The dungeon smells like chicken. - Chapter 4

—

Michael, equipped with armor thanks to Sena’s help, slung his backpack over his shoulder. He seemed to have something to say, but in the end, he just turned around without speaking.

Sena watched him move the furniture, preparing to see him off.

Sena was the first to notice something strange. The door that had been on the wall had disappeared without a trace.

Michael, who had stepped back and was staring at the wall, moved another piece of furniture. However, there was no door there either.

Distressed, he pounded on and felt along the wall, but the vanished door did not reappear.

“This can’t be happening…”

Michael muttered lowly, falling to his knees.

He stared blankly at the empty wall.

Sena felt a headache coming on.

Even though she had brought Michael upstairs, she had no idea what to do next.

‘Is this my fault?’

She regretted not just sending him back after a meal. She should have given him some canned food and sent him on his way, rather than having him stay.

If she hadn’t put his clothes in the washing machine and asked him to stay the night, Michael would have safely returned to his original world.

‘This isn’t some fairy tale about a woodcutter and a celestial maiden.’

It was like the tale where the maiden couldn’t return because her winged clothes were taken.

Sena regretted her unnecessary meddling.

Michael sat with his head hanging low. Seeing the large man so dejected made her feel sorry for him.

Sena stood up after watching him for a while.

“Let’s eat first and think later. When you’re hungry, you only have depressing thoughts.”

She was speaking more to herself than to Michael.

Sena picked up her phone and opened the search engine. Typing “foreigners like,” she saw an auto-suggestion for “Korean food foreigners like.” Her eyes lit up as she looked at the results.

She quickly dialed a number saved in her phone. A familiar voice answered.

“Can I get three orders: one fried, one seasoned, and one soy sauce chicken, with a large draft beer?”

Having placed the order quickly, she prepared to welcome the chicken deity. After setting out beer glasses and bowls for the sauces, she took Michael to wash his hands.

A little while later, the doorbell rang.

Sena ran to the door and came back with the chicken. The enticing aroma of three chickens filled the room.

Michael, who had been in a daze, perked up.

Sena reverently opened the lid. The overwhelming scent was enough to wake the dead.

Feeling her empty stomach rumble, she hurriedly opened the beer bottle. She poured the frothy beer into a glass and handed it to Michael.

“Let’s forget everything and eat. You have to eat to live.”

Michael took the glass with a bewildered expression, hesitated for a moment, then brought it to his lips. The next moment, he turned his head and coughed.

“Oh, it seems you don’t like it much.”

Michael looked at the glass with a puzzled expression. It seemed the taste was different from what he expected. With a compassionate smile, Sena handed him a chicken leg.

“You’ll like this.”

After hesitating, Michael took a bite of the chicken leg. With a crunch, his eyes widened.

Sena laughed as she saw Michael’s face light up. It was like watching a withered plant come back to life with a drink of water.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

Michael answered reverently, still entranced by the chicken. Feeling his answer was insufficient, he added, blushing.

“It’s really delicious. Truly.”

Satisfied, Sena brought a piece of chicken to her mouth.

The thin, crispy skin gave way to moist, tender meat. The juices, locked inside, burst out as if they had been waiting.

The slightly salty flavor was perfect. It was good on its own, and dipping it in the sauce gave it another layer of taste.

Noticing Michael hesitating, unsure if he could have more, she said,

“Try this too. This one’s soy sauce, and this one’s seasoned. Eat as much as you like.”

Michael’s eyes sparkled as he tasted the chicken. He had a profound look when he ate the soy sauce chicken, and the seasoned chicken seemed a bit too spicy for him.

Seeing him fan his mouth in distress, Sena offered him more beer.

“It tastes even better with this.”

After a brief hesitation, Michael closed his eyes and drank the beer. After a sip, his expression changed to one of surprise.

Imitating Sena, Michael alternated between the chicken and beer, then spoke as if he had discovered a great truth.

“This seems to be a very special dish.”

“We eat chicken here for both happy and sad occasions.”

Michael nodded in admiration at Sena’s words.

If someone else had heard this, they might have accused her of lying, saying, “You eat it every day just because there’s no reason not to!” But unfortunately, no one else was there.

Michael ate the chicken with a look of love on his face. He savored each bite, leaving not a single piece of meat behind.

Sena playfully asked,

“Which one do you like best?”

After a serious consideration, Michael chose the seasoned chicken. She had thought he would dislike the spiciness, but it seemed to suit his taste.

“But all three are really delicious. Thank you.”

Michael spoke earnestly. Embarrassed, Sena avoided his gaze.

“I just happened to want some chicken. I’m glad you like it. Eat up.”

She quickly picked up her beer glass to hide her face. Michael silently smiled and began eating again.

Soon, all three chickens were gone without a trace. They drank all the beer as well, and were so full they couldn’t get up.

Michael cleaned up in her place.

“I have something to say.”

After washing his hands, he spoke seriously. Sena, who had been lazily relaxing, straightened up curiously.

After a moment of hesitation, Michael spoke.

“Please let me work as a servant in this house.”

“What?”

“If you give me food and a place to sleep, I will work hard.”

Sena was stunned by his sudden request to be a servant.

From Michael’s perspective, it was understandable. Living alone in an unfamiliar world with no one to rely on would be difficult.

‘But keeping a stranger in the house…

It seemed reckless. However, she felt responsible for him being unable to return. Hesitating, she spoke.

“I can’t decide on my own. Can I discuss it with my brother?”

“Yes, I will wait.”

Michael agreed without hesitation. Relieved, Sena added,

“It’s still too early to give up. The door might reappear tonight.”

“That’s true.”

Michael nodded, though he didn’t seem hopeful. While the chicken had revived him, it hadn’t given him hope. Sena hadn’t meant her words seriously either.

Sena’s younger brother, Heung Se-jun, was a 17-year-old high school student.

He was cheerful and unlike Sena, who was blunt, he was full of charm. He was a good brother who looked up to his sister, who was eight years older, like a mother.

But recently, he had entered puberty and had become more distant, avoiding her.

‘No, it’s my fault.’

Se-jun had strongly disliked Sena’s ex-boyfriend. From the first time he saw him, he hadn’t liked him, and later constantly told her to break up with him. When the ex-boyfriend, drunk, had barged in demanding to be let in, Se-jun had even fought with him.

‘And now I brought home a stranger, what will he think…’

Sena sighed silently. She was worried their already strained sibling relationship would worsen.

The moment of fate arrived. Sena tensed as she heard the doorbell and went out.

“You’re home?”

Se-jun, looking tired, stepped inside. Sena grabbed her brother as he tried to pass by.

“We have a guest.”

“A guest?”

Se-jun looked puzzled, then surprised.

Turning reflexively, he saw Michael standing by the entrance. Michael greeted him with his characteristic gentle smile.

“I’m Michael from the Kingdom of Nord.”

Sena clutched her head at Michael’s candid introduction. Se-jun asked with a bewildered look.

“Nord? Where’s that?”

“It’s a country in a different world from here. I came here while exploring a dungeon and am staying here temporarily.”

After a moment of silence, Se-jun looked at Sena and asked,

“…Is this a hidden camera prank?”

“It’s real. He appeared in the basement at dawn today.”

“What? Someone showed up at dawn and you didn’t tell me?”

“Well…

Sena, trying to make an excuse, closed her mouth. There was no excuse.

Bringing Michael into the house had been reckless. Knowing this, she had kept it a secret from Se-jun.

She had thought everything would be resolved before her brother returned.

Se-jun, looking reproachfully at Sena, walked up to Michael. Despite the height difference, he bravely looked up at him and asked.

“You came from another world?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not lying? Can you prove it?”

“What kind of proof would you like?”

“Well, magic or some other skill.”

Michael, after a moment’s thought, raised one hand.

In the next moment, something blue appeared on his palm. It looked like a small ball of shimmering energy.

“Wow!”

Se-jun shouted in surprise, jumping back. He forgot his earlier reproach and excitedly yelled, “Sister! Sister! Did you see that?”

But Sena was too shocked to respond. Michael, looking slightly embarrassed, said,

“It’s not magic, but will this suffice?”

“Show me more!”

An excited Se-jun shouted. Michael looked at Sena for permission. Sena, hesitant,

said,

“There’s a sword and armor in the basement.”

“Really? Can I see them? Please?”

Se-jun grabbed Michael’s arm, pleading. The sight of the small boy clinging to the large man was reminiscent of a Chihuahua pestering a retriever.

Michael, looking a bit awkward, smiled.

“The sword is dangerous, so I will accompany you.”

“Please.”

Sena, feeling embarrassed, spoke weakly. Se-jun dashed to the basement like a bullet, with Michael hurrying after him.

The two stayed in the basement for a long time. Se-jun’s excited voice and laughter occasionally echoed, but they showed no sign of coming up.

Worried, Sena went down to the basement and saw Se-jun hugging the sword and shouted,

“Sister, how could you leave this in the basement? It will rust and become useless!”