I followed the directions and found Dahoebang.
It was a bit bigger than expected, and from what I heard while watching the people around, it really was like a labor office.
“People are all the same everywhere.”
No matter if it’s the Martial Arts World or whatever, you gotta work to put food on the table. Thinking that way made this Martial Arts World feel oddly warm and welcoming.
Aunt never gave me anything for free. I did all the chores at home. Those are warm memories that remain in my heart.
Anyway.
It seems like it’s still morning, or rather close to lunchtime.
Usually, you can only find work in the early morning, so it’s a bit late now. But if I can’t find work here, I might really have to sleep on the streets.
Nah.
If I’m broke, I’ll definitely have to sleep on the streets.
Homelessness is dangerous…!
“This is crazy.”
Even in modern Korea, sleeping rough without preparation can be seriously scary. Being cold is just the least of your worries.
In most cases, nearby homeless folks would say, “This is our territory,” and try to beat you up, and at worst, you could end up facing off against some punks wielding branches, trying to enforce their own rules. If luck goes south, I might even get beaten up by middle school kids who take murder lightly. The chances of getting mugged by thieves or bandits are also high.
If it’s dangerous in Korea, then if I end up homeless in the Martial Arts World, I’d vanish without a trace like some unfortunate European country from the 19th century!
I need to find a job somehow.
“…”
The door to Dahoebang was open.
I watched people going in for a bit before I greeted them.
“Hello!”
I went in and saw people standing in line, so I joined them.
From the looks of it, everyone was there to find work. It felt like a relief to see so many folks who came later like me.
If it feels like this, maybe I can blend in a bit. So just hang in there, Kim Geunhyeop. You can make it through this! Armed with a positive mindset!
People living in Futaba Park, like the guy named Siljangseok, live their lives hard day by day. There’s no way I’m worse than those guys.
“…”
I focused on what the person in front of me was saying as I patiently waited.
“I’ll take any job. If there’s something I can do right now, please let me know.”
“You can head to the construction site. Take this token and go to Dagumjeonjeong. They need a lot of workers there because they’re expanding. You’ll return this once you’re done.”
“Got it.”
A construction site, huh?
“Whoo…!”
My heart’s racing.
If it’s manual labor, I’m a pro at that!
I might just survive this!
—Thump thump!
As I saw a glimmer of survival, my chest pounded with excitement.
Survival!
What a beautiful echo that is. If I can find work here, I might just make it. Hope is starting to emerge, giving me some much-needed confidence.
“Next!”
Is it my turn?
“Hello!”
“Hmm? You look like you can handle some heavy lifting?”
“Ha ha ha, I hear that a lot.”
I answered casually while flashing a charming smile. The basics of social interactions are positive replies and a good smile, after all.
But wait.
Looking around, am I a bit taller than the others? I guess being a modern person provides better nourishment compared to living as a commoner in a Martial Arts World. Anyway, that’s a positive element. Workers who look like they can do a bit of heavy lifting are always welcome.
“I’m confident in physical work. So if there’s any construction job, I’m all in. Is there one?”
“Of course. Take this token and go to Dagumjeonjeong. They’re expanding, so they need a lot of workers. A strong guy like you would be in high demand.”
“Dagumjeonjeong!”
I shouted like a Martial Artist and asked, “But where exactly is Dagumjeonjeong?”
I haven’t read that many martial arts novels, but I know that when you hear names like that for the first time, you have to shout it out. Especially when you hear a title or witness someone’s martial art.
“You don’t know where it is?”
“I’m not sure where that is.”
“Go outside and head left. You’ll see a sign.”
After saying that, the guide handed me a token.
“What’s this?”
With a sign to follow, I should be fine finding my way.
“This is a token saying we sent someone from Dahoebang. Just show that and you can work.”
“Oh, understood. Well then.”
Is this kind of work really that abundant?
It seems like they have a well-established system for hiring day laborers without many complications. I’m curious about this, but that’s not important right now. Social structures and the look of the place can vary anywhere you go.
So, I headed straight to Dagumjeonjeong.
“Let’s see… Oh.”
As I walked, I came across a sign.
Following the directions, sure enough, a large construction site came into view. Half-naked workers were bustling around, hard at work.
This is charming.
“Wow.”
But the building is huge.
Is this the type of building they call a hall?
Just how much money do these guys make to be expanding on this scale? Dagumjeonjeong. It sounds like a bank or a giant pawn shop, but it seems unlikely that a pawn shop would expand like this. It’s probably a bank or some high-interest loan place.
As I pondered those thoughts, I gave a big bow.
“Greetings! I’ve come to work from Dahoebang! Do you need workers? I’m great with a shovel!”
“Hmm?”
Honestly, it was kind of embarrassing drawing attention to myself in front of so many people, but I can’t afford to care about that right now.
If I flunk this, I’m done for.
For the survival of Kim Geunhyeop, I can endure a little embarrassment. This is my time to showcase who I am and what I can do.
“Your voice is strong! You’re tall too! Come over here!”
“Yes!”
Is that person the supervisor?
They look like a supervisor, so I bowed again.
“Greetings! Can I start work now?”
“Of course! You said you’re good with a shovel? Over there! Go dig where they tell you!”
“Understood. Oh, here’s the token from Dahoebang.”
“Hmm. Alright. Oh, since it’s almost noon, you should make about 50 mun if you go now.”
50 mun!
From what I’ve gathered, that’s enough to survive for a day!
Yes, this is great!
I can see a way to survive!
“Really? If I come in early in the morning, how much can I earn?”
“If you’re not slacking off, you can make 100 mun!”
“Sounds good!”
I bowed and headed to the digging spot.
“Hey, you there. Take this shovel.”
“Yes.”
It was some guy with an annoying expression who handed me a shovel.
“Go down there and keep digging. If you slack off, I’ll kick you out on the spot, so you better know that. I’m watching you.”
“Understood.”
Hearing that guy speak with such a rotten attitude feels like my inner black dragon is boiling up, but this isn’t modern Earth.
Gotta be cautious and read the room.
In a place like this, it’s best to just keep your head down.
Shall we give it a go?
If I show I can work well here, they might ask me to come back tomorrow. If I can secure a steady job, I won’t have anything to fear. Let’s fight for survival with my honed living skills.
—Whoosh!
I jumped right into the pit.
“Can I dig here?”
“Dig.”
“Yes!”
I quickly observed how the other workers operated.
“Hmm.”
I’ve seen enough, you guys’ skill level.
It’s so pathetic, I almost feel like dying.
How dare you act like laborers with that shovel work?
You are all lower level than me. That’s not how you dig. So here’s how it’s done. Watch me, Kim Geunhyeop, as I showcase the digging technique I honed for two whole years in the military.
—Whoosh!
I unleashed my true strength, fueled by rage, as I confidently made my first shovel strike.
“No impeding impulse, dejaaaaaan!”
I easily sank the shovel into the ground, putting my weight behind it, and then using leverage to easily lift out my first scoop of dirt.
With that, I took down another scoop smoothly, tossing the dirt from my lower body and hips above the pit.
—Whoosh!
I repeated that at a steady pace.
This is the art of shoveling.
My pride as Kim Geunhyeop.
“Oh, oh…! That guy’s not bad!”
“How’s he doing it so well?”
“Is he a pro or something?”
As the other workers marveled at my digging technique and nodded, I felt proud.
This is the mark of an expert.
“…”
I noticed even the supervisor was watching me quietly.
So this guy is finally recognizing my worth, huh?
Whatever it takes, I need to show that I’m good at my job. In Korea, cheating out on your pay can mean facing the wild violence of reality, so there’s no worry about not getting paid. But here, it’s the Martial Arts World. I need to make a presence to prevent a potential pay dispute.
Let’s focus on that for now.
“Whoo!”
As I worked, sweat dripped down my face.
I’m hungry, but if I get paid, I’ll be able to eat.
Imagining a delicious meal while sweating really makes me feel alive. Yeah. Whether it’s the Martial Arts World or whatever, life is about forging ahead. No matter where I land, as long as I find a way to survive, I can make it through anything…
Wait, but why am I shoveling in the Martial Arts World?
Isn’t it normal to learn martial arts, wield a sword, and so on? If I had gone to another world, I should be doing something cool, and yet here I am, shoveling away on my first day, and it’s deflating my ego.
—Whoosh!
And so, my first day in the Martial Arts World passed by.
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