“Here is today’s menu.”
As the food cover was lifted, a bright plume of steam rose, spreading the concentrated aroma and flavor in all directions.
The revealed dish was none other than carrot soup.
A common dish in Austria, it was prepared in the Hungarian style.
The finely ground carrots combined with ginger created a subtle ginger scent and a smooth soup texture that was exquisite.
“This is a dish made with the magical carrots of the awakener, Lee Kyu-seong. It was delivered from Ara Hongryeon today.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Johann Rothschild, the guild master of the Terror Guild, swallowed his anticipation as the awaited dish finally appeared.
The first delivery from Ara Hongryeon had arrived.
Most of it had to be used as buff items for dungeon raids, making it rare to enjoy it as ‘food.’
“There were crops that couldn’t become items, and I heard they’re also in short supply over there.”
Since most people had similar thoughts, all non-buff crops were distributed to Ara Hongryeon’s restaurant.
However, the quantity was so limited that they only appeared on the menu two or three times a month.
The majority of crops were allocated for dungeon raids, leading to the odd situation where guild members raided dungeons just to eat the crops.
“This is the famous food of awakener Lee Kyu-seong. I’ve only heard about it through rumors and stories until now, so it’s my first time actually eating it.”
Today, alongside Johann, was Choi Sung-hyuk, the top awakener of the Terror Guild known as the Exterminator.
He was a rare dedicated awakener who tirelessly worked on the front lines of dungeon raids, leaving him with little free time.
Despite hearing praises about Lee Kyu-seong from his brother, Director Choi, he had never tasted the food himself.
“Work is important, but you should take it easy sometimes.”
“I try to take it easy, but there are dungeons that can’t be conquered without me…”
“Dungeons don’t run away, and it’s not like a break will cause a catastrophe. I worry that you’re working too obsessively.”
At Johann’s words, Choi Sung-hyuk merely smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Anyway, since today is a rare break, I’ve prepared a feast, so please enjoy it to the fullest. Although it’s not food from Kyu-seong, there will be other dishes, and there should be plenty of soup.”
“Thank you, Guild Master.”
Johan felt sorry for not being able to look after Choi Sung-hyuk, who was always busy.
Despite giving him the best treatment in the industry, it was hard to see him.
Hence, he made a point to create this occasion and invite him.
In fact, all of Kyu-seong’s crops received from Ara Hongryeon should have been used for the dungeon raid team’s buff items, but he set aside some just for this event.
“Now, let’s eat.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for the meal, Guild Master.”
Then the two slowly picked up their spoons.
The carrot soup, filled to the brim, shimmered brilliantly, spreading a rich aroma all around.
“Mmm.”
The aroma alone made their mouths water.
Trying to resist, their hands brought the spoons quickly to their mouths.
Slurp
The broth was sucked in.
Their senses were focused on one spot.
“!!”
The warm sensation melted everything away, the smooth yet thick broth enveloping them.
Next was the aroma.
The strong scent of carrot soup that had been wafting since the spoon approached now filled their mouths and noses, only to suddenly play coy.
‘Haaa.’
Replacing it was a comforting warmth created by a blend of various vegetables.
Not just carrots, but all sorts of vegetables were included, making it inevitable.
No, on second thought, it wasn’t obvious at all.
“How can it taste like this…?”
“Huh!”
Should this be called a taste or an aroma? The balance between flavor and scent was exquisite.
Considering the strong carrot aroma initially felt, it was surprising. It seemed natural that the other ingredients’ flavors would be overshadowed.
At that moment, the chef who brought the dish had not yet left and softly spoke up.
“Um, Guild Master.”
“Yes?”
“We happened to receive some potatoes that couldn’t be used as items, so I added a bit of them as a service without reporting it. Was that okay?”
“Ah!”
No wonder!
Johann realized why this carrot soup had such a fantastic taste and aroma.
Potatoes! The potatoes were providing the balance.
“This… is the best food I’ve ever had.”
Choi Sung-hyuk, who had been savoring the taste in a daze, finally managed to speak. And it seemed like he was about to give high praise.
However, Johann couldn’t refute his words. Despite having tasted various soups in Austria, none could compare to this carrot soup.
Undoubtedly, this soup was a food that healed the soul.
“I feel the same. Or maybe, there could be even tastier dishes made with Kyu-seong’s ingredients.”
“Ahhh….”
Food tastier than this.
While continuing to eat the soup, Choi Sung-hyuk anticipated it.
What would Korean dishes made with Kyu-seong’s ingredients taste like?
Not being picky about food, any Korean would naturally look forward to it.
And Johann was no different. Having settled here because Korean food suited his taste,
“But!”
“But?”
“I don’t think there will ever be a carrot soup tastier than this.”
“I agree.”
Johann, the guild master of the Terror Guild, and Choi Sung-hyuk, the Exterminator, smiled brightly at each other.
***
There would never be a carrot soup tastier than this!
I was confident as I looked at the finished golden carrot soup.
‘Or not? Since this is just a one-star golden carrot, if the star count increases…. ‘
Anyway!
The carrot soup made with the combined efforts of Chef Orie and Jae-seong boasted a tremendous quantity. I heard it was about 800 servings.
800 servings from a single carrot.
Isn’t that stretching it a bit too much?
“The carrot was so strong that increasing the quantity wasn’t an issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter how diluted, it still tastes almost the same. The aroma and flavor don’t diminish at all.”
“Oh, really?”
As Jae-seong said, the smell of the golden carrot was overwhelming. Slimes and monsters had already gathered,
“Actually, we could’ve increased it even more. But brother said this much was enough, so we just went with it.”
“You did well, Jae-seong.”
“And, actually, there are a few carrots left.”
Looking to one side of the kitchen, as Jae-seong mentioned, there were some carrots left. Relatively speaking, it was a small amount, but in terms of quantity, it was almost three or four carrots.
“I’ll make a special dish for you with these, Brother. After all, you’re the owner of the carrots, so you deserve at least one special plate. Feed Ara too.”
“That’s my brother. You’ve got a good sense!”
Jae-seong, smiling warmly at my words, stored the remaining carrots properly and picked up the ladle.
“Can we try it first, Brother?”
“Sure. Let’s eat. Ara must be waiting eagerly.”
“Ah! Is my neck falling off?”
Ara, drooling, hurriedly covered her neck.
Everyone burst into laughter at her antics and picked up their plates.
“But with this much quantity, can we store it?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Most of it will be eaten here anyway.
There were over 500 goblins.
Sharing some with the Alfheim and the slimes and creatures here, it wasn’t a large quantity at all.
The golden broth ladled out was fantastic.
Who would think this was a soup made from carrots just by looking at it?
Everyone waited while filling their bowls with soup.
Seeing everyone waiting for their serving was so adorable.
Slime?
Slime!
The slimes, helped by Ara and me, waited with their plates in front of them, tilting their heads as if asking when they could start eating.
One plate for Woofy, one for Purr…
Even with only a few fairies, the quantity seemed large. They would probably eat to their hearts’ content and still have leftovers.
The slimes, though served, waited blankly, not knowing what to do.
Finally, when all the servings were done, I picked up my spoon first.
“Let’s eat!”
“Let’s eat it!”
When Ara and I exclaimed, Junichi and Orie hesitated.
“Can we really eat with you?”
“Of course.”
“Chef Jae-seong is a blessing to me. To think I get to enjoy such luxury.”
It was indeed precious food. But no food is more important than people.
And delicious food is meant to be shared.
‘Before that… I should check the item description. Does the golden carrot still retain its effect as a dish?’
[★Golden Carrot Soup]
[A top-notch dish made with perfect ingredients by an excellent chef]
[It’s very delicious]
[When consumed, slightly increases earth affinity permanently]
[When consumed, increases magic power by one level permanently for 1st tier and below (one-time effect)]
“Ooh!”
The effect remains!
Not exactly the same; the sight-related ability enhancement was gone.
The magic power increase dropped from 3rd tier and below to 1st tier and below, but there were 800 servings.
‘Awesome.’
I wondered if I was the only one seeing the item effect, so I looked at Junichi and Jae-seong, who were just staring at me, eager to eat.
“Shall we really eat?”
“Let’s eat it now!”
Ara couldn’t hold back and buried her face in the plate first.
Still holding the spoon, it looked like her body had won a fight against her mind.
Not wanting to lose, I scooped up the soup with my spoon.
And then, a carrot paradise, with countless carrots holding my hand and hopping around.
The golden sun was brightly shining on this scene. The sun itself looked like a carrot.
‘…Carrot paradise?’
For a moment, I saw a hallucination.
In disbelief at such taste, a thud came from the side.
“Ju-Junichi?”
Junichi, holding an empty plate that gleamed, had collapsed.
“This is the food of the devil. No, it’s the food of heaven! Or is it? What food is this?”
Orie, with unfocused eyes, muttered incomprehensible Japanese rapidly, while Ara, who had her face in the plate, shouted.
“Can I have another bowl?!”
“Sure, have another.”
Everyone had emptied their bowls already.
Just as I was about to scoop another spoonful for myself,
Clank.
Huh? Why does it sound like scraping the bottom?
Looking down, I saw an empty plate and tilted my head in confusion.
“Who ate all my soup?”
Cliche Novel 