Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 116



Only Krnovel

Episode 116: Myungam High School Alumni Association

Is it because I found out the truth I didn’t know?

Seon-ah’s hand holding the watch is trembling.

“Hey, sis! Be careful! It’s the price of a car! Oh, no! I said it was a limited edition. Anyway, I absolutely must not drop it!”

Even Soo-Jeong was making a fuss next to me in a trembling voice.

I smiled and calmed them down.

“Guys, it’s okay, just calm down for now.”

“S, boss, please take this. I can’t move… … .”

“Haha, okay.”

Seon-ah finally regained her sense of stability after handing me the watch.

“Whew, seriously… … I thought I was going to die.”

“Sister, are you okay?”

“Yeah… … But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to buy something like luxury. When I think about having to pay a monthly rent deposit, I suddenly feel uneasy.”

While they were gossiping amongst themselves.

I searched for ‘gourmet festival’ on my phone.

[Gourmet Festival]

This is an awards ceremony held at the beginning of each year by the Gourmet Guide. Only restaurants that have been awarded a Gourmet Bon or a Star can participate in the awards ceremony, and awards are given in each cooking category, such as ‘Appetizers’, ‘Soup’, ‘Fish Dishes’, and ‘Meat Dishes’. Also… … .

Rumor has it that some ‘star restaurants’ that are unable to attend the Gourmet Festival are given unofficial awards (though this is not confirmed).

‘Well, it’s like an awards ceremony to choose the star among the stars.’

Honestly, even when the gourmet guide staff gave me a watch.

I always wondered why he gave me the watch, but now I understand a little.

‘He said he gave this to me because he felt sorry for not inviting me to the awards ceremony.’

Honestly, I didn’t even know there was a gourmet festival.

‘Anyway, it’s really cool!’

Freebies are always welcome.

‘It’s a good thing my watch was broken too.’

A wristwatch that was a keepsake from my father that I received from Grandma Okja.

I took it to a repair shop because the second hand hadn’t moved for a while, either because the medicine had worn off or because it was broken.

‘Let’s just wear this for the time being.’

I put the watch on my empty wrist.

“Hey, boss, can you drive that?”

Soo-Jung asks, blinking her eyes.

“Huh? I gave it to you to drive around in, right? You should drive it around.”

“That’s true, but, ugh… … The boss is really amazing. I would have been so scared that I would have just displayed it in my room.”

That’s right, it’s not a cheap watch by any means.

Moreover, the Gourmet Guide was created in collaboration with a company called Jagger Mushrooms.

Because it also had the uniqueness of being a one-of-a-kind watch.

but.

‘It’s a nice watch, but it’s still a 38 gold watch, right?’

It wasn’t a very expensive watch by my standards.

Rather than the price, I liked the phrase [Humanity Cafe] engraved on the inside of the watch.

I smiled and said to them.

“But at times like this, it’s a good idea to wear an expensive watch.”

“Oh, that’s right! Anyway, congratulations, boss!”

“Congratulations!”

I headed for the door, receiving their heartfelt congratulations.

“Okay, everyone, should we get ready for the next diffuser time?”

“yes!”

* * *

A few days later.

I found a hotel located in Seoul.

“Is this it?”

In response to my question, Dong-Hyeon looks at his cell phone.

“Glind Hotel, B3… …Is that right?”

“Shall we go right away?”

“for a moment.”

Dong-Hyeon, who suddenly blocked me with his hand, takes a deep breath.

“What are you doing?”

“What can I say, I’m just nervous. It takes courage to go out to such a burdensome place. Ugh, it would have been a little better if Jaejun and the others had come too.”

“… … ?”

I looked at Dong-Hyeon, laughing in disbelief.

‘I wonder what the reunion is like, so I asked if we could go together. When is it time to just sing?’

Of course, I’ve never been to a gathering like this before.

I accepted his offer because I was curious.

Who would have thought that the guy who made the offer would be so nervous?

“What’s so special about a class reunion? It’s just a place to see how the kids I took classes with are living. If I get the chance, I exchange phone numbers and business cards.”

“… … That’s right! People’s lives are all the same, what’s the big deal?”

Dong-Hyeon, who hit my cheek hard, opens his eyes wide.

“Let’s go!”

I was able to easily find the restaurant that Dong-Hyeon and I had reserved under the name of ‘Myeongam High School’.

Inside a buffet-style restaurant.

ha ha ha-

There were already quite a few men and women eating and chatting.

‘There seem to be quite a few people attending.’

It was an event attended only by the 44th graduating class, the year I graduated from high school.

Still, there were more attendees than expected.

‘Is that normal?’

Even when I graduated from high school, there were so many students that year that there were almost 900 graduating students.

As I was looking around.

“Hey, Inseong. Look over there!”

Donghyun pokes my side and points somewhere with his chin.

“why?”

“Isn’t that a must-have?”

“… … Philgun? Ah.”

I had to hold back my laughter when I saw the big man.

Pilgun, who dominated the basketball court with his sturdy body.

Even though time had passed, the guy’s appearance didn’t seem to have changed much since then.

‘That’s amazing.’

It’s not just Pilgeon.

I looked at the faces of the people sitting one by one.

I see the faces of my friends from back then that I remember.

‘It’s been several years since everyone graduated, but the original version still remains.’

Aram, who was the prettiest in the class, and Jiseon, who studied the best.

In addition, there were close friends whose names I forgot, but who would play board games during breaks and covet each other’s pocket money.

Even though it was only for a little while, I really feel like I’ve gone back in time.

At that time.

“Hey, aren’t you human? Are you human?”

Pilgeon raises his hand toward me as if he recognized me.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it’s been a really long time! Wow, Donghyun was here too?”

“Yeah, that’s my brother.”

With Dong-hyun’s joke, we all sat down together.

At first, the atmosphere was a bit unfamiliar and awkward.

“Hahaha! Really? Let’s have a drink!”

One glass, two glasses, as the alcohol goes in, the mood gradually relaxes.

“You know, Sang-Hyeon? You know, the guy who was late every day and ended up paying over 100,000 won in late fees.”

“Ah, I know, I know!”

“I heard Sang-Hyeon got married?”

“That kid?”

“Yeah, Inma. I heard that guy got married after an accident. He must be busy taking care of his daughter right now.”

“This is awesome.”

Starting with a conversation about friends’ recent activities.

“I met a crazy dog ​​in Hongdae last time.”

“Wow, really? You’re still a teacher?”

“I don’t know. I met her in front of the school, so maybe she’s still a teacher?”

“You really got hit a lot.”

“That’s right! If I went back, I would have just reported it to the police. I was too young back then.”

A story about a former teacher I met recently.

And at some tables where there were only men… … .

“These days, don’t let me fly!”

“Hey, when did you fly? Don’t you know that Hulan is popular these days? You can just fly around the city.”

Let’s start with that soccer story.

“While the active-duty brothers were talking, public interest intervened!”

“Yeah, you didn’t go, right? Isn’t that a huge deal?”

“Ugh… … .”

A sweaty discussion was held about how hard each unit had worked.

I smiled inwardly as I watched that scene.

‘Everyone has gotten older, but there isn’t much difference between then and now.’

If the main topics of your school days were studying, dating, and playing.

The difference, if there was one, is that the topics are more diverse now.

Especially among various topics.

The story about the ‘top’ was a popular topic that everyone was interested in.

“Have you seen the news? I heard there’s been a significant increase in the number of people trying to get into the top recently.”

“Hey, even though it’s hard to get a job these days, it’s not like I’m a top. Even if I roll around in shit, wouldn’t this world be better?”

“Well, that means life has gotten tougher. Honestly, why would people with decent jobs go to the top? Life is that tough… … .”

Quite a variety of opinions were brought up at the table.

“Even if those who went in before are like that, honestly, don’t you think it’s a little late to go in now? Aren’t those who went in there before already eaten everything they could and have vested rights?”

“Instead, you can enter with a lot of information. You can do something based on that. And who knows? You might even gain some awesome abilities by entering the tower.”

“And even vested interests aren’t invincible. Didn’t you see the video a while ago? Wow, I never imagined that the scales of balance would get torn apart like that.”

Pilgeon puts down his glass and continues speaking.

“From what I’ve seen, those guys are idiots! If you had ears, you would have heard that the vanguard lost to the fantasy shopkeeper. But I don’t know what kind of confidence they have to rush in?”

“Whoa, calm down. Did you happen to buy the Balance of Balance coin pool?”

“No, right? I don’t understand why those guys who are capable enough to create a business district and recruit talented people did that. They could have just gotten along, so why did they insist on… …”

Dong-Hyeon, a fan of ‘Top’, has his eyes sparkling.

“There may have been some trick, but it didn’t work.”

“… … What are you trying to do?”

“Yes. Alves, who usually doesn’t show himself, has shown up. Doesn’t something smell a little fishy? From what I saw in the video, it looks like some kind of golden parchment.”

As soon as Donghyun finished speaking.

I glanced at the guy and thought.

‘… … It’s quite sharp?’

“Anyway, I think he was aiming for something, but he failed and ended up like that.”

“Certainly… … I think what you said makes sense.”

“Anyway, there really isn’t anyone who would try to mess with the fantasy shop owner in this matter, right?”

Pil-geon nods his head in agreement to Dong-hyeon’s question.

“The one who touches it is crazy. Who would want to touch it when the vanguard and the balance of the scales have been destroyed?”

“But who is the real identity of the shopkeeper of the fantasy? I really looked up all the related videos, but there’s really no information? I’m dying of curiosity. The voice sounds like a man, but isn’t it actually a woman?”

Now the topic shifts to ‘Fantasy Shopkeeper’.

The story goes something like this: I’m talking about the things I sell in my store.

“But I think the shop owner is a bit of a weird guy. I knew him from the time he started making elves put fertilizer on their faces. He’s not your average weird guy.”

“What about feeding the giants fried chicken noodles?”

Pilgeon and Donghyun got along well and chatted happily.

I looked at Donghyun and smiled quietly.

‘What is the guy who said he was going to find a girlfriend doing?’

Donghyun looked like he was in no mood to make a girlfriend again today.

At that moment, I was about to join the sweaty conversation again.

“Inseong, hello?”

Suddenly a woman spoke to me.

‘… …Who is it?’

I see you know my name.

I think he was a student in the same class, but I can’t tell who he is just by looking at his face.

“Oh, hi. That… … .”

“Don’t you remember me? Nara, Kim Nara.”

“Country? Ah.”

Now I remember.

A sincere friend who used to be the class president.

‘But Jeon and I… are so different?’

The modest appearance from back then is nowhere to be found.

There stood a beautiful woman.

“It’s been a while, Nara. You’ve become so pretty that I didn’t recognize you.”

“thank you.”

The country smiles brightly.

“It seems like your personality has changed a lot from before. Somehow, you feel like you’ve become much cooler.”

“okay?”

“Yeah. If you felt a bit naive in the past, you feel a lot more mature now?”

As soon as the country’s speech was over.

“That’s right! Your personality has really changed a lot!”

“That’s right! I didn’t recognize you at all. Have you grown taller by any chance?”

The other women around her laugh out loud and clap their hands in agreement.

I answered with a snicker.

“Oh, what are you talking about? You guys must have had a lot to drink, judging by the nonsense you’re talking about.”

At that time, I was chatting with my girlfriends.

“What are you guys talking about so enjoyably?”

A man wearing glasses walks toward us.

* * *

‘Tsk… … .’

Park Mo-su.

I wasn’t very happy with the situation right now.

No, this feeling was closer to discomfort.

‘I was just trying to have a conversation with the country, but because of that worthless kid… … .’

I remembered who that guy was.

Kim In-seong.

‘When I was young, I didn’t seem to care much about studying or sports.’

He was just an ordinary guy.

I remember him not being my competitor.

The guy I met again at the reunion was a little different.

‘Did he really look that good?’

Kim Mo-su tilted his head for a moment, but soon a sneer appeared on his lips.

‘It’s fixed.’

Most ordinary lives end ordinaryly.

Moreover, the probability that Kim In-seong, who had no special characteristics, would suddenly change was extremely low.

“Oh, Kim Mo-su~ Long time no see!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while, everyone.”

“The parameters haven’t changed at all.”

“That’s right. I knew it right away.”

“Uh… … Really?”

Whether the mother is groping or not.

The women continued to chatter.

“Hohoho! Yes, Inseong has really changed a lot.”

“Oh, you guys, really, don’t do that. You’ll get scolded.”

“Inseong~ Why are you pretending to be embarrassed? If you’re so good?”

It’s annoying.

There are also women who seem to only be interested in Inseong.

I also get annoyed at that poor kid who must have spent all his money on plastic surgery.

While Mosu desperately hides his annoyance.

The women asked with a smile.

“Hey, but you guys aren’t that close? You don’t even say hello to each other.”

“I did it, Mosu didn’t accept it.”

“That’s right. I saw it from the side. Inseong said hello, but Mosu suddenly disappeared.”

Mosu took a step closer, forcing a smile.

“What are you talking about? I haven’t seen you say hello. Inseong, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“How have you been? Your personality… has become much more handsome?”

It may be a harsh statement, but Kim In-seong is unwavering.

“Oh, what’s wrong with you all today? Do you think I’m going to pay for your drinks just because you guys are like that?”

The girls laugh out loud.

‘Fuck, what’s so funny about that? Why are you laughing at that dad joke?’

Looking at the country that smiles the brightest next to humanity.

Liar!

The mother’s clothes are bursting.

‘I should have gotten plastic surgery instead of studying… … .’

While Mosu was forcibly controlling his shit-eating face and stealing glances at the country’s face.

The country looks at Kim In-seong and asks.

“So, what is Inseong doing these days?”

“I just run a small cafe.”

That moment.

Flash-

A lightning bolt struck Mosu’s head.

Now is your chance.

What accomplishments could that bastard Kim In-seong have had in his life?

That guy just spent money on plastic surgery to get his face looked like this.

‘A cafe? I guess that’s also run on debt.’

I can already clearly see the dark life he is living.

On the other hand, it is time to properly show the difference between you and this person, who is slowly and faithfully advancing into the higher class of life, step by step.

“A cafe? What cafe… … .”

“You were running a cafe!”

Mosu quickly intervened in the conversation between Nara and Kim In-seong.

He looked at Inseong with a smile that was not in his heart.

“I heard on the news these days that a lot of self-employed people are having a hard time. How are you? Is business going well?”

“I think I can live on my own somehow. How have you been?”

This is exactly the question that Mosu wanted to ask.

Mosu spoke with his shoulders tense.

“I got a job at Hyeonseong and I’m going to work there.”

Hyunseong Group.

One of the top five in Korea.

It was a major corporation that everyone wanted to join.

There was a thud on the table.

“Wow, Mosu. Isn’t it incredibly difficult to get in there?”

When the country looked at him, it asked.

Mosu adjusted his glasses and looked at Inseong.

“It was hard. But the hard work paid off. Anyway, In-seong, if you have any trouble running the store, don’t hesitate to tell me. It might be hard to just help out, but it’s not hard to go and buy a cup of coffee.”

Mosu thought to himself.

‘This is the difference between you and me, Inseong. It’s the difference between someone who knows how to work hard and someone who doesn’t.’

The owner of a small neighborhood cafe VS an employee of Hyunseong Group.

There seemed to be no need to compare which side had the upper hand.

“Haha, no. It’s okay.”

Seeing Insei’s smiling rejection, Mosu smiled with conversion.

‘You punk, isn’t that a joke? Then why did you act like that in front of me?’

Mosoo decided to fan this flame further.

If you go to that guy’s cute little cafe and post a picture of the current staff showing off their wealth on Nersta, it will be quite a sight.

“Oh! Don’t be difficult! What’s the point of being a good alumni? It’s about helping each other in times like this. Don’t be difficult, and tell the other kids. Then they’ll come over and buy you another drink, right? That’s how you increase your customer base!”

“Well, I guess it would be a bit much to turn down such a kind offer, right?”

Mosu nodded quickly.

“Okay! Which cafe is it? Tell me the name, I’ll go with my coworkers later!”

“Thank you. Our cafe is named after me, Insung Cafe. Come visit us sometime later.”

“… … .”

‘Humanity… … Cafe?’

A frowning mother.

It’s a name I’m sure I’ve heard somewhere, but I can’t quite remember.

“……uh?”

In the midst of all this, the country suddenly opened its eyes wide.

Ask carefully, looking at the character.

“Inseong-ah, are you talking about that Inseong Cafe? That ‘Inseong Cafe’ that sells things like the scent of the sea and the Devil’s Waffles?”

“that’s right.”

The room became quiet for a moment.

Only a strange silence flowed.

Breaking the silence, the country mutters.

“Oh my god… … .”