant.

A girl standing by the counter waved at me cheerfully.

“Ah, unnie! Good job!”

“Sit and rest for a bit. Why are you standing up when there are no customers?”

“We can’t do that. If customers come in and see us lounging around, what do you think they’ll think?”

“They’ll think the shop is doing badly.”

“Exactly! So we have to show that we’re on top of things!”

She was a bit too eager.

But it wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, I admired her drive.

The reason I started working deliveries at this Chinese restaurant was because of this girl.

On a day when it was raining cats and dogs, just after I returned to the present world,

I was starving and unable to move.

At that moment, this girl, named Jisua (18), happened to pass by me.

Why was a high school student in a Chinese restaurant in the middle of the day?

Because Jisua desperately wanted to inherit the restaurant, which had been her grandfather’s business.

Her grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer again and was currently hospitalized for treatment.

Until I came along, she had been running the restaurant alone.

“Repay your debts without fail.”

That’s one of my two mottos.

The other one is, “If I’m going to lose, I’d rather die.”

So, in a way, I started working at Jisua’s restaurant because she saved my life.

And even now, I’m still receiving her kindness.

She’s offering me lodging and meals since I have nowhere else to go.

“Unnie, you should rest! You must be tired from the deliveries.”

“It wasn’t much.”

“…I guess. Deliveries are as empty as the dining room, and I wish more customers would come, but it’s not that easy, huh? Ha ha…”

“Sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

Jisua was great, but sometimes when she flipped a switch, she completely changed.

I personally think she’s a bit of a quirky, four-dimensional person pretending to be normal.

“After I collect the dishes, we’ll be done. ”

“But don’t you think it might be better to use disposable items like other restaurants? ”

“The fuel and dishwashing time just feel like a waste.”

“No way. I’ll keep things the way Grandpa did it. That way, when he comes back, he’ll adapt quickly…”

“Okay, if you say so.”

I wasn’t the owner, so I just had to follow what the boss said.

“Are you hungry? Let’s have lunch together.”

“Sure, I… ”

“Jjamppong, right? You really love Jjamppong.”

“No one could dislike this delicious Jjamppong.”

I can say this with certainty.

Even if I’m not familiar with the other dishes, the Jjamppong here is at the peak of perfection.

And no, it’s not because it was the first dish I ate when I came back.

Jisua puffed her cheeks and mumbled.

“It’s strange. The recipe Grandpa taught me was for Jajangmyeon…”

She seriously suggested that we push Jjamppong as the main dish.

She even wanted to change the shop’s name from “Jajang” to “Jjamppong King.”

“Th…!”

“It’s not bad! Jajang is a name that carries my grandfather’s craftsmanship!”

I ended up getting a full lecture from her.

I half-heartedly listened with one ear and quickly excused myself.

“I’ll be upstairs, so call me when everything’s ready!”

Once upstairs, I went straight into my room and turned on my computer.

It would probably take about 20 minutes, so I figured I’d have time for a game.

And so, I launched the game.

Yeah, that game.