The sizzle of oil and the clinking of glasses mingled with the lively chatter of people. The heat in the room made his face flush, while the fan above the grill whirred, sucking in the smoky air.
“Everyone, you’ve worked so hard this year! I love our team…” The manager’s voice, already slurred from drinking, drifted over from afar. He half-listened, raising his glass in a casual toast.
The cheap ethanol left a bitter taste, and the slight buzz made him squint involuntarily. The aroma of sizzling meat wafted up, rich and enticing. It smelled delicious.
“Have you been working out lately, Mr. Ahn?” someone asked, tapping his arm. He turned to see a woman from a neighboring department.
Her hair was shoulder-length, her makeup matched her skin tone, and her eyes were slightly larger than average. He couldn’t quite recall her name, only that she was a few years younger than him. They had worked together a few times earlier in the year.
“Didn’t you know? Mr. Ahn’s been a whole new person since summer,” chimed in a colleague from across the table, saving him from the awkward moment.
He still couldn’t remember her name, but it didn’t matter. His colleague was enthusiastically explaining things to her.
“He’s gotten so fit, he even looks taller. His demeanor and gaze have become more manly. He’s like a different person.”
“Oh, no wonder. I almost didn’t recognize you. For a moment, I thought you were a new hire. Did working out make you look younger?”
“Maybe he went on some kind of retreat during his vacation. His work speed is incredible now. It’s almost intimidating being next to him. Let’s toast to this overachiever among us. Cheers!”
“Ch-cheers.”
The woman clinked glasses with the colleague, maintaining a polite smile. He couldn’t help but smile himself, finding the situation amusing. Though one side seemed less entertained, the woman soon turned back to him with a bright smile.
“Wow, you look more human when you smile. Your expression is much softer.”
“Really?”
“Yes, definitely. Keep smiling. So, what did you do during your vacation? It’s amazing how much you’ve changed.”
Her eyes sparkled under the dim pub lights. He shrugged.
“I just traveled abroad a bit.”
“Abroad? Where to?”
“Not just one country.”
Her eyes seemed to sparkle even more. Black hair, black eyes. Someone with similar features flashed in his mind, and he found himself smiling again.
“I’m really curious. Did you use an English name while you were there?”
Her smile widened, perhaps thinking it was directed at her. He nodded and replied softly.
“Dalen.”
“Dalen?”
“That’s the name I used abroad.”
Gangnam was bustling during the year-end season. Cars packed the roads, and countless shadows flitted by like phantoms.
Office workers, couples, students, employees, the unemployed, civil service exam takers, taxi drivers, flyer distributors.
The crowded city streets were similar to any world. People were indifferent to each other, each heading to their own destination.
The difference lay in the attire. Unlike the medieval land where clothing’s primary function was practicality, here, soft fabrics and sleek leather often prioritized style over warmth.
There were also long coats made of synthetic wool and down-filled jackets for warmth.
In terms of clothing diversity, this place far surpassed the medieval land.
”…Phew.”
Dalen’s outfit was simple. A long-sleeved white tee, jeans, and a jacket. He let out a deep sigh.
It was midwinter.
The air was crisp and refreshing.
His breath, visible in the cold, reminded him of the snowy mountains and the northern lands of the continent. It was his first winter since returning.
”…Has it already been half a year?”
More than half a year had passed since he returned to modern Earth.
The memories of the realm, clashing with the five great hells of Enaxagus, and the sight of two worlds on the brink of mutual destruction marked the end of his years in the medieval land.
When he opened his eyes after the blinding light, he was back in his studio apartment. The hum of the computer seemed to insist it had all been a dream.
‘It couldn’t have been.’
Everything was too vivid to be a mere dream.
The countless battles he fought after being stranded on a remote snowy mountain, and the way his thoughts deepened and evolved through those experiences.
Even his body had changed significantly, likely due to the influence of the medieval land.
He had lost weight rapidly, grown slightly taller, and his reflection in the mirror resembled a northern warrior from a game.
Half a year since his return.
Surprisingly, Dalen adapted quickly to life on Earth.
Perhaps his mind instinctively remembered his life here, or maybe his changed thoughts and physique aided his swift adjustment.
Either way, the outcome wasn’t bad.
He explained his height and physique changes as the result of posture correction and personal training, and his brain, accustomed to complex magical systems, quickly mastered modern Earth’s culture and office work.
Though his intelligence wasn’t as transcendent as it had been in the medieval land, it was sufficient.
Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to wield his godlike abilities here, but he quickly dismissed it as a futile fantasy.
‘I don’t want to be hunted by intelligence agencies worldwide. They might dissect me as an alien.’
He chuckled at the thought of battling national agencies with spells, only to end up facing nuclear weapons in a remote desert.
Even if he could win, he had no desire for such a life. He didn’t want to give up the conveniences of modern civilization in South Korea.
[Hehe, Korea is indeed comfortable, Master. With a fridge and a gas stove, there’s hardly any work for me. And the sweet foods… drool,]
“At least wipe your drool before you speak.”
[Hehe, but you’ll have a late-night snack, right?]
The voice resonating in his mind belonged to Arvor, the star tree.
Arvor and the other guests in his mind were further proof that his life in the medieval land wasn’t a dream.
Especially the star tree, an entity that transcended worldlines and dimensions.
Having regained its powers after defeating Enaxagus, it was no longer trapped in a demonic form.
It had played a significant role in Dalen’s return to Earth, nearly perishing with the two worlds.
Of course, it had also mentioned that it expended too much power breaking through the dimensional barrier. That’s why it returned to its original form and hid in a subspace.
[Dalen, I suspect that’s just an excuse. The star tree must have taken a liking to the sweet foods here. It’s using the need to recover its strength as a pretext to stay in the subspace…]
[Hey, Red Spear! Shh! Shh!]
“Alright, you’re getting a beating later.”
[Ack!]
Dalen chuckled at the demon’s cries. As he exhaled into the cold air, he pondered what to eat for a late-night snack.
Even without the demon’s request, it was his most pressing concern today. Pizza, burgers, or maybe chicken. Fast food with soda was always a good choice.
Come to think of it, he could make chicken in the medieval land too.
With oil, spices, and chicken, he could probably make something similar.
[It’s against the natural order for you to cook, Dalen.]
”…”
[Better leave it to the paladin. I’d feel more at ease that way.]
It wasn’t wrong. The ancient dragon in his mind was one of the few who knew his cooking skills best.
[Yeah, you cooking chicken is a no-go, man.]
[Hahaha, like blacksmithing, cooking requires a steady hand. It won’t be easy for you.]
[The Lord’s mercy is shown through our shortcomings, allowing us to feel the need for others.]
[Even the high orc friends would cook better than you.]
The other guests in his mind shared similar opinions. Dalen shook his head.
”…Let’s just go home, everyone. Please.”
With a bit of focus, the noisy voices quieted down. Rubbing his temples, Dalen walked through the night.
He squeezed into a crowded subway car, rode for about twenty minutes, transferred to another line, and rode for another ten minutes.
Exiting the station, he breathed in the cold air and walked through the alley until a familiar building appeared.
A five-year-old officetel. His room was on the 14th floor.
Beep—
He entered, habitually turned on the lights, cranked up the heat, and took a warm shower.
“Tonight, it’s ramen.”
After drying off, he set the pot on the stove.
He tossed all five packs of ramen into the bubbling pot of water, leaving another bundle on the desk for later.
After quickly finishing his meal, he settled in front of his computer. The machine, which he had invested a significant amount of money in a few years back, was still running smoothly.
With his big toe, he pressed the power button and waited for the screen to light up. A few clicks later, the game welcomed him back.
“Time to earn my keep.”
[Ugh. Checking connections. Please hold on, Master.]
Having devoured about three of the five packs, Arbor patted his stomach and shifted his position.
Dalen leaned back comfortably in his chair, ramen packet in hand, and closed his eyes.
[As you know, it might feel a bit dizzying. I think I need to do this a dozen more times to really get used to it.]
Dalen nodded, lost in brief contemplation with his eyes still shut.
There was a tale of an ancient war hero who forsook the heavens to fight on earth.
In a way, Dalen had made a similar choice. After obtaining the Stone of Wishes, he abandoned his earthly home to remain on the continent and battle the evil god.
Perhaps he achieved a result akin to the legendary warrior who gained both heaven and earth because he walked a similar path.
Of course, it was all just hindsight.
He hadn’t anticipated any of this, and the jargon about interdimensional existence and the unification of powers still baffled him.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter now.’
Dalen chuckled softly and opened his eyes.
He found himself in a familiar tavern.
Neatly arranged chairs. Bottles lined up behind the bar. The gentle glow of magic stones. The comforting scent of wood grain.
Four people sat across the bar: a bartender, a witch, a wizard, and a paladin.
“Ho ho, is that drink really that good? Let me have a taste… hmm?”
“What’s this? You didn’t say you were coming today.”
[Humans are creatures of whim, after all.]
“Dalen…”
Their eyes were filled with surprise and warmth, emotions as cozy as the tavern’s atmosphere.
“Just thought I’d drop by. Got a bit bored.”
This was the final proof that his past battles weren’t mere illusions.
“A Melond Highlander, please.”
And it was the everyday life he cherished more than anything else.
-The End-