Living As A Handsome Man
[My Childhood in My Past Life]
"That boy is quite handsome."
"When he grows up, he'll make quite a few women cry."
I often heard such words from childhood.
Of course, these were words spoken by people other than my parents.
Ah, so I'm handsome.
Looking at myself in a bronze mirror, I felt proud.
But those days were fleeting.
I became a legendary Poison Demon and reached a realm beyond absolute masters.
But my body and appearance were completely ruined.
"……How horrifying."
"To be so hideous."
"Kyaaaak!"
Even screams.
I know I can't have everything.
My goal was solely 'revenge'.
In the process of becoming a Poison Demon, I had no choice but to ruin my body.
Though I accepted it, it was a sad thing.
Parts of my face melted away, exposing my gums, and even my teeth—only a few remained.
My skin rotted in places, blisters formed, and at the slightest touch, the blisters burst, blood streaming down.
And that wasn't all.
All my hair fell out, and even my spine twisted this way and that, making ‘hideous’ an insufficient description.
So I covered my face with a human skin mask or veil.
But I couldn't cover my shattered pride and heart.
Thus in my past life, I fought and fought again.
Only 'revenge' could comfort me.
Finally, when I killed the Hao Sect Leader and set out for my final battle.
Hwieek-.
I even threw away my veil, wearing only a bamboo hat.
My life's flame was nearly extinguished anyway, and I would die after the battle.
I planned to defeat the Murim Alliance Leader, the Evil Path Alliance Leader, and even the Heavenly Demon, then recite a poem on a moonlit cliff and meet my end.
……In a place where no one was.
At least the moon wouldn't mock my hideous appearance.
***
[Back to the Present]
Deureureuk. Deureureuk.
President Choi opened the warehouse door and pulled out the bungeoppang cart.
"Remarkable. This is the first time I've seen the Master actually pass down her secret technique."
"You didn't believe me? Then why did you send me?"
"Somehow…… I felt like you would succeed."
Words that made sense yet didn't make sense.
I pulled out the cart.
President Choi asked.
"Where will you do business?"
"Near Murim Tower. There were tons of people there, right?"
"Hahaha! You want to do it there? Stop dreaming. If you take business lightly, you'll get hurt badly."
He made a fuss.
"Why?"
"Come on, come on. Even if you know the secret technique, you can't take business lightly."
"Please tell me."
"You have to think about turnover rate, where to get electricity from, whether you can place a gas canister—you have to look into all that. You also need to consider how many ingredients and ice boxes to prepare, and so on. There are countless things to worry about. The more people there are, the more complaints come in. At first, it's better to start in a slightly quieter place and learn step by step."
President Choi taught me various things.
I nodded.
"What kind of place would be good?"
"A place where people come and go moderately, but cars don't pass by much. A place with demand but few complaints."
"Please recommend one place."
"If there are other bungeoppang carts there, it's usually that kind of location."
He soon added.
"But our industry has business ethics too, so if you stick right next to a place that's already doing business, you'll only start fights. You need to keep a reasonable distance when setting up."
"Hmm."
Such a place…….
There is one.
I wore a meaningful smile.
"Looks like you thought of a place?"
"Yes."
***
[Near Sanwang Technical High School]
It was the place where I first encountered bungeoppang.
Precisely.
'Red Bean Packed Golden Bungeoppang.'
"What! Three million won!"
Where the scammer ajumma who tried to dump a cart on me was located.
I set up right next to the scammer ajumma's cart.
That ajumma doesn't know.
That I, the Poison Demon, never forget even small grudges.
"Oh my, student!"
"Yes?"
"You're going to do business here?"
"Yes. It's a good spot in front of the school."
"That's nonsense! This is my spot!"
The ajumma put on work gloves and approached me, pointing fingers.
"This is a place all citizens can use."
"Where do you get off interfering with business! Should I call the police?"
"Yes, please call them."
Since she's also running an illegal street stall,
She has something to hide.
The ajumma's face turned beet red as she yelled.
"What kind of despicable thing are you doing! Don't you know business ethics?"
Baek When she yelled, I chuckled and said.
"So that's why you tried to sell me the cart for 3 million won? When renting it is 170,000 won?"
"Wha, what?"
"You don't remember me?"
"You, now that I look……."
"I'm going to do business here."
I opened the cart.
The scammer ajumma hurled insults at me for a while, and when I still didn't budge, she snapped.
"Bungeoppang business must look easy to you? This requires a special touch! Just because you learned something somewhere, you think it'll go well?"
"Yes."
It'll go extremely well, won't it?
"Ha! In a week, you'll leave crying!"
The ajumma huffed and returned to her cart.
To curse at me.
Just wait and see.
Of course, if I spread my energy, that ajumma would flee in terror.
But I don't want to do that.
Only.
A true sword match unfolding through taste!
That's the right attitude to take as Grandmother's direct disciple.
I quietly prepared for business.
First, equipping the legendary divine artifacts!
The flower-patterned apron I received from Grandmother, the flashy market-style arm warmers.
I even wore Grandmother's hat embroidered with flowers to prevent hair from falling.
How is it, Grandmother?
Your direct disciple's appearance.
A savory and sweet bungeoppang scent wafted out.
But.
Among the people passing by, no one bought my bungeoppang.
Well, of course.
[One piece: 3,000 won]
This was my price tag.
[One piece: 2,000 won / Three pieces: 5,000 won]
This was the scammer ajumma's price tag.
"One bungeoppang for 3,000 won?"
"Yes."
"Oh my…… Even though prices have risen, this is too much."
A customer whose expression hardened.
"The taste is definitely guaranteed."
"Bungeoppang is all the same anyway……. What if I buy multiple?"
"There's no discount. Two pieces 6,000 won, three pieces 9,000 won. Multiplication tables."
"It's expensive. I won't buy it."
People naturally lined up at the ajumma's side.
"Customer! Come here, come here. What kind of bungeoppang costs 3,000 won! he's crazy. Really. Buy here. I'll throw in one more as service."
The scammer ajumma engaged in touting as if to mock me.
Hmm.
Of course, I could have made it cheaper, but I didn't want to.
Grandmother's recipe and secret technique.
Honestly, I thought it was worth more than 3,000 won.
Grandmother charged 1,000 won, but that was her will.
I have my own will. The Poison Demon's will.
As only flies buzzed around like this.
"Hehehe! Business is a flop, huh? You won't even cover the rental fee, will you?"
The ajumma sneered.
"Rather than that, if you really want to do business here, take over this cart. I'll give you a discount."
"How much?"
"4 million won."
"Last time you said 3 million won."
"Since the student made me angry, I have to raise it more."
…Ah.
I'm really getting angry.
Should I just smash that all up?
Ding dong daeng.
Just then, it was time for Sanwang Technical High School to let out.
Students poured out in a rush.
"Oh, new bungeoppang?"
Students approached me out of curiosity, but after seeing the price tag, they shook their heads and turned away.
"One piece is 3,000 won?!"
"It's too expensive!"
Thanks to that, the ajumma made another fuss.
"Come here, student. To the traditional and stubborn Red Bean Packed Golden Bungeoppang."
Everyone went to the ajumma's cart.
Wing wing.
Why are there flies in this winter?
Pat!
I fired a Flicking Finger Divine Art and erased the fly from the world.
……I'm getting more and more irritated.
My insides were boiling when.
"Ah?!"
Someone made eye contact with me and showed a startled expression.
Precisely.
'Short Skirt.'
She was a female student who hung around with delinquents.
Somehow, every time I meet her, her skirt seems to get shorter.
Hesitantly.
She took a few steps back with an expression, wondering whether to run away.
Kkadak kkadak.
"Come here."
Short Skirt bit her lip and approached me.
And with a somewhat flushed face, she said to me.
"I don't have money."
"What if I search you and find some?"
"Th-there's CCTV here, you know?!"
She pointed to the security CCTV attached to the utility pole.
I smiled and held something out to her.
"What's this?"
"It's bungeoppang."
"You're giving it to me?"
Kkeuddeok kkeuddeok.
Short Skirt watched my expression.
"Eat it, you punk."
She carefully parted her lips and took a bite.
Eyes sparkling!
"Oh, my goodness……."
She held the bungeoppang in one hand and covered her mouth with the other, looking at me with surprised eyes.
Welcome, it's your first time, right? This kind of taste.
The absolute master of the cold-hearted bungeoppang martial world.
Because it's the secret technique passed down by Master Grandmother.
[Short Skirt is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
"How is it?"
"O-one more piece."
She devoured one piece in an instant and held out her hand asking for more.
Like that, two pieces already disappeared.
"One more!"
The hand extended again.
Then.
"Min-jeong-ah. What are you doing here?"
Her friend approached, calling Short Skirt's name.
This one has a long skirt.
"Wub wub wub!"
"What are you saying?"
Min-jeong, that is, Short Skirt, who had stuffed bungeoppang into her mouth, pointed at my bungeoppang.
"Wub eup eup wub!"
"Why?"
"Ea-eat it!"
Seuwik.
My Slender Poison Hand extending bungeoppang.
Short Skirt's friend bit into my bungeoppang with suspicious eyes.
"Mimi (Delicious)!"
She exclaimed in admiration.
[Long Skirt is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
"Mister, what on earth is this……?"
"One more?"
"Yes!"
Short Skirt and her friend ate four pieces each right there on the spot.
While exclaiming too, and their reactions to each other were so good.
"What is it? Let's check it out."
Other students also approached my cart, curious after seeing that.
"Ah, it's expensive. 3,000 won."
But immediately Short Skirt said.
"Eat it. Eat it. You definitely won't regret it."
The student who ate soon.
"Mimi (Delicious)!"
Exclaimed.
Is it a school catchphrase?
[3rd Year Class 1 Vice Class President is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
Little by little, students gathered like that.
"Hurry and give it to me!"
"Hey, wait. Bungeoppang requires patience."
"Hurry. I'm getting dizzy."
"I came first!"
[1st Year Class 3 Future Dream Idol is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
[2nd Year Class 9 Hasn't Washed for Three Days is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
My bungeoppang sold like crazy as soon as they were baked.
When students flocked, people walking on the street also approached, and my cart was surrounded by people, even encroaching onto the road.
"Hey, student. Get off the roadway. That ajusshi over there! Don't block the way. If you block the way, I won't sell."
At my words, people lined up in a single long line.
People who in my past life would only listen after cutting off a finger or two.
They listen so well for just one bungeoppang.
Indeed, bungeoppang, the missionary of peace and happiness.
Anyway, the 200 servings of bungeoppang I had prepared sold out quickly on the first day.
It was hard to get electricity here, so I was going to sell them all before it got dark.
But unexpectedly, they finished in an instant before the sun even set.
3,000 won each, multiplied by 200.
I held 600,000 won in my hands.
The bungeoppang cart rental fee is 170,000 won for the first day.
Then, 10,000 won daily. In 30 days, it costs 460,000 won.
Since Grandmother uses good ingredients generously, including ingredient costs?
Roughly 1 million won is the monthly break-even point.
When I calculated, if I do business for two days, I'd break even for the month and have surplus!
Wow, if I do this a little more, I can even buy that premium Solitary Refrigerator?
"Five pieces."
"I'm sorry, but the bungeoppang has been annihilated…… I mean, sold out."
"Jjeop…… That's disappointing."
"I wanted to eat more."
"Please prepare more tomorrow."
When everything sold out, people who couldn't buy or those who wanted to eat more expressed their disappointment.
"I don't want to close either, but the ingredients I prepped all night are all gone. I don't make things carelessly like someone else."
When I said ‘someone’ and glanced at the ajumma's side,
Customers nodded as if understanding.
"Ah, is that so?"
"Of course. Look, I learned from the number one bungeoppang person in the Republic of Korea. Haa, it was really hard."
"You must have worked hard. Cheer up!"
An ajusshi waved a bungeoppang bag and sent fighting spirit.
[Mr. Choi, Who Was Sighing While Looking at Falling Stock Charts, is impressed by the taste. +5 Happiness]
That's right, that's right.
Breaking gangsters' feet, breaking their arms, and getting the money back, too.
I worked so hard.
Like that, I successfully finished my first day of business.
Everyone left.
Hesitantly.
Only Short Skirt and the female students still hadn't left my cart's side.
Moreover.
Chalkak chalkak!
They were taking pictures and seemed to be uploading some videos.
"What are you guys doing? Aren't you going home?"
"Kyaak!"
Huh? Why the scream?
Why? For a moment, the nightmare of my past life came to mind.
[……How horrifying.]
[To be so hideous.]
Haa.
Memories I cannot forget, even if I try.
PTSD, was it called in this place?
I shook my head, trying to shake off those memories.
"Get lost!"
I waved my hand at the female students.
"Kyaaak! I made eye contact again."
"I said, get lost!"
Then.
"You're handsome!"
……Huh?
"Crazy! Incredibly handsome!"
"Wha-what did you say?"
"Kyaaak! So freaking handsome!"
[Short Skirt and her friends are impressed by your appearance. +10 Happiness]
The screams.
Were they those kinds of screams?
It seems.
Starting tomorrow, I can raise the price even more.