Chapter 24

The air in the swamp area is clean.

You might wonder what that means, but it really was like that.

Think about it, if there were no cars or factories spewing harmful substances in this world, how clean would the air be there?

Even if the world is overrun by monstrous creatures and human habitats have shrunk, at least the fact that the air is clean isn’t a bad thing, right?

Of course, if you ask whether the health of humans living in this era is as good as modern people, absolutely not.

Health insurance only appears in history books, and proper doctors can only be seen in Seoul, and even then, the world is flooded with quacks who secured their positions through connections.

But even those quacks are rare, and hiring them requires a hefty sum, which is the reality of humanity today.

“Money sure is easy to make…”

I marveled at the line forming at one of the few hospitals in the swamp area. I couldn’t help it.

The hospital, fitting for a ruined world, was open-plan, allowing a view inside, and the treatment methods were beyond absurd.

It wasn’t like a fortune-teller, but the doctor would glance over the patient, poke somewhere with their hand, and exclaim, “There’s a problem here!”

I don’t know if it was some ability like Mina’s, but the way patients were startled and asked how they knew was a sight to behold.

It was like watching a skilled shaman.

The problem was the action that followed.

With a solemn face, as if pulling out a panacea, the doctor handed the patients a small pill.

“Take this, and the pain will disappear. So take it with water right away.”

“Oh, thank you, doctor!”

Others might not know, but I knew what it was.

It’s just a painkiller.

Seeing the patients leave with bright faces, it seemed like the best option available.

I turned my eyes away from the doctor discreetly tucking bills under the desk and said to Mina,

“Let’s get going.”

“Okay.”

It was quite an interesting sight, but we weren’t leisurely enough to stand around and watch.

Now that we have a new home, we need to furnish it, and we also need to buy dinner for tonight.

And if we’re going to buy the necessary items for exploration, we need to move quickly.

“Mina, what should we have for dinner?”

“I don’t know.”

“Not interested in food?”

“…Actually, I don’t know what’s available. Ah, the bulgogi we had at the hotel was delicious.”

Ah, you mean that mysterious meat bulgogi.

I guarantee it wasn’t made with pork. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t imagine anyone leisurely raising pigs in this world.

Dog meat… doesn’t seem to have the distinctive smell.

Beef… definitely not.

Human… surely not.

This neighborhood isn’t that depraved to sell such things.

Things might be different down below, but… at least in the swamp area, human flesh is prohibited.

So it must be some unknown animal meat.

Or not.

“Let’s stop by a butcher shop if we see one. If they have any meat stored, we’ll buy it for dinner.”

“The butcher shop inside the market, Choi’s Butcher Shop, is said to have good quality and cheap prices. The boss said he buys meat there every day.”

“Then we’ll go to that butcher shop…”

Mina and I entered the bustling inner market, which was surprisingly lively for a ruined world. The inner market was crowded with people shopping.

From children to the elderly.

It felt like a rural market, out of place in the late 21st century, but at least something like this remains.

“Uncle, what’s that? It looks soft…”

“It’s tofu.”

“Tofu?”

“It’s a nutritious and tasty ingredient if made well.”

With plenty of land for farming, they must grow crops to make it.

I curiously examined the yellow tofu, which didn’t look much different from what I often saw in marts.

How does it taste?

Since the hotel didn’t serve tofu dishes, I’d have to buy and try it myself.

“Let’s buy it on our way back.”

“Okay.”

We moved on.

Various shops selling miscellaneous goods.

A man playing a worn-out guitar, trying to attract attention.

A restaurant wafting delicious smells.

A scene that felt like stepping back 15 years from my time, except for being a bit more worn out.

“Uncle, look over there.”

“Hunters, huh.”

In front of one of the larger shops in the market, a group of burly men had gathered. Most likely hunters with considerable strength.

Normally, I’d join that line, but I had no intention of doing so today.

With the funds from the boss, I had some leeway for a few days.

We passed by the hunters and continued deeper into the market.

Probably because this is the only decent market in the Hanam area, even after walking for about 30 minutes, the shops didn’t end.

Most sold food, but some shops had meticulously carved wooden utensils.

We stopped at a shop run by an old man who seemed the most skilled.

“Uncle, look at this. It’s very neat.”

“Smooth.”

“Despite appearances, I’m the best at carving wood in the swamp area.”

“It really seems so. The rough feel is almost gone…”

Really smooth?

I examined the cup, which had almost no rough wooden texture.

Was it coated with something?

I don’t know what, but since other shops weren’t like this, the old man must have his own secret.

“Let’s buy some cups and bowls.”

“By the way, this pot won’t burn even if placed on fire.”

“That’s quite amazing.”

“It’s my decades of experience. As you know, getting metal utensils here is very difficult.”

Indeed, in this place, ceramic dishes are a dream, and the best you can get are stainless steel utensils from restaurants.

Metal utensils or dishes would have rusted and become unusable…

Even the hotel used wooden utensils, so it’s better for us to use wooden ones too.

“Four cups, five wooden bowls, and one wooden pot. Ah, and four pairs of chopsticks and spoons.”

“Wait a moment.”

The old man slowly got up, took out a paper bag from somewhere, and packed the ordered items.

“Take it.”

“Thank you.”

Quite heavy.

I held the paper bag and left the shop with Mina.

“Uncle, where to now?”

“Well… I’d like to check out some furniture.”

“The furniture shop is over there. About fifty steps from here.”

Mina pointed in a direction we hadn’t gone yet, obscured by the crowd.

Did she use her ability?

When did she use it?

“Then let’s hurry.”

“…Can I hold your hand?”

“Of course.”

I held the paper bag with one arm and gently took Mina’s hand.

Soft and warm.

Thinking about it, it might be the first time I’ve held a girl’s hand.

That thought made my heart race.

Get a grip, Park Yi-sak.

She’s still a kid.

Getting excited over someone so young is a crime.

…Does it matter here?

As I walked with such thoughts, someone bumped into me.

“Sorry…”

“No, it’s fine. Are you hurt…”

“I’m fine! Excuse me!”

What was that?

I tilted my head, watching the purple-haired girl disappear into the crowd.

But as if she didn’t like my reaction, a sharp voice reached my ears.

“Uncle, it’s a pickpocket!”

“A pickpocket?”

“That purple-haired girl started running after bumping into you!”

Our entire fortune is in there!

“Uncle, hurry after her!”

“Alright, lead the way.”

“Okay!”

Suddenly, an additional task, how troublesome.

Using Mina’s ability as a guide, I started tracking the pickpocket.

The crowd made it hard to speed up, but knowing the general location made tracking not too difficult.

“Uncle, this area is the vipers’ territory. I heard we shouldn’t enter carelessly…”

“Let’s catch her quickly, get the money back, and leave.”

I can’t just give up our entire fortune, so let’s retrieve the money and get out.

“…Uncle, she stopped at a corner to the right. Some man… yikes!”

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I checked on Mina, who was suddenly staggering, holding her cheek.

“She’s being hit.”

“Being hit?”

“Yes…”

I don’t know the situation, but do I need to intervene to get the money back?

I handed the paper bag to Mina.

I couldn’t fight while holding it.

“Mina, don’t come in, wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay. Be careful…”

Leaving Mina’s worried gaze behind, I entered the dark alley. The stench was overwhelming.

What could be happening?

With some tension, I turned the corner and saw-

“Hey, you idiot, I even reduced your quota, and you still can’t meet it?”

“Selling her off would make more money, bro.”

“That, that’s…”

Good thing I didn’t bring Mina.

The pickpocket was on the ground.

Her swollen cheek suggested she’d been slapped.

She’s just a kid, annoying as she is… but this scene is more unpleasant.

I couldn’t hide my anger and spoke out.

“Hey.”