Chapter Text
Poor ex-salaryman Kim dokja had just gotten fired today, meaning he has no more money to support himself.
Basically, he's fucked.
He trudged along the sidewalk pavement, looking like an ugly cat that got stuck under the heavy rain.
'I really need to listen to the forecast more often…' He makes a mental note, uncaring of the stares he's getting from strangers, a combination of pity and grossed out expressions.
Kim dokja continues dragging his shoes across the pavement under the pouring rain which's wind could honestly be considered as an incoming tornado. Seriously, he really should tune in on the weather forecast more often. It didn't seem like the rain was going to stop any time soon either.
In the far distance, the smell of warm, freshly baked bakery goods hits his nostrils. Kim dokja continues trudging through the rain, gradually getting closer and closer to where the smell was coming from.
Soon, he arrives at a cafe, the exterior aesthetically pleasing to the human eye.
A small "open" sign at the front door, an inviting welcome to him.
As soon as he pushed the door open with a little force, a wave of heat produced by the heaters in the cafe brushed over his skin, the warm orange coloured like lights make it seem even warmer. It shocked him a little, especially after walking outside in the cold weather for so long.
He immediately was attracted to the warmth emitting from the cafe, a vast difference compared to the cold, wet and judgmental outside.
Kim dokja stood at the entrance, the door slightly ajar for what seemed like a good minute before making up his mind, reaching for the door handle yet again, a small creaking sound accompanied by the sound of a bell ringing.
"Oh! See I told you we'd get customers today!" The nice and beautiful lady dressed in a simple white blouse and black long pants turned behind, talking to another worker. "Evening dear customer! Ho-" she was cut off by her own self from Kim dokja’s appearance.
Oh no.
Well, he supposes he can handle a little more humiliation. At least tomorrow he'll look better than before, right? Pessimistic and optimistic thinking, am I right?
"Oh dear…Do you need a new set of clothes? Don't worry, we'll pay for it!" The nice lady looks at him with pure sincerity, a genuine interest of wanting to help Kim dokja that almost makes him cry.
He would if he wasn't an almost going thirty -year- old man who is currently drenched wet. Talk about adding more humiliation.
"N-no it's fine! I'll just stay here for a bit, if that's fine with you?" Kim dokja doesn't know how or where they are going to get a whole new outfit for him and it's highly unlikely it'll even fit so he'll settle for a little warmth. Plus, it is improper of him to come in and accept strangers who he literally just met like five minutes ago to pay for a new outfit.
"Are you sure?" A voice laced in evident worry.
"Yes I'm sure. Thank you for letting me in here." Kim dokja bows, "I'll just get a quick French toast with sous vide egg. Thank you again, really." He notices the first thing on the menu.
"You don't have to pay dear. It's on the house, no take backs too." The lady proudly states.
Kim dokja doesn't even have the energy to fight back since the both of them knew the pretty lady would win anyways.
With a small nod of appreciation, Kim dokja went over to an empty seat and took out his phone. With a few taps, he opens his Web novel app, deciding to read to past time.
The novel he's currently reading– A Regressor's Journey– has a thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three chapters. Kim dokja has been reading this particular novel for quite some time now ever since he found it when he was surfing the Internet.
At first, he found it boring, one of those typical novels where the protagonist becomes too overpowered and defeats every enemy with ease.
And oh god he was so wrong.
A Regressor's Journey was amazing. Kim dokja, like his name entails, is a reader. He's read countless novels, but there was something about this novel that had him hooked.
Perhaps it was because this novel saved him in more ways than you'd ever think of.
The way the novel's protagonist expresses his weaknesses, his strengths and love for his companions. How each and every paragraph, every word, was as if written with the author's love and feelings. How the world the story's taking place works and all of its mysterious wonders that slowly unravels the truth as you reader further. Not to mention the heavy lore behind each and every unique character.
It's like Kim dokja was being pulled, attracted.
Kim dokja relates to this story, too much more than what he'd like to admit.
In a way, it was his salvation.
Every moment, every second he spends reading, the more he felt he could breathe easily.
He was too lost in his mindless thoughts he didn't even register the sound of footsteps.
The sounds of metal cutlery clinking against each other brings him back to reality.
“Here you go. Please enjoy and if there’s anything you need, do ask!” The lady, or rather Persephone, her name tag reads, beams at him.
Just as she turns to leave, Kim dokja stops her.
"Could I…maybe get some wine? If you even have them." He spoke in a soft, hushed tone, embarrassed.
Why was he embarrassed? I don't know he just is.
"Of course! What brand?"
"Uh…the cheapest one you have…" Kim dokja hides most of his face by ducking his head down, but the redness of his ears doesn't hide his shame.
"Hmm, okay. I'll be back shortly."
Kim dokja silently screams on the inside.
Why did he choose to speak up?