Round 24

Prev | TOC | Next

Seeing the reaction of his wife, Young-seong quickly bit into the carrot as well.

Crunch!

With a fresh sound, a reaction burst forth immediately.

“Hmm?!”

“Remember the carrot I showed you last time? I’ve improved it again.”

Of course, the improvement wasn’t because I wanted it, but since the result was good, it was fine.

Young-seong and his wife Si-young were too busy chewing on the carrots to pay much attention to what I was saying.

“Take your time, I brought more.”

“There’s more? Kyu-seong, are you an angel?”

his wife joked as she slyly reached out her hand. I handed her more carrots.

“Ha ha ha! Our Kyu-seong is an angel indeed. An angel sent down for us!”

“Ah, it just so happened by luck; please don’t praise me too much.”

“Kyu-seong, luck isn’t something that comes to anyone at any time, it only comes to those who are prepared.”

“Ah…”

“In the three years I’ve watched you, you’ve never given up and have always tried. You were already prepared to receive luck.”

I humbly responded, but it definitely resonated.

Would I have had a dual awakening if I had given up? And if I had given up farming even after a dual awakening?

“If you put it that way, it’s the same for you, brother.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks to the warmth you’ve shown me, you were able to welcome luck as well. You know I’ve only dealt with you, right?”

“…Right.”

Young-seong awkwardly scratched his head.

As his wife watched him chewing on carrots, she grinned teasingly.

“Shooting a youth drama?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it…”

“You should eat your carrots too, or I’ll eat them all.”

Watching his wife laugh so heartily, I suddenly realized she truly was once a top awakened in South Korea.

‘If the addiction is cured, will she return to the dungeons?’

If so, it would certainly stir a massive wave in the domestic awakeners’ industry. First, it would elevate the once-dropped status of the Ara Hongryeon Guild.

Regardless, it was a story a bit removed from me.

My main goal was to joyfully farm with slimes in my dungeon.

‘Maybe I should learn a bit more about professional farming.’

Lost in thought, Young-seong casually nudged me.

Looking up to see what else he had to say, Young-seong awkwardly extended his hand.

“I’d like some carrots too.”

* * *

The Ara Hongryeon Guild guild was tasting the ripple effects of achieving the fastest clear of a level 4 dungeon.

Interview requests were coming in from everywhere, and invitations like never before were being received.

People viewed it as the revival signal for the Ara Hongryeon  Guild guild.

“Phew. It’s tough.”

And that ripple was something even Jeong So-yeon, the youngest level 6 awakener in Korea and a figurehead for Ara Hongryeon Guild, couldn’t avoid.

After finishing her schedule and catching her breath, her manager approached her.

“You have a tasting and dinner appointment at 6:40 PM. Should we cancel it today?”

“No, I have to go. Gourmet food is my only pleasure.”

Jeong So-yeon was already salivating in anticipation of the dinner, though she wasn’t thrilled about the people she was meeting. But that didn’t really matter.

“Then we’ll leave in ten minutes.”

“Yes. But where was it again?”

“It’s at the Fist Guild.”

“Not a restaurant, then.”

“The chef for the evening is Chef Seong Yundo with an epic course. It should be good.”

“Oh, if it’s him, then today’s worth looking forward to.”

A radiant smile filled Jeong So-yeon’s face.

Pondering whether to share what he knew, her manager finally spoke cautiously.

“Uh, the second team leader will also be attending.”

“…That’s fine. I’m just there to eat.”

Although she said that, her once bright expression quickly faded. The manager regretted saying anything and stepped out to let her rest a bit longer in the room.

Alone, Jeong So-yeon started tapping on her phone and suddenly recalled Kyu-seong and the crops he had brought.

“I want to eat that again.”

As dinner time approached, she craved carbohydrates. And the mashed potatoes she had last time were unforgettable.

“I should have asked for his number.”

Suddenly, she remembered Kang Hanul.

Kang Hanul would surely have Kyu-seong’s number. Since he sometimes bought his crops, this might be a good chance to ask about him.

“Team leader, shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s go now!”

The Fist Guild belonged to the top ten guilds.

Supported by a giant corporation, this newbie guild had shown rapid growth.

The guild building, supported by the guild’s backers, was imposing. Although it couldn’t compare to Ara Hongryeon Guild, it had an atmosphere that let its members walk with pride.

“Have you arrived, Awakener Jeong So-yeon? Please come this way.”

Voices could be heard from inside, as if people who had arrived early were already there. As soon as Jeong So-yeon entered, familiar faces greeted her warmly.

“Oh, So-yeon! Long time no see.”

“Ah, Sehee. Have you been well? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you too, Dong-hoon.”

After exchanging greetings, Jeong So-yeon found her seat, and all eyes turned to her. Although the looks were playful since most of them were close friends, So-yeon felt a bit burdened being the team leader of a guild that was recently gaining popularity.

“Is there something you wanted to say…?”

“How did you do it?”

“Ah, Yeongdeungpo?”

“Even though it’s a level 4 dungeon, that time is honestly unbelievable. There’s no such case even internationally.”

“That’s a corporate secret. Hehe.”

She tried to play it off smoothly, but another person interjected. It was an awakener from the Fist Guild, who particularly followed Jeong So-yeon.

“Is it a secret even to us, So-yeon? Ah, that’s too much.”

“Ha, haha…”

While Jeong So-yeon was awkwardly laughing, more people arrived and took their seats. It was a monthly gathering, so a flood of pent-up stories came pouring out.

And naturally, Ara Hongryeon  Guild dominated much of the conversation.

“How in the world did it only take 27 hours? Isn’t that crazy?”

“And wasn’t it just any dungeon? It’s the one we failed before because of the unidentified monster. And this time, they brought back the corpse of that unidentified monster…”

Even as they exchanged stories, the covert glances at Jeong So-yeon never ceased.

Her being the only awakener from Ara Hongryeon Guild present also played a part.

As the atmosphere slowly became more noticeable without being too overt, just when patience was wearing thin, suddenly there was a silence.

Curious, Jeong So-yeon turned her head, and there was Kang Hanul, entering with a pleased smile, carrying something huge.

“Hahaha! Looks like we’ve got quite the attention! Just in time, I brought the ghost stingray we discovered this time for everyone to see!”

Thud!

The room froze at Kang Hanul’s wild act of bringing in the monster’s corpse. Regardless, Kang Hanul called over a staff member and ordered.

“Try cooking this.”

“What? Yes…”

Despite the outrageous request, the Fist Guild staff couldn’t dare refuse, given that he was known for his eccentricities.

Meanwhile, Kang Hanul casually took a seat next to Jeong So-yeon.

“Hey, kid! Why the long face sitting here all alone! Hahaha!”

“What in the world did you bring this time?”

“Huh? The stingray? Just talked to the boss and took one.”

“…The guild leader allowed that?”

“Ah. Of course, I had to fib a bit for research purposes. Hahaha! But it is for research, right? Trying unverified ingredients is a part of research too! Haha!”

Ah, surely…

Feeling that this man was a bit off his rocker, Jeong So-yeon couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Smiling like that suits you! Anyway, I’m really looking forward to today since it’s been a while since I participated!”

“Chef Seong Yundo is here, you know the epic course?”

“Mm! Of course! Haven’t been often, but I know.”

Then, Kang Hanul’s expression turned serious, and he muttered gravely.

“Kid. Do you know why I suddenly joined this gathering?”

“Is there a specific reason you came?”

“Yes.”

Seeing his serious demeanor, Jeong So-yeon straightened up too. Confirming her posture, Kang Hanul spoke.

“Lately, no matter what I eat, it feels lacking.”

“What?”

“Ever since eating the food from Kyu-seong… nothing satisfies me anymore. I can still eat to fill my stomach without expecting much, but when I expect something, it never fulfills my anticipation.”

Jeong So-yeon felt a chilling sensation.

His words corresponded with the idea that the joy of gastronomy was disappearing.

‘Not able to feel deliciousness anymore?’

That was a serious issue for Jeong So-yeon, especially since she had also experienced Kyu-seong’s crops.

“Well, I haven’t felt that way yet…”

“People vary, or maybe you haven’t eaten much of Kyu-seong’s food yet.”

“Ah…”

“But you know what? I don’t regret eating Kyu-seong’s food. Even if I could go back in time, I’d definitely eat his food again.”

“I…!”

Just as Jeong So-yeon was bracing herself to ask for Kyu-seong’s number, the organizer of the meeting appeared.

“Swoosh!”

“Oh! The guild leader is all dressed up today.”

“Ah?! Is the food coming out now? I’m starving!”

Welcomed with cheers, the Fist Guild’s guild leader bowed.

“Thank you for coming from far. The food will be ready shortly, so no worries.”

Wink!

The whining awakener received a wink from the Fist Guild’s guild leader, who then greeted Kang Hanul.

“We’ll gladly accept the new monster you brought. We’ll try our best to repay you with good food.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

As he said, the dishes started coming out in quick succession. The servers bustled about, attending to the awakeners.

“Ah! The flavors are alive!”

“As expected of Chef Seong Yundo. Isn’t the chef going to come out and greet us?”

While everyone was enjoying their meal, the Fist Guild’s guild leader watched contentedly. Then, slowly shifting his gaze, he looked towards Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon and noticed something odd.

“Hmm?”

He tilted his head, seeing their strange expressions.

“Is it not to your taste?”

“No, no. It’s delicious.”

Jeong So-yeon hastily responded, but the guild leader could tell that her reply lacked conviction. However, Jeong So-yeon herself was surprised by her own reaction.

‘Why?’

The food was definitely tasty.

Yet, something was missing. Was it because she had too high expectations, or was it because she was unusually tired today? She couldn’t tell.

“It’s lacking.”

Kang Hanul suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Eh? It’s fine though…”

“That’s what I thought too, I was actually enjoying it.”

People have different tastes and preferences, so it was possible. However, what puzzled everyone was that the Kang Hanul they knew wasn’t someone with particularly fussy tastes.

“What do you find lacking?”

Eventually, the Fist Guild’s guild leader asked.

Then Kang Hanul frankly said,

“I’ve eaten something much tastier before. Ever since then, nothing has been the same.”

“Much tastier? You mean, tastier than this?”

“Yes.”

Seeing that he wasn’t joking, the guild leader asked with a serious expression,

“Brother Hanul, what exactly did you eat alone that left such an impression?”

“Hehe. Curious?”

Kang Hanul smirked and glanced at Jeong So-yeon.

Catching his gaze, Jeong So-yeon couldn’t help but smile as well.

Although they usually bickered, the presence of Lee Kyu-seong was a secret shared only between them at this gathering, leading to a natural reaction.

“It’s not the chef’s lack of skills. It’s just an issue with the ingredients. Next time, I’ll bring something myself. I’ll show you what the best taste is.”

Prev | TOC | Next