Chapter 14

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: Delivering into the Dungeon 14

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Crunch.

The rock that had barely been hiding his body shattered into pieces under the sandworm's kick, scattering in all directions.

"Kieeeek-!"

Having demolished even his last hiding spot, the sandworm charged triumphantly toward Shin Ha-rang.

"Clouds walk upon blades, and thus no one can harm them."

Activating his skill, Shin Ha-rang leaped toward the sandworm with resolve to die.

'At least aim for mutual destruction.'

This horrific dungeon had to end with it swallowing just him alone.

It was then, as the blue flames cloaking his sword burned fiercely yet beautifully.

"...Ha."

After kindly kicking him out to avoid the ant pitfall, here he was, stubbornly insisting on plunging into the dungeon per the order.

All that came out was a hollow laugh.

"Kieeeek-!"

The sandworm was still barreling toward him with a squeal like a pig being slaughtered, but Shin Ha-rang didn't wipe the smile from his face.

No choice now—he couldn't go down easy.

"Fine. Let's dance with blades until reinforcements arrive."

"Kiek?"

"Here I go."

Shin Ha-rang raised his curved sword high and soared above the sandworm.

"The Weaver Girl and Cowherd could not meet, so the Milky Way Bridge wept, and from the clouds below scattered a storm."

Curved swords wreathed in flames, identical to the one in his grip, densely filled the space around Shin Ha-rang.

Dozens of blades floated up like a formation array and surged toward the sandworm—like fierce raindrops plunging to the ground.

'I have to hold out.'

Until this rain stopped.

'Cancel the order? As if!'

Upon receiving Shin Ha-rang's message, Chae-ryeon urgently called for Mimi.

"Mimi!"

"Yes! Boss!"

Mimi had already finished prepping the basic vegetables.

"Let's make the 'King of Kings Bento' right now! The customer's in a real pinch!"

"Got it!"

Chae-ryeon and Mimi pulled ingredients for the bento from the fridge and lined them up in the kitchen.

Plump, juicy shrimp, thick cuts of meat and bacon, fresh eel—pricey stuff filled the counter.

As Chae-ryeon and Mimi unpacked, washed, and prepped the ingredients, the system peeked in.

"We're busy—if you pop up something weird again, you're dead. Got it? This delivery could be life-or-death!"

The system deflated again at Chae-ryeon's scary glare and growl.

"Good, then."

The system begged for attention as Chae-ryeon immediately turned back to the bento, ignoring it.

Activating her skill <Coming Right Up!>, Chae-ryeon shot back.

"Yeah? So what? I'm busy. Unless it's important, scram."

'Slighted my ass. No time for distractions!'

Chae-ryeon battered shrimp, perilla leaves, sweet potatoes, potatoes, squid, and enoki mushrooms in frying mix and dropped them into hot oil.

'Calorie bomb calls for fritters!'

Of course, she was using skills to speed up cooking.

'Oho, nice.'

Chae-ryeon fried away carefree while hurrying the cube steak and bacon rice ball rolls.

Sizzle-

She slapped top-grade domestic Hanwoo on a scorching frying pan, ground black pepper over it, seared to perfection, and sliced with shears.

Topped with paprika, onions, matsutake mushrooms, and a drizzle of steak sauce, she gave it a gentle stir-fry.

For the bacon rice ball rolls, she picked recipes that paired well with bacon from her book, stuffed white rice, rolled in bacon like kimbap, and pan-fried.

Crowning it with a sunny-side-up half-boiled egg made it mouthwateringly irresistible.

'Can't forget parsley to finish!'

As Chae-ryeon bustled with cooking, the system window peeked again.

"...What?"

Glancing over out of curiosity, Chae-ryeon saw the system grin wide.

"Again?"

The system sweated bullets, persuading the wary Chae-ryeon.

'No idea what it is... but won't hurt me, right?'

Worth hearing.

Especially with Shin Ha-rang waiting desperately for delivery.

"What is it?"

'Richer rewards than most regular quests?'

Chae-ryeon paused while glazing eel in spicy sauce for grilling.

"But... what's the final reward skill for? 'Become my ingredient'? What does it even apply to...?"

No way it's for people, she eyed the system suspiciously.

"Ah, got it. Sorry."

"If you promise that much, I'll trust you."

Bonus quests had rewards without nasty failure penalties—safe bet.

Accepting, the system cheered.

Ding—the bonus quest kicked off.

Chae-ryeon shouted the instant it began.

"Search window!"

The search appeared.

"Find 'Manager Sol-chan' from the quest reward!"

Just like with Mimi—poof—thick smoke billowed up.