Aruna's ramen shop was the perfect embodiment of a simple ambition. The small space smelled of savory pork broth, garlic oil blended with the aroma of ginger, and a faint, stale whiff from the old refrigerator. Aruna loved every corner of it, from the cracked floor tiles to the stacks of mismatched ceramic bowls. This was a place where he could live in peace, far from the chaotic world he sought to avoid.
All that tranquility vanished three months ago.
It was a rainy night. Frustrated that his family's legendary broth recipe never turned out right, Aruna unintentionally summoned something. Not a god, not an angel, but a demon who had been napping in another dimension and was rudely awakened. Aruna remembered it clearly. The room suddenly felt cold, and amidst the rising steam of the broth, a silhouette of a man appeared, wearing a regal, though worn, cloak.
"Your request has disturbed my slumber of ages, you weak human," he said in a heavy voice. "I am willing to trade it for a single request. Name it, and I shall depart."
Aruna, his mind consumed by the desperation of his failed recipe, could only think of one thing. "I want my family's legendary pork broth recipe," he said without hesitation.
The demon fell silent, a look of confusion on his face. "Is that all? No riches? No power? No immortality?" he asked, his voice rising an octave.
"I just want good soup," Aruna replied flatly. "If you can't do it, just leave."
That night, after a ridiculous negotiation, he and the demon—who introduced himself as Zael—made a pact. Zael would provide the recipe, and in exchange, Aruna had to "help" Zael experience things he couldn't in his world—specifically, running the ramen shop. It was the most absurd agreement, triggered by a failed pork broth and a demon too lazy to return to his own realm.
That morning, Zael's grumbling filled every corner of the shop. "This is an exquisite torment, Aruna," he complained. The man swept the floor with a broom, as if each push was a struggle against fate. "Deplorable. I, a prince of darkness, must clean the crumbs of mortals. This is akin to washing away a thousand demons' sins with holy water."
Aruna sliced carrots at lightning speed on a cutting board. "I told you, just sweep it clean. You don't need a speech," Aruna shot back without looking up. "Besides, you're the one who made the promise. Finish it before customers arrive."
"This is coercion! A prison forged from a soup recipe and pork!" Zael stomped his broom, sending dust flying. "You have no empathy, human."
Aruna let out a long sigh, pausing his work for a moment. His practical way of thinking took over. "Listen, Zael. If you sweep and complain at the same time, it'll take twice as long. You're better off staying quiet, finishing the job, and then resting." He wiped his knife, then returned to his vegetables. That was Aruna's way of dealing with all problems: with simple logic, and if possible, a kitchen knife.
Suddenly, the shop door opened, and the small bell above it jingled. A man entered. It was Takeru, a regular customer who came almost every day. His hair was neatly combed, and a friendly smile always graced his face.
"Good morning, Aruna," he greeted. "The usual, right?"
"The usual," Aruna replied. He glanced at Zael, who was now standing up straight, pretending not to have been complaining just moments before. "Take Takeru's order, Zael."
Zael let out a quiet scoff, then approached Takeru with an overly dramatic, graceful stride. "Good morning, my good sir. It is an honor for me to serve you today. Pray tell, what dish might soothe the soul of your humble servant, which thirsts for worldly desires?"
Takeru just smiled awkwardly. "Pork ramen, one serving."
"Very well!" Zael quickly turned around, came back to the counter, and whispered to Aruna, "A shallow request. Why not ask for a soup that grants eternal glory?"
"Because he's just hungry, Zael," Aruna responded, again in a flat tone.
As Aruna began to cook, Zael wiped the tables with a cloth, occasionally muttering under his breath. This was the routine Aruna thought would last forever. A simple routine, filled with a demon's grumbling and the smell of delicious soup. Until another voice interrupted them.
"Excuse me, is this Aruna's ramen shop?"
A beautiful woman stood at the door. She was dressed in expensive clothing, and her eyes sparkled like jewels. Aruna, who was pouring broth, paused for a moment. The energy around her felt... strange.
Zael, who had just finished wiping a table, froze. His usually arrogant expression had turned incredibly tense. He was overreacting, as if he had just seen the most terrifying ghost.
"Who are you?" Aruna asked, feeling wary. He held a large ladle in his hand, ready to use it as a weapon if needed.
The woman smiled sweetly. "My name is Lilith. I heard you made a pact with a demon here." Lilith's eyes shifted to Zael. "And I have come to take that soup recipe back. It belongs to us, not a mere mortal like you."
The air inside the shop grew cold. Aruna knew his simple routine had just ended. The real adventure was just beginning, and this time, he knew a large ladle wouldn't be enough.