Chapter 16: The Hero’s Journey is Just Unpaid OvertimeMorning: The Tragic Life of a Minimum-Wage HeroI woke up.

  Looked at my bank account.

  Saw the negative bance.

  Sighed.

  Got out of bed.

  Put on my Burger Castle uniform.

  Sighed again.

  Welcome to another day in the tragic life of Rento Kazuma.

  I was the Hero of Light, chosen by fate, blessed by destiny, and burdened with the soul-crushing reality of capitalism.

  The world expected me to save it.

  But first, I had to work my eight-hour shift.

  8:00 AM – The “Hero” Arrives at WorkI walked into Burger Castle and immediately saw the Demon King flipping burgers like his life depended on it.

  “Rento,” he said without turning around. “You’re te.”

  I checked the clock. 8:01 AM.

  I frowned. “It’s one minute.”

  The Demon King’s eyes glowed ominously. “One minute te means one minute closer to failure.”

  I sighed. “I’ll make it up by leaving one minute early.”

  “No.”

  I groaned and clocked in. It was too early for this.

  8:15 AM – The Reality of FantasyBurger Castle was busy.

  Not because people actually liked the food—no, the food was garbage.

  But because this was the only fast-food restaurant that survived the st Demon War.

  And so, knights, goblins, elves, and cyborg-wizards all stood in line, waiting for their deep-fried disappointments.

  I sighed and took the first order.

  A noble knight stood in front of me, his shining armor reflecting the fluorescent lighting.

  “Good sir,” he boomed. “I require sustenance for my long journey.”

  I grabbed a notepad. “What do you want?”

  “A grand feast! Fit for a warrior! A burger so mighty that it shall fuel my quest for justice!”

  I stared.

  Then I pointed at the menu. “We have Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, or Sad Cheeseburger.”

  The knight frowned. “What is the difference?”

  “The Sad Cheeseburger costs 50% more for no reason.”

  He nodded solemnly. “I shall take the Sad Cheeseburger.”

  Capitalism wins again.

  9:00 AM – The Government vs. Burger CastleA royal messenger stormed into the restaurant, holding a golden scroll.

  “Hear ye! Hear ye! By order of the Kingdom of Eldoria, all businesses must donate 50% of their profits to the Royal Treasury!”

  The Demon King crossed his arms. “No.”

  The messenger blinked. “You… refuse?”

  The Demon King’s eyes glowed. “Yes.”

  The messenger gulped. “But it’s the w—”

  The Demon King snapped his fingers.

  The messenger’s scroll turned into a coupon for a free small drink.

  Kenji gasped. “BRO, HE’S HACKING THE SYSTEM.”

  The messenger looked at the coupon.

  Then at us.

  Then he ran away.

  The government was weak.

  10:00 AM – The Ultimate Vilin EntersThe front doors smmed open.

  The air grew thick.

  A dark aura filled the room.

  And then, the most feared being in all the nd walked in.

  …

  A Food Critic.

  Kenji whispered, “Bro, it’s her. The Duchess of Dining.”

  Melodia narrowed her eyes. “She destroyed ten restaurants st week alone.”

  The Demon King smirked. “Interesting.”

  I frowned. “Why is this a big deal?”

  Kenji grabbed my shoulders. “Bro. If she gives us a bad review, we’ll have to work overtime to fix it.”

  …

  I immediately understood the danger.

  10:15 AM – The Ultimate Customer Service BattleThe Duchess of Dining walked up to the counter.

  She wore an elegant bck dress, her diamond earrings sparkled, and her eyes burned with judgment.

  “I shall have,” she said slowly, “the finest item on your menu.”

  I grabbed a tray. “One Double Cheeseburger.”

  She frowned. “No. I want… something truly unique. Something… artistic.”

  Kenji panicked. “BRO, WHAT DO WE DO?”

  Melodia smirked. “Leave it to me.”

  She turned to the Demon King.

  The Demon King nodded.

  They both stepped forward.

  10:30 AM – The Birth of the Ultimate BurgerThe Demon King raised his hands. Dark energy swirled. The ground rumbled.

  Melodia threw spices into the air—they sparkled like fireworks.

  Kenji poured the sauce with the grace of a master chef.

  And I…

  …stood there.

  Because I didn’t care.

  Finally, the Ultimate Burger was complete.

  The Duchess of Dining lifted it carefully. Took a slow, delicate bite.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Tears.

  “Exquisite,” she whispered.

  Kenji gasped. “BRO. SHE LIKES IT.”

  Melodia smirked. “Obviously.”

  The Demon King crossed his arms. “Victory.”

  The Duchess stood up. “Burger Castle… earns my highest rating.”

  Then she left.

  Kenji pumped his fists. “WE DID IT.”

  I sighed. “…Can I go home now?”

  Epilogue: Nothing ChangedDespite saving the restaurant from certain doom, nothing actually changed.

  I still got paid the same amount.

  I still had too many shifts.

  And I still couldn’t afford rent.

  I sighed.

  Looked at my paycheck.

  Then I screamed into my pillow.

  Capitalism wins again.

  To Be Continued…