Chapter 31
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Delivering into the Dungeon
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Hehe. Didn't you miss me even a little?
What nonsense is this?
"Not at all."
She cut him off bluntly, and the system window overflowed with hurt emoticons.
。゜゜(´Ｏ`)゜゜。
Boo hoo, that's so mean.
The administrator is always thinking of User Moon Chae-ryeon, thinking and thinking some more...
"Ugh, cut the creepy talk and get to the point."
? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ?
"Don't play dumb. You always show up with a quest. This time it's a quest too, right?"
Tch. That's why I hate sharp users.
What the hell is this guy saying...
Does the system administrator have nothing better to do? Always popping up with weird emoticons and chit-chat.
...Wait a second. Thinking about it, this guy seems to be spending a suspicious amount of time on me?
It felt overly friendly... Is this normal for hunters?
Just as doubt started to creep in...
Bam-para-bam~ Ppa-ba-bam-pa-ra-bam!
"Ugh. What is that."
A massive firework exploded in her eardrums. Then a grand, flashy status window unfurled before Chae-ryeon like fine silk.
｡.ﾟ+:((ヾ(｡･ω･)ｼ)).:ﾟ+｡
Welcome! I've been waiting just for today.
Congratulations on entering the main scenario!
The boisterous administrator presented the main scenario with great fanfare.
'Main scenario?'
I wonder what it is this time.
A bright blue window appeared before the tense Chae-ryeon.
He who would wear the crown, bear its weight!
User Moon Chae-ryeon, the main scenario assigned to you is...
Doom-doom-doom-doom...!
Main Scenario - Chapter 1: <Our Bento Shop's Menu is Delicious>
Chapter 1: The First Spoonful
Rank: Mild
Forget the tutorial where you just built basics! Now it's the real deal. The time has come to save countless hunters suffering from bland meals and hunger in dungeons!
📍 Objectives:
- Complete at least 10 deliveries (0/10)
- Secure reorder intent for at least 5 orders (0/5)
- Heal a sick customer using dungeon loot 'Giant Sandworm Meat' (0/1)
- Collect and sell at least 3 dungeon-sourced ingredients in the compendium (0/3)
Basic Provided Item: Dungeon Monster Collection Compendium x1
Rewards: Upgrade to <Portable Kitchen Anywhere!> / Level up of an existing skill (choice) / Farm Establishment Patch Pack
Failure: Hunter abilities sealed for one month
"...It's too long."
True to a main scenario, the kickoff was flashy, but the endless wall of text made her eyes spin.
No need to worry.
It's something User Moon Chae-ryeon can handle just like always!
At the system's confident words, Chae-ryeon let out a sigh of relief.
"...For real?"
Of course. We chose User Moon Chae-ryeon as the perfect candidate after seeing your potential for ■■.
That ■■ that still wouldn't show up.
"What's ■■? I can't understand it."
As Chae-ryeon grumbled, the system comforted her.
*Pat pat pat*
It's information inaccessible at your current level.
It's just not time yet. Once User Moon Chae-ryeon gains the 'qualification,' you'll learn about ■■ automatically.
That's exactly why you were chosen as the Dungeon Express Delivery Person!
From what the administrator said, it seemed the system had chosen Chae-ryeon as its agent for some purpose related to that ■■.
"Whatever. As long as it doesn't harm me, it's fine."
Her awakening as a hunter had come suddenly, but she liked this job.
Beyond just cooking to fill people's bellies and make them happy as she'd always wanted, it came with the spice of spectacular adventures.
'A mere main scenario? I'll smash through it one stamp at a time like clearing dojos!'
The administrator felt relieved at Chae-ryeon's resolute stance.
The administrator admires his own eye for people and feels proud.
"Ugh. Self-praise much."
More importantly, hasn't something been bothering you since earlier?
"Ah."
At those words, Chae-ryeon accessed SNS through her phone, which she'd left on like she was on a call.
'Nothing. At all.'
All records of Chae-ryeon on Hwitter and other SNS had vanished, leaving only mentions of Yi Seo-ro appearing at the Hunter Market.
'As expected, Mr. Yi must have taken some measures.'
If the real helper, Shin Ha-rang, found out, he'd be heartbroken and roll on the ground, but the oblivious Chae-ryeon assumed it was Yi Seo-ro's doing.
"I can't just shut my mouth and walk away after getting help like that. Conscience and all."
If you receive a favor with your body, you repay it with words, right?
Chae-ryeon slowly dialed the number on the crisp business card.
Ring ring ring...
The phone didn't ring long.
Click.
[Hello?]
A sweet, gentle voice flowed out like sweet potato mousse. Chae-ryeon nearly fell under its spell, wondering if this person was the real monster.
"Ah, ahem! Is this Mr. Yi Seo-ro?"
[...Is this Ms. Moon Chae-ryeon by any chance?]
How did he recognize her voice alone? Chae-ryeon was quite surprised, as she'd never given him her number.
...Am I that memorable?
Aside from her love of cooking, Chae-ryeon was utterly ordinary. It was intriguing.
"Um, this is Moon Chae-ryeon, who sold monster meat at the Hunter Market last time. Thanks to your help, I sold out completely. I wanted to at least say thank you... but you'd already left."
[That was just my pure goodwill, so no need to worry about it.]
"Still. If possible, I'd like to repay the favor. Is there anything I can do to help you, Mr. Yi?"
It was an offer Yi Seo-ro couldn't refuse.
'It's like the pumpkin rolling right into my lap on the vine.'
The black-hearted Yi Seo-ro wanted to whisk her away and sign her on as his family's exclusive chef right then. Her value, as seen through his skill [Truth's Eye], was immense.
'But asking her to be my exclusive chef on this pretext would scare her off.'
Yi Seo-ro was as good at reading minds as he was bad at liking people. He had no intention of nauseating a freshly awakened young hunter who'd lived her life as a commoner.
Quite the opposite. He wanted to take it slow, cultivate her gradually, until she showed affection by wanting to stay by his side without him lifting a finger.
That invisible chain would bind Moon Chae-ryeon tight.
'For now, I need to plant some goodwill in this person brimming with limitless potential.'
It took only seconds to think that far.
[Ah, in that case, User Moon Chae-ryeon. How about this?]
Chae-ryeon’s eyes widened at Yi Seo-ro's proposal.
"Really? That would work?"
The next day.
"...Wow."
Chae-ryeon stood before a certain building. Inside her beige canvas crossbody bag, her summons Delicious Waitress Mimi and Manager Sol-chan peeked out through the gaps, eyes gleaming.
"They call him Korea's top alchemist, and it lives up to the reputation. Behold the majestic structure. The design is a masterpiece of capitalism. The security, designed to keep the workshop hidden from the outside, is top-notch."
"The surrounding landscape is impeccably maintained too. It could pass for a meticulously curated exhibition hall at first glance."
As her two summons said, Yi Seo-ro's invited workshop building exuded an overwhelming charm.
'It’s like a compressed version of France's Palace of Versailles.'
Amid modern, simple buildings, the rococo-style structure stood strikingly out of place. Standing before the platinum-colored facade matching Yi Seo-ro's hair, she felt intimidated.
"This is the right place, right...?"
How many times did she check the map app? Soon, someone emerged from the massive palace-like building to greet her.
"Guys, stay hidden in there even if it's cramped!"
"Yes!"
At Chae-ryeon's whisper, Mimi and Sol-chan quickly curled up deep inside the bag. Once she zipped it shut, a butler in formal attire approached her.
"Are you Ms. Moon Chae-ryeon?"
"Ah, yes. I'm Moon Chae-ryeon. I came at Mr. Yi's invitation."
When Chae-ryeon handed over the business card, the elderly butler nodded in confirmation and offered a handshake.
"Welcome to Mr. Yi Seo-ro's alchemy workshop. It's been ages since someone received a personal invitation from him. He's waiting, so please come up."
"Okay."
Chae-ryeon's grip tightened in her hand as she followed the butler.