Episode Three (03)

  “An Unknown Destination”

  Two Weeks Before Kimichi Met Kuowon

  The faint sound of running water echoed through the quiet house. Steam drifted out of the bathroom as the door slowly creaked open. Kimichi stepped out, towel resting loosely on his damp hair, droplets of water trailing down his chest. He wore only his jeans, the cool air sending a brief shiver across his skin.

  He dragged his feet into his room, the bathroom door closing softly behind him. The room smelled faintly of soap and warm metal from his PC, which hummed quietly under a pile of clothes. His eyes instinctively locked onto his phone lying face-up on his bed.

  Chime.

  The sound was sharp and sudden.

  Kimichi stopped mid-step.

  Another message.

  He sighed, irritation flickering across his face.

  “Ugh… who now?” he muttered.

  With a flick of his left hand, he yanked the towel off his head and tossed it carelessly to the floor. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, snatching his phone off the pillow.

  His eyes scanned the screen.

  Then widened.

  The message was from Peter.

  Peter: Hey bud, check out my new page and tell me what you think.

  Kimichi blinked twice, his brows knitting together.

  “New page…?” he repeated under his breath, confusion creeping in.

  Before he could tap the message or scroll further—

  “KIMICHI!!” his mother’s voice thundered from downstairs.

  “GET OVER HERE!!”

  Kimichi jumped.

  His phone slipped from his fingers and hit the floor with a dull clack.

  “Sh—!” he hissed, clamping his mouth shut immediately.

  He spun around in a panic, eyes darting across the room.

  “My shirt… my shirt—where the hell did I—”

  His gaze landed on the table.

  The T-shirt lay draped over his PC monitor.

  “There!” he said, relief flashing across his face.

  He rushed forward, yanked the shirt off the PC, barely caring that it slid across the keyboard, and pulled it on as he bolted toward the door.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Kimichi!” his mother called again.

  “I’M COMING!” he shouted back, already halfway down the stairs.

  Downstairs

  “What took you so long?” his mother asked, arms crossed but her tone calm.

  Kimichi scratched the back of his head awkwardly, letting out a nervous laugh.

  “Haha… I was bathing.”

  “Well, good,” she replied. “Your lunch is on the table.”

  “Oh—thanks, Mom,” he said with a small smile.

  She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

  “I’m heading to the shop. I’ll see you later.”

  “Yeah, see you soon,” Kimichi replied.

  She waved as she stepped outside, the door closing behind her.

  The house fell silent.

  Kimichi stood there, staring around aimlessly.

  “…Now what?” he murmured.

  Suddenly his eyes widened.

  “Oh shit—my phone!!”

  He spun on his heel and sprinted back upstairs.

  Kimichi’s Thoughts

  (As you can see, I’m just a regular guy. Name’s Kimichi Tei-Homora. Not a wizard. No legendary destiny. Honestly, I don’t even know why the author is showing you all this.)

  (I’m not even the main character.)

  (If you want a real MC, that’d be my little sister—the one they call the Flaming Red-Haired Devil. Got that title when she was ten. A prodigy. Born with one of the most legendary Gifts ever.)

  (Me? I’ve got work.)

  The Sky Above the Kingdoms

  High above the clouds, Kimichi sat astride his motorbike, wind roaring past him as the engine growled beneath his hands.

  He twisted the throttle.

  The bike responded instantly—runes etched along its frame igniting with soft golden light.

  The air in front of him warped.

  A magical portal tore open with a crackling hum.

  Kimichi leaned forward, grin spreading across his face.

  “Here we go.”

  WHOOSH.

  He shot forward, vanishing into the portal as it snapped shut behind him.

  Phoenix Arizona – Above Ninchin Delivery

  The wind suddenly shifted.

  Civilians walking the streets gasped as hats flew into the air. Some grabbed lampposts. Others shielded their eyes.

  “Hey—what’s happening?!”

  BOOM.

  A massive portal exploded open in the sky.

  From it—

  WHOOSH.

  Kimichi burst out, engine roaring as he flipped the bike mid-air and descended smoothly. He landed just outside Ninchin Delivery, tires skidding slightly before stopping cleanly.

  Nearby, Tracy, one of the delivery workers, leaned against her bike, eyes sparkling with amusement.

  “You really love making an entrance, don’t ya?” she said, walking toward him.

  Kimichi pulled off his helmet, sweat dripping down his face. He shook his head vigorously.

  “Wooo—man,” he exhaled, grinning. “Never gets old.”

  “Well,” Tracy smirked, turning toward the shop, “let’s get to work.”

  “I was thinking,” Kimichi said casually as he followed her inside, “maybe I’ll do food deliveries only today.”

  She laughed over her shoulder and pushed the door open.

  Inside, Mr. Sheyon Ling looked up, beaming.

  “Hahaha! Good morning!!”

  He placed four plastic bags on the counter—along with a small blue stone.

  “Kimichi wants food-only deliveries today,” Tracy teased, pointing at him.

  “Hey!” Kimichi protested. “You traitor.”

  “It’s fine,” Mr. Ling said warmly. “Today, Kimichi is covering for Tei-Hoo.”

  Mr. Ling leaned down behind the counter, rummaging around.

  Kimichi stepped closer, eyeing the bags.

  “This all I’m delivering today?”

  “Yeah,” Mr. Ling replied. “Slow day.”

  As Mr. Ling disappeared into the back room, Kimichi absent-mindedly picked up the blue stone, assuming it was a Detection Stone, and slipped it into his pocket.

  “See ya, sucker,” Kimichi said playfully, sticking out his tongue at Tracy as he left.

  The Mistake

  Outside, Kimichi placed the bags into the delivery box behind his bike. He pulled out the stone and set it into the slot at the center of the steering wheel.

  The stone glowed gold.

  A portal formed in the distance.

  “Yes!” Kimichi laughed.

  He revved the engine.

  The bike lifted.

  WHOOSH.

  He vanished.

  Moments later, Mr. Ling burst outside.

  “…Shit.”

  Tracy turned. “What’s wrong?”

  “He took the wrong stone.”

  An Unknown Destination

  The heat was unbearable.

  Lava bubbled and cracked across the land, rivers of fire carving through blackened stone.

  High above it all, Kuowon hovered silently, eyes scanning the terrain.

  Then—

  The wind changed.

  A portal opened.

  “Huh?” Kuowon muttered.

  Kimichi blasted out of it—

  Straight above lava.

  “WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!” Kimichi screamed.

  Below, eyes opened in the darkness.

  Red.

  Glowing.

  A beast erupted from the lava with a deafening roar.

  Kimichi froze.

  (What the hell…)

  To Be Continued...