I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

Chapter 2: A Pearl Necklace On A Pig

There were so many damned people in the world that sometimes you'd forget this world was undeniably a 'dark fantasy' realm.

Having torn through dimensions, the Demon King's army arrived, along with necromancers from cults who raised the dead, turning regions into lands of death. In the forests roamed the beastly Furry Tribe, and at night, vampires swarmed... Even the seas beyond the continent were practically occupied by the Merfolk.

Yet humanity, undeterred, gathered in the empire, hoping to save this doomed world. Under their fervent support, the empire conducted daily summoning rituals, a passionate gacha show.

I wasn't quite comfortable with this, having seen a crazed hero die just a few days earlier.

"Ah, there's nothing quite like working and drinking~"

At any rate, the place I was currently at was an old tavern, a gathering spot for those reduced to foreign laborers because of him.

Sitting at a table set by the grumpy black manager, I chewed on dried jerky, observing those around me.

An overweight man with bespectacled, acne-ridden skin, and a pale-faced man with a shadow cast over his face... They were named 'Oh Deok-hun' and 'Koo Yi-shin,' my fellow summoning colleagues.

"It seemed bustling with gatherings until recently, but now, after two years, only this many have survived..."

Seeing my friends who've endured as porters in this harsh world brought a bittersweet feeling.

"Well, the heroes who mostly hire porters are all nasty in character, so it's not surprising some quit midway."

Because of such discrimination, some turned to thievery in opposition to the heroes or became pets of the wealthy for scraps... Despite their ordinary past lives, I'd seen many plummet to rock bottom.

For those not born with abilities, life in this world was relentlessly harsh.

"It's inevitable. Compared to our original world, this one is fraught with danger, so it's hard to find a simple and stable life."

Goo Yi-shin, a 36-year-old day laborer, sympathized with me kindly.

Despite his fierce look, he had recently become exceptionally kind-hearted and gentle.

In such a harsh world, he even volunteered as a hobby.

"How's your recent work going, Yi-shin Hyung?"

"Hehe, lately, the church has been asking me to move things. I deliver food to the sick and poor."

That didn't sound very profitable.

Still, helping the church might offer some protection, right?

As I drank beer and thought about it, Yi-shin, recalling today's events, began to smile broadly.

"I used to save money from doing porter work to help those in need, but the church, valuing my spirit, offered me a position."

"Oh, so you've finally joined the church and made a career out of it?"

"Yes, that's right. Now I can extend my help to more innocent people in this world."

To the unknowing, his laughter might have sounded sinister.

But having spent two years with him, I knew he was one of the kindest souls, rare to find in both our past and present lives.

"Thinking about who and how I'll help tomorrow fills my heart with joy. Hehehehe!"

Maybe he found joy in helping the downtrodden in this failing world.

"Well, sure."

If he's happy, that was all that mattered.