Chapter 41

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: Delivering into the Dungeon

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'It's not gonna kill you if you eat it.'

'But it's gross.'

'Can't we just starve?'

'Fucking dungeons always have some bullshit trick up their sleeve. It's like the mysteries of the universe crammed into one place.'

No one among them was eager to volunteer to chow down on a bug the size of an adult's arm.

That's when a savior-like notification chimed in.

The sudden notification left most of the hunters there to raid the dungeon utterly baffled.

"What the hell is this?"

"Food delivery?"

"Someone pranking us?"

"A new dungeon trap? Trying to lure us in?"

"...But do these guys even know what delivery means?"

"Hallucination? Figures, it's a surge-type dungeon after all."

The murmurs grew louder among the hunters. Out of the fifteen there, only three weren't flustered.

'Moon Chae-ryeon must've started doing deliveries!'

Shin Ha-rang's face lit up. Min Hae-yul felt the same.

"Guild Master!"

"I know!"

Shin Ha-rang shouted to the confused members of the Wing Guild and Mir Guild raid teams.

"Everyone! No need to panic! This notification isn't from the dungeon or any monsters."

"Then who sent it...?"

"It's from a hunter. No harm intended, so you can relax. I've met him once before, so I can vouch for his identity."

I call him the Delivery Hunter. Not someone you run into just anywhere.

"You're all in luck today. The Delivery Hunter only takes orders from hunters inside dungeons. His food is top-notch, so hit YES on the chat link now!"

Shin Ha-rang's confident words brimmed with trust. He'd already tapped YES and had the message ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠window open, looking perfectly at ease.

"Never seen our guild master smile that bright during a dungeon raid."

"He looks like he's getting poison every mealtime..."

"Can we trust this?"

An S-Rank Hunter like Shin Ha-rang was as good as a guarantee. A few taps echoed as people tentatively approved the chat link.

To back up Guild Master Ha-rang, Min Hae-yul bellowed in his booming voice, recommending the Delivery Hunter.

"I swear on my name, my family, and the pork belly party after we wrap up today!"

"Whoa, you scared me."

"Everyone, place your orders! This is your chance for a meal that changes everything! You won't regret it if you order now!"

Anyone would've thought he was getting paid to advertise.

The gathered hunters all shared the same thought watching Min Hae-yul's fanatic display.

But Min Hae-yul was dead serious about food—he wouldn't lie about pork belly—so they decided to give it a shot.

"If we can get something tasty, why not."

"Might as well roll the dice."

"Anything edible beats those creepy bugs. Even Bear Grylls would hate 'em."

Ding. Ding-ding.

All fifteen chose YES.

Crackle. Static.

"Whoa? Look at that!"

A massive notification window appeared among the crowd.

Standing in front of it was Shin Ha-rang.

'Didn't know this was possible.'

Shin Ha-rang was genuinely impressed. He wondered just how far the Delivery Hunter's limits went.

The red-haired hunter's eyes sparkled as he read the text floating over the notification window, muttering to himself.

"This guy's really something..."

Is that why he didn't tell me where he was?

The man's eyes, catching the light, shimmered gold.

First group order ever.

'No room for mistakes.'

Moon Chae-ryeon geared up solemnly, donning her hygiene headscarf, apron, gloves, and mask.

'Never thought I'd end up picking a dungeon with Shin Ha-rang in it again.'

Shin Ha-rang, her second repeat customer who'd expressed interest in reordering. She wanted to repay the gratitude from their last encounter at the Hunter Market.

"Let's make some killer dishes today, guys!"

"Of course, ma'am!"

"Yes!"

What menus would the customers pick?

Staring intently at the notification window with burning eyes, the orders came flooding in.

Menus from the 'snack' category dominated—humble, homey dishes that really hit the spot.

Chae-ryeon decided on the freebie to include right away.

'Throwing in 15 cups of sweet rice punch.'

Can't have anyone getting tummy aches after. Obviously.

Ding.

Shin Ha-rang sent a message. Even though the orders were already in, no real need.

'Such a kind customer...'

Feeling her motivation surge, Chae-ryeon headed to the kitchen.

Chop chop chop chop.

The kitchen rang with the sounds of chopping scallions, garlic, onions, and other veggies.

Chae-ryeon, Delicious Waitress Mimi, and Manager Sol-chan worked in perfect sync.

Chae-ryeon hustled about, oblivious to her skill leveling up. Multiple versions of her silently took their assigned roles without a word.

The beef brisket miso stew team started with rice-wash water.

'Deep, rich miso flavor here!'

Large pots and pans went on the induction burners. Carefully chopped veggies and hearty aged kimchi went in, followed by plenty of brisket to perfect the broth, and crisp bean sprouts to finish.

The aroma wafting up as it boiled was mouthwatering.

And the clam knife-cut noodles?

Fresh, soaked clams. Sliced potatoes and zucchini. Mugwort to amp up the broth.

She used the noodle-pulling artifact from the Hunter Market to make handmade knife-cut noodles.

Normally it'd need resting time, but Chae-ryeon's skill made that irrelevant. Her clones whipped up dough to noodles in seconds, then poured stock and ingredients into massive earthenware pots to bubble away.

"This one's done."

"Spicy pork stir-fry and boiled pork sets are ready too."

Sesame-flecked spicy pork stir-fry with its tangy gochujang scent. Boiled pork made by simmering pork shoulder and belly with bay leaves, miso, and veggies.

Paired with steaming white rice, it was pure heaven.

"A combo that can't possibly taste bad."

"Any bad reviews would be 100% slander."

"Obviously."

The multiple Chae-ryeons chorused back, but Mimi and Sol-chan stayed unfazed. They'd half-expected their master to pull something like this someday.

"A cloning skill, huh. So fitting for our master."

Mimi's ruby eyes sparkled with praise. Chae-ryeon's ears flushed faintly.

"Came to and suddenly there were a bunch of mes. And they just... moved on their own like it was natural."

"Magnificent. As expected of the moon vase I chose!"

Mimi hopped about, then pouted a bit.

"...I wish I had a humanization skill to help Master too."

Her quiet mutter reached only Sol-chan's ears.

"Senior..."

Sol-chan had helped in human form, matching her output, but it didn't ease her disappointment.

"...You'll unlock it soon enough. Don't rush."

"Hmph. Must be nice being the junior pulling ahead. Jealous."

Grumbling, Mimi still diligently helped Chae-ryeon. Duty of a summon, after all.

Packing fresh wrap veggies, peeled garlic, crisp green chilies, ssamjang, and shrimp sauce neatly was Mimi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and Sol-chan's job.