A Usual Evening Walk
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city streets.
Shadows stretched long across the sidewalk, the last remnants of daylight lingering in the crisp air.
A soft breeze rustled through the trees, sending the first hints of autumn into the evening.
Lee Jihoon exhaled slowly, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets as he walked.
This was his daily ritual after work—a quiet evening stroll, letting the stress of the day fade with every step.
The streets were bustling with life.
Office workers hurried toward the subway, eager to get home.A small group of students laughed and joked as they walked past.Street vendors called out, grilling skewers and selling snacks, the aroma of sizzling meat and spices filling the air.
Jihoon smiled faintly, enjoying the simple energy of the city at dusk.
As he rounded a corner, his phone buzzed.
Ding!
A system notification appeared.
[New Kindness Challenge]
Someone has lost something important. Help them get it back.
Reward: 22,000 KRW
Jihoon raised an eyebrow.
Lost something?
His gaze swept across the street, curious.
Was someone looking for something?
Then—just a few steps ahead—
He saw it.
A Small but Important Find
Lying on the sidewalk, just beside a lamppost, was a wallet.
Jihoon stopped.
It was slightly worn, made of dark brown leather, and looked expensive.
He bent down and picked it up, quickly flipping it open.
Inside, he found:
An ID cardSeveral credit cardsA few banknotes
Jihoon glanced at the ID.
Choi Dongwoo.
A man in his mid-40s, dressed in what looked like a formal business suit in the photo.
Jihoon scanned the busy street, looking for someone who might be searching for a lost wallet.
Nothing.
No one was checking their pockets.
No one was frantically looking around.
He sighed.
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Confirmed!]
The owner is nearby. Return the wallet to them.
Jihoon nodded to himself.
Well, that made things easier.
He took another glance at the ID photo, mentally memorizing the face, and began looking around again.
Then, a few meters away, near a food stall—
A man was patting his pockets, his expression turning more and more panicked.
Jihoon smirked.
Found him.
Returning the Wallet
The man was frantically checking his coat pockets, his bag, even the ground.
His eyes darted around, clearly growing more anxious by the second.
Jihoon approached him casually.
"Excuse me," Jihoon called out.
The man snapped his head up, his face full of worry. "Yes?"
Jihoon held up the wallet. "Looking for this?"
The man's eyes widened in shock.
He immediately reached out, hesitating for just a second before carefully taking it.
"Oh my god—yes! That's mine!"
He quickly flipped it open, checking the contents.
As soon as he saw his ID and cash still inside, he let out a long sigh of relief.
"I can't believe this… I must've dropped it without noticing," the man muttered, shaking his head.
Then, he turned to Jihoon, his face full of gratitude.
"You have no idea how much trouble you just saved me," he said, bowing deeply. "Thank you. Really."
Jihoon smirked. "It's nothing. Just glad I found it before someone else did."
The man let out a relieved chuckle.
"Most people wouldn't have returned it so honestly," he said. "You're a good person."
Jihoon smirked. "Don't spread rumors."
The man laughed. "Too late."
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 22,000 KRW
Jihoon felt a quiet satisfaction settle in his chest.
Another simple act.
Another moment that made someone's day a little better.
An Offer of Gratitude
The man checked his watch, frowning slightly.
"I was actually about to grab a quick dinner before heading home," he said. "Can I treat you to a meal as a thank-you?"
Jihoon hesitated.
It wasn't like he needed a reward for returning a lost wallet.
But… a free meal?
That was hard to refuse.
Jihoon smirked. "I won't say no to free food."
The man laughed. "Great! There's a good tteokbokki stall nearby. Let's go."
A Shared Meal with a Stranger
The small street vendor was cozy, run by an elderly woman with a warm smile.
Steam rose from the large pan, the scent of spicy rice cakes and fried snacks filling the air.
Jihoon and Dongwoo sat at a plastic table, the warm food perfect for the chilly evening air.
"So, what do you do for a living?" Dongwoo asked, taking a bite of fish cake.
Jihoon sipped his warm broth. "Office work. Nothing special."
Dongwoo chuckled. "Ah, another corporate warrior."
Jihoon smirked. "Something like that."
They talked casually, exchanging stories about work, food, and random life experiences.
Surprisingly, Jihoon found himself genuinely enjoying the conversation.
Dongwoo had an easygoing personality, and talking to him felt relaxed, natural.
By the time they finished eating, Dongwoo patted his stomach.
"Man, that hit the spot. Thanks for eating with me."
Jihoon grinned. "Hey, you were the one treating me. I should be thanking you."
Dongwoo chuckled. "Then let's call it even."
As they stood up to leave, Dongwoo held out his hand.
"I'm really glad I met you today," he said. "People like you… they make the world a little better."
Jihoon shook his hand, smirking. "I just found a wallet."
Dongwoo smiled. "Maybe. But you took the time to return it. That means something."
Jihoon didn't reply—he just gave a small nod.
Ding!
[Bonus Reward Unlocked!]
When kindness leads to connection, the world becomes a little warmer.
+7,000 KRW
Jihoon watched as Dongwoo walked off, disappearing into the night.
It had started as just another walk.
But somehow, it turned into a shared moment with a stranger.
Jihoon exhaled, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Yeah.
This had been a good day.
A Simple Reminder
As Jihoon headed home, his phone buzzed one last time.
Ding!
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Doing the right thing doesn't always require effort. Sometimes, it's just about taking a moment to help. A small act of honesty can make the world a better place."
Jihoon chuckled softly.
One small act.
One honest decision.
And one warm meal shared between strangers.
One small act at a time.
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