Chapter 7

This is a translation of the provided Korean text:

In a different world, Chapter 6 (7/331)

Chapter 6: The Adapted Oddball (6)

What did the manager say just now? That I've become Kryptonite? That I'm immune to magic, is that what he means?

"I had no idea I had such a constitution... I never knew anything about it in my life..."

That's true. I've never picked up a Ring of Absolute Power, nor have I ever been to Platform 9 and 3/4. But if I have such a constitution, that's strange in itself.

"If I'm immune to magic, shouldn't I not even be able to come here?"

The manager must be having a headache. After all, I'm not only from a different world but also have a rainbow-reflection constitution.

The manager just looked down at the succubus while choosing his words. The drug seemed to have some effect, as she slowly opened her eyes. The gaze from her half-open eyelids was quite burdensome.

"Anyway, you don't know."

"Manager..."

The succubus mumbled while looking at me during the conversation. It was the most normal voice she had used so far. I decided to send her home now and answered immediately.

"Yes, customer."

"...What is love...?"

Shouldn't you ask if you've ever been in love before asking what love is?

"I don't know, I've never experienced it."

"Huh... Why...?"

It's because there's no coherence in your face. Maybe I should just put this succubus back to sleep.

"Manager, do you know the phone number for a taxi?"

"Yes. I'll hang up for a moment."

It seemed she wasn't fully conscious, but at least we could communicate. I decided to call a taxi and let her go home quietly. I found the phone number and called, and a normal human voice answered. I couldn't see what species it was...

"The address is... Wait a moment."

In the meantime, another customer came in... or rather, what is this?

Two skeletons with only bones left were just entering through the main door. They were real skulls, not a metaphor.

They were wearing military uniforms, somehow. This world's military must treat soldiers very harshly. How much digging did they do to be left with only bones?

"Welcome, customers."

"..."

The skulls didn't answer, but I didn't feel particularly bad. How could they speak without vocal cords?

Instead, they handed me a long piece of paper. Inside were the names of several types of cigarettes, listed in packs.

They must have asked for cigarettes.

Military customers often come to convenience stores near military bases or in urban areas. Since cheap cigarettes aren't sold in the military, they ask for them when they go on leave or vacation.

Because it's inconvenient to carry several packs of cigarettes. In the former case, you only need to bring a few, and in the latter, you might forget them on the bus ride back.

I was in the latter case. I've been asked many times during my military service, and that's when I learned about the various types of cigarettes. I knew all the names on the list.

"Is this correct?"

When I spoke, they nodded with a creak. Let's see. Altogether, it's nine packs. There's also an e-cigarette mixed in...

I had forgotten about the taxi call. I quickly answered.

"Ah, sorry. It's a convenience store."

"Communication is possible."

After hanging up, I called the manager again while selecting the cigarettes and putting them in a bag. But at the bottom of the list, there were two more characters.

So, what? A corpse? They really sell anything.

"Manager. I've called the taxi, and the customer who just came in is looking for a corpse."

"Okay."

Since he said so, I decided to do it.

"It's a total of 405,000 won, but we don't handle corpses in our store."

"..."

"Go out the main door and walk to the right for about three minutes. You can find it on the opposite side of the road."

The skeletons nodded, took the cigarettes, and creaked out of the convenience store. As soon as they left, I asked the manager.

"This is just out of curiosity, but did the store handle corpses last month?"

"Why sell and why buy them?"

The manager then explained that the skeletons serving in the military don't live very long. Only about two weeks. It's like the lifespan of an adult cicada.

The reason is that the durability of the skulls containing their souls is the worst.

Most of the skulls used by the military to create skeletons are from the bodies of people who died in wars that happened long ago. But the bones of bodies from decades ago can't be in good condition, can they? It's like the gold plating on a fountain pen has worn off.

That's why the skeletons are looking for corpses. The bodies provided by the military only last a few weeks, but if they find a fresh, cheap body outside and possess it, their physical form can last for at least a few months, and up to a few years.

While listening to the story, I immediately thought of the olive drab underwear I wore during my military service. No matter how much they like olive drab, I don't understand why they make even the underwear that no one sees in that color. The wearing experience is already terrible.

"It's similar to my military service days."

"Where I lived, almost all men went to the military. For about two years. How about here?"

"So these soldiers are skeletons...?"

If the company commander is disappointed once, the whole unit must be a mess. This is the same for the military in my area.

During the conversation, the bell rang, and I looked at the main door, slightly startled.

"Manager, where is the customer who's taking a taxi?"

It seemed the taxi had arrived, but the driver who came in was a one-eyed being. It must be a cyclops.

I took a deep breath and pointed to the succubus.

"That's her."

"Where... Oh, this person doesn't seem to have had any alcohol."

How should I explain this? After a moment's thought, I answered.

"There was a curse, but she took a drug, so she'll be fine."

"If that's the case, then. Customer, please stand up."

"Umm..."

The cyclops lifted her by the shoulder, but the succubus couldn't stand on her own. She was dragged to the taxi and put in the back seat. I remembered something and leaned into the back seat.

"Excuse me, customer."

"Yes...?"

"The drug cost 4,000 won. Would you like to pay by card or cash?"

I have to work. I don't want to get fired.

The succubus didn't complain, "Why should I pay for something you bought with your card?" I was ready to sue for obstruction of business if she did. She just smiled and handed over her card.

I took it and went back into the convenience store, took out the medicine she had taken, and only scanned the barcode before putting it back.

This is a kind of tip. There's no need to argue with a customer who's causing trouble, asking if you can take the item for a moment to scan the barcode. Just be flexible.

After the payment, I came out and returned the card. The succubus asked again.

"Really... What is love...?"

I don't understand why you're asking me. I came to work to scan barcodes, not to counsel succubus customers.

"What is it...?"

Since she seemed so curious, I just said what came to mind.

"It's fun as a hobby, but annoying as a job."

This is what my married friends generally think. It was fun when they were dating, but after marriage, it feels like forcing the end of a game.

While listening to this, I thought: Love is a hobby, and marriage is a job.

No matter what hobby it is, it naturally becomes less fun when it becomes a job. The end goal of love is marriage, at least initially. What happens after that, whether they divorce or not, is up to them.

I really said this. I don't know why I answered like this, but it wasn't the answer the succubus wanted.

"Oh... What do you mean...?"

I didn't answer this question. The cyclops's eye in the rearview mirror was glaring, as if telling me to hurry up. I wanted to finish quickly too.

"...I'm sorry."

If you're sorry, don't show up again. Have a good work life.

The succubus apologized, seemingly with a change of heart. I assumed it was for drinking and vomiting and left. The taxi finally started.

After that, customers became sparse. It was just after midnight.

In the convenience store night shift, the sales slip is printed around midnight. It records the day's sales. After receiving it, I followed the manager's instructions, left 100,000 won in the cash register, and put the rest in the safe, then sat down.

After working for two hours, I wanted to complain about something.

"Within two hours of work, I've met all kinds of troublemakers. I never thought I'd have to give love advice to customers."

"Yes. Has the manager done it before?"

The manager's voice sounded troubled.

"I wanted to, but she kept asking... I only said a few words."

So she must have asked me about love several times.

"No. I sent her off quickly because I had to put her in a taxi."

I prayed she wouldn't show up again when I sent her off.

"You should have told me earlier."

"Are you doing something?"

When I asked, the manager answered apologetically.

"Um... logistics?"

In a convenience store, logistics usually come at a fixed time and in a fixed amount.

I found it strange when I heard the explanation earlier, but I decided to let it go. This isn't a normal, ordinary convenience store.

"Is it a lot?"

"The delivery driver must be friendly."

"Is that so?"

All I have to do is record it. Drawing circles on paper with a pen isn't difficult.

But it wasn't.

Five minutes later, I heard a sound like a meteor falling outside. I rushed out and saw a winged horse flapping its wings and floating low. Do you eat carrots too?

"The delivery has arrived!"

On top was a woman wearing goggles. On the ground was a box big enough to hold an air conditioner, and I couldn't guess what was inside.

The woman asked,

"Oh? Where did the sister go?"

"Are you looking for the manager?"

"Yes. But... who are you?"

"I'm the part-timer. I started today."

A moment later, the woman took off her goggles and stared at me...

"Oh?"

She was amazed.