Chapter 19: Not Big, But Stable
Ordinary folks say it like that. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who pour the sweet-and-sour sauce over their tangsuyuk and those who dip it. But honestly, that's a silly distinction. What about the rare ones who eat it plain, without any sauce? Surprisingly, they exist. There's even one in our department—a newbie who dips the fried pork straight into soy sauce. Says the sauce doesn't suit his taste.
So which side am I on? My preference is pouring it on—bu-meok. Dad taught me that way when I was a kid. I love the crisp fry, sure, but I also dig that slightly soggy texture after the sauce soaks in. So yeah, I poured it generously. I even checked if Hoya was a dipper, but shockingly, she's in the no-sauce camp. She snatches a piece and bolts.
"Hey, it's hot!"
Whether she understood me or not, she drops it after a few hops. Nyaang! She glares at me like I'm the culprit. It's infuriatingly unfair, but that's cats for you—I let it slide. More importantly, is she okay? I rush over to check on Hoya. She's totally fine. Come to think of it, it'd be a miracle if something like this actually hurt her.
"Daddy'll cool it off for you! Wait just a sec so you don't burn your gums."
Nyang.
This time, she waits obediently. Baekya, having polished off the organ meats, eyes us curiously, waiting for his share. Fried stuff probably isn't great for beasts like them, but they're no ordinary cat or tiger, so it should be fine. Plus, I used olive oil, so yeah, healthy enough.
"Alright, dig in!"
I spot a prime piece glistening with just the right amount of sauce, spear it with chopsticks alongside a chunk of pineapple, and pop it in my mouth happily.
"Whoa, this is insane."
Staring at the tangsuyuk in awe, a notification pops up.
◈ Tangsuyuk served with pineapple sauce.
◈ Eating it increases Stamina by 5 and regenerates skin.
◈ Delicious, but dipping in sauce halves the skin regeneration effect.
"Puhahaha."
The system straight-up mandates bu-meok. Makes sense with pineapple being a skin-related ingredient, but it still feels like it's pushing that agenda hard.
"That's what tangsuyuk's all about!"
Now that Cooking has hit level 5, the gaps from level 4 start filling in. Gotta make this for Mom and Dad next time I'm home. Si-yeon's been stressing over her acne scars—this should clear them right up. She usually covers them with makeup, but no need anymore.
"Does 'regenerate' mean it heals wounds and scars, or does it actually rejuvenate the skin?"
Needs a test subject. Pineapple pizza's one thing, but this sauce tangsuyuk boosts Stamina too, so it's perfect for the family. Regular pork works fine, no monster meat required. No need to go that far for anyone anyway.
"Alright, bellies full—time for bed."
At "bed," Baekya settles in, and Hoya and I curl up against his belly.
"What more is paradise than this?"
Baekya loans his gut as a mattress, Hoya burrows into my arms for some kneading and affection. What else could a guy want? Life's a breeze. Stuffed with delicious food to boot.
"Night-night."
Eyes close, and sleep comes easy.
Heading into work, the stares from coworkers feel off. They're whispering and pointing at me. Something's up.
'Damn, did they find out?'
If they're reacting this hard, they've probably pieced together that I'm a gate owner.
'How'd it leak?'
Time to unseal the beast in my desk drawer—the one every salaryman keeps locked away. The resignation letter, that tragic scroll.
"Guess it's time to hand this over."
Not thrilled. This job's where I poured my adulting efforts—got recognition, felt proud even for products I didn't invent.
"Tch."
Feels like a tear might drop. Approaching Manager Jung's desk, he spots me.
"Choi?"
"Yes. Here."
I set the letter down primly, but before it lands:
"What'd you do to your skin?"
"Resi—... Pardon?"
"Your skin, Si-woo. What on earth happened?"
"Me...?"
"Yeah. Haven't you checked a mirror?"
"Oh."
Now that I think about it, post-shower this morning, my skin looked great. But guys always think they look better than they do in the mirror—self-delusion, right? Never paid much mind to my complexion anyway.
"What's different?"
"You serious? Unbelievable! Even for a guy, how do you miss this?"
For the record, our manager's a woman—five years my senior, super capable and attractive. Workaholic, though, so skin troubles from stress, vicious cycle.
'Thought only of family, forgot Manager Kang right under my nose.'
Idiot. Closest person desperate for this effect, and I blanked.
"Manager Kang, rooftop—follow me!"
"Hm?"
Can't whip out pineapple here—too risky. Up to the roof.
"That resigna—"
"Shh! Come on."
Can't let "resignation" escape my lips. I hustle up, and she follows.
"Manager Kang! I love you!"
"Huh? Confession? I'm single, but I have standards."
"Ack! Not like that."
I spoke in flowery script mode.
"Pfft! You're funny sometimes, Si-woo. I knew it was a joke."
"Ah, yeah. And this."
I pull a sliced pineapple from my bag and hand it over.
"Pineapple?"
"Not just any. My hunter buddy... no need to explain further, right?"
"Oh! Like the watermelon you gave Manager Jung?"
"Word travels?"
"Yeah, I was gonna ask for some myself."
"You're single...?"
"For my bro."
"Oh, nosy mistake. Be happy."
"Biological brother. Infertile couple."
"Ah... that's what I figured?"
Nearly blew it.
"Knew you'd get it. Can you hook me up with watermelon?"
"Sure, I'll ask my friend."
"Thanks."
"No prob. When I started here, how much you... uh..."
"Tormented me."
"Yeah. Thought it was just 'breaking in the newbie.' Good training, actually—got promoted fastest among peers."
"You know? You've been glowing lately."
"Always been upbeat inside. Doesn't show. Haha."
Calmness skill probably makes me seem emotionless. After losing Hoya, even more stoic. Worrying where she wandered killed any smile—felt guilty even trying. Now with the gate, Hoya back, family's healthy... world's beautiful. No girlfriend? Hoya's why. Lifelong solo, but never lonely.
'Wait, that's a problem.'
"Keep smiling like that."
"Will do. Found Hoya."
"You adore her. Girlfriend'd be jealous."
"Don't ha—"
"Sorry."
"No need. Don't feel the lack right now."
"Pfft! This pineapple—really why your skin's flawless?"
"Supposed to be great for skin. Eat it, don't massage."
"Hohoho. Got it. Thanks anyway."
"Next one's pricey, ma'am."
"For this skin? I'd ditch my bonus. Don't worry."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Watermelons for men, pineapples for women—items they won't skimp on. Planted black beans for balding millions too; hope they work. Not corporate riches, but steady daily cash—tens of thousands easy. Canteen auntie wants more watermelon already. Felt the effects? Promised Monday delivery.
Back at the office, Manager Jung hugs me.
"You're a gem."
"Already?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Worked for him too. If black beans deliver on hair growth like hoped, that's the webnovel big three: stamina melon, skin pineapple, hair beans. Might plant every hair-growth superfood.
Friday evenings beat Saturday or Sunday vibes. Why? Two full days off ahead. Saturday morning already feels half-spent, but Friday night's pure anticipation. Buzzing like that, I call Mom, promise a Saturday visit. Meet Seon-woo, snag a finished hornbow.
Bow? Nah, hornbow. He loans it grudgingly for his hunts—hated lending his baby. Why borrow? To craft one via woodworking. He lent one before, but it felt amateurish. Need a model for my own.
"Hoya, think Daddy's handy?"
Nyaang?
"What, remembering that cat tower took ten hours?"
Assembly cat tower's a beast. Everyone raved "easy"—even a review: "Girl here, done solo in 30 mins." Took me over ten. Fake reviewer, bet.
"Hey! That tower's rock-solid."
My claim, anyway. Wasn't handy before, but gate world's Dexterity stat changed that.
Like now.
"This... my bow? And it's an item?"
The one I made was an item. Rare gear-type at that. System confirms it.
"So this is..."