“Hah… haha.”

Go Byeonggap emerged from the bank’s main branch, his mouth splitting into a helpless, ceaseless grin. He tried to stop it from leaking out, but it was no use. So he let it be. For today, it was fine to look like a guy with a few screws loose.

“All paid off. I said all paid off! Uwaaah! I did it!”

“Mom, why’s that uncle acting like that?”

“Shh! Don’t stare!”

Go Byeonggap shouted hurrahs in the middle of the street, arms raised high. Pedestrians shuffled aside, giving him a wide berth. He didn’t care. He clasped his hands together, lifted them to his forehead, and shook them, trembling.

‘I thought I’d be hounded by this for life. Attaboy, Byeonggap!’

The expedition settlement was complete. The money he received came to 2.1 billion won. After taxes, the actual amount deposited in his account was still 2.1 billion.

The moment he got the money, Byeonggap cleared his wretched debts. Even after that, he had over 1.9 billion won left.

‘What do I do with this money?’

Money comes in, and his first thought is how to spend it. But the saying goes, only those who’ve eaten meat know how to slice it — with a sudden windfall, he had no idea how to handle it.

If he’d been a bit smarter or more worldly, he might have considered real estate or stocks for wealth management. But unfortunately, his knowledge and experience in that area were zero.

‘If I blow it all on a high, I could end up ruining myself. Let’s start with the essentials, one step at a time.’

From that day on, Byeonggap got busy.

First, he prepared to move. He cleared out the 6-pyeong studio he’d lived in for two years, going in and out of real estate offices like they were his second home, hunting for a new nest.

‘I’ve got my mom, so I need to stay in Seoul, but decent properties are way too expensive… No good. Let’s go with jeonse for now. It’s fine. I’m still young, and I’ve got plenty of years to earn money.’

Byeonggap signed a jeonse contract for an officetel in Yongsan-gu. The deposit was about 460 million won. He didn’t have a wife or kids, so there was no reason to insist on an apartment.

“Aigo, I’m so sad to see you go, young man Byeonggap.”

The day he left the (beloved?) villa neighborhood in Sillim-dong. As he was about to start hauling his stuff, the landlady showed up.

Was she sad that Byeonggap was leaving, or sad that a tenant was leaving? Well, who knows.

“Anyway, take care of yourself over there.”

“Yes, ma’am. You stay healthy too.”

He hitched a ride on the moving company’s truck to his new place. The officetel was exactly to his liking. It was a new building, clean, with great surrounding infrastructure. Best of all, his mother’s hospital was a ten-minute walk away.

The only downside was the empty space, but there was a certain fun in filling it up in his own way.

After ordering furniture and finishing the unpacking, night had fallen. Looking down at the bright Seoul nightscape, he felt a bitter twinge.

“Hmph. Even after moving, there’s not a single friend to come to a housewarming.”

He wasn’t bragging, but his social circle was brutally small. Not that he had some glaring flaw—circumstances had simply forced him into isolation.

‘After the military, it was all about making money and paying off debt. No time for anything else. And now? Feels too awkward to just reach out out of the blue.’

The friends he’d been tight with in high school. The guys he’d shared two years of hell with in the army. Were they all doing okay?

“Not exactly thrilled, am I. And I just landed this nice place.”

He muttered to himself, staring at the hollow apartment. Just like he said—he wasn’t really happy. Even if it was only a lease, he’d finally gotten his own place.

He’d been happier pitching the first tent in Asvillam. So what was the difference between here and there?

“It’s whether there’s someone waiting for you or not.”

He took a sip of beer and let out a dry chuckle. Who’d have thought he’d end up in such a sentimental mood? Guess he really was getting older. Well, in a few days he’d be twenty-six, wouldn’t he?

Anyway, the first night in the new place passed quietly.

The next day, Go Byeonggap visited a dealership to pick up a new car.

A car was a man’s dream, after all. And for a hunter, it was the number-one essential item.

Byeonggap pictured the sleek imported SUV Jeong Seongyeong used to drive. He honestly wanted something like that, but no matter how he looked at it, it was pure luxury.

So he settled for a decent Korean-made model.

“Korean cars are great these days, you know. Anyone who looks down on them is a fool.”

The dealership dealer rambled on without being asked. Was the guy some kind of patriotism fanatic?

Anyway, he’d already had his eye on a specific car, so the contract was wrapped up quickly.

He signed for a Korean large SUV. The moment he swiped 56 million won in full—loaded with every option—the looks he got shifted.

“Delivery’ll take about a month at best, two or three at worst!”

“Please make it as fast as possible.”

“Yes, sir! Have a great day!”

Byeonggap stepped out of the dealership feeling light. What waited for him was still his tiny compact car. Not many days left to drive this little darling.

It was so old he couldn’t even resell it. High chance it was destined for the scrapyard.

Moving out of his rental hadn’t hit him, but scrapping this thing? That might actually sting.

“Wait. I don’t have to scrap it. I could just haul it into Asvillam and drive it around there.”

An amusing picture formed in his head.

* * *

“Oh, four, three, two, one… Ha. 2026 really is here.”

January 1st, 2026. Go Byeonggap welcomed the new year in Asvillam.

Not that the new year changed much. The world wasn’t about to flip upside down out of nowhere.

Rocking in his chair and counting stars, he felt goosebumps rise on his arms. The night air was chilly.

“Cold.”

As expected, winter had arrived in Asvillam. But it wasn’t the biting, brutal cold of a Korean winter.

If he had to name it, it felt more like late autumn. This place probably had a mild climate year-round.

“I’ve seen the year turn over, so I should get some sleep.”

Go Byeonggap headed to his quarters in Asvillam and settled in for the night.

These days, he spent more time here than at home. He’d been taking a break from monster subjugation since returning from his last expedition.

Lately, he ate and slept here almost exclusively.

The sun rose.

The goblins stirred, busily preparing for their day. Byeonggap woke early this morning too—there was a dish he wanted to make for them with his own hands.

«Hm? Oh my?»

«Good morning, Ea.»

«Yes, a good dawn it is. But what brings you here at this hour? I never imagined I’d find you in the kitchen.»

«Thought I’d cook for a change. Got something I want to make for the kids.»

«You? You know how to cook?»

«Hey now, what do you take me for? Believe it or not, I’m an armchair Michelin chef.»

«Michelin? Chef? …Sometimes I find the things you say hard to follow. This is one of those times.»

«Just think of it as ‘pretty impressive.’»

«Is that so? How clear.»

The truth was, Byeonggap actually had decent cooking skills. He just couldn’t be bothered most of the time.

But there were two days a year he always grabbed the pan: his birthday and New Year’s. No one was going to make him seaweed soup or rice cake soup, so he did it himself.

«By the way, where’s Doran?»

«Still sleeping. Didn’t you know she likes her morning sleep? Doran is quite the sleepyhead.»

«You should’ve woken her.»

Ea smiled and shook her head.

«I prefer she get her rest. The goblins and I can manage breakfast.»

«You’re something else, you know that?»

«Morning, Ea. Huh?»

«It’s the Lord!»

«Lord. Why are you here?»

Speak of the devil. Tiny and the others, who helped with meal prep, came bustling in.

Before Byeonggap could say a word, Ea spoke up.

«Your Lord is making you all a delicious breakfast today! Aren’t you excited?»

«Ooh!»

«We’re excited!»

«Hey, don’t hype it up like that. It’s nothing special.»

«Oh my. A moment ago you said it was impressive, and now it’s nothing? What beat am I supposed to dance to?»

«…»

This girl really had a talent for shutting people up. Grumbling under his breath, Byeonggap rolled up his sleeves.

«Alright, here’s your mission. You two, go bring what I brought in yesterday. You lot, fetch water and get the big cauldron on the fire.»

«Okay!»

«Got it!»

«Ea, take the remaining kids and bring me some eggs.»

«Sure! How many do you need?»

«About fifty or sixty should do.»

«Leave it to me!»

At Go Byeonggap’s direction, the crew moved with practiced efficiency. Soon, the real cooking began.

As you might have guessed, the dish he was making was tteokguk—rice cake soup.

‘What’s the big deal with tteokguk? Just throw everything in and boil it.’

He mixed beef bone broth and water in just the right ratio to make the base. Then he dumped in green onions, rice cakes, meat, and eggs, seasoned it with salt, soy sauce, and a bit of MSG, and that was it.

He took a quick taste test. It was spot-on. The smell was incredible.

Just as he was approaching the final stretch, Doran walked into the dining hall. Ea spotted her like a ghost and greeted her.

«Ah! Doran, you’re here. Did you sleep well?»

«Yeah, I slept fine. But what’s the Lord doing here?»

«Don’t be surprised, Doran. Your Lord actually woke up at the crack of dawn to personally cook breakfast.»

«Really? So he’s the one making that too?»

«Right. Doesn’t it smell wonderful?»

«Uh-huh!»

«Aish, come on… What’s the big deal?»

Go Byeonggap played it cool, but his shoulders were practically bouncing with pride. That’s right! I’m the kind of Lord who takes care of things this closely! Let’s see any other ruler in the world cook with his own hands.

He stirred the tteok to keep it from sticking, then spoke as if a thought had struck him.

«Speaking of which, Doran. You should wake up early sometimes and help Ea. You see how that skinny kid struggles from dawn?»

«Huh? Ah… no, that’s…»

Doran stammered. Then suddenly she shot a glare at Ea and shouted.

«Ea! I told you to wake me up! Why didn’t you?!»

«What? Doran, when did you ever—»

«Shut up, idiot! I definitely said it!»

«S-sorry. I must have missed it. And… I wanted you to sleep well…»

«This is so annoying!»

Doran spun on her heel and stormed out.

«Wow… That kid’s a real Tosa dog, a real Tosa. How can she be that fierce?»

Go Byeonggap was genuinely impressed. Ea, on the other hand, looked deflated, fidgeting with her fingers.

«Why did you say that to her? I really don’t mind… What if she hates me now?»

«Leave her be. She’ll cool off soon. It’s not like this is new. Hey, Tiny and the others. Go tell everyone it’s about time to eat.»

«Okay. Got it.»

As soon as the Tiny ones were sent off, the goblins swarmed in. Each held their own bowl and lined up in perfect order. Go Byeonggap ladled out the tteokguk himself, making sure everyone knew he was the one who made it.

By the time Byeonggap had heard the words “thank you” so many times they felt like a scab on his eardrums, the serving was finally over. He ladled out his own portion and sat down in an empty seat.

«Eat well, everyone!» — Byeonggap’s self-made line.

«My Lord! Eat well!» — Goblin voices, overlapping.

«Right back at you. You all eat well, too.»

Byeonggap glanced sideways. As luck would have it, the new face, Bamond, was seated right next to him.

The kid still seemed unfamiliar with the whole spoon-and-bowl business. Byeonggap crunched on a rice cake and casually said, “Hey, Bamond.”

«Hey, Bamond.»

«Ah! Y-yes, My Lord. Please, speak.»

«What’s with you? Scared of your own shadow?»

«Ahaha…» — A sheepish laugh.

«Nothing special. Just asking—how is it? The food suit your taste?»

He asked, his voice brimming with anticipation. Bamond let out an awkward laugh and nodded.

«Y-yes. It’s delicious.»

«…That’s it? Kinda weak.»

«Huh?»

«Gobungi!»

«Sir!»

Gobungi, sitting about five seats away, shot up and answered. A reaction speed that was frankly astonishing.

«Is it edible?»

«Yes! It’s amazing! I’ve never tasted anything this good in my life!»

«Mmm, good, good. Very promising.»

Byeonggap nodded with satisfaction, then turned back to Bamond. Bamond looked utterly lost.

«See that? From now on, that’s how you do it.»

«I-I don’t follow…»

«Forget it. Just a joke. Eat your food.»

«O-oh… yes, I understand. I-I mean, I’m also enjoying it very much.»

«Good.»

‘This one’s got a mild personality for a goblin. Seems a bit shy, too.’

Bamond was definitely different from the usual goblins. Then again, it wasn’t a big deal. Even Dorma had a more serious air about him compared to the rest.

And if every single goblin in Asvillam just giggled all day, that would be its own kind of headache.

‘Hmm. Should I say it now?’

Byeonggap swept his gaze across the dining hall.

With every goblin in Asvillam gathered here, there was no need for a separate assembly.

«Hey, everyone. Listen up for a sec.»

«Huh?»

Byeonggap raised his voice. The goblins stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to him.

«I’ve got an announcement for you all.»

«An announcement?»

«What is it? Are you going to be away for a long time again?»

«No, nothing like that.»

«Then what?»

Dorma asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Byeonggap took a brief pause before speaking, as if making a proclamation.

«Listen up, everyone. Within the next month, we’re going to cross the Mist.»