Chapter 50

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 50

Chapter Title: Lee Soo-yeon's Porridge

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I announced the start of the event and got my character moving right away.

The first place I headed was the starting village.

From there, heading out the north gate led to the Northern Hunting Ground 1.

This was a place etched in the memories of every Chrono Lea player.

At the beginning of the game, the tutorial video showed the ship getting smashed to pieces by rough waves, and the protagonist, swept away unconscious, wakes up on this very sandy beach.

"Hmm, brings back memories."

The sound of crashing waves served as background music as I stepped onto the sand.

A little further toward the village, there was a rundown blacksmith shop.

Inside was a blacksmith NPC named Jerry, hammering away.

Talking to him triggered a basic quest to hunt horned rabbits and bring back their horns, and completing it rewarded Jerry's Sword.

"This thing's still got value."

Why a blacksmith wanted mere rabbit horns remained one of the game's enduring mysteries.

But Jerry's Sword as a quest reward held a special status.

Its attack power and options were junk-tier, something newbies used briefly before tossing.

Yet it had one unique option no immortal item in Chrono Lea possessed.

[Durability: Infinite]

In this game system where weapons were required to use skills, grinding skill proficiency or messing with low-level players racked up hefty repair bills from durability loss.

That's why veterans cherished Jerry's Sword as an essential for trolling or as a scarecrow dummy.

'Perfect spot.'

I crammed my character into the narrow gap between the trash pile and the wall behind the blacksmith.

Unless you adjusted the camera perfectly, it was an absolute blind spot no one could see.

After hiding the character, I switched the stream feed from the game screen to my doctor character front and center.

The background filled up with my character's face.

The chat filled with complaints and frustration.

I leaned back in my chair smugly, chuckling at the flood of messages.

This reaction? Perfect.

Thrilling.

"What are you all doing? Hurry up and find me."

I clicked my tongue and taunted them.

The doctor character's expression on screen shifted to match my own annoying smirk.

"We're talking 1.1 million won worth of top-grade potions for free, and you're not coming? Even handing you rice to eat on a platter."

My taunt hit home; the chat firepower intensified.

I could feel the fired-up viewers charging in from across the monitor.

Humming a Chrono Lea BGM tune, I opened another browser window on the side.

Time to spy on my fan gallery.

"Let's see how my gallery folks are doing at finding me~"

The gallery was hunting me too.

But ten minutes after the event started, not a single rat had passed in front of my character.

Too well hidden?

This might make the stream drag.

'Can't let the energy drop.'

No choice. Time for a hint.

"By the way, doesn't it feel like higher-end item durability wears out faster lately when hunting? Repair costs are melting away nicely."

Durability.

The key hint.

The reaction was lukewarm.

I tsked at the chat.

"I spoon-fed it right to your mouths, and you can't eat? Should I pry your jaws open with a spoon?"

Even served on a silver platter, they couldn't grasp it.

Frustrated, I was about to slap my chest when—

In the corner of the game screen, someone poked into the gap where my character hid.

"Oh!"

I clapped three times.

Then switched the screen back to the game view.

"Congratulations! CitrusFarmChunoGuy wins the top-grade potions x500!"

With the screen change, viewers finally spotted my hiding spot.

Corner behind Jerry's blacksmith.

"You couldn't find this? Infinite durability weapon! Jerry's Sword pops right up, doesn't it? Y'all slept on the game~"

I teased the viewers mercilessly.

Then sent the trade request to CitrusFarmChunoGuy right away.

I put up the promised 500 top-grade potions.

He accepted.

1.1 million won in cash vanished from my hands in an instant.

But I didn't regret it.

It was an investment for bigger gains.

"Do whatever with the potions—use 'em or rice-eat. Congrats!"

The chat exploded with envy and jealousy.

I grinned and grabbed the mic.

"This ain't the end. Keep joining. Only 500 out of my prepared 19,800 gone. I'll drop 100 at a time, or 500 when the mood strikes."

Then a superchat notification rang.

"Ah..."

Didn't think of that.

Right now was prime working hours for office drones.

Coming home to a finished event? Soul-crushing.

I knew that feeling better than anyone.

"Good point. Gotta look out for the working folks."

I pretended to ponder, then continued.

"Here's the deal. I'll drop up to 9,800 first. Save the last 10,000 for part 2 at 8 PM—nice post-shower time. Cool?"

Sighs of relief poured into the chat.

Looks like plenty were peeking at the stream between wage-slave duties.

Hide-and-seek continued after that.

Already given away about 8,000.

Nearly 20 million won in cash equivalent.

Crazy, but planned anyway.

Problem was, all the talking wore me out.

"Ha... hungry."

Talking that much built up an appetite.

Normally I'd end stream for food, but today the vibe was good—I wanted to eat on cam.

"I'm starving, gonna grab some food. Might as well do mukbang with live feedback. Menu recs? Craving burger."

"OK, McD's Double Q.P. today. Need that heavy meat hit."

I whipped out the delivery app and ordered smoothly.

30 minutes till arrival.

Can't just sit idle.

"Order in. While burger comes, let's ask the big bros something."

"When watching my vids, anything like 'Eh, this is meh' or 'This crap's lame'? Spill now."

All praise. Boring.

"No blind praise. Real gripes? Pinpoint something convincing, and I'll drop 10 Hambuggy set gift cards."

Chat vibe flipped instantly.

These jerks started fabricating flaws.

Ridiculous nitpicks. I burst out laughing in disbelief.

"Not kindergarteners... You shameless punks. Gotta be convincing to get the goods."

I flipped the bird at the camera.

The doctor character did the same to viewers.

"Crafting bullshit for a burger? No dice."

"..."

Couldn't argue.

I shot up, hand on belly, bowing 90 degrees.

"Sorry! Forgot my place!"

No chroma key or suit—just sweats—but sincerity conveyed, I hoped.

Right then—

Ding-dong—

Perfect timing, doorbell.

"Oh, here! One sec, grabbing the burger."

Mic off, I dashed to the door.

Faster than expected.

Flew the door open.

"Thanks... Huh?"

Not delivery. Long straight hair instead of helmet, neat coat over vest.

Looking up, familiar face.

"Soo-yeon?"

I stared blankly, flustered.

No memory of her saying she'd come over.

"..."

Lee Soo-yeon stared up silently.

Then reached out, gently stroking my cheek.

"You said you felt a cold coming yesterday."

"Ah..."

Right, mentioned throat scratchy in passing on yesterday's call.

Had a slight cold vibe.

Forgot while streaming and yapping.

"Saw your stream notification. Worried since you went so long without a break, so I came."

Her eyes brimmed with concern.

Started morning stream; by lunch now, 4 hours in?

"Here."

She handed over the bag she held.

Pretty heavy.

"Brought porridge. Saw you ordered burger, but have this for lunch instead. Save burger for dinner."

"Ah... Yeah. Got it."

I nodded obediently.

Burger could wait.

"Thanks for coming."

She beamed warmly at my words.

She tiptoed, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Can't risk kissing and catching your cold."

"..."

Winked playfully, pressed elevator button.

I waved till doors closed, standing dazed.

"Ha..."

Cheek burned.

Good thing mic was off.

Bag in hand, back to room.

Sat, mic on.

"Ahem! Back."

Shoved burger ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bag aside, pulled porridge container from bag.

Still piping hot, fresh.

"Sorry, menu change. Burger mukbang to porridge mukbang."

Chat sniffed it out like ghosts, going nuts.

Sharp ones.

"GF? Nah."

Cleared throat, swiftly changed subject.

Not GF yet—no lie.

"Love beef porridge anyway, abalone too. And porridge needs braised beef. That's the real star, right?"

Food talk dispersed the frenzy, luckily.

Scooped a big spoonful of warm porridge.

Comforting taste soothed my gut.

Felt like her feelings came with it; smile crept up.

"Mmm~ Good."

Mood lifted.

Simple pleasures, can't help it.

"Feeling great now. After finishing this, adding 1,000 more to drop."

Restock later.

Or just hand cash to rice-eaters, skip potions.