Problem Customer

I woke up two hours before my shift.

The room was silent. Only the faint blinking of the charger light in the corner reminded me I wasn't dreaming. My phone screen showed just two contacts: "Boss" and "Ha Rin-ah."

No missed calls. No messages. No photos. It was as if someone had wiped away every trace of my past life.

Why me? Why here? And how the hell do I get back?

The world outside the window looked almost like Seoul: tall skyscrapers fading into low-hanging clouds, wide streets slick and shimmering from recent rain, even the road markings felt familiar. But some of the names… weren't quite right.

Same shell. Completely different world.

But the strangest thing? Fantasy creatures lived here. Elves, orcs, goblins. Real ones. And magic? It actually existed.

I remembered what Boss said when I first stepped into the store:

"Which world are you from?"

He knew. He knew I wasn't local.

So… he'd met others like me before? From other worlds? Other beings? Maybe there were other stores like this one?

But how did he know I wasn't just another customer?

Maybe the answer was in that glowing orb I touched. In isekai stories, those measure magical power. But here, it had been called… an interview?

And if my result had been different… what would've happened?

"People from Earth are rare," he said.

So I wasn't the first… but still one of the few.

Before I could spiral into overthinking, my phone vibrated.

"Ha Rin-ah," I muttered, staring at the screen.

I got dressed and stepped into the store.

"Ujin-ah!," Ha Rin's voice greeted me as I opened the door. She sounded nervous. "You're here just in time…"

Behind the counter stood something massive, green-skinned and muscular, like a living wall.

An orc.

Thick fangs jutted from his lower jaw, and he was holding… a grocery bag? Not a weapon.

"What happened?" I asked, glancing at Ha Rin.

"This customer…" She lowered her voice. "He says the package was already open when he picked it up. Refuses to pay. But I'm sure he opened it himself."

The orc gave me a smug smile — the kind worn by those who believe they own the room. I clench my fists. Not again.

I stepped forward.

"Apologies for the confusion," I said loudly, making sure everyone in the store could hear. "This was my fault. I didn't tell my colleague about the hidden surveillance. We have cameras here. If a customer acts suspiciously, she has full authority to press the emergency button."

The orc snorted. "Cameras? I looked around. There aren't any."

I smiled.

"Are you sure you know what all types of cameras look like? And that they're always mounted on walls?"

His smile vanished.

The other customers went silent, watching.

I reached under the counter.

And felt it. Cold. Metal. A real button.

It exists… Boss thought of everything.

"I'd rather not escalate things," I said calmly. "But if you insist on refusing to pay… I'll have no choice."

A long silence.

Then the orc dropped his gaze.

"…Fine. I'll pay."

He slapped down a few coins and left without another word.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling adrenaline rush through me. My hands trembled slightly, but I forced myself to stand firm.

"Ujin-ah…" Ha Rin came closer. "That was impressive."

"Were you scared?"

"A little. But I've seen worse. I just didn't want you to get into trouble. I should've handled it."

"Thanks, Ha Rin-ah. And… sorry I didn't warn you about the button."

"It's okay. Really."

She smiled. I smiled back.

She was… reliable. Genuinely.

As her shift ended, I asked:

"Ha Rin-ah… could you come in thirty minutes earlier tomorrow?"

"Hm? Why?"

"I want to learn more about this world. I'm a total countryside boy here."

She chuckled.

"Araso~ I'll be here. I'll tell you everything."

After she left, I stayed alone behind the counter. Then a customer approached.

Silver hair. Gray wolf ears. A tail.

"What're you staring at?" he grumbled.

"Sorry… I was just wondering what race you are."

"Werewolf."

"I thought maybe… beastfolk."

"People always confuse us with beastmen. I mean—the ears, the tail, the sharp senses—I get why.

But we're not really like them.

Before we turn eighteen, the full moon takes over. We shift and... lose everything. No thoughts, no memories. Just pure instinct.

But after eighteen? Something changes. We gain control."

"So, you're saying after eighteen, you're still yourself, even in wolf form?"

He gave me a small, approving smile.

"Exactly."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty. No need to worry."

He bought birthday candles. For his sister. She's turning fifteen soon.

"So… does she have a boyfriend yet?" I joked.

His expression darkened.

"She's too young for that."

Sister complex. Got it.

He turned to leave — then paused.

"Thanks for talking," he said quietly.

I offered a small smile.

"Anytime. Come by again — I'll be glad to see you."

Then came the elf.

Pale skin, long ears, regal face… and clearly drunk.

"Where's the alcohol…" he mumbled.

"Maybe some water first?"

"No!"

He walked down the aisle, popped open a bottle, and took a long swig.

"You can't drink here," I said, pulling it from his hand. "Store policy."

"They fired me…"

I paused. I knew that feeling.

"It's not the end. It just feels like it. It will get better."

He looked at me, eyes heavy with exhaustion and a flicker of hope.

"Why would someone like you say that?"

I shrugged, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Because I've been there. Lost everything, thought it was over. But life… it surprises you. You just have to keep moving forward."

He managed a weak smile and nodded.

"Thanks. Maybe this is the push I needed."

I handed him a small bottle of water from the shelf.

"Take care of yourself, okay? And remember — every end is just a new beginning."

He took the water, paid for it and the alcohol, and left.

I glanced at the clock — 8:30 AM. Ha Rin-ah showed up right on time.

"Sorry for taking up your morning," I said.

"Nah, Ujin-ah. I'm your collaborator now," she smiled.

We sank into the quiet corner of the store, the warmth of the tea cup seeping into my palms. Ha Rin's eyes met mine, serious and steady, as if she was about to reveal a secret long kept.

"Over a thousand years ago, this world was torn apart by war," she began. "All the races — humans, elves, orcs, werewolves — fought each other and the monsters that spilled out from the Gates."

I held my breath, listening closely.

"There was so much bloodshed that everyone realized it couldn't go on. That's when peace was made."

"And the humans?" I asked.

"There aren't many. They're not strong fighters, but they excel in infrastructure, technology, and magic."

She continued:

"Magic can't be used just like that. To use it, you have to pass a test. A certificate is required, and the minimum age is eighteen. There are three main types: offensive, defensive, and supportive magic. Each has dozens of subtypes."

I nodded, trying to absorb everything.

"The Gates… they still appear," Ha Rin-ah said. "They need to be cleared out — either by killing all the monsters or destroying the core of the Gate."

The world was starting to take shape, becoming clearer in my mind.

"Thank you, Ha Rin-ah," I said softly.

"Anytime, Ujin-ah," she replied with a smile.

She went on her shift, and I stood by the door.

For the first time, I felt this was more than just a job.

It was my new beginning.

I stepped outside and took a deep breath of fresh air.

The world beyond the store felt unfamiliar but inviting.

Ahead lay countless possibilities.

And I wanted to be ready for them.