Chapter 7
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Delivering into the Dungeon
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"Hoo... First, let's finish up that shopping I missed because of the awakening, head home, eat some dinner, and get some rest."
Having finally calmed down after the system made her go haywire with its needless overtime nagging, Chae-ryeon activated her skill.
Express Delivery!
As soon as she invoked the skill name, a pathway tore open through the dungeon's space, just like when she'd gone out for delivery.
Chae-ryeon sped her motorcycle down the mystical tunnel that resembled a starry cosmos stretching into the distance...
She was starving.
Grrrowl.
'Ugh. Watching the customer devour it so deliciously made me hungry too.'
It was because seeing the sealed container scraped spotlessly clean, like it'd been washed, had Chae-ryeon craving to fill her own stomach right away.
'Alright. Dinner tonight will be that kimchi fried rice with beef I decided on earlier!'
She'd make kimchi fried rice loaded with her favorite beef. Grab about 200g of japchae-cut beef, lightly marinate and grill it with soy sauce, finely chop potatoes, onions, and other veggies ahead of time and stir-fry them.
Stew the kimchi in a pot with its brine like steaming it, then later sizzle it up together with the grilled beef and pre-fried veggies.
Top it with piping-hot rice mixed with a dash of sesame oil, mix it all evenly with a spatula, sprinkle sesame seeds, and crown it with a perfect half-runny fried egg—no finer feast existed.
Gulp.
Imagining it all made Chae-ryeon's hunger intensify, spurring her to hurry home even faster.
Arriving at her familiar one-room rental, Mimi greeted her warmly.
"Master! Have you returned safely?"
"Yeah. First delivery complete without a hitch! Quest cleared too."
"Uh... But why are you gearing up to head out again instead of resting? You must be exhausted."
As Mimi said, Chae-ryeon had stowed the motorcycle back in her inventory and was preparing to hit the nearby big-box mart and market.
Mimi clapped her hands as realization dawned, watching Chae-ryeon grab several spacious shopping baskets for bulk buys and her wallet.
"Ah! You're going out to do that shopping you missed earlier?"
"Right. Even before awakening, the fridge was empty and overdue for a restock. Planning to swing by the butcher, fruit stand, veggie shop—fish market too if needed."
"Preparing ahead for the flood of orders to come! As expected of my master! I wish to accompany you!"
Chae-ryeon was momentarily stunned by the admiration shining in Mimi's sparkling eyes.
"W-Well, that's part of it... but... that damn system—no, the system cleared one quest and immediately hit me with three more for the next level. Time limit's tight, so I can't slack off."
Mimi pulled up Chae-ryeon's status window to check the assigned quests.
[Tutorial: Meal Prep!]
[In Progress...]
[Subquest: Price It!]
[Subquest: Set the Menu!]
[Subquest: Open the Shop!]
[Time Limit: 23:56:59]
[Success Reward: Summon Ticket for 'Manager Sol-chan']
[Failure Penalty: Cooking Skills Revoked for Two Weeks!]
The system— she'd overlooked it earlier, but the penalty was stripping her cooking skills for a whole two weeks.
'Two freaking weeks...!'
It was a full week longer than the last penalty. Wow!
"......"
"......"
Mimi's mouth clamped shut tight after scanning Chae-ryeon's info. Chae-ryeon mirrored her with a wistful expression.
"......The system dropped three quests this time."
It even taunted her with a chicken out? when she hesitated.
'What an obnoxious jerk...'
Mastering memes to troll her on top of everything—the system's attitude was infuriating enough to grab by the collar.
She was grateful it'd made her dream of being a delivery hunter come true through awakening, but its snarky demeanor made her want to strangle it.
"I-Indeed... You're tired, and I asked a needless question..."
Mimi's soft white ears twitched like antennae, gauging Chae-ryeon's mood.
'So cute.'
Chae-ryeon fondly stroked Mimi's head, charmed by the sight.
"Master?"
Whether it was her first time being petted or not, Mimi's cheeks flushed as red as her eyes.
Not hating it, her large ears—which had drooped—now perked straight up.
Chae-ryeon flashed a reassuring grin.
"It's fine. It was something I had to do anyway. The system's just extra seasoning on top. I'm good."
Of course, without the reward, she'd have balked—but no need to mention that.
"Master...!"
Unaware, Mimi was moved by Chae-ryeon's resolve and leaped into her arms.
Chae-ryeon happily hugged her back, stroking gently.
"Alright. Time to prep dinner too—let's grab groceries quick and come back to eat!"
"Splendid!"
"Mimi, wanna ride in my pocket or bag? Hunters are common these days, but a talking summon might draw too much attention."
It'd been less than a full day since Chae-ryeon's awakening.
Her neighborhood was a one-room village near the university, where she could run into classmates or students from other schools.
Dungeons and hunters had been around for 20 years, but awakenings were still rare miracles.
If word got out about her talking summon, curious folks would pry if she'd awakened, her rank, her job—her personal info would spread like wildfire.
'Don't want the hassle of rumors.'
She wasn't ready for the celebrity treatment hunters got.
'I just want to feed my cooking to more people!'
Some hunters lived like celebs, but that sounded burdensome to Chae-ryeon, so caution it was.
With an S-Rank and unique job, she'd stand out eventually... but not yet, please.
Understanding, Mimi nodded, her big ears flapping like wings.
"Understood! As my master wishes, your loyal Mimi shall board the bag!"
"Thanks!"
That day, Chae-ryeon shopped like a pro, hauling heaps of fresh ingredients.
Meats, fish, crisp veggies, seasonal fruits that looked mouthwatering, plus seasonings for extra flavor—her wallet thinned while baskets bulged.
Soon, every basket she carried was packed to bursting.
"Miss, you sure you can carry all that? Might be easier to order delivery..."
Even the cashier gawked at the mountain, but Chae-ryeon beamed.
"No worries! This is nothing. I can make it home like this!"
'Who knew S-Rank Strength and Stamina meant this much power!'
Awakening had boosted her stats, and the overflowing strength meant saving on ingredient delivery fees ahead—Chae-ryeon was thrilled.
Skipping home with bouncy steps, she and Mimi rinsed, portioned, and neatly organized everything into the fridge.
In the process, a new skill unlocked.
A new skill has been unlocked.
Neatly Organized! has been added to your skill list.
[Skills in Possession]
Neatly Organized!
: Use to efficiently organize ingredients bought for cooking. Dramatically reduces sorting time. Also preserves freshness of ingredients.
'Ooh, jackpot. Huge win.'
Practical skills for real life—who wouldn't be thrilled?
Chae-ryeon shelved her grudges against the system. It wasn't all bad, after all.
After devouring an amazing beef kimchi fried rice dinner—including Mimi's portion—Chae-ryeon grew curious about this quest's reward.
"Mimi, what's this 'Manager Sol-chan' reward for the quest?"
Mimi was still munching, cheeks puffed with Chae-ryeon's kimchi fried rice.
"Mm. Likely a summon like me!"
"A summon?"
"Yes. Your duties are momentous, so the system deems solo too burdensome and sends reinforcements, I presume!"
"Extra manpower, huh..."
"High chance it's a sentient summon like me. 'Manager' suggests specialization in accounting and organization over cooking."
"Perfect for me then. I was already stressing about the 'open a shop' quest and handling a flood of orders."