Feiyen had her reasons.
First, she was strong. It meant that she needed more calories and energy to keep on going, but this of course was not her main reason. Honestly speaking, she was very used to being hungry. No organizations or groups she helped were able to provide her with enough food to quench her hunger. She was extremely aware of this so she always managed to minimize her food consumption.
However, she couldn’t hold back here. Was it because this was not her group? Was it because there was an abundant amount of food so she didn’t need to worry about eating everything?
No.
The reason why she snuck in to steal the food was because of the taste.
The world had fallen. All the delicious cuisines she tasted in life had vanished. One could only find instant food in the remnants of markets and that was the only good thing. With that being said, Feiyen was shocked by the taste of the food in this place.
‘…It’s so good!’
Had it not been for people around her, or if this wasn’t managed by Yoo Dohyuk, she would have stood up and clapped to praise the one that created the food.
She loved tasty food. That’s why she couldn’t fall asleep. She was extremely hungry for the food she had not tasted in years. Besides, she was strong enough to sneak in without getting caught, if it wasn’t for one person in the entire city who could track her.
“…”
“…”
And that one person was now standing in front of her.
“This is not good,” Dohyuk said. He scanned the area and the mess that Feiyen had made while eating and reminded her, “Like I said, I promised that I will provide you with our best while you stay in our city as a guest.”
“I… I know I’ve done something wrong… let me apologize…”
“No, that won’t be enough.”
Dohyuk scratched his head and reached down to grab one of the empty bowls.
“For example, this food that we call ‘meat radish’ requires hours of preparation to complete. In a few hours, the ones that work the morning shift will come here to eat their early breakfast. Those people will starve, or the ones who worked to prepare this will have to work extra hours.”
“…”
“You are a valuable guest. I will do my best to serve you with whatever you might need, but I can’t have our citizens suffer because of it. That is the rule of our city.”
His voice was cold. Dohyuk placed the empty bowl on the table.
“But I can’t ask my guest to pay for the damages… so it will be better if you leave the city as soon as you are ready.”
Feiyen couldn’t find the words to respond when Dohyuk continued, “Either way, I’m sure you will not go to that extent, but you are always welcome to stay and repay the city after becoming a part of it.”
“Meaning…”
“You stay within the city and fulfill your duties as a citizen. Of course, that will only last until you pay all the debt that you have accrued.”
“…”
Feiyen gasped. She understood what Dohyuk was proposing. Dohyuk was taking this opportunity to ask Feiyen to stay in the city with a reason. Feiyen was a powerful individual that would be a great help. Paying the debt of her crime in the kitchen was just an excuse to ask for it.
“…”
Feiyen reached down to grab the bowls. She was still embarrassed, but she couldn’t stay embarrassed forever either.
“I’m sorry… I understand it won’t be solved just by apologizing.”
“I see.”
“I think I was just acting on my impulses.”
Of course, that wasn’t referring to what happened tonight only. It was about everything she had done after the world had turned upside down.
“I tried my best to help people… and I certainly did help many, but the problems always came after that. Just saving their lives was never enough.”
She always tried to do the right thing, but there were a lot of problems that she couldn’t solve even then.
“All the things that I did… it was only me who thought it was right.”
“I think that is an understatement.”
“Maybe.” Feiyen shrugged, “But the result always tells the truth. Especially when people’s lives and safety are at stake.”
“You did save many lives though.”
“The stories I read told me to do that.”
However, the stories did not tell her about what happened afterwards. All the stories just praised heroes who saved the people and lived happily ever after.
“It wasn’t just a threat, right? I mean, if I ever become a nuisance to your city…”
“I will cast you out.” Dohyuk declared, “I know that you will be a great asset and as we did in our previous life, I’m sure we will be able to create a lasting bond…”
Even then, if Feiyen were to harm the city, Dohyuk would turn his back on her right away. That was what Dohyuk had put as his priority.
“At least we have enough food here, and like I said in the evening, I can give you enough time to think about it. But since we have this issue at hand…”
“Yes. I understand.”
Dohyuk then scanned the table and shifted his gaze back to Feiyen.
“So…?”
“I will stay.” Feiyen answered, “If I can find what’s missing from me… I will follow any orders, except any inhumane ones.”
“I would reword it as a request, rather than an order. That’s how we do things here.” Dohyuk smiled bitterly, “But I guess I can give you some orders so you can repay to the city. Let’s see…”
Dohyuk thought for a second and Feiyen clenched her fist nervously.
“How about we go out for a walk?”
“W…alk?”
“I have something to show you. It’s not a private matter. If you are working for the city, you will be one of the officers in the city, so you will need to see the secrets of the city.”
Dohyuk then walked out while Feiyen followed and asked, “I do not ask for high-ranking positions… if I’m on top of people, people will not like an outsider to be…”
“Don’t worry. All the citizens here are outsiders. Besides…” Dohyuk whispered, “I am a dictator here actually.”
“…”
“I can place someone in a vital position without any problems.”
Feiyen smiled at the joke. As Dohyuk said, the purpose of the walk wasn’t a simple one. They walked toward Casita’s needle located within the city. Dohyuk walked up to the tower where the angels were sitting while looking down at the city.
“You’ve heard about the gray coins, right?”
Feiyen nodded. An angel did not come to explain to her since she was not corrupt, but she was able to gather the information afterward.
“That’s not the only thing.”
Dohyuk then placed his hand on the tower. The ‘Menu’ appeared. It was the ‘Trade’ menu that everyone with gray coins could see whenever they approached the tower with coins. However, what Dohyuk could see was something a bit different. It was the menu for ‘God’.