Chapter 5: Signing Fate in a New World

“Chan, what would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have juice. I’m sensitive to caffeine.”

Hwang Guman poured orange juice into a glass and placed it in front of Kim Chan.

He had managed to bring the two people he wanted to recruit to the company, but now that it was time to offer them a contract, his heart was pounding.

“If neither of you is currently signed with an agency, would you consider working with our company?”

His intimidating appearance softened into something pitiful, like a cow being led to slaughter.

“Could we hear the terms first?”

Despite Hwang Guman’s pitiful expression, Kim Chan didn’t waver.

He straightened his posture and spoke clearly.

Roy looked at Kim Chan with surprise.

The way Kim Chan looked at Hwang Guman—serious and focused—was nothing like his first impression, which had been that of a timid crybaby.

“Of course, of course. I’ll show you the standard industry contract first, and then our company’s version.”

Hwang Guman brought over two tablet PCs and displayed the contracts so Roy and Kim Chan could read them side by side.

It was a strange thing.

This world felt completely different, and yet the writing was the same as the common language of the As Continent.

He had suspected as much ever since the conversations flowed naturally.

Of course, interpreting the meaning was another matter entirely.

“You’re welcome to get legal advice if you want. You can consult a free legal clinic too.”

Kim Chan carefully read through the details of the contract, while Roy sat still, pondering whether signing would actually be to his benefit.

This clearly wasn’t the As Continent anymore, and he definitely needed their help.

He had fallen into this world without a place to stay, without money—just his body.

That was when Roy heard the sound of drums beating directly in his ears.

[Drumroll! Our brave hero will now receive his first mission on Earth!]

[Ding!]

[Surprise Mission: As a hero from another world, acquire a certified job on Earth within one hour.]

[Reward: A Friendly Guidebook to Earth (includes a way to return to the As Continent!)]

[Bonus: An ID card]

[Penalty: Unconsciousness for 24 hours]

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with the contract?”

Hwang Guman nervously swallowed as he looked at Roy, who had suddenly tensed up.

Kim Chan, still deep into reading the contract line by line, hadn’t noticed.

Roy clenched his eyes shut.

He didn’t understand how any of this was possible, but his attention was fixed on the reward that the mysterious voice had promised.

An ID card.

Anywhere civilized, especially a place as developed as this, having an ID was essential.

And the guidebook—especially the part about returning to the As Continent—was too tempting to ignore.

The penalty didn’t even register.

“One hour…”

A hollow laugh escaped Roy’s lips.

He didn’t know what this world wanted from him, but one thing was clear—Earth wanted him to accept Hwang Guman’s offer.

Running outside now to find another job would take too long.

Signing this contract would be the fastest way to fulfill the mission.

“One hour? Do you… want time to think it over?”

Roy stared into space, muttering to himself.

Hwang Guman’s pupils trembled slightly, thinking he had figured Roy out.

But Roy’s expression only darkened, and he moved his lips soundlessly.

***

After a long moment, he finally spoke in a low voice.

“I’ll sign the contract.”

“What?”

“Seriously?”

Given Roy’s expression, Hwang Guman had fully expected to be rejected.

But the moment those words fell from Roy’s lips, he shot up from the sofa.

Even Kim Chan, who was still reviewing the contract, was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Roy to accept so suddenly.

[Wait, you’re deciding this quickly? But you won’t officially clear the mission until you actually sign!]

“Where do I sign?”

“Ah, just a moment…”

Hwang Guman snapped out of it and rushed out of the room.

The contracts he had shown Roy and Kim Chan earlier were only preliminary drafts.

“Hyung, do you even know what kind of contract you’re about to sign?”

“You’re more impulsive than you look.”

Kim Chan grabbed Roy’s arm with concern.

Lee Doha, who had been sipping coffee and quietly watching the situation, leaned forward with shining eyes.

“A proper job, right?”

“A job? That’s true, but… I looked over the contract, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with it. The terms are actually better than the industry standard.”

“Then you sign it too.”

Roy’s unexpected suggestion left Kim Chan speechless.

Once you sign a contract, your next seven years are basically sold.

“You can’t just decide something that big so easily—”

“But the contract’s fine, right?”

Roy’s gaze was steady, unwavering.

Unlike Kim Chan, who still seemed torn and hesitant.

“Yeah, but still—”

“Do it with me.”

Roy was pulling Kim Chan in.

For some reason, the memory of Hayes came to mind.

—Roy had invited Hayes—then a wandering knight—to join his knight order, the Royist Order, just like this.

—He had simply said: “I feel like I can do well if I’m with you.”

Kim Chan was the first person Roy had met in this strange world.

Even though they hadn’t known each other long, Roy felt more familiar with him than anyone else.

Kim Chan clenched his fist tightly, until it left marks in his palm.

Roy’s trusting gaze made his heart—once shattered by betrayal—tremble again.

“Roy, I brought the contract.”

Just as Roy and Kim Chan were locked in that unspoken moment, the door to the CEO’s office burst open.

Hwang Guman entered, holding the final contract in his trembling hands.

The paper rustled softly as he handed it over.

“Read through it carefully, and just sign right here.”

[Hero! In this world, your name is ‘Hwang Roy’! You must write it exactly the way I show you!]

A faint light appeared above the signature line.

Hwang Roy.

His name, written in Hangul.

Roy skimmed through the contract, then picked up the pen without hesitation and wrote his name in the signature box.

As the pen moved confidently across the page, the letters came out slightly misshapen.

“So your surname is Hwang too? That’s pretty rare. Interesting. But do you happen to have any ID on you right now…?”

Although Hwang Guman had Roy sign first, he still needed Roy’s personal details to complete the contract.

***

[Surprise Mission: As a hero from another world, you have completed the quest “Obtain a Profession on Earth!” Earth’s promised reward will now be given! Say ‘Inventory’—even if you only say it in your mind, Earth will understand perfectly!]

‘Inventory…’

Like a messenger window, a translucent screen appeared before Roy’s eyes.

It was filled with orderly square slots, arranged in a grid.

Only three of the slots were filled.

“This…?”

“You’ve already been issued a Hunter license? And you can even use the Inventory?”

Hwang Guman took the resident registration card and the Hunter license Roy handed over, his voice filled with surprise at Roy, who had seemed like a complete novice.

‘The rank still shows as a question mark here too. I guess that means it’s not such a rare occurrence?’

Just like when Hwang Guman had used his skill earlier, Roy’s Hunter license showed a question mark for his rank.

“Hyung, you have a surname? Then earlier… Anyway, I’ve never seen a rank marked with a question mark before. That’s wild! And your class is a Spirit Summoner?”

Sitting next to Roy, Kim Chan’s eyes widened as he looked at the Hunter license.

His reaction wasn’t obvious, but even Lee Doha’s usually calm eyes looked a little rounder than usual.

“I’ve never seen a Spirit Summoner before.”

There was a flicker of admiration in Kim Chan’s eyes as he looked at Roy.

Chan’s own class was a Tank—a role absolutely necessary in any Hunter idol group, but one that didn’t stand out much.

It was a solid yet ordinary profession, one difficult to gain attention with.

After a moment of stunned silence, Kim Chan seemed to make up his mind and also signed a contract with Hwang Guman’s company.

Now that both of them had signed, the company would have not just one, but two S-rank Hunters.

And with Roy being a rare Spirit Summoner, the future looked even brighter.

“Looks like things are finally turning around for our company… Tissues, please.”

Hwang Guman took the tissue Lee Doha handed him and gently dabbed the corner of his eyes.

With thick fingers, he pulled out his wallet and retrieved the corporate credit card he had been saving for a special occasion.

“Two new members joined the company today—this calls for a celebration. We’re getting premium Korean beef!”

“Boss, are we having a team dinner?”

Do Minkyung poked her head into the office, having instantly caught the word “beef.”

“You really do have sharp ears, Minkyung. Go ahead and start getting ready to leave. Prepare yourself—we’re going to eat until we burst.”

***

[Congratulations, Hero, on becoming a Hunter Idol Trainee!]

The messenger window sparkled in bright colors and flashed in front of Roy’s eyes.

‘Hunter Idol.’

It was the profession Roy had chosen to help him return to his original world.

Sizzle—

***

“Can I eat this now?”

“Hold on. You’ve gotta flip it one more time and shake off the juices like this—that’s when it tastes the best.”

Hwang Guman picked up the tongs and carefully shook off a piece of beef before placing it onto Do Minkyung’s plate.

Minkyung looked absolutely entranced as she dipped the slice of top-grade Korean beef in a bit of salt and brought it to her mouth.

As the beef melted gently on her tongue, her eyes glazed over in bliss.

“Come on, you guys eat too.”

Hwang Guman placed perfectly grilled slices of meat on the plates of Roy, Kim Chan, and Lee Doha.

Roy, already quite hungry, immediately reached for the meat.

But his chopsticks kept slipping and couldn’t grab it.

He had heard that certain parts of the As continent used these utensils, but this was his first time actually trying them.

He tried to copy the others by watching out of the corner of his eye, but it wasn’t easy.

“Hyung, if it’s too hard, use this. Or should I ask for a fork?”

“I can do it.”

Kim Chan offered a spoon, but Roy refused, his pride kicking in. He stubbornly gripped the chopsticks and managed—barely—to stab the piece of meat and bring it to his mouth.

“Roy, how is it? Tastes amazing, right? Bet this is your first time trying something like this.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at Roy.

His pale white skin was slowly turning red, like a drop of crimson ink falling on a blank canvas.

“This… what is this?”

“That’s top-grade Korean beef—Tteokppul chuck flap tail.”

Roy’s trembling eyes locked onto the sizzling meat on the grill, unable to look away.