It was raining outside. Not just rain — a full-blown downpour, like the heavens had decided to wash not just the dirt off the city, but also the last shred of hope from my life.
I stood on the sidewalk, wet through, tugging at my old work jumpsuit with a torn sleeve, muttering to myself:
Why the hell did I go out in this weather...
Cold rain floods my eyes, and inside is a storm of despair. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to escape from myself.
I'm twenty-three. Barely graduated from school. Didn't make it into university — not because I'm dumb, but because I'm broke. Then came a warehouse job… which I lost in a round of layoffs. And after that? Endless job interviews filled with the same tired lines:
"Sorry, we need someone with experience."
"You only finished school? There are no rights either? Yeah… nah."
"Leave your résumé.We'll... definitely call you back."
My savings melted like sugar in tea.
What if this is it? What if I'm just stuck on some endless loop of failure and crap jobs forever?
The apartment's still tied up in credit.
Empty fridge.
Debt notifications flashing on my phone.
And my stomach? Growling louder than any ringtone.
Hunger is tearing at my stomach, but shame prevents me from asking for help. How much longer can I do this?
How am I supposed to pay for everything ifIcan't even afford instant noodles? I thought, walking aimlessly, with no real destination.
The rain slapped against my face, cold and relentless, until I saw it — the store.
Small, wedged between two gray concrete apartment blocks in Gangnam — the kind of place that looked abandoned by time… and maybe, just maybe, meant for someone like me. Its sign was barely legible through the rain, but still readable:
Everything You Weren't Looking For.
"Huh. At least it's honest," I muttered, pushing open the door.
And the moment I stepped inside, I knew something was off.
My heart sped up. This place wasn't normal — it felt like something was about to change. Maybe this was my shot.
The air was clean, carrying a faint scent of lavender and… something electric—like lightning just before a storm.
Everything was quiet. Dry. The sound of rain vanished completely.
My wet clothes didn't even feel wet anymore.
For the first time in days, I wasn't cold.
Looking around, I saw a small clock ticking softly in the corner. Spotlessly clean shelves filled with bottles, boxes, and produce.
Everything looked normal… until I looked closer.
The labels shimmered as if glowing from within. Some even changed color when I blinked.
The light was soft, like sunlight filtering through a thick cloud.
And right in the center stood a man.
I guessed he was the owner of this strange little 24/7 store.
He wore a purple suit and a top hat. Pink hair fell over eyes I couldn't quite see—like a circus magician from a forgotten age.
"Oh? A customer? No... not a customer. You're looking for a job, aren't you?" His voice was smooth, like velvet.
I didn't know if this was a dream or reality. Why am I here? Did I come here for nothing?
"Uh… yeah. Are you… hiring?"
"Sometimes. What world are you from?"
"…What?"
"World. Planet. Dimension."
"E-eh… Earth?"
"Ah, Earth. Been a while. Thank you. Hold on."
He pulled out a glowing purple orb from the drawer — it pulsed like a bottled storm.
"Touch this."
"What is it?"
"A test. Safe."
If I die now… at least I won't have to pay rent, I thought and touched it.
The orb cracked — then burst into sparks.
"I didn't want to! I'll pay for it!"
My heart slammed against my ribs, pounding so hard I thought it might burst.
What if this is the end? Panic clawed at my throat. I don't have any money… I can't afford this.
But then, calm as a whisper, the man said,
"It's fine. You passed."
"Passed what?"
"The interview."
✧ Contract ✧
Shifts: 09:00–21:00 and 21:00–09:00
Pay: 40,000 won per hour, paid daily
Contract: One year. Non-cancellable.
"You're joking," I said, staring at the paper.
"I'm not joking. Your room is behind the counter. Oh, and the phone — call me only in emergencies."
A new contact had already appeared on my screen:
Store Owner.
Is he a hacker?..
"Congratulations," the man said as he walked away. "You're the new owner of the store."
"Owner? I just came in looking for a job… and now I'm managing this place? What the hell is going on?"
Аn hour later, my the first night shift began.
Outside, the city lights flickered through the rain-streaked window.
"Well, Ujin, new job. Maybe this time they'll actually give you a chance…" I mumbled, putting on the dark purple vest with golden seams and a spiral galaxy emblem.
Inside the tag it read: Wear before every shift. Do not hand-wash. Uniform is part of the contract.
"Huh. At least it's dry."
Ding!
A goblin walked in.
I'd only ever seen creatures like this in anime and RPGs — but now, here it was, standing right in front of me, as real as the rain.
Yep. A goblin. Small, green, wearing an old-fashioned coat — like it was late for a Victorian tea party.
I froze mid-breath, a chill running down my spine like I'd seen a ghost.
Okay. Maybe I slipped, hit my head, and this is just a fever dream. That would explain the uniform, too.
"Good evening! Do you have 'Star Energy Whisper Cookies'?"
"Uhh… third shelf to the left, I think."
He grabbed a pack and handed over a handful of coins — Korean won.
"Hundred… another hundred… five hundred… and a fifty…"
"Got any bills?" I asked, opening the register.
"What am I, a bank?" he grumbled and snatched his change.
Korean currency. So… we're still on Earth?
I glanced out the window — and froze.
Outside, fantastical creatures roamed the streets: fox-snake hybrids, bird-people, beings with wings, tails, and horns.
What in Studio Ghibli hell is going on?
They moved like this was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Fear and wonder tangled in my chest like two opposing storms fighting for control.
I felt the ground slip beneath my feet.
Yep. This ain't Gangnam anymore.
My thoughts scattered like leaves in a hurricane, trying to grasp something — anything — familiar.
Even the names of some products were… different:
"Crystals of Mental Clarity," "Moon Whale Salt," "Insomnia Shadow Muffin."
They looked ordinary, but sounded like items straight out of an RPG — magical, mysterious, and somehow familiar all at once.
Is this still my world? Or not quite?
Human infrastructure, Korean money… but magic and monsters? Like Earth, but… not.
After the goblin, two lizardfolk with three eyes came in. Chatted about something animatedly, paid in won, and left.
I was already running on autopilot… until she walked in.
A succubus. Red horns, pink wings, and a faint scent of alcohol.
"He dumped me! After everything! We held hands!" she sobbed like the world had ended.
In her culture, that was probably second base… or a marriage proposal.
"You're beautiful. Unforgettable. He didn't just lose someone — he lost you."
She blinked, lips trembling, eyes welling up again.
"You… really think so?"
I nodded. To be honest, I just wanted her to leave — I had work to do.
She bought a bottle of "Flame Lily Tears" and gave me a weak smile.
"Thanks… I'll be back."
Please don't, I thought.
But part of me hoped she would.
There was something about her — messy, chaotic, and strangely intriguing.
Time passed. No more shoppers.
I stood at the register, yawning.
"How am I supposed to work 24/7…" I muttered, rubbing my eyes.
I'm not a robot. But… I'm the owner now.
Hmm. I need someone for the day shift.
Ding!
The door opened. I looked up — and froze.
A girl stood there. Human. Brown eyes, violet-pink hair tied with a clip. She looked… sweet, but instead of browsing, she fidgeted nervously, eyes darting from the floor to me.
"Can I help you? Looking for something?" I asked gently.
"I… I want to be with you!" she said, cheeks flushing bright red.
My brain short-circuited.
"Wait—what?"
"No! Not like that. I mean… I want to work here. With you."
I came to my senses, a hint of disappointment flickering inside, but I covered it up with a relaxed smile.
"Why this store?"
"I just graduated," she said, fiddling nervously with the clip in her hair.
"My parents gave me a month to decide. I just… wanted to try something different. This store is close by, and… I don't know. It just felt like the right choice."
She looked down, almost apologetically, as if she expected me to laugh.
I sighed and looked at her. She wasn't putting on a fake smile, wasn't trying to act confident—just showing real, honest emotions.
"Well, if you're going to make weird life choices… this is definitely the place for it."
"Thank you!"
"Okay. 09:00–21:00. 40,000 won per hour.""
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled — like I'd just handed her the moon.
"Yeah," I said, scratching the back of my neck. "But there's only one uniform, so… we'll have to switch."
Why do I feel like this is going to get awkward real fast?
"Oh! I didn't introduce myself! I'm Yoon Ha Rin!"
Yoon Ha Rin… the kind of name that belonged to a K-drama heroine — sweet, tragic, and unforgettable.
"Son Ujin. Welcome to the team… Ha Rin-ah."
We exchanged numbers. She left to rest before her shift. I waited for morning.
"Good morning, time to get changed," I said to Ha Rin.
She walked in with a simple smile, wearing a white blouse, her hair neatly combed back.
"You look exhausted."
"Half dead," I muttered, quickly showing her around the store: the shelves, the cash register, the scanner, and a few customer service tips.
"This is your uniform," I said, handing over the vest. "Don't wash it. It's part of the contract."
"Got it! I'll do my best!"
"If anything comes up, message me."
We said goodbye. I walked to the door behind the counter, opened it — and froze.
A room. Large and clean like a hotel suite. Huge bed. Shower. AC. TV. Even a stove.
"What is this, a five-star Isekai starter pack?"
I blinked. Twice. It didn't disappear.
On the nightstand — a thick envelope. Cash. Real, papery cash.
Next to it, a note:
First week's pay. Buy something. Don't starve. — X.
I laughed. Not a loud laugh. More like the kind you make when the universe finally throws you a bone — and you're too tired to celebrate.
Am I dead? Did I win the reincarnation lottery? Is this a dream ATM?
I collapsed onto the bed.
If this is a trap, at least it's got pillows.
I closed my eyes.
Exhaustion pulled me down like gravity, but somewhere deep inside, a small spark flickered — fragile, but warm.
Maybe this was a new beginning.
Maybe… the universe finally decided to give me a chance.
A store in another world. A new life. A new chance.
I had no idea what awaited me.
But one thing was clear — I wasn't going to stop.