Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 14: A Moment of Peace
After 24 hours of non-stop hunting and pushing his body beyond its limits, Lee Hwan found himself in the heart of the sixth-floor city again. The streets bustled with players and native inhabitants, unaware of the storm that had just passed through the wilderness.
He wasn't looking for a fight now.
He was looking for… ramen.
Tired, sweaty, and still a little sore from his grind, Lee wandered into a small restaurant tucked between two blacksmith shops. A simple sign hung above the door: "Aroma Noodles – Best Broth in the Tower!"
The warmth inside was immediate. The scent of spices, meat, and sizzling oil filled the air. Players and locals sat at tables, slurping noodles or sipping warm broth, exchanging stories and laughs.
Lee Hwan stepped in, his presence causing a few glances, but he ignored them.
He took a seat near the corner and tapped the table's digital menu.
His eyes scanned the options for only a moment before he muttered,
"One bowl of instant ramen… extra spicy."
Ding!
[Order Confirmed: Instant Ramen – Extra Spicy. Preparing…]
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.
It had been fifteen straight days of combat. Nonstop grinding. Evolution after evolution.
He'd unlocked monarch-level abilities. Reached level 64.
Summoned dragons that could decimate armies.
And now… he just wanted noodles.
The door opened behind him, and someone entered—the waitress, holding a steaming bowl of ramen.
She placed it in front of him with a warm smile. "You look like you've been through a dungeon storm, stranger."
Lee chuckled softly. "Something like that."
He picked up the chopsticks and took the first bite.
The heat hit instantly—spice, steam, and flavor exploding in his mouth.
His eyes widened.
"Damn… this might be the strongest thing I've faced all day."
He smiled as he kept eating, one bite after another. His dragons rested inside his soul space. His mana regenerated steadily. The pain in his muscles faded. For once, he felt like just a normal guy… enjoying food in the middle of an abnormal world.
But even peace didn't last long.
A system message blinked in the corner of his vision.
Ding!
[Alert: Unknown Entity is observing you.]
[Multiple Rankers have taken interest in your progress.]
[Bounty Updated: 100 Billion Won – Increased Threat Level]
Lee Hwan sighed and looked down at his half-finished bowl.
"Can't even eat ramen in peace."
He stood up, wiped his mouth, and turned toward the door.
Behind him, shadows moved in the alley across the street.