Chapter 683: Yujin Freight
3 a.m.
Since a day in this place isn’t twenty–four hours long, it was actually closer to about 4 o’clock here.
Come to think of it, I didn’t even know if the market opened at dawn, so why did that guy tell me to be here at four? Did he have some lingering memory of dawn markets or something? He’s the type of person who’d probably go his whole life without ever setting foot in a market of his own will.
Still, basic daily life here didn’t seem all that different from back home. Which made sense – even if they’re balloon people now, their bodies are still roughly the same humanoid shape as ours.
Even the old four great civilizations, back in the day when it was hard for them to interact, all popped up separately along big rivers, farming, building houses, raising livestock. The finer details of culture were different, but the framework of their societies ended up similar enough.
Same deal here – body structure is a big deal.
If the people in this neighborhood had been born with wings, or able to breathe underwater, their whole lifestyle would’ve been completely different. Apartment buildings might have giant doors instead of windows and no elevators, or be flipped upside down under the sea.
Cars? Traffic jams? Why cling to the ground and crawl around in boxes? What a strange preference.
“I told you two not to come.”
As I rushed through washing up and went to leave the house, Yuhyun and Noah insisted on tagging along. Both of them were dressed in the work clothes we’d bought as a group yesterday. Of course, so was I. If you’re going to work, you need at least one comfortable outfit.
“How were you planning to get there alone? You can’t even drive.”
“We’ve still got over thirty minutes. Even riding the scooter, there’s plenty of time. And I can use the truck while I’m working, too.”
Even though I wasn’t exactly heading out for deliveries right now. I’d finished scouting the area yesterday. On top of that, I’d gotten something like a local cell phone service set up. It wasn’t a proper smartphone yet, but it had something like the internet, and for the cost of living here, the phone bill was pretty expensive.
“But it might be dangerous for you to walk around alone. Even if it’s just job competition, the current Guildmaster of Sesung is our enemy too.”
“Yeah, I don’t like the idea of sending you by yourself, Hyung.”
“Hey, you think this is my first day doing this kind of stuff?”
My stats were just low – as a Hunter, and as a working adult, I had way more experience than either of them. My body was still decent enough by normal people’s standards.
But since neither of them showed any sign of turning back, we ended up heading down together.
In front of the apartment building, a big truck and a little kick scooter were parked side by side. Thankfully, parking space was generous. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the truck.
“The shop comes with initial interior options, huh. How considerate.”
Even if Seong Hyunjae’s team got an entire three–story building completely remodeled from top to bottom.
Our ride was nothing to sneeze at either, though. They called it “interior options,” but in practice there were almost no limits.
Beep.
As I pressed the remote, the ordinary 2.5–ton truck began to transform. With a clanking sound, walls rose up in the back, and in an instant it turned into a refrigerated truck. Of course, it could keep things chilled too.
We move any cargo, perfectly and safely.
“Hyung, hop on.”
Dragging the scooter over, Yuhyun spoke as the headlight on the front flicked on, carving a path through the dark street.
“Let’s go slow this time, okay? Nice and slow. We’re not in a rush.”
“Okay.”
Noah climbed into the truck and started the engine. Yuhyun kicked off more slowly than he had yesterday, but still at a speed that could keep up with the truck.
The dawn air hitting my face all at once felt really good.
‘How long has it been since I went to work at dawn.’
If you didn’t count Hunter work, it had been forever since I did anything like a normal job.
From the outside, my life probably looked tough – a kid working too hard too young – but I never actually thought it was that bad. Work isn’t easy, sure, but my life itself wasn’t that hard. My heart was even more at ease.
Maybe because it was so early, the road was completely empty. There didn’t seem to be anything like twenty–four–hour convenience stores here either; most buildings were swallowed by darkness. Only the streetlights twinkled at regular intervals.
“I wanted to go out to work with you too, Hyung.”
Gliding along the road on the scooter, Yuhyun spoke quietly.
“I even felt bad just going to school.”
“There’s nothing to feel bad about. That’s all an investment, an investment. Since you’re good at studying, it made more sense to focus on you. It’s not like you’d ditch your Hyung once you got successful.”
“Yeah. I never would.”
“I’m pretty sure you would’ve made it into med school. Kind of a waste, honestly.”
It might’ve suited him better than we thought. Even now, he was always looking up things here and there to watch over my health.
If he’d become a doctor, he might’ve ended up researching my health and lifespan. He might even have left his name in the history books. Yeah, that’s a waste. Though, at this rate, I feel like his name will still get in there somehow. And if it doesn’t, I’ll carve it in myself.
The market sprawled out near the west entrance of the city. The number of vehicles on the road gradually increased, and rows of buildings with their lights on lined the street.
There must’ve been a port nearby – a faint smell of the sea brushed the tip of my nose.
If I were allowed to use combat skills, I could probably make a killing in the fishing industry. But they still banned them. I guess the idea was “no physical combat.”
“Noah, there’s a parking lot over there!”
We pulled into a wide public parking lot set up in front of the market. Among the rows, we headed toward the area where a bunch of transport trucks had gathered. Balloon people in work clothes kept sneaking glances at us.
“Good morning~ Nice weather today!”
Let’s see – looked like there were more independents, but there were definitely co–ops too.
I gestured for Noah to park in a corner farther from the market. In places like this, the good spots usually had unspoken owners. Especially the ones that made loading and unloading cargo easy.
A newbie who just plopped their truck down in a prime spot just because it was empty would be asking to get on everyone’s bad side. If they were lucky, they’d just get hated. If not, something a lot more aggressive than a “black mark” might end up stuck in the back of their head.
“Wait here with Noah.”
“You’re going alone?”
“If I’m going to look around and ask questions, it’s easier by myself. And you, uh… don’t exactly give off a friendly vibe to strangers, you know.”
He was cute to me, but he was still tall and broad–shouldered, and his resting face was pretty cold to anyone but me. His looks covered for it, sure.
But if our tastes and the balloon people’s tastes in beauty were different, they might just find him intimidating.
“There’s a blanket and some cushions in the truck, so close your eyes for a bit if you get sleepy.”
Looking disappointed, Yuhyun still nodded.
“If anything happens, fire the signal flare right away.”
“Got it. Don’t fight with Noah and just wait quietly, okay?”
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was freezing in there even without the refrigeration turned on. They’re the same age – they should just hang out more.
Pushing the scooter along at an easy pace, I quickly scanned the surroundings. There were still about ten minutes left until four. Those spots over there, and that one – those were the prime parking spaces.
First, I grabbed a few drinks from a vending machine. Then I headed toward the prime spots.
The market deliveries had already been unloaded, so most of the drivers were just killing time. Closer to closing time, they’d probably be busy hauling orders and leftover goods out.
“Hello! I’ve heard so much about you!”
I bowed as I approached the balloon person who was clearly the central figure among the truck drivers parked in the prime spots.
When I handed him a drink, he accepted it with a “who’s this kid?” look on his face.
“You probably don’t remember me. I only saw you a few times when I was little.”
“Is that so? Feels like I might’ve seen you before. You must be new around here.”
“Yes. I was told that if I ever ended up working here, I had to come say hello. You work so hard from the crack of dawn.”
People’s lives are roughly the same everywhere.
I chatted him up – about how I’d done small delivery jobs, saved up for my first refrigerated truck, and was only now trying out this market. I asked how things worked here.
Once I made it clear I was a newbie with some distant connections, everyone around started chiming in with advice–flavored nagging. I handed out the rest of the drinks to them too.
People who like playing teacher about what they know best are everywhere. Even more so when there’s a bit of a connection.
Wow, really? That’s amazing! You really are the big shot around here!
No way, that actually happened? How do you know all this stuff~
Keep the reactions lively and realistic, and the stories just pour out.
“All the big clients are already taken. You either inherit them from whoever used to run the route, or quietly poach them from behind. Or you find completely new ones.”
Just as I thought. In a place like this, if a newbie barged in like, “Use me! I’ll give you a discount~” and tried to drum up business, they’d get blacklisted fast.
If all they got was blacklisted, that’d be the best–case scenario. Worst case, something much nastier than a grudge could end up lodged in the back of your skull.
“The General Logistics Association only takes people with a certain amount of experience, or recommendations…”
“You must be getting hungry by now. How about you go grab a hearty meal?”
I casually slipped him what would be about 100,000 won in our money. Nobody hates money, no matter what world you’re in.
“It’s not the sort of thing I should be doing for just anyone, but we’re connected, and you’re a young guy who knows his place.”
He must’ve meant the way I’d chosen a spot off in the corner on my own. The other truck drivers were looking at me like, Yeah, this kid’s fine. Drinks, a good listener… and he greased the wheels.
The balloon man who’d taken the money immediately made a call.
“Hey, it’s me. Register a newbie for me. What’s your citizen number and name?”
“5089350207, Han Yujin~♡”
How very kind of him.
Once I joined the association, I’d be able to take jobs that came in through the association or its attached website.
Now, where were the dangerous and high–paying ones.
Since it was almost time for my meeting, I wrapped things up and slipped away.
Now, where’s Seong Hyunjae.
When I waited near the market entrance, it didn’t take long for a yellow bicycle to appear.
In a tracksuit that was clearly from some high–end brand, Seong Hyunjae braked and got off the bike.
“…What is that outfit supposed to be.”
“It was in the dressing room.”
Even his clothes came full–option, huh. Must be nice.
Anyway, right now he was the client, so I put on my best friendly business smile. Not that he hadn’t technically been my client before too.
“Have you settled on what kind of restaurant it’s going to be? Korean? Western? Or more like a bar?”
“The third floor. Hunter Moon Hyunah and Mr. Song Taewon want to run a wine bar.”
“Excuse me? Those two?”
A bar with Hyunah and Manager Song – now I really wanted to stop by. They’d probably run it all classy and use it as a hub for information exchange.
‘Hyunah I get, but Manager Song as a bartender…’
I want photos – no, video!
Chief Song, finally leaving public service, only to open a wine bar of all things!
“The food here is a little bland for our taste.”
Pushing his bike, Seong Hyunjae walked into the market. I pushed the scooter and followed by his side.
“They’re very weak with spicy food, and they really enjoy fresh seafood. Also, their desserts are underdeveloped.”
“If it’s seafood, a refrigerated truck is a must! I can even do live fish tanks!”
If I secured one steady client, that’d make things really comfortable. Even if it meant coming out every dawn.
“Wow, that’s a lot of fish. Tons of shellfish too. I’ve got no eye for quality, though.”
“That shop looks decent.”
“Sir! How much for this plump fish?”
I quickly approached the owner of the stall that Seong Hyunjae had pointed at, lowering my voice.
“Looking for a big, long–term deal! My boss thinks your stock looks fresh. We’ll look around some more, but if the price is right we’ll stop here. How low can you go? Do you deal in a variety of species?”
“You’ve got a good eye. There’s nothing that doesn’t come through my place! I’ve got three boats.”
After hearing his prices, I took another look around the market. We’d need vegetables as well as fish. And meat too.
“Do you get wine delivered in the evening? Unlike fresh stuff, you won’t be taking deliveries every day. Have you chosen a supplier?”
“Hunter Moon Hyunah is going to look around today.”
“Hyunah’s really putting in the work. I could tag along, you know. What’s your number?”
I pulled out my phone.
Seong Hyunjae also pulled out the one he’d gotten here, and we exchanged numbers.
The market was so big that just making one loop around took a good chunk of time. Then we had to choose suppliers and haggle, and by the time we were done, the sky was slowly lightening.
“Looks like they do sashimi to order over there. My treat. Sir~ Give us a full spread of the good, popular stuff~.”
I sent a text to Yuhyun telling him not to wait for me and to go buy something tasty for breakfast instead.
Though knowing him and Noah, they’d probably just eat some convenience rations out of their inventories… I’d make sure to feed them properly at lunch. I couldn’t just leave them like that.
We set the bicycle and scooter off to the side and sat down at a narrow table.
When a plate of sashimi and a fork were set down in front of him, Seong Hyunjae stared at them fixedly.
So this neighborhood doesn’t do chopsticks.
They handed us small side plates. Looking around, I saw everyone scooping the sashimi with their forks, propping their side plate up under it, and slurping it straight off the plate.
They even poured soup into their plates to drink it instead of using spoons. No wonder their forks were flatter and longer than what I was used to.
“Feels like I should be having soju with this.”
“I did, from time to time.”
“Uh? Soju…”
“Not you, Mr. Han Yujin.”
He meant before the regression.
I couldn’t help frowning.
“I am that Han Yujin. My memories just got scrambled. You’re the one who blew them away, remember.”
Whatever anyone else said, I was the same person.
The others might’ve gotten “merged,” but in my case, it was basically the me from before the regression coming back as–is. Just continuing on.
“To be honest, I don’t really understand why you’re doing this, Mr. Seong. What are you thinking, staying here? The Seong Hyunjae I know would…”
“The Seong Hyunjae you know would?”
“…He wouldn’t have tried to come to the present in the first place.”
He wasn’t the “Let’s live a new life!” type, but he was the type who’d say his story was over and not act like he had lingering regrets.
“…If you’d said, ‘From now on, the current Seong Hyunjae is me,’ erased the ejected Seong Hyunjae, and declared, ‘Han Yujin’s partner is now me,’ that I could’ve understood.
But you’re here, even though neither I nor Manager Song will treat you like the person we knew. Why?”
“Is that the approach you’d prefer?”
“Of course not! It’s just weird, that’s all.”
No matter how I turned it over in my head, I couldn’t figure it out.
What was his reason?
Catching my gaze, Seong Hyunjae’s lips curved in a faint smile.
“As you said, I had no intention of staying here.”
“Then why are you?”
“Let’s just say I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’m not asking you about Mr. Han Yujin.”
So shut your mouth about it too, huh.
It suddenly made me curious how he’d treated me before the regression, how much he’d talked.
Though technically, that “me” and I are the same person. And Manager Song is still the same person too, when you get right down to it.
“You’re definitely more obnoxious than he is. Which is why I am absolutely going to help the original owner get his seat back. Don’t regret it later.”
The obnoxious Mr. Seong just smiled silently instead of answering.
I wondered what the shrunken Seong Hyunjae was doing right now.
He better not still be walking around with those damn wings. Don’t overdo it, seriously.
Gyeol, take good care of him.
“Mister, I told you to just rest, remember!”
Yerim hefted a stack of boxes piled up in layers with a big grin.
“Yeah~ Sweetie, you just sit over there and keep count for us~”
With one hand, Liette likewise picked up a tower of boxes and gave me a wink.
You’re going to drop that! Use both hands!
“Hyung, we loaded everything.”
“I’m done too.”
Wearing cotton work gloves, Yuhyun and Noah waved their hands.
The owner and employees of the wine wholesaler stared at us with their mouths hanging open.
“Wait, you… that fast…?”
“I don’t think it even took five minutes…”
“Uh, excuse me! Sir!”
The wholesaler’s owner snapped out of it and hurried over to me.
“We’ve got several trucks that need to go out right now – could you help us load just a bit more? It’s urgent. I’ll pay you a generous day rate!”
“We’ve got time, so we can at least do that much~ But in exchange, put in a good word for us around here, okay! Let’s go, guys~.”
“Yessir!”
A smooth start.
At this rate, we’d get word of mouth going in no time.
I handed the wholesaler’s owner a business card.
“Yujin Freight. We look forward to working with you.”
I actually came up with a different name, but the kids wanted to use mine.
It’s a little embarrassing.
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–TL Notes–
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