The Crimson Hybrid

Deliveries and Heated Exchanges

The sun rose once more, illuminating Seoul with its glistening rays. Sook-won began another day of deliveries with a mix of resolve and lingering uncertainty. He had no idea how his patience and fortitude would be put to the test on this day, pushing him to the brink of his emotional stamina.

Sook-won was unable to escape the persistent thoughts that had been bothering him since the previous night as he climbed on his motorcycle and maneuvered through the busy streets. His perception of the supernatural realm seemed to overlap with his perception of the real world. His attention immediately switched, though, as the needs of his work took precedence.

A rush of deliveries occurred throughout the day, each with its own set of difficulties. Sook-won maneuvered through backed-up traffic, avoiding collisions with careless vehicles. He was in danger of falling asleep from the burden from the previous day, but he persisted since he knew that his survival depended on it.

He encountered a variety of consumers upon reaching each location, each with their own distinct personalities and needs. Some gave him a warm smile and expressed their gratitude for his promptness and commitment. But some appeared determined to try his patience.

At the first stop, Sook-won was inspecting his box when a middle-aged woman frowned at him. She snorted, "You're late," with a contemptuous tone in her voice.

Sook-won gritted his teeth and tried to remain composed. He replied, his voice tinged with strained politeness, "I apologize for any inconvenience, ma'am. I'm doing my best to make all the deliveries as swiftly as possible."

His diplomatic efforts, however, were treated with even more disdain. The woman spoke with a raised voice and sarcastic undertones. "You delivery people are all the same-lazy and unreliable-your best isn't good enough!"

The remarks hurt and set Sook-won on fire. For a brief moment, he temporarily set aside his ambivert nature and responded with a sarcastic tone. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know I could teleport through the city and direct traffic. Maybe I should add "superhuman abilities" to my job description."

When he responded, the woman's eyes widened in shock. The mockery of Sook-won was replaced with a feeling of delight, a brief triumph over difficulty. But a twinge of regret tugged at his conscience, reminding him of the selfish, impulsive man he had become.

Sook-won found himself getting into more tense arguments with irate clients throughout the course of the day. Words were exchanged like flaming darts as tempers rose. The walls he had built to shield himself started to crumble under the weight of his paranormal discoveries and the emotional toll of his encounters.

There were, however, brief flashes of understanding during each argument, a hint at the effect his words had on the listeners. The fragility of a young woman anxiously expecting words from a loved one, the pain in the eyes of an old guy finding solace in a long-awaited parcel. Sook-won understood that his sarcasm and self-centeredness simply increased their obligations and aggravated their frustrations.

As the day came to an end, Sook-won's bones became incredibly weary. His spirit suffered as a result of the weight of his deeds and the impact of the paranormal disclosures. He wanted for a break, a tranquil period to consider the decisions he had taken during the course of the day.

As soon as he got back to his apartment, Sook-won collapsed onto his shabby couch and began to mentally repeat the day's events like a looped record. He could still hear the dialogues, which served as a reminder of both the person he had become and the person he hoped to become.

Sook-won made a secret promise to himself in the loneliness of his heart. To make an effort to be nice and empathic despite hardship. To mix understanding and compassion with his snark and self-centeredness. It was a pledge to develop and advance past his present limitations.