The Tteokbokki Cult Arrives in Harten
All eyes turned to another storm brewing in the north: the Sapjaru-dan. They were traversing the continent at breakneck speed. And trailing the group at the center of the buzz were YouTubers who had sniffed out the big scoop.
Among them was Panwol Emo Jjomo's own Niimorul Chataseo.
The cameraman, mic in hand, asked her, “Sis, the competition here's insane. Wouldn't it have been better to follow the Tteokbokki Cult?”
“Nah. The Cult got there and just... sat quietly. This is the right call.”
The cameraman nodded, convinced. They chatted casually, but their pace was anything but slow.
“Huff—pant—give us a break, you maniacs!”
“I-I'm done! I'm gonna die!”
Yet another batch of users chasing the Sapjaru-dan dropped out.
“Sap haha!”
The Sapjaru-dan didn't bat an eye, just kept charging ahead with their manic laughter.
The cameraman glanced at the stragglers and asked the reporter, “They're moving crazy fast. When do you think we'll get there?”
Most of the YouTubers had already fallen behind, unable to keep up. For the two rankers, though, it was a piece of cake.
“At this rate... probably tomorrow.”
They were already convinced the mystery chef in Harten was Hura. Who else could whip up this kind of hype everywhere they went?
“By the way, where's their leader?”
“Overheard them say he went ahead first.”
“Ahead? Then...”
“Yeah. Hasn't shown up yet, so he must be lost.”
“...Again?”
“They tried to stop him and go together, but no way he'd listen.”
“......”
Niimorul Chataseo let out a small sigh.
“He might arrive even later than the Sapjaru-dan.”
“Probably.”
“Works in our favor, though. Anyway, this is gonna be huge—keep the camera ready anytime.”
“Got it!”
“So, um...”
“I'll take good care of Jang U-san.”
The Chairman eyed me and Jang U-san warily, clearly not fully trusting.
“We're not strangers. I'll feed him properly, so don't worry.”
“...Alright.”
I added to the Chairman, who was glancing around, “And I don't plan to keep him tied up here forever, so no need to come check.”
“......”
Hmph. You think I'm an idiot? Leaving a hostage just sitting here for you to 'pick up anytime~'?
I planned to hand Jang U-san over to Molrangkau. The master of stealth who even tailed and scorched Baek Bal Baek Jung's head wouldn't have trouble watching a tied-up guy. And if he bolted, she'd catch him quick.
“We'll release Jang U-san after he watches tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
The Chairman gave the sniffling, bound Jang U-san a pitying look.
“...Hang in there.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
...Why do I feel like the villain here?
“Chairman, this way.”
He trudged after Geum Taeyang, looking utterly dejected.
“......”
Sorry, but the momentum shifted my way the moment we nabbed Jang U-san. It was a fight I couldn't lose, so maybe pat him on the back for a good effort.
“Chaaairman...”
Jang U-san whimpered as his figure faded from view. I patted her shoulder.
“Great acting, Jang U-san.”
“...Acting?”
“Flawless begging for your life. So desperate, and that scream? Spot on.”
“That wasn't acting...”
“Haha, so humble.”
“......”
Rustle—
Then, figures emerged from the bushes: Molrangkau, Dahyun, Ichaera, Geum Taeyang, and Tteoksoon-i. Minus Molrangkau's magic assists, they were all just spectators.
They chimed in one by one.
“You villain...”
Calling me a villain after I did the hard negotiating...
“Whoa... Customer-nim, if you weren't a chef, you'd be an amazing con artist.”
...That's a compliment, right?
“Hah... so sexy...”
...What?
“I respect you, Master.”
“Impressive. A flawless negotiation that left me in awe.”
“So this is how negotiations work. I'll learn from it.”
Tteoksoon-i and Geum Taeyang nodded enthusiastically, thumbs up.
Haha, it wasn't that big a deal.
I turned to my key helper. Without her, it would've been tough.
“Molrangkau. Good job.”
“...Feels like I'm the villain's minion.”
“Hey, you're mistaken. The villains are over there.”
“You sure?”
“Probably?”
“Threatening with a hostage? From the outside, you're the villain.”
“Hey now. You think I wanted to? I hate it too. But someone's gotta do it.”
“...You seem way too cheerful for that.”
“Ahem. Do I?”
“Don't play dumb, villain.”
“Whatever. Good results are what matter.”
“...True enough.”
I blew imaginary smoke from the pistol barrel and muttered, “Phew... Don't ever do this yourselves.”
“Even if you told us to, we wouldn't, dummy.”
“......”
I handed the eerie, pale blue-glowing pistol back to Dahyun.
“Good shooting.”
“Thanks. Guess what the snack bar owner said was true after all.”
“What'd she say?”
“Your business skills are better than hers.”
“Aw, come on. She's exaggerating.”
“But that Chairman guy was pretty smooth-talking too, almost on your level.”
“Yeah, decent opponent.”
“To me, you two seemed kinda similar.”
“...Me? Don't say creepy stuff like that.”
Dahyun giggled. “You know what they say: celebrities and their fans end up looking alike.”
“First time hearing that.”
“Makes the Tteokbokki Cult seem a bit like you too.”
“No way! How am I like those lunatics?!”
She just chuckled at my vehement denial.
“If you say so.”
“......”
I turned to Ichaera. “Got something for me too?”
Her sparkling eyes were kinda intense.
“Yep.”
“What? What?”
“Student Chaera.”
“Yes, Hura-nim! Listening!”
“Why aren't you heading back?”
“...Huh?”
“Before the other execs get suspicious. Scram.”
“Oh... okay...”
Ichaera slunk away, deflated.
Hmph.
A snort—Molrangkau smirked, lip curled like 'Serves you right.' Looked like they'd exchanged greetings behind my back. Come to think of it, they'd fought at the shop too.
...Why does she beef with everyone?
The Red Witch's rep wasn't for nothing.
I watched her go, then clapped to refocus. “Alright, no time to slack. Back to business.”
By now, Jeil Hura and Jay Hura were probably grumbling while boiling ramen to death. Couldn't leave the kitchen empty longer.
“One day left—let's end strong.”
Molrangkau glanced at someone and muttered, “...One person's not helping at all.”
Dahyun shot her a glare. “Hey, Seo Ji-hyun. I'm hustling with these pots, you know?”
“...What a brag. A 6-year-old could do that, and you're two years older acting proud. Not embarrassed?”
“What? Keep muttering and see!”
“Oh? Eavesdropping on my mumbling? Rude.”
“That's it!”
...Why are they always at each other's throats? Total cat-and-dog vibes.
“Hey, hey. No fighting. Everyone has their role—back to it.”
Molrangkau huffed and stomped off first. Dahyun fumed after her.
...Gonna have to do a 'get along' special with them later. Campfire maybe.
“Geum Taeyang. Tteoksoon-i.”
“Yes, Master.”
“If you clones can serve even one more customer, do it. Short on tables? Grab planks and rocks, improvise.”
“Got it.”
“One day left—push hard. Finish strong tomorrow, and there's a reward.”
Their eyes lit up.
“Reward? What kind?”
“Curious?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm... Spoiling it kills the fun. But maybe...”
“Uh...? N-no, don't wanna know!”
“We don't wanna know!”
“Fine, I'll tell you. The prize is...”
“Ah! La la la! Can't hear! Can't hear!”
The cooking summons bolted, hands over ears.
“Kids through and through.”
I chuckled and checked the quest window.
Lonely Chef of the Eternal Blizzard
📍 Rewards: Trace of Sulis, Meeting with Vesta's Friend, Rare Ingredients
🎁 Moved People:(1783/3000)
It was nearing 1,800. Not super hopeful with one day left, but I'd trust Dahyun's word for now.
She said tomorrow, led by the Sapjaru-dan, crowds would flood in. Worth hoping for.
I headed back to the kitchen where Jeil Hura and Jay Hura waited.
The sun dipped, vanishing beyond the western sky. Evening fell, time to wrap up the day's sales.
“Jeil Hura, Jay Hura. Good work.”
After cleaning the kitchen, I wiped sweat from my brow.
“Worked our asses off.”
Jeil Hura glared while stacking tools.
“Unlike some slacker who was out all day.”
“...Hmph.”
Jay Hura joined the glare-fest.
“...Wasn't gone that long.”
“Nyeh nyeh~ Sureee~ Real Hura-nim had sooo much fun playing around, lost track of time~ But us lowly clones slaved away all day~”
“Your opinion. Agreed.”
...These clones were getting weirder by the day. Am I like that? Nah.
“Hey. Arm wrestle. Winner's the real one.”
“Fair idea.”
“Huh? You in? Scared?”
Jeil Hura danced around cockily; Jay Hura quietly drew Sulis's Cleaver. I muttered,
“...Cooking Clone Art, release.”
Poof—
Sighing, I left the kitchen. And greeted my long-awaited guest.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Doc. Must've been forever.”
Seo Eunmi smiled warmly, waving it off. “No worries. It was entertaining.”
Relieved she wasn't upset, I relaxed. Felt bad not tending to a guest properly.
“Good to hear.”
Tteoksoon-i poured steaming tea. Fragrant steam rose.
It was the tea from the Crying Priest—great aroma.
We sat at an emptied table with three cups. I eyed the third's owner.
“Molrangkau.”
“What.”
I leaned elbows on the table, clasped hands, rested chin, and dropped my voice gravely. “Mind giving us adults some space?”
“I'm an adult too.”
“Aw, Ji-hyun. Being legal doesn't make you grown-up.”
“And you are?”
“I am.”
“Why're you an adult then?”
“'Cause I've chugged adult drinks like booze. You? Never even sipped?”
“...I-I took one sip!”
“Heh... Not enough. I've gotten drunk and caused a scene.”
“That's a brag...?”
Molrangkau, eyeing me pitifully, hooked arms with Seo Eunmi beside her.
“Plus, she's my teacher, right, Doc?”
“Right. Let Ji-hyun stay, Hura.”
She smiled pleadingly.
“...Fine.”
Molrangkau stuck out her tongue in triumph.
...That's why you're not an adult, kid.
“So, your thoughts on my cooking?”
“Already said.”
“It's late, so forgive the rush. Anything else to add?”
I'd set the 'adults only' tone for a reason. She wasn't here just to eat. She'd waited for something important.
“Yes.”
Seo Eunmi turned serious.
“Go ahead.”
She glanced carefully at Molrangkau, who nodded slightly. Then she spoke slowly.
“Actually, I'm a psychiatrist specializing in mental health.”