Gemini said
This chapter takes a sharp, tragic turn. The contrast between the warm, nostalgic meal and the sudden destruction is very effective.
Here is the grammar correction for your text. I've maintained your voice while fixing the tense shifts (keeping it in the past tense), correcting some geographical/logic errors in the dialogue, and smoothing out the flow.
Grammar Correction
In the middle of Gaia, Solomon and Zeke walked through the city atop the paved roads, taking in the sights all around them. Although they were foreigners, they wore clothes that fit the fashion of Gaia, so they didn't stand out much.
"What about that?" Zeke pointed at a fancy-looking building with a red sign on top of its mahogany front door. Golden text was written on the sign—specifically "Hiewachie" in a cursive font—giving off an expensive vibe.
"Well, that could be interesting, but look at this instead." Solomon looked directly opposite from where the fancy restaurant was, revealing a humble store. Although there was a sign on the front, it was made purely out of wood and white paint. They couldn't make sense of the language written on it, as it wasn't made of any common letters from Earth. At least, it seemed that way.
"Come on, you don't really think the food inside there will be better than that fancy place," Zeke said disappointedly, looking at Solomon in disbelief. "You just want to save money, don't you?" Zeke added cheekily, trying to see if Solomon felt embarrassed. But knowing his friend, he knew the man in front of him rarely ever did.
"If you know that, then shut up and follow me," Solomon said with a smile.
"Welcome! Welcome!" As they stepped through the wooden door, they were greeted by a middle-aged man wearing a red bandana and a white apron.
The store was similar to a Japanese stall where you could watch the chef cook; they delivered the food themselves to the tables surrounding the kitchen area, which served as the boundary between the dining area and the kitchen. The room wasn't that big, but it was enough to seat about ten people. And as of now, it was at capacity.
"It's clearly full here," Zeke mentioned, trying to convince Solomon to switch to the fantasy restaurant on the opposite side.
"Well, since it's full, I just know the food here is worth it."
As much as Zeke tried to switch places, Solomon would come up with something to immediately counter his claims. After a bit of bickering, two spots finally opened up, giving Solomon and Zeke a chance to eat.
As they looked over the menu, they realized that the restaurant mainly sold Asian food found on Earth, which gave Solomon an even deeper headache. Were all of them victims of the "Blink" too, but instead of the tutorial floor, they arrived here?
"I'd like to order a serving of Bicol Express and white rice," Solomon said before putting the menu down.
As they had waited in line for a seat, they had noticed that the currency used was a crystal abundant in the dungeon. Thankfully, Solomon had brought a storage ring containing a few of those crystals.
"Bicol Express? I want one too!" As Solomon gave his order to the chef, he overheard a child behind him in the waiting line. Without paying it much attention, Solomon waited for his order, indulging in the aroma as it was cooked by the chefs.
"Darn… HOT!" With his food now in front of him, Solomon didn't waste a second. As the first scoop of rice and meal entered his mouth, he couldn't help but exclaim as the spice of the meal and the heat from the rice combined to give him a hard time.
"You don't really do well with hot stuff, yet you love eating it," Zeke, who was watching beside him, couldn't help but stare in disappointment.
"DAMN! This is good." As if he had a filter in his ears, Solomon continued to eat as sweat started to form on his forehead.
"You're enjoying that a lot, huh?" While Solomon ate passionately, the old man from the line finally sat down with his grandson. Looking at Solomon devouring the dish, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Oh yeah, this was my favorite food back then." Although he was cautious of everything around him, Solomon knew he wouldn't be able to die that easily, anyway.
"Back on Earth?" the old man asked while ordering from the menu.
Although the question made Solomon tense up a little, his easy-going attitude soon hid his discomfort. "Yeah… how about you, sir? How do you remember Earth?"
"Oh, I used to live in the Philippines. It was really cold back there. And that's why this little guy loves Bicol Express so much. It's my signature dish, you see." After he finished ordering, the old man patted the head of his grandchild, a flash of nostalgia appearing on his face.
However, Solomon felt even more strange. The Philippines? Cold? It was closer to the equator than to the poles. It was everything but cold.
"Is that so…" Solomon said with a wide smile. Zeke, who picked up on what was happening, also tried to listen attentively while sipping some ramen soup.
"That kid Merlin—his father was also from the Philippines. I was good friends with that guy before he passed away five years ago." A bittersweet expression filled his face as he turned his head toward the seats by the door. "Me and him used to eat here a lot, directly next to the door right there." The old man pointed to the chairs next to the entrance.
"He was always going on about having less time to exit the restaurant in case people needed saving." The old man laughed weakly, choking slightly on his food. After drinking some cold tea, he continued his stories. "His son Merlin is just like him. A bright and justice-driven person who loves to talk to everyone. Though he sometimes goes a little too far, his closest friends, Guinevere and Arthur, are always there to get him out of trouble."
As Solomon learned more about Merlin and the history of Gaia, he couldn't help but feel comforted yet jealous. Comforted by the kindness of its protectors, yet jealous of the families that had stayed strong since the start. They continued their conversation. Although it seemed one-sided, the old man looked like he just wanted to tell stories, so Solomon continued asking questions while playing with the grandchild.
In their conversation, Solomon formed new theories about what this place might be. Thanks to the stories, he was sure these people also came from Earth, but it was not the Earth he knew. Was it a mirror dimension? Another planet deep within the universe that contained humans? He didn't know… and as of now, there was no other way to find out.
Moreover, as they continued to talk, Solomon couldn't help but feel as if this world was exactly as it seemed. No plot twist, no traps—just another group of humans trying to live and survive in this harsh place. He wanted to know more about how they were able to befriend the creatures, but Solomon didn't feel like pushing anymore. He was sure he'd spend a lot of time on this floor.
At least, that's what he thought.
BOOM!
As they stepped onto the brick road after exiting the restaurant, a loud, echoing explosion sent them flying forward toward the fancy restaurant. They crashed through the glass window and the marble walls.
"Argh! Zeke!" Grunting from the pain, Solomon—who had burns on his back—stood up and tried to look for Zeke. In an instant, he saw him lying on the floor with burns on his hands. Thanks to his gear, Zeke had managed to tank most of the damage.
"What in the hell…" Zeke stood up with some struggle.
After ensuring Zeke was fine, Solomon grabbed his burnt right elbow, which was healing continuously.
"What was that?!" Zeke complained.
"I don't know…"
One second, they had just finished a savory meal while talking to a nice grandfather and grandchild; now they were lying on the floor as people deep within the fancy restaurant screamed, looking at those stuck under the rubble.
Not wasting any more time, Solomon walked out to investigate the cause of the explosion. However, it didn't take much to realize what was happening. After passing through the debris, Solomon stood in the middle of the broken brick pathway. In front of him lay a massive meteor pinned to the ground. Underneath it was the same store he had just eaten in.
Screams echoed all throughout the once-peaceful place, as shouts for help replaced the calls for business. The blue sky had been painted black by smoke from burning houses and massive meteors falling from the sky. The people who had been walking beside them earlier now lay still in the debris.
"What's going on…" Zeke, who had just emerged from the restaurant, looked around in shock.
It didn't take long for his question to be answered, as a deafening scream echoed from the center of the town.
"I swear that this place will be your graveyard!"