The Missing 2%
"Let's see here..."
I pulled out a half-burnt fried egg and some tteokbokki from my inventory using Cooking Clone Art.
"Cooking Summon."
Flash!
"Greetings, Master!"
It had been quite a while since I'd seen these familiar faces. I'd expected them to be down in the dumps, but fortunately, they seemed far more spirited than I'd feared.
"Rise."
"We cannot!"
Geum Taeyang shouted. The two of them knelt on one knee, heads bowed low.
"Punish us!"
"We failed to protect you, Master—instead, we became a burden!"
"Punish us!"
"Never again—never again will we disappoint you!"
"Punish us!"
"Punish us! Just please don't abandon us!"
They looked ready to smash their foreheads into the ground. A closer look revealed their hands trembling faintly.
"......"
Step, step.
I approached the pair, who still hadn't lifted their heads. Kneeling down between them, I wrapped my arms around the two on their knees.
"......!"
"......!"
"I'm just glad you're both safe."
"M-Master...!"
"H-How can you..."
Geum Taeyang and Tteok Sun-i stared at me with bulging eyes. Their swollen golden and white pupils brimmed with tears.
"H-How can you do this, Master? You ought to punish us."
"He's right! We've greatly disappointed you."
Tteok Sun-i and Geum Taeyang spoke in turn, their voices quivering. I smiled warmly in response.
"I've never been disappointed in you two."
"...Pardon?"
"Huh?"
Confused voices.
"You've always disappointed me. Every single time. Always."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head with a nostalgic expression. Their eyes shook wildly as they gazed at me. Their faces slowly crumpled into sobs, mouths turning down, brows furrowing like the character for eight.
I continued calmly.
"But that's why I like you."
"...Pardon?"
"Huh?"
Confused voices again.
"I liked that you were never perfect—always lacking something, always a bit foolish."
"Master..."
"Sob..."
"I loved how you'd trip over nothing like an idiot, then get up grinning like a fool."
"......"
"......"
"You always seemed a bit dim, like you were missing a couple of screws, stubbornly idiotic—"
"M-Master, that's enough..."
"I-Idiot...?"
I smiled gently.
"You don't have to be perfect. You can disappoint me anytime."
I looked them straight in the eyes, one after the other.
"So don't ask for punishment. And never say something stupid like I'll abandon you."
"......!"
"Master...!"
"I really like you fools who always disappoint me."
"Sniff... Master!"
"Hic... Sob—Master..."
"I want to keep going with you just like this. What about you? Still want that punishment?"
"No, sir! This is Geum Taeyang speaking! I'm a stupid, foolish, stubborn idiot, but I want to serve you forever—until the day I die!"
"Sob—me too! Same here, Master! I'll keep disappointing you forever!"
"Haha, you two."
They burst into tears and threw themselves into my arms.
Your cooking summons' loyalty has greatly increased.
—They would believe you even if you said beans planted in a field grew red beans.
Even without that system message, one look into their eyes told me everything.
"Waaah—Master..."
"Hic—sob—"
"...Don't get snot on my clothes."
"Ah, sorry!"
* * *
"This spot looks good."
A busy crossroads near the oasis, shaded broadly by a row of tall palm trees. This would be our base for the naengmyeon stand.
To make it work, we needed chairs and tables for sit-down dining. It wasn't like cup tteokbokki you could eat on the go.
So, I gathered nearby discarded planks and large rocks to improvise some. Rough ones good enough to sit on and eat from. And that was Geum Taeyang and Tteok Sun-i's job.
With puffy eyes from crying, the two dove into the work with vigor. Inspired by my words, they brimmed with energy in everything they did.
"Tteok Sun-i! Carry this plank up to that big rock!"
"Yes, Senior!"
"Ready?"
"Of course!"
"Here we go. One, two, three! Hup!"
"Hyah!"
They hoisted the heavy plank and crab-walked cautiously toward the rock.
"G-Good. Just set it down on the rock like this!"
"Got it!"
"Ready to lower?"
"Yes! Of course!"
"Louder! Ready?"
"Of course, sir!"
"Lowering on three. One, two, three—now! Hup!"
"Hee-yah!"
Thud! Crack!
"......"
"......"
...Maybe a bit too much energy.
Anyway, while they set up the makeshift stall, I had my own tasks. Right on cue, Baek Bal Baek Jung arrived lugging the ingredients I'd requested.
"Hura-nim. Your ingredients."
"Ah, just set them there. Buy some ice cream with the change."
"Sweet."
As I unpacked the groceries with a rustle, Baek Bal Baek Jung asked from the side.
"How're you planning to make the naengmyeon?"
"Ah, well, to explain: First, boil beef brisket and bones over high heat for an hour and a half. Once the meat's cooked, skim it out, add prepped pear, green onion, onion, radish, then minced garlic, minced ginger, and two spoons of chili powder—"
"Ahem. I'm sure you'll handle it masterfully, Hura-nim. I'll go help those two."
Baek Bal Baek Jung fled. I smirked and began prepping.
Of course, making proper naengmyeon broth was a long, arduous process. Starting with soaking brisket and bones in water for three hours to draw out blood.
I hadn't realized even basic naengmyeon broth took this much effort. No wonder it's pricey.
But I had no intention of slaving for hours. This wasn't a full naengmyeon restaurant.
I was just using it as bait for info.
Thud.
I pulled a heavy jar from my inventory, labeled 'Concentrated Naengmyeon Broth' like a soy sauce vat.
This was why I'd chosen naengmyeon in the first place.
"Heh heh heh. Big corp flavors never disappoint."
Not all mass-produced tastes are bad. They pour research budgets into crafting flavors people love, with PhDs racking their brains.
I'm just buying the fruits of their labor with cash—instead of my time. In other words, buying time.
"Mmm."
I nodded proudly. Now I was a proper chef compromising with the modern world.
All I had to do was the add-ons: boil eggs, make seasoning, cook noodles—easy stuff.
"Heh heh heh."
This is modern society. I'll use every tool available.
Taste the power of big corps, you clueless masses.
* * *
-Sweet and sour pork.
-Gukbap.
-Pickles.
-Chi...cken teriyaki.
-Chicken teriyaki? Can you even eat that?
-...Good point.
"All done!"
I called over the trio playing word chain at the makeshift table.
"Come taste it!"
They'd finished setting up the stall and were lounging there. All three bolted over like shots from a cannon—Baek Bal Baek Jung predictably first. He zipped up in a flash and took the bowl from me.
◈ Refreshing water naengmyeon made with Yudin Lake's pure water.
◈ Eating it will briefly chase away the heat.
"Ooh. Looks great."
"Haha, the taste is what matters."
Even to me, it looked delicious—refreshing just to behold. A solid success.
Sliced radish and cucumber over buckwheat noodles, topped with red seasoning and sesame seeds. Finally, half a plump boiled egg for perfection.
The broth mixed concentrated naengmyeon stock with endless pure, cool Yudin Lake water from the Crest Dragon's Horn. No ice was a shame, but the chill matched any naengmyeon.
I'd thought no stars, but it granted one. Probably thanks to the Crest Dragon's Horn. Good ingredients are indeed OP.
I handed bowls to Geum Taeyang and Tteok Sun-i as they arrived.
"See if it's any good."
"Yes! Thank you for the meal."
"Thank you!"
Starving, the three dove right in without hesitation.
Slurp!
Praise poured in.
"Whoa! This is seriously good! The noodles are chewy and slick, soaking up the broth perfectly!"
"A huge success, Master. The broth is so refreshing."
"For real! Best naengmyeon I've ever had!"
Baek Bal Baek Jung, Geum Taeyang, Tteok Sun-i in order.
"You've had it before?"
"Uh..."
Tteok Sun-i was speechless. Heh, the kid wasn't even a year old yet. Adorable.
"You've heard the pros. Now the cons. First time making naengmyeon, so plenty of flaws. Eat slowly and critique freely—it'll help me improve. Even tiny details."
They nodded solemnly. I left them to eat and headed to clean up the kitchen—which was just some stacked planks.
Right away, a voice called from behind. Baek Bal Baek Jung.
"Hura-nim. May I say something?"
"Ah, sure. Though you could've waited till you finished."
"I did."
"Already?"
His silver stainless bowl gleamed empty, not a drop left—like a mirror.
"...You ate fast."
This was basically chugging the whole thing.
"Haha, it was that good. Thought hard while eating to help you."
I pulled out notepad and pen, nodding.
"Go ahead."
"Well... It's undeniably, perfectly delicious..."
He scratched his turban, hesitant.
"But?"
"Ah, don't mind it. Just my personal take."
"It's fine. Speak freely."
"Yes. I don't know exactly what, but..."
I watched him intently, pen ready.
"It feels 2% short."
"2% short..."
I jotted it down, repeating it.
"Just a gut feeling—can't explain in detail."
He scratched his turban apologetically.
2% short... Who said that? Wait.
"Ah!"
It was me. Thinking about the boss's tteokbokki sauce. Tasty enough, but somehow 2% off. An inexplicable instinct.
If so...?
"......!"
Lightning insight struck. I snatched his bowl, whipped up fresh naengmyeon with noodles, broth, seasoning, toppings.
And finally, sprinkled in the 'white powder.'
"Try it again?"
"Ah, yes. Sure."
Baek Bal Baek Jung took the new bowl, dazed. Mixed seasoning and toppings, took a bite.
Slurp!
His eyes flew wide.
"......!"
He turned to stone for a moment. His unfocused gaze wandered the air.
Then, tears welled and trickled down his cheek.
His eyes slowly met mine.
"...Perfect. 100%."
I grinned.
"Knew it."