episode_0001

0.

“Yes, we have received the resignation request from B-rank 13th hero, Eun Jiu.”

Inside the spacious Hero Association adorned with white tiles.

A female employee skillfully processed my documents using the keyboard.

She handled the administrative tasks, inquired about my intentions, and kindly assisted with the registration, but at the end, she furrowed her brow slightly, as if feeling a bit disappointed.

“Eun Jiu,”

“Yes.”

“I was a personal fan of yours, and I was wondering if you would reconsider retiring. You’re still young to retire…?”

“Haha… I’m sorry. There are various reasons for this.”

A gaze filled with deep sympathy.

“Was it because there was no change in rank for a year? Or do you have other complaints or issues regarding association tasks, personnel assignments, administrative procedures, or hero operations?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ve thought about it a lot, and it seems like this is the right decision.”

No comment.

I simply brushed it off as personal reasons.

After answering up to this point, the employee, who seemed to have determined that there was no room for further discussion, solemnly proceeded to finalize the process.

“B-rank hero . Activity officially ends today. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you.”

Finally, as the paperwork was completed, I stood up from my seat after thanking the hardworking employee.

I took one last look around the grand and majestic Hero Association interior, exhaling deeply with a mix of complex emotions.

“I did my best.”

It’s over now.

With hero activities coming to an end, I am now just an ordinary civilian.

Feeling relieved yet overwhelmed with a sense of bitterness, I tried to leave, but the employee called out from behind.

“Eun Jiu!”

“Yes, yes?”

I turned around to see the female employee standing there.

With her name tag reading ‘Ju Ah Reum’ shaking as she clenched her fists tightly, she sent me warm encouragement.

“If you’re quitting being a hero, what will you do next? As a true fan of Eun Jiu, I’ll support you in anything!”

Her caring and delicate heartwarming words instantly made me feel warm inside.

With a smile, I replied, “I’ll go for a new challenge!”

And so, I left.

Putting on various airs, I walked out of the Hero Association.

Unaware of the hell that awaited me ahead, like a fool.

1.

I messed up.

I’ve already started two businesses and failed both.

At first, I used my retirement pension as a hero and the money I had saved to open a cafe.

Thinking that retiring meant opening a cafe like everyone else, I was the one who ended up being that ‘everyone else.’

“Punch Cafe”

[For rental inquiries – 010-1XXX-XXXX]

“Genjaaaah!”

The first business was a complete failure.

Eager to start quickly, I underestimated market research and chose a location that wasn’t ideal, failing to make a profit.

But the second one was different.

After swallowing the bitter pill of the failed cafe, I decided to give it another shot.

I studied a bit, took out a loan to prepare myself, and climbed up from the bottom.

And so,

“A premium barbecue restaurant run by a former hero!”

“Opened with a bang! The former hero as the owner!”

“G Area’s attention, never compromise on meat quality!”

This time, I didn’t just focus on cutting costs but invested properly in market research and promotion.

Taking the failure as a lesson, I hired a manager and staff, arranged the space generously, and optimized the staff placement to maximize turnover.

The first few months were in the red due to the high initial investment, but looking at the projected sales graph, it was clear that the turnaround to profit was imminent.

With the strong first impression of a hero-run barbecue restaurant, we quickly gained regular customers.

A success story built on the foundation of failure.

…If only things had continued that way.

The calamitous Sandworm, the nightmare of the land, is currently rampaging in Area G. The danger level is a staggering 2! Residents, quickly seek refuge in sturdy high ground or bunkers…

“No! You crazy sandworm, please stop! Stop eating up my store!”

Despairingly swinging a shovel at the ground, I watch as the monster that suddenly appeared two months after opening my store devours it whole.

The creature that had been lurking beneath my store for a day, emerged with the morning sun, leaping proudly into the sky and gleefully swallowing my store whole.

No matter how hard I swung, the Sandworm’s tough carapace remained unscathed.

Formerly a hero, but only a lowly B-rank, facing a Grade 2 calamity like this was a formidable opponent even for a group of A-rank top-tier heroes.

My friends were relieved that they had come out of the store just before it was devoured, but tears of blood flowed from my eyes, having already lost everything.

Leaving behind a painful wound, my second closure.

Afterwards, thanks to monster insurance, I received some compensation for the damages, but it did not restore everything I poured my soul into the store.

I had to be grateful for salvaging only the value of the store, which was a mere fraction compared to the investment, barely covering half of the debt.

All that remained was debt.

The money I had earned and my retirement pay went to the cafe, and the remaining balance and loans went to the barbecue restaurant.

At this point, I had to think carefully and come up with an idea, considering it might be my last chance.

Despite suffering a setback, I couldn’t afford to wallow in self-pity, and to repay the increasing interest, I had to find a job again.

The idea of a tuna fishing boat flickered before my eyes, but as a last resort, I wanted to give it one more try.

I pondered.

I pondered and pondered…

“That’s it!”

After a hundred considerations, this idea finally emerged.

A healing center exclusively for heroes.

***

It doesn’t require special labor costs.

I can do it alone, and it doesn’t require a large space.

A daring idea to provide a resting place for well-known heroes as customers, something so specialized that only I can do it to save my business.

If this fails, I truly am a fool.

If I fail this time, I swore to be lower than a fish head.

“Ha… Was there a reason why others didn’t do this?”

From today, Eun Jiwoo (21 years old) decided to live as a fool.

After much deliberation, I opened the store, but on the third day, flies were buzzing around.

Except for the lady who came to deliver yogurt in the morning, not a single person visited the store.

It seems my grand dreams were just a pipe dream.

Perhaps it was because I invested a large sum of money, or maybe I was too lost in thought, I ended up shrinking and losing my focus.

I realized that there aren’t as many heroes in Korea as I thought.

If we add up all the active amateur heroes, there might barely be over 1,500.

Assuming that only 10% of them would discover this place, that’s 100 people.

I decided to charge a daily healing & therapy fee of 50,000 won, and even if 10 of those 100 become regular customers who visit once a week, it might just be enough to keep me afloat.

Upon reflection, even the set price seemed quite high.

Most B-rank heroes didn’t have to worry about expenses, so I thought from their perspective.

For the majority of C-rank heroes, who receive pay at the level of part-time jobs, I had forgotten the reality of passion pay.

In summary, a third failed venture, driven into the heart of the beast.

When you try to justify a failing business, everything becomes a reason.

Is this also heading towards closure, a bitter laugh escapes me.

“Siri, tell me the temperature of the Han River.”

[Yes, Jiwoo. The current temperature of the Han River is 9.8 degrees.]

Chilly.

But if it’s the vast Han River, wouldn’t it warmly embrace my body?

Anyway, even if I throw you, you won’t die because you have a sturdy body.

“Sigh, let’s stop being pessimistic. If it’s urgent, we can just go do some manual labor.”

Today, I got up to clean the shop, swatting away flies as usual.

Slowly, I started rearranging the chairs, turning them around and setting them up.

Jingling!

For the first time, a cheerful sound echoed in the shop.

I had hung a bell on the door, realizing too late that no one was coming.

“Oops.”

The person who entered was a woman.

She suspiciously wore a cap,

suspiciously wore a mask,

suspiciously wore sunglasses.

As soon as she came in, she looked around nervously and was startled.

Trying to speak, she altered her voice as much as possible.

“Um… is the store closed?”

After hearing that, I thought for a while.

What did she mean by “closed”? After pondering, I hurriedly answered.

“Oh, no! I’m still open… Are you a customer?”

“Well… I heard you relieve tired heroes.”

Turning her head to look around the store, she then focused back on me.

“Are you… going to provide the service yourself?”

Alone, it was natural, but I felt like she was staring right through my face.

Although her eyes were not visible behind the semi-transparent sunglasses, her long eyelashes faintly reflected towards my face.

“If that’s the case… would you like to receive the service?”

Nodding vigorously, she confirmed her cute intention.

As she confirmed her intention, I rearranged the chairs as if rewinding time.

Coming out from behind the counter, I energetically shouted like a sushi restaurant employee.

“Welcome! Today, we will warmly welcome Hero-nim.”

The first customer in the shop was startled as I bowed my head.

‘Damn, I was right…!’

I cried out in my heart.

The grand opening of the Hero-exclusive healing center, what a thrilling start.