Saved by... a Refrigerator?

Visual: Close-up - Han So-Yoon's knife is poised above Park Min-Ho's throat. A malevolent grin on her face. Just one more second, and...

— Well, that's it, worthless, — the System says in Park Min-Ho's head. — End of the story. It wasn't very pleasant, but at least now I'm free! You can say hi to your grandma in the afterlife!

Park Min-Ho, still unconscious, doesn't react. He has no idea that his life is hanging by a thread. Or rather, on the sharp blade of the treacherous Han So-Yoon's knife.

— Although, you know, — the System continues, — for once, I even feel a little sorry. You were such a convenient object for bullying... Who am I going to bicker with now?

Han So-Yoon raises the knife, preparing to deliver the fatal blow...

— Hey! Put that down! - a loud, demanding voice suddenly rings out.

Han So-Yoon flinches in surprise and drops the knife. The blade falls to the ground with a clang, an inch from Park Min-Ho's neck.

— What? Who's there? - she asks, looking around fearfully.

— I'm here! In the refrigerator! - the voice answers.

Han So-Yoon slowly turns her head and sees... an old, battered refrigerator standing in the middle of the clearing. Where it came from is a mystery. But even more mysterious is that it... speaks.

— A refrigerator? - Han So-Yoon asks, bewildered. — You... you can talk?

— What did you think? You're in a fairy tale? - the refrigerator grumbles. — Of course, I can talk! And I'll thank you not to be so familiar! I am Refrigerator-sama, Keeper of Provisions and Lord of Cold!

— Wha...? - Han So-Yoon is completely speechless.

— Are you deaf? - the refrigerator exclaims indignantly. — Or just stupid? I clearly said - don't touch him!

— But... but he... - Han So-Yoon tries to object, but the words get stuck in her throat.

— I don't care who he is! - the refrigerator thunders. — He's under my protection! Now get lost before I freeze you solid!

— System, are you hearing this too? - Park Min-Ho mentally asks, starting to regain consciousness.

— Unfortunately, yes, — the System sighs. — And it seems we have a problem...

Han So-Yoon, still not believing her eyes and ears, backs away from the refrigerator. She's clearly not ready for an encounter with sentient household appliances, especially one with such a bad temper.

— You... who are you? - she asks, stammering.

— I already told you! - the refrigerator roars. — I am the Keeper! And I won't let you kill this... uh... - the refrigerator falls silent, as if trying to remember something.

— Worthless piece of trash? - the System helpfully suggests.

— Exactly! - the refrigerator exclaims joyfully. — I won't let you kill this worthless piece of trash!

— Thanks, I appreciate it,- Park Min-Ho mutters mentally.

— Don't mention it! - the refrigerator replies. — Anytime!

Han So-Yoon, realizing that she's gone completely insane, turns and runs away as fast as she can, far from this strange place and the even stranger refrigerator.

— That's right! - Refrigerator-sama says with satisfaction. — No place for riffraff like you! And you, — he addresses Park Min-Ho, — what are you lying around for? Get up!

Park Min-Ho slowly sits up, still not fully understanding what happened. He looks at the refrigerator, then at the spot where Han So-Yoon had just stood with a knife, then back at the refrigerator.

— You... you saved me? — he asks finally.

— Something like that, — Refrigerator-sama replies. — I don't like it when someone gets killed right under my nose. It's disorderly.

— But... why? — Park Min-Ho still can't get over it.

— Just because! Don't ask stupid questions! - the refrigerator grumbles. — You'd better say thank you that I was nearby.

— Thank you, — says Park Min-Ho, bewildered.

— That's better, — says Refrigerator-sama. — Now get lost. I need to conserve energy.

— But... where should I go? — asks Park Min-Ho.

— How should I know? - the refrigerator snorts. — You're supposed to be a Hunter. Go hunt or something. Or whatever it is you people do.

— But...

— That's it! Enough! - Refrigerator-sama cuts him off. — Conversation over!

With these words, the refrigerator falls silent. Park Min-Ho is left alone in the middle of the clearing, saved from certain death by... a talking refrigerator.

— So, hero, what are your plans? - the System asks, breaking the silence.

— I... I don't know, — Park Min-Ho admits honestly. — I think I've gone mad.

— Welcome to the club! - the System chuckles. — At least now you won't be bored.

Park Min-Ho sighs and gets to his feet. He still doesn't understand what's going on, but one thing he knows for sure - his adventures are just beginning. And, apparently, they will be even more absurd than he could ever have imagined.

Visual: Park Min-Ho, saved by a talking refrigerator, stands in the middle of the clearing, not knowing what to do next.