Violent Flavor
"Pfft. Those black company bastards just got hit with acid rain right on their insteps!"
Two contracts, two new products on sale. The Montwan Forest Restaurant's Soft Dream and the Southern McBaku Dimension's Dream Drink were flying off the shelves. On top of that, the lava shark meat—now backed by several research papers guaranteeing its safety—was starting to sell steadily too.
"When I first approved this project, I had my doubts, but now I have no choice but to believe. This was definitely the breakthrough!"
The Marble Golem Manager let out a hearty chuckle of satisfaction.
"But it's too early to get complacent. Here, take this."
"This is...?"
"Survey results."
Survey results? When did we even...?
He handed over a thick stack of papers. A quick look revealed three surveys in total: one on Trienta plant nutrients and fertilizer, one on the two dream products, and one on lava shark meat.
"When did you even have time to...?"
"I gave separate instructions every time you brought in new goods."
The questions on the surveys were surprisingly varied and incisive. Sure, there were a few idiotic ones sprinkled in, but this single set covered everything from the races, ages, and genders primarily using Trienta plant nutrients; the dimensions and districts where Trienta fertilizer sold best; the races and ages least averse to lava shark; and even how many Dream Drinks daily users who'd tried it at least once consumed. It was just a few dozen pages, but the insights were pure gold—treasure for figuring out how to sell these products even better.
"When you're out in the field, it's easy to get tunnel-visioned on one thing and lose sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes you get swept up in the on-site charisma or whatever and end up getting attached for no good reason."
"...You're right, now that I think about it."
"Everyone knows you're capable."
The Marble Golem Manager chuckled again, pulling a Dream Drink from the mini-fridge by his desk.
"And with data like this added in, we know you can deliver even bigger results."
"I... suppose so?"
"Exactly. That's why I'm the manager."
The Marble Golem Manager said there were things you could only see from afar and handed me a Dream Drink.
He really loves the stuff...
I liked it personally too, but not quite as much as him.
"Besides, I don't want you feeling like you're in this alone. Freedom and neglect aren't the same. Creating an environment where you can work freely is different from just leaving you to it."
The manager cracked open the can casually and chugged it down. Despite his marble face, for a split second, he looked like a boy lost in a sweet dream.
"Anyway, just think of this as us helping you out a bit. Got it?"
Is Dream Drink really safe? It's turning even this marble manager soft. Hard to get used to.
...Not that I'm free from it myself.
Dream Drink was, put simply, approved as an energy drink. Officially classified as a potion to boost energy... but anyway, it had long become an everyday essential. It outperformed most elixirs. Sure, basic potions could handle physical fatigue, but only Dream Drink erased soul-weariness and restored frayed spirits.
Surprisingly, Soft Dream had similar effects—stronger ones, in fact, but at a premium price.
In game terms, potions and elixirs restored current HP, while Dream restored max HP depletion. Sure, once your soul recovered to a point, the effects tapered off—but placebo or not, once you knew that steady clarity of soul, you couldn't escape its subtle addiction.
Restoring worn soul and mind felt like... yeah. Rekindling the fiery passion and zeal of your twenties. That overflowing energy where you're bursting with power but have no clue what to do with it—just pure motivation and drive burning hot.
The kind you regret in your thirties or forties: "Ah, back then I should've been more efficient!" Regaining that flood of vigor and enthusiasm.
"But the side effects are way too intense..."
And then came the completely unforeseen side effect. One no one could've predicted.
"I want something spicy, salty, greasy, and stimulating..!"
I never expected my youthful palate to come roaring back!
By interdimensional standards, I was still young—but past my peak, at the age where you start managing your body. No need for supplements or meds yet, but thinking ahead, it was time to consider them. Back in the day, I could thrive on meat and flour alone, no veggies needed. Now? A little greenery kept things comfortable.
At a time like this, craving spicy, salty, sweet, sour, oily extreme flavors...
"...Can't be helped."
I knew eating this way today meant gut pain tomorrow, maybe even the day after. My balance might shatter, leaving me groaning for days. Not bedridden, but it'd hit hard.
But suppressing this urge? Impossible. This craving was that youthful fire and passion. The more you bottled it up, the fiercer the rebellion—like teenage defiance overflowing!
The only way to tame this pup charging at a tiger was to satisfy it!
"In that spirit, let's hit that spot today."
I searched online for local eats. I knew plenty of spots, but this time, instinct alone wouldn't cut it—I needed the net's help. All my go-tos were mild, non-greasy, gut-friendly places!
College district? Ha. My appetite demanded real extremity now. The kind that flips your stomach with one bite—but delicious extremity!
"This one it is."
Perfect—something solid nearby. This should satisfy the little fire in my heart. Alright, no time like the present. Straight shot, consequences be damned!
...This is insane. It screams "disaster if you eat it."
Spicy pork galbi jjim. Here I was, at a place for spicy pork galbi jjim.
The sharp, stinging spicy aroma hit the moment I opened the door. Just brushing my nostrils made my nose tingle and eyes water.
A glance around: pots brimming with dark, scorched-red sauce. Ha. Insane. That warning-black hue screamed "you'll regret this," yet...
Why was my mouth watering like crazy?
I knew the taste. Spicy. I'd probably rue it by dinner. The toilet would be a furnace—or maybe me.
But no backing out now. My inner fire had decided. Retreat here, and I'd brand myself a cowardly traitor!
...Not that it matters much, but right now, I'm persecuted by that self-judgment. No choice.
Take a seat.
"Ready to order?"
"Spicy galbi jjim for one... no, make it three servings."
"Yes! Spicy galbi jjim, three servings!"
"Oh, and beer—350... no, 1,000cc."
"Got it!"
To satisfy my inner fire, this sacrifice was inevitable. Hm? I feel it hesitating. No, no—you wanted this. I, Lee Hansoo, wanted just one serving with a light beer, but you, my youthful blaze, blackmailed me into this..!
"Whew... been a while. Eating something this spicy solo."
Thinking back, since starting work, I'd rarely done spicy alone. Work crises meant constant condition control as routine.
This could be an opportunity. While my inner wicked youth wrecked my body, a chance to indulge all the skipped stuff!
So what if I suffer? Shamelessly blame the Dream Drink side effects. Youth had raw drive but no savvy—I suffered for it. Now? Youthful zeal plus hard-earned experience: the complete package! No shame in tapping out to spice, and sick leave's always an option!
So today, eat hearty! My inner young fire demands it!