The next morning, Min Jae sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the glowing scroll of "Rain Summon (Beginner)" like it might suddenly start reciting terms and conditions.
He hadn't slept well. Not because of the portal to another world. Not because someone had bowed and gifted him a goat named Goji. Not even because his phone kept autocorrecting "dungeon" to "dumpling."
It was because of the village.
The village was still there. The trapdoor in the basement still led to it. And he had a feeling that going back would only make things weirder.
Which, to be honest, was kind of the best thing to happen to him in a while.
---
Entering the Portal Again (with Snacks)
Min Jae prepared with the seriousness of someone sneaking snacks into a movie theater. In a large hiking backpack, he stuffed:
Two rolls of duct tape
A multi-tool
Instant ramyeon
A portable butane stove
A power bank (just in case magic needed USB-C)
A couple bottles of Pocari Sweat
And, because he was feeling fancy, three individually wrapped choco pies
He slung the bag over his shoulder, looked at his reflection in the mirror, and sighed.
"I look like I'm going camping in an anime episode where everyone dies."
The trapdoor creaked open with a dramatic hiss of cool air, and just like before, the mossy tunnel welcomed him with faint torchlight and the scent of damp stone.
Only this time, when he stepped through, someone was waiting.
---
Enter: Yulena
Standing at the edge of the portal was a tall girl in leather armor, with a sword slung across her back and an expression that said "I'm too cool for this world, but I'm stuck here anyway."
"You are late," she said, arms crossed.
Min Jae blinked. "...Excuse me?"
"Elder Dreeb sent me to guide you. You were supposed to arrive at dawn. It is now... past breakfast."
He pulled out a choco pie, offered it, and smiled.
"I come bearing peace."
She eyed the snack suspiciously, then took a cautious bite.
Her face lit up like a level-up animation.
"You are forgiven."
---
The Village Reacts (Again)
Min Jae followed Yulena into the village, where once again people began whispering and pointing. Children trailed behind him. Someone threw flower petals. One guy fainted.
He hadn't even done anything.
Elder Dreeb met him at the well.
"O Great Wizard Min Jae! Have you come to bless the water with your Sky Flask of Boil-Steaming?"
Min Jae looked down. He was holding his butane stove.
"...Sure."
Five minutes later, he was boiling water while villagers looked on in awe.
"He bends fire to his will," someone whispered.
"He makes water safe to drink," another gasped.
"He made the ramen square turn into noodles," a child added reverently.
Min Jae sat cross-legged next to the stove, slurping noodles while ten villagers took notes like he was writing scripture.
---
The Workshop Begins
It only got worse from there.
By noon, the villagers had cleared out a small shed for him to use as his "Wizard Lair." Min Jae, now too deep in the lie to back out, started organizing it like a proper workspace.
He used duct tape to repair a broken door hinge. Fixed a leaky jug with superglue. Used his multi-tool to sharpen a rusted hoe. Every time he did something, a small crowd gathered.
"Truly, the Sage of the Other Side works with divine relics," whispered a man clutching the empty ramyeon wrapper.
Min Jae considered telling them the truth.
Then he saw the fresh eggs, warm bread, and silver coin someone left outside his shed as a thank-you gift.
He did not tell them the truth.
---
Modern Magic, Rural Setting
Later that day, Min Jae taught a group of kids how to make paper airplanes. One flew straight into Elder Dreeb's beard and got stuck there. The villagers called it an omen.
He explained how a zip tie worked. They assumed it was a sacred binding spell. He used baking soda to clean tarnished metal. They built him a shrine.
By evening, someone had constructed a wooden sign outside his shed that read:
THE WIZARD OF CONVENIENCE: OPEN DURING SUN HOURS
He left the fantasy world with a bag full of strange herbs, a crystal that glowed when it rained, and a handmade cloak that was two sizes too big but extremely cozy.
Back in Korea, he sold the crystal online for ₩2,000,000 won.
---
Leveling Up In Both Worlds
Min Jae stared at his bank account.
Then at the trapdoor.
Then at the remaining six choco pies.
He grinned.
"Alright, world. Let's get weird."